Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus F7

Possibly the worst-kept secret in midrange mediocrity, the 4G LG Optimus F7 was officially announced by LG last week. It's a midrange handset that comes packing some useful features in a handy size.
Amusingly, this midrange smartphone comes with a very similar spec sheet to the supposedly high-end Motorola Razr HD – namely a 4.7-inch 720p display, dual-core 1.5GHz CPU and an 8MP camera. The Optimus F7, though, packs 2GB of memory to the Razr HD's 1GB.
That may actually be an unfair comparison, because the F7 looks and feels like a lower-tier handset in exactly the same way that the Kevlar-backed Motorola does not. Its plastic shell positively screams compromise, though there is some lovely chrome trimming to be found on the edges. We like chrome trimming.

The LG cannot match the HD's AMOLED screen either, but that doesn't mean it's bad - it's the same resolution but was noticeably less vivid. Viewing angles weren't as nice but with the price difference we're probably talking here, it isn't half bad.


The F7 throws Jelly Bean around easily enough and there wasn't much sign of that 'just OK' CPU holding it back. We were able to swoosh in and out of all the menus without any sign of delay and the camera was fast and responsive too. Apps loaded quickly and it was able to switch between them easily enough,

The F7 will go on sale later this year - certainly before the summer - though word is that it might never make it to the UK shores at all.
It looks like a decent midrange effort that wouldn't be out of place at a tech show - just don't expect leading features.


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus L7 2

The LG Optimus L7 2 finds itself in a peculiar position as it sits at the top of the L-Series 2 range, but it's still a budget device.
LG is refreshing its bottom end offering at MWC 2013 with a trio of new devices taking over from their namesakes (minus the number 2) which launched at the same show last year.
All three are expected to launch during the second quarter of this year in markets across the world, and the Optimus L7 2 has been confirmed as coming to the UK, but it will arrive a bit later than the Optimus L5 2 and Optimus L3 2.

LG reckons the Optimus L7 II will retail for around £150-£160 (around $225-$240/AU$220-AU$235) SIM free, with contract prices likely to be around the £15 - £20 per month mark.
At first look the LG Optimus L7 2 could be mistaken for a premium handset thanks to its smart design, with the rounded corners reminding us a little of the Samsung Galaxy S3, only not quite as large.

Pick it up and you'll immediately recognise that relatively cheap plastic feel and the lack of any significant weight goes further to reveal this isn't a top end device.
It's still comfortable to hold though and an even balance makes it easy to manipulate in one hand, although we would have preferred the back to be slightly more curved to give a snugger fit in our palm.

There's a power/lock key on the right side of the handset, while on the left you get a volume rocker switch and an additional quick key - all of which are easy to hit whether you're holding the Optimus L7 2 in your right or left hand.
The quick key also features on the Optimus L5 II and you can programme this button to launch the app of your choosing, plus you can set it to act as the shutter key when in the camera app.

It's a useful feature to have and one we reckon we'd use a lot if it was on our current smartphone (currently a HTC One X, since you ask).
On the front of the LG Optimus L7 2 there is a 4.3-inch IPS display with a relatively mediocre 480 x 800 resolution, but it's bright, clear and perfectly functional.

There's a 1GHz dual-core processor and 768MB of RAM to run the action on screen, which consists of the Android Jelly Bean operating system.
Everything runs without a hitch and while it may not be as slick and speedy as the top of the range handsets, the LG Optimus L7 2 has a pleasing user experience.

LG has applied a basic overlay to Android which sees the addition of manufacturer specific apps and a range of quick settings in the notification bar allowing you to toggle features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC.
In terms of LG specific apps the Optimus L7 II comes equipped with Quick Memo which allows you to draw or write on top of any screen you're currently viewing, just in case you need to jot down a quick message.

While Quick Memo also features on the other two handsets in the L-Series 2 range, the more powerful Optimus L7 2 comes with a couple of other goodies, the first of which is QSlide.
QSlide allows you to access another application while watching a movie, with the video becoming a transparent layer on the display, with a toggle to adjust the opacity depending on the other task you want to perform.

The LG Optimus L7 2 handles the transition from video player to transparent multi-tasking with just a second load time and there was no hint of slow down as we navigated around the phone with our video still playing in a ghostly manner over the top - impressive
Another handy addition is the Q Translate app which is capable of reading 60 different languages and then translating the text for your delectation.

In online mode you're able to convert whole sentences to your native tongue, but if data connection evades you the offline mode will still translate single words.
There's only 4GB of internal storage on the Optimus L7 2 which is a little disappointing, but luckily LG has included a microSD slot under the back cover allowing you to expand your memory options.

Also under that back cover is a 2,400mAh battery which should hopefully give you a decent amount of life, but we'll put that to the test during our in-depth review.
Round the back you have an 8MP camera, which is impressive at this price point, accompanied by a single LED flash while on the front there's a VGA snapper for video calls.

Shutter speed, as with the other two L-Series handsets, is a little sluggish on the Optimus L7 2 but the amusingly named "Cheese Shutter" once again doesn't fail to bring a smile to our face as we talk to the phone to take a picture.
Image quality is pretty decent, as you'd expect from an 8MP snapper and in the camera department at least the Optimus L7 2 can certainly challenge the devices in the tier above it.

The decently sized responsive touchscreen means that the default keyboard is well spaced and easy to type on, with a good level of accuracy, spell check and next word prediction.
We were a little let down by the internet browsing capabilities on the Optimus L7 II though, with pages taking several seconds to load up.
We hope it was due to the congested Wi-Fi network the handset was connected up to, but the jury's out until we put the handset through our thorough review process.
The LG Optimus L7 2 is a surprisingly capable budget smartphone which offers up plenty of features for not a lot of cash.
We were impressed with its 8MP camera, stylish design and smooth operation, although web surfing could do with a bit of a boost.
Out of the three new L-Series 2 handsets the LG Optimus L7 2 is our favourite and we reckon it will offer consumers pretty decent value for money when it lands later this year.

View the original article here

MWC 2013: ZTE Grand Memo officially launched with big screen action

ZTE Grand Memo officially launched with big screen actionThe bigger the better

The ZTE Grand Memo has been officially unveiled at MWC 2013 in Barcelona, with the super sized phone ready to take on the "phablet" market.

