Pantech Vega Iron is official, features 5-inch 1080p display with a very small bezel

Pantech plans on giving Samsung, HTC, and LG a run for their money with the Vega Iron. We told you about this one last week, but Pantech just made it official. It will come with a 5-inch 1080p display, a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, 13MP rear camera, 2150mAh battery, WiFi that supports 1 gigabit, and Android 4.1.2.

The Vega Iron sports a metal frame and the smallest bezel ever in a smartphone, at 2.4-millimeters. Look for this one to go on sale in Korea, but we have no word on if it will appear in other areas.

source: Pantech

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Categorized as Android Manufacturers, Android News, Android Phones

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Falcon Pro gets major update and brings plenty of new goodies along for the ride

Falcon Pro has just gotten an extensive update which brings even more features and awesomeness to all of you obsessed  Twitter types out there. The update brings the software version to 1.8 and brings new goodies such as:

*Starred Users* Inline Articles preview with offline access (enabled for all Starred Users that you follow)*Starred Users* Individual notifications (disabled by default)*Starred Users* Offline accessNew translations including French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Polish & Norwegian— with more to come

Of course users of the app can also expect even more buttery smooth operation and a sweet, intuitive UI to help navigate the show. Hit the Play Store link below to grab the latest update today.

Play Store Download Link

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Categorized as Android Applications

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MOGA Pro controller now available online, retail availability coming in May

Back at CES, we had a chance to get our hands on the MOGA Pro Controller, which is the follow up to the original MOGA controller. This one isn’t as compact, but it’s based on PowerA’s top of the line Fusion controller, so it’s for the serious gamer. You get higher quality sticks as well as a second pair of triggers. I will also run on a rechargeable battery as opposed to the original MOGA, which runs on 2 AA batteries. The MOGA Pro will fit larger devices such as the Galaxy Note II, but for gamers that want to use a tablet, they include a really nice tablet stand.

It’s priced at $49.99 and is available online at Amazon, Walmart and MOGAanywhere. Next month you will find it online at Target and in stores such as Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, and Fred Meyer. For a limited time you will be able to download Gameloft’s N.O.V.A. 3 – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance for Free with your MOGA Pro purchase.

You can check out our hands on from CES and look for our review soon. Hit the break for the full press release.

MOGA™ Pro Controller Now Available In Stores And Online

Play Immersive Mobile Games The Way They Are Meant To Be Played With The Full-Featured Android Gaming Controller

Woodinville, WA. – April 18, 2013 - Gamers wanting a full-size precision controller for their Android devices will not have to wait any longer as today MOGA™ announced that the console-style MOGA Pro Controller is now available in the U.S. The full-size MOGA Pro Controller is available for $49.99 online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com and MOGAanywhere.com. In May, the MOGA Pro Controller will be available at Target.com and at Best Buy, Fred Meyer, GameStop and Walmart stores. For a limited time, MOGA Pro comes with a free download of Gameloft’sN.O.V.A. 3 – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance game.

“The full-size MOGA Pro builds on the tremendous success since the launch of MOGA Pocket Controller last October,” said Eric Bensussen, President of PowerA. “When gamers put the MOGA Pro Controller in their hands, there’s an instant familiarity. As the recognized leader with impressive developer support and a growing list of top games including MADFINGER’s Dead Trigger and Gameloft’s Modern Combat 4, we’re giving mobile gamers a console-style experience, with an Android device that they already own.”

Features of the MOGA Pro include full-sized console-style grips, clickable dual analog sticks, four action buttons, a classic directional pad, two shoulder buttons, two shoulder triggers, rechargeable batteries, USB charging cord and a tablet stand. MOGA Pro is also compatible with the emerging HID standard. Additionally, MOGA Pro comes with the full support of the MOGA Mobile Gaming System, including wireless Bluetooth® syncing with Android phones and tablets, the MOGA Arm that secures many of the largest phones on the market and the MOGA Pivot App.

