LG says its Android Optimus tablet will be better than the iPad

LG played the internet like a fiddle today when its VP of marketing, Chang Ma, told the Wall Street Journal that its upcoming Android Optimus tablet “will be better than the iPad.”

Clearly, this man is a marketing genius. What better way is there to get the word out about its device — which we initially caught word of in early July — than saying it’ll be better than a highly successful Apple product.

Surely none of the other hardware manufacturers preparing Android tablets — which at this point includes Asus, Acer, and Dell — actually think their devices stand a chance against the iPad. LG, through its complex oratory jiujitsu, has declared itself the next king of tablets — despite the fact that we know practically nothing about the Optimus tablet.

All we have to go on now are vague promises. “It’s going to be surprisingly productive,” Ma said. Users will be able to write documents, edit video, and it will have some “high-end features and new benefits” with a productivity bent.

He reiterated the sentiment of many iPad critics who deride the device as something primarily meant for content consumption, rather than productivity. But while I would agree that the iPad isn’t an ideal productivity device, nothing about LG’s Optimus tablet seems to be any more productive. iPad users can already create documents, and there are existing apps like ReelDirector for video editing (Apple will certainly release an iMovie app for the iPad as well).

There aren’t any hardware details for LG’s Optimus tablet yet, but you can expect a screen around 10 inches, and enough power under the hood to run Android 3.0 (to be released later this year). LG expects to launch the tablet worldwide by the fourth quarter.

In other news, the company is revamping its smartphone line in September with the release of the Android-powered Optimus One. The phone won’t be a hardware powerhouse, but LG expects it to be a “gateway smartphone” for new users. Eventually, the company will release more powerful Android devices. LG has plans to use Nvidia’s dual-core CPU in the fourth quarter, and it’s also gearing up for 4G phones running LTE technology in 2011.

Via : mobile.venturebeat.com

LG claims its tablet will be better than iPad

LG has already made it known they too are keen to join the tablet segment and a suitable device is being worked upon at present. Like HP, they too had started off with Windows 7 and had showcased the UX10 tablet based on it though a month later came the news that they would also have an Android version as well. And now LG has got into doing, what can be termed as building up a pre-launch hype to set the stage for the upcoming tablet to come on to the big scene in the most majestic manner.

And what better way to do that than to get into some iPad bashing. Its the iPad that is reigning supreme in the world tablet scene right now and is selling in millions while adding many more to the Apple coffers. So it makes some marketing sense to start off by painting the iPad in negative light while claiming the new LG tablet to be everything that the iPad is not.

And LG VP of Marketing, Chang Ma is doing just that when he claimed that “our tablet will be better than the iPad.” How? Chang Ma explains that by saying their tablet will have, “high-end features and new benefits,” and be “surprisingly productive.” Its productivity that LG is focusing on its tablet while the Apple’s iPad, in contrast can be considered more geared towards consumption, multimedia and entertainment. However, Chang Ma isn’t in the mood to spill the beans any further and the only thing among a host of other features that he said will set the LG tablet way ahead of the iPad is the LG tablet’s ability to support content-creating features like document, video and photo-editing.

To be able to do video or photo editing on a tablet will be a nice idea for sure but for that to happen, LG will have to ensure their tablet has enough processing power at disposal. There is no word on what chipset the new tablet will have at its core but we do know its going to be Android doing OS duty and the best they can have at the moment is the 2.2 Froyo version. LG hasn’t yet divulged whether they too will await the release of the more advanced Android 3.0 version that as per Google is more optimized for operation in a tablet environment, just as Motorola has said they are up to.

However, if what is known right now indeed turns out to be true, that the LG tablet will make its debut by the year end, then its the Android 2.2 that the tablet will come loaded with, perhaps with an upgrade option in future to the Android 3.0 version. This since as per Google, the 3.0 version won’t be ready till the beginning of next year unless of course LG has struck some sort of a deal with Google to let them have access to the new version before the official release. Also, while we know the new tablet will be launched under the ‘Optimus’ brand name, there are no news if LG has completely shelved their Windows 7 tablet plans.