With a 5.7-inch display the Grand Memo is set to go head to head with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Huawei Ascend Mate.

The display sports a full HD resolution and the Grand Memo also packs a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 13MP camera, Android Jelly Bean and a 3,200mAh battery into a frame which is just 8.5mm thick.

4G connectivity is included in the ZTE Grand Memo along with Wi-Fi 5.0GHz, providing you access to some speedy web connections.

Dolby Digital is incorporated into the handset, to deliver the sound quality which apparently does justice to the large, full HD display found on this handset.

The ZTE Grand Memo will be available later this year, but exact release date along with a price is currently unknown.

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Motorola Razr HD

Lovely screenNice buildBattery life promisingIt's 4G

The Motorola Razr HD came out in the US at the end of last year (where it was known as the Droid Razr HD) but elsewhere we're left with the more sensible Razr HD.

It's hardly the hottest handset at MWC this year - you only have to compare the Motorola stand with the Samsung one to see that. One is almost completely deserted while the other is rammed so full of sweaty phone-frenzied bodies it was almost suffocating. Guess which was which...

The Razr HD may not have the best specs at the show, but a dual core 1.5GHz Qualcomm CPU isn't bad, and is joined by 1GB memory, a 720p 4.7-inch AMOLED display and an 8MP camera. All decent if not industry-leading specs.

It's enough to make this handset Motorola's undisputed flagship model, sitting above its Intel-powered little brother.

Motorola Razr HD

It has the same kevlar backplate that we saw on last year's Moto handsets, but don't go thinking that makes it bulletproof - you'd need seven interwoven layers of the stuff to stop a bullet - instead, this tough material is used to make the phone 'tough enough'. So we're talking drops, not grenades.

It feels solid, too. We always find it interesting to see the different approaches these companies take to materials, design and build quality and Motorola is one of the few that has it right.

motorola razr hd

With edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass and a lovely smooth feel, the Razr HD is no ugly duckling - although admittedly, like most phones, it's still a just a shiny rectangle.

Performance-wise, the Razr HD was smooth and responsive in our demo, though that is normally the case with clean new phones like this. Choke them full of apps and they'll soon start coughing up blood, but we'll have to wait and see about that when we get our full review sample in next week.

We took a few snaps with the handset and were disappointed with the speed it took to take them - the quality of the pictures didn't look stellar either. But, again, we'll test more when we can.

motorola razr hd

For the time being, then, we can report that the 4G-enabled Motorola Razr HD is a nice phone and will launch in the UK running Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 in the next few weeks.

It appears to be a very capable handset and promises excellent battery life with its 'only' dual-core CPU.

The screen looked lovely even under the bright lights of MWC and we look forward to playing with it more. It's no Xperia Z though, so don't expect to be able to flush it down the toilet and get it back in one piece.

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus L7 2

The LG Optimus L7 2 finds itself in a peculiar position as it sits at the top of the L-Series 2 range, but it's still a budget device.

LG is refreshing its bottom end offering at MWC 2013 with a trio of new devices taking over from their namesakes (minus the number 2) which launched at the same show last year.

All three are expected to launch during the second quarter of this year in markets across the world, and the Optimus L7 2 has been confirmed as coming to the UK, but it will arrive a bit later than the Optimus L5 2 and Optimus L3 2.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

LG reckons the Optimus L7 II will retail for around £150-£160 (around $225-$240/AU$220-AU$235) SIM free, with contract prices likely to be around the £15 - £20 per month mark.

At first look the LG Optimus L7 2 could be mistaken for a premium handset thanks to its smart design, with the rounded corners reminding us a little of the Samsung Galaxy S3, only not quite as large.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

Pick it up and you'll immediately recognise that relatively cheap plastic feel and the lack of any significant weight goes further to reveal this isn't a top end device.

It's still comfortable to hold though and an even balance makes it easy to manipulate in one hand, although we would have preferred the back to be slightly more curved to give a snugger fit in our palm.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

There's a power/lock key on the right side of the handset, while on the left you get a volume rocker switch and an additional quick key - all of which are easy to hit whether you're holding the Optimus L7 2 in your right or left hand.

The quick key also features on the Optimus L5 II and you can programme this button to launch the app of your choosing, plus you can set it to act as the shutter key when in the camera app.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

It's a useful feature to have and one we reckon we'd use a lot if it was on our current smartphone (currently a HTC One X, since you ask).

On the front of the LG Optimus L7 2 there is a 4.3-inch IPS display with a relatively mediocre 480 x 800 resolution, but it's bright, clear and perfectly functional.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

There's a 1GHz dual-core processor and 768MB of RAM to run the action on screen, which consists of the Android Jelly Bean operating system.

Everything runs without a hitch and while it may not be as slick and speedy as the top of the range handsets, the LG Optimus L7 2 has a pleasing user experience.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

LG has applied a basic overlay to Android which sees the addition of manufacturer specific apps and a range of quick settings in the notification bar allowing you to toggle features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC.

In terms of LG specific apps the Optimus L7 II comes equipped with Quick Memo which allows you to draw or write on top of any screen you're currently viewing, just in case you need to jot down a quick message.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

While Quick Memo also features on the other two handsets in the L-Series 2 range, the more powerful Optimus L7 2 comes with a couple of other goodies, the first of which is QSlide.

QSlide allows you to access another application while watching a movie, with the video becoming a transparent layer on the display, with a toggle to adjust the opacity depending on the other task you want to perform.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

The LG Optimus L7 2 handles the transition from video player to transparent multi-tasking with just a second load time and there was no hint of slow down as we navigated around the phone with our video still playing in a ghostly manner over the top - impressive

Another handy addition is the Q Translate app which is capable of reading 60 different languages and then translating the text for your delectation.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

In online mode you're able to convert whole sentences to your native tongue, but if data connection evades you the offline mode will still translate single words.

There's only 4GB of internal storage on the Optimus L7 2 which is a little disappointing, but luckily LG has included a microSD slot under the back cover allowing you to expand your memory options.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

Also under that back cover is a 2,400mAh battery which should hopefully give you a decent amount of life, but we'll put that to the test during our in-depth review.

