Upgrading The Xperia Pro

It's not that often you publish praise for our hardware and software providers so I thought I would relate my recent experience. I have just upgraded my Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro to Android 4.0 (free) and I must say it's really good. The upgrade went very smoothly via my home laptop, only taking about ten minutes (I live out in the country so my broadband is a bit slow). All contacts and vital data preserved no problem (yes I did back up just in case!). I also changed my provider to TalkTalk (TT) and that went very smoothly too, at the time they nominated and I was able to keep my old number. TT gave me a better deal than the previous provider, £5/month cheaper and on a rolling one month contract - no long term-very good.

Only two complaints-first, please let it be known that mobile phones with proper manual QWERTY keyboards should have shift keys duplicated on both sides of the keyboard - just like a real typewriter and computer. The Xperia has two shift keys both on the left, which makes double-thumb operation not that easy. Try capital A with two thumbs when the shift key is next to the A key. Apart from that I can highly recommend the Xperia Pro if you send a lot of texts like me. It's also just the right size and weight and with Android 4 is very fast, great colour screen, excellent camera stills and video, good battery life and very responsive to touch.

Second complaint - Android 4.0 seems to have done away with the 'favourites' touch key in Contacts which I had found most useful, being the quickest way to my most used phone numbers. Also it appears that when silent mode is activated, it also switches off the vibrate function which is hard to understand. I thought that vibration was provided to allow one to know that there was 'something coming in' without ringtone disturbance to others around, in meetings etc. Please bring this to the attention of the Android 4.0 programmers so we can have the option of 'vibrate when silent' restored again.

Finally a tip. When setting up for email there are two ways that the handset must be set up. The provider must give the correct P0P3 server incoming and outgoing links for the handset. This is normally automatic now with a new phone and/or provider. I was having trouble getting my emails on the Pro, and TT could do no more than confirm that I had entered the right TT email settings manually. Even so the handset said "could not contact server" every time I tried to activate. On contacting Sony Ericsson they could not help either. I then realised that the handset's Wi-Fi settings had to be "told" to look for the specific TT email server and this can be set manually via the settings menu. On setting this correctly, my emails worked fine.

The point is neither TT nor SE told me about this second adjustment and both appeared to be unaware of the need for it. This ought to be passed on to the providers so that both issues can be addressed by them when a new subscriber/new handset user is being "talked through" the setting up process.

We say: Sony has been arguably the best of all the major handset manufacturers for delivering the ICS update, and it's nice to hear your own experience of it has also been a positive one!

Best iPad Keyboard Cases

When Microsoft announced its upcoming rival to the iPad, Surface, the feature that seemed to get people most excited was the keyboard built into its snap-on case. ‘Apple must be wishing it had thought of that,’ remarked the PC press, shrewdly. What Apple understands, though, is that just because you think of something, that doesn’t mean you have to do it.

Not everyone who buys an iPad needs a keyboard case. But if you do, there are plenty of companies who’ll be happy to sell you one. And that means you get to choose from around a dozen options, not just two.

We tested six of the most promising and best iPad keyboard cases, from big names and less familiar makers. So now you’ll know which to buy, with the money you saved when your iPad didn’t come with one that you didn’t want. Wish you’d thought of that, Microsoft? All these keyboard cases are available for ipad, ipad 2 and the new ipad 3. If you have new ipad 3 than visit ipad3games.co to find out more best ipad 3 cases.

LogitechUltrathin Keyboard Cover ($97.99)

Logitech has taken a slightly different approach with its Ultrathin keyboard case. Rather than a folio that makes your iPad look like an anonymous executive folder, the Ultrathin is more like an Apple Smart Cover with a keyboard attached. However, instead of a flappy lightweight plastic structure, the Logitech has a solid base to protect your iPad’s precious screen.

Like the other models on test, the keyboard connects via Bluetooth and contains a rechargeable battery; Logitech claims this will last for six months between charges based on two hours of typing a day. We didn’t quite have the time to test that fully, but with average use we don’t doubt it.

Your iPad is held magnetically in the trench across the top of the keyboard, and although we had doubts about this scheme, in use it’s excellent. The base and iPad feel incredibly sturdy in this configuration and it makes for a very good typing experience. The single viewing angle might not appeal to all – especially if you’re in an awkward position on a train or plane – but that’s a minor gripe.

The Logitech is an excellent keyboard and, as the name promises, very thin and light. If you’re looking for something that protects your iPad completely, this probably isn’t for you, since it gives just the bare minimum of coverage. But as a handy portable keyboard it’s excellent.

KensingtonKeyFolio Expert ($99.99)

Now, here’s an idea. How would you like to stick your iPad into a case, quite literally?

Kensington has come up with the idea that, rather than fiddle with a plastic clip-in solution or a fabric case that you slip your iPad into, it would be more convenient just to use a sticky pad. Here – well, it’s interesting. You align your iPad with the sticky oblong and press firmly until it grabs on. The surface that adheres to the iPad’s rear is multi-use, so you can attach and remove it as many times as you like.

The keyboard itself is large, and the case allows for a good selection of viewing angles. The case wraps around your iPad and is both thin and lightweight; our only criticism is that it’s all flaps and creases, making it difficult to quickly grab your iPad and move on.

