http://www.fonearena.com/blog The Mobile Blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:36:21 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/45253/review-integral-32gb-microsd-card.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/45253/review-integral-32gb-microsd-card.html#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:48:19 +0000 Dhruv Bhutani http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=45253 We've been using the Integral 32GB memory card for quite some time now in our Nokia N8 and Samsung Galaxy Note. Using it under different scenarios lets us test the limitations of hardware under real life use such as recording 1080p video or copying a lot of music. The card in question is capable of Class 4 speeds. Most phones comes with a minimum of 16GB storage these days which when supplemented by this card gives you a healthy 48GB to store your music and movies on. We ran the the Integral 32GB microSD card through a few benchmarks to gauge its speed. Both CrystalMark and HDtach report read speeds of about 9.7mbps and write speeds of 3.441. This is not fast by any stretch but should suffice for casual usage. Loading up movies and music on the card will take quite  some time due to the low speeds of the card. However recording HD video and high resolution photos was never a problem. You can get the Integral 32GB card alongside other accessories like mobile phone batteries from Mobile Fun for about $70. ]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/45253/review-integral-32gb-microsd-card.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44593/sandisk-64gb-microsdxc-memory-card-review.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44593/sandisk-64gb-microsdxc-memory-card-review.html#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:05:38 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=44593 Here is the FoneArena review of the SanDisk 64GB microSDXC memory card that was launched recently in India. SanDisk doesn't mention which class it belongs to, but after further investigation on some sites it is clear that it is a Class 6 Memory card. SanDisk promises read speeds up to 30 MB/sec.  We tested this card on some phones including Motorola Razr and Samsung Galaxy S2 and even on a year old Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and it works fine. Both the Razr and the Galaxy S2 comes with 16GB internal memory which makes the total space into 80GB to store all your Photos, Full HD videos and more. The Motorola Razr, Galaxy Note, Sony Tablet S and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 officially supports 64GB cards. Let's get into the detailed review and see how it performs on some benchmarks. Reed Write speed test using CrystalDiskMark Read speeds were around 20 MB/s and Write speeds were around 9 MB/s. Read Speed measured using HDTach Read speeds were steady at 20 MB/s. AnTuTu for Android Benchmark   Maximum Read speeds were around 27 MB/s and the Write speeds were around 19 MB/s with the Antutu app for Android. The speed varied drastically, and the increase in speed might be due to the app. SD Tools ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44593/sandisk-64gb-microsdxc-memory-card-review.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44862/sony-smartwatch-and-smart-wireless-headset-pro-announced.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44862/sony-smartwatch-and-smart-wireless-headset-pro-announced.html#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:12:00 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=44862 Sony has announced SmartWatch and the Smart Wireless Headset pro announced. The SmartWatch is a micro display for Android smartphones, to wirelessly and discreetly access calls, messages and applications. The Smart Wireless Headset pro is a Bluetooth stereo headset that also works as a standalone MP3 player and FM radio. The Sony SmartWatch is an 8mm thin and has 1.3” (128×128 pixels) OLED touch display with 9 distinct touch areas in a 3×3 matrix. It uses Bluetooth to communicate with the phone, and its dust and splash proof (supporting IP54). It also has Android Market that would let you download compatible apps for the watch. It has widgets for SMS, e-mail, call and music handling, Facebook, Twitter, time and date and more. It also comes with different colored wrist band or you can even use it as a clip. The Sony Smart Wireless Headset pro is a Bluetooth Stereo Headset that can also be used as MP3 player which supports MicroSD cards up to 32GB. It shows caller ID on call and has battery status indicator. It also has built-in FM radio, 3.5mm audio jack and offers up to 13h music playback. Both the SmartWatch and Smart Wireless Headset pro are compatible with ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44862/sony-smartwatch-and-smart-wireless-headset-pro-announced.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44859/sandisk-announces-inand-ultra-embedded-flash-memory.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44859/sandisk-announces-inand-ultra-embedded-flash-memory.html#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:26:36 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=44859 SanDisk has announced iNAND Ultra embedded flash memory products. This offers larger internal storage capacity for smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices. This has 19nm circuit which is so small that about 3,000 of them could fit across the width of a human hair. This offers up to 64GB of storage capacity and comes at 11.5mm x 13mm in size and is 1mm thin. The iNAND Ultra products are optimized for current and future generations of leading mobile operating systems such as Google Android and Windows Mobile. This would offer up to 20 MB/sec sequential write and up to 80MB/sec sequential read performance for faster file transfers. The SanDisk iNAND family includes iNAND, iNAND Ultra and iNAND Extreme products and they are in talks with the major OEMs and chipset vendors to incorporate these products in upcoming devices. These comes in 8GB to 64GB capacities and the samples are expected to be available to customers in the first quarter of 2012. Volume production is expected in the second quarter of 2012. ]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44859/sandisk-announces-inand-ultra-embedded-flash-memory.