So its now up to LG to deliver the goods. They have set the ball rolling and it remains to be seen if they can make a dent in the iPads market share, something that many have tried but came out cropper.

Via : goodereader.com

Halo: Reach - Play as the Master Chief

Halo enthusiasts will no doubt be wetting the bed with excitement (only metaphorically we hope) at the thought of Halo: Reach arriving within a month.

But if there is a niggling disappointment about Bungie's latest instalment it's that you can't play as the Master Chief.

That is because the events of Reach are set in the years before old Chiefy becomes the top dog and, as such, you'll be playing the role of Noble 6 whose team is involved in combat with that pesky alien alliance the Covenant.

But Pocket-lint has discovered that, in a way, you can actually become the Master Chief in the forthcoming blockbuster.

The revelation came during a meeting with Bungie's community lead manager Brian Jarrard at Gamescom in Germany.

During a demo of some new Reach action, Jarrard explained to Pocket-lint the credit based reward system in the game. And, crucially, he showed us the unlockable items that are on offer, including the ability to change to the Master Chief's voice, and gear up in his armoury. You'll need a heck of a lot of credits mind.

So if you look like the Master Chief, and you sound like the Master Chief, well, in our eyes that makes you a pretty good Master Chief.

Halo enthusiasts will probably disagree, but it's good enough for us.

And even if you don't agree, we're pretty sure that you'll be blown away by the new title - we've had our hands on various versions of Halo: Reach during its development process and it's blown us away every time.

Via : pocket-lint.com

September Game Console on sale next week!

Of course it's September's cover story: one of the biggest games of the year is just around the corner! Bungie's Joseph Tung was in town to take us through Halo: Reach, and we chat to him about Bungie's final contribution to the blockbuster franchise. We also managed to sneak in a couple rounds of Versus Firefight mode, so you can read all about that inside too!

In a fitting send-off for Halo 3 before Halo: Reach storms onto the Xbox LIVE multiplayer charts, Team Sidewinder offers some of its top tips that took the team to the winner's podium for Halo 3 at xLAN!

We check out PlayStation Plus - the new premium online service for PlayStation 3 owners - in order to let you know whether the added content is worth your hard-earned dosh.

Game Console goes hands-on with Mafia II in an extensive, four-mission preview! And we also get to check out the latest in the best-selling turn-based strategy franchise, Civilization V!

Also inside, you'll find full reviews of StarCraft II, Demon's Souls, Transformers: War For Cybertron, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, SingStar Chart Hits and more!

Plus, the September Game Console features the exclusive first New Zealand review of the Logitech G930 wireless PC gaming headset! On top of all the regular features, this is an issue not to be missed.

Read More @ techday.co.nz

Microsoft Investigating Leaks of Halo: Reach

Halo: Reach, Bungie's last foray into the Halo universe, doesn't ship until September 14, but a handful of hackers have already managed to download and play the game, and, much to Microsoft's chagrin, spoilers are now coursing through the tubes.

Bungie and Microsoft made Halo: Reach available for download on Xbox Live on Monday for select media outlets. Today, a handful of modding communities are boasting they were able to successfully crack the security code, download and play the full game.

"We are aware of claims being made regarding a security exploit related to Halo: Reach and are aggressively investigating the matter," Microsoft said in a statement. "We have no further details to share at this time."

Various gaming forums, including Bungie's own, are springing Reach leaks with spoilers galore, and Bungie is warning Halo fans to steer clear of the boards less they learn crucial details about Reach before they get to experience it for themselves.

Via : xbox360.gamespy.com

Halo Reach Leaked Before Release Date, Spoilers Hit The Web

Halo has a horrible history of leaking before the games official arrival (see Halo 1, 2 and 3) and that’s exactly what’s happened with the game series newest title Halo Reach. Then again it’s easy to see how a game leak can occur when copy’s of the game are placed on the companies own game series for $1,250 for review purposes.

