Friday, October 16, 2009

Vodafone and RIM announce the launch of the BlackBerry® Storm2™



Vodafone and Research In Motion (RIM)  today introduced the BlackBerry® Storm2™ smartphone for customers in seven European countries as well as South Africa.

The second generation of RIM's innovative and award-winning touch-screen smartphone, the BlackBerry Storm2 significantly improves the BlackBerry® touch-screen platform with new technology and new features to let customers stay easily connected to the people, places and things that matter most.

In the busy holiday gift buying period, customers in the UK and Ireland will be able to get the new smartphone first through Vodafone, and it will be offered exclusively by Vodafone in Germany, Netherlands and Spain.  It will also be made available in France, Italy and South Africa in time for Christmas.

The BlackBerry Storm2 with BlackBerry OS 5 evolves the BlackBerry touch-screen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements.

New SurePress Technology
The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone introduces a new SurePress™ technology based on an electronic system that provides the user with tactile feedback when the touch-screen is pressed. The new system responds equally to gentle pressure applied anywhere on the surface of the screen and makes clicking the display practically effortless. Typing on the smartphone's virtual keyboards is easier, more comfortable and more accurate. The new SurePress technology also allows the user to type a letter with one thumb even while their other thumb may still be touching or resting on another letter, enabling faster typing and multi-key actions such as Shift or Alt -key combinations.

Hardware Features

    * Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate
    * Large (3.25”), dazzling, high resolution 360 x 480 display at 184 ppi
    * Capacitive touch-screen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless
    * Global connectivity support: UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz), quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM and Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g) networks
    * 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording
    * 256 MB of Flash memory
    * 2 GB of onboard memory storage and a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available
    * Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology, loud distortion-free speakerphone and face detection (proximity sensor) that prevents accidental clicks and blanks the screen while the user is on the phone
    * Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus BlackBerry® Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry® Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes® and Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone*
    * Vodafone’s music client pre-installed, giving access to an extensive catalogue of artists
    * A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls
    * Bluetooth® (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
    * Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging
    * Access to BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, IM and social networking, news, weather, productivity and more. Applications developed for the original BlackBerry Storm are fully compatible with the BlackBerry Storm2
    * BlackBerry® Internet Service and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support
    * Removable, rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time on 3G networks and 280 hours of standby time

BlackBerry OS 5

    * More responsive experience and includes usability and visual enhancements such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons and more use of animation
    * Typing accuracy and selection have been significantly refined
    * BlackBerry® Browser improved with faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets
    * Customers running BlackBerry® Enterprise Server 5 will gain the ability to:
          o Set follow-up Flags on the handset like they can in Microsoft® Office Outlook®
          o Manage Microsoft Exchange email folders (Add, Rename, Move, Delete) on the handset
          o Access remote files shares (Windows Shares); Save, View, Edit, and Email documents from remote file shares**
          o Forward appointments and view calendar attachments on the handset
          o Benefit from wireless sync improvements for Contacts, including sync for multiple contact folders, personal Distribution Lists and contacts in Public/Shared folders

* Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.
** Some features require BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0

More details of the device here
Download Specfications here
Download Tips and Tricks here

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Monday, September 14, 2009

Vodafone to launch new Windows Mobile powered LG GM750 in October

 
 Vodafone and LG Electronics today announced the launch of the LG GM750, a new Windows® phone based on Windows Mobile 6.5 available Oct. 6. Fully loaded with fun, easy-to-use features and services that help people take control of their lives thanks to fast Internet browsing, access to personal and work e-mail accounts, and calendar synchronization, the GM750 packs a lot into its sleek, slim form.

With LG’s S-Class user-interface, and fast Internet browsing via Vodafone’s high-speed mobile broadband network or Wi-Fi, information is always at the user’s fingertips. Its large 3-inch full touch screen makes it easy to navigate while browsing the Internet, writing text messages and memos, or getting directions with its in-built GPS navigation function.

The intuitive user interface on Windows Mobile 6.5 is easily customizable so Vodafone customers can personalize their phone to their own particular style. Using third-party applications, customers can change the look and feel with a personal background or designer themes and personalize the home screen so the information they need, such as weather reports, the latest traffic information or stock prices, is always easy to find. Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync e-mail ensures you never need miss an e-mail again, be it from your personal or work account. As one of a new generation of Windows phones, the GM750 Smartphone is poised to take advantage of future Vodafone services.

