Flickr Android app finally arrives

Along with new Photo Session feature

29 September 2011 14:08 GMT / By Paul Lamkin

  Flickr, the image hosting site with more than 50 million users, has finally come to the Android party - with its first official app hitting the Android Market.
As well as all the usual stuff you'd expect from a Flickr app, like photo browsing and managing your streams you can also use the in-app camera to create pictures using the custom filters that are available.
It's then easy to share your pictures with all the usual suspects; Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and so on, all within easy reach from inside the app.
Flickr is pretty community driven and, as such, there's already an official Flickr Android App group where you can share pictures and get hints and tips from other users.
As well as the app, Flickr has also introduced a new feature called Photo Session which lets you bore your friends, sorry, share your pictures in real time - across multiple devices. Like a slide show for the 21st century.
source: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42312/flickr-android-app-finally-arrives

Sharp Aquos 3D Android phone comes to Europe with Orange

French deal hints at Sharp expansion

29 September 2011 16:36 GMT / By Paul Lamkin

  Back in May, over in Japan, Sharp unleashed yet another 3D Android handset - the Sharp Aquos Phone SH-12C 3D.
At the time we warned our UK readers not to hold their breath waiting for a UK release, although the chances of some Sharp 3D Android action here have improved somewhat with the news that Orange is releasing the SH-12C in France, labelled as the Sharp Aquos SH80F.
And whilst that in itself isn't too exciting for us Brits, it does raise hopes that Sharp has wider ambitions than the land of the rising sun for its smartphones. Sharp has been the top mobile phone supplier in Japan for for over five years with a market share of around 30 per cent but has made little or no impact in the western world.
And that's a shame because its latest smartphones pack quite a hardware -punch. The SH08F is a Gingerbread device, running on a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255CPU with 512MB of RAM and 2GB of ROM. The display is a fantastic sounding 4.2-inch qHD (540×960) 3D "New Mobile ASV Panel" and it's got a dual 8-megapixel camera for 3D photos and videos. It also packs HSDPA 14Mpbs, GPS and Bluetooth connectivity.
Masami Ohbatake, group general manager of the communication systems group at Sharp said: "Sharp is honoured to commercialise our new 3D smartphone with Orange, thanks to their new collaborative relationship with DoCoMo.
"The introduction of this product in Europe will offer new added value experiences for users through our one-of-a-kindtechnologies; such as our 3D display and 3D camera."
We first got wind of Sharp's 3D phone plans back in September 2010 when Pocket-lint was treated to a demo of its auto-stereoscopic technology as well as a concept 3D smartphone at IFA.
source: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42318/sharp-aquos-3d-android-phone

Let's talk iPhone: 4 October Apple event confirmed

Invites sent out for Cupertino launch

27 September 2011 16:30 GMT / By Paul Lamkin

  Apple has begun sending out invites for an iPhone event at its Cupertino HQ that will take place on 4 October at 10am local time, 6pm UK time.
The invite is simply a number of Apple icons with the message: "Let's talk iPhone".
The iPhone 5 release date has long been a subject of rumour with speculation as to what's to come drumming up quite a debate online.
We're now not even sure if it is the iPhone 5 that will launch, or just a revamped iPhone 4 - dubbed the iPhone 4S - or both? Who knows? Well, a number of Apple employees no doubt do, so expect their new leader, Tim Cook, to share all the juicy details next week.
All four iPhone launch events so far have taken place at the Moscone Centre and both iPad media gatherings were at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The switch to home ground at Cupertino suggests Apple wants control of the networks and do not want a repeat of the iPhone 4 launch shenanigans. An LTE iPhone perhaps? Or one packing NFC?
Looking at the icons chosen by Apple, it's all pretty straight forward. It's on Tuesday the 4th, at 10am, at Apple HQ. It's the little one missing call badge that's got us all a bother. Could it be that it means that there's just one phone coming? Or that if you add a 1 to the 4 in the calendar icon you get 5? Or could it be a reference to the "Assistant" feature that has been touted as you've missed a call?
Or could it mean nothing, and be designed simply to intrigue fanboy conspiracy theorists?
Rest assured Pocket-lint will be all over the event like a bad rash, so be sure to check back for all your iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S details then.
source: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42276/iphone-5-event-4-october

Vodafone non-Apple Micro SIM coming, but for what phone?

EXCLUSIVE: The likely suspects?

