Perfecto Mobile offers developers a special Android testing package

Perfecto Mobile came out with a special offer for Android application developers allowing them to test the newest Android-based devices on the company's Mobile Droid Cloud. Developers can get 20 monthly usage hours for only $99 or purchase any number of hours for only $9 with no other fees or commitments.

The Mobile Droid Cloud provides web access to a variety of real Android-based devices, located in the US, UK, Canada and Israel.

By using the service developers enjoy the following benefits:

• Test their applications on all devices at a fraction of the price they would spend on buying the newest devices.

• Get access to the latest Android devices immediately after they are launched to the market.

The offer includes the following models:

• Motorola Droid
• HTC Tattoo
• Motorola DEXT
• Motorola CLIQ
• Samsung Galaxy
• HTC Hero
• HTC Magic
• HTC G1
• HTC G1 1.6
• HTC G1 1.5

The Google-backed Android mobile operating system currently runs on less than 2% of all smartphones, But Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney predicts it will surge to 14% of the global smartphone market in 2012 -- ahead of the Apple’s iPhone.

Perfecto Mobile enables developers to test apps on new BlackBerry Bold 9700

When the BlackBerry Bold smartphone came out last year it was made clear that business phones don’t need to be boring. The current release of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 makes it even clearer. The new RIM smartphone is now available for developers who want to test their new mobile application on Perfecto Mobile’s Handset Cloud service.

BlackBerry 9700

Reviewers noted that the new device has many advantages over its predecessor. One commentator at Brightband explained that "In just a little more than a year RIM has proved that it can improve on a design that was already great". According to him, the browsing experience isn't on par with some competitors but Bold2 has a great track pad, excellent form factor with a very solid feel, an improved operating system

Another review in CNET UK noted that she liked the easy-to-use Qwerty keyboard, push email, vivid screen, good apps available, zippy optical trackpad, great connectivity, including Wi-Fi.  She didn't like, however, the fact that the user interface is useful but dull, the Web browser is comparatively poor, and the keyboard isn't as clicky as on other BlackBerry devices and the apps can be expensive.

A reviewer at Britain's Telegraph concluded that while "earlier BlackBerry machines were just too wide to hold to your ear for a phone call. The slimmer Bold 9700 is the best balance yet between comfortably narrow phone and conveniently wide keyboard".

Date of introduction to the Perfecto Mobile service
November 18, 2009

Specs
 - Screen size: 480 x 360 pixels, 2.44 inches
 - Operating System: BlackBerry OS; 5.0
 - Device family: BlackBerry Bold

Specs Link
 - Manufacturer specs: http://na.blackberry.com
 - GSMArena: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_bold_9700

Perfecto Mobile Relevant Resources
 - Demo - Mobile testing video demo
 - Live Webinar - Handset Cloud Service Overview
 - Special offer – Get a free trial to test your applications on the latest BlackBerry devices.

Perfecto Mobile enables testing of new Motorola Droid smartphone

Motorola has released the Droid, the first phone to run Google's Android operating system version 2.0. The new smartphone is now available for developers who want to test their new mobile application on Perfecto Mobile’s Handset Cloud service.

The well known Robert Scoble of Scobliezer, rushed to conclude that the Droid fails as a product when compared to the Palm Pre and iPhone. Scoble added, however, that the Droid is likely to attract developers. He noted the device's complex out-of-box experience and the hardware.

On the other hand, Walter S. Mossberg, of the Wall Street Journal noted that while the Motorola Droid has some significant drawbacks, he regards it as a success overall saying that it has the best Motorola phone he has tested and the best hardware so far to run Android.

At Gizmodo the reviewer summarized it well: "Android is evolving more rapidly than any other smartphone platform, both in terms of the hardware and software. When HTC's Hero came out, it crushed every other Android phone out there. Just a couple short months later, Droid is on top. In four months, we'll probably see a new champion. That Droid sets such a high bar for everything after might be the best thing about it".

Date of introduction to the Perfecto Mobile service
November 18, 2009

Specifications
 - Screen size: 4.56 x 2.36 x 0.54 inches
 - Operating System:  Android; 2.0 (Eclair)
 - Device family: Motorola , Android Smartphones

Usage tips in the Perfecto Mobile service
Limitations:  Direct “Type Text” throws uncalled for space characters. There is no digital Screen Capture; and the direct “Type Text” will produce "`" character.

Specs Link
 - Manufacturer specs: http://www.motorola.com
 - PhoneArena: http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Motorola-DROID

Perfecto Mobile Relevant Resources

 - Demo - Mobile testing video demo
 - Live Webinar - Handset Cloud Service Overview
 - Droid Cloud Device - Web access to a variety of real Android-based devices for only $99 per month.

Samsung B7300 Omnia LITE, the new Windows Mobile 6.5 touchscreen device now available for testing on Perfecto Mobile’s service

Samsung has launched a new Windows Mobile (WM) smartphone Omnia Lite, which is also known as  B7300. The new touchscreen device is now available for developers who want to test their new mobile application on Perfecto Mobile’s Handset Cloud service.

A reviewer at PhonesLimited noted that the device is "a comprehensive handset which ticks all the right boxes. Its feature packed which ensures the owner will be fully occupied. The simple and effective use of the functionality is down to a simplistic navigation and access system which is integral to the phones desirability".

Another commentator at PDA-247 noted that "the Omnia Lite is a breath of fresh air in an industry dominated by Windows Mobile clones which vary only by design and some software add-ons. This phone takes the process much further and succeeds almost everywhere- a great battery, pleasing design, top specifications and a low price make it one of the very best Windows Mobile phones I have used to date. Would I use this over the HTC Touch2? Definitely".

At the same time, reviewer John Chan pointed out on CNET Asia that the downside of the phone is that  it comes with a 3-inch 400 x 240-pixel display. "This is the same resolution found on the original Omnia SGH-i900, but the diagonal length is shorter by 0.2 inches. This WQVGA resolution is an odd one that may not work with some third-party applications".

Date of introduction to the Perfecto Mobile service
November 10, 2009

Specifications
 - Screen size: 240 x 400 pixels, 3.0 inches
 - Operating System: Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5
 - Device family: Samsung, Smartphones

Usage tips in the Perfecto Mobile service
Limitations: The template XML is not assigned to the schema. The schema is outdated.

Specs Link
GSMArena: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_b7300_omnialite

Samsung new multimedia phone Omnia i8910 HD available for testing on Perfecto Mobile’s service

Samsung has launched the much anticipated new Omnia i8910 HD multimedia phone. The new device is now available for developers who want to test their new mobile application on Perfecto Mobile’s Handset Cloud service.

The new smartphone received, overall, a warm welcome from reviewers. So, for instance a commentator at PhoneArena said that "this is one of the most exciting cell phones as of now. The Samsung´s monster, the OMNIA HD i8910. We have to admit that despite its size, it is one hell of an all-in-one, smart device. Aside from being the first cell phone capable of capturing and playback of nice quality HD video content, its 8-megapixel camera takes pictures with very good quality. The OMNIA HD sports an awesome 3.7-inch touch sensitive AMOLED screen and battery that lasts long".

At the same time the reviewer noted that the i8910 HD also has a few drawbacks pointing to the mediocre sound quality during talks.

Another commentator at Gizmodo concluded that "the Omnia HD does everything fine and a few things extremely well. Video playback is top notch and widely compatible, the camera is among the best I've ever seen on a cellphone, and the video recording can actually hang with a lot of pocket cams, like the Flip or Kodak Zi series. On all other counts the phone never falls flat, but it never really shines, either".

