BlackBerry to Launch Octa-Core 64-Bit Handsets by 2015

Canadian mobile phone maker BlackBerry is reportedly planning the launch of smartphones with the latest mobile processors packed inside, including a handset powered by an octa-core 64-bit CPU.

Previously, the vendor said that it would focus mainly on the mid-range and entry-level segments of the market, but it seems that high-end devices haven’t been removed from its roadmap either. In fact, the company was recently found to be working on a device codenamed BlackBerry Ontario, which might hit shelves with a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 processor. According to a recent article on N4BB, BlackBerry also plans to bring to shelves two new handset lineups, namely the W-series (QWERTY device) and the B-series (All-touch), and it will use the MSM8974 inside these devices as well. However, the company won’t stop here, it seems. At least one of the vendor’s upcoming smartphones will be powered by a Snapdragon MSM8994 processor, the news site notes.

This chipset sports an octa-core 64-bit architecture, while being built using the 20 nm HKMG process. It can top clock speeds of up to 2.5GHz, with each core enjoying 4MB L2 cache. On top of that, the chip promises 1600MHz 4GB RAM LPDDR3 PoP and Adreno 430 500 MHz graphics, along with features such as Pixel fill Rate 6Gpix/s, Vertex 500Mtri/s, OpenGL ES3.0, direct x11.1, and OpenCL1.2. Apparently, despite the fact that BlackBerry has seen a new management reshuffle recently, the company hasn’t canceled devices in its roadmap. 

However, there’s no specific info available on when the handset might be officially launched, nor on when it should become available for purchase. Rumor has it that the Canadian vendor will launch it by 2015, yet an official confirmation hasn’t been provided. Should the speculation above pan out, it might not be too long before some very powerful BlackBerry phones land on shelves, that’s for sure, so stay tuned to learn more on them.

BlackBerry to launch quad-core and octa-core smartphones soon
Image credits to BlackBerry

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BlackBerry Ontario Emerges in Geekbench App, Specs Unveiled

One of the smartphones that Canadian mobile phone maker BlackBerry might make official in the not too distant future is codenamed BlackBerry Ontario, and it seems that the device has just made an appearance in a benchmarking application.

According to the leaked info on the smartphone, users might see it launched with a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor packed inside, as well as with 2GB of RAM. Moreover, it seems that the handset will land on the market with the BlackBerry OS 10.3 platform loaded on top.

According to N4BB, chances are that this phone will arrive as a high-end device, despite BlackBerry’s focus on the entry- and mid-range segment of the market. However, there’s no telling on whether the info on BlackBerry Ontario is indeed real or not, so we’ll take it with a grain of salt for the time being.

BlackBerry Ontario emerges in benchmark
Image credits to Primatelabs

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Xperia Z1 Compact Now Shipping in France, Italy, and Spain

Xperia Z1 Compact, the latest Android-based smartphone from Japanese mobile phone maker Sony Mobile, is currently shipping in more markets in Europe, including France, Italy, and Spain, it seems.

The handset emerged in Sony’s online store in these countries not long ago, and devices are currently being delivered to users, a recent post on XperiaGuide reads. Xperia Z1 Compact was launched in France with a price tag of €499 ($677) attached to it, in all of the announced colors, namely Black, Pink, Lime, and White.

In Italy, the mobile phone can be seen on Sony’s online portal with a price tag of €489 ($663), in three colors, with Pink out of stock at the moment. Users in Spain, however, will be able to purchase the phone for €539 ($731), but only in Black and Pink.

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Image credits to Sony France

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D-Link and Chinese Info Security Provider Launch Smart WLAN Router

The Chinese can be really possessive and controlling of what is sold in their stores, which means that companies from other countries, in this case D-Link, sometimes need to collaborate with them and make joint products.

So here we are, beholding the Taipei, Taiwan-based D-Link 360Mini, a smart router that has antivirus software developed by Qihoo 360. For those unaware, Qihoo 360 Technology is a China-based information security software solution provider. In addition to WLAN wireless networking and antivirus capabilities, the product also boasts cloud software developed by D-Link itself.

The performance of wireless transmissions is 150 Mbps, as permitted by the 802.11n protocol. China is still a fairly lucrative market for pretty much every tech company, so D-Link must want this new product to sell well there. I suppose we'll find out how things went at the end of the year.

D-Link 360 Mini
Image credits to Yesky

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Samsung Unveils Galaxy Fame Lite, Trend and Core LaFleur Editions

South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung has been long rumored to plan the launch of LaFleur editions of many of its smartphones, and it appears that the company has decided to officially unveil these handsets in Russia.

