Blog posts tagged with 'new'

It’s an old rumour, but a persistent one – are Apple ever going to get around to releasing the mythical iWatch?

 

 

There have been many reports in the past about Apple’s rumoured foray into wearable computing, but it looks like this may be the first one to bear fruit: according to inside sources, Apple currently has a 100-strong team working on the device, and it’s fast approaching prototype stage. (This is backed up by the Kickstarter Pebble Smartwatch concept: according to the developers, creating the software for the Android version of the Pebble was a ground-up endeavour, but an iOS version of the device was easy, due to Bluetooth software hooks that were already present - suggesting Apple already had plans in this direction.) But while anticipation is running extremely high, people don’t seem to be sure about what the iWatch actually does. What we do know is that it will be capable of connecting via Bluetooth to other Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPad, enabling users to perform simple tasks without having to take out their phone or tablet. Simple tasks include such day-to-day interaction as checking texts, posting to Twitter and even controlling music playback on your phone or tablet, making the iWatch essentially a remote control. But the technology is capable of many more exciting things.

The iWatch could, for example, be used as a fitness augmentation. While worn, the watch could perform tasks such as monitoring heart-rate, tracking their running routes and acting as a pedometer, enabling easier and more intuitive workouts. Even more beneficially, the iWatch might have possible health applications, monitoring the status of the wearer in order to notify them when anything untoward changes in their body. Built-in navigation and radio access would make the iWatch the perfect companion for the frequent traveller. Best of all, the Bluetooth link-up to your iPhone would keep the iWatch sleek and svelte, because all of those added extra features that bulk up a Smartphone (such as Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS and cellular capacity) are already included in the iPhone itself – the iWatch would just be piggybacking off them. This would, essentially, turn your phone into a pocket server, opening the doorway for many other exciting emergent technologies in the future.

 

While we’ll have to wait and see to get a handle on exactly what the iWatch is capable of, only one thing is certain at this juncture – the iWatch is definitely coming. Insider leaks have been thick and fast, but external factors such as Apple hiring an OLED expert away from LG strongly suggest that Apple have a keen interest, if nothing else, in flexible glass displays, such as the one shown off by Samsung at this year’s CES. Flexible glass would be the perfect material to make a Smartwatch from. And the success of the Pebble can’t have gone unnoticed, either – with 85,000 pre-orders and a price-tag between $115 and $125, this indie, crowd-sourced project is currently putting Apple to shame (while handily raising the profile of the Smartwatch at the same time). It’s a brand new marketplace for Apple to make it big, and we have no doubts that they’re going to seize the opportunity with their characteristic showmanship and enthusiasm! 

Around this time last year, we were gearing up for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S3. Anticipation was running high for the flagship handset: after the launch of the S2, and Samsung’s meteoric rise from fringe manufacturer to top-end Smartphone maker, everyone expected the Samsung Galaxy S3 to swoop in and steal the mantle of ‘greatest Smartphone of the year’ from the iPhone, the yearly favourite. In fact, several publications dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S3 ‘the iPhone killer’ long before its release! Though it may not quite have reached the lofty expectations set by some anti-Apple enthusiasts, the Galaxy S3 still became one of the most successful Smartphones of all time, and certainly topped out as one of the five best devices of 2012, alongside favourites such as LG’s Nexus 4 and, naturally, the iPhone 5. So it’s only natural that anticipation is running just as high for its successor, the Galaxy S4. Rumours are flying about what its internal specifications will be, what kind of screen size, how it will look, and even how large the battery will be – pundits of all stripes have been dissecting every ounce of information. Today we’re going to be looking at some of the likeliest.

Most people seem to be in agreement that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will feature a 5-inch capacitive touchscreen, with Samsung’s proprietary Super AMOLED technology. Most also seem to be in agreement that this touchscreen will be in full 1080p HD, suggesting 440+ ppi – well in advance of current-generation handsets. Real-life colour reproduction of this quality will mean a significantly higher drain on battery power, so the battery should be 2600 mAh or higher; and there’d be little point in such a high-quality screen unless you had the computing power to make use of it, so most are expecting a 2GHz quad-core processor and a round 2GB of RAM to make use of it. However, some optimistic bloggers think that the Galaxy S4 may feature the octo-core processor showcased by Samsung at this year’s CES – four cores optimized for power-intensive tasks and four optimized for low-end usage, which means battery can be conserved for longer as the phone cycles through the appropriate set of cores. However, this technology is bleeding-edge and unlikely to be seen for at least a few months – we’d expect Samsung’s octo-core to make its debut in the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 3, which is likely to be due in Q3 at the earliest. In terms of periphery features, the Galaxy S4 is almost certain to have the 13 Megapixel camera of other recent top-end phones, and we confidently predict microSD compatibility to bring the 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage (Samsung tend to offer multiple options) up by another 64. As far as the look of the device goes, it’s probably going to follow the same curved, naturalistic design that inspired the Galaxy S3 and most other recent Samsung handsets. Most renders we’ve seen so far seem to tally up with this: the most prevalent we’ve seen differentiates the S4 from the S3 primarily with a slightly straighter top and bottom, putting the S4 somewhere between the S2 and S3 in terms of aesthetics. After long debate, it looks like Samsung are going to retain the context-sensitive bottom buttons of the S3 – some early renders eschewed them, but frankly, they looked a little homogenous without Samsung’s trademark look. But despite the proposed similar design, we’ve still collected some of the more outlandish device renders below, just on the off-chance that Samsung surprises us with a radical re-design – we wouldn’t want you to be caught off-guard

 

All that’s left is the when of the device. Most people think that Samsung are going to reveal the particulars of the Galaxy S4 at the annual Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, in March; it’s very possible that this could be the case, but last year Samsung passed over the MWC when it came to the Galaxy S3. Consequently, we could be looking at a solo launch event to show off the Galaxy S4 in March, leading up to a release in April; or even a launch event in May to make it a round year since the launch of the S3. Interestingly, a launch event for the S4 could be even more expansive than last year’s S3 gala, because according to leaked internal documents, ‘Project J’ (Samsung’s codename for the S4 project) consists of three devices instead of one. The first is simply called Project J, or sometimes Altius: the second is the Project J Mini, known internally as Serrano: likely a Galaxy S4 Mini to counterpart the S3 Mini. The third is called Project J Active, and is known as Fortius – and according to rumours, it could be a Smart watch intended to buttress the functionality of the S4, an impression reinforced by the list of leaked accessories (including an armband, bike mount and pouch). At this point, only one thing’s really certain… Samsung’s launch event can’t come soon enough!