The main advantages of the Kensington are the multiple angles provided for by the sectioned case and the nicely proportioned keyboard. However, we have reservations about the attachment system. We never felt completely safe carrying the iPad in the KeyFolio, especially as the open ends mean it could theoretically slide out as you move about. You have to put a lot of faith in that sticky patch.

ZAGG ZAGGfolio

ZAGG’s keyboard case for the original iPad was one of our favourite early accessories. The ZAGGfolio, for iPad 2 and the new iPad, is neater but still hugs your tablet similarly; it’s more of a protective shell than a folio case, despite the name. But it has a pleasant soft-touch finish so it doesn’t feel like a cheap plastic cover.

Your iPad slides into the top half of the case and is held firmly in place; a minor quibble is that you have to remove the keyboard from the case to charge it. With the keyboard and iPad together, the Zagg is relatively heavy, though still easily portable.

The clasp that holds the iPad shut works, but it’s not a great design – not easy to clip shut and tricky to undo. And the way your iPad sits in the keyboard means you get just the one viewing angle; it’s fine for most situations, but some cases provide more flexibility. Still, the chunky base does mean the ZAGG can be used easily on your lap, which is not something most of the other cases allow for.

The ZAGG is similar to the Adonit keyboard in that it’s one of the better options for fast or touch-typists. But you’ll still have a few frustrating hours getting used to the more cramped keys.

The ZAGG is a great protective case, and despite the small shortcomings of the clip and the weight, it remains an excellent choice.

AND ALSO…

Although we didn’t have room on the test bench for all the keyboard cases we found, these are also worth considering:

BelkinYourType Keyboard + Folio ($54.99)

Cygnett Lavish Connect ($99.95)

Nuu SoftKey ($29.99)

Top high-end smartphones

The smartphone has become an integral part of modern life, offering a multitude of apps, web browsing, instant messaging, email, and, oh yes, calling. But when you are looking for the best of the best, what are your choices? Here are a few of the favourites round the office.

Samsung Galaxy S II

Crowned as Best Smartphone of the year at the Mobile World Congress, it goes without saying that there is much to like about the excellent Android 2.3-running Samsung Galaxy S II. The dual-core Cortex A9 1.2 GHz processor with a full 1 GB of RAM makes light work of graphic intensive applications, while its features are further enhanced by 16 GB of storage, a sharp 8 MP camera and full HD video recording.

Combine this with a beautiful 4.3" Gorilla Glass display (480 x 800 pixels, 217 ppi) and a hipster jean-friendly 8.5 mm body, and you have yourself imobilepost’s Top Smartphone of 2011.

Motorola RAZR XT910

Sleek is the keyword when it comes to the RAZR, thanks to a body that measures a wafer-thin 7.1 mm (compared to the S II’s 8.5 mm). But the Android 2.3-running RAZR certainly does not sacrifice substance for style, since it has a few valuable tricks up its sleeve. Most notable of these is Motocast, which allows you to access files, movies, pictures and music stored on your home PC from almost anywhere. Also worth a mention is the excellent 4.3" screen (540 x 960 pixels, 256 pixel per inch), a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9, 1080i video recording, all combining to make the RAZR a noteworthy successor to the original series.

Apple iPhone 4S

While everyone was expecting the iPhone 5, Apple decided that, for now, a speedier iPhone 4 is enough. The 4S looks exactly the same as its older brother, but is noticeably faster. This is due to the same A5 chipset that does duty on the iPad 2 (incorporating a dual-core 1 GHz Cortex A9 processor), while a new dual-antenna design speeds up internet browsing. Also onboard is Siri, a voice-based digital assistant that can help with a number of tasks (we got bored with it quite quickly), while Apple improved the already great digital camera, plus upped the video recording to 1080p. With a gorgeous 3.5" screen (640 x 960, 330 ppi), you can’t go wrong with the iPhone 4S.

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9900

RIM’s BlackBerry Bold series has carved itself a very strong niche in the smartphone world, with the Bold 9900 being the best (and smartest) in the current line-up.

It’s the first touch-and-type Bold device, meaning you have the trustworthy physical keyboard, but now with the benefit of a touch-screen to play around with too. The 2.8" screen (640 x 480, 287 ppi) is a pleasure to work on, while BlackBerry 7 OS is 40% quicker than OS 6 due to Liquid Graphics. The phone further offers some new features, such as NFC and voice-activated search. At 10.5 mm it’s also the thinnest BlackBerry out there, allowing us to easily punt this as the best device from RIM yet.

Samsung Galaxy Note

Is it a smartphone or a tablet? We are going to throw Samsung’s brilliant Galaxy Note in with the rest of the smartphones, simply because we had a lot less hassle carrying this around than what we initially expected. With a brilliant 5.3" screen (800 x 1280 pixels, 285 ppi), one would expect this hybrid device to be big and bulky, but the fact that it is only 9.65 mm thick makes it (almost) pain-free to carry around. It’s blisteringly fast (thanks to a dual-core 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex A9) and comes with the S-Pen stylus to help with writing and sketching. And with a scheduled Premium Suite (incorporating Android Ice Cream Sandwich) upgrade in the works, the Note should soon become even better.