The download friendly review copy of Halo Reach was only on Microsoft servers for several days and required a code to activate the game, a code that was quickly circumvented by modders who were able to download the game at will.

The biggest problem with the hack? Spoilers are popping up all over the web and those spoilers are just gaining more steam as the days go on. However, my guess is that considering this is the culmination of the Halo Universe fans won’t care about the spoilers and sales records will once again be set or at least closed in on.

Via : inquisitr.com

Halo: Reach reportedly leaked via Xbox Live

According to reports, the latest game in the Halo series, which isn't due for release until next month, has already been downloaded early--and from all places, Microsoft's own Xbox Live Marketplace.

Joystiq reports that members of the game-modifying enthusiast site Game-Tuts.com were able to circumvent Microsoft's download key system to download fully licensed copies of the game to their Xbox 360 hard drive. Microsoft had made the full game available to reviewers as a download earlier in the week, though had put in a security measure that would only allow it to be accessed with an authorized redemption code.

According to a post on Game-Tut's forums, which has since been taken down (though is still archived on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 modding enthusiast site Se7ensins.com), the group that obtained the copy has no plans to leak or distribute it elsewhere. The Game-Tuts staff member who penned the post also insisted that the code they acquired is signed by Microsoft and will therefore play on unmodified Xbox 360 hardware.

Of course, this is not the first Halo title to make its way into the hands of gamers ahead of its public release. Nor is it the earliest such leak.

Halo 2 was famously leaked a full month ahead of its release by a European manufacturing plant back in 2004. Unlike this version of Reach, the game code was taken from a retail copy of the disc, then distributed through pirating channels. It also required that users have a modified version of the original Xbox to run the game code off a burned disc or hard drive install.

2007's release of Halo 3 followed suit, with a nearly complete version of the game leaking out to the Web two months ahead of the game's official release. Like the leak of the previous Halo title, this required users to run a modified version of the Xbox 360's system software, though this time around Microsoft was able to bite back, and banned those consoles from accessing its Xbox Live service for 7,992 years.

The most recent leak prior to Reach, was developer Bungie's last Halo game titled ODST, which some lucky French gamers got a full month ahead of its release. Though this time around it was not through manufacturing plants or unofficial leaks. Instead it was a handful of French retailers who broke the street date and sold the game early.

Via: news.cnet.com

Facebook for BlackBerry Updated to Version 1.8.0.49

Good news, BlackBerry users and abusers. Waterloo, Ontario-based Research In Motion has made available version 1.8.0.49 of Facebook for BlackBerry available. As usual, RIM has not provided a changelog. Therefore, it’s a bit difficult to say what exactly has changed and what is new. Just this morning, version 1.8.0.30 of Facebook for BlackBerry was made available briefly on the BlackBerry Beta Zone, and quickly pulled moments afterward.

The important thing is that version 1.8.0.49 is now available in the BlackBerry App World. Do take into account that the update is not yet visible by everyone, which means that it might be currently available to select BlackBerry models.

Download version 1.8.0.49 of Facebook for BlackBerry, and let us know if you find anything new or interesting. We’ll be sure to do the same.

Via : erictric.com

Acer’s Aspire One 533 Netbook Get’s Reviewed – Processor Impressive

The Acer Aspire One 533 was only just recently released in the UK but the slim netbook has already gotten reviewed. The Acer Aspire One 533 uses more updated technology inside while still using Windows 7 Starter. The 10.1″ Acer netbook comes with the new Intel Atom N475 1.83GHz processor -models with the new Atom N455 processor are also available- which offers a discernible increase in performance over the previous N450 processor. The new Atom processor also allows for DDR3 memory and the Aspire One 533 comes with 1GB of the stuff with options for expansion.