Windows Phone 8 has had many manufacturers busy; HTC have released their stylish 8S and 8X devices, Samsung have branched out with their sumptuous mid-range Ativ S, and Nokia – close associates of Windows – have pulled out all the stops to produce some of the most excellent Lumia devices they've ever released! Today we’re going to be focusing on our new range of cases for the top-end Nokia Windows Phone – the incredible Lumia 920! It’s a superb device with a plethora of different utilities, and easily stands toe-to-toe with other Smartphone giants such as the Samsung Galaxy S3, Apple iPhone 5 and HTC One X. It has all of the specifications you would expect from a top-end device: a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor handles all of your power requirements with customary ease, while a bulky 2000 mAh battery provides superb talk time and browsing time without adding even a millimetre of unnecessary heft to the slim-line profile of the device. Nokia put their typical onus on the graphics of the device, managing to wring an excellent 332 ppi from the 4.5 inch screen of the device – and the camera is absolutely magnificent, an 8.7 Megapixel powerhouse with Carl Zeiss optics, image stabilization, autofocus and dual-LED flash! This is in additional to all of the handy little extras you’ve come to expect from the best Smartphones – a Gorilla Glass screen (preventing chips and scratches), high range of connectivity (across 2G, 3G and 4G data spectrums, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and DLNA across the board), a natty 7GB of free Cloud storage, predictive text input for faster communication and active noise cancellation, for an easier time talking to your friends and family! There’s everything here barring the kitchen sink – but even phones as legendarily sturdy as Nokia’s can use a little added protection to ensure they don’t face undue damage. So if you own a Lumia 920 of your own, and you want to keep it looking sleek and new for longer, browse through our range of Lumia 920 cases!

We have a broad range of Lumia 920 cases to choose from: our lightweight silicone cases, for example, are perfect for providing an unobtrusive layer of protection for your Lumia 920, offering shielding from scratches, dents and casing chips without adding unnecessary bulk to the sleek contours of this precision-crafted device. They also feature padded gel interiors to guarantee a comprehensive barrier against drop damage, mitigating harm that could otherwise cause stress to the delicate internal components of your Lumia 920. We also stock PU leather flip cases – attractive and professional, these flip cases enable easy access to the touchscreen of your device while simultaneously allowing you to flip the case closed when not in use, to offer an additional barrier against dirt and scuffs. With a plastic internal holder for added stability and increased grip, the flip cases are guaranteed to keep your Lumia 920 firmly in place at all times, no matter what may happen! Our PU leather wallet cases are similar in design to the flip case (also featuring a handy magnetic clasp for easy touchscreen access), but they also have internal pockets to store your bank card and loose bank notes – allowing you to keep your loose change as comprehensively protected as your phone!

So if you want to purchase any of our superb cases, simply click upon one of the images above to instantly be taken to their product page – now that’s convenient! And speaking of convenience, our ultra-competitive prices (coupled with next-day shipping on UK orders) guarantee that your order won’t just be cheap; it’ll also be with you in mere days time! With a wide array of designs, colours and styles to choose from, our case covers have only one thing in common – incredible protection from scratches, dents and scuffs across the board! And remember – any questions, queries or suggestions about our cases and website can be posed in the comments section below.

Don’t be afraid to make your voice heard; with your help, we aim to make Mobile Madhouse the premier purveyor of phone accessories in the whole of England! Thanks for reading!

With the advent of Windows Phone 8, many manufacturers are releasing excellent devices to take advantage of Microsoft’s latest and greatest operating system – for example, Nokia have banished rumours of financial troubles with the excellent Lumia 920, selling over 2.5 million devices already! But today our focus is upon HTC’s offering – their new flagship device, the HTC 8X, which has also been adopted by Microsoft as the flagship phone for the Windows 8 platform! It’s an excellent device: the operating system itself is as superb as you’d expect, with the intuitive tile layout you’ve come to know and love from past Windows Phone systems making its triumphant return. But it’s slicker, faster and more intuitive to use than ever before, with a plethora of additional features that bring it firmly in line with Android and iOS! The specifications of the 8X aren’t to be sniffed at, either – 16GB of internal storage, a round 1GB of RAM, 8 Megapixel camera (capable of 1080p recording at 30fps), a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 342 ppi screen…it’s easily capable of going toe-to-toe with other flagship phones, even powerhouses like Samsung’s S3 or HTC’s prior flagship, the One X! A device this comprehensively excellent deserves protection that’s as special at it is, so if you own an 8X of your own, you should definitely have a look at our brand new 8X leather flip case and its associated accessory packs!

Manufactured from premium-quality PU leather, this flip case is a truly excellent accessory: its durable exterior is guaranteed to deflect scratches, chips, casing cracks and scuffs, maintaining the allure of your monochromatic device and ensuring that it keeps looking new for longer! But despite its durability, it’s soft and plush in the hand, making it extremely easy to hold and mitigating the possibility of drops that the ordinarily smooth back of the 8X can sometimes cause. It also has a number of handy utility features – an internal plastic holder keeps your 8X steady at all times, guaranteeing that it won’t drop out and permitting you an increased degree of stability while browsing, while a magnetic clasp at the front of the flip case allows you to easily close the case when it’s not in use, while permitting easy access for phone calls and texting! It’s a truly convenient piece of hardware – and with the advent of our accessory pack combo deals, you can get it with other products, too! Our other accessories are equally excellent: our aluminium touchscreen stylus pen, for example, is slim-line and stylish, providing an easy way to browse through the graphical interface of Windows Phone 8 and enabling you to text more swiftly, navigate the internet with greater precision, and even rack up higher scores in all of your favourite games! Its soft rubber tip is guaranteed to prevent the possibility of scratches and scuffs which your fingertips and fingernails can incur, helping to maintain the cohesion of your screen against harm. And if you’re interested in our car charger, your interest is right to be piqued – these miniature chargers enable you to keep the 1800 mAh battery of your device topped up even while you’re on the move! Compatible with any micro-USB outlet (such as those found on computers or in cars), you never have to worry about running out of charge when you’re on the move again, allowing you to text, browse the Internet and make phone calls to your hearts content… at least until you hit the limits of your phone contract!

So if you’re fortunate enough to own a HTC Windows Phone 8X of your own, and you’re looking for a case cover which provides superior shielding, aesthetic appeal and a constant degree of convenience, opt for our incredible black leather PU flip case today! With a plethora of stylish and handy accessory pack combo combinations to choose from, you’re bound to find at least one that appeals to your specific need and exacting taste - and remember, as ever, any questions, issues or suggestions regarding our case can be posed in the comments section below! With your guidance, we aim to expand our range of HTC 8X cases – alongside our other offerings – until we’re the premier provider of phone accessories in the UK!

Thanks for reading!

While we have many protective cases available for the iPhone 4, we stock comparatively few novelty cases in our selection; that’s because we aim to provide superior protection, and all too often novelty cases can let you down in that department, focused as they are on making your phone look as attractive as possible. But we have good news, because if you’re a fan of attractive novelty cases, you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve just received a shipment of iPhone 4 cases that are both ultra-attractive and ultra-protective – the fun and colourful silicone penguin case!

