Firmware Update Friday – Week 25 2012

It’s time to say goodbye to some nasty old bugs! This week only one firmware update for Sonys flagship; the Xperia S.

Sony Xperia S – Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich

It finally happened; Sony has issued the Android Ice Cream Sandwich for the Xperia S. The phone is out for half a year now, so people had to wait a long time.

We have our own ideas why it took Sony so long to bring this update. They completely redesigned the Walkman, Album and Movies apps.

Owners of a Sony Xperia S get a notification on their phone if the update is ready to download. Some phones get the update later than others, so please be patient. It is advised to download the new update using a WiFi connection because it is around 200 MB big. If the update fails on your phone you can try Xperia Update on your PC or Bridge for Mac.

Stay up to date and see you next week for a new firmware update friday!

Motorola launches water resistant Defy Pro

Motorola has just announced the Defy Pro: a water, dust and weather resistant Android smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard. Motorola calls it “its first life-proof Android smartphone”.

The Motorola Defy Pro looks great enough to bring it to the office, and yet is durable for everyday use. This is all because of the full QWERTY keyboard and its water and dust proof shell. The display is covered by Gorilla Glass making the Defy Pro one tough phone.

Motorola Defy Pro

The screen measures only 2.7 inch, further specs are a 5 megapixel camera with flash and WiFi. You can print documents straight from the phone thanks to MotoPrint. You can also use VPN and open all kinds of documents using Quickoffice.

The Motorola Defy Pro will first ship in Brazil. If other markets will see this Defy Pro is unknown at this moment.

Nokia 808 PureView review

Let’s speak freely: during the last few years, Nokia wasn’t really a brand to show off with. But recently, the Fins have made an effort to change that, and they seem to be doing a very reasonable job.

Of course, this 808 PureView isn’t likely to be among the winners, unlike the iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy’s. With the 808 PureView, Nokia is first and foremost looking to score when it comes to visual features.

With its 41.0 Mpixel camera, this phone is the successor of the, until now, unrivalled camera capacities of the N8. It may sound unlikely, but it’s true. In order to promote it, Nokia even recorded a commercial with this phone!

It would be unfair to compare this phone to those of the competition, since Nokia set up a whole new category. It would be better to compare this phone to the more popular point and shoot-cameras. But we’ll try it anyway. Does the PureView keep its promises? And what about the other features of this smart phone?

Unboxing

The Nokia PureView 808 is delivered in a colorful rectangular cardboard box. The phone is embedded in a cardboard holder. Underneath this, we find a headset with earplugs in different sizes, a wristband, a USB-cable and a charger. All of this is executed in black, even though we were testing the white version of the Nokia 808 PureView. Apart from this, we also find some leaflets. The accessories look fine and make a solid, but not very surprising impression. The included battery has a capacity of 1400 mAh.

Firmware Update Friday – Week 43 2012

It’s time to say goodbye to some nasty old bugs! This week a firmware update for the Nokia N8, the X3-02.5 and Asha 302.

Nokia N8 – SMS Update

The first update of this week is for Nokia’s previous cameramonster; the N8. It’s previous because the N8 is no PureView-phone. Nevertheless, this update fixes exactly what the name implies. It solves a problem sending text messages to multiple recipients. You can update your phone by running the SW Update application. Don’t forget to backup your phone before updating.

Nokia Asha 302 – v14.78

Also an update for the Nokia Asha 302. Version 14.78 is the same update that other Nokia’s received over the past weeks. This one brings a warning when the volume is to loud. It also solves several problems in the system memory management and when connecting to WLAN networks. Updating can be done via the phone itself but also using by hooking your phone to your computer and running Nokia Suite.

Nokia X3-02.5 – v7.58

Finally an update for the Nokia X3-02.5. Version 7.58 solves almost the same problems as for the Asha 302 mentioned above. This includes fixes in memory management and reliability in WLAN connections. Bear in mind that this version is not for the X3-02 but only for the new X3 Touch and Type with productcode RM-775.

Receive a free e-mail when the Nokia X3-02.5 is available in shops.

E-mail

Stay up to date and see you next week for a new firmware update friday!

Firmware Update Friday – Week 44 2012

It’s time to say goodbye to some nasty old bugs! This week a firmware update for the Apple iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G S.

