Category: General

Google cancels December for Android 4.2 users

Don’t tell the kids, but Google has done what the Grinch couldn’t – stolen Christmas! OK, they haven’t actually stolen it, but if you’re an Android 4.2 Jelly Bean user you better not have been born in December, because Google have dropped (another) almighty clanger by omitting the …

Mobile networks – Can they take the strain of mobile data?

The Internet is changing. Pirate sites are getting blocked, bandwidth is managed and now providers like Verizon to throttle down speeds for anyone daring to download illegally pirated material. Despite all that, data use is on the rise, and people seem to be ignoring public WiFi hotspots too. …

Dodocase Hardcover for iPad Mini – Review

After much searching for a case that I liked through the usual UK accessories channels I found that I could not find anything that suited me. So I extended my search to include imports and I found Dodocase from Sunny San Francisco. Now I had seen some of …

Google Play Music – Review

As discussed on our latest podcast, Google Music has finally arrived here on the shores of the UK and finally for all of those who didn’t know about or care to use the workaround can get a taste of what those on the other side of the pond …

Vodafone Smart Tab II now available

The Lenova made Smart Tab II is now available from Vodafone. Vodafone have even made a nice little video showing off the Smart Tab II http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jViiAN3yA2o The 7 inch Vodafone Smart Tab II, powered by Lenovo, is the new 3G and WiFi Android tablet from Vodafone – giving …

Three adds 1 million customers

During the last year Three have added just over 1 million new customers to their network. They’ve announced that they’re stepping up the rollout of their new ultra-fast network 3G DC-HSDPA and next year, 4G LTE technology. By the end of 2012 the cities below will have been …

Vodafone refresh their SIM-only plans

Data plans can be confusing. Seen those people staring blankly at catalogues in mobile shops? Yup. That’s them. Vodafone have done some research and have looked at SIM-only deals. They’ve found that people generally found that people looking for SIM-only deals do so for two reasons… a) They’re …

CyanogenMod community rises to resolve extortion demands

Earlier we reported that the CyanogenMod team were being held to ransom over their domain by an unscrupulous member of their team. Spurred by the news, the wider community have come to the rescue, and the situation is now under control. Cyanogen himself took to the blog in …

CyanogenMod team held to ransom over their own domain name

For the uninitiated, CyanogenMod is probably the most widely used custom ROM suite in the Android community. The team work as a non-profit group of programmers that provide fully open source, freely available ROMs for dozens of devices for nothing. Nice people, doing great things for the common …

Are us Brits obsessed with mobile devices?

Well a recent survey commissioned by Storage Options seems to suggest that yes we are obsessed. The results certainly do make for some interesting reading. Such as: · 57% use mobile devices in bed and 40% use them on the toilet · 45% say they can ‘never switch off’ …

The 4G tryout

As a big promoter of data use on mobile phones, I’ve already pushed the boundaries. Over a year ago I did the AYCE Challenge on Three and used 44GB in two weeks (no really, here’s my bill). The end result? No extra charge for data use – even …

Apple and HTC reach a settlement

Apple and HTC have finally made a truce over patents. A solution to the long term issues between the two companies was long over due. Although all the information isn’t public yet, we do know that it’s a 10 year agreement and is excellent news for both companies. …

STM arvo iPhone 5 case – Review

STM are probably best known for making bags for Laptops and Tablets but with the launch of the iPhone 5 they have ventured in to the world of iPhone cases. I’ve been using the “arvo” for the last few days and here is what I’ve found. The model …

Comet pricing goes nuts as Apple gear receives MASSIVE reductions

Oh dear. Sure, there’s those of you who believe that Apple products are a little expensive, but an iPod Touch for £4444.44?? That’s going a little too far. We spotted a saving of £4315 on the iPod Nano whilst the iPod Touch and other Apple items had thousands …

EE 4G SIM-only now due to arrive withing the next two weeks

Following our coverage today on the EE 4G SIM-only delay, we can now reveal that you could have another fortnight before these plans are available. We’ve just received the following from an EE spokesperson… Our 4GEE SIM only plans will now be launching within the next two weeks. …

Clingo Universal Desk Stand – Review

I recently reviewed the Clingo Universal Car Mount and was very impressed with it. So much so that I now have a desk stand to see if that can solve the same issues as the car mount. My first thoughts when taking it out of the box was …

Do you love Windows Phone 8?

