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Amazon Appstore for Android - live in the US; UK, not so much

Amazon launched their "Appstore" (Apple suing - no surprises - for similarity to "App Store") today, although you'll only actually have any luck in the US as far as downloading an application - as here in the UK you'll be met wit a lovely pop-up telling you that it "isn't available in your region yet".

HTC Smartphone and Tablet roundup

Co-authoured by Ollie Ford and Patrick Beavis

HTC recently announced a mountain of new devices, including five smartphones that are subject of this article.

They've updated the Desire range with an extra model, refreshed the Wildfire and announced some Facebook dedicated phones - which can only loosely be called "smartphones" - and refreshed the Incredible too.

There's a bunch of fantastic new devices, really exciting stuff, so head past the break for a comprehensive list of the latest devices, pictures, and links to our posts with more information on each individual mobile.

HTC Incredible S

Co-authored by Ollie Ford and Patrick Beavis

Not too long ago, this new 4"; 1GHz Android smartphone was announced, along with it's carrying networks, which includes 3.

It's got some pretty good features too, including a smooth 4" capacitive touch screen and a massive 8 megapixel shooter; along with HD video recording of course. And some virtual surround sound to boot. 768MB RAM, front facing camera, discrete GPU and 1450mAh battery - it's a decently specced device, however with new devices launching with 1+ GHz dual core CPUs, 3D, bigger batteries, and RAM measured in the GB; it may not quite by the flagship device that HTC had planned for.

Since the announcement, HTC have said it will receive Android updates in Q2 so that doesn't lag behind.

We hope to have a full, in-depth review up soon, but until then, take a look at the HTC website for some more details on all of their handsets.

HTC Pyramid and EVO 3D

HTC Pyramid

HTC EVO 3D

These two flagship "superphones" (I'm gonna go ahead and stick with smartphone) are very similar; the reason for their dual existence is pretty much just down to the USs carrier model. Sprint will get the EVO 3D as you'd expect, with T-Mobile bagging the HTC Pyramid (AT&T too, depending when you upgrade, thanks to the recent buy-out).

Both smartphones pack 4.3" qHD (960x540) capacitive touch displays, dual core 1.2GHz processors, and 5MP cameras on the back, with 1080p video playback.

Then, however, they start to differ. The EVO 3D has two 5MP cameras on the back, for some nifty 3D snaps/recording. It also plays back 3D on it's glasses-free 3D display (at 720p, 1080p is 2D only).

4G support is also on offer, which does make it tricky to predict whether or not we'll see these devices n the UK - our 4G spectrum isn't even being auctioned off to the mobile networks until after the Olympics, since it's being used for low latency raw footage transmissions.

We can always hope though! Keep your eyes peeled, and browsers firmly pointed toward our site for more info soon on pricing, release date, and UK availability.

Mozilla Firefox 4.0 - up for your taking

That's right, Firefox 4.0 here on an internet near you...

As far as i can tell its the same old, faster, safer, stronger that all of the software updates normally are. But it does include some nice new features too, such as the App Tab.

After releasing a final Beta a few days back, we've got the real thing, so I downloaded and installed it, giving it a run for its money. It does seem to be up to standard with the new IE9 I posted about not too long ago.


Check it out for yourself, here.

Look out for our head to head comparison between IE9 and Firefox 4.0.

Amazon Kindle Review

Amazon Kindle. I've got to admit I don't read much so haven't found much use for it. But this thing is incredible, the screen is just the most bizarre thing ever - it does look exactly like paper; unbelievably thin.

The battery life is amazing - I have had it for around 3 months and have only charged it once; currently on around 60% battery. OK, I haven't used it much but then I don't use my phone excessively either, which barely lasts a day.

HTC Desire Z (G2) - Review

At last, I have my HTC Desire Z review to post. It's my only phone, I don't switch at all, so I use it 24/7 and it takes a lot of use...


First things first, whoa! Spec wise, it's not the greatest thing going, in the ever growing selection of HTCs, but it's not the worst, by a long shot. It looks the part too, it could be up there in the top ten for smartphone looks.

Hit the read on for the full review:

Internet Explorer 9 has arrived

That's right - available from the 14th of March, the new Microsoft Internet Explorer: Version 9.

From the recent downloads, it looks like its here to stay - topping 2 million downloads in the first day - 2.3 million if we're being precise.

I decided to take a look, and it is a very modern; minimalistic look, with squares and sharp edges. But I'm sceptical as to whether it lives up to being, as it claims, "Clean", "Fast" and "Trusted"...

But figures surely speak for themselves, so it must be worth a look -

Hit the following link for the Bing Page, with Download options.

Google release date guesser, live in a search bar near you

Try it now; searching for games or movies in Googles awesome search box should give you a "best guess" for the release date of that item.

It even quotes the sources (via an expandable menu) - which is pretty awesome. It works by crawling the net and finding dates mentioned next to products, the more it gets the more accurate and "best" it rates it - certain websites are also weighted favourably - such as IMDb, and Wikipedia.

Motorola Xoom WiFi model up for grabs

The WiFi only Xoom is for sale at last - as part of a questionable strategy, Motorola first launched the 3G + WiFi (4G as a later software update) variant of their Android 3.0  (Honeycomb) tablet.

