Mobile Phone News
Nokia N9 Preview
The N9 has spent enough time running through the tech world now for opinions to have finally settled and the almost unanimous verdict is that Nokia has done something right. Although the Meego operating system has been described as a dead platform by more than on tech industry guru, it appears that both Nokia and Meego have managed to come together to create a fluid, interesting and overall useful device.
HTC Sensation Preview
The HTC Sensation is soon set to become HTC’s new flagship phone just about everywhere but the US. The Dual-core 1.2GHz handset boasts some impressive hardware specs, as well as the Android Gingerbread OS and new Sense 3.0 user interface (UI). It’s basically the very definition of the new generation of smartphones and should emerge as a solid competitor for Samsung’s much awaited Galaxy S II.
HTC Salsa Preview
The HTC Salsa is set to be released soon and carry on the strong-chinned legacy of the HTC Hero and HTC Legend, although with somewhat less focus on the unique case design and more on social networking (the iconic chin has seen a definite decrease in size when compared previous models). Also noticeable is the lack of any trackball or touchpad at the base of the device, HTC opting to instead include a dedicated Facebook button that lights up at different times, but more on that later.
Nokia E6 Looks Like a BlackBerry
Nokia’s taken a leaf out of RIM’s book and designed a very familiar-looking handset aimed at business and enterprise users. The Nokia E6 is a business-oriented phone with a 2.46 inch display, portrait QWERTY keypad, touchpad and capacitive touchscreen. You’ll recognise the basic design form the iconic BlackBerry series that was obviously the inspiration behind this handset’s form-factor.
Tethering Now On Voda Infinite Plans
Vodafone’s Infinite Plans have been some of the better mobile phone deals in the Australian mobile market since November last year. Unfortunately for Vodafone customers, however, the carrier originally inexplicably removed the ability to freely tether internet through your phone and to another device like a laptop or tablet. That’s all changed now with Vodafone allowing customers to use their included data on any device they can tether with.
Unhappy Visual Voicemails for Telstra
Telstra have announced today that they are supporting visual voicemail for the iPhone. Yet after just a few hours in the market, this little feature announcement is now becoming an interesting test of character for the 'new' Telstra. The new feature announcement is causing quite a stir on the Telstra Exchange Blog and what Telstra does next is going to be the important thing in re-affirming their new approach to customers.
Vodafone to Replace Entire Network
Vodafone Hutchison Australia is planning to replace their entire wireless network during the next 18 months. Despite the obvious connotations (that Vodafone has realised it needs a massive infrastructure overhaul to stay in the game due to its recent lawsuits and bevy of customer complaints) Vodafone maintains that this move has been in the works for over 12 months now.
Telstra Plans for 2011 4G Rollout
Telstra has announced their plan for a 2011 rollout of a new LTE “4G” network. LTE (meaning Long-Term Evolution) is a wireless technology that has recently become extremely popular in the US and offers transfer rates of up to 60mbs, that’s over seven times the speed most of Australia’s current 3G wireless network.
A Tale of Two Vodafone Companies
Vodafone, the world's largest mobile operator, has been experiencing mixed fortunes over the past two months, with our local Vodafone (VHA) in Australia in a predicament which is in stark contrast with its fortune overseas. The irony of the recent Vodafone network issues in Australia is that Vodafone as a larger global mobile company has been intensely experiencing the two sides of the same coin.
Telstra’s Per Minute Rate Adjustment
UPDATED: Telstra has finally said goodbye to their 30 second block calls, bringing it in line with many other telcos with new per minute charges. From March 2011, Telstra will begin charging for mobile, STD and international calls in one minute segments, meaning that regardless of whether your call is 5 seconds or 55 seconds, you will be charged for one full minute.
