Author: James Pearce

Google Play Books is updated

As part of Google updating everything last night they updated the Play Books app. Not only have Google updated the interface to be in-line with the other Google Play apps they have also added some new features. What’s in this version: Support for reading your own PDF or …

BBC iPlayer is now available for Windows Phone 8

Woohoo, finally the day has come. The BBC have finally made an iPlayer app, well a wrapper for the website anyway. Don’t expect some lovely Metro gubbins here. It is probably the number one app that people moan about when telling the world why they can’t use Windows …

Nokia Lumia 925 promo videos

Nokia have this morning announced the Lumia 925. Dan has been posting hands on pictures here. Networks have been announcing their intentions here and now Nokia have posted a load of promo videos on YouTube. They basically show some of the key features of the Lumia 925. They …

The Nokia Lumia 925 and where to get it

Today Nokia have announced the Lumia 925 and as is the norm on a new device day we get a LOT of emails from from retailers and networks about their deals and tariffs. This post will grow over the next few days as we get more and more …

Nokia advert on UK TV leaves us itching to know what’s coming

Last night in the UK during the The Inbetweeners Movie Nokia had a quick advert. An advert showing off a nice looking upcoming device, or a tiny part of it anyway. The below image was the focus of the advert. Nokia have also published the advert on their …

Nokia announce the Lumia 928 a few days earlier than expected

For the last few weeks we’ve been dealt a confusing array of leaks and rumours surrounding the next Nokia Lumia device. This afternoon Nokia have published details of what they’re releasing in the US which might just give a huge insight into next weeks event. They have announced …

What the “New Nexus 7” might be like

I think I’d like to be an analyst, they get to just make stuff up and the whole world sits up and takes notice. An analyst from KGI Securities has released some information about the supposed New Nexus 7 and it kind of fits in with what’s expected …

The Coolsmartphone Podcast – Episode 46

Episode 46 of the Coolsmartphone Podcast is upon us. What’s in store I hear you ask. Well…… Joining me this week we have Ian Furlong, Mark Peters and Ravi Patel. This weeks topics are the Samsung Galaxy S4, the HTC One, the BlackBerry Q10, the Samsung Ativ S, …

Microsoft are rumoured to be buying Nook Media

Every self respecting ecosystem needs books and magazines, don’t they? Apple have them, Google have them, Amazon have them and Microsoft don’t really have them. Relying entirely on third parties like Kindle and Nook. So what better way to start selling books etc? You just buy a third …

Sony Xperia A images leak

FCC applications are possibly the single biggest source of leaked information about new devices and this latest one is no exception. Sony are really just plugging away with their confusing naming convention and if this FCC application ever appears Sony will have just started again at the beginning …

YouTube for Windows Phone amazingly gets updated

YouTube for Windows Phone has been awful for years. It was basically just a shortcut to the mobile website. For ages people have been waiting for Microsoft to update the app, it’s one of those things that are awkward to deal with as Google own YouTube and Google …

My choice of apps – Windows Phone edition #1

Earlier on today I posted an article about our articles covering our favourite apps for our chosen OS. As I came up with this idea I’m going to start the whole series off. So what do I use that is worthy of recommendation, well lets have a look shall …

What on earth are these “My choice of apps” articles about

We all use apps on our phones, some more than others, some install huge games that take several GB of space, some install dozens of Social Network apps, some install bafflingly pointless apps like fart apps or soundboards. It really is a personal thing it’s your phone and …

BlackBerry Q10 – Initial Impressions

BlackBerry are in an interesting position these days, the Z10 and Q10 are what some may see as their last ditch attempt to remain relevant. We had the Z10 in for review a few months ago (which you can read here) I ended up liking the hardware and …

Cat B15 Tough Smartphone now available

The Cat B15 Tough Smartphone is a bit of a rugged looking device. With an IP67 rating meaning it can withstand dust and water, in depths of up to 1M for 30 minutes. Impressive stuff really, although it is a bit of a chunky device. At 14.95mm thick …

Acer announce two new Android tablets

Acer this afternoon have announce six new devices. Some are Android tablets and some are Windows 8 devices. Lets have a look at the Android tablets first, Acer have announced two devices with two variants, so four in total. They have announced the Iconia A1 and the Iconia …

bēm Wireless start shipping their Bluetooth Mobile Speaker

Quoting an old clichéd phrase: good things come in small packages bēm Wireless have made a small 2.5″ cube Bluetooth speaker that looks more like something Nokia would sell. The speaker comes in six different colours. the mobile speaker comes in six colours to allow expression of personal …