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44731/mapmyindia-launches-android-based-in-dash-gps-navigation-systems.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44731/mapmyindia-launches-android-based-in-dash-gps-navigation-systems.html#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:21:08 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=44731 MapmyIndia has launched Android-based in-dash GPS navigation and entertainment systems at Auto Expo 2012 as they announced earlier. These offer access to Android Market, live television in the car, Aura - MapmyIndia’s latest full 3D navigation sustem, connected navigation software with house-level search. These come with touch screen display, DVD player, iPod connectivity, USB and SD card support for movies and music, Aux-in and AV-in for connecting other audio and video sources, Bluetooth for hands-free calling, AV-in for reverse camera support, Steering Wheel Controls, AV-out to connect to rear-seat or roof-mounted monitors and built in FM radio player. These Aura, MapmyIndia’s latest full-featured 3D navigation software lets you view 3D landmarks, 3D buildings and 3D elevation across hills and mountains, besides house-level search, built-in city and travel guides, detailed trip computer and turn-by-turn voice instructions. You can also discover people and friends nearby, share their location and message with others connecting users to everyone and everything around them. MapmyIndia Maps v7.0 with Premium Content offers unprecedented map details covering all 5,76,000 towns and villages at national level, 4000+ cities at street level, 36 cities with house-level details, 20 cities in full 3D, and 6.3 million points of interest. The MapyIndia products are being showcased ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44731/mapmyindia-launches-android-based-in-dash-gps-navigation-systems.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44695/samsung-unveils-new-audio-docks-with-galaxy-s%e2%80%8e-and-iphone-support.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44695/samsung-unveils-new-audio-docks-with-galaxy-s%e2%80%8e-and-iphone-support.html#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:09:59 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=44695 Samsung has unveiled 2 new audio dock systems, DA-E750 and DA-E670 that are stylishly designed with hybrid vacuum tube amplifier technology and supports a broad range of Galaxy S and Apple devices via both docked and wireless connectivity model. The DA-E670 combines functionality with harmonized design for a crystal clear audio experience along with connectivity to both Samsung and Apple devices. The Samsung DA-E750 features Samsung’s exclusive hybrid vacuum tube amplifier technology. This provides digital amplifier’s sharp clarity combined with rich and warm sound performance of vacuum tubes to produce a pure listening experience. The vacuum tube is used as in the pre-amplifier while the power amplifier uses digital technology so the audio dock is able to maintain its beautifully slim body. It boasts a 2.1-channel speaker and powerful built-in subwoofer with 100 watts of sound. It also supports wireless audio file playback through AllShare for Samsung Galaxy devices and Airplay for Apple devices, or via Bluetooth enabled devices for the ultimate in flexibility and convenience. The Samsung DA-E670 offers imultaneously charging the batteries and delivers a powerful sound with built-in speakers that collectively output 40 watts of power and has an integrated subwoofer. It includes an auxiliary input and support for Bluetooth-enabled ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44695/samsung-unveils-new-audio-docks-with-galaxy-s%e2%80%8e-and-iphone-support.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44442/amazon-selling-over-1-million-kindles-per-week.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44442/amazon-selling-over-1-million-kindles-per-week.html#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:11:40 +0000 Sandeep http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=44442 Amazon has just revealed that they have managed t sell over a million Kindle e-books per week. Amazon do not usually disclose their sales figures particularly ones relating to their Kindle devices. However, the company was forced to give a rough estimate of sales, due to the large number of reports circulating the web regarding the issues of the Kindle Fire. The figure is quite big not just by Amazon standards. “We’ve already sold millions of units, and we’re building millions more to meet the high demand, Kindle Fire sales increased week-over-week for each of the past three weeks.” - Dave Limp (VP, Amazon Kindle) Although both are devices of different categories, the Kindle Fire's main rival is the Apple iPad. The main selling point of the Kindle would be the pricing which is at 199 US$. A lot cheaper than Apple's product. But Amazon's product caters mainly to the readers while the iPad targets consumers who want entertainment. Which means that Amazon have to find other ways to attract the consumers into purchasing their products especially since the holiday season is approaching. Apple products such as the iPads and iPhones are known for their huge range of accessories and Amazon too are trying ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44442/amazon-selling-over-1-million-kindles-per-week.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44322/jabra-supreme-bluetooth-mono-headset-launched-in-india.