NEWS: eXpansys offers BlackBerry Bold 9700 for ?420

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:43:31 +0100

Retailer quick off the mark with cheeky pre-order page

UK online retailer eXpansys is offering the just-launched BlackBerry Bold 9700 on pre-order for ?419.99.

This price is for the SIM-free handset-only, so the smartphone can be used on any network. As far as networks go for the Bold 2, Vodafone is due to offer the device from November on ?35 a month contracts.

eXpansys suggests the new BlackBerry - an improved version of the original Bold, launched back in 2008 - has an "expected release date" on 9 November.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 offers HSDPA, Wi-Fi, GPS and a 3.2-megapixel camera. As supplied from eXpansys it will come with a mains charger, data cable, stereo headset and carry case.

NEWS: New TomTom Start revealed by retailer

Amy-Mae Elliott — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:07:34 +0100

Entry-level model is ?40 cheaper than TomTom's iPhone solution

According to what appears to be a leak from UK retailer eXpansys, it seems TomTom is to offer a new satnav device - the TomTom Start.

Aiming for the lower end of the market, the UK Start will be available for around ?120 - which works out at about ?40 cheaper than its iPhone GPS solution. The Euro version is priced at ?139.99.

Said to be easy to use, the Start gets a slimline design (94 x 81 x 20mm), a 3.5-inch touchscreen and what TomTom calls "simplified menus", perhaps aimed at the GPS first-timer.

The most commonly used options are said to be "only a touch away", while the device's new "EasyPort" mount claims to let you fix the TomTom to the windscreen "simply and easily".

With smart IQ Routes technology, there's also MapShare back-up, "Help Me" functionality and a range of StartSkins sold separately to customise the look of your TomTom Start, again suggesting the device is angled towards the younger, trendier and less affluent user.

UPDATE: This is now official and the StartSkins are available in six colours for ?12.95 each.

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NEWS: eXpansys offers BlackBerry Bold 9700 for ?420

NEWS: New TomTom Start revealed by retailer