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HTC Desire HD video guide: Sense UI in detail!
Halo: Reach doubles Xbox sales
Samsung Galaxy Tab is not delayed, says Samsung
Gmail Android app update: Froyo gets priority inbox!
NVIDIA Tegra 3 and 4 chips teased: future tablet power!
Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update arriving October?
Best Android phone UI Top 5
Lunchtime Lowdown: HTC Desire HD price, BlackBerry Blackpad rumours and our PS3 Move games wishlist
Windows Phone 7: Microsoft nabs UK network grand slam
Inception game incoming: Christopher Nolan plans baffling tie-in

HTC Desire HD video guide: Sense UI in detail!

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 08:01 AM PDT

Good old HTC. Just as we put up our best Android phone UI top 5, it's kicked out an indepth and rather delightful guide to the Sense on the HTC Desire HD. We've got the whole 7.35 clip embedded after the break ready for you to feast your eyes on all the HTC Desire HD's interface innovations…

The HTC Desire HD video guide above (with animations in HTC's usual charming style) barrels through the phone's major features – that sizeable 4.3in HD display, the 8MP camera and its 720 HD recording smarts. There's also what we took to be a little prod at the iPhone 4 and iPad's fear of Flash noting that the HTC Desire HD "offers a complete internet experience".

There's a good tour of the Sense UI interface on the HTC Desire HD and a look at the new HTCSense.com cloud service that lets you backup and track your phone. You gotta love that "Wanted" poster stuck to a tree in the video.

Takes a look at the HTC Desire HD video guide for yourself and let us know if anything catches your eye. Are you planning on snaffling one when it arrives? We've got a feeling it'll lead to a serious shakeup of our best Android phone chart.

Out October | £varies | HTC

Halo: Reach doubles Xbox sales

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 07:33 AM PDT

The release of Halo: Reach has doubled Xbox sales in the UK. Dorian Bloch, director of GfK Chart-Track, the company that monitors sales of Halo:Reach and Xbox consoles, said that Halo: Reach had had a “marked effect on hardware sales”, with Xbox sales up 99 per cent for the week ending 18 September. Halo: Reach was launched last Tuesday, on 14 September.

[via Eurogamer]

Samsung Galaxy Tab is not delayed, says Samsung

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:52 AM PDT

Reports that the Samsung Galaxy Tab is delayed circulated yesterday, stemming from the Amazon UK Samsung Galaxy Tab listing. The Amazon UK page for the Samsung Galaxy Tab lists a release date of 1 November, rather than October, as was previously stated, and this change was taken as sign of possible hold-ups.

But a Samsung spokesperson debunked any speculation, and said that despite the Amazon date change, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is not currently delayed. He said: "We haven't released a specific date yet, and we haven't got one. It will be before the end of the year, but beyond that, we can't be more specific."

The Amazon page also raised the issue of the Samsung Galaxy Tab pricing for the second time this month. At IFA, Samsung were keen to press that the Samsung Galaxy Tab would be affordable, and much cheaper than the iPad.

As it stands though, the RRP for the Galaxy Tab on Amazon is £800, with a discount from the RRP of down to £600, which doesn't fit with the assertions that the Samsung Galaxy Tab would be affordable. The Amazon pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Tab though, is not an indication of the actual pricing, but more like a guess from Amazon. The Samsung spokesperson said: "It's total speculation. There is no clarification at all on the price yet."

So where is Amazon getting the information to post pricing and shipping dates, (and to change said shipping dates) for the Samsung Galaxy Tab?

What do you think? Drop us a line in the comments and let us know.

[Source: Amazon UK]

Gmail Android app update: Froyo gets priority inbox!

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:32 AM PDT

The Gmail Android app has been untangled from the Android OS update schedule and got its own wash and brush up. A new version of the Gmail Android app has hit the Android Marketplace with a fistful of new features including limited priority inbox support. The bad news is that it's limited to users packing Android Froyo. If you haven't got it, shake your fists at the gods of Google and head through to find out what you're missing…

The new Gmail Android app makes it easier to see threaded conversations like you can using the desktop version. A new "show quoted text" button reveals the contents of previous messages. You'll also find that scrolling through conversations is more pleasant with important message actions like Reply and Forward staying stuck to the top of the screen.

The biggest new addition to the Gmail Android app is support for Priority Inbox. It's not there in its full-fat form but if you've got Priority Inbox enabled in the desktop version of Gmail, you'll get Important labels on your most pressing messages and there's the option to add a shortcut to your important messages on the home screen.