Round the back you have an 8MP camera, which is impressive at this price point, accompanied by a single LED flash while on the front there's a VGA snapper for video calls.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

Shutter speed, as with the other two L-Series handsets, is a little sluggish on the Optimus L7 2 but the amusingly named "Cheese Shutter" once again doesn't fail to bring a smile to our face as we talk to the phone to take a picture.

Image quality is pretty decent, as you'd expect from an 8MP snapper and in the camera department at least the Optimus L7 2 can certainly challenge the devices in the tier above it.

LG Optimus L7 2 review

The decently sized responsive touchscreen means that the default keyboard is well spaced and easy to type on, with a good level of accuracy, spell check and next word prediction.

We were a little let down by the internet browsing capabilities on the Optimus L7 II though, with pages taking several seconds to load up.

We hope it was due to the congested Wi-Fi network the handset was connected up to, but the jury's out until we put the handset through our thorough review process.

The LG Optimus L7 2 is a surprisingly capable budget smartphone which offers up plenty of features for not a lot of cash.

We were impressed with its 8MP camera, stylish design and smooth operation, although web surfing could do with a bit of a boost.

Out of the three new L-Series 2 handsets the LG Optimus L7 2 is our favourite and we reckon it will offer consumers pretty decent value for money when it lands later this year.


View the original article here

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Fed up with the likes of Apple and Google stealing its tablet thunder, Samsung has launched the latest in its stylus-powered range.

TechRadar nabbed a decent chunk of hands on time with the new device, and it's clear that the tablet is different from the rest of the larger devices Samsung has on offer, taking most of its design cues from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2.

Clad in the familiarly light polycarbonate, the device brings a smaller form factor that's designed to be held in one hand. But like the iPad mini before it, the Galaxy Note 8.0 isn't the easiest to hold with the entire palm wrapped around the back, rather sitting comfortably when held like a paperback.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

However, the main thing to note is that no matter which way you hold the device there's no element of wrist strain – at 338g, it's incredibly light, and its slim dimensions of just 8mm mean it slips easily into any bag. (Samsung's guards weren't overly happy about us trying that here at MWC 2013.)

Of course, we've got the familiar S Pen on offer here, and it seems to have been upgraded again with the pressure sensitivity really coming to the fore. Writing on the 1280 x 800 resolution screen yielded great results, although still not enough to consider the Note 8 to be any kind of implement for writing notes in any volume.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

It also comes with optional 3G functionality, and the SIM slot is thankfully accessible on the side of the device. It's also joined by a microSD port too, which means you can supplement the (up to) 32GB of onboard storage should you so with.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

Another odd choice is the ability to make calls on the device – it seems it's taken all the pieces from the Galaxy Note 2, and while we can't see a reason why you'd want such functionality, there's no doubt that it adds to the overall functionality of the Note 8. We just wish the S Pen doubled as a speaker and microphone too.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review


We mentioned the resolution of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, but what is strange is that it seems to have been scaled up from a smaller screen in terms of on screen icons. Where most still look pin sharp, things like the email icon look strangely fuzzy and make the Note 8 feel a little half-baked in a way, but it's not a major issue.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

The speed of the device, with its quad-core A9 processor, is impressive though, and combined with 2GB of RAM means you'll rarely run out of puff when opening and closing apps or browsing the web.

That task was accomplished with almost astounding speed - while trade show Wi-Fi is usually slower than a freelance cat-wrangler completing a tax return, the Galaxy Note 8.0 was able to fly through Google and TechRadar's home page without even breaking sweat.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

A 5MP camera is bolted on the back of the device, and brings with it all the functionality we've come to expect from Samsung's galaxy of Galaxy devices. However, we're more focused on the 1.3MP snapper on the front, which offers up the chance to make HD calls – who takes pictures with a tablet anyway?

Given Samsung's penchant for touting its inter-connectivity through the use of NFC and S-Beam, it's interesting to note that the device is shorn of any such functionality. It does, however, pack an infra red blaster to allow you to control your TV – we thought such technology was on its way out in favour of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, but given that this follows the Sony Xperia Tablet Z and the HTC One to do such a thing, it seems that it isn't.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

Media-wise, again the 189ppi resolution display fails to set the world alight, in much the same way as we were nonplussed by the iPad mini's screen. It seems that all and sundry are holding back on the newer technology in an effort to keep costs down, but it does mean that we're not getting the wow factor we're used to from Samsung's devices, like when we viewed the screen on the Galaxy S3 for the first time.

There's no doubting that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a great device that finally gives the Korean firm a chance to compete at the 8-inch size range with a tablet that doesn't skimp on specs. However, the big caveat is the price, and as long as Samsung remains tight lipped on how much we'll have to shell out to use the thing, giving an opinion on our early impressions is very difficult.

If the brand stays true to its normal pricing, we could see this device emerging for up to £500 – this makes sense, given that the Note 8 is essentially a scaled up Note 2, which still retails for a pretty penny. (Side note: we're annoyed the Note 2 isn't a tablet with a two-inch screen now).

If it does manage to come in at a sub-£300 price point (annoyed Note 2 owners aside), this will certainly compete with the budget brigade of the Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and iPad mini. The addition of the stylus and the size of the screen make it a pleasure to use, and the bundled apps make it easy to sketch to your heart's content.

More importantly, the Galaxy Note 8 is an excellent device for clipping text and pictures to send around. It offers the expansive screen of the Note 10.1 and brings the portability of the Note 2, hitting a very sweet spot between the two.

It obviously lets itself down on the design – that polycarbonate shell still hasn't come close to growing on us – but it hits the marks laid down for it, so for now we'll give the Note 8.0 a cautious thumbs up.


View the original article here

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Fed up with the likes of Apple and Google stealing its tablet thunder, Samsung has launched the latest in its stylus-powered range.

TechRadar nabbed a decent chunk of hands on time with the new device, and it's clear that the tablet is different from the rest of the larger devices Samsung has on offer, taking most of its design cues from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2.