Manufactured from a smooth, contiguous layer of silicone, to ensure an even finish, the surface of the penguin iPhone 4 case is seamless and joint-free, providing an aesthetic experience of unparalleled polish! Its fun and colourful design is an ode to the penguin, featuring an upraised penguin-patterned back and extended miniature arms, which can be used to help hold your iPhone 4 firmly. But it’s no mere fashion accessory – the rubbery silicone that comprises its overlay is extremely tough, ensuring that scratches, chips, bumps, dents and all the other daily annoyances of Smartphone ownership are deflected from the body of your iPhone 4. Despite this durability, the penguin style iPhone 4 case remains soft to the touch, which means it is pleasant to use and does not weigh down your device with unnecessary bulkiness. The padded underlay of the penguin silicone case is also shock-preventing, which guarantees that damage incurred through drops is deflected – which is good news, because a bad drop can cause catastrophic internal damage to any device, let alone a glass-backed Smartphone such as the iPhone 4! So the iPhone 4 silicone penguin case is protective and attractive, but is it convenient? We’re happy to report that yes, it is! It features a number of handy cut-out ports in its frame, allowing you to access all of the external features of your iPhone 4 such as the headphone jack, charger socket and Bluetooth connectivity ports. This means that the utility features of your device remain wholly intact while the iPhone 4 penguin case is equipped; you never have to remove the case in order to listen to music, charge your device, etc. In fact, you never have to remove your case at all, so you have comprehensive shielding for your iPhone 4 at all times! In addition to this obvious benefit, the penguin case is also slim-line and form-fitting, adding no additional bulk to the body of your device’s casing; its simplicity of design means that there’s no assembly required to fit this iPhone 4 case. Your device simply slots into the internal portion of the penguin case and is held in place by its form-fitting grip, meaning that your iPhone 4 will remain in place until you consciously decide to remove it!

So if you’re fortunate enough to own an iPhone 4, and are searching for a case cover that’s protective, attractive, and ultra-handy, why would you opt for anything other than the iPhone 4 silicone penguin case? With a wide selection of colours to choose from, anybody who wishes to opt for one of our silicone penguin cases should be completely spoilt for choice! But to help you make a decision, we’ve included both images and links to the product pages of each colour of our penguin cases. Simply click on one of the above images to be taken to the buying page of your penguin case of choice – now that’s convenient!

Speaking of convenience, your consumer experience is our most important concern, so if you have any questions, issues or suggestions about our penguin iPhone 4 case selection, please don’t hesitate to pose them in the comments selection below. With your help and guidance, we can help polish the Mobile Madhouse experience until it’s the best mobile accessory site around, so please don't hesitate - thank you for reading!

If you've been keeping abreast of our blog, you may be aware that we recently acquired some iPhone 5 cases, in honour of Apple's latest and greatest flagship release. Though all of our case covers are of the very highest quality, our initial selection was far from comprehensive, consisting largely of understated, undecorated silicone gel cases. However, a new shipment of products - and our (correct!) assumption that our iPhone 5 cases would fly from the shelves to begin with - has led to a rapid expansion of our available selection. So if you're fortunate enough to own Apple's latest iPhone on-release, you owe it to yourself to check out our new and improved range of iPhone 5 cases!

We've stocked several different varieties of case to choose from; the first of our new and improved iPhone 5 cases is the PU leather flip. Manufactured from only the finest polyurethane (a synthetic fibre virtually indistinguishable from real leather), these PU flip cases are soft and plush on the outside, to provide a good surface for gripping, with a rigid and durable underlay to provide both comprehensive protection and increased stability. Our iPhone 5 PU flip cases also feature cut-outs around all of the salient jacks and ports of the iPhone 5, to ensure that you can access all of the features of your new iPhone 5 without having to remove your case, and thus compromise on its inherent protective qualities. This means that you are comprehensively protected from scratches, chips, bumps, dirt damage and more, even when you're doing something as simple as listening to music or charging your device! The PU leather flip features a handy magnetic clasp; magnets are secreted in both the clasp itself, and the body of the device. When the clasp is flipped close, the magnets interact to ensure that the case remains firmly closed, while also allowing you to easily flip it open again in order to regain access to your touchscreen! The PU flip case selection is also highly stylish, with a range of different monochromatic colours to choose from; whether you're looking for a sleek black flip, to really bring out the understated chic of your new iPhone 5, or a baby pink flip case, to add a touch of feminine class to your device, we're confident that at least one of the high-quality cases in our PU leather flip case range will appeal to your unique taste and exacting requirements!

To be taken to the purchasing page for any one of our PU leather flip cases for the iPhone 5, simply click upon one of the above images - now that's convenient! And speaking of convenience, we also stock a number of superb accessory packs to supplement the experience of utilizing Apple's latest flagship device, including our range of PU leather flip cases with pre-packaged stylus pens - after all, here at Mobile Madhouse your satisfaction is our paramount concern! And with your concern in mind, any questions, queries or compliments about our sterling range of iPhone 5 cases can be addressed to us via the comments below.

Whether you happen to be looking for an even greater selection of case covers, or simply want to wish us 'good luck' in providing the most comprehensively superb customer service experience around, we look forward to your comments! Thanks for reading!

The iPhone 5 is one of the most highly-anticipated devices of the year – for the consumers, of course, but also for Mobile Madhouse too, as we stand by with our range of new iPhone 5 cases! Apple’s unique method of showmanship, coupled with devices of incomparable style, means that they’re always bound to excite when it comes to new releases – and their reticence to reveal any specific details about the iPhone 5 (beyond its larger screen, superior processor and new charger jack) has only ramped up the anticipation further than ever before, whipping up loyal Apple devotees into a frenzy of impatience as they await its eventual release date, which should be September 21^st, following the scheduled announcement of the device on September 12^th. Fortunately for you, our selection of superb iPhone 5 cases has arrived even earlier than that – meaning that your iPhone 5 can possess comprehensive shielding right on release!

We’ve stocked some of the most stylish and unobtrusive options for sheathing your new iPhone 5 from harm. Slim-line to the extreme, our many cases are barely noticeable once fitted: for the back cases, simply slot your iPhone 5 case of choice onto the back of your device and you instantly gain a comprehensive degree of protection from scratches, dirt, casing chips and the other daily rigours of Smartphone ownership. For our tab pouch cases, simply slot your new iPhone 5 into the interior of the pouch, and the same applies! Cut-outs around the charging port, headphone jack and other slots of the device mean that you never have to remove your iPhone 5 back cases in order to access any of the features of your new Smartphone – and in the case of our pouches, we’ve installed a handy tab, allowing you to pop your Smartphone in and out of your case cover with ease!

As you can see from the above selection of images, our range of iPhone 5 cases are as diverse as they come; whether you’re searching for an S-line or X-line case cover, to provide a better surface for grip, or a genuine leather pouch case, for a stylish carrying solution, we’re confident we possess the iPhone 5 case to cater to your exacting specifications. Additionally, all of our iPhone 5 back cases come with a micro-fibre polishing cloth, providing protection from dirt and dust damage – after all, here at Mobile Madhouse, your convenience and the safety of your device are our primary concerns!

If you’re planning on becoming a proud owner of Apple’s latest and greatest flagship Smartphone, simply click on one of the above images to instantly be taken to your iPhone 5 case of choice. Remember, with ultra-competitive prices and unparalleled protection, you can’t go wrong with Mobile Madhouse! As ever, any questions, queries or compliments about our iPhone 5 case selections can be posed in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!

Though HTC’s Desire range was traditionally populated by mid-range Smartphones (counterpointing the high-end One series and the more modest-spec Wildfire devices), the Taiwanese manufacturer has recent picked up their Desire thread once more – and the results are the HTC Desire X, a Smartphone which packs a surprising punch.