Just as the 3G version, the newly launched WiFi model packs a 10.1" WXGA (1280x800) display, supporting 1080p playback. The rear-facing camera captures 720p video, to be played back on the devices own screen, or your TV via the HDMI out.

Inside, it's housing a dual core Tegra 2 processor, clocked at 1GHz, along with up to 32GB flash storage.

For more information, find the Amazon store link below:

iPad 2: Everything you need to know

It comes in white. It comes in black.

It's made by Apple, looks as good as ever.

It's the iPad 2.

The original iPad was a fantastic device. Completely blew up the industry and tablet market. Never before had so many people been in such a rush to get hold of a tablet. Apple sold more iPads in year one than there ever have been tablet PCs sold.


Should such monstrous success be left continue, eventually dwindle, and finally be awed at in the history books - or be followed up by a sequel, risking the image and recognition built up for further success?


Apple are banking on the latter; read on for more info on exactly what their following up the biggest success of 2010 with.

How-To: Installing a new CPU Cooler/Heatsink and Fan (Thermaltake Frio)

Second in what hopes to be a long and fruitful series of How-To guides, I'll be explaining in full pictorial form how to install your latest CPU cooler, HSF, heatsink, fan, call it what you will.


Click the read on to chill your PC to dizzying new depths...

Android Market packed full with new features

The Android Market now features a web store, where you will be able to freely browse the wondrous collection of free and paid apps.

Should you decide that a particular app is worthy of your hard-earned - go ahead and purchase, and the app will be remotely installed to your phone/tablet over the air (OTA).

Perhaps, however you want to try out the free version first. But "Oh what a pain" you cry, realising you will have to then un-install the free and download the full. No more! Google has freed you of such hindering tasks; the in-app purchases SDK was released today, allowing developers to include support for buying full versions, or add-in packs from within the app itself.

No more themes littered throughout the Market!

Intel Recalls Sandy Bridge Chipsets Due to Faults

Intel has issued a press release stating that they will be recalling "Cougar Point" (That's the codename for 6-series chipsets, as found on Sandy Bridge motherboards) chips due to an issue with the onboard SATA controller, it appears that it "degrades over time" causing poor I/O performance in the longer term.

Those of you with H67/P67 'boards need not worry - it's perfectly safe to go about your day to day computing - just be on the look out for recall notices.

Intel are expecting a $300m hit to their revenue for the first quarter as a result.

Fixed chipsets should roll out in April, giving AMD ample time to launch it's own Bulldozer line of CPU's and enjoy some domination.

This is all vaguely reminscent of Intel's problems way back in 2004, with the 915 and 925 chips' PCI-e controllers.

Motorola Atrix pictured and videoed

You remember the Motorola Atrix, right? My favourite thing to come out of CES?

Of course you do, well, today Motorola has launched it, in the consumer orientated sense. Nerds are all for CES releases, but the consumer at large tends to be unaware until the more public launches.

However, these consumer launches are good for us too, because we generally get some prettier pictures, and some really feature descriptive videos.

Catch said video after the read more link.

Sony announces PSP 2, aka NGP

Sony has unveiled a new addition to the PlayStation franchise. Coupled with the Xperia Play it looks as though they really want to push mobile gaming still.

The new PSP (codenamed NGP - Next Generation Portable - although as above, branded PlayStation) will not feature a UMD drive - but unlike the PSP Go which relies purely upon downloaded games, the NGP will use micro SD cards, preloaded with games, and space reserved for save game data.

Sony are calling it out as having great integration with the PS Suite for Android, which is flying along nicely with the Xperia Play - allowing non PS branded phones to get in on the action.

It features a quad core ARM CPU - the Cortex A9, along with a new and improved GPU: SGX543MP4+. Attracting most attention will be a 5" 960x544 multitouch OLED and dual analogue nubs, without the Go's silly slide out mechanism.

[More after the link]

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Google launches HTML5 Gmail notifications to Chrome

Chrome user? Within a couple of clicks, you too can have these slick notifications pop up for Chat and Gmail.

If you're not a Chrome user, however, you'll have to wait a while. Or you could just go get Chrome, you're need a new browser anyway, right?

Read on to see how to set it up.

Google censors filesharing searches

In a strange move, or a company generally favouring the "we provide whatever you want" model - and disputing with China over it, Google has taken the necessary steps to stop auto-completing and showing instant search results for your searches "bittorrent" and the like.

Humax HD-FOX T2 (Freeview HD) Review

Recently, I reviewed the Humax Freesat HD, but then I thought: what if I don't want a satellite fitted - what if I really want the plug and play functionality and ease of not waiting for the professionals come around and hook you up? 

So I took a good look at the market for these bad-boys and found that you can actually get a Freeview HD (DVB-T2) box pretty cheap from your local, Argos or from Amazon. So, off I trotted looking for the best deal, and eventually deciding that I could not be bothered with any hassle, so I nipped into Argos and parted with £149.99 of my hard earned cash, all in exchange for the HUMAX HD-FOX T2 HD receiver.