Clad in the familiarly light polycarbonate, the device brings a smaller form factor that's designed to be held in one hand. But like the iPad mini before it, the Galaxy Note 8.0 isn't the easiest to hold with the entire palm wrapped around the back, rather sitting comfortably when held like a paperback.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

However, the main thing to note is that no matter which way you hold the device there's no element of wrist strain – at 338g, it's incredibly light, and its slim dimensions of just 8mm mean it slips easily into any bag. (Samsung's guards weren't overly happy about us trying that here at MWC 2013.)

Of course, we've got the familiar S Pen on offer here, and it seems to have been upgraded again with the pressure sensitivity really coming to the fore. Writing on the 1280 x 800 resolution screen yielded great results, although still not enough to consider the Note 8 to be any kind of implement for writing notes in any volume.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

It also comes with optional 3G functionality, and the SIM slot is thankfully accessible on the side of the device. It's also joined by a microSD port too, which means you can supplement the (up to) 32GB of onboard storage should you so with.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

Another odd choice is the ability to make calls on the device – it seems it's taken all the pieces from the Galaxy Note 2, and while we can't see a reason why you'd want such functionality, there's no doubt that it adds to the overall functionality of the Note 8. We just wish the S Pen doubled as a speaker and microphone too.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review


We mentioned the resolution of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, but what is strange is that it seems to have been scaled up from a smaller screen in terms of on screen icons. Where most still look pin sharp, things like the email icon look strangely fuzzy and make the Note 8 feel a little half-baked in a way, but it's not a major issue.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

The speed of the device, with its quad-core A9 processor, is impressive though, and combined with 2GB of RAM means you'll rarely run out of puff when opening and closing apps or browsing the web.

That task was accomplished with almost astounding speed - while trade show Wi-Fi is usually slower than a freelance cat-wrangler completing a tax return, the Galaxy Note 8.0 was able to fly through Google and TechRadar's home page without even breaking sweat.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

A 5MP camera is bolted on the back of the device, and brings with it all the functionality we've come to expect from Samsung's galaxy of Galaxy devices. However, we're more focused on the 1.3MP snapper on the front, which offers up the chance to make HD calls – who takes pictures with a tablet anyway?

Given Samsung's penchant for touting its inter-connectivity through the use of NFC and S-Beam, it's interesting to note that the device is shorn of any such functionality. It does, however, pack an infra red blaster to allow you to control your TV – we thought such technology was on its way out in favour of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, but given that this follows the Sony Xperia Tablet Z and the HTC One to do such a thing, it seems that it isn't.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

Media-wise, again the 189ppi resolution display fails to set the world alight, in much the same way as we were nonplussed by the iPad mini's screen. It seems that all and sundry are holding back on the newer technology in an effort to keep costs down, but it does mean that we're not getting the wow factor we're used to from Samsung's devices, like when we viewed the screen on the Galaxy S3 for the first time.

There's no doubting that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a great device that finally gives the Korean firm a chance to compete at the 8-inch size range with a tablet that doesn't skimp on specs. However, the big caveat is the price, and as long as Samsung remains tight lipped on how much we'll have to shell out to use the thing, giving an opinion on our early impressions is very difficult.

If the brand stays true to its normal pricing, we could see this device emerging for up to £500 – this makes sense, given that the Note 8 is essentially a scaled up Note 2, which still retails for a pretty penny. (Side note: we're annoyed the Note 2 isn't a tablet with a two-inch screen now).

If it does manage to come in at a sub-£300 price point (annoyed Note 2 owners aside), this will certainly compete with the budget brigade of the Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and iPad mini. The addition of the stylus and the size of the screen make it a pleasure to use, and the bundled apps make it easy to sketch to your heart's content.

More importantly, the Galaxy Note 8 is an excellent device for clipping text and pictures to send around. It offers the expansive screen of the Note 10.1 and brings the portability of the Note 2, hitting a very sweet spot between the two.

It obviously lets itself down on the design – that polycarbonate shell still hasn't come close to growing on us – but it hits the marks laid down for it, so for now we'll give the Note 8.0 a cautious thumbs up.


View the original article here

Updated: MWC 2013: what you need to know

MWC 2013 has kicked off and TechRadar is at the show checking out the hottest handsets and tablets.

For a complete rundown of all the latest news check out our dedicated MWC 2013 channel. If you'd rather just peruse the highlights, then keep on reading: all the key announcements and hands-ons are below.

Those hybrid-obsessed folk at Asus have turned up at MWC with another tablet that's also a phone and now a phone that's also a tablet.

One of these devices is the Asus Padfone Infinity and the other is the Asus Fonepad. Padfone. Fonepad. Fadphone. Where were we?

We now hear that Asus is now working on a 27" gaming monitor that you can hold to your ear to make calls, which will be marketed as the Asus Phonitor.

Asus PadfoneWhy is there no tiny, removeable MP3 player in the back of the phone? Rubbish!

Ford rolled up at MWC to announce that Spotify is coming to the car dashboard. It'll work with Ford Sync allowing you to play music wirelessly through your car's stereo system and control it via voice commands.

Spotify for Ford Sync has been designed to integrate the two services as seamlessly as possible. So there is no separate app, and nothing you need to install on your phone other than the regular Spotify Mobile app.

For more, check out First look: Spotify in Ford Sync

Spotify in FordFord is bringing Spotify to new cars that feature Sync and Applink

HP seems to be over the whole TouchPad, webOS pain now and it's instead joined the Android gang, bringing the Slate 7 Android Jelly Bean-powered budget tablet to the party.

Set for an April release, the 7-inch tab features a 1.6GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor, a slightly low-resolution 1024 x 600 screen, 1GB RAM and 8GB of built-in storage.

HP Slate 7Don't mention webOS

Huawei isn't messing around - it's rocked up with what's apparently the world's fastest smartphone, the Ascend P2. It's the first smartphone to feature LTE CAT 4, which Hauwei claims will allow the Ascend P2 to deliver some blistering web browsing speeds, faster than the CAT 3 toting Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE and iPhone 5.

Breaking into the smartphone market hasn't been easy, admitted Huawei, saying "We're an ambitious young brand which plans to be one of the top 100 companies in the world in the coming years."