Apple iPhone 5, 4s, 4, 3GS – iOS 6.0.1

Apple just released a small update containing mainly bugfixes for the iPhone 5, 4S, 4 and even the older iPhone 3GS. Despite iOS it’s ability to download and install updates over the air, owners of the iPhone 5 will have to download a separate app before installing iOS 6.0.1. This seems a one time only thing, because iOS 6.0.1 seems to solve just that. It also solves the problem users reported having horizontal lines in their keyboard. And the flash not functioning is also solved from now on. Furthermore the reliability with WiFi connections using WPA2 encryption is improved. You can read the whole changelog on Apple’s website.

Stay up to date and see you next week for a new firmware update friday!

Samsung Galaxy Note II N7100 review

Not everybody knew just what to do with a device of which the size of the screen lies somewhere between a mobile phone and a tablet.

In spite of this, by now about 10 million of these devices have been sold, and this category has even gotten its own name: the phablet. A short while ago, the Samsung Galaxy Note II came out, and we had the chance to try this improved version.

We started our review period of the Galaxy Note Ii with an over-the-air firmware update. This is always very nice, since they often come with speed improvements or new functions. Moreover, the Note II already has a 5.5 inch screen, an 8 megapixel camera and a 1.6 GHz quadcore processor.

For the Note II it’s hard to point out at the competition since it’s such a remarkable device without many ‘natural enemies’. LG has the Optimus Vu in its range, just as the newer Vu II, but the both of them aren’t available in the Netherlands. In the category of devices with a somewhat smaller screen, we can point at the Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X+ and the Nokia Lumia 920. Of course, we can’t totally ignore the new iPhone 5.

Unboxing

Even though mobile phones are getting larger and larger, the boxes still have to be as small as possible. Samsung did another good job in this. The Note II hardly fits into the box. Furthermore, they have managed to find space for an in-ear headset with sleeves in different sizes, a USB cable and an adapter to plug in the socket. All the accessories are white and look quite good. The USB cable is a bit shirt and the plug is a bit loose in the device. Although there is space for a micro SD card, this is not included in the package.

LG Tone Platinum wireless in-ears look bonkers but have high-end aspirations

As part of its Mobile World Congress line-up next week, LG will be demonstrating the high-end audio aspirations of its new in-ear headphones, the LG Tone Platinum.

Co-developed with Harman Kardon, the Tone Platinum wireless earbuds connect via Bluetooth, with the main unit sitting around your neck. The buds neatly sit inside the band for portability, and can be extended to your ears for use.

The headset features the Bluetooth aptX codec, so can receive high-resolution audio with no loss, in order to reproduce CD-like quality through the earbuds. There are also dual noise cancelling microphones built-in to reduce ambient sounds during phone calls.

LG has added its voice command technology to the Tone Platinum, so users can handle incoming calls just by voice. Android phone users can also match the headset to a dedicated Tone & talk app, which supports voice memo and find me functionality.

READ: Mobile World Congress 2016: Launches, smartphones, wearables to expect at MWC 2016

“The LG Tone Platinum is a showcase of innovative technologies that aims to deliver premium sound quality in a form-factor that millions of customers have come to embrace,” said Michael Park, a vice president at LG Electronics.

“The Bluetooth world is a key growth area for our mobile business.”

After its debut at MWC in Barcelona next week, the LG Tone Platinum will be released in the US in March. It will then be available in Europe, Asia and Latin America soon after.

LG creates all-new smartphone category with the X series: X cam and X screen boast unique differences

LG has announced two new mid-range handset that it’s calling the X series. The X screen and X cam each offer their own specialities.

The first two handsets in the X series will be on display at MWC in Barcelona on 22 February. While the base specs are not mind blowing, it’s the specialist extras that makes these handsets desirable.

The LG X screen rather excitingly features not only a 4.93-inch 1080p main display but also a 1.76-inch LCD at 520 x 80 resolution screen as an Always-on display.

This is the same low power display featured in the V10 which allows for at-a-glance time, date and communication notifications without powering the display up fully. This is also rumoured to appear on the forthcoming LG G5. This handset also features a 2,300mAh battery, 1.2GHz quad-core processor plus 13-megapixel and 8-megapixel cameras.

The LG X cam features dual rear cameras at 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel as well as an 8-megapixel front-facing selfie camera. This also has a 5.2-inch FHD display, 1.14GHz octa-core processor and 2,520mAh battery. This features a curved glass finish that LG calls 3D Bending Glass.

Both handsets have 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage and run Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

They will debut next month. Expect pricing to be announced nearer that time.

READ: LG G5: What’s the story so far? – Pocket-lint

BMW 3-Series (2016) first drive: Retaining the sports saloon crown?

For 40 years BMW has ruled the roost in the junior executive car stakes. It’s fended off the arrival of the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class and has remained, by and large, the gold standard in this class of car throughout its history.