The reviewed model of the Acer Aspire One 533 will cost you £299.97 ($465.90 USD) but the base price is £255.29 ($396.50 USD). The price may seem kinda high but the HD video performance is much better than netbook that will cost you even more than the Aspire One 533 does. As of now the netbook is available in the UK and the US. US prices are pretty much all over the place for this netbook.

Via : netbook-planet.com

Acer Aspire One AO534 - well rounded entry level netbook

The Acer Aspire One AO532 for $449 is a well rounded entry level netbook, and the $25 gift card makes the price very reasonable. It has the Intel Atom N450, while a slow processor overall for an entry level netbook it’s the one you want. A 250GB hard drive is also great for this price. Windows 7 Starter is the netbook operating system of choice, as it sreamlines the network and device connectivity that was occasionally tricky with the now rather old Windows XP.

Onboard graphics, 1GB of RAM, and a 10.1in (1024x600 resolution) screen are normal for an entry level netbook; for these to be better, the price would need to increase. Nonetheless you’ll be surfing the internet and word processing without difficulties. The $25 gift card that you get on purchase of the netbook can be chosen from any of the following retailers; ABC Shop, Country Road, Dotti, Every Day Hero, Jay Jays, Red Cross, Sanity Music, or Village Cinemas (Village Gift Cards are only for Victoria).

This one is slight by netbook standards, weighing 1.2kg and measuring 258.5mm wide, 185mm deep, and 25.2mm thick. If you want an entry level netbook, this is the one to get by a mile.

Via : apcmag.com

Revisit Metroid History in the New Other M Trailer

In case you aren’t familiar with the Metroid franchise, you can watch a 7-minute retrospective of the Metroid storyline, as told by heroine Samus Aran. This new Metroid: Other M trailer details what happened in the original Metroid for NES, the Game Boy’s Metroid II: Return of Samus, and the SNES’s Super Metroid. It concludes with CG-footage of the final Super Metroid battle with Mother Brain and a cinematic showing the Chozo Suit-donning heroine receiving an urgent distress signal. There’s no gameplay footage here, but it’s a quick way to learn about the series or remember the events of the previous titles.

Via : spawnkill.com

Metroid: Other M - Sydney preview event

With the game's release quickly creeping up like a Metroid wearing a shady trench coat, Nintendo Australia recently held a preview event for Metroid: Other M. Members of the gaming press were invited - from IGN and Gamespot all the way down to whatever this site is - to have a crack at it in advance.

As a result, both Mercury and myself will be teaming up again to bring you another explosive write-up. Also, to potentially form part of Voltron. Even better, Nintendo very kindly gave a handful of Aussie-Nintendo readers the opportunity to attend, which was awesome.

Held at Strike Laser, a laser skirmish building which also amazingly doubles as a bowling alley - and has a full bar - in the heart of Sydney's Entertainment Quarter, the location certainly seemed fitting. Getting there and actually finding the place was an adventure in itself!

Indeed it was! There were wrong turns, dark paths, and unknown streets. Mumbles of confusion and worry followed me as I lead the way. I had no clue where I was going, but we managed to find the place just in time. Here we greeted a few familiar faces before we were all directed into the bar.

Upon entering we could see that the whole place had been decked out with Metroid posters and televisions displaying Metroid: Other M's logo. We grabbed our name tags and headed further into the room. I was impressed. Around the room were TVs set up with Metroid and Super Metroid - there was even Metroid II running on an old school Game Boy! My inner child took me right to the SNES, where I began to bust out some of my Super Metroid skills.

Read More @ aussie-nintendo.com

Nintendo gives Samus some love and marketing hype for Metroid: Other M

I’m not sure if this is just an online trailer or possibly an upcoming commercial, but Nintendo is finally giving Metroid the love it deserves. Remember all those TV spots they did for Metroid Prime? Me neither. It looks like they’re putting a bit more muscle behind their bounty hunter and you can see for yourself in this Halo-esque trailer.