Huawei Ascend P2The world's fastest smartphone, but not the world's best

So what did we make of the Ascend P2 when we got our hands on it? TechRadar phones and tablets writer John McCann found it to be "a solid mid to high-end smartphone with some decent features and a pleasing array of specs", though he felt that it doesn't have the build quality of the iPhone 5 or HTC One, nor the same snappiness as the Galaxy S3.

Read our Hands on: Huawei Ascend P2 review for the full lowdown.

Lenovo continues with its product naming convention of stringing together some random numbers and letters, with three new tablets on show at MWC.

There's the top-end IdeaTab S6000, the mid-range A3000 and, at the bottom of the spec pile, the A1000. As Kate Solomon points out, they're fairly uninspiring but probably fine.

Lenovo A3000The Lenovo CapitalLetterNumberNumberNumberNumber

Bizarrely, LG didn't bring any phones to MWC but instead used the venue to launch a range of washing machines.

Actually, that's a lie. What it did bring was the LG Optimus L3 2, the successor to the original Optimus L3 which launched at MWC last year.

LG Optimus L3 2The LG Optimus L3 2

It's a dinky little phone, which TechRadar's John McCann got his dinky little hands onto. "The LG Optimus L3 2 seems to be a well equipped smartphone for its bargain basement price, and could well prove to be a popular choice for parents looking for a first handset for their little ones," he wrote in our hands on.

Click through to our Hands on: LG Optimus L3 2 review for more.

We also got our hands on LG's mid-range Android handset, the LG Optimus L5 2. Sitting just above the Optimus L3 2, the L5 2 has an improved screen and battery when compared with its predecessor, the L5.

There's no doubt that this is a budget phone, but it's stylish, well equipped and affordable.

Get more of our thoughts on this phone in our Hands on: LG Optimus L5 2 review.

LG Optimus L5 2The LG Optimus L5 2

The Motorola Razr HD came out in the US at the end of last year (where it was known as the Droid Razr HD) and now it's apparently headed to the UK. It's rather late to the party and as such the specs aren't anything to write home about but it's a capable handset which promises a decent battery life.

Tempted? Then hit our Hands on: Motorola Razr HD review for our early verdict.

Motorola Razr HDOh, Moto, where have you been?

Mozilla has given a preview of the first devices to run its HTML5-based Firefox OS. The phones shown include the ZTE Open and the Alcatel OneTouch Fire, both powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips. LG and Huawei handsets will follow.

Designed for developing markets, the first Firefox OS devices will be available to consumers in Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Spain and Venezuela.

ZTO OpenThe Open runs Mozilla's HTML5-based Firefox OS

We got some alone time with the rather uninspiringly named ZTE Open, which TechRadar deputy editor Dan Grabham described as "a colourful, cheap option" that's "hardly iOS or Android-beating in terms of feature set". It's not an OS that we're likely to see on a high-end handset any time soon, then.

More thoughts and photos are in our Hands on: ZTE Open review.

Nokia brought a couple of cheap and cheerful phones to Barcelona, namely the 105 and 301, which feature, well, not much really. The 105 can be picked up for about the same price as a takeaway pizza and will apparently last a month on one charge, while the Nokia 301 builds on the 105's lowly specs by upping the screen size to 2.4-inches and chucking in a 3.2MP camera.

While we initially thought these handsets would be for emerging markets only, it turns out that Nokia also hopes you'll want one as a back-up phone. Good luck with that, Nokia!

Nokia 105It's just like an iPhone only nothing like one

You won't be surprised by the 105's specs, then. As John McCann writes in our hands on: "There's no camera, app store or social network integration, but what you do get is a phone which will make calls, handle text messages and even boasts a headphone jack if you fancy listening to some tunes."

Read more in our Hands on: Nokia 105 review.

Got a bit more to spend? Then why not splash out on the Nokia 301? There's no touchscreen but you do get a low resolution 2.4-inch display which sits above a 12-button keypad.

"As with the 105, the Nokia 301 will likely do very well in emerging markets," writes our John McCann, adding: "With the advent of low-cost and feature packed Android handsets in Europe it will probably struggle to break through."

Read more in our Hands on: Nokia 301 review.

So it was the Nokia Lumia 720 that caught our eye on the Nokia stand. The new handset joins Nokia's Lumia range, slotting in around the Lumia 620, 820 and 920 for Windows Phone 8.

Nokia Lumia 720The Lumia 720 is a snappy performer

We sent deputy editor Dan Grabham off to check it out, and here's what he said: "The Lumia 720 doesn't have the high end features we've come to expect from the more expensive Lumias but it does have a decent spec sheet for something that's bound to be available on next-to-nothing contracts."

For further thoughts, and a whole load of pics, check out our Hands on: Nokia Lumia 720 review.

Samsung announced the long-rumoured Galaxy Note 8 tablet on Sunday ahead of the show's opening after it was photographed on the Samsung stand.

While we got some specs (8-inch 1280 x 800 Super Clear LCD display, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, 1.6GHz ARM-quad-core processor and 2GB RAM) Samsung has so far neglected to name a price. We do know that the release date has been set for Q2 2013, though.

Galaxy Note 8The Galaxy Note 8 might cost £499, £299 or £3.50. Samsung isn't telling

TechRadar's phones and tablets editor Gareth Beavis got a good chunk of time with the supersized Note, where he noted (ahem): "The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a great device that finally gives the Korean firm a chance to compete at the 8-inch size range with a tablet that doesn't skimp on specs". However, while Samsung remains tight-lipped on the price he points out that it's hard for us to give a firmer opinion at this stage.

Read our full thoughts, and the price that we'd like to see the Note 8 debut at, in our Hands on: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 review.

We were impressed with the Sony Xperia Z phone when we recently reviewed it and so we were delighted to see Sony break out the Sony Xperia Tablet Z, a 10.1-inch device which is very capable of taking on the likes of the iPad and Galaxy Tabs on both specs and price.

Sony Experia Tablet ZMedia is a strong point of the Experia Tablet Z

As Gareth Beavis writes in our hands on review: "Sony is going all out with the bigger brother to the Xperia Z, offering a host of top end specs to convince iPad and Nexus lovers to look again.

"It's got pretty much everything you could want on an Android tablet these days, starting with a pretty up-to-date version of the OS (Android 4.1.2) and a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad core chip, clocked at 1.5GHz."