But now the 3-Series is under attack like never before. Not only was there a new Merc C-Class the year before last, and a new Audi A4 at the start of this one, but Jaguar has launched the XE and Lexus has the best IS it’s ever had.

If you don’t want a 3-Series, your choices are extensive and varied, and that’s before you’ve even considered jumping from a saloon body style to SUV instead.

But should you still want a 3-Series, that’s the question? And is it – objectively – still better than the rest? Our first drive of this new for 2016, face-lifted model should give us some answers.

BMW 3-Series 2016 first drive: Nip & tuck

We’ll qualify that last statement first of all. You’re probably looking at the car top of page and saying to yourself “facelift? What’s changed”.

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It is true this is a blink-and-you’ll miss it change, on the surface at least. The 2016 3-Series gets a raft of improvements under what BMW terms an “LCI” (that’s Lifecycle impulse).

So there are new lamps front and rear, including the option of LEDs at the front for the first time. Plus some changes to the bumper aprons, some new wheel designs and a couple of new colours too.

BMW 3-Series 2016 first drive: New engines

You’ll be more interested, however, in the brand new range of engines that arrive with this 3-Series facelift. A new 2.0 turbo petrol that goes into what’s now badged the 330i (was 328i), a 3-cylinder turbo diesel in the 316d, and – most importantly because it’s the one everyone buys – a new 2.0 turbo diesel in the 320d (i.e. this car on review).

The diesels are all the same family: BMW has developed a new modular cylinder block, which you can then spec in 3-, 4- or 6-cylinder formats. What you need to know is that power and torque are up (slightly) across the board, while fuel economy goes up and CO2 emissions go down.

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The one you’ll want as a company car driver is the 320d Efficient Dynamics model, with the 8-speed auto – because it drops the CO2 down to 99g/km, which currently means its tax-free. The 320d also offers 163bhp, which is plenty enough to row the car along.

The other model to consider as a company car driver is the new 330e – a plug-in hybrid available in the 3-Series for the first time, which marries a 181bhp 2.0 4-cylinder petrol with a 65kw electric motor (that’s around 20-miles on the battery alone if you want it).

BMW 3-Series 2016 first drive: Behind the wheel

Back to the here and now. This BMW 320d M-Sport produces 190hp, emits 106g/km of CO2 and attracts benefit-in-kind of 21 per cent. Those figures apply regardless of whether you take the 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic.

We drove the auto for this drive, which is priced at £34,460. By way of comparison, an Audi A4 2.0 TDi S-Line auto also produces 190hp, emits 111g/km of CO2 and costs £33,345.

Behind the wheel, the BMW feels good for every one of its 190 horsepower – perhaps more so. A back-to-back drive in a Jaguar XE 2.0d in the higher output format revealed the BMW to feel noticeably quicker across the board.

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It’s quieter too. There’s still an unpleasant amount of thrum and rattle from the engine on start up with the BMW, but it’s quieter than the engine that went before it, and once spinning it’s quite smooth and avoids the coarseness of most 2-litre diesels.

Interestingly, it’s happy to rev right round to 5,000-odd rpm too – it doesn’t simply run out of breath in the 4,000s like most diesels. This, combined with the faster-shifting ZF 8-Speed auto, which in M-Sport guise comes with paddles behind the wheel, combines to make the 3-Series a fast and fun thing to drive, particularly across country.

Helping things along are tweaked suspension settings, which are intended to provide greater precision, a faster steering rack and better ride. Sounds like an impossible combination – and in isolation we’re not sure you’d notice.

However, we handily stepped out of a pre-facelift 3-Series when we arrived at the event to drive this 320d. And we noticed the difference straight away. Turning feels much quicker and sharper through the steering wheel. And the ride is noticeably better, the suspension quieter.

BMW continues its art of black magic in the handling and ride department. For our money it’s on par with the new Jag XE (the steering is better in the XE, the consistency of response and quietness of the suspension is better in the BMW).

BMW 3-Series 2016 first drive: Tech fight

So the 3-Series pretty much remains best-in-class to drive, out on the road. Job done in terms of keeping its sports saloon crown then?

Well, not so fast. Because the fast-moving factor in this class is now interior design – specifically the technology on-board.

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It’s here the 3-Series faces a tougher challenge. Merc’s C-Class has raised the bar for materials, perceived quality and wow factor. Meanwhile Audi has come along and thrown the metaphorical kitchen sink of technology at the new A4’s interior – giving it the full 12-inch digital dash display treatment we first saw in the TT and R8 (if you pay for it, anyway).