Date of introduction to the Perfecto Mobile service
September 21th, 2009

Specifications
Screen size: 360 x 640 pixels, 3.7 inches
Operating System: Symbian OS v9.4
Device family – Samsung Touch, Smartphone, Series 60 rel. 5

Usage tips in the Perfecto Mobile service
Limitations: Camera key is not supported

Specs links
Manufacturer specs: http://samsungi8910omnia.com
GSMArena: http: //www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i8910_omnia_hd

Nokia N97 Mini available for testing in Perfecto Mobile’s service

Nokia has launched the new N97 Mini, which is a smaller version of the N97 smartphone that was introduced only three months ago. The new device is now available for developers who want to test their application with Perfecto Mobile’s Handset Cloud service.

Reviewers weren't too excited about the new smartphone explaining that it resembles the good old N97 too much. So for instance, a reviewer at Mobile-Review noted that: "I don’t feel particularly enthusiastic about Nokia N97 Mini – it’s not the most petite phone around, by any stretch of imagination. And at the same time it packs in a downgraded keyboard. If the price gap between the N97 and N97 mini was around €200, it would have become really sought-after. But at only €100 it’s not all that interesting".

The phones features were also criticized for their lack of inspiration. A commentator at Techradar noted that "the screen doesn't feel a lot smaller, and although Nokia went to great lengths to point out how the keyboard has been improved, we couldn't really feel much difference. The keys have been raised and slightly re-aligned, but we never really had a problem with the original N97."

On a more positive note a reviewer at Cell Phone Answers commented that "beautiful are the stainless steel accents and the mechanism to tilt the screen. Very useful is the ability to create your own desktop with applications you use frequently. Also new is the life-casting function. Turns your mobile phone from location (via GPS) and status information on Facebook. Biggest difference with the original N97 was smaller 8GB of internal memory instead of 32 GB."

Date of introduction to the Perfecto Mobile service
October 20th, 2009

Specifications
 - Screen size: 360 x 640 pixels, 3.2 inches
 - Operating System: Symbian OS v9.4
 - Device family:  Series 60 rel. 5

Usage tips in the Perfecto Mobile service
Limitations: Before typing a number using typetext you have to tap the keyboard icon on the main screen.

Specs Links

 - Manufacturer specs: http://europe.nokia.com
 - GSMArena: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_n97_mini

Vodafone 360 H1 new LiMo-based smartphone now available for testing on Perfecto Mobile's Handset Cloud service

Vodafone 360 H1 (by Samsung), the first phone to take full advantage of the new 360 suite of internet services, hit the shops earlier this month. The new smartphone was tailor made for Vodafone by Samsung and is the first to run the new Linux-based LiMO operating system. Mobile application developers who would like to target Vodafone's 360 H1 future users can now test their new apps on Perfecto Mobile's Handset Cloud service. 

The Vodafone 360 is a brand new set of internet services which gathers all of a customer’s friends, social networks and online communities, entertainment and personal favorites (such as music, games, photos and video) in one place.

One commentator at Know Your Mobile noted that: "catering for a wide range of handsets dredges up the old phone development issue that looked like it beginning to subside, partly thanks to the popularity of the iPhone. Porting to handsets of different abilities takes a lot of time and money, and invariably drags quality levels down to an often-uninspiring middle ground. When Vodafone 360 is going head-to-head with the latest smartphone developments like HTC Sense, and MotoBLUR we do wonder whether Vodafone will be able to keep its top-end offerings’ head above water in the long run".

Another reviewer at Unthinkable added that "It's a nice enough phone if you don't want a slide-out physical keyboard. Big touch-screen input, and three special buttons at the bottom for "phone", "people" and "apps" and an appstore at Vodafone from which you can download free software, or buy paid-for apps."

Date of introduction to the Perfecto Mobile service
November 4, 2009

Specifications
 - Screen size: 800 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches
 - Operating System: LiMo
 - Device family: Samsung, Smartphone

Specs Link
 - Manufacturer specs: http://info.vodafone360.com
 - GSMArena: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_vodafone_360_h1