The Desire X has features roughly equivalent to the One S, and thus straddles the divide between the HTC One V and HTC One X in terms of specifications. It possesses a dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon chipset, a four inch screen and a 5 Megapixel camera; fairly impressive considering the projected price, which HTC have stated will be lower than the One V. It also features Ice Cream Sandwich straight from the box, alongside HTC’s proprietary Beats Audio software and a free 25GB of Dropbox storage (which should alleviate the modest 4GB of internal storage the device is expected to have). Though these specifications may fall far short of industry frontrunners like the Samsung Galaxy S3 or HTC’s own ‘hero phone’, the One X, they’re impressive for a Smartphone which is lodged firmly in the niche ordinarily reserved for budget devices.

The HTC Desire X stands up in terms of utility, as well; while HTC is only offering a choice of two colours (white and black) on release, it doesn’t have the unibody design of the One X. While that causes it to take a hit in the arena of aesthetics, it also allows for a removable back panel, permitting you to swap out the device’s 1600 mAh battery when it starts becoming laboured. Viewing angles are surprisingly wide considering the lower resolution and smaller screen, and the 768MB of RAM should allow you to play even the most graphically-intensive game with relative ease (though the more modest battery size may require a higher degree of charging then the seasoned Smartphone veteran is used to). SD card support allows you to expand the meagre memory of the Desire X by up to an additional 32MB, which should allow even the perennial hoarder to obtain as much music and as many games as they desire.

Overall, the HTC Desire X is a sturdy addition to HTC’s catalogue of devices. It’s not going to revolutionize the market, but it’s made with the Taiwanese company’s usual sense of elegance and purpose – and its price tag is surprisingly cheap, considering its many capabilities. If you’re looking for a high-quality Smartphone, and you don’t want to break the bank, you could do a lot worse than waiting until the Desire X’s release – slated for sometime in September for the UK. We can’t wait to get started on building a catalogue of case covers for HTC’s latest venture!

While durability is important in a case, no self-respecting S3 owner is going to opt for a bulky, obdurate option if it hides the sleek natural beauty of their new Smartphone. That’s why a hybrid case is often the best option for the user who wants to mix-and-match in terms of both protection and style - and few hybrid case ranges are as protective or as stylish as our Samsung Galaxy S3 mesh hard cases selection! Our Samsung Galaxy S3 mesh hard cases consist of a hard plastic underlay, with a silicone gel mesh back. While the plastic innards provide stability and durability, the soft outer portion provides a sturdy surface for grip, with the fringe benefit of making your new SIII look even more attractive. If you thought you were the envy of your friends when you purchased Samsung’s flagship mobile, you’ll see raw lust in their eyes when they gaze upon your pick of the Samsung Galaxy S3 mesh hard cases selection! But it’s not just a fashion accessory – whichever colour mesh case you choose to opt for, you’ll gain a superior degree of protection from the daily wear-and-tear faced by any Smartphone, whether it is scratches, dents, casing chips or even drop damage. Our Samsung Galaxy S3 mesh hard cases are convenient and easy to use: simply slot your Galaxy SIII into the interior portion of the mesh case, ensure it’s firmly in place, and you’re good to go. With cut-outs around all of the salient ports and jacks of your Galaxy S 3, the mesh hard case never has to be removed in order to access any of the features of your device, meaning it will possess shielding from harm even when you’re charging or listening to music! You’d probably expect to be facing a pretty hefty price tag for a case with as many features as this, but you’d be mistaken – all of our Samsung Galaxy S3 mesh hard cases are priced ultra-competitively, and completely at odds with their wide range of features, ensuring that the consumer has no reason not to opt for this superb new range of case covers! To peruse our range of Samsung Galaxy S3 mesh hard cases in greater detail, click upon one of the above images: you’ll instantly be taken to the product page of choice – now that’s convenient! And, as always, any questions, suggestions or (we wish!) compliments can be posted in the comments section below. If you have any other queries, you can also contact us via the e-mail address listed in the support section of our website. Thanks a lot for reading!

You might not have heard of OUYA, the Android OS-based console, prior to its Kickstarter campaign – but if you haven’t heard about it afterwards, you must not use the Internet very often, because OUYA made headlines the world over for its incredible success story. The creators of OUYA hoped their month-long Kickstarter campaign would generate around $950,000 to begin mass production of the $99 console, but even in their wildest dreams they probably weren’t expecting to break $2 million on the first day alone. When the campaign finally wrapped up, the total sat at an incredible 8.5 million dollars, around nine times the projected best-case goal for the device, which has led to the development team discussing a number of ‘stretch goals’ for the extra income: the things they plan to do with the excess overflow of cash, which should ideally involve marketing and advertising. We’re personally very excited by the OUYA console. Not only is it a superb-looking piece of hardware, echoing the very best designs of Apple with its sleek and sinuous profile, it’s incredibly cheap, with pre-orders for the console and a single controller a mere $99 (or around £65). But the goal behind the console is even more exciting – the notion of bringing Android gaming to the mass-market, by hooking the OUYA console up to your home television and playing touchscreen games with pinpoint accuracy via a controller, is an idea that may seem simple in theory… but stands to gain the company an incredible amount of money, and a place in the console hierarchy normally reserved for giants like Microsoft and Sony. After all, with the potentialities of Smartphone gaming increasing apace - courtesy of superb games like Shadowgun and Dead Trigger, which can realistically compete on equal footing with high-quality console shooters – it would provide an incredible boon to the Android ecosystem to have a foothold in the homes of users, as well as their pockets! The ecosystem that OUYA intends to launch is one that’s much more open than the one presently offered by the console market: while Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all have their pre-eminent developers, OUYA is confidently opening itself up not only to third-party developers of all stripes, but also hackers and jail-breakers, who can mod and alter both the hardware and software of OUYA to tailor the user experience. It’s much the same idea as that behind the Android OS itself – keeping the experience as open-source and fluid as possible, permitting customization for the hard-core fringe while retaining ease of usability for the more casual user. And, of course, it doesn’t hurt OUYA’s cause that the console is going to be cheaper than even Nintendo’s Wii, the benchmark for the lower-end of console gaming! All in all, we really can’t see how OUYA can go wrong – with all the ingredients for success in place, and a heady pool of cash to draw from; we confidently expect them to be a household name by this time next year. We’ve took the liberty of placing links to their commercial site below – remember, pre-orders for the device are already open, with shipping expected for April of 2013! The Official OUYA Website The Pre-Order Page For OUYA

Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, you’ve probably heard about Google’s most recent foray into hardware manufacturing, Project Glass. For a tech-head, they really are a dream come true: a pair of futuristic glasses with a computer attached, Project Glass has the potential to revolutionize not only the world of Smartphones and tablets (courtesy of their combination of power and portability), but the very way we live our lives.

After all, they’re not just a portable computer with the capacity to make calls or set alarms - they’re also a form of augmented reality, a type of software which enhances sensory input such as sound and audio in order to exaggerate or aid your perceptions. Past iterations of augmented reality have been fairly tame: applications that allow you to perceive and add to virtual graffiti via your Smartphone, applications that permit you to view the prices of products floating alongside them, etc. But if the promotional videos attached to Project Glass are any indication, Google eventually plans for their high-tech glasses to be capable of feats like receiving directions on-the-go, informing you when friends with Project Glass are nearby and collating information about your personal preferences (in much the same way Google Now does) in order to show you concerts or purchases you might enjoy. And, of course, the on-board camera has already ramped up anticipation to a fever-pitch – it might sound like a simple proposition, but a constant hands-free camera is an incredible thing.

Videos showing a first-person skydive, or even a woman on a trampoline, arms raised in excitement, really showcase the potential of the device. Quite apart from the technology involved, Project Glass represents a leap forward in convenience. Hands-free interaction is the latest hobby-horse for tech enthusiasts, after all; Apple’s Siri voice system has already gained widespread acclaim for the capacity to search without having to manually enter information via touchscreen. Imagine how much easier life will be when you don’t even have to open your mouth to search, and instead interact with software via eye movement! And, of course, there’s the fashion aspect. As a piece of wearable technology, you can expect Project Glass to carry even more impact, on release, than the iPad did; instead of carrying a clunky, 10” screen device in a pouch to impress your friends, you’d be wearing a super high-tech pair of glasses, which double as a fashion accessory. And as the technology becomes more successfully miniaturized, the aesthetic impact of Project Glass will become even more pronounced.

Perhaps the biggest impact of Project Glass, however, will be psychological. The whole notion of augmented reality and wearable computers has been a pipe-dream for years, the kind of high-tech vision of the future that has been imagined in TV shows both fictional and speculative. For the longest time, they’ve sat alongside flying cars and hovering skateboards as a vision of what the future could be like… eventually. The fact they’ve actually arrived as a tangible reality is our first step as a species into the kind of world that sci-fi authors dreamed about back in the 40’s and 50’s, and they make the notion of other futuristic advances like flying cars and medical nanomachines that much more realistic, by process of osmosis.

For that reason alone, we’re excited for the genesis of Project Glass. Sadly, they’re not slated for general release for a good few years yet – the prototypes seen used by Google officials such as Sergey Brin are being used to gather data, both technological and sociological, to better perfect the device on general release. But by late 2013 or early 2014, you could be the proud owner of a little piece of the future – and personally, we can’t wait!

Since the grand unveiling of the Android code in 2007, the mobile/tablet operating system has seen its usage and popularity soar. From its comparatively humble beginnings as an open-source, multi-channel OS, Android has gone from strength to strength, adopted as the standard by enormous mobile companies as far afield as Samsung, HTC and Sony. They became the world’s leading Smartphone platform at the back end of 2010, overtaking fierce competition, and now hold a nearly 60% market share in all Smartphones, worldwide. But for Google, the company looking to diversify into every area imaginable – whether it be software, hardware, manufacturing, design, search, mail or social networking - Android’s current dominance over the Smartphone market is only the beginning. Google want their OS to be ubiquitous across both the Smartphone and tablet markets, and even beyond – and their most recent step in the quest for dominance has led them to an unlikely source, the Raspberry Pi. For those unaware, the Raspberry Pi is a system-on-a-chip computer sold at the ultra-competitive price of $35 (or around £27). It’s not designed for the casual user: it’s only a computer in the most basic sense of the word, consisting of a circuit board with all of the basics (256MB of SDRAM, a 700 MHz ARM-brand CPU and a Broadcom VideoCore GPU). You must hook the Raspberry Pi up to a TV and keyboard in order to use it, and upon boot-up it defaults to a DOS-style command system, requiring Linux commands in order to function. But it also provides an unparalleled degree of customization, allowing you to tinker with its settings and tailor the user experience to your own exacting specifications. For the dedicated user, the Raspberry Pi is really a dream come true, and given all the software and firmware updates it’s received recently (including an increasingly polished Debian-based OS dubbed “Raspbian”), the day could come when the more casual user could also jump aboard. So it’s a real feather in the Pi’s cap that its developers are working on a full version of Android 4.0, the Ice Cream Sandwich OS, to utilize on the device. And it’s also a real boon to Google, to have their open-source OS available on what is, for all intents and purposes, a miniature desktop computer. Sadly, there’s no set release date for the OS just yet – but based on the progress videos eked out by the Raspberry Pi development team, it’s not unreasonable to expect the ICS compatibility update to roll out within the next month or so. In fact, at this junction it’s unclear why the Pi development team didn’t opt for a release of Jelly Bean, Google’s upcoming Android 4.1 OS, considering that it was released to developers in July to pave the way for third party development (such as HTC’s Sense UI). But it’s possible that the Raspberry Pi development team was already hard at work on an Ice Cream Sandwich port prior to the announcement of Jelly Bean, and opted to roll out a release before working on the later version. Nevertheless, we here at Mobile Madhouse confidently expect ICS to make its desktop debut on the Raspberry Pi very shortly – and in a case of mutual symbiosis, it will help boost both parties’ reputations.

Microsoft’s upcoming Surface seems to have opened the floodgates as far as the tablet market is concerned. Google have entered the 7” tablet fray with the Nexus 7 (expected to ship later this month), and even Apple are rumoured to be working on a miniature version of the iPad (though many think this rumour baseless; Apple have always had very clear ideas on screen size). But perhaps the most surprising update is Samsung’s announcement that they’re prepping a tablet to run on Windows RT. For the uninitiated, Windows RT is a stripped-down version of Windows 8 designed to run on devices using ARM-based processors, such as tablets. The OS is sold only to developers, for the express purpose of preloading onto their devices; it is not intended as a standalone product for consumers. So why have Samsung opted to follow Microsoft’s lead, and release a new tablet to coincide with the release of Windows 8, when they’ve traditionally been associated with Android? Surely it would make more sense for the South Korean chaebol to utilize Google’s upcoming Android 4.1, Jelly Bean – or even wait for their much-anticipated Chrome OS, which is ultimately expected to homogenize the Google user experience and act as a bridge between laptops, tablets and Smartphones. There are a number of explanations. The most obvious is the notion that Samsung have already established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Android market: they’re exceeded only by Apple as the premier provider of Smartphones (at least in terms of profits). It would make sense to try and diversify their market with a tablet utilizing a new OS, rather than stick to the same, tired iterations of Android. More ominously, this could signal a sea-shift in Samsung’s attitudes towards Google. Many have hypothesized that Samsung are attempting to distance themselves from Google, recently - though Google make a show of support for all adopters of their Android OS, Samsung has recently made the decision to utilize the Tizen operating system on their lower-spec Smartphones, despite the surfeit of older versions of Android (such as Froyo and Gingerbread) that are perfectly suited for this task. Samsung clearly want a little more autonomy in terms of software; or perhaps they’re just uncomfortable with putting all of their eggs in Google’s basket. Whatever the case may be – whether diversifying their market share, or radically shifting dimensions into a new one entirely – Samsung’s tablet is slated for release in October, which will coincide with the release of both Windows 8 and Microsoft’s Surface tablet. They’ll have a lot of work ahead of them; with both a new OS to tinker with, and a hardy market opponent in the form of the Surface, diversifying into the Windows tablet market will be an uphill struggle. But assuming they can overshadow their Microsoft competition, Samsung stand to gain substantial profits from this move!

