The Apple iPhone can easily be referred to as the one phone that has changed the entire mobile phone industry and the way we look at mobile phones. Gone are the bar styled phones with a traditional keyboard. Those are now replaced by full touch screens that have largely drawn their inspiration from the original iPhone. The iPhone has seen various versions over the years, and the latest one, the iPhone 4 promises to be the best so far.

The new iPhone 4 features a 3.5 inch touch screen display. Apple claim that the retina display technology employed in this screen is the most advanced yet and it produces such a high resolution that the pixels are not visible for a naked eye. The 960 x 640 resolution is one of the highest for a mobile phone screen. The phone apart from this fantastic screen also features a great camera as well.

The 5 megapixel camera used in the phone is just one of the two cameras in this phone. This along with the Facetime application means that you can do a video chat with your family and friends all for free. The 5 megapixel camera is at the rear and it is used for high quality photography. It can also do 720p HD video recording. The camera comes with LED flash that provides great lightning for better low light photography. The phone has connectivity options like 3G and Wi-Fi that lets you share the photos and videos taken on the social networking sites such as Facebook and so on.

The phone also comes with a powerful battery that offers nearly 7 hours of talk time in the 3G mode. The iPhone 4 retails from £499 for the 16 GB version to £599 for the 32 GB version.

In what seems to be a region isolated case, UK network subscribers are having trouble with their iPhone devices. Apparently, even when the device’s data roaming features have been manually switched off, it still manages to access roaming services when outside of the UK and thus, causes excess amounts to appear on subscriber’s bills.

The exact causes of the issue and the nature of the problem is being kept strictly under wraps, with no representatives from either Apple or the network operators willing to step forward to comment on the issue. The only good thing here is that networks are already aware of the problem and most will be willing to refund overcharged data roaming charges. As for users who have not paid the billed amounts, they can bring up the matter with their network in order to have the charges fixed.

So far, similar reports are not being reported in other countries so it is hard to determine if this is a problem with the iPhone itself or the UK networks. Since the case does not seem present for other mobile phones, it can be assumed that the problem lies with the combination of having an Apple iPhone and being a UK subscriber. Some believe that the case is also more based on the iPhone OS itself, as no specific model of the iPhone is mentioned.

As always, for UK subscribers travelling outside the country, regardless of network and mobile device used, they are advised to ensure that their data and roaming settings are properly set prior to leaving the country. There is currently a cap for roaming data that would allow subscribers to keep the charges at a low rate. Those who will need more web access may opt to have the cap removed. It is best to consult with your network operator regarding any other special arrangements that can be made.

Apple has started the iPhone 4 free bumper program and the Cupertino based company has come up with a very interesting way of distributing the cases; everything will be done through a downloadable application.

According to Apple, the system has been made in order to prevent users from committing fraud. The special iPhone app will connect directly to user’s iTunes accounts and will show if they are eligible for the free iPhone 4 bumper offer. For those who have not taken up Apple’s offer, now is a great time to get the app and sign up for the free casing. Those who have already purchased a bumper from the official iPhone store will be happy to know that the amount has already been returned to their credit cards.

For those wondering why Apple is giving out free bumpers, this is because that is currently the only solution that the company can offer the 1.7 million iPhone 4 owners. Reports indicate that the Apple iPhone 4 is suffering from a design flaw that leaves a portion of the antenna exposed to human touch. When this part is touched by the hand or a finger, the phone completely loses signal strength and calls get cut off. Sadly, the phone was designed in such a way that the exposed portion is most likely to be touched when the user is holding the device close to their ear with the left hand.

Apple, in an attempt to divert attention to the actual problem, gave varying excuses regarding mobile phone technology. Their argument was that other handsets also lose signal strength when the antenna is touch. This was countered by various mobile phone manufacturers, stating that other phones have been designed in a way that the antenna would not be touched automatically, and even if users did, the signal drop would not be so bad as to actually drop calls.

It is actually misleading to say that the iOS 4.0.1 update is not working, after all, it actually does change some of the colors for the Apple Games center and users will actually see a significant change in the way the signal meter is displayed.

After the update is installed, the handset would rarely ever show a full signal bar, and more often than not, the signal strength would be shown several bars lower than usual. Since the meter is often at the halfway mark, the lower bars (the first two) are not shown is slightly larger images in order to emphasize the new graphic.