BMW has responded by – and we’re not joking here – just adding some new trim finishers to the dashboard and electric window switches. Oh, and by giving the iDrive system some new connectivity functions, including a faster load time, over-the-air updates and 4G LTE connectivity. Which, on the face of it, sounds like equipping the 3-Series with a knife, when it’s going to a gun fight.

And here’s the rub. Jump into the 3-Series in a BMW showroom, and you’ll surely be disappointed at the (lack of) tech on show, plus the lack of bling to the interior design – particularly if you’ve stepped across the road from the Audi or Mercedes dealer. Spend time with the car though, and it’s not quite so clear cut.

Firstly, BMW’s ConnectedDrive services and iDrive system has led for some while, so in a way the others were simply playing catch-up.

Compared to the Merc, for instance, the BMW’s mapping, speed of system response, real-time-traffic info and on-screen graphics are far more modern, easier to read and realistic. The iDrive system remains intuitive after your first few days of being new to it. And for £825, BMW’s head-up display (HUD) provides a clearer, greater amount of info than competitors.

What’s more, sat nav comes as standard on all BMW models. The basic system is fine and comes with a 6-inch screen. To get the bigger 8.8-inch screen (as pictured here) plus real-time traffic, 3D mapping, over-the-air updates and 4G LTE you’ll need to upgrade to the professional Media package. At £900 it bundles in concierge services (hit a button to speak to a real person), remote services from your phone, and a black panel on the instrument cluster. It’s the first option box we’d tick.

Pocket-lint

BMW 3-Series 2016 first drive: An Audi-sized thorn in the side

Spend more time with the BMW and its on-board tech seamlessly melds into the driving experience – it just works, it helps you out and the ergonomic layout of the cabin is peerless. No faffing hitting a touchscreen a million times simply to turn on heated seats as you must in the Jag. No intrusion of the transmission tunnel to push your legs over to the right and upset the driving position as in the Merc. And the BMW has fantastic sports seats which remain comfortable for thousands of miles.

Compare the 3-Series to the new Audi A4, however, and things are much closer. Audi, also, charge you more for a bigger sat nav screen, the full digital dash and HUD. But with that you get Google maps traffic, which is more accurate than the real-time traffic system in the BMW. Plus the Audi has the option of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – which is coming, but not quite here yet for the BMW.

The BMW’s better to drive when you’re on it, but the Audi’s quieter. Overall, we’d say the two are close to a tie for honours in the class now – the BMW remains the sportier driving choice, the Audi the more serene and more overtly high-tech.

First Impressions

So the BMW retains its class crown – albeit sharing with its arch German competitor, Audi.

However, without wishing to sound too cheesy, the real winner here is anyone shopping for a car like this. The BMW, the Audi, the Mercedes and the Jaguar each have their own qualities. You might hate their ubiquity on the road, but the reality is their common site is testament to just what brilliant cars they all are – and this is one class of car in which you are now truly spoilt for choice.

For what it’s worth – and were it our money being spent – we’d still pick BMW. Why? Because of its livability on a day-to-day basis, ability to put a smile on your face on a B-road, and the intuitive, learnable qualities of the interface and wider depth of technology.

Microsoft Lumia 650 official: Windows 10 slim build for slim wallets

Microsoft has officially taken the covers off its latest Lumia 650 smartphone that will be putting its Windows 10 operating system into more pockets.

Microsoft has already released its Lumia 950, 950 XL and 550, but the 650 is the first handset for 2016. It aims to offer an affordable way to get Windows 10 while still delivering a slim and metallic build quality.

The Lumia 650 features a 5-inch OLED display with 1080p resolution. Microsoft says this is “bright and crisp” and that “colour pops” while blacks are “deep and clear”.

This screen sits within an anodised aluminium frame that allows for a removable battery and microSD access. The handset weighs in at 122g and is 6.9mm thin.

On the rear is an 8-megapixel camera while the front features a 5-megapixel wide-angle selfie camera. Both work with the many camera lenses that Microsoft has on offer to download for free using Windows 10.

Of course you can expect all the Windows 10 software perks like Cortana voice assistant, Microsoft Office 365 suite and cloud storage via OneDrive.

The handset is also aimed at business users as it, “also allows IT to test the latest Windows 10 Mobile updates against critical line of business systems and apps, before you distribute to end users via MDM”.

The Microsoft Lumia 650 will be available in Europe from 18 February from £150.

READ: Which Windows Phone is right for you? Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL