Category: General

Three cut off any remaining unlimited tethering customers

You’ve probably read about this one already, but it’s a sign that even Three – that once great data leader – has had to trim back on a few data-hogs. It’s a problem all networks have had – a few customers just tearing through data and causing a …

Microsoft Lumia 650 incoming but later than we thought

Microsoft is pushing out a new mid-tier device that is going to be aimed at the business sector, however, we are hearing stories that the expected launch date has been moved from the beginning of February to the middle of the month. The phone sports some fairly basic …

iClever FM Transmitter IC-F40 – Review

Imagine the scene. You’re driving along and you put the radio on. You tune around, but every station is either pumping out the same tune or there’s a never-ending barrage of adverts for local window companies and the like. You dig around your CD’s but they’re either scratched …

Charge your phone and automatically back it up. MEEM Reviewed.

I’m terrible at backing things up. I mean, really terrible. I like technology because it makes my life easier, but sometimes it does make you a tad lazy. Backing up the photos, videos and messages isn’t too difficult if you’re technically aware. You can hook up your Google …

We want to pimp something. Could you vote for us?

The other night I had a sudden realisation. Since 2003 this lovely website has been on the t’interwebs. We’ve been around the world. We’ve seen smartphones grow from clunky devices with tiny screens and terrible battery life to bigger devices with terrible battery life. I’ve actually been writing …

devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac Powerline Adaptor – review

Powerline adaptors that allow you to extend your network have been around for a while, and potentially provide the perfect way to extend your network range. When these first launched on the consumer market, I purchased a pair to extend my extremely poor WiFi coverage. My home WiFi …

Google updates its Now Weather app

To be honest, Google Now just sits in the background of my phone, and it’s one of those features I forget is even there sometimes. Until I get a notification that is, and realise what a really useful app it is. Well, Google has announced that the company has …

Google handed $1 billion to Apple for search provider privilege

Further embarrassing news for Google today following our earlier story revealing just how much Android makes. Today Bloomberg reports that Google paid $1 billion in 2014 to ensure that they were the default search provider on the iPhone and iPad. It seems that the deal was done on …

Android or iPhone for gaming?

Mobile gaming is an industry that is growing stronger each year with increased revenues every quarter. Whether you are playing an online game or an online casino (온라인 카지노) having the right mobile phone can make a difference in enjoying the game or not. Check our list of …

TYLT launch new charger range

TYLT had some new toys to show off at CES this year, and although we were not there in person, we have been given some info about them to share with you. These products will not be out in the UK until about June, but nonetheless they are …

Vodafone Tab speed 6 available for just £125

   Finding a good, cheap Android tablet can be a hit-and-miss affair at times, but we’re lucky in the sense that we already have one of these newly-announced Vodafone Tab speed 6 tablets right here, and you can read our thoughts on it tomorrow when the review goes …

Heard it on the grapevine. The Huawei P9, won’t you be mine.

Chinese phone manufacturer Huawei (which is the parent company of the Honor brand) continues its stride and for world dominance (in the phone world that it is), with the company’s latest device – the P9. Leaks now contain further detail, including pictures and information on a “Lite” and …

Oppo release the F1

ohere at the mighty Coolsmartphone a number of us have had Oppo devices. Generally they are well received (just have a search through the site to see how much interest this manufacturer has generated). Oppo have now announced a new device – the F1. If the specs and …

Creative Woof 3 Speaker Review

Woof. It’s a strange name for a speaker, granted. Does it bark? Does it give lamp posts liquid refreshment? I hope not. That’d be weird. What it is, of course, is yet another Bluetooth speaker. Here it in Coolsmartphone HQ we’ve started calling it “the shiny one that …

New Year, New OS

I’ve been a windows user all my life or at least since I bought my first PC thirty years ago. (Actually I tell a lie as I had an Amstrad PCW before that but let’s not get into all that CPM nonsense right now.) I’ve used DoS 5.1 …

WhatsApp becomes free a FreeApp

This is a messaging app which has become hugely successful. Most have installed it without considering the tiny cost which is levied after a year of use. Even with that cost, it’s still way cheaper than sending video and pictures through MMS. Now the owners of WhatsApp, a …

RHA S500i earbuds – review

These are the S500i earbuds. They’re quite nice actually. Surprisingly nice. My very first foray into using RHA was from the very base version of their earbuds, say about 4 or 5 years back (FYI, they were called MA150’s. To put it in context, they’re no longer sold …

Canary – Smart home security for everyone – Review

Canary is more than a simple surveillance camera for your home. From the very moment you purchase your Canary for £159, you’ll instantly notice the quality. Canary was launched back in July 2013 on crowdfunding site Indiegogo. There was clearly a market demand, as within a month over …

Apple to start charging for iTunes Radio

Want to listen to your favourite stations on an iPhone? It’s going to cost you a monthly fee very soon. We can only assume that money must be a bit tight for the company at the moment, as their ad-supported stations will cost $10 each month after January …

An old CD player that is actually .. oh wait… just that.