About MOGA

MOGA mobile game controllers offer precision controls, portability and great games. All MOGA controllers feature dual analog sticks, shoulder buttons and action buttons, and connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to transform Android phones and tablets into precise mobile gaming systems. The original MOGA Pocket features a slim and sleek set of controls making it the most portable and economical MOGA available. The MOGA Pro features rechargeable batteries and console-style design that is based on the award-winning FUS1ON Tournament Controller by PowerA. The MOGA system includes Pivot, a free-to-download app that helps users discover the huge library of MOGA Enhanced games that are available. Pivot also syncs MOGA controllers to mobile devices and helps organize the MOGA Enhanced games already installed on a user’s phone. MOGA’s vast and growing game library is made possible by the free MOGA Software Developers Kit (SDK) available at MOGAanywhere.com/developers.

The original pocket-sized MOGA Controller was released on October 22, 2012 to critical acclaim, and has attracted support from top mobile developers and publishers who want to bring console-like precision and control to their Android phone and tablet-based games. Gameloft, Rockstar, SkyVu Entertainment, MADFINGER Games, Namco Bandai, SEGA, Arb Studios, Vector Unit and other acclaimed publishers have developed MOGA Enhanced blockbuster titles such as Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Tiki Kart 3D, NFL Pro 2013, The Dark Knight Rises HD, N.O.V.A. 3, Sonic CD, and Jet Set Radio. New game titles, developers and publishers are coming on board each month. For a complete list of games that support MOGA, visitwww.MOGAanywhere.com.

The MOGA controllers support Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and higher mobile devices. The pocket-sized MOGA is now available for $39.99 at Best Buy, Walmart, Toys”R”Us, Fred Meyer, Gamestop, Target, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and a nationwide network of additional retailers and carrier stores. It is also available through Amazon and www.MOGAanywhere.com.

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Categorized as Android Accessories, Android Gaming, Android News

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ARCHOS launches 4 new devices for European markets

Widely known as an up-and-coming tablet maker, ARCHOS is officially dabbling in the smartphone game by introducing a quartet of new handsets that will be headed for Europe in the near-future. The devices— the Carbon 35, Titanium 4, Titanium 52 and Platinum 48— all range from modest budget-level devices to premium flagships. Additionally, each device will feature an IPS display, dual-SIM capabilities and at least Ice Cream Sandwich on board (the Platinum 48 will arrive with Jelly Bean).

Expect each device to arrive sometime soon with an affordable price tag off-contract.

source: Phone Arena 

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Categorized as Android Manufacturers, Android Phones

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New “power felt” fabric could power your phone and more

Anytime I read a story that talks of nanotechnology I get all warm and fuzzy inside, and my inner geek jumps out and screams. Business Insider is reporting on work being done by nanotechnology researcher, David Carroll of Wake Forest University. Carroll is working on something he calls “power felt”, this thin piece of material can convert heat and movement into electricity. I know everyone reading this is thinking they can now charge their phones on the go. However there is more to this wonderful material that could change everything as we know it.

It can be sewn into clothing or wrapped around an object. It is light weight which gives it an advantage over other thermoelectric materials currently available, and it feel like wool felt. His felt also has a medical application to it too. Wearing the fabric could help determine a lot of information about the wearer based on heat readings.

The best part of all this is manufacturing Carroll’s new wonder felt is 25 -cents for a couple of square feet. Making it really cheap to produce. Check out the source for all the information.

Source: Business Insider

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Categorized as Android News

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Motorola X Phone might come in 20 colors

What’s your favorite color? Well unless you went on a tangent, you may be able to pick up Motorola’s X Phone in your color of choice. The rumor mill is churning and what’s being pumped out is word that Motorola’s new phone may come in 20 different colors. Now all of this is according to a source for Phone Arena, so take it with a grain of salt.