Samus Aran has always been a pretty quiet protagonist. Giving her a voice actress, a back story, and emotions is a risky gamble, but from the looks of things (and this trailer) Team Ninja is on the right course.

Read More @ mmomfg.com

Metroid: Other M Live Action Trailer

Nintendo appears to be taking a page from Halo’s playbook. To promote the newest chapter in the Metroid franchise, Nintendo has released a live action trailer for Metroid: Other M.

The game was originally schedule for release on June 27, but was delayed until August 31 to give the developers a bit more time, and to increase the promotion of the game.

Metroid: Other M takes place after the events of the SNES game Super Metroid, and before the Gameboy Advanced’s Metroid Fusion.

The story will delve heavily into Samus’ past, as she and a group of soldiers respond to a distress signal from a damaged ship. Samus and the soldiers must split up to rescue survivors and discover what the threat is.

The game is a Wii exclusive. Check out the live action trailer below, and be ready to grab a copy on August 31.

Via : digitaltrends.com

Apple shuts down Quattro to focus on iAd

It’s not really much of a surprise, but Apple is in the process of shutting down the Quattro Wireless ad network it purchased in order to focus on iAd for the Apple iPhone and iPad.

Apple spent about $275 million to buy the multi-platform mobile advertising network but it recently sent a letter to Quattro partners that all non-iAd services will be shut down by September 30.

The Apple iAd platform was introduced with iOS 4 and it’s integrated directly into the operating system to enable advertisers to take advantage of the phone’s graphics, sensors and more to advertise within apps. Companies like Nissan have used Apple iAd to advertise the Leaf car and the company has been very pleased with the results so far.

But not everything is rosy with the Apple iAd platform, as some companies don’t like the meddling of Steve Jobs’ company in the creative process (Apple works with the companies to craft these ads). Chanel was a high-profile launch partner with Apple iAd, but the company has dropped its plans to use this mobile advertising channel.

The App Store continues to gain momentum and the Apple iAd platform could be an increasingly important part of the mobile ecosystem. If successful, it could help developers get paid while making more apps free for end users. Apple didn’t jump into the mobile ad game to reach multiple operating systems, so its focus on iOS is pretty much expected.

This could open the door for multi-platform competitors like Greystripe.

“Apple’s decision to drop support for major audience segments on non-Apple platforms is ultimately bad for their advertisers and developers. Advertisers care about audiences, reach and user engagement, not specific platforms,” said Greystripe CEO Michael Chang, in an interview with PC World. “As the Android audience catches up to iPhone, and Blackberry continues to improve the potential for user engagement, these smartphone platforms will become increasingly important for advertisers.”

Via: intomobile.com

LG And NVIDIA To Produce Android Phones, Tablets

LG & NVIDIA are teaming up to take on the Android market. By years end we will see 10 new handsets introduced by LG

as well as a new tablet sporting the Android operating system. It’s known that LG will be packaging NVIDIA’s Tegra chipset into some of their devices, but it’s still unclear which phones may or may not receive the chipset.

The safe bet is that we’ll see NVIDIA in the tablet and may or may not see it in the phones. The first of LG’s 10 phones to debut with be the Optimus 1, which will ship in September on 120 carriers worldwide.

Via : droid-update.com

Free BlackBerry Apps: Nine Torch 9800 Compatible Downloads

You've got your brand new BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone in hand. All your contacts are transferred, wallpaper customized, your various e-mail addresses set up.

You're ready to start loading all your favorite BlackBerry applications...but you find that many aren't yet compatible with the Torch—or at least you can't download them from BlackBerry App World or the vendors' sites.

It's true, lots of quality BlackBerry apps are not yet available for RIM's latest and greatest: Pandora for BlackBerry; Amazon's Kindle app; LinkedIn for BlackBerry; the list goes on. But I was able to find a handful of great apps that are available. Check out the following slides for a list of nine valuable applications for the BlackBerry Torch 9800. Best of all: You'll never have to open your wallet; all of these BlackBerry apps are free.