So should you buy one? Head over to our Hands on: Sony Xperia Tablet Z review to get our early verdict.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below are the rumours that we reported on before the show kicked off.

February is always the most exciting month of the year for mobile phone fans, as it's when the entire phone industry has a big, boozy party somewhere in Europe and shows off the new phones and tablets it'll be launching over the spring and summer.

The show has been dominated in recent years by the vast number of new Android models that continuously swamp the market, with the big players like HTC, Samsung and Sony using the event to thrill punters with their newest ranges.

Last year saw HTC unleash its impressive One series, LG debuted the Optimus 4X HD and even Nokia decided to go large at the tech event for once, showing off its bonkers 808 PureView model complete with 41MP camera.

In short, if you care about the mobile arms race, MWC is the most exciting time of the year.

Previously held in Barcelona's palatial Fira Montjuic halls, this year's MWC is switching venue to a less glamorous (but more convenient for stressed journalists and marketing managers) spot a little nearer the city's airport. And in a building twice the size. Imagine how many cheap Android tablets it'll be able to contain this year.

MWC 2013 kicks off on 25 February. We'll be there, sobbing into a laptop in an unlit corner somewhere. Here's what we're expecting to see from the big names of mobile.

Back at MWC 2012, LG wowed attendees with the Optimus 4X HD, a powerful 4.7-inch phone that helped signal the start of the race to stick quad-core processors in mobiles.

It also showed off the Optimus 3D Max and the oddball Optimus Vu, but the less said about those the better, as with 2011's reveal of the original Optimus 3D.

As for 2013, LG's already carried out a bit of teasing, with the new Optimus G Pro set to be shown offm which is what we assume the brand was referring to when it announced plans to show off a "tier one" smartphone at MWC 2013.

We've also got a hint about four new phone categories, an official reveal of the LG L Series and a reboot of the F Series too. All very exciting.

Given that the original Optimus G was a quad-core monster that LG soon rebranded as the Nexus 4, any sequel arriving so soon is unlikely to be much of a leap above the first phone, as even in 2013 we'd still be impressed by a quad-core phone with a 4.7-inch display.

But has the Nexus 4 done enough to make LG a respected brand name and a major player?

Regardless of whether LG has done enough, the Korean firm is promising a "breakthrough will be made at MWC 2013", where a new range of devices will be announced.

OPtimus GYet more generic black slabs on the way from LG.

Sony's just announced a new flagship model at this year's CES tech show, so it's unlikely to have anything hugely new and exciting at MWC. But it will give the media a chance to play with its new Xperia Z, the exciting, quad-core, 5-inch monster the hardware maker is set to launch this March.

In fact, it looks like Sony's following the same hardware launch plan as last year. In 2012, the Xperia S was announced at January's CES event prior to MWC, with Sony using MWC to launch the Xperia P and U, a couple of smaller models based on the same design.

We've already heard a rumour of the Sony Xperia SP (oh good, more double lettering) and of course there's that Xperia Tablet Z to be checking out as well if it decides to pop up on European shores.

HTC unleashed the One series of phones at last year's MWC, showing off the One V, One S and the glorious One X as it tried to reinvigorate its line up.

But in 2011 it disappointed us a little, showing minor upgrades of its old HTC Desire range, the awful Wildfire S and the niche Salsa and ChaCha models to a very, very quiet fanfare. In fact, it wasn't even a fanfare, just a mouse playing Three Blind Mice on the recorder.

We've already seen loads, and loads, and loads on the HTC One - the company's new flagship model - when it was announced pre-MWC, so we're not expecting to hear any more from the Taiwanese firm this time around.

Loads of companies will be showing phones of a similar size and power level, but we'll always have a soft spot for HTC's lovely old Sense interface - and with the new Sense 5.0, there's a lot to get excited about.

Samsung disappointed the nerds of the world last year, when it opted to announce its flagship Galaxy S3 model a couple of months later at its own private event. But even if it repeats that trick this year and doesn't show off the Galaxy S4, it's guaranteed to be bringing along plenty of other Android phones.

Last year Samsung underwhelmed us all by using MWC to announce the Samsung Galaxy S Wi-Fi, a Galaxy S2-styled media player, plus the rather odd and niche Galaxy Beam, complete with integrated media projector.

So either we see the Galaxy S4 and Samsung has a stormer, or it brings along some cheaper models and we write it off. And it very much looks like the latter, with the Samsung Galaxy Fame and the Galaxy Young hardly setting our tech hearts all a-quiver, and the S4 set for a reveal later in the year.

However, there's a small chance we may see something really exciting. Samsung's working on hardware powered by the new Tizen OS, a supposed Android rival that Samsung claims it'll be bringing to market some time in 2013. Good luck with that.

Samsung Galaxy BeamOne of the low key oddities from Samsung's 2012 MWC showing, the Galaxy Beam

The latest news from the Samsung rumour mill is that we'll see a new tablet which will slide into the Note family, currently made up of the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note 10.1.

Reports suggest that the slate in question is the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, which will feature an 8-inch Super Clear LCD screen, 2GB of RAM, a 5MP camera and a 4,600mAh battery - and seems to have been already revealed too.

It looks like Samsung may be planning on going a bit tablet crazy at MWC 2013, with other reports suggesting it's readying a new range of slates to fall under the Galaxy Tab 3 banner.

We could see three tablets slide into this new family, with 7-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch models all making an appearance as the Korean firm looks to solidify its offering across the market.

Nokia's had a wide selection of phones at last year's MWC, showing off the bonkers Nokia 808 PureView and its 41MP sensor, alongside the rather less exciting budget Windows Phone powered Lumia 610 and the high-end Lumia 900.

One Nokia-based rumour claims it's working on a slimmer update of the Lumia 920, which would use an aluminium body to reduce the weight of its hefty flagship phone. Nokia's traditionally preferred to show phones off at its own events, so it's hard to guesstimate whether it'll have new stuff at MWC or not. It's a maverick. It makes its own rules.

More rumours are pointing towards the famed 41MP camera landing on its first Lumia handset which is apparently code named Eos. However, more recent tips say that Nokia might be bringing four phones to the show, but only two of these will be smartphones and will be more focused on the budget range, which means we could see the Nokia Lumia 520 and Lumia 720 make an appearance.

