Samsung Omnia 2 on Bell unboxing and first impressions

I just got a Omnia 2 today. Here are my first impressions:

It’s kind of hard to tell but the screen looks amazing, stunning, incredible. Not only is it high resolution but the colour just blows me away. It’s easily the best thing about the Omnia 2.

Other random thoughts. While it has a 800Mhz processor Opera still feels kind of slow. The hexagonal button in front isn’t a navigation pad – instead it’s a single button that looks like a nav pad. It’s a waste of space.

TouchWiz 2.0 is nice but having the Windows Mobile menus and TouchWiz makes for a inconsistant user experience.

The camera is very similar to the camera on the Samsung i910. It’s very good except when you’re trying to take close ups where the flash is needed. In those situations it blasts the subject out – that said you can raise the ISO to 800 so you don’t need to use the flash as much.

In the past, whenever I tested a Bell CDMA phone there was always very low signal levels in my house. The Omnia 2 runs on Bell’s new HSPA+ network and it too gets very little signal – FYI.

Anyways that’s all for now. I’ll have a full review up later after I’ve had a chance to play with it more and drool at the screen some more.

Add comment November 7th, 2009

TELUS HSPA launch. Hands on with launch phones and details on plans

So I got a chance to check out some of the TELUS HSPA launch phones.

They include the HTC Hero, Blackberry Bold 9700, LG New Chocolate and Nokia e71.

The Bold 9700 is $249.99 on a 3yr, $649.99 straight up.

Hero: $99.99 on a 3yr, $499.99 straight up.

LG New Chocolate $99.99 on a 3yr, $499.99 straight up.

E71 $29.99 on a 3yr , $329.99 straight up.

Apparently the e71’s Ovi maps comes with navigation included (normally you pay extra for it).

I also got a chance to play with some more phones which I can’t talk about (they’re pretty sweet). They also launched a Sierra Wireless 306 modem.

Here’s part 1:

Here’s part 2:

Keep in mind that since HSPA utilizes SIM Cards you can bring your unlocked HSPA phone and use it on TELUS. I’m not sure which rate plans you’ll be eligible for if you choose this route.

Here are their launch plans. Keep in mind that these are ‘Clear and Simple Pricing’ plans so the only thing extra you have to pay is tax. They sort of cost $5 more but if you take off the SAF and 911 they really sort of cost $2.70 less than before. They include voice mail, call waiting and conference calling.

Smartphone Plans:

$50/month
100 local anytime minutes
50 Bonus anytime minutes
Unlimited local talk/text with 5 numbers OR 1,000 outgoing and
unlimited incoming text messages OR double anytime minutes
unlimited nights (9 p.m.) and weekends
500 MB data

$65/month
200 local anytime minutes
50 Bonus anytime minutes
Unlimited nationwide talk and text with 5 numbers OR unlimited incoming text
messages OR double anytime minutes
unlimited nights (9 p.m.) and weekends
1GB data

$80/month
350 local anytime minutes
50 Bonus anytime minutes
Unlimited nationwide talk and text with 5 numbers OR unlimited
incoming text messages OR double anytime minutes
unlimited nights (9 p.m.) and weekends
2GB data

$100/month
450 local anytime minutes
50 Bonus anytime minutes
Unlimited nationwide talk and text with 5 numbers OR unlimited incoming text
messages OR double anytime minutes
unlimited nights (9 p.m.) and weekends
3GB data

Feature phone plans:

$30/month
100 local anytime minutes
50 Bonus anytime minutes
Unlimited local calling, text, picture and video messaging
with 5 numbers OR 1,000 outgoing and unlimited
incoming text, picture and video messaging OR double
anytime minutes
unlimited nights (9 p.m.) and weekends
$40/month
200 local anytime minutes
50 Bonus anytime minutes
Unlimited local calling, text, picture and video messaging
with 5 numbers OR unlimited text, picture and video
messaging OR double anytime minutes
unlimited nights (9 p.m.) and weekends

$50/month
450 local anytime minutes
50 Bonus anytime minutes
Unlimited local calling, text, picture and video
messaging with 5 numbers OR unlimited text,
picture and video messaging OR double anytime
minutes
unlimited nights (9 p.m.) and weekends

Mobile Internet Plans:

$30/month 500 MB
$35/month 1GB
$50/month 2GB
$65/month 3GB
$85/month 5GB

Additional Data
$.05/MB
US Roaming
$3/MB
International Roaming
$25/MB

5 comments November 4th, 2009

BlueAnt SUPERTOOTH 3 and S1 speakerphone review

Here it is, my review and comparison of the BlueAnt ST3 and S1. I thought both of them were pretty decent.