Mozilla have been working on their mobile phone operating system for over a year now, and things seem to finally be slotting into place. For purposes of market unity, they’re dubbing the OS ‘Firefox’ after their famous internet browser, dropping the previous name of Boot to Gecko (or B2G). Mozilla have already succeeded in garnering support from service providers like Telekom, Smart, Sprint and Telenor, as well as securing manufacturing partnership with TCL Communications and ZTE to actually make their future Smartphones. The original Firefox was a revelation on release: the first internet browser to truly offer an alternative to the then-ubiquitous Internet Explorer, it attained success through a combination of superior features and a conspicuous lack of any serious competition. Mozilla managed to build up some serious goodwill amongst its users (courtesy of its non-profit, open-source nature and extensive add-ons) and briefly emerged as the premier internet browser of the time, before Google released Chrome and usurped their crown. Now Mozilla is planning on penetrating the Smartphone market too; but this time, it seems, the positions are reversed. Now it’s Google that has the early lead with the Android OS, and Mozilla that is planning on stealing first place. But it’s not that simple, because a very different situation has arisen in the Smartphone market. Mozilla is no longer competing with Microsoft, a company well-noted (and well-criticized) for a decade-long decline in both hardware and software manufacturing; Mozilla are not up against an antiquated foe in a strictly two-horse race. The Smartphone market is dominated by Android on one side and the iOS on the other. The battle lines have already been drawn: Apple have approximately 30% of the Smartphone market, while Google dominate over 50%. Apple have established a closed-circuit system, manufacturing both hardware and software in-house for a cohesive user experience - while Google are lauded for their open-source approach, freely distributing the Android OS to developers to create a broad spectrum of devices. The two major players have been going from strength to strength, gradually inching out competitors such as RIM and Symbian, while effortlessly steam-rolling emergent operating systems such as Tizen… so what can Firefox bring to the market? Mozilla claim that they’re aiming for the lower end of the Smartphone market, but the large number of older Android operating systems like Gingerbread and Honeycomb – coupled with simpler operating systems like Windows Phone and Bada – means that there’s no real gap in the market. The higher end is dominated by the more powerful iterations of Android and, of course, Apple’s iOS. As if Mozilla’s position were not tenuous enough, they’re currently being paid $300 million a year by Google, to ensure that Google remains the default search engine option in the Firefox browser. So how will the information supergiant react when Mozilla attempts to muscle in on their Smartphone market with a new OS? It could cause serious financial issues for Mozilla if Google decide the upstarts are more trouble than they’re worth, and simply opt to not renew their agreement in 2013. We have to wonder if Mozilla have a trump card up their sleeve (or simply think they do), because this endeavour seems to have the odds stacked against it. Even if they were to succeed in harvesting a piece of the pie of the low-end Smartphone market, it wouldn’t be an especially notable victory; profit margins in the shallow end of the pool tend to be unspectacular, compared to the kind of annual profits seen by the likes of Apple. And even if Mozilla succeeds in offering a superior experience to its competitors, will anyone notice or care to adopt a new OS in a market where most customers have already developed entrenched brand loyalty? In the opinion of Mobile Madhouse, Mozilla should have struck to the arena of browsers, where it’s guaranteed a profit instead of just a pipe dream!

It’s been a busy month. After Apple’s yearly WWDC and Microsoft’s grand unveiling of their new Surface Tablet device, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little burned out on tech news. But we’re passionate about the Android operating system, and the Mobile Madhouse version of Christmas is right around the corner – because June is also the month in which Google’s yearly I/O conference occurs! Unlike Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which is more about spectacle, showmanship, and the unveiling of new products, Google’s I/O (which stands for both input/output and “Innovation in the Open”, the I/O motto) is focused more on the technical side of things: it is designed primarily to appeal to developers. It features in-depth sessions and seminars, with the central aim of expanding Google’s internet and mobile phone market applications. Past I/O events have run the whole gamut of themes: from OpenSocial and the App Engine in 2008 to an onus on Google TV in 2010, Google have a habit of fixing their sights on a target and doggedly pursuing it, using the I/O as a platform to define their intent. But Google has two products that are always just in the background, defining and propping up Google themselves: their mobile phone OS, Android, and their proprietary Chrome OS, an operating system designed to run on only specific hardware from Google and its manufacturing partners (such as Asus). Given the way things have been going this year, we can make some educated guesses as to which way the wind is blowing! First up is the Google Nexus 7 tablet. This is a definite showpiece: after an internal training document leaked online recently, revealing the design and specifications of the device, Google will really have to pull out the stops to ramp up some excitement for this long-anticipated tablet. Dubbed the Nexus 7 because of its 7” screen, this smaller tablet offering is designed to compete directly against Amazon’s Kindle in the budget tablet market, eschewing the more expensive tablet marketplace (currently dominated by Google’s chief competitor, Apple, and their ubiquitous iPad). Secondly, the new version of the Android OS, dubbed Android 4.1, or “Jelly Bean”, if we’re following Google’s alphabetical/sweets naming scheme. Judging by the fact it’s Android 4.1 instead of Android 5.0, Jelly Bean will be an incremental update over the current Ice Cream Sandwich OS, providing a more polished experience and greater utility, but no real overhaul. Common consensus is that alterations will include Chrome becoming the default browser, a refurbished GUI, and the debut of Google’s long-rumoured voice interface program, currently codenamed ‘Majel’ after the wife of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Such a program could provide the edge that Google needs against Apple’s much-touted Siri system. Finally, we can probably expect to see some expansion in Google’s Cloud-based storage systems. Out of all the “big three” developers (Google, Microsoft and Apple), Google are the company to embrace the potentialities of Cloud-based storage and computing the most fervently. It wouldn’t surprise us if an expansion to their Cloud storage services was imminent – though this news would be of little importance to the casual user, as the ability to rent out virtual servers to provide extra power for applications is something only the hardcore user (or developer) would be interested in pursuing. But for budding online businesses, such an expansion could be a real boon – and it would make sense to compete with Elastic Compute Cloud, Amazon’s Cloud storage service, since Google are already going for Amazon’s tablet jugular with the Nexus 7. But this is all speculation for now – we’ll have to wait until tomorrow for any real details. And just like a child at Christmas, we can’t wait to see what Google pull out of their sleeve!

