Image via Android Market

The world’s first conference calling application has arrived in the palms of our hands, thanks to the leading conference call provider in the UK, PowWowNow. Hosting and joining conference calls has never been easier – you can now do it on the move on the way to your next meeting.

Not only is the app a ground-breaking piece of mobile technology, it is also free when you use the voice function. If you wish to hold a conference call abroad, the host will only have to pay the price of the local call, making conferencing more affordable and accessible than ever before.

Users will have the choice of hosting their own calls or joining those of others at the touch of a button. Even before the call, the app will send out reminders to every participant to make sure that nobody misses it.

Moreover, the app has the function of being able to dial into calls automatically when you are not the main host. It will do that for you so you can concentrate on preparing yourself further for the call. When you’re actually partaking in the meeting, too, you don’t have to worry about taking notes to document every important point, with the risk of missing one or two, because the app will do that for you as well. It can record whole meetings if you want it to.

This remarkably easy-to-use mobile application is available for free on the iTunes Store as well as the Android Market.

HTC Sensation, Gadget Show Live

At long last for all smartphone fans, HTC have finally announced the HTC Sensation, their new handset. The phone will be first to go to market on the Vodafone network according to the Expansys Twitter feed. The device will be displayed at the Expansys stand at the Gadget Show Live this week.

The phone itself is similar in design to previous HTC releases no doubt taking inspiration from the extremely successful HTC Desire. According to TechRadar, specs of the phone include a dual Qualcomm 8260 1.2GHz, Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread), complete with 1080p video recording, front facing VGA camera, 8MP camera (including touch autofocus and Dual LED flash). The phone also includes a HDMI output via the port for micro-USB.

Initially the new phone was codenamed the Pyramid, and despite altering its initial forecasted memory from 4GB to 1GB, the phone does feature an all new version of HTC Sense. In terms of size the phone weighs in at 148g, with a larger screen (4.3 inch) than previous HTC entries. The mobile looks likely to be released in May with contracts prices in line with those currently offered for the HTC Desire HD – around £35 a month for 24 months.

Photo Courtesy of JimYounkin via Flickr

The newly launched Accident Toolkit application is aiming to take some of the stress out of road accidents by processing vehicle repairs and compensation claims for drivers.

Devised by a team of the UK’s leading solicitors, on behalf of First4Lawyers.com, the Accident Toolkit makes it easy for anyone who has been involved in a car crash to record information about the incident and deliver that data to a team of experts who can then process any relevant claims.

The application is neatly laid out and easy to use, taking the user through a step-by-step process featuring four forms that can be filled out with car, driver and witness information.

The application also invites users to utilise their iPhone to record audio statements from drivers and witnesses and to take photographs of the scene that can be used as evidence in subsequent claims processes.

All information stored on the application can be sent directly to the Accident Toolkit team of solicitors, who will respond within 30 minutes to discuss any necessary vehicle repairs and compensation claims.

The design of the application is crisp, clear and simple and the first users have reported positively on its usefulness in stressful situations following road accidents.

Dawn Drummond of Newcastle said: “I downloaded the Accident Toolkit as I’m a newly qualified driver. My second week driving I was hit on a roundabout by a man driving a white transit, I was visibly upset but remembered I had the toolkit on my iPhone.

“In about 5 minutes I was able to take images of the scene and a very nice man walking his dog, recorded a witness statement stating it was the van man’s fault. The Accident Toolkit team were on the phone to me straight away after I sent my claim form and they have been first class with my vehicle repairs and my hire vehicle.”

The application is free and ready to download at http://www.accident-toolkit.com/

Photo courtesy of Expansys

Next week, the 11th April to be exact sees the release of the second generation Samsung Galaxy smartphone – the Samsung Galaxy SII. As an existing Samsung customer I’m really keen to see the arrival of this handset on the smartphone market.

Specifications

The phone includes all that the previous ‘S’ had to offer as well as some tidy upgrades – most noticeably its sleeker design (almost a clone of the iPhone 4, but slimmer), and more importantly a change to the newer Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. The phone again makes great use of its outstanding super AMOLED screen, and this really does have clearer colours and images compared to the Apple handset. The user benefits greatly from an increased screen size from 4″ to 4.3″.

Fast

The handset runs from a dual core processor, each core having 1GHz capacity making the phone lighting quick. The SII also includes 1GB RAM, and there is an option for either 16GB or 32GB internal storage. Interestingly, Samsung have followed the Google Nexus by including the latest NFC technology in the phone, meaning users can complete transactions in a similar manner to swiping a travel card.

Features

In terms of functions, the phone has no shortage of options – in my opinion there isn’t a better multi-purpose phone for watching video content, and like the original ’S’ the phone benefits from HD recording via the 8MP camera.

At time of writing prices range from £500 – £600 for the 16GB model. Being super critical you could argue that a lack of 3D options let the phone down, although as yet it is difficult to predict the success of 3D phone technology, with the LG Optimus 3D the only 3D smartphone available.

Photo courtesy of 'rkcr' via Flickr

It’s official, Android has overtaken Apple to be crowned as the UK’s most used mobile phone operating system. The survey carried out by YouGov for Intelligent Environments also touched on other trends within the Smartphone industry.

The android platform (developed by Google) has a 28% share of the mobile market, followed by a 26% share for Apple iOS, with 3rd place going to BlackBerry (14%). Fourth and Fifth place were taken by Nokia and Windows 7, although it is worth noting that these two companies will be categorised as one once the first Nokia Windows 7 phones are released.

As previously predicted, this is confirmation that Android is certainly Apple’s biggest competitor. It’s increased variation on a number of handsets make it a far more accessible option for the general consumer, especially with big manufacturers like HTC, Sony Ericsson, LG and Samsung all backing the device with their latest mobile phones.