Is this part of what Eric Schmidt was hinting about? This also sounds like it could be some of the “wow” they want to put back into their phones. In any case, this sounds like an excellent idea by Google and Motorola. I’m sure customers will see it that way too. Let’s hope this is one of the few rumors that turns into reality.

Source: Phone Arena 

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Categorized as Android Manufacturers, Android News

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Ridiculous Fishing Review: Don't Miss This Catch

Developer: Vlambeer

Cost: $2.99

Platform: iOS   

Easy to Learn

The mobile platform is notorious for its low barrier of entry, and Ridiculous Fishing is a perfect example that. The gameplay is comprised of three basic mechanics; casting the line, catching fish, and shooting said fish.

Tapping the screen deploys the line, and from there players can use the game's tilt controls to avoid the various species of fish that populate the blue seas in an attempt to cast the line as deep as possible. Avoiding the fish seems a bit counter-intuitive at first, but the deeper players get, the more fish they'll potentially be able to catch.

After coming in contact with a fish or running out of line, the second phase of the gameplay begins. The line will immediately begin retracting, and now players will have to try to catch all of the fish they were previously eluding; excluding jelly fish, which will result in a penalty if shot.

Once the line reaches the surface the fish will be thrown into the air, and the player must shoot them by tapping the screen with their fingers. Each fish the player manages to blast will earn them a cash bonus with the reward varying depending on the species.

Not only is the concept of the game easy to grasp and understand, but the mix of tilt and swipe controls come together beautifully. Every command feels intuitive and results in a lighting quick response, making the only limiting factor the player's skill. Using a collection of the unique control inputs that mobile offers, this is one of the few games that demonstrates the potential of the mobile platform.

Once the gun smoke and fish guts settle, players will collect their earnings and can cast their line all over again. It only takes a few rounds to gain an understanding of the game's mechanics, and subsequently that's about how long it takes to become hooked.

Items Galore

After a few rounds players will have amassed the funds needed to purchase their first set of items. Everything from longer fishing lines, to more powerful weaponry, to strange costumes are available for purchase. Both humorous and tremendously helpful unlocking these items will allow players to catch more fish while adding a few nuances to the gameplay as well.

The game opens up when players get their hands on the Chainsaw Lure. As the name suggests this is a fishing lure with a chains saw attached to it. Once acquired players will be able to cut through fish and jelly fish alike, collecting cash while insuring that their line traverses even deeper into the abyss. It adds a new element of strategy to the gameplay where players have to decide when to dodge these obstacles, and when to cut through them. With a limited reserve of fuel, making the right decision can be the difference between catching a boatload of fish and coming up empty.

Best of all the balanced economy ensures that item progression never feels like a grind. Ridiculous Fishing could have easily implemented micro-transactions into game, but indie development team Vlambeer made a conscious effort to stay away from that. As a result players always feel like they are making progress and moving forward. Even the most unsuccessful runs bring players one step closer to that highly sought after upgrade.

Undeniably Charming

Ridiculous Fishing's clean mechanics and sound design will likely pull most players in, but it's the game's charm that entices them to stay.

"If I was to tell you that game where you blast fish into oblivion was a relaxing feel good experience you'd likely think I'm crazy; but I wouldn't describe Ridiculous Fishing any other way."

It all starts with the aesthetic. The stylized bright artwork coalesces with the cheerful music to create a sunny atmosphere. Each sea creature feels unique despite their basic simplistic design. In fact, a few are cute enough that players may hesitate to pull the trigger, but the satisfying sound of each successful catch quickly dissuades that notion as the cold hard cash piles up.

Time quickly fades away as the world is steadily unveiled. It begins with the humor that is sprinkled throughout. Literary references and notions of the game's self-aware attitude populate the item shop. The game even hosts its own fake twitter feed affectionately referred to as Byrdr, which reveals detailed snippets about the world and its inhabitants while dishing out the occasionally welcomed pun. 

Conclusion

Ridiculous Fishing is a game that doesn't compromise. The game could have easily issued micro-transactions for a higher profit margin, but it doesn't. It also just as easily  could have stood on the merits of design alone, but it doesn't.

Instead Vlambeer crafts a world infused with color, humor, and a subtle narrative. It's incredibly gripping at first glance, and comes together to tell a larger story that will that leave players both surprised and wanting more.

Ridiculous Fishing is the perfect example of how well great game design and unique story telling can come together to create an experience that feels both familiar and fresh.

Service, Warranty & Support  
Ease of Use 
Design 
Performance 
Value 
* Ratings averaged to produce final score

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OtterBox iPhone 4/4S Defender Case Combines Physical and Battery Protection

OtterBox is bringing a new version of its patented Defender series to the iPhone. Starting today the OtterBox 4/4S Defender Case with Ion Intelligence is available for purchase.

The case is designed to protect handsets on two fronts, from both physical damage and a lack of power. The case manages this feat by combining a hard rubbery sleeve complete with screen protector with a 1,450 mAh battery, effectively doubling the battery capacity of the iPhone 4/4S.

The case houses a pair of LEDs that inform users on how much extra juice is left. When the device runs out of juice, the companion iON Intelligence app automatically redirects power and monitors power usage to inform user when the device will need to be recharged.

Pricing and Availability

The OtterBox iPhone 4/4S Defender case is available starting today from OtterBox's online store for $130. 

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Twitter Music Finally Available

After a week of speculation and rumors, Twitter is finally releasing a standalone music discovery app to the public. Starting last week the app was rolled out to an invite-only group, but now the general public can get their hands on Twitter's newest venture, either over the Web or through an iOS app.

What is Twitter Music?

Twitter Music is actually the brainchild of small startup company We Are Hunted, which was quietly picked up by Twitter last year. The main action of the application is to help users find/discover music.

The app uses information from the user's Twitter follower graph to find "the best" possible music for you, It then pulls that music in from Rdio, Spotify, and iTunes.

If users already have a Rdio or Spotify account, they'll be able to stream full tracks right away, If not, users can still discover the music through the iTunes preview function.

Availability

Twitter officially announced #music on Thursday during "Good Morning America," revealing that the app will be available for download on iOS in Apple's App Store or accessible via the web at music.twitter.com. Twitter also noted that the application is being initially offered in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The internet company said that it plans on offering the service to more countries and on adding an Android version over time.

The service is free and both the iOS app and online version are now available for use.

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iPhone and iPad Get Facebook's Chat Heads Feature

Facebook has now brought its chat heads feature -- first introduced for some Android phones as part of Facebook Home -- to iPhone and iPad users.

Facebook Home -- a new Facebook-centric software skin containing custom homescreens and widgets -- was released on Friday in Google Play for the following Android smartphones: the HTC One, One X, and One X Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S3. It also ships aboard the new HTC First phone, and it will be downloadable for the Galaxy S4 when that phone becomes available early next week. Facebook also plans to release a version of Home for Android tablets over the next several months.

Essentially, the chat heads feature -- now offered for the iPhone and iPad in Facebook for iOS 6.0 -- allows users to continue chatting with their friends while completing other actions, such as scrolling through photos.

When a friend messages a user, the friend's profile picture pops up in a bubble in the upper right hand corner of the screen, alerting the user to a new message. The user can then click on the bubble to respond to the chat and then immediately return to the action that he or she was previously doing.

Facebook Home users are able to see the chat heads even when they do not have the Facebook app running, but this is not the case for iOS users.

However, the iOS 6.0 update also gives iPhone users two other new features: the ability to insert big smiley icons called "stickers" into messages, and a cleaner and more easily accessible News Feed.

The 6.0 update is currently available in Apple's App Store.