Add comment November 3rd, 2009

Telus Releases LG Versa

Enjoy a unique HTML browsing experience with the LG Versa™ and browse up to 3 web pages at one time. The LG Versa™ also features 3 home screens to personalize with contacts, widgets and multimedia for instant access.

The Versa is priced at $79.99/$179.99/$229.99/$279.99 (3 year term to no contract) and features:

• 3″ high-resolution touchscreen with 3 customizable home screens
• Easily navigate with the intuitive 3D S-Class UI from LG
• HTML browser for access to social networking sites
• 2.0 megapixel camera with autofocus, flash and video capture
• Bluetooth® technology for stereo and hands-free accessories

Head over to Telus to learn more or to purchase.

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Add comment October 29th, 2009

Motorola VE440 Finds Its Way to Koodo Mobile

Koodo Mobile has launched the Motorola VE440.

Packed with fun essentials.

• 1.3 megapixel camera
• MP3 player with microSD™ slot (expandable up to 8GB) & dedicated one touch music keys
• Bluetooth® technology for stereo and hands-free accessories
• Voice-activated dialing
• Speakerphone

The VE440 is only $125 or $0 with a 125 Tab.  Buying through the Koodo Mobile online store will score you free shipping.

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Add comment October 27th, 2009

Koodo Mobile Releases Samsung Intensity

The Samsung Intensity has officially been launched on Telus’ discount brand-Koodo Mobile.  The full QWERTY device retails for $200, or $50 when you max out the Tab.

With a 1.3MP camera, MP3 player, microSD slot (supporting up to 16 GB), and Bluetooth this device has great features and a excellent price tag.

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Add comment October 26th, 2009

BlackBerry Bold 9700 Coming to Canada

The big three (Rogers, Bell, Telus) have announced they will be bringing the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to Canada.

The 9700 features a 2.44″ screen, 3.2 MP camera, wifi, and GPS.  In addition to the previous mentioned features, the 9700 replaces the roller ball with a track pad.

The Bold 2 will be  in the starting lineup for Bell and Telus’ new HSPA network, which should be ready for use in November.  The 9700 should be up for sale in November in around the $300 price mark on a 3 year term with data.

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1 comment October 21st, 2009

Koodo Mobile Shipping Masterpiece and VE440

As we told you last week, Koodo Mobile will be releasing three new CDMA devices in the coming weeks.  Looks like the LG Masterpiece and Motorola VE440 will launch on October 26th, according to our Koodo insider.  Both devices were shipped out to retail locations Monday, October 19th-so they should arrive in time for the 26th launch date.

As stated in the previous post, each devices will set you back $125 or $0 with a 125 Tab.  More information and specs will be published once the devices are officially launched.

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Add comment October 21st, 2009

AT&T Release White BlackBerry Bold

AT&T has released a white version of the popular BlackBerry Bold.  Like the black Bold, the white one will also feature a 2MP camera, 802.11 b/g wifi, Bluetooth, and 3G high speed voice and data.  Pricing below:

Requires purchase of a $30/mo data service. 2 year contract & new activation required.

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2 comments October 18th, 2009

TELUS and Bell launch HSPA network. TELUS and Bell to offer the iPhone starting in November

TELUS and Bell have launched their HSPA network.

Also, ending months of speculation and ending Roger’s iPhone exclusivity both TELUS and Bell have announced that they will be offering the  iPhone 3G and 3Gs starting in November. Details on that to come later.

You can sign up for updates from TELUS here.

3 comments October 6th, 2009