Chris Hall Reviews Archive 
News from Chris Hall
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Pentax Optio RS1500 review
REVIEW
Custom compact
22 August 2011 14:34 GMT
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Setting yourself apart for the mass of compact cameras on the market can be something of a challenge. The Pentax Optio RS1500 looks to solve this problem with the option for customising the faceplate to make it unique. But does this compact point and...
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BlackBerry Bold 9900 review
REVIEW
A handset to turn the tide?
18 August 2011 9:22 GMT
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When you’re under fire you have to make bold moves, like launching five new handsets, improving the hardware specs and ushering in a new operating system. With BlackBerry facing challenges from all sides, are RIMs efforts enough to lure customers...
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Vodafone Smart review
REVIEW
Smart choice?
22 July 2011 15:02 GMT
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The Vodafone Smart is a budget Android smartphone which can be yours for the princely sum of £75. It is a network-skinned Huawei U8160, also known as the Vodafone 858, and like many of the current run of OEM devices, is designed to be affordable above...
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Samsung Galaxy Fit review
REVIEW
Fit for purpose?
13 July 2011 17:18 GMT
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Fit. It’s a word that means many things in English, from ascertaining one’s sporting readiness, to asserting attractiveness. Neither of these things particularly apply to the Samsung Galaxy Fit, leaving us wondering exactly where the enrty-level...
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Olympus SZ-30MR review
REVIEW
Is that a 24x zoom in your pocket?
11 July 2011 23:23 GMT
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In recent years we’ve seen the size of big zoom cameras dropping. What once sat in a body just smaller than a DSLR, now fills a space just larger than a typical compact. The Olympus SZ-30MR typifies this move, offering a staggering 24x zoom in...
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LG Optimus 3D review
REVIEW
A revolution, or far too niche?
7 July 2011 22:15 GMT
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Last year we were talking about 3D TVs and this year, it seems, 3D is fighting its way into other devices. We’re yet to really see people proclaiming that 3D is essential so it remains somewhat niche in its appeal, but for how long? The LG Optimus...
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HP TouchPad review
REVIEW
A worthy adversary to iPad and Android?
30 June 2011 3:30 GMT
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For many, separating the HP TouchPad from it’s webOS Palm origins will be difficult. It picks up many of the nicer features of the Pre phones, including the Touchstone wireless charging option, and of course an operating system that offers the...
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Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo review
REVIEW
Welcome to the Android wilderness
27 June 2011 12:11 GMT
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The Sony Ericsson Neo (and QWERTY packing Pro) models didn’t get nearly the attention that was afforded to the Xperia Arc and the Xperia Play upon launch. While those other models are more distinct in their offering, the Xperia Neo lands on our...
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BeBook Live review
REVIEW
A minor evolution; might soon be extinct
23 June 2011 20:45 GMT
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BeBook have made a departure from their previous E Ink ebook readers and ventured into the world of the Android tablet. The BeBook Live is a 7-inch LCD tablet that comes along offering Android 2.2 (Froyo), so in many ways is typical of the cheaper...
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HTC ChaCha review
REVIEW
The QWERTY Android to keep you in touch?
17 June 2011 8:30 GMT
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The second “Facebook phone” from HTC, and launched in tandem with the HTC Salsa, is the HTC ChaCha. It’s strange name for a phone that is something of a strange Android device, offering a format we haven’t seen much of from...
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Nike+ SportWatch GPS review
REVIEW
Can Nike keep you on track?
14 June 2011 16:37 GMT
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Nike+ has been around for years, providing a clever and engaging online logging service and community with a range of accessories to monitor your performance. Their latest running watch sees then link up with GPS masters TomTom. The fusion brings GPS...
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Toshiba Regza 22DL833 review
REVIEW
Want a TV DVD combi?
13 June 2011 16:25 GMT
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Toshiba has long offered “combi” TVs, and in the 22DL833, Tosh manage to include a slot-loading DVD drive without bulking the set up too much. Sure, it won’t compete with the slick design of the latest high-end notebook, but the drive...
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Acer Iconia Tab A500 review
REVIEW
Ugly, but well connected
9 June 2011 19:16 GMT
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The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is Acer’s 10.1-inch Android tablet - as designated by the “A” in it’s product name, unlike the “W” of the W500 tablet that we reviewed previously. At 10.1-inches it faces a number of Honeycomb...
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HTC Sensation review
REVIEW
Shooting for the stars?
27 May 2011 16:28 GMT
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The HTC Sensation is the Taiwanese company’s flagship 2011 device. Announced in April, it’s now in in our hands for a full review, which some might see as quite a quick turn around, but in the flesh it doesn’t feel rushed. The HTC...
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LG Optimus Black review
REVIEW
Star of the Android mid range?
24 May 2011 22:34 GMT
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The LG Optimus Black offers up the sort of specs that where considered high-end in 2010. The advent of dual core devices, higher resolution displays and cameras has created a superphone category - occupied by the sibling LG Optimus 2X for example -...
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Samsung Galaxy Ace review
REVIEW
Aces high or aces low?
