Mobile Fun Blog

10 of the best Samsung Galaxy S Accessories

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

We’ve been loving the Galaxy S since the Summer, and it seems to have been pretty popular with you lot too, with sales figures already exceeding the five million unit mark.  That’s no surprise, since the Galaxy S matches up to the iPhone 4 and the HTC Desire in terms of specs – arguably even surpassing them in places.  And with Samsung rolling out the Android 2.2 update before the end of this month, this handset’s only set to get better.

To celebrate the update, here’s a few other ways to improve the aesthetics and versatility of your phone, and most importantly, keep it protected and safe from harm.

FlexiShield Skin For Samsung Galaxy S – Black

This is a simple little skin that can provide your phone with the protection it needs.  The material is strong and long-lasting, as well as being non-slip, so not only are you less likely to drop your phone but, because of the rubberised skin, it’ll also be more protected from bumps in the event that you do.  Our most popular and greatest value-for-money range of cases, there’s a variety of different colours available when choosing a FlexiShield as your Samsung Galaxy S cover.

FlexiShield Skin For Samsung Galaxy S - Black

Brodit Passive Holder With Tilt Swivel – Samsung Galaxy S i9000

With more and more people turning to app navigation systems such as Google Navigate, rather than shelling out on an expensive Sat Nav, a sturdy Samsung Galaxy S car holder is a good shout.  This one does exactly what it says on the tin; holds your mobile in place so that it’s easy to access and glance at whilst in the car, and allows you to tilt and position the holder into the optimum position.  Unlike windscreen-mounted phone and Sat Nav holders, it won’t restrict your view, but screws easily onto the dashboard and can also be attached using the Universal Suction Mount.

Brodit Passive Holder With Tilt Swivel - Samsung Galaxy S i9000

Martin Fields Screen Protector – Samsung Galaxy S

Most phone cases – including the FlexiShield featured above – only cover the back and sides of the phone (quite sensibly of course, as I’m sure you’re thinking, or you wouldn’t be able to see the screen!)  Whilst there are a few that come with a screen protector included, in most cases you’re going to need to buy one separately – and it’s definitely something that’s more than worth the fairly minimal expense.

This Martin Fields Samsung Galaxy S screen protector is the lowest in cost, although for those wanting to go the extra mile the InvisibleShield protectors are available for most phones and are made out of a military-strength material which was originally designed to protect helicopter blades.  Depending on what exactly you get up to into your spare time, though, your mobile mostly isn’t going to be under the same sort of pressure as a helicopter blade, and in that case the Martin Fields version is more than sufficient.  Simple in concept and in application, it’ll protect your screen from scratches and scrapes.  Particularly useful if you keep your phone loose, in a handbag or a jacket pocket.

Martin Fields Screen Protector - Samsung Galaxy S

Genuine Samsung Galaxy S Extended Battery Case

Though by all accounts the Galaxy S is a brilliant slice of tech, that enormous AMOLED screen isn’t half going to drain your battery unless you’re not careful.  This specially designed Samsung Galaxy S case works as an extended battery, increasing your time at standby by up to 500 hours and giving you around an extra 8.5 hours of talk-time.  It’ll add some extra bulk to the phone, of course, but hey – you can’t have everything, and it’s more than worth it, especially if you’re off camping or at a festival for the weekend.  There’s nothing worse than agreeing to meet by-the-burger-van-opposite-the-Pyramid-Stage and then discovering too late that you’re all at different burger vans and can’t get in touch with each other.

Genuine Samsung Galaxy S Extended Battery Case

Samsung Desktop Dock For Samsung Galaxy S i9000

This is a nifty little Samsung Galaxy S charger and syncing device will keep your desktop tidy at the same time as keeping your mobile within easy access.  The phone is held horizontally, minimising the amount of space taken up, as well as creating the perfect angle to view video and picture slide-shows to let you make the most of that souped up AMOLED screen.  A pass-through USB connector allows you to charge and sync your phone whilst it’s sitting in the dock, and this official Samsung model is designed for use with the Samsung Home app which lets you turn your phone into a media player and make handsfree calls whilst it’s sat on your desk.