One thing's for sure: there won't be a tablet.

Huawei's really made a name for itself in the UK over the last year, thanks to its winning budget Ascend G300 and the recent Ascend G330 update, plus the powerful Ascend P1.

At last year's MWC it announced the impressive looking Ascend D Quad, a 4.5-inch model in a slim 8.9mm case, alongside a 10.1-inch version of its MediaPad tablet. Neither of which made it to the UK officially, so we were left a bit disappointed by its commitment levels.

Huawei's also just announced a tasty pair of smartphones at CES in the form of the Ascend D2 and Ascend Mate, so it's likely to elaborate more on these at MWC 2013 rather than announce many new phones. It's recently stated "we will be launching two more exciting innovative products at MWC 2013," according to CEO Richard Yu.

It's likely to be the Huawei Ascend P2 if the leaks are to be believed, with a five inch phone and a quad core processor on the cards - or is that an octo-core processor instead?

Huawei D2Huawei's Ascend D2. Already announced, bound to be popular in February

MWC 2013 is going to be absolutely critical for RIM. The troubled BlackBerry maker is revealing its BB10 hardware and software at a standalone event at the end of January, so MWC will be a chance for the masses to properly fiddle with the new OS and the two phones it'll initially be running on.

Last year's MWC was a bit of a disaster for RIM. All it managed to show was the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 OS update for the super-flop tablet. This year it ought to have significantly more buzz surrounding its presence, although it should have already announced the phones that will be running BB10 by the time we stumble off the plane onto Spanish tarmac.

MWC 2013 should be another good year for the budget makers, as we're expecting to see bigger screens and more powerful processors hitting the cheaper end of the market.

Last year ZTE announced the ZTE PF112, a 4.5-inch device said to be running on the dual-core Snapdragon S4 chipset, but that pretty much sunk without trace and is yet to go on sale.

And the ZTE Era, a promising 4.3-inch quad-core model, is also missing presumed never to hit the UK.

One MWC 2012 phone that did arrive was the Mimosa X, which ZTE renamed the Grand X for the UK. It was a bit of a disappointing mid-range model that undid much of the maker's hype.

So don't get too excited by what the ZTE man is waving around, it might just be a balsa wood model that'll never see the light of day.

In fact, ZTE's started making its pledges for 2013 already, with the promising ZTE Grand S just announced at CES. It's another member of the 5-inch / 1080p / quad-core club, which ought to be a big winner... if it ever appears on the shelves.

It seems ZTE may have given the game away though with a couple of revealing hashtags which accompanied its press invite; #ZTEGrandMemo and #ZTEMozilla.

Rumours suggest the Grand Memo will be the Chinese firm's answer to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Huawei Ascend Mate, while the ZTE Mozilla could be the first handset to run the HTML 5 based Firefox OS.

And it's also pledged to be the first brand with a Tegra 4 phone on the shelves, but we're not expecting to see that at Barcelona's finest mobile trade show. Later in the year, power fans, later in the year.

Niche smartphone maker Acer always has a packed show stand, with the company using MWC 2012 to announce its Liquid Glow models, which were a vast improvement on the Liquid E and Liquid MT it took to MWC 2011.

Since then, Acer's launched a few decent mid-range Android models, like the CloudMobile and Liquid Gallant, although we'd expect to see it make more of a deal about its tablet ranges at MWC this year, seeing as that's where the Android hot money is going these days.

But it looks like we were wrong, given there's going to be a new phone under the banner of the Acer Liquid Z2 appearing in Barcelona's fancy new halls this year.

Last year's MWC was a big winner for Asus, which updated its winning Transformer tablet range with a couple of impressive quad-core models.

But now, in 2013, flush from its success making the Nexus 7 for Google, we expect Asus to reveal something a little cheaper. Plenty of rumours have suggested it's planning a "$99" Android tablet, which may or may not end up on sale in Europe.

More likely is a new Transformer to add to the range - imagine if the brand made one of THOSE that didn't cost the earth. Plus we love the 'alien' vibe the teaser has got going on.

Asus also made a big deal of its PadFone hybrid at MWC 2012, which teamed a 4.3-inch phone with a bizarre 10-inch docking tablet display. Given the lukewarm reception that oddity received, we'll eat this crusty Dell keyboard if any more phone/tablet hybrids appear this year.

Keep it safe, Asus. People like safe.


View the original article here

Monday, March 4, 2013

Zynga shutters and consolidates CityVille 2, Words with Friends studios

Zynga shutters and consolidates CityVille 2, Words with Friends studiosZynga needs to turn on the puppy dog eyes

Zynga, once the leader in social gaming, has been hit by even more tough times as it shutters and consolidates its studios in Maryland, Texas, and New York.

Chief Operating Officer David Ko announced that Zynga's offices in McKinney and downtown Austin, Texas have been closed, with those teams set to relocate to offices in Dallas and North Austin.

The company's New York offices are also consolidating, with all staff moving to Zynga mobile studio in New York City.

Zynga is also shuttering its Baltimore studio, saying that all staff who requested a transfer have been relocated to Zynga's other studio sites.

While the changes appear to consist mostly of staff being shifted so that Zynga has fewer offices to manage, the offices in question are significant.

Zynga's now-closed Austin studio was best known for the With Friends series. Words with Friends co-creators Paul and David Bettner already departed from Zynga in October 2012.

Meanwhile, the closed Baltimore offices created CityVille 2, the social game sequel which Zynga closed down earlier this month, a mere five months after it launched last year. Brian Reynolds, former head of the Baltimore studio, left Zynga in January.

The New York City mobile studio is home to Draw Something developer OMGPOP, the acquisition of which Zynga was forced to write off as a $95 million (UK£60 million, AU$91 million) loss.

According to Ko, the reorganization, "will further enable us to focus our resources on our most strategic opportunities."

He added, "We still have a lot of work to do, but I'm confident that we're on the right path to deliver on the potential of Zynga."

