Lenovo Vibe Z Goes Official with 5.5-Inch Full HD Display and Dual-SIM Support

The Chinese handset maker Lenovo announced a few high-end Android smartphones a few months ago, during IFA 2013 trade fair. The Vibe X and S5000 were the company's highlights back in September, but now is the time for new products to be launched.

Thus, Lenovo has just come forward with a new announcement that confirms the upcoming release of a new Android smartphone, the Vibe Z. Lenovo Vibe Z is a dual-SIM smartphone that appeared for the first time in late September at an event that introduced the Vibe X in China. According to Engadget, the Vibe Z will soon be available for pre-order in China for a price that will be announced in the coming days. No word on pricing options or whether or not it will be released in other countries as well. The following statement may hint at a possible launch in other regions though: “Lenovo Vibe Z features dual-SIM support (WCDMA + GSM, CDMA2000 + GSM and LTE + GSM options depending on the market and telecom operator).”

Lenovo did confirm that the smartphone would come with a flip cover similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. However, unlike Samsung's flip cover that comes with S-View, Vibe Z's also features a trackpad that provides users with the option to receive or reject calls without having to open the flip cover. The Vibe Z will ship with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system out of the box and packs a powerful 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. It also features an Adreno 330 graphics processing unit and 2GB of RAM. There is no mention of the amount of storage, but we suspect that the smartphone offers microSD card slot for memory expansion.

Last but not least, Lenovo Vibe Z sports a stunning 5.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display that supports full HD (1080p) resolution, as well as dual cameras (13-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel secondary camera).

Lenovo Vibe Z
Image credits to Engadget

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BlackBerry 10.2.1 Allows Direct APK Installs, Has No Google Play Support

One of the features that the BlackBerry 10.2.1 operating system flavor has been rumored to pack is support for the Google Play Store, but it seems that this is not the case.

In fact, following a flurry of reports on the matter, BlackBerry stepped up and shed some light on the matter, stating clearly that no such feature was planned for the platform. “We can confirm that there is no planned support for Google Play on BlackBerry,” a BlackBerry spokesperson said, n4bb reports. “BlackBerry World remains the primary source for trusted and curated BlackBerry applications and we continue to support open standards and open source tools so BlackBerry developers can continue to create apps on any of the development platforms we support.” The inclusion of support for Google’s portal on BlackBerry 10.2.1 would have allowed users to access a great deal of applications straight from their smartphones, that’s for sure. However, while Google Play Store won’t open its doors to BlackBerry users, enhanced access to Android applications will still be present on upcoming versions of the operating system.

To be more precise, BlackBerry 10.2.1 is said to sport an updated Android runtime, one that would enable people to directly install APKs on their BlackBerry phones. Courtesy of this feature, users will be able to download Android app APKs directly and easily have them up and running, all without having to transform them into BAR files. BlackBerry users will also be able to take advantage of various APK downloaders in order to grab the desired applications, which makes it even easier to enjoy a great deal of software otherwise unavailable for them. Unfortunately, Android widgets won’t work on BlackBerry 10, though this is certainly only a minor issue compared to the possibilities opened by the new Android runtime.

Those who would like to learn additional info on the direct loading of APKs on BlackBerry 10.2.1 devices should head over to this thread on the CrackBerry Forums for that.

BlackBerry 10.2.1 offers support for direct Android app APK installations
Image credits to CrackBerry

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Leaked BlackBerry 10.2.1 Build Unveils New OS Enhancements

Canadian mobile phone maker BlackBerry is getting ready for the release of new flavors of its BlackBerry 10 operating system, and a recently leaked build has unveiled more on the company’s plans on the matter.

Featuring version number 10.2.01.845, the leaked OS offered a glimpse at upcoming enhancements such as BlackBerry Blend Dashboard, Fuse Mode, and Pic Password. Apparently, BlackBerry is gearing up for bringing its messaging features to the desktop, and the leaked 10.2.1 build unveiled that a new Fuse Mode has been included in the OS, and that it is enabled when connecting the smartphone to an external display. Basically, users will be able to access the Hub, BBM, SMS/MMS, Browser, Contacts, Calendar, and the like while having the smartphone connected to some sort of a dock, with all the viewing being made on a large screen, CrackBerry explains.

At the same time, the leaked operating system version shows evidence of Pic Password capabilities coming to BlackBerry 10 in the not too distant future. For those out of the loop, we should note that this is a security feature that would allow users to unlock their devices through performing gestures on a selected photo. Microsoft has implemented a similar feature in Windows 8, but things are a bit different when it comes to BlackBerry 10.2.1, it seems. Here, users will be provided with an overlay of numbers on top of the selected photo, and will have to move one number to a specific area of the picture, as shown in the video embedded below.

The aforementioned BlackBerry 10.2.1 build is already available for download for interested parties, though it is not very safe to install on devices for everyday use, it seems. One way or the other, it won’t be long before more builds leak online and additional details on forthcoming versions of BlackBerry 10 are unveiled, so stay tuned to learn the news.

BlackBerry 10.2.1 build shows Pic Password features
Image credits to Youtube

BlackBerry 10.2.1 build shows Pic Password features
Video credits to CrackBerry

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Android 4.4 Can Show Battery Percentage in the Status Bar

One of the features that Google has implemented inside the Android 4.4 operating system is support for displaying the battery percentage in the status bar, though the feature is still rough around the edges, it seems.

The feature is said to be hidden by default on Nexus 5, though users can easily enable it through an ADB shell command, Android Police reports. To enable the option, one would need to enter the adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/system --bind name:s:status_bar_show_battery_percent --bind value:i:1 adb reboot command.