Samsung Desktop Dock For Samsung Galaxy S i9000

This is just a brief look at a few of our best-selling Samsung Galaxy S accessories, and there are plenty of other enhancing gadgets available; Bluetooth headsets, in-car chargers, speakers; whatever you need to get the most out of your handset.  Whilst not yet as big as Apple, with the popularity of Android growing this year due to massive releases such as the HTC Desire, it’s clear that the Galaxy S is going to stay a contender for a while yet.

(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Getting Started with the BlackBerry Pearl 3G

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

The original BlackBerry Pearl combined the excellent messaging services offered by BlackBerry with a ‘regular’ sized phone. It was a great choice of handset for anyone that was new to BlackBerry and was also the first BlackBerry handset to make it on to a pay as you go service. The original Pearl ran on GPRS technology, which is pretty slow by today’s standards.

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G – is a long overdue replacement for the original Pearl and has a number of improvements over its predecessor. It has fast internet access using both WiFi and HSDPA, a simplified keyboard layout that’s more in-line with standard mobile phones and a sleeker, smoother menu system.

The Pearl 3G has also had a few cosmetic changes, the white trackball that gave the Pearl it’s name is gone, replaced with an optical trackpad. The charging and headphone ports are both standard Micro USB and 3.5mm ports respectively.

If you’re getting the BlackBerry Pearl 3G, you’re going to want to be up and running as fast as possible, so we’ve put together a quick 5 step getting started guide.

Charge it up:

It’s fairly obvious, but before you can use your BlackBerry Pearl 3G, you’ll need to charge it. You’ll find that the phone will come with some charge in it, but you’ll still need to charge it for around 4-6 hours before you start to use it. You no longer need to charge them for 24 hours as battery technology has improved significantly over the last few years. Just charge it as you would normally.

If you need to go out and don’t have access to a mains power supply, you can use the BlackBerry Pearl 3G Car Charger to charge it in the car. It will still charge the battery, although not quite as quickly as a mains charger would.

BlackBerry Pearl 3G Car Charger

Get a bigger Memory Card:

The BlackBerry Pearl 3G has only 256MB of internal memory, that’s not a lot and it’s nowhere near enough to hold your Apps, photo’s, videos or music so a memory card will need to be one of the first purchases you make. The Pearl 3G can handle memory cards up to 32GB in capacity.

BlackBerry Pearl 3G Memory Cards

When choosing a memory card for your phone, always get the largest card you can afford. You may not need all the storage pace straight away, but over the length of your contract you’ll easily fill what ever card you get. If your budget allows it I’d suggest either a 16GB or 32GB memory card. A 16GB memory card will let you store over 2000 high quality photos, 2000 songs and around 1 hour of video with plenty of room left over for any apps you download.

Protect it:

Whether you bought your BlackBerry Pearl 3G Sim Free or took it out on a (lengthy) contract, the last thing you’re going to want to do it it is damage it. There are a few simple accessories that you can get to keep your Pearl 3G looking it’s best.

The simplest way to look after the screen is to fit a Pearl 3G Screen Protector. These are tough, precision cut plastic films that stick to the screen of your phone and protect it from scuffs and scrapes. They don’t use any messy adhesive and can be removed easily. The best value Pearl 3G screen protector is currently the MFX Screen Protector. They cost less than £5, are perfectly clear and they don’t distort any colours on the display.

MFX Screen Protector - BlackBerry Pearl 3G

Screen protectors are great for keeping the display looking like new, but what about the rest of the phone? A case is the best way to protect the back cover from those tiny scuffs and scratches and to protect the corners when you drop it. There are loads of BlackBerry Pearl 3G Cases available, but I’d recommend using a genuine BlackBerry Leather Pocket as tit has the magnets built in that will automatically change the profile of your Pearl 3G while it’s in the case.

BlackBerry Pearl 3G Series Leather Pocket

Set up your Bluetooth Devices:

If you’ve got a Bluetooth Headset, Stereo Bluetooth Headphones or a Bluetooth Car Kit you’ll need to set these up to work with your Pearl 3G. It’s a simple enough process, just search for bluetooth devices on your Pearl 3G and make sure that the device you’re trying to pair with is in pairing mode. If you’re not sure how to do that you’ll need to dig out your instruction manual. Your devices should connect in seconds and be ready for use.