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Seven US Carriers Will Launch the Galaxy S IV this Month

The follow up to the popular Galaxy S III is almost here, and practically everyone will be able to get their hands on one. On Wednesday Samsung Mobile announced that its newest flagship handset, the Samsung Galaxy S IV will be available across seven carriers starting in April.  

Samsung's new handset will be available on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, U.S. Cellular, Cricket, and C Spire during April. Carriers are gradually beginning to reveal pricing and release dates, though a few carriers have yet to release any details.

As of now, T-Mobile has announced it will offer the handset starting April 24 for $150 down in addition to 24 monthly payments of $20. Sprint will be offering the Galaxy S IV on April 27, and will charge $250 for the device (new customers switching from another carrier will receive $100 instant credit). AT&T will offer the Galaxy S 4 on April 30 for $200 with a two year contract or for $450 with a one year contract. U.S. Cellular has yet to announce a release date, but the carrier is offering pre-orders for the handset on its website, the handset is available for $200 with a two year contract.

While users will be able to purchase the Galaxy S IV directly from the carrier, the new handset will also be offered by a number of retailers including; Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile, Costco, Radio Shack, Sam's Club, Staples, Target and Walmart.

The Hardware

The Galaxy S IV will offer 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display with a1920 x 1080 resolution and 441ppi. The device will run on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) and is powered by a 1.9GHz Quad-Core processor, with 2GB or RAM, and 16 and 32GB of internal memory with microSD support. The handset also offers a 2,600 mAh battery and a 13MP rear-facing camera.

For more information on be sure to read our full preview our hands on preview of the Samsung Galaxy S IV. 

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New App Allows Cloudless Sync of MS Outlook & BlackBerry BB10

BB10Sync, an indie start-up group partnered with CompanionLink Software, has created a new tool designed for secure, cloudless two-way synchronization of Microsoft Outlook and BB10 devices via USB. Priced starting at $24.99, the new BB10 PC Outlook Sync app will support the BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 smartphone and any future devices running the BB10 OS.

The app syncs Outlook data from a PC with the BB10 device over USB and is compatible with both the standalone and Exchange versions of Outlook. All features get synchronized, including Contacts, Calendar, and Remember (tasks and notes).

Belinda Hilbert, lead QA (quality assurance) contact on the BB10Sync team, said that the indie start-up wanted to create an app that provides a more secure way to sync Outlook with BB10 devices.

"Few small business professionals want their corporate contacts and calendar in a hackable cloud database that is farmed for marketing by the database owner. The PC Outlook Sync app offers a secure way to move contacts, calendar, tasks and notes between your PC to your BlackBerry OS 10 device," Hilbert maintained.

The BB10 PC Outlook Sync app is available now. Free trial versions are available. A single user license costs $24.99, while three licenses cost $39.99, and the "business pack" with five licenses costs $99.99. For more information, visit bb10outlooksync.com.

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Scout for iPhone To Add 3D Data, Crowd Sourcing by End of Year

Just weeks after updating Scout for iPhone with On My Way and Calendar Integration, Telenav has announced that the navigation app will see even more features before the end of this year. The upcoming additions include on-screen 3D buildings and landmarks, as well as crowd-sourced information on accidents, road hazards, and traffic congestion.

3D Buildings and Landmarks

In the future update, Scout will add 3D buildings and landmarks for many major metropolitan areas in the US. Telenav is creating the 3D technology to help drivers navigate in unfamiliar cities, according to Ryan Peterson, Telenav's director of product managemnt, traffic and navigation.

"It's about providing drivers with additional context on the road so they can better navigate their surroundings with just a quick glance," Peterson said in a statement.

As drivers approach an upcoming turn, the GPS app will change its layout to include the landmarks. The feature was developed with the use of a rendering technology known as "screen space ambient occlusion" (SSAO), which is used in the game industry to produce high frame rate realistic graphics.

To reduce overall GPS load times, local caching will be used, meaning that the 3D data will be downloaded on an individual basis based on the route provided.