Though Microsoft is one of the premier software companies in the world, and also has a proud history in manufacturing (producing high quality mice, keyboards, and – of course – the ultra-popular Xbox and Xbox 360 videogame consoles), its previous stance when it came to computers involved outsourcing the production of the hardware to different companies. But yesterday they announced that they will be both producing and programming their latest product: the Microsoft Surface Tablet, a device intended to uncompromisingly bridge the gap between the power of a P.C and the versatility and portability of a tablet computer. It’s a bold move: with Apple accounting for fully two thirds of the tablet market, it’s difficult to conceive of a company with no prior experience with computer manufacturing breaking successfully into the tablet market. But despite their comparative lack of experience, Microsoft have made a clever decision in deciding to take full control of their tablet computer; one similar to Apple’s recent decision to launch their own mapping system, rather than rely on Google Maps, or Samsung’s recent decision to utilize Bada instead of the Android OS on their entry level Smartphones – essentially, it’s not a great idea to rely on companies you’re in competition with in other areas. Both Apple and Samsung have a healthy mistrust of Google (proprietor of both Google Maps and the open source Android OS) because it has an impetus to harvest their customer’s data for advertising purposes: ergo, they are trying to become more self-sufficient, and cut Google off at the source (or at least stymie their efforts). Similarly, Microsoft could have outsourced hardware production to a company like Intel or Samsung, but by doing so they are essentially ‘sleeping with the enemy’. Additionally, by overseeing all aspects of both design and programming, Microsoft ensure that the Surface Tablet really is their device, custom made from the ground up and thus guaranteed to contain all of the features they desire. And what are those features, you may be wondering? Well, sadly, Microsoft hasn’t released all of the specifications for their device yet, but the ones they have are fairly promising. They pledge to create two versions of the Surface Tablet: a smaller and weaker variant (weighing 676g at 9.3mm thick, designed with Windows RT and low-power processors in mind), and the Pro version (weighing 903g at 13.5mm thick, running the standard Windows 8 OS and designed for standard Intel chipsets). Both, however, possess 10.6” HD screens, a case incorporating a thin (and optional) keyboard peripheral, and a kickstand so users can watch the screen without straining their hands. While the Pro tablet has a maximum of 128GB memory, the RT version has a peak of only half that (and its standard version is a mere quarter, at 32GB). The Microsoft press release that accompanied the unveiling states that the Surface Tablet has a full sized USB port, a 16:9 aspect ratio and 22 degrees angled edges, meaning that even the weaker RT version should have no issue with running full 1080p HD video.  So far, reaction to the device has been mixed. Most pundits are impressed by the design of the Surface Tablet: one stalwart Apple blogger even grudgingly conceded that Microsoft could make substantial money by simply revamping the Surface Tablet case for the iPad, since it is so innovative and attractive. But the prevailing opinion is that there are not enough details about the specifications to make an informed judgement about the Surface Tablet yet. And almost everybody feels that Microsoft may be jeopardizing its relationships with other companies (such as Samsung, manufacturer of a previous Microsoft tablet computer) – analyst Michael Gartenberg speculated that “Microsoft felt they could not rely on others to deliver on their vision for Windows 8 in mobile computing”. Will Microsoft’s former partners resent their decision to stand on their own two feet, and withdraw support? And if they did, would Microsoft be capable of producing their own hardware in the long term? And – most seriously of all – is the fledgling Surface capable of going head-to-head with the ubiquitous iPad and coming out on top? Only time can tell if Microsoft’s decision to diversify will be a good one.

Just over two weeks after release, Samsung have revealed the lengths to which they went in order to keep the details of the Galaxy S3 a secret. This isn’t unusual for highly anticipated Smartphone designs; many companies (Apple chief amongst them) maintain a shroud of secrecy about their upcoming products until the last possible second, to ramp up anticipation for their products. But it wasn’t just the design of the S3 that was withheld – details about everything from appearance, to specifications, to the patents that made it all possible were suppressed. Considering the amount of people needed to develop a new Smartphone, a truly Herculean effort was required by the development and engineering departments to keep everything under wraps. In fact, some of the measures utilized border on the ludicrous…  For example, the company was busy developing three separate designs for the Galaxy S3 at any one point, to throw sleuths off the trail. That doesn’t mean there were two dummy designs and a real one, with only the real one facing upgrades – all three designs faced the same periodic updates, ensuring that even the engineers working on them couldn’t differentiate the truth from the lies! These prototypes were locked in secure cases even when carried to an adjacent developer’s room, guaranteeing that passers-by couldn’t get a glimpse of the device. And such transportation was a necessity, because reproducing images of the S3 prototypes were strictly forbidden. Engineers couldn’t snap a photograph or even take a sketch of the components, and were instead forced to describe the nuances of the design out loud when requesting items from Samsung’s procurement department, to avoid even the grainiest photograph or the roughest sketch from leaking into the public domain. And of course, that’s not mentioning the usual security measures established in a situation like this – a team of elite engineers and developers who are the only ones permitted to view the device; a separate working area from the rest of the development staff; sophisticated security technology like retinal scanners, fingerprint identifiers, etc to avoid drop-ins… as staff have acknowledged, the security measures were often incredibly tedious, and were described by one engineer as “tiring and frustrating”. They were forced to lie to even close family members in order to ensure that no “loose lips sink ships” scenarios came to the fore. One engineer denied his involvement with the Galaxy S3 to his precocious young son, who had (correctly) guessed that his prior work on the Galaxy S and S2 would lead to a similar position on the S3’s design committee. Others had to repudiate allegations from curious wives and parents, bound to a non-disclosure agreement that was valid until the 3^rd of May (the eve of Samsung’s gala event in London, at which the S3 was introduced to the public). Ultimately, all of their preparation paid off: despite a few grainy photographs managing to leak online, the disparity between the three “prototypes” reduced their veracity, and nobody managed to view the complete design prior to its grand unveiling. The engineers deserve a lot of credit for their efforts; not only on the development of the device, but the incredible lengths they went to in order to keep it under wraps. The lack of publicity meant that the introduction of the S3 was that much more special – and could certainly account for a portion of their record-breaking 9 million pre-orders!

Sony has been playing a fairly clever game recently. Realizing that the majority of today’s Smartphone press is going towards lucrative, big-budget devices like the Samsung Galaxy S3 (launched at a glitzy launch event at the end of May, in London), or towards saturation-marketed events like Apple’s yearly WWDC, Sony have instead chose to release a number of feature and budget phones. It’s a smart notion; after their recent emancipation from long-time partner Ericsson, it’s a good idea for Sony to build up a little goodwill from their consumers and establish a hardy market of cheaper devices, before unleashing a top-end competitor for the title of strongest Smartphone (a crown which is becomingly increasingly harder to claim, with behemoths like the HTC One X and the aforementioned Galaxy S3 on the prowl). After unveiling the Xperia Acro S and the Xperia Go, two durable toughphone designs, Sony are now poised with a new mobile, with a new gimmick: the Sony Xperia Tipo Dual. The Tipo’s appeal is simple: it possesses two SIM cards, and has a dedicated hardware key allowing you to switch between them at will (in addition to software settings which permit you to automatically switch between SIM cards during conditions which you can pre-set, such as time of day). It bolsters its usefulness by being a fairly good low-end Smartphone, to boot, with a 3.2 Megapixel camera, just under 3GB of storage (expandable via SD card) and connectivity features such as 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as the prerequisite scratch resistant glass. Essentially, it’s intended to bridge the gap between a cheaper feature phone and the low end of the Smartphone market, and act as a jumping-off point for new consumers. Unusually for such a device, though, it’s running the most recent version of Android (the Ice Cream Sandwich OS) despite having only a single-core processor with a mere 800MHz – the Sony Xperia Play pulls down 1GHz and is still apparently unable to handle ICS. Running the latest version of Android should certainly sweeten the deal for the casual user, on what could otherwise appear to be a fairly lacklustre and gimmicky device. But accusations of gimmickry aside, Sony are still learning a trick that many of their competitors have yet to master – diversification. In much the same way that the Xperia Acro S and the Xperia Go were intended to appeal to mobile phone user’s on-the-go, the Tipo Dual is intended to appeal to casual users and individuals who’d like to utilize two mobile phone networks simultaneously. Sony’s recent devices may lack the power of HTC’s One range, but they’re succeeding with their goal of appealing to very different types of users, and by doing so they're broadening their market reach accordingly. And, if rumours of the upcoming Sony Hayabusa Smartphone hold any water, Sony may be able to go toe-to-toe with giants like the One X and the iPhone 4S soon enough!