Do you love Windows Phone 8 enough to wear that very fact on your chest? Well I do, and a while back I bought a “I Love Windows Phone” hoodie. I wear it with pride. Microsoft and Cafepress have released their updated range of clothing and accessories. They …

Three offer up the Galaxy SIII Mini

Is the Galaxy SII just a little too large for you? If you don’t mind a slight dip in specs, the SIII Mini is now available from Three. It’s currently only available in their stores but will appear online next Friday. Featuring a 4″ WVGA Super AMOLED display, …

Sony Xperia S ASOP being taken over by Sony engineers

Some of you may have been aware that Sony have been busily working away with Google to try and develop the Xperia S as a quasi Nexus device for developers to tinker with. Well there has been some good news from the Sony camp as they have got …

EE SIM-only delay caused by additional testing

We’ve already reviewed the all-new EE 4G network and you’ll have no doubt seen the adverts on TV, newspapers and billboards across the UK. However, last night we revealed the fact that their SIM-only deals, which aren’t available yet, were to be delayed. We contacted EE to find …

Sony Xperia J now available on Three

The Xperia range is quite an all encompassing thing. Phones from the the lowest end up to the very very top end. The Xperia J sits sort of smack bang in the middle of the latest few handsets. Today we have received some info from Three saying the …

Better batteries on the way?

We’ve all felt the pain. That feeling when you look at your phone and the battery level is all the way into the red, when you start thinking “This never happened with my old Nokia/Samsung/Sony Ericsson a couple of years ago”. So when I read that a Massachusetts-based …

Everything Everywhere delay SIM-only plans

We’ve just seen that EE have decided to delay their SIM-only plans for up to another two weeks. The network announced the move in a tweet earlier today: Sorry folks – there’s been a date change for our SIM-only plans. We expect to bring them in the next …

EE 4G – My review

My thoughts on the 4G LTE technology? Well, to be honest it’s taken be back in time. This is both a good and bad thing, and I’ll explain why. I’m old enough to remember a time when mobile phones weren’t in everyone’s pocket. My first phone was a …

HTC 8X hard shell case – Review

Phone cases are one of those things that really do my head in. So many different materials to choose from. So many manufacturers to choose from. A huge range in price as well doesn’t help. Buying a case isn’t as easy as it used to be. So when …

Get down to Comet, take your riot shield and helmet

Comet. Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll know that they’ve gone into administration. It’s now looking increasingly likely that we’ll lose that lovely big electronics shop and we’ll no longer have anywhere to measure up TV’s, fiddle with laptops or buy completely unnecessary extended warranties. But …

Sony C6603 Yuga flagship handset photos leak

Photos have appeared on a Swiss website of a new Sony flagship phone. Unlike a recent Sony handset leak, which was just an elaborate hoax, this looks much more credible. The site – Android Schweiz – claim the photos are of the C6603 “Yuga” handset and even give …

1.2 Billion sales predicted for Smartphones and Tablets in 2013

Yes, you read that correct…it says ‘billion’. That’s a heck of a lot of devices to be purchased; and to think we at CoolSmartPhone will only account for approximately 50% of that! Let’s get serious for a second. The figure of 1.2 billion smart devices being sold in …

£55 Handset designed for the more mature user

  Every one of us either has an elderly relative, friend or knows someone of a more mature persuasion. Whilst many of the elderly are embracing the growing mobile technology, there are those that either can’t or won’t be able to get along with the latest and greatest …

Cheap Android games console looks rather interesting..

In my morning email today was this deal on an Android games console. It costs £54.99 and definitely looks the part, even if most of those buttons around the screen will probably remain largely unused. The errr… S5110 .. runs Android 4.0 and has HDMI out too, so …

Samsung Galaxy Note II Cases Now at Mobile Fun

Following our review of the Samsung Galaxy Note II and the news that over 3 million units have been sold in just 37 days we bring news that Mobile Fun are now selling a range of Samsung and third party Galaxy Note 2 cases. The cases which range from …

Could Google and Microsoft be looking into UK broadband?

Google and Microsoft have been rumoured to have been showing “extreme interest” into providing mobile broadband/wifi here in the UK. The UK’s airwaves currently have “White space.” White space is segments of the current spectrum between those bands being used for TV, Radio and the mobile phones. Currently …

VScreens Beta Review

During a scour of the Google Play Store and review on here the other day I came across Vscreens from Sony. I had a little look at the description of the the app and what it does. I also found that our esteemed editor has done a review of …

Case-Mate Glam Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 Review

Fancy protecting your Samsung Galaxy S3 and looking a bit flash at the same time? We tried out this rather bling Glam Case. It’s £24.99 but it’s made by Case Mate and is pretty slim. The case simply clips into place on the handset very easily indeed. The …

Black Samsung Galaxy SIII now available on Vodafone

Expansys have had the black version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 (or SIII) available SIM-free for about a week now, but you’ll also be able to get it from Vodafone for free on plans costing £42 or more. Voda have us a nudge after the 16GB version arrived …

Coolsmartphone, on the move

Tonight is Bonfire night here in the UK, so instead of setting off fireworks or .. trying to blow up the House of Lords, we figured you’d like something different. With the recession and mobile data plans never quite as large as everyone would like, we decided to …