DOWNLOAD @ www.cio.com

BlackBerry Torch sells 150,000 in first weekend?

RIM’s first weekend sales for the BlackBerry Torch may have proved disappointing for AT&T and the manufacturer, with various analysts suggesting the touchscreen smartphone shifted just 150,000 units in its first two days of availability. Both RBC Capital Markets and Stifel Nicolaus came to the 150k figure, having made spot-checks for stock levels at stores over the weekend, while Goldman Sachs merely described the launch as “underwhelming“.

The big comparison many are making is the iPhone 4, which Apple has claimed sold 1.7m units in its first three days of availability. Analysts have blamed slow corporate client adoption for the Torch, together with the imminent arrival of the BlackBerry 6 OS for older devices; RIM has already confirmed that the BlackBerry Bold 9700, Bold 9650 and Pearl 3G will all get upgrades to the new version of their software, and that could be encouraging owners of those devices to stick with the hardware they already have.

Already, the Torch is down to $99.99 when bought through Amazon, though AT&T are still selling the smartphone for $199.99 (both with a new, two-year agreement).

Via : slashgear.com

Amazon Offering BlackBerry Torch For $99

The price of the new BlackBerry Torch is already being slashed because interest in the new RIMM phone is not what the company thought it would be.

The Torch comes with the BlackBerry 6 operating system and all the other gimics of more popular smartphones, but has nothing that makes it stand out to consumers.

Amazon have already decided to slash the cost of the phone by more than 50% because of lack of consumer interest, offering it for $99 on a 2-year contract.

Now you can buy the newest BlackBerry for even less than some older models sell for, a sure sign that Amazon has a very poor opinion of its potential.

The Torch was released only 5 days ago but since its launch consumer interest in it has been bleak to say the least.

Consumers are however, very interested in the new Droid 2, which launched right around the same time as the Torch.

Via : dbtechno.com

Teardown: Blackberry Torch Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary

Given the fact that RIM needs the Blackberry Torch to turn into a major success, it may be surprising to hear that the device is not quite as advanced as RIM claims. A teardown conducted by iSuppli reveals, however, that the Torch uses the technology foundation of its predecessors.

“On the outside, the Torch delivers a rich feature set, with three user interfaces, a capacitive touch screen, an optical track pad and the first slider QWERTY keyboard found in a Blackberry,” said Andrew Rassweiler, analyst at iSuppli.

“On the inside, the Torch’s electronic design heavily leverages subsystems used in previous members of the Blackberry smart phone line, specifically the Storm2 and the Bold 9700. With this evolutionary approach, RIM has delivered a smart phone with an enhanced feature set that largely matches those of the Blackberry’s chief competitors: the iPhone and the Android-based handsets.”

Carrying over technology platforms can be a big advantage for those who build multiple devices, but it may be more difficult for customers to clearly see the benefits of one device over another, similarly to GM’s approach to spread out the same cars over multiple brands.

According to iSuppli, the Torch’s Radio Frequency, power amplifier and power management subsystems are similar or virtually identical to those of a previous member of the Blackberry line, the Bold 9700.

Torch’s display is very similar to that of the Blackberry Storm2 9550. iSuppli also noted that the Torch has the same microelectromechanical systems accelerometer by Analog Devices used in the Storm2 9550.

Interestingly, the Torch shows some similarity to smart phones from other brands as well. Mechanically, it is comparable in complexity and cost to HTC Tilt 2. Likewise, the Torch integrates Texas Instruments’ WL1271x WLAN/Bluetooth IC, which can be found in products including Motorola’s Droid X and Microsoft’s Kin 2, iSuppli said.