As we mentioned, the new Gmail Android app is irritatingly limited to phones with Android 2.2 Froyo. If you're lucky enough to be rocking it, hit the link below to grab it via QR code or head to the Android Market.

Out now | £free | Google

NVIDIA Tegra 3 and 4 chips teased: future tablet power!

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 06:01 AM PDT

NVIDIA is still working on getting the Tegra 2 chip into more phones and tablets but it's already touting it's next two processors teed-up to power future tablets. At its GPU Technology Conference, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang swerved off the script and promised new Tegra processors to a room full of wide-eyed tech press.

Huang says the Tegra 3 chip is already done and Tegra 4 development is well underway. He went on to reveal that we can expect a new Tegra generation every year. Maybe those Tegra 2 Android tablets we've been burbling about will end up sporting the mysterious Tegra 3 processor instead. Is it a bit weird that we're excited about this? Well…maybe a little but more power means better tablets and this increasingly iPad-dominated world, that's something to cheer about.

Out TBC | £TBC | NVIDIA (via Engadget)

Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update arriving October?

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 05:27 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update looks like it could be with us by October, according to a Samsung Galaxy S Facebook fan site, maintained by Samsung Mobile Spain.

The post states that the Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update will be arriving in late October, through Samsung Kies, Samsung's PC software. The Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update was confirmed at the end of June.

This is much later than previous dates suggested for the Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update arrival, indicating that there might be delays on the way. Earlier in the month 23 September was the date suggested by a leak from the Finland branch of Samsung, who stated that Samsung's repairs department would be receiving Froyo builds for the Samsung Galaxy S on 22 September, for release tomorrow, on 23 September.

If Froyo updates on other devices are anything to go by, then it will be a turn up for the books if the Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update goes without a hitch. Three major UK networks experienced various glitches when upgrading HTC Desire devices to Froyo – will the Samsung Galaxy S fare any better?

So we're left with two dates, from what would appear to be reliable sources. When do you expect the Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update to arrive? Drop us a line in the comments!

[source: Samsung Mobile Spain (Facebook)]

Best Android phone UI Top 5

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 05:18 AM PDT

Picking the best Android phone is a tall order these days, as it’s not just about the hardware. Sure, they all run the same core OS, but the experience can be very different, as each manufacturer tinkers with the user interface to their own end in a bid to stand out from the crowd.

We’d love to say that stock Android was a viable option, but the only high end phone you can buy in the UK these days with vanilla Android installed is the Google Nexus One, so whether you like it or not, you’re probably going to have to go with a custom Android skin on your next Google smartphone. Which ones are the best? Find out in here with our Best Android phone UI Top 5.

HTC Sense
The best Android phone to buy with HTC Sense: HTC Desire
The first company to back Android, HTC is now nearly synonymous with the OS. Starting with simple Facebook integration on the HTC Hero, it’s now reached Android 2.2, with plenty of ace custom tweaks, like the Leap feature for jumping between homescreens, tight social network integration with your address book and coming soon, comprehensive cloud services at HTCSense.com.

Check out our Best Android phone Top 5 right here

Samsung TouchWiz
The best Android phone to buy with Samsung TouchWiz: Samsung Galaxy S
Samsung’s TouchWiz UI used to be atrocious, but the South Korean giant made a remarkable turnaround with its Android arrival on the Samsung Galaxy S. It bundles in useful tweaks like a smarter notification bar with connectivity toggles and music track controls. It’s only on Android 2.1 right now, but by the looks and leaks of things, a Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update is coming soon.

Sony Ericsson UX
The best Android phone to buy with Sony Ericsson UX: Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro
Sony Ericsson’s Android skin is pretty, but on the flagship X10, it’s more than a bit ropey. It’s stuck on the year old Android 1.6, which doesn’t cut it for a specced out 4-inch smartphone, and the Timescape social network stream regularly chugs to a halt while it sync with Facebook, Twitter et al. However, on the tiny Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro, it’s a delight, letting you thumb through all your friend’s witterings then quickly bash off a reply with the slide out QWERTY keyboard.

Check out our Best Android phone budget Top 5 here

Dell Streak
The best Android phone to buy with the Dell Streak UI: Er, the Dell Streak
The Dell Streak may only run Android 1.6, but as we said in our review at the time, it’s the best Android 1.6 device by a country mile. Dell’s skin is helpful, and tweaks the Google OS to its tablet form factor well, keeping things in landscape where possible, and breaking the notification bar into different tabs for quick access to everything, including the settings. There’s pinch to zoom on the browser too. In fact, it’s all great, except for the onscreen QWERTY – but hey, Dell’s thrown in support for Bluetooth keyboards should the urge take you.