27 September 2011 16:31 GMT / By Stuart Miles

  Vodafone has exclusively confirmed to Pocket-lint that it will be selling non Apple Micro SIM cards for devices other than the iPhone 4 and Apple iPad 2 in the "not too distant future", after we were tipped that the company was creating generic Micro SIMs without the iPhone or iPad branding on the packaging.
"We don't comment on rumour and speculation but we do regularly refresh Micro and regular SIM collateral to ensure it's clear and relevant to all customers with compatible devices. Our Micro SIMs would work in any device which requires a Micro SIM to connect to our network. Bar their size, there is no difference between a Micro SIM and regular SIM."
"Meh," we hear you cry, but hold on... There are currently no other devices on the market that use the Micro SIM, so technically, Vodafone has let the cat out of the bag about a yet to be launched device due imminently.
What could it be?
Well, we know that HTC is expected to be announcing new Android devices in the coming weeks, but the move to include a Micro SIM would be a radical change for the company. And while it could be a possibility, we aren’t so sure about the timings.
To introduce a new SIM card size this late in the year, and this late in its 2011 product portfolio, would be a strange move from HTC and one we seriously doubt will happen.
That leaves LG, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Nokia.
From what we can tell, LG hasn’t got any further smartphones or tablets primed for a 2011 launch. Motorola’s latest barrage of leaks didn’t imply Micro SIM was on board or that the phones would be launching any time soon; and Sony Ericsson, like LG, isn’t expected to launching anything more this year after the Arc S - and we've already seen that with a normal SIM card.
That leaves Samsung and Nokia.
Samsung still has the Ice Cream Sandwich-packed Nexus Prime on the horizon. Plus, both Samsung and Google have a strong history with Vodafone, hinting that the Prime will be packing a Micro SIM and be out shortly. It certainly fits the rumours.
But the other, and possibly more tempting, alternative for Micro SIM adoption is the forthcoming Nokia Windows Phone 7 device or devices (Nokia refuses to confirm either way). After all, we know at least one exists, as it was in Conor Pierce's (the general manager for UK and Ireland) pocket during our recent one-to-one briefing.
It certainly makes sense. Such a move by either phone maker could both save space in the handset for a smaller, thinner design, and allow iPhone 4 and, presumably, iPhone 5 users to seamlessly move over to the mystery smartphone without having to request another SIM card or faff around with a Micro SIM to regular SIM adapter.
source: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42246/vodafone-non-apple-micro-sim-coming-soon

HTC event promises surprise headliner: HTC Sensation XL incoming?

Beats celebration on 6 October

27 September 2011 23:11 GMT / By Chris Hall

  It isn't every week in October that two of the biggest names in mobile phones line up events. Not only do we have Apple sending out invitations for the iPhone 5/4S launch for 4 October, but HTC have now confirmed their event on 6 October.
As HTC have done in the past, this is both a press event and an open invite event for HTC fans, with both invitations for press arriving in inboxes and a public invite going up on the HTC UK Facebook page.
Beats Audio is centre stage, with a simple earbud pictured, of the variety that you'll get with the HTC Sensation XE which we've brought pictures of previously.
The Facebook invitation reads "Come feel every beat", while the press invite offers up a simple "Into music? So are we."
A surprise headliner is promised, but we're more interested in the timing. With rumours reaching fever pitch about the new HTC Sensation XL, formerly the HTC Runnymede, and a leaked photo of the device showing the date "Oct 4" on the display, it might be this event where we get to see the device for the first time.
Those very same HTC Sensation XL pictures also show Beats Audio branding on the back, fitting the Beats theme of this confirmed event.
Of course, we could be wrong, but we'll be there to bring you the news whatever happens. If you want to get on the Guest List, you'll have to apply through the HTC Facebook page.
And the mystery guest? Could it be one of the Beats Artists - Sean Diddy Combs, Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber? Or Dr Dre himself? Not likely. Geeks as we are, we're hoping it's the Sensation XL.
source: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42280/htc-sensation-xl-launch-uk-event

Nokia FourSquare gift machine hints at a freebie geo-location future

Free shizzle, just for being where you are

22 September 2011 14:28 GMT / By Paul Lamkin

  Up in Glasgow, at the city's Social Media Week, Nokia is getting busy giving away free gifts.
Nothing unusual there, big companies are always handing out goodies at trade shows and events to promote their brand. The giving is normally done by promo-girls in skimpy uniforms. The giving of free gifts that is - get your minds out of the gutter.
But what's unique about Nokia's giveaway is that it hints at a geo-targetted tourism future, where people are tempted into visiting places simply because they will gain out of it.
The Nokia Gift Machine is in partnership with geo-fans 1000heads and is powered by FourSquare. To get a free gift users have to open Foursquare on their phone, locate the Nokia Gift Machine, check-in using the #NokiaConnects hashtag and share to Twitter. A prize then drops out of the bottom.
source: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42199/nokia-foursquare-free-gift-machine

Microsoft Windows Phone Marketplace updated, lets you buy apps via browser

New features, and a new design

27 September 2011 10:22 GMT / By Stuart Miles

  Microsoft has announced the launch of a new look Windows Phone Marketplace and with it the chance to buy a Windows Phone 7 app via the website instead of the phone.
The news means that users will no longer have to have Zune installed to download apps or buy apps from their desktop and puts the company on a level pegging with Google's Android offering.
Users will be able to buy apps using their Windows Live ID account details and have their credit card charged with the purchase. A link to the app will then be sent directly to the user's phone to download the app directly, saving them the bother of connecting the phone to a PC or Mac.
The news is likely to be welcomed by Apple Mac users who have previously been unable to buy apps via software on their computer with Microsoft insisting that they use the company’s Zune software on a PC instead.
The new Marketplace website is currently live in the US with UK and other global releases expected shortly.
source:http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/42255/windows-phone-7-marketplace-update