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44322/jabra-supreme-bluetooth-mono-headset-launched-in-india.html#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:10:28 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=44322 Jabra has launched Jabra SUPREME, their new Bluetooth headset in India. This is their first Bluetooth mono headset and it comes with Active Noise Cancellation technology that uses one dedicated microphone and an electronic chipset to generate an anti-noise sound to suppress the outside noise. This headset uses digital signal processing (DSP), proprietary Noise Blackout 3.0 and Wind-Noise Reduction technology with dual microphones in the boom arm tip that offers better audio quality irrespective of the noise environments they are in. Features of Jabra SUPREME Bluetooth mono headset Active Noise Cancellation technology removes ambient noise for the user wearing the headset Noise Blackout 3.0 dual microphone technology HD Voice technology for superior sound quality Voice Control for hands-free operation to make, answer, end, redial, ignore and reject a call (even call back). Voice Guidance that reads out contacts, low battery notification and more Multiuse - Connects to 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously Streams media with A2DP. 24mm speaker for powerful sound Interchangable soft ear cushions for all-day comfort 6 hours of talk time and 15 days of standby time The Jabra SUPREME has a black leather finish and features a patented boom arm that ‘flips’, enabling users to power on and off by simply flipping the headset open and closed. It has an ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/44322/jabra-supreme-bluetooth-mono-headset-launched-in-india.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43758/jabra-halo2-bluetooth-stereo-headset-launched-in-india.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43758/jabra-halo2-bluetooth-stereo-headset-launched-in-india.html#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:04:37 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=43758 Jabra has launched their HALO2, a stylish Bluetooth headband that allows the users to enjoy their music on-the-go and also attend the calls. It has AM3D Virtual Surround Sound 2.0 & Power Bass and proprietary Noise Blackout technology with dual microphones for crisp and clear music and call experience. It comes with Multiuse technology, enabling connection with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and it could also be connected to non-Bluetooth music players with the bundled 3.5mm universal audio jack cable. It weighs just 79g. Features of Jabra HALO2 Bluetooth stereo headset Bluetooth 3.0 wireless technology with A2DP for wireless music streaming AM3D Virtual Surround Sound 2.0 and Power Bass AVRCP for remote controls (skip track, pause, etc.) Noise Blackout technology with dual microphones Foldable headband 8h talk time and 13 days standby time Micro USB charger It has touch sensor on the side that lets users adjust volume with the swipe of a finger besides a one-touch button to answer / end calls, skip tracks and play / pause songs without touching your mobile phone. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl-ZHD_X2Ow The intelligent power management or the intuitive on-off capability that saves on battery charge  by switching off when it is folded and switches itself on when it is expanded. It displays the battery as well as Bluetooth connectivity status on one side to ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43758/jabra-halo2-bluetooth-stereo-headset-launched-in-india.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43668/motorola-motoactv-gps-fitness-tracker-and-smart-music-player.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43668/motorola-motoactv-gps-fitness-tracker-and-smart-music-player.html#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:36:26 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=43668 MOTOACTV is a lightweight, wearable fitness performance tracker and smart music player in one. The MOTOACTV also lets you stay connected to your Android smartphone, so you can answer calls, receive texts and listen to music via your headphones easily. It has 1.6-inch sweat-proof, rain-resistant and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla display that comes with a GPS to track your running, walking and biking data, and displays it on a scratch-resistant display for instant analysis. You can monitor your time, distance, speed, calories burned and much more. It comes with Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ wireless connectivity for existing fitness sensors. It is 9.6 mm thick and weighs 35 g. MOTOACTV uses Motorola AccuSense technology and GPS to for better accuracy that keeps track of your time, distance, speed, heart rate and calories burned.  You can also upload your workout to MOTOACTV.com to analyze the performance data tracked by the device and review them later and also get training tips from the device. You can also get the tips on your Android-powered Motorola smartphone using the mobile app available via Android Market and pre-installed on DROID RAZR. It comes in 8GB or 16GB  versions to store all your songs and also has FM radio that gives you even more song variety. It offers up to ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43668/motorola-motoactv-gps-fitness-tracker-and-smart-music-player.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43583/new-motorola-accessories-hands-on.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43583/new-motorola-accessories-hands-on.html#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:01:16 +0000 jonchoo http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=43583 At the recent Motorola RAZR press briefing in London, Motorola announced a range of new accessories designed for the RAZR. These new accessories are designed to be compatible with other Motorola devices going forward. It is not known if these will work with older devices like the Atrix. The first was the Multimedia Dock, which is basically a souped by cradle that allows the RAZR to be docked, charged and connect to a TV. Behind the dock resides three full size USB port, a mini HDMI out port and 3.5mm audio out port. The cradle feels weighty which is always a good thing to have on a dock, though I do find that the footprint to be a tad large. The new Multimedia Dock can be used with a new wireless keyboard by Motorola. For those who owns a none-HDMI compatible monitor or projector, Motorola has also shown a portable HDMI to VGA adapter. Also shown to us were two new Motorola Lapdocks. The Lapdock line of accessories were first introduced with the Motorola Atrix as an accessory for people who want to get more out of the Android phones, by turning the Atrix into a full size netbook and laptop. The Lapdock ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43583/new-motorola-accessories-hands-on.