HTC Desire software patch and white version on the way (plus silver Wildfire)

Okay, let’s all calm down about the upcoming HTC announcements on Wednesday. I’m sure you’ve heard enough about the event and you’ll get to find out exactly what latest handsets are getting spewed out into the market in two days.

And when they do get announced, they may not be getting released for months after they are announced, they’ll probably sell out, someone will say they’ve got an antenna problem or a bug and they’ll be super-expensive. What I’m trying to say is just because a new handset is on the horizon doesn’t mean we should rubbish its predecessor.

The HTC Desire is a fantastic handset and as it is on the verge of getting replaced it is becoming even more attractive. We told you recently that the price of a Desire on contract has dropped, with 3 pushing them out at a tiny £20 per month.

Now, rumour has it that a white version of Desire, is exclusively coming to The Carphone Warehouse in the UK before Christmas. It is also believed that a silver HTC Wildfire is also coming to the retailer at the same time.

A Carphone Warehouse rep said site that “This is something of a departure for the company – usually they just prepare an initial range of colours and that’s it.” They really are treating us.

There’s also something to stop current Desire users feeling neglected. The HTC support website has announced that an over-the-air software update is now available.

Via : gaj-it.com

HTC Desire White to arrive for Christmas?

It looks like we could be expecting a white Christmas this year. Reports state that a white version of the HTC Desire will be coming to the UK, and will be available before the end of the year.

Press images have appeared of the new handset too, so we can be pretty confident that this isn’t just rumour.

The white HTC Desire is set to out-do the black and brown versions of the handset, as it will come equipped with a Super LCD display. This is mainly due to a shortage of AMOLED displays, although the upgrade will provide you with a better visual experience, more natural colours and less drain on your battery. All other specifications will be the same, and it is though that the price will remain the same too.

It seems the race could now be on between Apple and HTC, with Apple still delaying the release of the white iPhone 4. Maybe this could be the handset to tempt Apple fans, so let’s see if they pick up the pace to stop them switching from iOS to Android.

Oh, and don’t forget, there’s also the HTC Desire HD to tempt you, which is expected to be announced by the manufacturer this week on September 15th.

The white HTC Desire is set to be exclusive to the Carphone Warehouse, although no official release date has yet been announced.

Via : dialtosave.co.uk

HTC Desire: Software patch available and white version to hit UK

While the world awaits HTC's grand unveiling and announcements on Wednesday (15 September) - most likely concerning the HTC Desire HD - pics and details have emerged on a white version of the normal Desire, which is exclusively coming to The Carphone Warehouse in the UK before Christmas.

The handset is identical to its brown and black brethren in all other ways except colour, but at least there's one mobile phone manufacturer that can guarantee a white version of a handset, without citing production difficulties.

It is also believed that a silver HTC Wildfire is also coming to the retailer at the same time.

Talking to androidcommunity.com, a Carphone Warehouse rep couldn't give a specific release date, but told the site that "this was something of a departure for the company – usually they just prepare an initial range of colors and that’s it".

Normal HTC Desire owners needn't feel left out though, the HTC support website has posted that an over-the-air software update is now available.

The company advises that you use a Wi-Fi connection to download it as it's a large file, and the company recommends that you back up all of your personal data first.

Via : pocket-lint.com

Microsoft's 1080p LifeCam Studio review

The 1080p webcam party is just getting started, Logitech kicking things off with the $99 C910 earlier this year, and now things are heating up with Microsoft making its appearance. Today the company is announcing the immediate availability of the $99 Lifecam Studio, an upgraded version of the LifeCam Cinema HD that's pushing more pixels and a few other nice features, like a threaded receiver for tripod use. Overkill, or is this the webcam you want?

Via : engadget.com

Contour announces 1080p ContourGPS helmetcam, lets friends locate your extreme exploits (video)

When it comes to the high-end helmetcam game, GoPro and Contour seem to have the market cornered. Contour was first to bring 1080p to your headgear of choice, and now it's the first to add GPS in to the mix. (GoBandit started talking about doing the same back in February, but we're still waiting on that to become a reality.) The $349 ContourGPS still offers the same video specs as the $279 ContourHD 1080p we reviewed this time last year, but now when sharing your videos you can also embed a real-time map view. Read on for more details, and a look at the UI.

Built on Google Maps, Contour will launch a ContourGPS community where users can upload videos. When embedded those videos will display the position, altitude, and speed next to the footage so that friends can find their way to the same bunny slope you were shredding with the nü metal backing track, or calculate just how long it took you to hit terminal velocity after taking that first big step out of a perfectly good airplane. GPS coordinates are captured at 1hz intervals -- too slow for perfectly accurate lap times at the track, but good enough for most outdoor pursuits.