In that regard the update works: it does what it is supposed to do. However, Apple also created version 4.0.1 as a means to solve the issue with the antenna –show the world that the signal is low and thus, they are prone to getting a voice call cut off short. This is not something that Apple could ever hope to fix with a software update, not now, not ever. After all, when the problem lies with the hardware itself, it would take something material to change the situation.

It has already been confirmed that the iPhone 4’s antenna problem could be fixed by simply having a protective case. This will ensure that the devices’ exposed antenna does not come in direct contact with human skin and prevent the signal from being lost. At the same time, there are users who would resort to more creative techniques such as applying a covering over the exposed antenna area (some of these include small strips of tape to applying a layer of nail polish on the handset).

Unless Apple gives out free cases or actually recalls all the devices, then it is unlikely that they would ever be able to give a viable solution.

If Apple thinks that lowering the signal meter by a couple of bars changes things, they are quite wrong.

The whole point of the complaint is that Apple should do something about the exposed antenna. There is a part of the Apple iPhone 4 that when touched with the hand, drains the signal from the handset. Now, it has been proven with other smart phones that a touch of a bare hand has the potential to lower the signal. In fact, when held in certain ways, it is possible to make some phones drop several signal meter bars instantly.

The problem with the iPhone is not with the signal meter, it is the fact that holding the device in a certain way will make the phone lose all reception. This means that the signal does not only get weaker, but becomes completely cut off. Sadly, the exposed part is easy to touch when using the handset to make calls –which is why there are plenty of people complaining about the dropped call issue.

Apple’s response to all this is to create a new software update that would show a lower signal meter. That’s fine, considering how they explained that the meter was not behaving properly in the first place. But that does not solve the antenna problem. After all, having a weak signal is just one thing, but completely being unable to connect is an entirely different problem.

In some ways, it is disappointing to see that Apple seems to not take the issue seriously. They may be avoiding the fact that a hardware issue of this scale is difficult to fix, but unless they finally start addressing the problem directly, they will only prolong the situation.

For those who have yet to “fix” the signal meter on their handsets, it is reported that the update for the meter is already available.

The new Apple iPhone 4 is making plenty of sales. In just three days alone, the handset sold over 1.7 million units. But if this level of success is supposed to indicate the wisdom of Apple in choosing parts for their mobile phone, many would beg to disagree.

Apple could have chosen to release a smart phone running the iPhone 4.0 OS with specs that resemble any other high end handset on the market and they would still make plenty of sales –such is the power of the iPhone brand. The iPhone 4 handset itself is nothing particularly special, and industry experts have various concerns regarding the device.

Take 3 Mobile’s CEO, Kevin Russell. The man has been at the forefront of 3G technology for years, as well as playing an important role in setting the prices and rates for data transfer and communication services. According to him, Apple’s new FaceTime is not as good as it sounds.

While a front facing camera has been considered to be one of the forbidden fruits of the Apple iPhone (due to the lack of front facing video camera in the earlier handsets), the function is not as crucial as the other features that users have originally longed for (such as cut and paste as well as multitasking). A front facing camera is great for having video chat over the internet, but it is not being sought after for the voice call technology.

It is true that there is a small niche of people who would find the video calling feature as a great idea –particularly those with friends and family who live quite apart from each other; or business users who would benefit from easy to set up video conferences. General users on the other hand, have very little use for the technology.

The HTC Desire was officially launched in March of this year. Since then, it has amassed a considerable amount of rave reviews which all send their praises towards this remarkable device. We must agree; the Desire is definitely one of the best. However, it isn’t perfect. Below are some aspects of the device that might need some fine-tuning before the Desire is deemed as THE Smartphone for 2010.

The Upside

Before anything else, we must give credit where it is due. There are more than a few things that we like about the HTC Desire. For starters, the 3.7” touch screen displays delivers vivid images of the highest quality (480 x 800 pixels). Then there’s the HTC Sense user interface on the device which makes the Android Eclair even better than it already is. Another notable feature is the web browser on the Desire which is pretty fast and also has Flash support. It’s also worth pointing out that the HTC Desire deals currently on offer are very impressive.

The Downside

As mentioned before, the HTC Desire is a pretty awesome device. However, this doesn’t mean that it does not have its own flaws. One of the biggest criticisms of the device is that although its AMOLED display delivers high resolution image outputs, it’s actually quite difficult to see when your outdoors and once the sun’s glare hits it. Also, some of the widgets on the device may need a few adjustments here and there. To some, the Android still appear to be a bit too geeky and the physical design of the device doesn’t quite match the appeal of the HTC Legend.