Leaked images show what could be the next generation Motorola device

Motorola since being took over by Google haven’t exactly been the most vocal of companies. The last generation of phones from them barely even reached our shores never mind selling in any quantity. But still people are excited by what’s to come next. Rumours about Motorola making the …

The Coolsmartphone Podcast – Episode 45

Episode 45 is upon us and guess what? I’m back so you’ve got to listen to me this week. The long wait is over and the Samsung Galaxy S4 is now available and in true Coolsmartphone style no one on the Podcast has got one. This week I …

Another Instagram app coming to Windows Phone soon

The excitement/fuss about Instagram for Windows Phone will just not go away. Itsdagram is a bit different to the other recent Instagram third party apps though. Itsdagram is coming soon to Windows Phone and it will allow you to do everything you’d want to do with an Instagram. …

Jelly Bean is now on 28.4% of devices

Each month Google publishes information about the various distributions and each month it makes for worrying/interesting reading. Jelly Bean is now on 28.4%of devices, Ice Cream Sandwich on 27.5% and Gingerbread on 38.5%of devices. Google last month changed how they get the data as well. Note: Beginning in …

Acer to offer cashback on all Iconia B1 tablets sold in May

The already super cheap Acer Iconia B1 is now about to get even cheaper. You can get £20 Cashback on the Acer Iconia B1 throughout May. We haven’t managed to get one for review yet, I can’t comment on how good/bad it is. You’re really into the “should …

My time with the Nokia Lumia 920

For me the Nokia Lumia 920 has sort of become a fabled device, it is one of those devices that I had basically come to terms with that I’d never get to own. I briefly had one last year and it just wasn’t long enough. This all changed …

Microsoft release their Switch To Windows Phone app for Android

Microsoft have released an app that on the surface seems harmless and almost helpful, but it makes me wonder about Microsoft. The app is meant to make the move to Windows Phone easier. Here is how they sell the app. Are you thinking about switching to Windows Phone …

Gemini Joytab Duo 9.7 – Review

Some would have you believe that if you want a tablet that you have to have an iPad, some would also say you have to have a Nexus 7 but my take on things is that sometimes in life you need to take the Red Pill and try …

Otterbox Commuter Glacier case for the HTC 8X – Review

Another month has passed and I’ve gone and bought another Otterbox. This time it was for my HTC 8X which I have felt is increasingly becoming likely to be dropped.  Only because I’ve had  it for a few months now without much protection. Otterbox cases are pretty cool …

Don’t fight, just switch

Apple fans and Samsung fans don’t half love a good argument about whose phone is better. That’s exactly the point that Microsoft have gone with for their latest Windows Phone advert. It made me chuckle, which is always a good thing. See what you think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19vR1GldRI

Samsung unveil the Galaxy Tab 3

Samsung have a rather confusing array of devices this year, the latest of which is the Galaxy Tab 3. The Galaxy Tab 3 is a 7″ budget Jelly Bean device that has budget specs and no doubt a budget price. This is more than likely because of the …

Acer announce the Liquid E2 Smartphone

Last week we covered the availability of the Acer Liquid E1 Duo from Expansys. I liked the idea of it as I have a bit of a thing about Dual Sim devices. Well Acer have now actually announced it’s successor already. The Liquid E2 comes in either single …

Nokia post a teaser picture of a QWERTY phone

I love a good QWERTY phone, although it has been a few years since I actually owned one. Nokia have posted a quick teaser image showing a shift key, a Z key and some nice yellow curved corners. Lumia fans shouldn’t get too excited though, this is likely …

Acer Liquid E1 Duo now in stock

Once again another Dual SIM phone appears on the market and my imagination runs riot. The prospect of not having to carry two phones around all day gets my temperature racing. The fact it is made by Acer also means it will probably be well made, in the past I’ve had my …

The Coolsmartphone Podcast – Episode 43

Episode 43 of the Coolsmartphone Podcast seemed to be about the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 and a few other minor things. Joining me this week was Ian Furlong, Mark Peters and Ronnie Whelan. Topics included the Archos Phones, the Galaxy Mega, the Aluminium Lumia, Firefox OS Geeksphone, Facebook …

Pocket for Android gets an update

Pocket is one of those apps that you either use and love or you don’t use and can’t comprehend. I use it and I don’t think I could survive without it (bit extreme I know). Pocket basically allows you to save a webpage for viewing at a later …