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43431/nokia-luna-bluetooth-headset-with-nfc-hands-on.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43431/nokia-luna-bluetooth-headset-with-nfc-hands-on.html#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:16:24 +0000 jonchoo http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=43431 Nokia has been a big player in the mobile NFC space, starting development long before Google seen the light. But for Nokia, it's not all about mobile wallets. They have recently a range of accessories with NFC built-in, designed to make pairing easier. The Nokia Luna Bluetooth headset is one of them, and I have recently had the opportunity to play with them at Nokia World 2011. The Nokia Luna Bluetooth Headset features the most unlikeliest design of Bluetooth headset I have seen in many years, if ever. The Luna actually consists of two separate module: the cradle and the Bluetooth headset itself that docks in it when not in used. The cradle weighs in at 18g and the petite headset at a lightweight 5g. Charging is via the cradle, via a microUSB port. Using the Luna was simple enough. I was given a demo Nokia N9 handset, which has a NFC chipset built-in. Pairing the Luna was as easily as tapping the top of the N9 onto the bottom of the Luna's cradle itself. It could not get any simpler than that. Once the phone and headset has been paired (I was told the Luna can be paired with two phones ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43431/nokia-luna-bluetooth-headset-with-nfc-hands-on.html/feed 1 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43052/jabra-street2-bluetooth-pendant-launched-in-india.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43052/jabra-street2-bluetooth-pendant-launched-in-india.html#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:30:35 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=43052 Jabra has launched their STREET2 Bluetooth pendant launched in India. This has urban dog-tag design that is splash proof and you could wear it with beaded chain or use the removable clip at the rear to attach it on your outfit. It also has virtual surround sound & power bass, featuring AM3D 2.0 technology. Features of Jabra STREET2Bluetooth Virtual Surround Sound and Power Bass (AM3D) DSP noise-cancelling technology (acoustic sound protection) for better audio output Features the latest Bluetooth 3.0+EDR Works up to 10 meter range Connect to two hands-free devices simultaneously High-performance earphones and noise-blocking ear-buds (3 different sized ear buds) 3.5 mm universal audio jack LEDs on the font to indicate the battery status or if the tunes have stopped playing Optional metal chain and removable clothing clip Auto pairing, answer/end call, voice dialling last number redial, reject a call, call hold/call wait, mute, quiet mode, remote control player using A2DP/AVRCP profile Up to 8 hours of music playing, up to 8 hours talk time and up to 9.5 standby days Here is a short video demo of the Jabra STREET2 httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y9HRIkEiCc The Jabra STREET2 has multi-use capability to support 2 hands-free connections simultaneously, such as two phones or a phone and a tablet. It comes in white and black colors and is priced at Rs 3,799. ]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/43052/jabra-street2-bluetooth-pendant-launched-in-india.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42308/review-jabra-freeway.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42308/review-jabra-freeway.html#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:30:07 +0000 Dhruv Bhutani http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=42308 Jabra is well known for its bluetooth audio systems. Recently the brand launched a new car hands free system dubbed the Freeway. We've had a chance to put it through its paces over the past few days. The Jabra Freeway is one of those gadgets which you don't realize that you need till you actually use it. The speaker system is on the larger side but never feels obtrusive. The understated design definitely helps in this regard. Some of the unique features of the Jabra Freeway are : Rich and crisp sound with 3 speakers and Virtual Surround sound Use your voice to make and take calls completely hands-free Announces the name of the incoming caller Voice Guidance gives spoken battery level, paring instructions and connection status Multiuse - Connects to 2 Bluetooth devices at the same time A2DP streaming for playback of music, podcasts and directions from GPS applications Up to 14 hours talk time and up to 40 days standby time The front of the Freeway has four hard buttons which give very good tactile feedback. This is imperative as buyers will be using this device in their cars while driving and the buttons must have a reassuring feel. The clip connecting the Freeway to the visor is ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42308/review-jabra-freeway.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42458/proporta-impact-protective-crystal-case-for-samsung-galaxy-s2.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42458/proporta-impact-protective-crystal-case-for-samsung-galaxy-s2.html#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:04:16 +0000 jonchoo http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=42458 We at FoneArena like the Samsung Galaxy S2. We think it is a great smartphone, one that deserves the accolades it has been getting. And like all great smartphones, it demands the best protection one can give it. Proporta has kindly sent me an Impact Protective Crystal hard case to test. The case here is hardly a case. Like Samsung's official case, Proporta's offering  is more of a shell, offering very basic protection and little else for people who want to retain as much of the Galaxy S2's slimness as possible. The Impact Protective Crystal case features a very slim design and features a soft feel finish (available in red only). The front is raised by about 0.5mm so you wouldn't have to worry about placing the phone face down. In addition to that the camera module sits flush behind the case. The top and bottom of the phone are completely exposed, so don't expect the phone to survive drops from a significant amount of height. In fact the right top corner (where I suspect the antenna of the phone lies) is particular vulnerable as there is a cut out here, similar to the one seen in SGP's Neo Hybrid case. There are also ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42458/proporta-impact-protective-crystal-case-for-samsung-galaxy-s2.