As soon as the device reboots, the percentage indicator would appear in the status bar, though it will be inside the battery icon, and will sport white digits, which makes it a bit difficult to see. Those who don’t fancy ADB can enable the feature by using an application coming from the XDA Developers forum.

Android 4.4 KitKat
Image credits to Google

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Google Play Store Coming to BlackBerry 10

BlackBerry 10 users will be happy to know the Canadian company is looking to bring more applications to their devices. However, this won't be coming via BlackBerry World, instead there's a high chance users will have access to Google Play Store.

Several screenshots showing a BlackBerry Z10 with access to Google Play Store have just been leaked via CrackBerry forums. While the debate is still ongoing on whether or not these pictures are legit, the fact that BlackBerry might think of something like doesn't come as a surprise at all. Some Android applications already work on BlackBerry 10 smartphones, so the Canadian's company decision to bring even more Android applications on its devices by providing access to Google Play Store, makes perfect sens.

We will keep an eye out for more details on the matter so stay tuned and don't forget to check out the leaked screenshots in the gallery below.

Google Play Store on BlackBerry Z10
Images credits to CrackBerry

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ASUS, KFA2, Palit and Gainward Launches GTX 780 Ti Graphics Cards

NVIDIA has finally launched its latest wonder product, so, naturally, its OEMs are wreaking havoc on worldwide press channels too.

Palit Microsystems, Gainward, KFA2 and ASUS have all unveiled their respective cards. In truth, it is the same card bearing a different sticker, and shipping in a different box. All of them have the GK110 GPU (2,880 CUDA Cores) running at 876/928 MHz, and the 3 GB of GDDR5 VRAM operating at 7 GHz.

The cards also have dual-DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, plus they ship with a trio of games which are free of charge (for now): Batman: Arkham Origins, Assassin’s Creed IV – Black Flag, and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist. All of them should cost $699 / €699 and sit at the top of the add-in graphics food chain.

ASUS GeForce GTX 780 Ti
Image credits to ASUS

Palit GeForce GTX 780 Ti
Image credits to Palit

Gainward GeForce GTX 780 Ti
Image credits to Gainward

KFA2 GeForce GTX 780 Ti
Image credits to KFA2

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OCZ Vector 150 with 19nm-Based SSD with 550 MB/s Performance

There used to be a time when only SandForce, now owned by LSI, controllers could push an SSD above 500 MB/s, at least when reading, but Indilinx can do it too, as OCZ has just shown.

OCZ has launched the Vector 150 solid-state drive, made from 19nm NAND Flash memory chips and an Indilinx Barefoot 3 controller IC. The SSD is a 2.5-inch unit with a capacity of up to 480 GB (120 GB, 240 GB, and 480GB options available), a thickness of 7mm and 4K random read speed of up to 100,000 input/output operations per second. More importantly, it can read and write data at 550 MB/s and 530 MB/s, respectively.

On that note, the 4K random write speed can reach 95,000 IOPS, while sustained 4K random write performance is of 26,000 IOPS. Basically, it's the right kind of drive for laptop, desktop and workstation applications (a 3.5-inch adapter is shipped with each model). Sadly, prices are unknown.

OCZ Vector 150 solid-state drive
Image credits to OCZ

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti Overclocked Clandestinely and Benchmarked

The GeForce GTX 780 Ti hasn't been released, but that didn't stop leaks from showing up, or benchmarks from being carried out. Now, though, I have one better.

Or perhaps I should say that ChipHell overclocker loshu1919 got his hands on the card, overclocked it and then benchmarked the living lights out of it. You'll see below the results in FurMark, and 3DMark at both stock (928 MHz) and overclocked settings (1,054 MHz). The temperature averages at around 79 degrees Celsius, while the scores outdo the ones of the GeForce GTX Titan and AMD Radeon R9 290X, albeit perhaps not by the mile some may have been hoping.

Then again, ioshu1919 didn't increase the power limit, which means that there is a lot of room for extra overclocking. Like, say, to 1100 MHz / 1200 MHz, Images gallery below, click for larger images.

GTX 780 Ti Bechmarked
Images credits to ChipHell Forum

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Gigabyte Readies GeForce GTX 780 GHz Edition

Some time ago, it was reported that a GeForce GTX 780 GHz Edition graphics card was in the works, and that led to the assumption that NVIDIA was preparing a new reference card.

However, it has now been discovered that NVIDIA is not, in fact, making a GTX 780 GHz edition. Given the fuss over GTX 780 Ti, that's understandable. GTX 780 Ti is the only new high-end card that the Santa Clara company has prepared. The only GeForce GTX 780 GHz edition that will make it to market is the one that Gigabyte put together.

As shown in the gallery, it is a triple-fan model with a black PCB and backplate. The GK110 GPU works on 1019 MHz, 1071 MHz GPU Boost, but the memory is left alone at 6 GHz. European online retail websites are already listing it, or will soon.

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 GHz Edition
Images credits to Gigabyte

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Seagate Spinpoint M9T, World's Thinnest 2TB HDD

Seagate has formally launched a hard disk drive that takes the 2.5-inch form factor to the next level in terms of compactness: the Spinpoint M9T.

Spinpoint M9T is the newest mobile HDD from Seagate, or rather the HDD division it bought from Samsung a while ago. The drive should serve notebooks, ultrabooks and external storage solutions (like drive cages) most, seeing as how it's 9.5 mm thin and all. Desktops won't have any issue using them though, unless your case lacks 2.5-inch bays or 3.5- to 2.5-inch converters.

In fact, Seagate says this is the world's thinnest 2 TB drive ever (that's right, that's the capacity of this thing). A 1.5TB version is available too, but the 2TB one is the real news. As one might guess, the 6 Gbps SATA III interface is implemented. Sadly, the price was left undisclosed in the press release.

Seagate Spinpoint M9T
Image credits to Seagate

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