Overall, it almost appears that the Torch has been put together in a Lego brick strategy with proven components being integrated in one device. As it leverages the foundation of other Blackberries, the Torch could have some benefits, including cost savings, which seems not to be the case.

iSuppli estimates the bill of materials, including manufacturing, at $183.05. In comparison, the iPhone 4 has an estimated bill of materials of $187.51 and the Droid Incredible is believed to cost about $174.15 (all estimates excluding expenses such as shipping, marketing as well as R&D.)

Via : conceivablytech.com

Buy BlackBerry Torch 9800 on Sale at Amazon.com

Amazon.com has RIM’s latest phone Blackberry Torch 9800 on sale for just $99.99, while AT&T sells it for $200 and a 2 year contract. When RIM rolled out BlackBerry Torch 9800 on August 12, Mike Lazaridis, co-CEO, called it as one of the most significant launches in the company’s history. The Blackberry torch 9800 failed to impress the market eventhough RIM managed to sell 150,000 Torch phones in its opening weekend.

The price cut from Amazon.com comes after some uncertain early reviews of the BlackBerry Torch 9800. The price tag of $200 was also a reason for concern when devices like the $200 Motorola Droid 2 Android smart phone with more powerful processor and larger screen comes in for $200. The price cut could be a sign of troubles ahead for the Blackberry Torch 9800 that was supposed to save RIM’s smart phone market.

Many analysts believe that the Amazon.com is most likely buying the smart phones directly from RIM, and not from AT&T. It might be one more example of Amazon.com putting a popular device on sale at deep discounts which has happened with many smart phones.

Buy BlackBerry Torch 9800 from Amazon.com

BlackBerry Torch Sales Disappointing: Reports

RIM's latest attempt at countering the iPhone 4 seems to have run into problems after the initial response towards its latest handset, the Torch 9800 turned out to be lackluster.

The Torch, which was launched in U.S., on August 12 has seen less than spectacular sales with stores not being able to "sell out" the phone as is the case with most popular handsets.

The Wall Street Journal reports that RIM only managed to sell about 150,000 BlackBerry Torch units over the weekend.

Compare this to the sales of the Tour 9630 which when launched sold 275,000 units in just one day. The difference, however, was that the later was launched on Verizon. The Torch, on the other hand, is on AT&T.

One reason for the lackluster response is said to be the iPhone 4 which was lapped up by AT&T customers months before the Torch launch.

If that wasn't all, the Android based Samsung Captivate too was launched just recently. These coupled with the fact that most people don't actually need BlackBerry services seems to have sealed the fate if the Torch.

Via : techtree.com

BlackBerry Torch 9800

Recently, RIM became part of the smartphone market as the company introduced BlackBerry Torch 9800. And just like most smartphones today, the Blackberry Torch is worth $200 and comes with a 2 year contract with AT&T. The Torch 9800 is the first phone presented by RIM that has a physical keyboard and touchscreen feature. Other than that, it also sports the latest BlackBerry 6 OS as well. But is this competitive enough to face the army of Android-based phones?

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 only weighs 5.68 ounces. Using the Torch 9800 would be easy for all the previous BB users since it has the touchscreen feature. Unfortunately, the touchscreen of the BlackBerry model isn’t as responsive as expected in a high-end phone. But at least it did not incorporate the SurePress technology from RIM which they used at BlackBerry Storm models before.

On the other hand, the BlackBerry 6 OS is a reliable software that would surely give the other BlackBerry phones a whole new look. You can depend on it particularly on e-mails since you can since it with Groupwise, Exchange, and Lotus Domino to assure that on-time delivery of your emails.

Another issue is the browsing performance. If you would browse websites with a lot of media files embedded, it would take time before the page loads. It seems that it is just too much for the 624MHz processor integrated on the phone. Wonder why they didn’t used 1GHz processor instead?

But in terms of taking pictures, Torch 9800 is catching up with some of the most popular smartphones today. It has a 5 megapixel camera that focuses automatically, LED flash, and a 2x zoom as well. Moreover, it also has some of the latest shooting features like face detection which can be found in most high-end digital cameras today.

Via : toptechreviews.net