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42428/sennheiser-hd-220-cx-310-and-hd-25-originals-headphones-launched-in-india.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42428/sennheiser-hd-220-cx-310-and-hd-25-originals-headphones-launched-in-india.html#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:15:47 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=42428 Sennheiser, in collaboration with Adidas Originals has launched 3 new headphones in India. The Sennheiser HD 25 Originals is the high-end DJ headphones, the HD 220 Originals is the closed-back on-ear headphone and the CX 310 Originals is the in-ear headphone that comes in iconic blue tone in the Originals range. The Sennheiser HD 220 by adidas Originals is the headphone for everyday use, featuring bass-driven stereo sound with powerful neodymium magnets and offers superior comfort with the individually adjustable ear cups. It also blocks outside noise offering better sound even in noisy areas. The Sennheiser CX 310 by adidas Originals offers bass-driven stereo sound with great clarity and improved dynamics with its ear-canal phones and high attenuation of ambient noise. This also comes with ear adapters (S/M/L sizes) to fit your ear comfortably. The Sennheiser HD 25 DJ headphones by adidas Originals has unique 3 strip adidas design. It offers crystal-clear highs, deep bass and the closed back blocks outside noise and comes with rotatable ear capsule for one-ear listening. Both the Sennheiser HD 220 and the Sennheiser CX 310 by adidas Originals are priced at Rs. 3,490, and the Sennheiser HD 25 Originals is priced at Rs. 16,990. These headphones are available in all the leading large format retail stores and more than 500 retailers across India. ]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42428/sennheiser-hd-220-cx-310-and-hd-25-originals-headphones-launched-in-india.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42295/nokia-j-bluetooth-headset-launched-in-india-for-rs-5570.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42295/nokia-j-bluetooth-headset-launched-in-india-for-rs-5570.html#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:50:38 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=42295 Nokia has launched their Nokia J (BH-806) Bluetooth headset in India. This is an innovative headset that is the successor of BH-804 headset, and it comes with DSP noise reduction and has ultra sleek design with multi-function key with touch sensitive area. It also has adaptive volume adjustment and automatic call handling. When in standby mode, you can just take the Nokia J from its holder to attend a call, and it automatically powers it up, switches the Bluetooth back on, connects it to your phone and answers the call. Specifications of the Nokia J (BH-806) Bluetooth headset Dimensions : 47.4 mm x 12.5 mm x 6.4 mm Weight : 8g Operating range (maximum) : 10 m Rechargeable 115 mAh Li-Ion Polymer battery 1 hour Charging time (2.5 hours of talk time with 15 mins of charging ) Talk time (Bluetooth): 5 hours and Standby with Bluetooth: 3 months (ready-to-talk), 100 hours (switched on) The headset has received several awards for its superior design and quality that include, red dot Design Winner 2011, iF Product Design Award 2011, and International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase Honor 2011. This headset comes with ear buds of different sizes to suit your ears and supports all the phones with Bluetooth 2.1 with enhanced data rate (EDR). The Nokia J (BH-806) is priced at Rs. 5,570. ]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42295/nokia-j-bluetooth-headset-launched-in-india-for-rs-5570.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42249/osun-mushroom-green-zero-charger-review.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42249/osun-mushroom-green-zero-charger-review.html#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:16:38 +0000 jonchoo http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=42249 Do you find yourself sometimes leaving your device connected to a charger overnight, or just before you leave home and worry about unplugging them? Well with the Osun Mushroom Green Zero AC charger, you wouldn't have to. It looks like an ordinary (albeit stylish) USB wall charger, but Osun has employed some form of electrical wizardry where the charger shuts down whenever the plugged in device is fully charged. The concept behind this charger is once your device is charged it switches off, drawing zero power hence reducing electrical consumption as well as the effect of overcharging. This also means lower costs. Simply kick the green rubber mushroom thing (hence the name) if you want it to start charging again. It outputs at 1000mA. Between the mushroom cap is a space where you can wind your cables. Unfortunately, contrary to their website which states that an iPhone charging cable is included, Osun does not supply any cables with the Mushroom Green Zero with my review unit. Personally this isn't a huge concern to me as I counted four microUSB cables on my desk and I am sure many readers of FoneArena will have access to whichever cables they need. Still I do ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42249/osun-mushroom-green-zero-charger-review.html/feed 1 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42132/review-proporta-aluminum-lined-leather-smartphone-pouch.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42132/review-proporta-aluminum-lined-leather-smartphone-pouch.html#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 06:08:12 +0000 Dhruv Bhutani http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=42132 We are big fans of Proporta cases here at FoneArena. They are known to offer high quality mobile phone covers which offer top notch device protection while looking great too. Today we're going to review their 'Aluminum Lined Leather Smartphone Pouch'. The case is designed to fit most large form factor devices ie those with screen sizes 4" and above. On opening the package , the first thing that strikes you is how good the case looks ! The understated black leather pouch with dark moody red stitching looks phenomenal. An interesting and useful feature is the pull out tab. You don't need to fumble around to pull out the phone , just pull out the tab and you can retrieve your phone. The following video demonstrates how the pull out tab works. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTDydBISkP8 In terms of protection , a sheet of aircraft grade aluminum is inserted into the front of the pouch to protect the screen area. Quoting Proporta , the key features of the product are : Compatible with all devices measuring up to 126 x 68 x 12 mm High Quality Leather Handy pull tab for removing the smartphone Tough aluminium protective lining for extra strength Lifetime Warranty After a few weeks of usage , the pouch has retained ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42132/review-proporta-aluminum-lined-leather-smartphone-pouch.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42160/exomount-universal-car-mount-review.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42160/exomount-universal-car-mount-review.html#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 01:44:03 +0000 jonchoo http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=42160 As the uptake of smartphones with built-in GPS receiver increases, so are people's reliance to using their smartphone as a car navigation solution. These days even a cheap Android smartphone is more than capable of handling all sorts of navigational duties in a motor vehicle. All you need is a car mount. The problem with universal car mounts are there aren't all that reliable. A one size fit all solution doesn't necessarily mean it's good. From my experience with universal car mounts, they are either flimsy or can't be mounted on any surfaces. Enters Exogear with their Exomount universal car mount to prove me wrong. Exogear reckons that they have the answer with the Exomount. Exogear's argument is that most car mounts are designed to be fitted on a front windscreen, which leads to block of sight from the driver's point of view. With the Exomount, they have fitted a suction technology that enables you to mount it on any surfaces, including glass, wood and even a dry wall. More importantly, it can be mounted on a car's dashboard. The Exomount is a stylish car mount made of two pieces connected by a flexible ball and socket joint - the bottom suction ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/42160/exomount-universal-car-mount-review.html/feed 1 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41872/love-confession-mugen-1800mah-extended-battery-for-htc-desire-z-incredible-s-g2.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41872/love-confession-mugen-1800mah-extended-battery-for-htc-desire-z-incredible-s-g2.html#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:06:59 +0000 Rita http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41872 One of the main issues of modern smartphones is battery life. The more we move ahead the more it seems that manufacturers are cramming juice draining features in their devices, and disregarding how long these last under normal usage. GPS, bigger screens, accelerometers, cameras, faster processors,..., all of these are aimed to enhance our mobility and yet cripple us a mere couple of hours afterwards as the dreaded "Battery Low" warning starts flashing in front of our eyes. Enter Mugen Batteries. I like to think of them as the modern day geek version of a knight in shining armor, riding on a white horse and whipping their swords to decapitate poor battery life all across the world. A couple of months ago, I received the Mugen extended OEM-sized battery for the Desire Z for review. At the time, I was about to open my pharmacy, and move from spending most of my time at home, where power sources are abundant and time to charge is not a hindrance, to spending 12 hours a day working, plus more than an hour driving, and generally not really having the time to care about charging my phone except at night. My Desire Z had ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41872/love-confession-mugen-1800mah-extended-battery-for-htc-desire-z-incredible-s-g2.html/feed 1 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41809/sgp-neo-hybrid-review.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41809/sgp-neo-hybrid-review.html#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:10:37 +0000 jonchoo http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41809 For a little known company in Britain, SGP has a huge amount of accessories available for most mid to high end smartphones on the market. Last week I looked at the SGP Glas, an upmarket screen protector that allows people to customise the Samsung Galaxy S II to something a bit more unique. This time I will reviewing the Neo Hybrid, a case that has raised a few eyebrows. Do read on. The Neo Hybrid is a two piece hybrid case that retains the basic design of the Samsung Galaxy S II. The two separate parts are made of a silicone base, which goes on the phone first, and an exo skeleton hard frame made of polycarbonate that goes over the base silicone layer. This gives the case a unique look, as well as offering users a small degree of customisation. A single piece of clear screen protector is also included with the Neo Hybrid. Installing the case is easy. First slip the silicon case over the phone. Unlike the many dodgy silicon cases you find on eBay, the silicon case here is soft, thin and flexible. The matte texture is nice to touch and is easy to clean. Once the ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41809/sgp-neo-hybrid-review.html/feed 4 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41757/jabra-freeway-bluetooth-in-car-speakerphone-launched-in-india.