If your Bluetooth devices are looking a little worse for wear or don’t work as well as they should, now is the perfect time to upgrade them. The Pearl 3G supports all the major bluetooth profiles, allowing you to stream your music from your phone to bluetooth speakers or headsets.

BlackBerry VisorMount Speakerphone VM-605

One of my favourite bluetooth accessories for BlackBerry phones is the Blackberry VM-605. It’s a Bluetooth Car Kit that clips to the sun visor in your car and allows you to listen to music from your phone and listen to your phone calls through the speakers in your car. Your Pearl 3G connects to it using Bluetooth and then the audio is broadcast over FM to your car stereo. The VM-605 lets you enjoy your music in the car as loud as you like, without any complicated set up or wires trailling across your dashboard and your calls are much clearer too..

Set up Email:

Once your Pearl 3G is charged, has some free storage space and is protected it’s time to start setting up your email accounts. The process has been simplified as much as possible and you should find that you can just follow the steps in the set up wizard to get your existing email account set up on the phone.

If you run into any problems setting it up on your phone, you can always switch to the BlackBerry Email website. It’s a bit clearer and easier to use and gives you greater control over your email. If you’re not 100% sure what you need to do and are looking for step by step instructions, take a look at our BlackBerry Email Setup Guide.

There are loads of other BlackBerry Pearl 3G accessories that will help you get more out of your phone, so if you’ve not seen anything here, head over the the Pearl 3G accessories page where you’ll find everything from a Pearl 3G case through to BlackBerry Pearl 3G Wireless Headphones.

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Case-Mate Cases

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Case-Mate are one of the biggest names in mobile phone cases. They’re also one of our top selling brands, which is why we’ve put this quick guide together to run through some the most popular Case-Mate cases.

Case-Mate cases are available for most of the latest touch screen phones in a number of styles. To give you an idea what’s available, we asked Chris from our products team to run through some of our favourites.

		HTC Desire HTC Wildfire HTC HD2
		From	£12.95
		iPhone 4 iPhone 3GS iPhone 3G iPod touch iPad
		From	£7.99
		BlackBerry Torch BlackBerry Curve 8520 BlackBerry Bold 9700 BlackBerry Curve 8900 BlackBerry Curve 3G
		From	£13.95
		Samsung Galaxy S Samsung Wave
		From	£15.95

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Buyers Guide: Nokia N8 Cases, Covers and Screen Protectors

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

The Nokia N8 has finally been released by Nokia, and although we’re still waiting for the handset to become available in the UK, Nokia N8 Accessories are already available.

The most popular accessories for touch screen smart phones are cases, covers and screen protectors, so I thought I’d take a quick look through our range of accessories and highlight a couple of my favourite Nokia N8 Cases, Nokia N8 Covers and Nokia N8 Screen Protectors.

Nokia N8 Cases

There are already quite a few N8 cases to choose from. They range from the simple silicone cases right through to designer leather cases. When I was going through all the cases to find some to include in this post I was looking for cases that were simple, didn’t interfere with the usability of the phone and that were quick and easy to remove as well as keeping the N8 safe and secure.

The two cases that stood out to me were the Nokia CP-503 Carry Case and the Noreve N8 Leather Case, but both for very different reasons.

The Nokia CP-503 is more of a casual case. It’s the kind of carry pouch you’d want when you’re off out with friends and want to keep your phone free from scratches while it’s in the back pocket of your jeans or in your bag. It comes in a few colours and is made from a soft flexible fabric that can easily be stuffed back into your pocket when it’s not needed.

Pouches have never been the easiest case to get your phone out of, but the CP-503 has a fabric pull tab that really improves things.  To get your N8 out of the case, just pull on the tab and your phone gently rises out of the case, although you’ll probably end up just pushing your phone up from the bottom of the case.

One thing that stands out as a little unusual is the small slit in the front of the case. Presumably Nokia have included this so you can see when your phone is ringing, but it’s such a small hole I can’t see it being much use.