Kids now. They don’t know what it’s like to own a record or a CD. They don’t have a proper collection on a shelf. It’s all digital now. Flick through your iPhone and all your music is there, trapped in a digital box. It’s not the same. However, …

And so it begins. BT EE purchase waved through

Yes, unsurprising, and without any backhanders whatsoever, the, Competition and Markets Authority has rubber-stamped the £12.5bn takeover of EE by BT. The group will now grab EE and create a huge quad-play provider offering home phone, home broadband, TV and mobile solutions. Expect to see more adverts, more packaged …

How Digital Pay will appear in businesses

Back in December, we put up a thorough piece on the future of Digital Pay as it relates to our day-to-day purchasing habits. Much of the discussion was dedicated to online shopping and the habits we form buying goods on the Internet. But the advent of Digital Pay …

Asus Zen Watch now cheap as chips

Yesterday we took a look at the upcoming Bluboo Xwatch, which is due to go on sale for just £69.39. However, for £89.99 you can grab the Asus Zen Smart Watch, which has been reduced over on ebuyer. We featured this first back in 2014 and has a …

Bluboo Xwatch approaching – Android Wear for not that much at all

We get a lot of random emails. One company in particular has been pretty incessant, and that’s Chinese manufacturer Bluboo. They make phones (like the pretty powerful and good-looking X9 which is a “monster inside and aesthetic outside”) and watches, like their Uwatch. Next month they’ll be launching …

Goodbye Moto G and E

Here at Coolsmartphone we universally loved the Moto G. It was our go-to phone when we were asked “What’s a decent inexpensive Android phone ?” I think that all of us here have owned at least one. Well yesterday Chen Xudong, Lenovo’s Mobile head honcho, was interviewed and we …

iOS 9.3 – Relax, you are in good hands.

Unusual title, but the new iOS 9.3 has moved with the times and is thinking about you. The latest update incorporates a new mode called “Night Shift”, which helps to reduce the exposure to blue light. The latest reports from health experts have recently stated that looking at …

See the earth from ISS, right now on your phone

Pick up your phone and head to into spaaaaace right now. Go on. Go on. NASA are streaming video from the ISS and, well, it’s a bit bloody fantastic. Yes, I know it’s not strictly connected with mobile devices, but being able to see the world live from …

giffgaff knock down iPhone prices

Get an iPhone from giffgaff and you get a contract-free and network-free handset. Not only that, but until Wednesday you’ll be getting the iPhone for less than normal too. They’ve reduced prices but, as with any January sale, you’ve got to be quick to get them at this …

How to fix the iStick on iOS9

When I reviewed the iStick back in June, while the software needed a little refining, I could clearly see the benefit of being able to copy media from an iOS device to a USB-equipped memory stick. However, the recent Apple update to iOS9 stopped the iStick from working with no …

Further smart-locks announced to Noke range

I like to hop on my bike and do some nutty rides when I can. However, when you reach your destination you’ll soon find that your expensive bike can become the target for thieves. A company called Noke have already had experience of creating smart-locks – those clever …

O2 launches new concept store with customer experience at its heart

O2 has announced the opening of a new concept store on Manchester’s Market Street, with customer experience taking centre-stage with and digital exploration. At three times the size of O2’s typical stores, the location comprises over 2,300 square feet of floor space and has been designed to revolutionise …

CES 2016 – Samsung want you to be clean.

The smart home is certainly being pushed by Samsung at this year’s CES. Three new products that were announced, AddWash for all their front loading washing machines (I know not a phone!), POWERbot Turbo and POWERbot Essential Wi-Fi. The POWERbot series are robotic vacuums. “Samsung’s focus is on marrying …

Huawei launch the Mate 8 Globally – CES

Huawei has been busy at CES this year. They released two new variants of their Watch aimed specifically at the female market, and aficionados of  “Mockadile” (this should keep our resident Pixel Density Enthusiast editor Matteo happy). Huawei also unveiled an update to their tablet lineup in the …

tado° signs partnership agreement with O2

With Nest and Hive currently dominating the UK Smart Home market, the Smart home climate control company, tado° announced yesterday its new partnerships with AT&T and UK-based O2 in an attempt improve life at home through connectivity. tado° always ensures that your home is pre-warmed before you even step through …

An intelligent bra. Yes, I said that.

We’re used to seeing wearables here at Coolsmartphone, but intelligent underwear isn’t something we’ve seen or, errr, handled as yet. This a bra. A ladies bra which will track your breathing, your steps, the amount of calories you’ve burned up and your heart rate. Whether it would work …