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41757/jabra-freeway-bluetooth-in-car-speakerphone-launched-in-india.html#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:01:19 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41757 Jabra from GN Netcom that is popular for its innovative Bluetooth solutions has launched Jabra FREEWAY, Bluetooth in-car speakerphone in India. It has unique 3 speaker system with full stereo and virtual surround sound (AM3D) capabilities and it could be used for both calls and music. It is also HD voice ready so that delivers rich, crisp and clear HD voice. Features of Jabra FREEWAY 3 speakers and Virtual Surround sound that provides rich and crisp sound Dual-mic technology cancels unwanted background noise Use voice to make, answer, end, redial or reject calls completely hands-free Announces the name of the incoming caller and provides voice guidance for battery level, paring instructions and connection status Supports 2 Bluetooth devices at the same time A2DP streaming for playback of music, podcasts and directions from GPS applications Intelligent power on and off feature to save battery It has FM radio that plays and lets you attend calls from your car stereo It has built-in motion sensor that switches it on as and when you enter the car Up to 14 hours talk time and up to 40 days standby time It also has night driving mode that lets you disable the LED battery indicators that might be distracting. It can be used inside as well ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41757/jabra-freeway-bluetooth-in-car-speakerphone-launched-in-india.html/feed 2 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41654/sgp-glas-screen-protector-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41654/sgp-glas-screen-protector-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review.html#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:32:32 +0000 jonchoo http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41654 SGP is a US based company that designs and manufactures cases and screen protectors for electronic devices. They make products for almost all smartphones, tablets and even select mainstream notebooks and digital cameras. Today I will be reviewing the SGP Steinheil Glas screen protector for the Samsung Galaxy S II. Unlike most screen protectors which are mainly translucent plastic sheets, the SGP Glas is actually a reinforced glass with oleophobic coating. Oleophobic coating is a type of chemical property that prevents oil contamination and fingerprints. That isn't to say that oil and fingerprints do not stick on the glass, but is less than a normal none-coated screen. The SGP Glas is available in three versions, where the outer edges are coloured giving users the ability to personalise the look of the phone. I decided to go for the white version and it looks rather classy on the Galaxy S2. It is also available in black and pink, but I do wish SGP made more colours available. Six coloured epoxy buttons are also included giving users even more ways to personalise the phone. Installing the protector is straight forward, but beware that once installed it can not be reused. This, I am guessing, is ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41654/sgp-glas-screen-protector-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41597/review-proporta-beachbuoy-and-overboard-waterproof-cases.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41597/review-proporta-beachbuoy-and-overboard-waterproof-cases.html#comments Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:30:07 +0000 Dhruv Bhutani http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41597 Planning to head to the beach ? Or got some water sports in mind ? If you're like me , then your phone has to follow wherever you go. Unfortunately our phones are not weatherproof yet and that is where cases come in to save our investments. I recently had a chance to go white water rafting and what better opportunity to test out waterproof cases than out on the rapids ! The great guys over at Mobile Fun hooked us up with the Proporta BeachBuoy and the OverBoard waterproof case to test out what they are capable of.  These cases are really not meant to be put to extreme use but rather as protection against splashes while at the pool or the beach but i decided to take the risk nonetheless. The set up included a Nokia N8 and a Nokia C6 packed inside the two cases while out on the rapids. The plan was to capture photographs and videos. Proporta BeachBuoy The Proporta BeachBuoy is a rather large case due to it being a one size fits all type of case. The case leaves transparent panels on both sides to allow full control of your gadgets. A draw string is also ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41597/review-proporta-beachbuoy-and-overboard-waterproof-cases.html/feed 0 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41554/review-official-mesh-case-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41554/review-official-mesh-case-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii.html#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:00:43 +0000 Sandeep http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41554 This is the review of the Samsung Galaxy S II mesh case. The case is made by Samsung themselves. Initially it was available only in Black but later more colours were released including Blue, Pink, Red etc. We are reviewing the Blue version. Now I’ll state this first since a lot of people have accidentally purchased the fake version. At first look they appear genuine but they are not. Here are some of the steps to identify the fake ones: Check the logo on the backside of the cover. The logo has the same font as the Samsung Galaxy  S II start up logo etc. It is cursive (the S letter is stylized) and has been engraved on a silver palette. The fake models however have a basic font and are engraved onto a gold palette. Even if the palette if silver, the font should help you recognize it. I have included three pictures below to demonstrate the differences. The first one is the original case. The second two are examples of fake cases. Secondly there’s the price, the fake ones will be priced lower and they will be of inferior quality. Lastly the original cases will most likely come in a Samsung see ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41554/review-official-mesh-case-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii.html/feed 1 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41475/review-casemate-barely-there-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41475/review-casemate-barely-there-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii.html#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:08:04 +0000 Sandeep http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41475 This is the review of the Casemate Barely There case for the Samsung Galaxy S II. The review unit is the Chrome model. You can also get the Galaxy S II case in other colours such as Black etc. The case is meant for the International version of the Galaxy S II and I doubt it will work with the Korean version since the Korean model is thicker. The Korean version also has an antenna for which the case doesn't seem to make room for. From the name itself, you can gather that the case is really thin especially considering the fact that it is a hard case. It is one of the thinnest cases for the Galaxy S II along with the SGP Ultra Thin Air Case. The case is mainly aimed for those people who need to protect their device against scratches while still retaining much of the original thickness and design of the phone. The case could possibly be as thin as most silicone and flexishield cases. It is made out of plastic and has a glossy finish (the finish varies depending on the colour, the black version has a matte finish). The glossy finish manages to attract a lot ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41475/review-casemate-barely-there-for-samsung-galaxy-s-ii.html/feed 6 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41334/we-want-mugen-batteries-for-our-nokia-n8.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41334/we-want-mugen-batteries-for-our-nokia-n8.html#comments Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:08:24 +0000 Michael Hell http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41334     We here at Fone Arena are big fans of Mugen Power Batteries, this uprising company from the east, providing us power-hungry geeks with more juice for all our favourite devices, most notably batteries for smartphones. Over at the Mugen Website you will be able to find extended batteries for all types of smartphones, most of them even having two options offered. Normally Mugen would have one OEM-sized version, and a bigger battery, with imense power (for example an insane 4.800mAh battery for the Motorola Atrix!). If you want to know more about the actual performance, check out Jon's review from a couple of days ago, where he had a look at the Motorola Milestone 2 battery! But amongst the great options of Mugen's portfolio, one particular phone has always been left out: The Nokia N8! Nokia's camera hammer still has not experienced any Mugen love, which just doesn't feel right. We all know that Nokia and Symbian have a good power management, however, there's always the desire for MOAR POWAR! Let's be honest, 1.200mAh is not exactly a gianormous option, and even though the N8 gets you through a day, it would always be nice to get a bit of extra ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41334/we-want-mugen-batteries-for-our-nokia-n8.html/feed 2 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41082/mugen-power-battery-review.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41082/mugen-power-battery-review.html#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:32:36 +0000 jonchoo http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=41082 We at FoneArena are big fans of Mugen Power batteries. For those who doesn't know, Mugen Power manufacturers third party replacement batteries for smartphones. Their speciality are batteries which retains the same size as the standard battery that comes with your phone; and the extended battery with twice the capacity and size. These extended batteries are popular among power users. However today I will be reviewing the normal sized replacement battery. Mugen Power has been kind enough to send a normal size battery for my Motorola Milestone 2. The battery from Motorola has a rated capacity of 1390mAh where as the one supplied by Mugen Power has a capacity of 1700mAh - a 20%  increased in Lithium Ion battery cell capacity. Yet the battery remains the same size physically as the one by Motorola. I find this to be very impressive, but will the extra battery capacity translate well in real life? I have been using the Mugen Power battery for a couple of weeks, swapping between it and the standard Motorola battery everyday and I am happy to report that there is an improvement with the one provided by Mugen Power. This review isn't based on any scientific test as I ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/41082/mugen-power-battery-review.html/feed 2 http://www.fonearena.com/blog/40954/otterbox-cases-now-available-for-htc-evo-3d.html http://www.fonearena.com/blog/40954/otterbox-cases-now-available-for-htc-evo-3d.html#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2011 07:01:42 +0000 Srivatsan http://www.fonearena.com/blog/?p=40954 Otterbox series of cases are now available for HTC EVO 3D. There are three different rugged cases, Defender Series, Commuter Series and Impact Series that are available for the phone. These cases protect the phone against dust, drop, bump and shock. Defender Series case for HTC EVO 3D It has shatter-resistant shell and a built-in touch screen protector The durable silicone skin on the outside protects the phone from shock The silicone skin has covers for the ports that keep it dust and dirt free. This also comes with an holster-style swivel belt-clip httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7mhtlRUutk Commuter Series case for HTC EVO 3D Stylish case that is light and made of silicone skin The silicone skin has covers for the ports that keep it dust and dirt free. Protects the device from bumps and shocks The the thin poly carbonate outer layer makes the case slide easily in and out of your pocket, purse or bag httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmcZmAH_BZ8 Impact Series case for HTC EVO 3D It has single outer silicone layer and inner "honeycomb" coring that prevents the device from bumps and shock It also comes with adhesive screen protector that keeps your touch screen dust free The Defender Series, Commuter Series and the Impact Series of Otterbox cases are available for US$ 49.95, US$ 34.95 and US$ 19.95 ...]]> http://www.fonearena.com/blog/40954/otterbox-cases-now-available-for-htc-evo-3d.html/feed 0