Review: Mad Catz Strike 5

Decent EYE OLED screenConfigurable layoutBetter than its pricier brotherStill fairly expensiveDead-feeling membrane keysNot exactly a lookerBy Dave James from PCFormat Issue 276  February 21st 2013

This then is the Mad Catz STRIKE 5, the inevitable cheaper little brother to the impressively mad STRIKE 7. Well, I say cheaper, but it isn't cheap. It's still hitting the shelves at nearly £200, which is a lot of cash to drop on any gaming peripheral and really only something to think about if you've already bought every single other performance component that could help your rig.

After all, you could buy an awesome graphics card for that much cash, and still have change. So what is missing in this cut-down STRIKE?

Well, interestingly, I'm not entirely sure that you are missing very much at all. The big feature of the STRIKE 7 was the VENOM touchscreen interface module, and I have to admit that I wasn't a big fan of the resistive technology it employed, or the lack of any meaningful or useful applications for it.

Mad Catz has promised that it's been in touch with publishers and developers with the SDK, and is expecting new applications to come through, but a couple months have passed since its release and we're still waiting.

The EYE OLED module, however, is actually a little more functional out of the box. The nine numbered buttons aren't particularly inspiring and also seem a little flimsy, but they're simple to program and use.

The little OLED screen in the EYE though can show a myriad of different things, from the mic and speaker volumes to the icon of whatever app you've programmed it to open with a flick of a switch.

The feel of the physical buttons aside, I'm actually really impressed with how functional the EYE module is, and I think I prefer it to the VENOM touchscreen because of its usefulness.

The rest of the board is much like the STRIKE 7. This does mean you're limited to rather dead-feeling membrane-switch keys, but although they're not too nice under your fingers, they are very responsive when you're gaming.

The STRIKE 5 also has the modular approach of its brethren, allowing you to configure the keyboard in a variety of different ways depending on the space that's available, or your dominant hand. I have to say I like the way you can cut it down to be a very functional compact keyboard by removing the number pad, however, without that side panel you also lose any cursor keys which might be an issue for you.

While I do appreciate the design ethos behind the STRIKE range, I'm not a massive fan of the aesthetic, and I'm definitely not as blown away by it in day-to-day use as I am by the - admittedly far more expensive - Razer DeathStalker Ultimate.

Strangely, I think the STRIKE 5 is a more useful option than the STRIKE 7, but if I was going to spend this sort of money on any keyboard I wouldn't hesitate to look more closely at the Razer offering instead.

And if I couldn't stretch that far? Well, Gigabyte Aivia Osmium is less than £100, and is one of the finest mechanical switch keyboards that I've had the pleasure of playing with, and that's despite its lack of touchscreen.

Google apparently has Android angst, thanks to Samsung

Google apparently has Android angst, thanks to SamsungIs the X Phone a buttress against Samsung success?

There's reportedly a disturbance in the Android force, one that's got Google shaking in its Chrome-toed boots.

Samsung is said to be the progenitor of Mountain View's angst as the Galaxy maker continues to overshadow the rest of Android market.

Great news for the operating system and mobile ad revenues, but not so much for Google.

The news comes from the Wall Street Journal, which cited a 2012 meeting in which Andy Rubin, head of Android, extolled Samsung's success on the platform but warned that Google could find itself in an undesirable position if Samsung got a little too far ahead of its competitors.

Samsung accounted for 39.6 percent of the global smartphone market last year, with most of those devices running some version of Android. Other Android makers - HTC, to name one - are struggling to stay afloat against the South Korean manufacturer and Apple.

According to the Journal, the fear is that as the top dog, Samsung may see space to demand more of Google than it would as a junior player.

Even more worrisome is the possibility that, like Amazon, Samsung could develop a homemade OS that borrows heavily from Google's system, creating a direct and likely gutsy competitor.

However, Google has a plan in place to slow Samsung, one that centers around Motorola Mobility. Rubin went so far as to call the purchase a hedge against Samsung's growing power.

Products made by Motorola under Google don't yet hold a candle to Samsung, yet there is hope, especially if future additions to the Nexus line and rumore X Phone give Google an edge on hardware.

How much longer these two are able to play nice will make for good viewing, too.

Via The Verge

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Motorola Razr HD

Lovely screenNice buildBattery life promisingIt's 4G

The Motorola Razr HD came out in the US at the end of last year (where it was known as the Droid Razr HD) but elsewhere we're left with the more sensible Razr HD.

It's hardly the hottest handset at MWC this year - you only have to compare the Motorola stand with the Samsung one to see that. One is almost completely deserted while the other is rammed so full of sweaty phone-frenzied bodies it was almost suffocating. Guess which was which...

The Razr HD may not have the best specs at the show, but a dual core 1.5GHz Qualcomm CPU isn't bad, and is joined by 1GB memory, a 720p 4.7-inch AMOLED display and an 8MP camera. All decent if not industry-leading specs.

It's enough to make this handset Motorola's undisputed flagship model, sitting above its Intel-powered little brother.

Motorola Razr HD

It has the same kevlar backplate that we saw on last year's Moto handsets, but don't go thinking that makes it bulletproof - you'd need seven interwoven layers of the stuff to stop a bullet - instead, this tough material is used to make the phone 'tough enough'. So we're talking drops, not grenades.

It feels solid, too. We always find it interesting to see the different approaches these companies take to materials, design and build quality and Motorola is one of the few that has it right.

motorola razr hd

With edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass and a lovely smooth feel, the Razr HD is no ugly duckling - although admittedly, like most phones, it's still a just a shiny rectangle.

Performance-wise, the Razr HD was smooth and responsive in our demo, though that is normally the case with clean new phones like this. Choke them full of apps and they'll soon start coughing up blood, but we'll have to wait and see about that when we get our full review sample in next week.

We took a few snaps with the handset and were disappointed with the speed it took to take them - the quality of the pictures didn't look stellar either. But, again, we'll test more when we can.

motorola razr hd

For the time being, then, we can report that the 4G-enabled Motorola Razr HD is a nice phone and will launch in the UK running Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 in the next few weeks.

It appears to be a very capable handset and promises excellent battery life with its 'only' dual-core CPU.

The screen looked lovely even under the bright lights of MWC and we look forward to playing with it more. It's no Xperia Z though, so don't expect to be able to flush it down the toilet and get it back in one piece.