We’re now a day in to Apple’s yearly Worldwide Developers Conference, and from Tim Cook’s initial claim that he had some “really cool stuff” to show us, things have proceeded largely as we anticipated. Cook opened by revealing the updated line-up of notebook computers. Centrepiece of the selection was the all-new MacBook Air, repackaged in a slimmer body and replete with an improved Intel Ivy Bridge processor. This repurposed Air model offers up to a maximum of 512GB flash storage, ensuring faster access to programs and more disc space on the device. Next up, Cook unveiled the MacBook Pro, the luxury option for notebook consumers, boasting features including a 768GB hard drive, an SD card slot, and two high-speed ports, in addition to luxury fringe features like Retina display technology and a backlit keyboard. But for a notebook whose prices start at $2199, you’d expect such fringe features to be fairly routine by now. For their second trick, Apple unveiled the latest and greatest version of their timeless Mac OS X, the long-anticipated Mountain Lion OS. Like the Pro and Air, many of the upgrades were more like tweaks, optimizing existing technology instead of radically moving forwards; but there were a few diamond-in-the-rough standouts to be found. The capacity to find all of your notifications (such as e-mail data, Facebook updates, and even information about the weather) in one easy-to-use location, for example, is now available via Mountain Lion, and your Mac now has the capability to synchronize itself with that same functionality on your iPhone. An increased ability to synchronize with iCloud storage also ensures that Mac’s are able interact fluidly with iPhone and iPad, allowing you to transfer documents rapidly between devices without unnecessary hardware interaction. But as a company intimately connected with the Smartphone market, our main concern was the possible genesis of the iOS 6, and Apple did not disappoint; the grand unveiling of the sixth iteration of their proprietary operating system was our real centrepiece of the show. First on the agenda were the updates to Siri, Apple’s voice-activated personal assistant. Siri is now capable of launching applications on command, ensuring that a cluttered library of apps is no longer an impediment to swiftly finding Angry Birds on the go. Siri’s ability to find information online has also been improved, and its library of voice diction commands expanded. The biggest news of all, though, was the knowledge that Siri will be brought to Apple’s new iPad, the iPad 3, when the device upgrades to the iOS 6. Though the iPad has long had voice input functionality, this is its first brush with Apple’s proprietary Siri software, and has left many tablet users extremely excited. As for the theoretical iPhone 5 – the device that spurred a positive frenzy of speculation – well, we haven’t heard hide or hair from Cook about it so far. But given that the release of the iPhone 4S was in autumn, it’s no surprise that Apple have modified their customary summer release announcement cycle; we should probably expect a September/October release for the new iPhone, whether it’s dubbed the iPhone 5, the iPhone 6, or something entirely different. But we’re confident that before 2012 is over, there’ll be a new flagship device to complement Apple’s newly-minted iOS 6!

Ordinarily, casual mobile phone users don’t pay too much attention to the release date cycles of Smartphones that aren’t marketed under the Apple logo. But recently, some of the biggest mobile manufacturers – HTC and their flagship One X device being prominent examples – have managed to break through into the mainstream, thanks to a combination of impressive specifications and non stop, saturation marketing. No phone, though, has been more successful in this respect than Samsung’s latest offering – the powerhouse Galaxy S3! Utilizing a superb confluence of raw processing power and intuitive controls, it made history by having more than double the pre-orders of Apple’s flagship iPhone 4S: more than 9 million to Apple’s 4 million. It boasts both power and utility, and all at a price that won't leave you reeling. A mobile phone of such renown deserves a little pampering and a lot of protection – so if you’re fortunate enough to own one on release, you should check out our range of protective cases! Our S-line silicone gel cases are lightweight, form-fitting covers, designed to fit snugly around the sleek contours of your new S3. Though incredibly cheap to purchase, and almost unbelievably slimline, they provide a startling degree of protection for your device: shielding from water, dirt, and screen damage with ease. Laser-cut to our exacting specifications, our silicone S-line covers permit button access even when worn, ensuring that you never have to compromise on protection in favour of functionality. While there’s unquestionably a place for S-line cases, for the consumer on the go there’s no finer confluence of protection and professionalism than one of our excellent faux-leather flip cases. Your mobile phone slots securely into the interior, and is held firmly in place. From then on, it’s a simple matter of snapping the flip case open when you need to use the device, and snapping it shut when you want a stylish modus of transportation! We also stock wallet cases, mobile covers, and proprietary chargers for the S3. So why wait around here reading this blog? Go give our Samsung S3 cases a look! And be sure to check back regularly: we’re dedicated to building the most comprehensive selection of S3 cases on the internet, and can consequently guarantee a constantly expanding stock of items!

The mobile phone market isn’t the same as it once was. People have come to expect a lot of fringe features from their mobile of choice; where once they were satisfied to make phone calls and send texts, now they rely on their phones for internet access, editing photographs, and eating away their lunchtimes. (Don’t deny it – you wolf down your sandwich to get to Angry Birds, too!) However, for the discerning consumer who’s not looking to spend hundreds on a state-of-the-art Smartphone, there are few better choices available in the feature phone market than an entry-level BlackBerry. And you’re in luck, because a new one has just debuted: the BlackBerry Curve 9320. In terms of aesthetics, you’re not going to see much difference from its progenitor, the Curve 9300 (also known as the BlackBerry Curve 3G): it has the same small casing (60mm across, 109 tall, and just under 100g in weight), the same modest screen size, and the same QWERTY keyboard, eschewing touchscreen interaction in favour of ease of use. There are some subtle differences, though. The headphone jack is now located at the top of the device, instead of the side, making it easier to listen to music on-the-go; and the formerly flattened keyboard is raised up slightly, to enable both easier typing and swifter complex key movements (such as copying and pasting, or undoing). Really, though, that goes without saying – sans touchscreen, the Curve 9320 needed to makes its input as intuitive and painless as possible. Despite its compact size, the battery size is 1450 mAh, permitting an impressive 432 hours of stand-by, which is approximately 5 hours of talk-time, and over a day of music playback potential. But, of course, there are some trade-offs for the casual user: the much smaller screen size (comparative to the larger Smartphones) means a pixel density of only 164 ppi, at around a 320 x 240 resolution. Additionally, you can expect to run out of space much faster, with only 512 MB of storage – on other mobiles, the SD card slot is an optional extra, but on the Curve 9320 it’s a practical necessity, if you’re seeking any kind of information storage whatsoever. With that said, you can’t reasonably expect a feature phone to have anything like the range of options offered by a Smartphone. If you preorder the Curve 9320, you’ll be shelling out less than £200 for a device that still possesses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and its own radio. Other phones may be stronger, faster, and even better looking – but, to a man, they’re all a lot more expensive. For a stripped-down experience that’ll take you right back to the mobile market of old, it’s hard to see how a casual consumer could go wrong with the BlackBerry Curve 9320.