Nokia CP-503 N8 Carry Case

The Noreve Tradition A Leather Case for Nokia N8 is worlds apart from the CP-503. It’s a high quality leather flip case that’s more formal than social, but looks stunning. Of all the leather cases we sell, Noreve are my personal favourite. The leather and fabrics used are excellent, as is the overall build quality, but what I like about them is that they hold your phone without the need for it to be in a stitched leather pocket that restricts access to the screen and buttons on the phone.

The Noreve case hold the N8 using a wrap around clip system. It grips the phone securely at the sides, without covering any of the buttons or ports. On the back, the fold over front flip folds right back to expose all of the camera and flash. You can see what I mean on the product page. This is great, as most cases just have small cut outs for the lens and flash which often don’t line up as they should and can compromise your photos.

Noreve Tradition A Leather Case for Nokia N8

Nokia N8 Covers

The difference between a cover and a case is pretty minimal, but to me a case is a fabric enclosure for your phone, where as a cover is a hard plastic or film that ‘covers’ the phone. These style of covers have been around for a while, but since the iPhone made an appearance, this style of case is now by far the most popular.

The two that stood out to me here are the InvisibleSHIELD N8 Full Body Protector and the ToughGuard N8 Shell. I’ve been a fan of InvisibleShield for a couple of years now as they’re one of the best ways to keep your phone looking like new – especially if you don’t want the extra bulk that you’d get by having your N8 in a case. Installation can be a little on the fiddly side, but as long as you don’t rush it you’ll be fine. They cover pretty much all of the phone, including the screen, back cover, sides and top edges. There are a few areas that aren’t covered, but these tend to be the parts that are unlikely to get damaged anyway.

InvisibleShield protectors give your N8 a non slip feel which makes it easier to hold and less likely to slip out of your hands while you’re using it. They don’t interfere with the sensitivity of the capacitive touch screen either.

InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector - Nokia N8

The other cover that stood out is the ToughGuard Shell For Nokia N8. These are tough, polycarbonate covers that completely encase your N8, leaving only the screen, menu button and camera surround exposed. They look and feel a bit like crystal cases, but they’re much more robust.

If you’ve had a crystal case in the past, chances are it shattered the first time you dropped your phone. The fact that the case broke is good – it means that it did it’s job and took the impact instead of your phone, but it’s still frustrating having to replace the case every time you drop your phone.

ToughGuard Shells are very different. They still absorb the impact, but they don’t shatter. They come in two parts that snap together securely with almost no chance of them falling off or separating from your phone on impact.

ToughGuard Shell For Nokia N8 - Black

Nokia N8 Screen Protector

The most important part of the N8 is the screen. Crack it, scratch it or break it and you can’t use your phone. Screen protectors won’t stop the screen from cracking (you’ll need a case or cover to help with that), but they will stop you from scuffing it and scratching it while it’s in your bag or pocket.

There are two types of screen protector, one is a thin plastic sheet that ‘clings’ to the screen of your phone, such as the Martin Fields Screen Protector, the other is from InvisibleShield and is the same plastic film used in their full body protectors. Both provide the same levels of protection. The only really noticeable difference is the feel of them and how they attach to your phone.

Martin Fields are really thin plastic sheets that are precision cut to size and use static to keep the screen protector in place. They’re crystal clear, they don’t distort the display in any way and they don’t interfere with the touch interface either. The only slight downside to these is that the edges can occasionally catch on your pocket and lift up. It’s not really a problem as the screen protector is designed to be removed, washed and refitted as and when needed.

Martin Fields Screen Protector - Nokia N8

The InvisibleSHIELD Screen Protector is essentially the same as the full body protector I mentioned above, but it only includes enough of the film to cover the screen of the N8. Like the Martin Fields, the film has been precision cut to size and doesn’t interfere with the usability of the screen. The main difference is how it attaches to the glass. The InvisibleShield screen protector uses a mild adhesive solution that, once dry, provides a very secure fit. There’s no chance of the cover coming off accidentally, but if you want to remove it you can do so just by peeling it off. It leaves no messy residue on your phone, but unlike the Martin Fields, it can’t be reused.

