Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category
Both the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the iPhone 4S offer voice control applications allowing you to speak to tell the handset what to do, or get information in a futuristic and highly interactive way. There are also many other similarities as to the capabilities of each handset and what they can allow you to do.
The iPhone 4S features an application called Siri which is new to the latest iOS operating system, version 5 respectively. This intuitive app is accessed simply by holding the Home button for a few seconds and it then appears. You can provide either direct instructions such as “Message Dad; I’m on my way”, or ask semantic questions such as “Will I need an umbrella today?” and receive the weather along with an answer. The app is capable of a range of functions including messaging, emails and entering and informing of calendar events. Other features of this handset include its Retina display measuring 3.5 inches along with the powerful 8 megapixel camera for High Definition 1080 pixel video recording.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S2 also provides Say N Go, the Samsung Voice Solution which offers much of the same functionality to Siri. As with the iPhone, the app is accessed via the Home key on the front of the device with a simple double tap, and is then ready to receive your voice commands. You can fully take charge of the handset with this app, which also allows you to send messages, emails, schedule events and launch apps. You can also create notes for yourself, and if necessary by dictating “Send”, send them to a contact. This phone also comes with an 8 megapixel camera supported also by an LED flash for poor light conditions, however does offer a slightly larger display at 4.3 inches. The display is Super AMOLED technology which is able to display sharp images and text as with the alternative handset.
Both handsets offer a diverse range of functionality and customization through their respective application stores which allow you to download more apps as you please. Multimedia and entertainment are not short on either device too. Both offer comprehensive music, video and camera capabilities, as well as providing messaging and social networking support.
The iPhone 4S is a well known handset which is being marketed partly on Siri alone, while it also offers many other impressive features. In comparison the Samsung Galaxy S2 offers a powerful voice command app alongside its advanced technology and the Android operating system respectively.
Posted in Miscellaneous, Telecommunications | 
Tags: Apple iphone, iPhone 4, Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Phones
When it comes to music features on a smartphone, the iPhone 4S reigns supreme. Thanks to its integration with other Apple products like iTunes and its built in iPod functionality, it has everything a music lover could want from a mobile phone.
However, there are of course a large number of additional apps which can be downloaded from the music category in the AppStore. In this article I will take you through some of the top music apps available which can enhance the functionality of the iPhone 4S as a music phone.
Shazam
Have you ever been in a situation where you hear a song you like but don’t know the title or artist so you can get it at a later date? This is where the Shazam app comes in. The app works by ‘listening’ to a sample of the song, and it will then access an online database of music which consists of millions of songs to find a match. If a match is successfully found, the details such as the title, artist and album will be displayed. Also, there will be a link which takes you to that song on the phone’s iTunes where you can download it directly to the phone. The app is very simple to use. When you hear a song you wish to identify, simply open the app and hold it to the source of the music (e.g. a speaker). The app will then require a few second to identify the song and it will then access the database and display the described results. The free version of Shazam comes with a monthly limit of ten uses. If you become a frequent user of the app, you can choose to upgrade to the paid version. This costs £0.69 and allows unlimited uses. For its low price, I recommend this app, especially if you have ever found yourself in the aforementioned situation where you wish to identify a song.
TuneIn Radio
There are many radio apps available in the AppStore, but TuneIn radio is among the most popular. This app offers much more than the usual functions found on most radio apps, hence its popularity. First off, it has one of the biggest catalogues of available radio stations, with over 50,000 from all over the world. These are sorted by genre, region etc, making it easy to find what you are looking for. Because of the dual-core processor in the iPhone 4S you can multi task, whereby you can have the app running in the background, listening to a radio station while you are using other apps, browsing the web for example. TuneIn radio also allows you to search all available stations for a particular song which is currently playing, and even allows you to pause a live stream for up to 30 minutes. It is features like these which set TuneIn radio apart from the others. If you listen to the radio on your iPhone 4S, or wish to start then I highly recommend the TuneIn Radio app.
As you can see, there is much more to the iPhone 4S and its music attributes than just the apps which are included as standard. If you take the time to browse the music category of the AppStore, you are sure to find many apps which suit your needs, and enhance your iPhone 4S music experience. Be sure to check out the iPhone 5 when it is launched later this year for more music features.
In the next few weeks we are set to see the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S3, the eagerly awaited new flagship handset from Samsung. It is widely expected that we will see the new iPhone 5 revealed soon afterwards as Apple are keen not to lose ground on their closest smartphone competitor. New rumours suggest that these two new devices will be focusing on the design of the handsets in a bid to catch the attention of the buying public.
The latest rumours to surface on the internet suggest that the new iPhone 5 will be constructed from a new liquid metal material. The iPhone 4S was the last major smartphone release from Apple and although this model was very pleasing on the eye many consumers complained about the rather delicate glass construction. Despite toughened glass being used on the front and back panel of this phone there were still numerous cases of the phone being damaged when dropped. Apple look to have taken this on board and will construct the new model from liquid metal. The use of this type of material means that the phone will not only be incredibly durable but it will also be much lighter in weight than previous versions of the phone. It is no secret that Apple currently have patents pertaining to liquid metals and in particular the materials use in the construction of mobile phones so do not be surprised if this is one rumour about the new phone that proves to be correct.