Acer Liquid
The best Android phone to buy with the Dell Streak UI: Acer Liquid
The Acer Liquid is an unsung hero amongst Snapdragon Google smartphones. It doesn’t look stunning, but it’s very cheap for the specs, and its Android skin is very minimal. All you’ve got are custom widgets on a few of the homescreens for cycling through your media quickly, and that’s about it. If you’re plumping for Acer though, make sure you go with the Liquid – see below.

And the worst Android phone UI……

Acer Stream
It’s hard to fathom how Acer went so wrong with the Acer Stream software, or thought it was necessary to introduce a second Android skin to its stable of smartphones. It’s played hide and seek with the widgets and stuck them on the lock screen, transformed the menu into a three way maze, and worst of all, allotted the notification bar several different spots on the screen, depending on the phone’s whim. Awful, awful, awful.

Lunchtime Lowdown: HTC Desire HD price, BlackBerry Blackpad rumours and our PS3 Move games wishlist

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 04:38 AM PDT

It’s spot on halfway through the working week, so we reckon you’ve earned yourself a breather. Take a break and settle back with our roundup of all the latest gadget headlines, all squeezed together here in the lunchtime lowdown.

First up, in mobile, it’s been another busy day for BlackBerry rumours. We got a good look at the new Bold 9780 with BlackBerry 6 on video, and a report pegged a BlackBerry tablet launch for as early as next week. We also found the HTC Desire HD going for much less than T-Mobile promised – on T-Mobile.

In gaming meanwhile, a tie in game to the blockbuster Inception is planned, while we rounded up the PS3 Move games we wish were real.

Finally, don’t forget: our Nokia N8 live Q&A is tomorrow at 2pm, so if you’ve got any questions, head on through to leave them with us.

Still want more news? You know where to go: right on over to the homepage!

Windows Phone 7: Microsoft nabs UK network grand slam

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 04:00 AM PDT

Windows Phone 7 devices will be available on every UK network, Microsoft has announced today. All five UK operators, Orange, O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Three, are backing Windows Phone 7, with Orange named as the launch partner.

On top of the complete list of UK network operators, Windows Phone 7 devices will be stocked by The Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4u, meaning that in terms of the UK market at least, Windows Phone 7 will be everywhere come its launch in the first weeks of October.

Alex Reeve, Director of Mobile Business for Microsoft UK, said: "This means we can provide network choice and also a range of phones across networks for customers to choose from, all with the power of Windows Phone 7."

This is a big boost for Windows Phone 7, which hasn't been quite so wholeheartedly embraced in the US, where Verizon has said it won't be stocking Windows Phone 7 devices. This leaves just AT&T and T-Mobile stocking Windows Phone 7 devices in the US.

Will any of these operators, Orange, O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Three, make a better job of dealing with the new operating system? What do you think? Drop us a line in the comments and let us know what you think!

Inception game incoming: Christopher Nolan plans baffling tie-in

Posted: 22 Sep 2010 03:32 AM PDT

An Inception game is in the works. The head-spinning, dream-robbing flick is due for a console tie-in with director Christopher Nolan heavily involved in its development. But don't expect to start playing with a virtual DiCaprio just yet or get worried about seeing the usual shoddy movie game, Nolan says this is a long term project…

The Dark Knight director spilled the plans for an Inception game to Variety. He says: "One thing we are looking at doing is developing a video game based on the world of the game, which has all kinds of ideas that you can't fit into a feature film."

Inception, which features a multi-layered plot about thieves infiltrating dreams, pulled in $750m at the box office so a game looks like a smart bet. The movie's visuals were mind-blowing so we'd love to see more of the same translated to a game. ??Heavy Rain showed that psychological drama can make gripping gameplay so we have no doubt Nolan could offer up similar thrills with an Inception game. We’d love some similar PlayStation Move integration.

But it'll be a while before it arrives. Nolan says of the Inception game plans: "[It's] something we've been talking about and are looking at doing long-term, in a couple of years." In the meantime, he's directing his third Batman flick (due in 2012).

Which other films from this year would you like to see get a gaming makeover? Scott Pilgrim has already popped up as a side-scrolling beat 'em up, how about a The Runaways rock band sim with realistic creepy manager AI?

Out TBC | £TBC | Inception (via Variety)

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Thursday, 23 September 2010

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