InvisibleSHIELD Screen Protector - Nokia N8

These are just my favourite 2 Nokia N8 Cases, Nokia N8 Covers and Nokia N8 Screen Protectors for the Nokia N8. There are loads more over on the main site, so if these aren’t quite what you’re looking for, head over to the N8 Accessories pages on the Mobile Fun site.

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Quick Look: BlackBerry Curve 3G Accessories

Monday, October 4th, 2010

The BlackBerry Curve 8520 was one of the most popular BlackBerry devices to hit the market, thanks mainly to it’s low price point. It worked well and as with every BlackBerry before it, was excellent for email and messaging. What did let it down slightly was the lack of 3G support – this meant updating Facebook and browsing the internet was painfully slow and not really what you’d expect from a modern smartphone.

Fortunately though, BlackBerry have put this right with the introduction of the BlackBerry Curve 3G. It’s essentially the same phone as the BlackBerry 8520, but with a much faster 3G internet connection and support for 802.11n wireless networks.

This is great news for anyone looking for accessories for the BlackBerry Curve 3G, as anything that fits the 8520 will work with the Curve 3G. If you’re not sure what to get, here are a few suggestions from our top selling BlackBerry Curve 3G Accessories.

FlexiShield Skin For The BlackBerry Curve 3G

If you want to keep your phone safe, one of the best ways to do it without adding much extra bulk is with a BlackBerry Curve 3G Cover like the Flexishield case. Flexishield skins are thin, flexible gel cases that cover the back, side and corners of your phone and protect it against scratches and scrapes. They leave all the vital parts of your Curve 3G (such as the camera, headphone port, charging port) fully accessible and can be removed quickly and easily if needed. They don’t cover the screen though, so you’ll need to invest in a BlackBerry Curve 3G Screen Protector.

FlexiShield Skin For BlackBerry Curve

BlackBerry Curve Series Leather Pocket

The Curve Series Leather Pocket is a stylish case from BlackBerry. It’s made from high quality leather and has a built in proximity sensor that puts your Curve 3G to sleep while it’s in the case and built in protection for the screen of your Curve 3G. Removing your phone is easy as it has a thumb groove that makes it easier to grip your phone and pull it out of the case.

BlackBerry Curve Series Leather Pocket

BlackBerry Curve Dual Desktop Charging Cradle

If you spend a lot of time at your desk and need to keep an eye on the screen of your BlackBerry Curve 3G, this could be just what you need. It’s a desk-stand that can charge and sync your phone. What’s more, it can also charge a spare battery at the same time. USB ports on the back allow you to connect it to your PC or Laptop to sync your contacts, photos and other media. The charging cable works with your existing BlackBerry Curve 3G Charger.  Not got a spare Curve 3G battery? Opt for the BlackBerry Curve Desktop Cradle instead.

BlackBerry Curve Dual Desktop Charging Cradle

Brodit Passive Holder With Tilt Swivel – BlackBerry Curve 3G

There are numerous ways to mount your BlackBerry in the car, but the  safest and  easiest way to use your Curve 3G in the car is to have it mounted in a fixed holder. Brodit Car Holders are moulded specifically for your phone from a tough ABS plastic. They are designed to be screwed to your dashboard or a Brodit ProClip – a damage free bracket that clips onto your dashboard without marking it. If you prefer you can also screw them directly into your dashboard or attached it to a windscreen suction mount. Brodit Car Holders leave all ports and keys accessible on your phone.

Brodit Car Holder for BlackBerry Curve 3G

Martin Fields Screen Protector – BlackBerry Curve

The last thing you’re going to want to do the the screen of your new Curve 3G is scratch it. Martin Fields screen protectors are probably the best quality screen protectors you can get for your phone. They’re precision cut to size and can be removed easily and leave no residue behind. They’re re-usable too, so if it ever gets dirty, just take it off, run it under the tap and re-fit it. Unlike some of the cheaper screen protectors that you can get, Martin Fields don’t distort any colours or compromise the display in any way.

Martin Fields Screen Protector - BlackBerry Curve

This is just a handful of the accessories that are available for the BlackBerry Curve 3G. To see the full range of BlackBerry Curve 3G accessories, head over to the main site or follow one of the links below.

(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...