Traffic and Road Hazard Information

In another new feature, Scout users will have the opportunity to report road congestion, car accidents and other traffic hazards after experiencing them, so as to contribute to a database of updated traffic information.

The information will be downloaded and put into the crowd-sourced database so that other drivers can be notified of the delay or hazard in the area.

General UI Updates

Telenav also plans general user interface (UI) improvements for better upcoming traffic data and alternate route navigation.

Telenav is working to improve alternate routes by adding more information based on traffic reports. This information will be provided on the same GPS screen, so users won't have to go through several screens to look for it while driving.  Users will be prompted by the app if faster routes are discovered.

Telenav also plans to improve mid-route information so that drivers will be able to tell if traffic is at a "red, yellow, or green" status (meaning congested, partially congested or not congested) up to 15 miles ahead without changing screens.

The improved UI will also include vector-based technology for displaying traffic conditions more quickly and sharply than before.

The enhancements are planned for both the free and premium versions of the app.

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HTC One Coming to T-Mobile April 24

HTC's newest flagship smartphone, the HTC One is coming to T-Mobile on April 29. The news was originally announced via Twitter, as the company responded to various questions asking about the availability of the handset after a rumor surfaced that the company would be offering the device.

According to TmoNews the HTC One will also support Wi-Fi calling on T-Mobile's network.

T-Mobile has noted that the HTC handset will be available in select retailers on April 24, but the carrier has yet to announce how much the device will cost. However, given T-Mobile's new strategy moving away from contracts, consumers should expect to pay full price for the device.

About the HTC One

The HTC One offers a 4.7-inch Corning Gorilla Glass Display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. The handset also offers a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600, with 2GB or RAM, and a 2,300 mAh battery. The HTC one runs on Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) along with HTC Sense UI v.5, and houses a 4MP rear-facing camera.

For more information be sure to see our full review of the HTC One. 

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Update: Facebook phone? Been there, done that, and nobody cared

Summary: Facebook is generating buzz with the unveiling of Home, but it seems everyone has forgotten about the Facebook phone nobody wanted.

Facebook has unveiled the new Home environment for Android phones that looks to turn them into Facebook phones. Breaking into the mobile space has long been the dream of Facebook. Though, it's too early to tell if users will race to turn their Android phones into Facebook phones. They didn't flock to a real Facebook phone in the past as we pointed out in this article originally published in 2011.

While some have raised well-placed privacy concerns about having Facebook in your pocket, the fact is this has been done before and nobody cared. Do you remember the HTC Chacha? How about the AT&T branded version of it, the HTC Status? I didn't think so.

This was an unofficial, meaning HTC/AT&T couldn't actually call it a Facebook phone, a handset that had Facebook ingrained all the way down to the hardware layer. You could see the Facebook button right on the front of the phone, that made it a snap, er, push of a button, to share anything around you. Both AT&T and HTC made a big splash about the Status/Chacha, calling it the first Facebook phone on the AT&T network. It was positioned to change our world, and for the better. After all, sharing is good, right?

This was earlier this year [2011], and since then the Facebook phone has made no impact. No. Noise. At. All. It's as if it quietly went into hiding in the back rooms of stores. I'm sure some of them sold to customers, but I certainly haven't seen a single one in the real world.

If Facebook is really developing Buffy, or whatever it will eventually call the real Facebook phone, it is likely to receive the same reception as the "nobody owns one" Chacha. The fact is Facebook is too late to bring such a phone to market successfully, as every single Facebook user already has decent access to the service on their present phone. It doesn't matter what phone they use, Facebook is already front and center for those who consider that important.

Facebook phone? Nobody outside of the Facebook organization cares.

Addendum, April 4 at 10:48am PT: First paragraph added about the new Facebook Home.