In addition to Internet and e-mail connectivity, consumers will be able to download applications directly to their phone via Windows Marketplace for Mobile, automatically back up and synch photos, music and texts to their PC using the free My Phone service, plus use Windows Live to check Hotmail or IM with friends on the PC or Xbox video game system. With a 5-megapixel camera as well, with the GM750 customers will have all the tools, features and widgets they’ll need to get the most fun from life, and never miss or forget a special moment.

“We’re excited to be bringing a new Windows phone with Vodafone high-speed mobile services to our customers through the exclusive LG GM750 Smartphone,” said Patrick Chomet, group global director of Terminals for Vodafone. “This stylish, touch-screen Smartphone will have great appeal to both consumer and business customers, and ensures Vodafone delivers on its promise to constantly bring customers new services and greater choice.”

“A significant group of consumers demand mobile phones with the most advanced features and services to help them do their job and stay in contact with friends and family on one easy-to-use device. They need the technology and services to access e-mail, the Internet and the ability to download widgets, applications and fun tools without complexity,” said Harrison Lee, senior vice president Europe at LG Electronics Mobile. “The combination of Vodafone’s services, Windows Mobile 6.5 platform and our S-Class UI, technology and design expertise, makes the GM750 the mobile package consumers with busy lives have been waiting for.”

“Vodafone, LG and Microsoft share a focus on delivering great customer experiences, and the LG GM750 is powerful example of how customers benefit when industry leaders rally around a common goal,” said Todd Peters, corporate vice president, Microsoft Corp. “This new Windows phone benefits from our work with LG to deeply integrate the phone’s software and hardware as well as our continued work with Vodafone to make Windows phones broadly available on Vodafone’s high-speed network.”

The LG GM750 will be available in stores initially in seven countries: Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the UK and also in France through SFR, with further countries following soon after.

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Vodafone and HTC unveil Android-powered HTC Magic


Available exclusively for the Vodafone market in the UK, Spain, Germany and France (SFR) - the HTC Magic offers the new Android operating system allowing easy access to downloads from the Vodafone and Android Market.

The HTC Magic is an Android™-powered mobile designed to turn heads with its chic design, and command attention with its advanced list of capabilities. Ready to always keep you in the know… it provides the Google suite of services like Mail, Search and Maps geared up for use in the palm of your hand. Further enhanced with video capture and support for tunes via Bluetooth wireless headsets, the HTC Magic is a true entertainment and media powerhouse.

Full Specifications here

Availability - Spring 2009

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

O2 announce BlackBerry Curve 8900 available Jan 5


The recently announced (see here) BlackBerry Curve 8900 (aka Javelin) will be available to order from O2 in the new year (Jan 5th).

More about the BlackBerry Curve 8900

A sleek, new twist on a classic style the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone to date and comes with a highly refined design and comfortable in-hand feel.

The latest QWERTY BlackBerry® handheld with a new generation of technology for intuitive performance combined with a stylish design. Featuring the comprehensive business functionality you would expect from BlackBerry’s latest Smartphone, offering push email, full web and internet browsing as well as a new version of BlackBerry desktop manager, providing an enjoyable and exceptional communications experience.


Designed for…

Business customers who want the latest, must-have Smartphone from BlackBerry, delivering all the office capabilities of voice, email and internet browsing with premium multi-media features, in a sleek, sharp handheld Smartphone.

A bit more detail…

* Send and receive emails in real-time and download, open and amend attachments
* Receive, view, and send files in HTML format with full HTML browsing capability
* Receive emails and calls internationally using Quad-Band functionality
* Wi-Fi compatibibility for even faster web access
* Crisp, high quality screen – 480 x 360 Screen (half VGA+)
* 256 MB onboard memory
* 1GB Micro-SD card for storing photos, videos and MP3s. Support for 16GB cards
* Easy mouse navigation with 9-way trackball
* Premium BlackBerry® media player for capturing and playing video footage, storing and listening to music and taking and storing photographic images
* Full BlackBerry® messaging and PIM feature set
* Multi-media messaging with MMS, SMS and Instant Messaging
* Full screen PC-like HTML browsing
* Spell checker for word processing and emails