However Apple will surely be pointing towards the usage of each mobile phone owner. The studied showed that iPhone users spent most time on their phones – 18% used it for over four hours, eclipsing the same amount of use from Android  and BlackBerry users (4%).

To read more findings from the survey have a look at the Marketing article, or comment us below with your thoughts and which operating system you are using.

BlackBerry Playbook image courtesy of Expansys

It’s about time Blackberry stepped up to the smartphone table. I’m sorry to all those die hard RIM fans out there but for me the last year (with the exception of the Playbook tablet) has been all too quiet for them.  With HTC and Samsung producing phones like they’re going out of fashion on both the Windows 7 and Android OS it is going to be tough for Blackberry to take back their market share.

3D

Taking inspiration from LG’s new 3D creation (LG Optimus 3D), the Blackberry collection seems likely at some stage to see a 3D addition. Although very little details are confirmed yet the Blackberry Storm3 would certainly give the RIM owned phone manufacturer a real boost if it were to include the glasses-free technology of the aforementioned LG model.

Speedy

According to insiders the phone would include a speedy 1.2 GHz processor, more than capable of competing with the iPhone and HTC Desire for zippy operating. The one thing that regular Blackberry consumers may ponder is how good a large (3.7 inch) touch screen would be, particularly when you consider the very muted success of previous Storm models. Perhaps lessons have been learned in the research for the Playbook? Therefore we could see an improved touch screen interface for smartphones from RIM.

Future Drive

According to some sources this phone is likely to be the pinnacle for future new hand-held devices from BlackBerry, seeing a move away from the traditional keypad, and aligning instead with the growing trend for touch screens. For all those taken in by the article released on Friday, I can confirm that BlackBerry won’t be producing a screen-less phone…yet. It was a great April Fools Day piece though.

Please get in touch if you here any developments for the Blackberry Storm3, or post a comment on what you would like to see feature on your next BlackBerry handset. Sign up to Expansys to be first to own the new BlackBerry Playbook.

Photo courtesy of Expansys

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

By now most of us are aware about the imminent release of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, affectionately known as the “Playstation Phone”. However, here at Leaked Phones, we’re wondering exactly what the implications are for such a product entering both the gaming and mobile markets.

The phone was officially unveiled back at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year. Featuring the Android 2.3 operating system (known as gingerbread), with it’s 4.0″ screen it is not the biggest device on the smartphone market and weighs in at a neat 175g. Obviously the main feature and clear selling point of the phone is the fact that it includes a slide out Playstation control pad, adapted for the phone from the Playstation Dual Shock controller. However the mobile also pack in a few other tidy devices making it a worthwhile contender for non-gamers alike.

No More Consoles

With this in mind it has prompted Leaked Phones to ask a couple of questions: is this the end for the games consoles market? Will the smartphone market be adapted for all other gadgets?

Now I know these questions seem huge, maybe even laughable. However, when you think about all the things we can already do on our smartphones, it could (easily?) be a reality. We can already watch television on your handset thanks to apps like BBC iPlayer and Sky Player, we have good quality internet connection through developments in 3G. So with the introduction of mobile gaming from both Windows (Xbox) and Playstation, combined with the thinning line between laptops and phones (i.e. tablets), are we on the verge of seeing an all in one device, combining all the features of modern entertainment technology, and therefore ending the requirement for a separate console or media player?

All-in-one Device

I for one would love to be able to wake up (using my phone alarm), turn on the radio (streamed from my phone), grab breakfast in front of the TV (phone connected via Sky Player), leave for work whilst listening to my music (on the phone) and then arrive at work (syncing up my phone with my work computer). Surely this type of device can’t be far off, particularly enhanced by things such as Facebook movies and future NFC technology meaning we can literally use our mobiles for anything.

Whilst the Sony Ericsson isn’t the smartphone for me, it has certainly got me excited about all the future devices that could be springing our way, the boundaries really do seem limitless. Let me know what you think about the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, or give your thoughts on a future all-in-one device.

Android Photo Courtesy of Saaid Irfan via Flickr

iPhone 5

It’s been a little while since we posted here on leaked phones, and what a busy month it’s been for the mobile industry. Despite being briefly overshadowed by Apple’s iPad 2 being released, focus has now shifted back to the ever glowing smartphone market. In particular there has been a lot of buzz regarding the battle between Android, Windows 7 and Apple.

The rumour mill has gone into overdrive with iPhone 5 spy shots and latest predicted specifications. Further inspection suggests a summer release for the iPhone 5 and indeed this would historically correlate  with Apple’s previous release month (all around June/ July).

Android Vs Windows 7

In truth, I’m a little more excited about the Android and Windows 7 battle. Things are hotting up nicely, especially with the announcement that Windows 7 will be teaming up with Nokia to operate their new smartphone devices. Although it’s likely to be sometime before they (Nokia) catch up with the likes of HTC and Samsung in the smartphone market.

For Android, over the last couple of months we have seen upgraded versions of the operating system moving into the 3.0 version called ‘Honeycomb’. At present the upgrade is only available to tablet users, I myself am keen to get it on my device, so I can put it through its paces.

As always feel free to get in touch via the contact page or leave a comment.

Planned to supersede the Samsung J700 the Marcel is priced slightly higher and has a 2MP camera and 2.2 inch screen. We liked this phone for the price but it’s not going to capture the worlds attention when it’s released next week.

One of the best mainstream (mid-priced) handsets we saw was the Samsung Eltz S7220 (pictured below). Samsung are releasing this next week and this is the first time it’s been seen online.

The Samsung Eltz will have a 5MP camera and a 2.4 inch AMOLED screen as well as a-GPS, MP3 player and expandable memory.