Topics: Mobility, Android, Telcos, Social Enterprise

James Kendrick has been using mobile devices since they weighed 30 pounds, and has been sharing his insights on mobile technology for almost that long.

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BlackBerry Z10: Refreshing, but not thirst quenching (review)

I've been testing the BlackBerry Z10 on the Verizon network, and the new BlackBerry 10 OS is a refreshing change from the screens of icons common to most mobile platforms. The gesture-based operation is fluid, and while not immediately obvious, becomes second nature after a short while.

Elegant unlock — swipe up. (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet)

As refreshing as BB10 is compared to the competition, after using it for a few days, I've come to realize that there is nothing compelling about it to make me want to switch. It's not bad by any stretch of the imagination, it simply fails to bring anything to the table to entice me over to BlackBerry.

Long-time BlackBerry users/fans will no doubt love BB10 and the Z10, but prospective customers will be expecting something they can't get elsewhere.

This review is not going to delve into the hardware specifications, nor performance benchmarks, there are plenty of reviews that cover that. It will instead concentrate on the one area I feel that is most important, that of the user experience provided. It doesn't matter if a phone is faster than everything out there if it's not pleasant to use.

Plastic, but feels good in the hand. (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet)

The Z10 shows the quality of construction and simple design that has long been the hallmark of the BlackBerry line. The plastic handset construction is not the sturdiest out there, but it is well done and appealing.

The front of the phone is an elegant black rectangle that makes the display and bezel run together seamlessly. It is an understated, but attractive look for a phone, and I like it.

The front of the Z10 is buttonless, and that seems perfect for the design. It fits the operation of BB10, especially the swipe up gesture to unlock the phone. It's not by accident that the term "refreshing" constantly comes to mind when thinking about the user interface (UI).

The phone is thin and light, yet feels substantial in the hand. That's not to say it feels heavy, rather it feels like a quality phone. That's a common reaction from those I hand it to.

The most dramatic change in the Z10 over the BlackBerry of old is the new OS, BlackBerry 10. The UI is designed to be completely operated by touch, usually by simple gestures. All aspects of the phone operation are accessible by swiping left or right, up or down, with the different screens existing on a virtual cylinder.

BlackBerry Hub. (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet)

The left-most screen on BB10 is the BlackBerry Hub is essentially a unified inbox on steroids. In addition to putting multiple email accounts together in the hub, it also brings in social media messaging. This puts all Twitter and Facebook messages in line with email and text messages for easy access.

BlackBerry fans will like BBM in BB10, although those unfamiliar with it will not care much, as that function is served by other methods. It is incorporated into the BlackBerry Hub, which keeps all messaging together in one place.

Swiping right from the Hub takes you into the main app launcher. This is the familiar screen(s) of app icons for launching. There aren't a lot of apps that are designed specifically for BB10 yet, but the library is growing.

Once an app is run it takes over the entire display as it should. Swiping up from the bottom sends it to the background, depicted by a screen of thumbnails of all apps running in the background. Apps can be closed by tapping the little "x" in the corner of the thumbnail, or brought to the foreground by simply tapping it.

Task manager. (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet)

The user experience (UX) of BB10 on the Z10 is fluid and simple, and intuitive after using it a while. It's easy to swipe in from the edge of the display to make something happen, and to move around the OS.

As nice as the hardware is on the Z10, and how refreshing BB10 is, the longer I use it the more I feel it's not compelling me to switch. It does what it does well enough but it doesn't add anything I don't already have with my current phone.

It's not bad by any means, it's just another smartphone when all is said and done. Long-time BlackBerry users/fans will no doubt love BB10 and the Z10, but prospective customers will be expecting something they can't get elsewhere. Having used BB10 for a few days, I don't see what that might be.

I would compare the new BlackBerry to a soft drink. The new drink may be very refreshing, but it doesn't quench the thirst any better than existing drinks. It tastes OK, but there's nothing to get prospective customers to give up their favorite soft drink for the new one.

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