HTC Velocity on Telstra – Lighting fast 3G when 4G isn’t available

Here’s something you probably didn’t know about the HTC Velocity 4G phone launched today on Telstra.   The Velocity is in fact not just the first 4G phone, but it is also the first to drop back to HSPA+ Dual Channel when 4G is not available.

HSPA+ is the fastest version of Telstra’s Next G 3G network – meaning, in 3G areas, you won’t just get the 5-7 Mbps downloads you’re used to on 3G – you will actually get more likely 14-18Mbps as indicated by my regular tests over the last 24 hours.

This puts to rest a lot of the concerns or false reporting that because of the limited 4G coverage the Velocity was in fact not that useful – in fact it’s most likely the fastest 3G phone you’ll find also!

… Continue Reading

Where to get the best internet: Armidale?

My mum owns a pub between Armidale and Tamworth, and I have to admit that a few years ago if someone said to me “Armidale Residents have the best available Internet speeds in Australia” I’d have told them to stop drinking.

Well, Telstra have just switched on their 4G network in Armidale which when combined with the NBN that is also available in the town you’re looking at a pretty compelling broadband offering!

… Continue Reading

Blackberry 9900 on Vodafone by Mid-October

I’ve been getting a lot of questions on twitter and email about the new Blackberry with people on carriers other than Optus keen to get the 9900. Well, the idea of the exclusive period is of course to lure you over to Optus in this case.

However, if that’s not to your liking and you’re a Vodafone customer – you’ll be pleased to know the Blackberry Bold 9900 will be available through Vodafone in the coming weeks, by Mid-October I’m told – so, Sit tight – it’s close!

JAYS to launch new a-Jays ONE+

A sneaky tweet by the boss of JAYS has shown us what’s about to come for the JAYS range of earphones.  Famous for their flat tangle free cords, the A-Jays range of earphones has proven popular here in Australia, and while the addition of the a-Jays Four to the range with full iPhone/iPod compatibility was great, it did leave Blackberry and Android users in the dark.

I tried the a-Jays Four on my Blackberry, and it was pretty much a massive fail – not that they were intended for that use at all, but I was keen on the track forward and back for music playing.

So, what’s new?  A-Jays One PLUS.  Compatible with Android and Blackberry among others, these look to offer just what I was looking for.

… Continue Reading

The best Blackberry ever – Bold 9900

Blackberry are back, finally they’ve hit the market with a device worth wanting – it’s the new BOLD 9900, the third generation Bold, and easily the best yet.

So where has Research in Motion been? Having now held and used at length the Blackberry Bold 9900 for some time, I can tell you they’ve been working on speed and quality.

The original Bold was fantastic at the time, big screen, fantastic keyboard and again – at the time – the culmination of all the great Blackberry features across devices.

Click Continue reading for more information … Continue Reading

Red Bull Mobile – Post paid pricing and iPhone use explained

Red Bull is a brand associated with wings, cartoons, energy drinks and extreme sports. When the brand extension ‘Red Bull Mobile’ began appearing on the back wing of the company’s Formula One race cars, I did start to wonder if and when that brand would hit Australia.Well, despite the obvious irony regarding the competing Formula One teams, Vodafone announced this month that Red Bull Mobile would be launching in Australia on their network.A lot has been written since, and even more so after the announcement of the Red Bull Mobile plans which see unlimited calls and texts and generous data inclusions on pre paid plans ranging up to $365 for 365 days of access.

However, then came the fine print. iPhone and Blackberry use is not included in the data. Even Red Bull Mobile’s own page regarding this has been updated in recent days with friendlier wording, directing people to contact Red Bull Mobile for a post paid option.

So, why all the confusion and what is behind the plans and structure at Red Bull Mobile?

Click Continue reading for all the info!

… Continue Reading

FIRST LOOK: HTC EVO 3D – plus Vodafone pricing.

The HTC EVO 3D is the second 3D phone on the market here in Australia, following on from the launch of the LG Optimus 3D earlier in the year. Vodafone will launch the EVO 3D on September 14, while Telstra’s launch date is still unknown.  Vodafone will be making the phone available at $0 on the $59 cap.

When the Optimus 3D launched I was certainly impressed with the concept, but questioned the market for the phone. With the HTC EVO 3D I’m even more impressed, but still have to ask the question about who and why.

The EVO 3D is a chunky phone, it feels big in your hand and carries a bit of weight, however I should disclose that I jumped from the Samsung Galaxy S II to the EVO 3D and the Galaxy is one heck of a light weight phone.

Full details about the EVO 3D as well as Vodafone pricing – click continue reading … Continue Reading

OPTUS first with the New Blackberry handsets

And not about time!

As a long time Blackberry addict, I’ve recently been drawn away from the team – with the lure of Android drawing me ever closer to the man smartphones on the market that don’t carry that famous Blackberry name.

So, what’s taken so long? Who knows! One thing I do know is that the device I called for over 3 years ago – the Touch Screen + Keyboard Blackberry is finally coming.   Yes, the Torch had that with the slider model, however it just wasn’t right.  So, now comes the Bold V3, otherwise known as the 9900.

Optus has announced it will hit the Australian market in Early September, the 9900 along with the new full touchscreen Torch 9860.

Click Continue Reading for more info

… Continue Reading

A Thought: Blackberry should adopt Android

This is difficult to write. I’ve loved my Blackberry’s for almost a decade. I’ve stuck solid through the temptations of many many phones over all those years. Why? It was rock solid, and I need that keyboard.

For the last week, I’ve been using the HTC ChaCha. The ChaCha is an Android based phone from HTC which has both a touchscreen and a physical keyboard.

How can a simple (and cheap) phone like the HTC make me second guess the Blackberry obsession I’ve had for so long? Well that is simple – its the vision to the future of both a touchscreen+physical keyboard combo, and the insight into just how well Android can be on the half size screen that makes me think.

Click continue reading for my thoughts on the Future of Blackberry.

… Continue Reading

Motorola ATRIX – Not just ‘another’ Android Phone

We all know Android is the Operating System of the future when it comes to Mobile Phones.  It’s truly a three horse race now, with Apple iOS, Windows Phone 7 and Android.  Don’t expect the race to suffer any casualties, there is a place in this global market for all three.

However, the issue with Android phones of late is they are all much the same, so it’s hard to get excited about them – in fact, I’ve probably reviewed a dozen phones I’ve not written up here just because there is only so much you can say about Android!

So, this week, when Telstra and Motorola announced the availability of the ATRIX from June 7 it wasn’t an announcement I got too excited about.  Until I saw the range of accessories and applications for the phone..

Click continue reading to find out why…

… Continue Reading