See the full specifications here (o2)

Update 29th December - this will also be available on the Vodafone network in the new year Generic Spec Sheet here

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Thursday, October 02, 2008

RIM Launch TouchScreen BlackBerry handset - The Storm


BlackBerry Storm Delivers the Full Power of the BlackBerry Platform on the World’s Leading Networks with the World’s First “Clickable” Touch-Screen Smartphone

Research In Motion announce the launch of the touch-screen BlackBerry Storm (exclusive to Vodafone in Europe). Continuing the 3G front introduced by the Bold with UMTS/HSPA offering data speeds up to 7.2 mb/s this handset alssees the intuitive touch interface popular with many Smartphones on the market today.

Features such as the accelerometer (which changes the keyboard from SureType to Qwerty as you rotate) and the "click" feedback given when the keys are pressed give a user confidence to enter data whenever and wherever they are.

Main Features
* BlackBerry® Internet Service, BlackBerry® Unite!, BlackBerry® Professional Software and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support
* Preloaded DataViz® Documents to Go® allows users to edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset
* 3.2 megapixel camera with variable zoom, auto focus and a powerful flash that also provides continuous lighting when recording video
* Built-in GPS supports location-based applications and services, as well as geotagging of photos
* 1 GB of onboard memory storage and a microSD™/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB of additional storage
* Media player that can play movies smoothly in full-screen mode, display pictures and slideshows quickly and manage an entire music collection; playlists can be created directly on the handset and there’s an equalizer with 11 preset filters – including “Lounge,” “Jazz” and “Hip Hop” – for customized audio ranges when using wired headphones or external speakers
* A 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, support for Bluetooth® stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP) and dedicated volume controls
* Sleek, elegant design with contoured corners, stainless steel back and chrome accents surrounding its large (3.25") glass lens; its exceptional 480 x 360 resolution at 184 ppi is crisp and bright with eye-pleasing clarity
* An ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts backlighting for ideal screen viewing and an accelerometer that allows customers to view applications in either portrait or landscape mode by simply rotating the handset
* Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides approximately six hours of talk time on 3G networks and 15 days of standby time



Press Release here
More Information on the Storm here
Download Specification Sheet here

UPDATE 09/12/08 - Now Available to order for both BIS and BES BlackBerry subscribers.

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Tuesday, March 04, 2008

RIM Blackberry 8110 - Now available exclusively to Vodafone


The small and stylish BlackBerry Pearl 8110 includes rich multimedia features together with powerful communications capabilities

With its built-in GPS combined with WayFinder Navigator, the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 allows users to pinpoint their location, get audible, turn-by-turn navigation, and plan and share routes
.
BlackBerry 8110 Features
* Voice activated dialling
* Advanced noise and echo cancellation
* Up to 4.5 hours talk time and 14 days standby time
* Integrated GPS
* Bluetooth™ enabled
* Trackball navigation
* USB Charging
* 64MB embedded memory
* MicroSD expansion slot
* 2MP camera with flash
* Multi media Player
* Polyphonic/MIDI ring tones
* Trackball navigation

Telmap Navigator
* Powered by Telmap Navigator using built in GPS
* Latest version of 3D Mapping
* UK and Ireland maps included
* Live traffic and speed safety camera alerts
* Location search with full postcode, streets, intersections and towns
* Full pedestrian navigation experience
* In-car navigation with moving maps
* Easy location finder
* Telmap Navigator requires a separate monthly subscription - speak to your IMC Business Development Manager for pricing.

Full Specifications : Download

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Friday, January 04, 2008

Vodafone Launches new style USB Modem


The latest version of Vodafone's USB modem range now includes a USB stick style (rather than the USB dongle or cable connected modems).

Operating using data download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps (14 times faster than standard 3G) where available this 3g/HSDPA device also offers HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access) speeds of up to 1.4 Mb/ps.

The new USB Stick modem will be available from the 10th of January.

The USB Dongle style modem below (with connecting cable) has also been re-styled and is available now.


Vodafone have also upgraded the network in the busiest areas to 3.6Mbps to deliver a more robust service, enabling existing customers to enjoy faster data speeds in mobile broadband 7.2 areas (see previous posted 7.2 information here).

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