Via : engadget.com

T-Mobile G2 gets $150 price tag at Radio Shack

You didn't rush out and grab that Best Buy pre-order while it was still hot and steaming, did you? Radio Shack's decided to step up its charm offensive with any potential G2 owners in the best way possible: by chopping $50 off the upfront price for the handset via an instant rebate. So, Amazon et al, care to outbid this daring ploy for affection with your own discounts?

Via : engadget.com, Buy @ RadioShack

Crapgadget: 'should you laugh or should you cry?' edition

A mouse in the shape of a gilded turtle? A human skull that doubles as an MP3 player? A USB-powered stapler that doubles as a USB hub? Those catastrophes, and many more, make up this week's edition of Crapgadget. Truth be told, we're actually kind of digging the stapler, but only due to our infatuation with Office Space and our boyhood dreams of seeing a sequel before we die. If none of those suit your fancy, though, there's also the retro camera keychain light, wine bottle USB speaker (an ultimate tailgate accessory, so we hear) and a light-up bunny which would quite literally be worthless if not for the cute factor. Take a peek down at each in the links below (if you dare), and then toss in your vote for worst of the worst. Seriously, do it -- it's a big deal.

Via : engadget.com, Buy @ gadget4all.com

T-Mobile G2 Android 2.2 Smartphone Pre-orders Begin Later This Month

Pre-orders to the T-Mobile G2 smartphone, the highly-anticipated successor to the T-Mobile G1 launched nearly two years ago, will kick off later this month. The G2 QWERTY slider is the first smartphone specifically designed for T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network.

The Android
2.2 G2, which comes thanks to the teamwork of T-Mobile, Google and HTC, will be coming with Qualcomm’s MSM7230 Snapdragon silicon optimized for T-Mobile’s network with an 800MHz CPU.

The G2 will provide customers with blazing fast access to websites, applications, videos and deliver downloads at 4G speeds.

The device comes equipped with a 3.7 inch capacitive touchscreen and a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and autofocus.

It also features 4GB of internal memory and a pre-installed 8GB microSD card with support for up to 32GB. Other specs include a 3.5-mm headphone jack, Swype keyboard, 720p HD video capabilities, and Adobe’s FlashPlayer for supporting web browsing.

The T-Mobile G2 will be available in the US exclusively from T-Mobile. Other details, such as the availability and the cost of the G2, will be out in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates.

Via : devicemag.com

Android Expected To Take Share From Every Major Mobile OS

Android clearly got analysts excited these days. Gartner now says that it will outgrow every other popular mobile OS and challenge Symbian for market leadership within 3 years.

Perhaps iOS just got old. Or we a realizing that Apple’s walled garden approach has its limits and it may not be the right way to conquer the world. Gartner analysts believe that Android will outgrow every other major mobile OS over the next few years and will be the first and only mobile OS in recent history that will be able to approach the volume of Symbian OS.

Android is estimated to be powering about 47.5 million devices this year and 91.9 million next year. If the numbers reflect reality, then Android will be overtaking Apple’s iOS as the world third most popular OS (41.5 million units) and RIM’s Blackberry OS this year as the world’s second most popular mobile OS (46.9 million units for 2010). Symbian will keep the clear lead this and next year with 107.7 million and 141.3 million units, respectively. By 2014, Android will ship in 259.3 million units per year and just be slightly behind Symbian with 264.4 million units, if Gartner is right.

While Symbian and Blackberry OS are already surrendering market share, iOS will peak in 2011, Gartner believes. Android’s growth will be too strong for iOS to keep the pace and decline in share from 17.1% in 2011 to 14.9% in 2014. In 2014, Android will hold 29.6%, Symbian 30.2% and Blackberry OS 11.7%.

According to Gartner, it may be a waste of time for Microsoft to enter mobile OS market.The market share may reach 5.2% next year, but decline thereafter. The research firm believes that it will fall behind Nokia’s/Intel’s MeeGo by 2014. PalmOS is not mentioned in the list of the five most popular mobile operating systems.

Given the changes we have seen in smartphone growth this year alone we believe that it is rather brave to predict market growth for those operating systems for four years. Who knows what will happen next year?

According to Strategy Analytics, a simple smartphone won’t be enough for you anymore, if you want to remain on the cutting edge of mobile phone. You will need a “superphone”, a device that is defined as a phone with a screen larger than 4” and a processor with a clock speed of more than 1 GHz.

Via : conceivablytech.com

Panasonic announces AF105 Micro Four Thirds camcorder, interchangeable lenses not included

The splicing of video and stills cameras continues unabated today, as Panasonic has just outed a serious-looking piece of photographic hardware. The AF105 (AF100 in Europe) is the world's first camcorder to offer a Four Thirds-sized sensor and provides 1080/60i or 1080/30p AVCHD video recording skills, while matching up to the growing selection of glassware for the company's Micro Four Thirds mount. SDHC and SDXC storage cards are accepted and there's a note that "cinema" lenses can also be fitted on via an extra adapter. The price is set at ¥837,900 (about $9,960) and launch is expected this December.

Via : Panasonic, engadget