20 May 2011 12:52 GMT
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Samsung’s approach to Android smartphones in 2011 appears to be by market saturation, with a range of devices to suit all, from the low- to high-spec and the indeterminable in-between. The Samsung Galaxy Ace on review here falls into this middle...
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Apple iMac i5 2011 review
REVIEW
The ultimate all-in-one?
18 May 2011 14:58 GMT
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The new Apple iMac (May 2011) starts off in a strong position. It builds on an already powerful all-in-one, in an already gorgeous design, so doesn’t hold too many surprises in store. The changes are internal, aside from the addition of the Thunderbolt...
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Asus Eee Pad Transformer review
REVIEW
The hottest Honeycomb tablet?
17 May 2011 11:06 GMT
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The Asus Eee Pad Transformer combines a 10.1-inch Honeycomb tablet with an accessory keyboard that looks to put other docking, and non-docking, tablets to shame. When the Eee Pad Transformer was first announced it drew a smirk from us, but seated on...
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Motorola Atrix review
REVIEW
The darling of convergence?
10 May 2011 23:02 GMT
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The Motorola Atrix isn’t just a mobile phone handset, it’s a story. It’s a story that draws into sharp contrast the convergence that has been going on in the mobile space for a number of years. Motorola aren’t just launching...
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Creative ZiiSound T6 review
REVIEW
Bluetooth speakers that'll make your lungs shake
6 May 2011 20:48 GMT
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Creative has pushed Bluetooth speakers hard, with a range packed full of options. They’ve been pushing the apt-X codec, promising lower latency higher quality Bluetooth audio from their line of speakers and docks. Sitting at the top of the line...
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HTC Wildfire S review
REVIEW
Ahh, isn't it cute?
3 May 2011 16:11 GMT
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The HTC Wildfire S could be the darling of the affordable Android handsets. We say could be, because HTC have slightly muddied the water with the similarly-specced HTC Salsa, their touchscreen Facebook phone, as well as pitching out the Wildfire S...
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Nikon D5100 review
REVIEW
Can the D5100 see off Canon?
27 April 2011 14:48 GMT
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The Nikon D5100 is Nikon’s update of the D5000 that launched in 2009, so has been anticipated for some time. It slots into Nikon’s line of DSLR models above the D3100 and beneath the D7000, both models from the second half of 2010. As such...
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Canon PowerShot SX220 HS review
REVIEW
The perfect camera for your travels?
20 April 2011 13:46 GMT
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The Canon PowerShot SX220 HS is a 14x zoom camera, the follow on from the neat PowerShot SX210 IS of last year. The travel zoom category is more competitive than ever, with all the major manufacturers having their take with some great models to choose...
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INQ Cloud Touch review
REVIEW
Affordable Android is Facebook 'appy
18 April 2011 15:09 GMT
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The INQ Cloud Touch is a new generation in social mobile from the small UK company who practically invented the connected mobile social experience before everyone else jumped on board. These days there is no shortage of social integration across all...
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First Look: HTC Sensation review
FIRST LOOK Sensational Sense superphone? 12 April 2011 20:12 GMT TweetThe HTC Sensation is a phone about numbers: except for sidestepping the “world’s thinnest” competition, it smacks down a heavy spec sheet: 1.2GHz processor, dual-core, 8-megapixel camera, 1080p video recording, 4.3-inches, 960 x 540...
Acer CloudMobile Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone set for MWC launch 4.3-inch award winner
Best iPhone utilities apps Resistance is futilities?
Samsung not worried by Apple iTV threat EXCLUSIVE: AV boss not concerned
HTC PlayStation certification devices coming 2012, time to get your Crash Bandicoot skills up to scratch EXCLUSIVE: Game on
Samsung Galaxy S III: Review of rumours, features, pictures and specs Thinner, faster, better
New HTC Ice Cream Sandwich device pictures leak Another one for the rumour pile...
Samsung O table is for the kitchen of the future Flexible hob
Nokia 700 Sleek and desirable Nokia
LG Miracle picture and details leak Update: More pictures from the wild
Google home entertainment device detailed WSJ solves device mystery
More leaked iPad 3 parts help form bigger picture - including Sharp Retina display iPad 3, in kit form
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) pictures and hands-on Up close with the ICS tablet
Tesla Model X SUV goes back to the future DeLorean lookalike announced
APP OF THE DAY: Tweetbot review (iPad) Should a Twitter app cost?
New Apple TV leaked in software update? iOS 5.1 says so
Panasonic Lumix GX1 review
The one?
Sony PlayStation Vita review
Curriculum Vita
Nokia Lumia 710 review
WP7 on a budget
GoPro HD Hero2 review
Amazing things come in small packages
HTC Explorer review
A phone for people who make calls
BlackBerry Torch 9810 review
Middle of the road
Sony Alpha A65 review
Affordable SLT. But is it a DSLR-beater?
BlackBerry Bold 9790 review
To boldly go where we've already been before
Fiat 500 TwinAir Plus review
Two-cylinder beast
Motorola MotoACTV review
Just add exercise
Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition review
Mini Xoom
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981 review
For the fast lane
Sennheiser IE80 review
Tune that bass
Kingston Wi-Drive review
Expand your storage
Huawei Ideos X3 review
Cheap but imperfect