Phonepad: Turn your Samsung smartphone into a tablet and console!

 

Yes, the Phonepad. Not to be confused with the Asus Fonepad, relative unknown EICUS has got a brand new gizmo for you Samsung Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S3 owners that will transform your phone into a whopping 10.1-inch tablet with the help of a clever dock. Who needs an iPad?

Merging the two worlds of phones and tablets, the Phonepad lets you control your S2 or S3 as if it’s a tablet by simply docking it. Pop it in and voilà, your phone’s screen is mirrored on the larger 10-inch display turning into a makeshift tablet/netbook.

There’s no need for any extra data plans as you can use your phone’s data connection to get your internet fix, all on a larger screen. The display can be swivelled around so you can share what’s on screen with friends, or you can angle it so you can get your gaming on with the bundled PlayStation-style controller.

When your phone is docked in the Phonepad, it can also charge it up if you’re running low on juice and the Phonepad itself can run for eight-hours. The Phonepad comes in two different flavours, one for the Galaxy S2 and one for the Galaxy S3, but both are priced at £149.99 and will hit shops in July.

Reckon this is a must-have accessory for your Galaxy phone, or are you holding out for a real tablet? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Samsung Hercules looks set to batter rivals

Samsung has already taken the fight to Apple’s iPhone 4 with the Samsung Galaxy SII, selling millions of its range-topping Android handsets. Not one to rest on its laurels, however, Samsung also has the Hercules in the pipeline, and it could be here as soon as September.

Along with HTC, Samsung is one of the more prolific makers of Android handsets, with the Samsung Hercules looking likely to be the next model to be released. It has a lot to live up to, with the Galaxy S II currently outselling any of its rivals, but it looks like the Hercules could have the spec to put its sibling firmly in the shade.

The most startling spec is a 4.5-inch screen – proving even larger than the Galaxy S II’s 4.2-inch display, and making it one of the biggest phones on the market. Using AMOLED Plus technology, and with a resolution of 480×800 pixels, it should be a stunner, and perfect for checking out the latest films or browsing the web.

Other features include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, making light work of multi-tasking and running the Android 2.3 operating system, and there’s also an 8-megapixel camera. Sounds good to us.

Is 4.5 inches too big for a smartphone screen, however? Sure, it’s brilliant for media stuff, but it’s not likely to be pocket-friendly, even if the Hercules is another super-skinny handset. We’d like to hear your thoughts.