It looks as though the Apple iPhone 5 may not be the only handset that uses liquid metal in its construction as Samsung are also looking to use the same type of material on their new Galaxy S3 handset. With several major smartphone manufacturers offering very similar technical specification on their devices the design of the phone is becoming one of the most vital aspects. Apple have always been renowned for their ground breaking styling and Samsung will be keen to ensure that their technically superior phone can match their biggest rivals when it comes to design. We may not have long to wait to see if these rumours regarding the construction of these two new devices prove correct. Samsung are holding a major event on May 3rd where it is expected that the Galaxy S3 will be unveiled. We will probably have to wait until the end of the summer before we hear such news about the iPhone 5 but certainly by the time autumn arrives we will have had a chance to see both of these devices in the flesh.
The use of new materials on the iPhone 5 is no surprise as Apple attempt to give the handset an edge over its competitors. Given the success of the Samsung Galaxy S2 it is also no shock that the manufacturers are trying to compete with Apple in this area rather than focusing on more common designs that are offered by numerous other phone manufacturers.
For iPhone 5 news and Samsung Galaxy S3 deals please visit our website.
The Sony Xperia S is the first Sony branded smartphone after Sony and Ericsson parted their ways. This is also the flagship of Sony. It comes with a high-resolution display and a whopping 12MP camera.
The phone’s design is bar none. It boasts that futuristic look with its clear slice of plastic beneath the phone’s screen. This is also where the phone’s antenna is located. It gives us that fresh and chic appeal.
You will notice gaps running around the phone’s back plate edges. There are also a couple of plastic flaps that are used to cover the phone’s ports. You can find this handset in Black and in White. Notice how the handset is capable of giving you that matt white plastic back and black glass front. The design is basically ingenious. Overall, the phone’s matt finish looks seals the deal. The phone basically feels great as the phone’s back sits perfectly on one’s hands.
The phone comes in with a hefty 4.3″ display screen. The phone’s gentle curved back allows you to hold it properly and firmly. It is quite comfortable to hold too.
Going back to the phone’s clear transparent section, you will instantly notice three tiny white icons. These indicate the touch sensitive buttons above. This also lights up whenever you get a call, message notification, or whenever you are charging the handset. Now, that is fun to look at!
This phone will also give you a sharper 1.3MP front-facing camera and you can also record videos at 720p in HD quality. Video calls are now made perfect with this handset.
If you open the phone’s back plates, you will then see its SIM card slot. Unfortunately this is all you will ever see. It comes with no microSD card slot or removable battery. But the phone will give you 32GB worth of built-in memory storage.
If you look at the phone’s right side, you will notice its camera button, micro HDMI socket (for instant TV playback), and volume rocker. The left part of the phone is where you will find the phone’s micro USB charging port. The phone’s power/screen lock button is situated on the top edge. The 3.5mm headphone jack is there as well.
Lastly, the phone is currently running on Android 2.3 or the Gingerbread OS. Hopefully, the latest Android Iteration will roll out to this handset soon.
This is the design and features of the Sony Xperia S.
For the best deals on the Sony Xperia S and the Sony Xperia U, visit us at Phoneslimited.co.uk.
The HTC Sensation offers a wealth of downloadable content thanks to features like Google Play (formally Android Market) offering thousands of apps, and HTC Hub which lets you download widgets, skins, wallpapers etc. in this article I will look at the latter; both how to use it an what is available for download.
On your HTC Sensation XE homescreen, simply tap the ‘all apps’ menu at the bottom left of the screen. You will then be presented with a list of all the apps which are currently installed on the phone. From here, locate the HTC Hub app, and tap it to open. A menu will then appear, showing the categories of the available downloadable content. These are as follows; apps, and plugins, widgets, sound sets, scenes, skins, wallpapers, ringtones, alarm sounds and notification sounds.
Apps and Plugins
These are essentially apps which are similar found in Google Play, but are created by HTC and optimised for HTC phones rather than Android phones in general.
Widgets
These are like apps, but can be operated directly from the screen on which you wish to place them. This saves having to open them each time.
Sound Sets
These are sounds for features like alarms notifications, messages and emails. They are all based on a common theme, and there are currently around 30 to choose from.
Scenes
Scenes combine wallpapers, lockscreens and app/widget configurations, which are all designed to complement each other. For example there is a vacation scene called ‘Holiday Season’, which has a dual clock (to display local and home country times) and come with camera and translator shortcuts on the lockscreen, so it is clearly aimed at those who are on holiday.
Wallpapers
This category offers a number of wallpapers which are not included in the default set already found on the phone. Users can view thumbnails, and then choose to download and use the wallpapers. This means that there is less data filling up the phone’s storage, and you only download the wallpapers after you have decided that you want it.
Ringtones
This category offer a choice of downloadable polyphonic ringtones, and like wallpapers, allows you to hear a sample before committing them to your phone’s storage, as they are all store on HTC’s servers.
Alarm Sound and Notification Sounds are the final categories, which are pretty self explanatory. The beauty of using HTC Hub is that you can see/hear the products before you choose to download and use them. If you are not satisfied with the choices already included on your HTC Sensation XE, you are sure to find something you like on the HTC Hub application. When downloading data from the HTC Hub, you can use a 3G or Wi-Fi connection, although Wi-Fi will be faster and will not incur data usage.
The HTC Sensation XE is available now from UK networks, with a number offering the handset for free when you sign up to a selected contract.
Check out the best HTC Sensation XE deals and HTC One S deals at PhonesLimited.co.uk