Final Judgement

The HTC Desire packs in all the features you’d expect from a Smartphone. This in itself should be enough to make it a contender as one of the best of the year. Its awesome interface backed up by a powerful processor guarantees an enhanced user experience. While it may lack the sexiness of the Legend or perhaps even the iPhone, the Desire is still worth a second look.

In an announcement that is bound to make many tech fans sad, Emblaze has announced that their company is taking financial loses and in order to stabilize the situation, they will be seizing the funds allocated for the development of the First ELSE operating system and user interface.

After a fantastic showing of the First ELSE handset at the Mobile World Congress last February, it is hard to imagine that the phone will no longer be seeing production lines. The ELSE’s user interface made use of a one-touch system that allowed users to easily navigate menus, send files, call contacts with a single finger on the screen.

The stylish and innovative user interface lacked the big fussy animations and colors seen on the Windows Phone 7 or the elaborate icons of the iPhone. Instead, the design focused more on functionality –and providing a bit of a stylized futuristic feel to the phone.

While the First ELSE would not have been a mainstream smart phone, it would have certainly carved out a niche for itself, but sadly, that possibility is now going down the drain as Emblaze has to recuperate its losses, and cancelling the First ELSE is just a part of a long process the company has to go through before it is stabilized once again.

There have been reports that Emblaze is planning to sell some of the user interface designs to other companies. This brings hope to the possibility that the UI might actually see an incarnation in other mobile phones, but for the most part, tech fans will have to scratch out the First ELSE from their wish lists.

This announcement is just one of the many various technologies being announced as ‘scrapped’. Microsoft also announced that the Kin series of smart phones will be getting axes in favor of upcoming WP7 handsets.

“Smooth sailing” is a term that just cannot be used to refer to the iPhone 4G’s release. First, there was the yellow smudges appearing on the Retina Displays and now, reports say that reception is poor on their out of the box iPhone 4Gs. Well for left-handed users anyway.

The reception problem that has been occurring recently can be attributed to covering the mobile phone’s bottom left corner. Bridging the gap with your finger keeps the iPhone 4G’s antenna from getting the signal properly and thus cuts your conversation short. While this is surprising, it is still good news, mainly because it does not involve anyone sending back their beloved units for a replacement.

Well, at least not yet. Simply move your hand out of the way and Apple’s mobile phone should work fine. Actually, going for a case that prevents your flesh from ever touching that part of the iPhone 4G will help keep the reception clear. Here is the advice:

“This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.”

It may sound weird to you but Apple insists that this is a normal thing for mobile phones and some have it worse than others. This is basically dependent on where the antenna is located on the mobile phone’s chassis. Since the past models of the iPhone had it and the Nexus One has it, then this must be a fact.

But really, what would it have taken to just move the internal parts of the iPhone around to allow for normal phone operations for left-handed users? If Apple is not going to fix this slight miscalculation issue in their production, maybe they should give out some pro bono slip cases to keep the fans happy.

While it originally seemed like that the OS will be filled with so much features and additional content, Microsoft has managed to keep their development cogs turning and churning fast enough to make it to the holiday launch they promised.

At the Mobile World Congress held last February in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain; Steve Ballmer took the stage and gave the world its first look at the Windows Phone 7 operating system. Without a doubt, many users of the older Windows Mobile OS were outright impressed with the stylish new user interface, at how smooth all the transitions were and the fact that it made full use of capacitive touch screen controls.

The demonstration ended with a promise that the OS would be delivered to the public by the holidays of this year.

While it seemed that announcing a new almost a full year in advance might have not been a good idea, Microsoft is so far, managing to pull it off. The weeks have been full of new updates, demonstrations, and announcements regarding what will be added and what manufacturers will be making handset for the new OS.

From the basic Zune, Bing and Xbox Live Games features that were shown off at the MWC to the addition of Silverlight, XNA 3D, the new MSN Player and even an upcoming Adobe Flash Player update, there is plenty that this new OS is going to offer t the public. Apple’s iPhone will not only have contend with the open source Android, now it will be matched by another closed system that could potentially be offering even more functionality in the form of the Windows Phone 7 OS.

Business enterprise users have not been forgotten by Microsoft. Despite the general consumer focus of the WP7 OS, they have promised that they will continue the development of the Windows Mobile OS. In fact, they recently launched Windows Embedded Handheld for WinMo.