Recently Three lent us a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play to review, which ironically isn’t even available on Three anymore, but anyway we decided to review it as the phone is excellently priced at around £150 – £200 sim free at the moment.

When his was this was released Sony were asking for iPhone-esque prices so for such a big price drop is fantastic for the end user (unless you paid full price in the first place).

The phone itself is a decent size with a 4-inch capacitive multi-touch LCD touch screen with a 480×854 pixel resolution and 16.7 million colours, and a 5.1-megapixel camera recorder with autofocus, flash, image stabilizer and geotagging. It is obviously rather chubby due to the built in controller (119 x 62 x 16mm) and it weighs 175 grams.

It currently runs Gingerbread 2.3.4 and we found it to be very snappy with no obvious lag at all. There is 400MB of internal memory, but an 8GB microSD card is included and this can be expanded up to 32GB. The internal space is an issue if you want to install a lot of games/applications, but with the microSD you have plenty of space for media.

Obviously the major selling point of this phone is the fact it is the “PlayStation Phone” and comes with a slide out controller, and there is no question about it, this is the best way to control games. It is by no means perfect, but comparing it to controlling games via the screen it is infinitely better.

Where the Xperia truely shines, and makes it well worth the investment, in my opinion, is gaming emulation. Sony have released a few games themselves, which have been good, but they are few and far between. However there is a full range of emulators for most old games systems giving you thousands of games to choose from and a phone that can be used to play them properly!

I was also quite surprised with the battery life of the Xperia. I currently use a Galaxy S2 as my main phone, and the battery has been well reviewed, but I have found it hit and miss, however I found the Xperia would often outlast my S2 on daily tasks. Thinking about it, it is not surprising really the S2 has a 1650mAh batter and the Xperia has a 1500mAh batter, but the Xperia has a smaller screen, and a single core processor. It is still nice for your phone to last a good day though!

Overall I found the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play to be a great phone (at its current pricing) and would make a wonderful Christmas present for someone. It is no iPhone, and 3 don’t even do it anymore with the only Sony on 3 at the moment being the Sony Xperia arc S.

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Review

Verizon launched a new mobile phone which will most likely be Motorola’s new ‘flagship’ from now on. The company will also gain from Droid 3’s refreshing presence, and surely give AT&T a not so friendly pat on the back when it comes to sales performance. The Droid 3 didn’t quite manage to get lots of remarks at its release when compared to the ones received by its previous siblings. Although this might seem to have a detrimental effect, and judging by what Ramon Llamas from IDC said, (“where is the marketing support…?”), the new smartphone doesn’t come with serious hardware improvements, but rather a collection of features from previous Motorola Models. That will surely get the attention of smartphone fans, and, why not, tech fans who want to purchase a new and very capable piece of gadgetry.

What do the specs say?

The specs shout ‘awesome’. It’s the only word that currently fits the description for the Droid 3. Not many mobile phones have an 8 Megapixel rear-facing camera which is capable of recording 1080 pixels High-Definition video. Add that to the 4-inch display and you will get the full ‘picture’. Letting aside the video capabilities and the size of the display, Droid 3 comes with a QWERTY keyboard and 3G. Interestingly enough, it grabs a lot of attention due to its HDMI output which is quite a surprise. Just like previous models released by Motorola, it incorporates the ESP smart dock feature which was originally installed on the Atrix. Android 2.3 Gingerbread permits usage in more than 200 countries where there are services that can fit this phone model. Out of those 200, 125 are offering 3G connectivity.

Mr Llamas didn’t understand why Verizon offers LTE and its new offer, the Droid 3, doesn’t support such technology. There is a chance that Motorola wants to keep the good things for later and bear with other manufacturers for the time being. Releasing more versions is healthy for today’s market. Maybe there is a connection to what Apple is planning for the iPhone. It could mean that Motorola already draw a path for the Droid and wants it to be something similar to what Apple managed to accomplish this year.

Quite a do-it-all

Being on the safe side is always a priority with mobile technology. This is why Motorola thought of installing exceptional security measures such as smartphone and card encryption as well as remote formatting and password protection. Business men and women will be happy to see that they can work Quickoffice directly from Droid 3. It supports the presentation with both viewing and editing options. Furthermore, those who are active in the Nasdaq stock market can use the GoToMeeting application which is Android exclusive.

How much and where?

Verizon will give the ‘go ahead’ for its Droid 3 stocks on its website. It will make the shelves on July 14 at a mere $200, together with a contract spanning two years.

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Verizon launched the new Droid 3

HTC first previewed these phones last month at MWC but there was no price or release details to go with the phones. Essentially two phones (Desire S and Wildfire S) are sequels to two very successful phones that catapulted not only HTC but Android to the top of the mobile phone markets. Both were very reasonably priced had all the cutting edge functionality you’d need and were generally great phones. So how can HTC improve them? The ChaCha is basically a phone designed for anybody completely obsessed with Facebook(which basically is most of us let’s admit)

Wildfire S :

• Faster 600 MHz processor
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• 3.2” HGVA(320 x 480) touchscreen
• 5MP Camera
• GPS, WiFi (B/G/N), Bluetooth 3.0
• microSD

Desire S :

• 3.7” 480×800 “Super” LCD screen (note that it’s downgraded from AMOLED)
• 1GHz Processor
• Android 2.2 Froyo (Upgrade to 2.3 Gingerbread coming shortly after)
• 5MP with LED Flash
• 720p HD video capture
• Front Facing Camera
• Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi (B/G/N), GPS
• 1.1GB internal storage expandable by microSD

ChaCha

• 600MHz processor
• 2.6” 480×320 capacitive screen
• Full QWERTY keyboard
• Android Gingerbread with HTC sense
• 5MP Camera
• GPS, WiFi (B/G/N), Bluetooth 3.0
• Dedicated Facebook Button with easy operation of the social networking site

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HTC Wildfire S, Desire S and ChaCha

Samsung is again expanding its Galaxy Range with two new smartphones. A budget low spec one the Galaxy Apollo and the business style Galaxy Pro so now there’s a Galaxy mobile phone for all markets.

Galaxy Apollo :

• 3.14” 400×240 Capacitive Touchscreen
• 3MP Camera
• 600MHz processor
• Android 2.2 Froyo w/ Samsung TouchWiz interface
• microSD slot
• N-Standard Wifi, Bluetooth 2.1, AGPS

Galaxy Pro

• 2.8” 320×240 Capacitive Touchscreen
• Full QWERTY keyboard
• 800 MHz processor
• 3MP Camera
• Android 2.2 Froyo
• microSD slot
• N-Standard Wifi, Bluetooth 2.1, AGPS

Available in April both phones are said to be coming to Three although there’s no information about prices or tariffs on their site. Expansys has them both listed as pre-order with no date for release as of yet.

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Samsung Galaxy Pro and Apollo

With the meteoric rise of the smartphone, especially the iPhone and the BlackBerry it took a special phone from their competitors to match them. Samsung and Android did just that with the Galaxy S. A super fast, super bright smartphone  that did pretty much everything an iPhone can do and more yet still keep a lower price and certainly better longevity before Samsung decide to take it to the next level. Well now we have it’s sequel on its way, the Galaxy S II.

So what’s it got?

• 1GHz Dual-Core processor
• 4.3” Super AMOLED screen
• 8MP Rear Facing Camera
• Full 1080pHD recording
• 2MP Front Facing Camera
• Super sleek design (8.49mm thick and weighs just 116g)
• 16GB or 32GB models
• HDMI out
• 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, AGPS
• DLNA

So the specs look pretty decent and we all know that Samsung have got better and better at their smartphones and Android is now the most popular OS so when can we get the next generation of Galaxy phone? There’s several conflicting sources about on the internet at the moment. Expansys had just a price of £649.99 where as online retailer Clove had it down at £612 with a March release. Then Play.com came along and is allowing people to pre-order it at £599.99 with a May 6th shipping date. Who’s right?? Personally I’d go with play.com but certainly if you’re interested keep checking.

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Samsung Galaxy S II

Well as we all know Tablet PCs are the in-thing. We tell you enough about them here on MightyGadget but that’s just because everyone else seems to want a part of them. If you want to blame someone blame Apple for the iPad, simple. The next one in line is the Motorola Xoom another Android 3.0 toting device shown off this week at CES. Not only did Motorola show it (obviously) but Google’s main man Andy Rubin actually used this tablet pre-Motorola showing, to show off Android 3.0, read into that what you will, but i reckon he thinks it’s pretty good. I’m sure you will too.

Speccage :

• Nvidia Tegra 2 Dual-Core (yes Tegra 2 Dual-Core) processor.
• 10.1” 1280 x 800p display (16:9 cinema aspect ratio too)
• Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS
• 2MP Front Facing Camera
• 5MP Rear-Facing Camera
• 720p Video Capture
• Full Adobe Flash 10.1 compatability
• 32GB on board storage expandable via microSD
• WiFi and 3G as standard

Now as you can see ther this surely is a tablet to be reckoned with, everything about it screams greatness from the dual-core processor to the Flash support to the new Android OS. Motorola have said the XOOM “redefines the tablet device category by providing more ways to have fun, connect with friends and stay productive on the go”. They have also said it will be available in the States in the first quarter of this year but haven’t named any prices as yet or when we will get a UK release.

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CES : Another Android 3.0 Tablet–Motorola XOOM

It wasn’t that long ago we told you all about Toshiba’s foray ointo the tablet PC market with the Folio 100. Sadly the Folio 100 didn’t live up to expectations whatsoever and was pulled from sale at top high street chain Currys/Pc World due to the fact nearly all of them were coming back as faulty. Well hopefully Toshiba have learned from their mistakes and have improved themselves with their next tablet PC, an unnamed affair that will be sporting Google’s latest version of it’s popular Android 3.0 or Honeycomb if you want to use it’s food based codenames.

At 10.1” it’s already bigger than your iPads and your Galaxy Tabs not to mention the capacitive touchscreen with a whopping 1280×800 resolution. With a rear-facing 5MP camera and a front-facing 2MP camera it’s got the skills to pay the bills when it comes to video capture or video calling etc. Connectivity isn’t an issue either. A USB port and a mini-USB port alongside that ever useful HDMI port and an SD card slot for memory expansion(details of what it’s starting memory are a little thin). It also will have an accelerometer and ambient light sensor.

Toshiba have gone on to say that it will get released in the early half of this year, and will be at a “competitive price” whether that’s competitive to the iPad or the Galaxy Tab we’re not entirely sure. Please let’s hope its better than the Folio 100.

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Toshiba Tablet : Android 3.0 Honeycomb

It’s been in the works and in the blogs a lot recently about the next step in mobile phone processors being that the CPUs within will soon like computers have, gone multi-core. Nvidia being the most prominent with its Tegra 2 processor. Well LG had already been rumoured to be doing one with what was called the LG Star well now it’s got an official name and some speccage to boot. Welcome to the Optimus 2X.

So what’s it got to offer

• Nvidia Tegra 2 Dual-Core Processor
• 8MP Camera
• 1.3MP Front Facing Camera
• 1080p Full HD Video capture
• 4” WVGA touchscreen
• 8GB storage
• DLNA connectivity
• Android 2.2

Slightly disappointing is the fact it’s only running Android 2.2 Froyo with 2.3 Gingerbread out there. Available in Korea next month it will be making its way to our shores soon after.

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LG Optimus 2X : Dual Core Processor Phone

Another day, another tablet PC, this time from across the channel it’s the boys from Archos. At the end of the day before Apple came with the iPad and the iPod Touch, Archos were making touchscreen PMPs and Tablet PCs and good ones at that so you can be sure that they have the knowledge and ability to make ones capable of competing with the mighty iPad.

First thing to note about the 101 is that it has a 10.1” screen. Ample enough right? Secondly it runs Android 2.2 which comes with full Flash support making your browsing experience better than that of an Apple product. Bundle this with WiFi, Bluetooth and HDMI out it’s got plenty of connectivity options. Third great fact is it’s only 12mm thin so extra portable and last but by no means least it’s memory size. Available in two sizes 8GB and 16GB the memory can also be expanded by that wonderful invention the SD card.

The 8GB is retailing at £269.99 while the 16GB one at £299.99 certainly both reasonable prices in my opinion in comparison to the higher priced iPad.

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Archos 101 Tablet PC

Androidandme the blog for all things Android based has revealed some exciting news on a future Motorola device, the Olympus. With Motorola seeming to be behind the big mobile makers in terms of great phones, after it’s comeback with the Milestone, what’s next for Motorola.

Firstly the Motorola Olympus has had some spec leakage. The Olympus will be powered by non-other than Nvidia’s Tegra 2 chipset. Yes a dual-core processor more than capable of handling anything throne from it by any current mobile phone and certainly a lot more powerful than the current range of Snapdragon processors favoured by current mobile makers. All the leaks have come by way of photographs labelled “Olympus in pre-production” that lists as well as the Tegra 2 chipset is that the Operating System will be Android 2.2.1

The rumours are it’s going to be available sometime next year but until the full official announcement (probably at CES) is made we can only hope it’s sooner rather than later.

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Motorola Olympus