Starting today, users in this country can head over to the company’s website to have a closer look at LaFleur editions of Galaxy Fame Lite, Galaxy Trend and Galaxy Core smartphones, it seems. Previously, the company was confirmed to release similar versions of the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 mini (both single- and dual-SIM variants) handsets, and they are listed online in Russia as well.

All smartphones feature the same specs as their original models, but feature a redesigned outer case. Unfortunately, as SamMobile notes, no specific info on whether these phones will be released in more markets out there has been provided until now. here are images gallery, click for larger image.

Samsung Galaxy Trend LaFleur Edition
Images credits to Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Core LaFleur Edition
Images credits to Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Fame Lite LaFleur Edition
Images credits to Samsung

Samsung releases LaFleur versions of various devices
Image credits to Samsung

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Jolla Releases Software Update 1.0.3.8 for Its Sailfish OS Smartphone

Today, Jolla has announced a new software release for the owners of its Sailfish OS-based devices, namely version 1.0.3.8.

Users should receive a notification on their devices as soon as the new OS version is available, but they will need a working Jolla account for that. However, those who have already purchased Jolla’s phone can also manually check on the availability of the new software version, by going to Settings > System Settings > About Product, pull down the pulley menu and select “Check for update.” The new release brings along a nice range of enhancements, including support for landscape mode for Browser, gestures and notifications, as well as pinch-to-zoom support in Camera viewfinder.

The release notes for the new update also include:

• SMS support in Android runtime environment
• Clearly distinguish Android apps from native apps in Store
• Settings to disable/enable Quick call support in Phone app (from Settings->Apps->Phone)
• 'Clear clipboard' functionality
• Delete all contacts in one go ( via pulley menu option in People app settings)
• Improved recovery mode functionality introducing new features such as bootloader unlocking, shell and filesystem recovery options
• Exchange ActiveSync policies introduced ('DevicePasswordEnabled' only)
• Event location support to calendar events

According to Jolla, Sailfish OS users will see that Android applications will start with a certain delay, all depending on the number of such apps that have been installed. “Wait for a bit before you attempt to launch them. If the environment has not been fully loaded, you will experience apps closing on startup,” the company notes on its support website. Following the update, users will also see a variety of other improvements loaded on their devices, Jolla claims. Those who would like to learn more on what the new software release will bring along should head over to the aforementioned page on the company’s website for a full list of changes.

Jolla pushes out new Sailfish OS update
Image credits to Jolla

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Lenovo Won’t Change Motorola’s 2014 / 2015 Device Roadmap

Soon, Motorola will cease to be a Google company, and will become part of Lenovo, the Chinese vendor that confirmed earlier this week plans to purchase the handset maker.

One of the main questions that emerged after the announcement was what would happen to the handsets that Motorola might have already had under development. Apparently, Lenovo won’t change the current device roadmap that Motorola has established for this year and the next, though things should be different starting with 2016 onwards.

Little is known on what Motorola might have in store for its users in the coming months, but the good news is that Lenovo will allow it to launch the handsets it wants to. Hopefully, upgraded versions of Moto X and Moto G will hit shelves in the not too distant future. For the next year, the vendor is rumored to plan the launch of a 6-inch smartphone, one that TalkAndroid suggests might be called Xplay.

Lenovo won't change Motorola's current device roadmap
Image credits to Motorola

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BBM for Gingerbread Leaked Available Ahead of Official Launch

BlackBerry has already confirmed plans to bring the BlackBerry Messenger to Android devices out there running under the Gingerbread version of the platform, and it seems that users can now get a taste of the application before its official release.

The app will be officially pushed to the owners of Gingerbread phones and tablets starting with the next month, but a leaked build of the software is now up for grabs online, courtesy of N4BB. The BBM for Android beta APK aimed at said devices comes with a series of interface changes, with the top bar now being black (it is grey in the BBM for Android app already available for download). Moreover, the software features a “Find Friends on BBM” option, which has already been included in the BBM for Android 2.0 beta variant. However, N4BB notes that the leaked application build does not come with BBM Channels inside. The feature was recently said to arrive on Android and iOS devices in February, alongside BBM Voice.

Moreover, it appears that BlackBerry IDs are not whitelisted in this app version, which means that anyone will be able to log in without issues. BBM for Gingerbread seems to be running fairly smoothly on Android smartphones, showing that BlackBerry has been focused on ensuring great performance with it. However, it appears that users won’t be able to install the leaked app on a PlayBook device, and that converting it to a BAR resulted in force closes. At the moment, Gingerbread powers around 21 percent of all Android-based devices out there, which means that there are millions of users who will be able to download and install BBM soon.

Those who would like to try it before the official software is made available next month should head over to N4BB for a download link. Just keep in mind that it is a leaked build, and that it is also a beta version.

BBM logo
Image credits to BlackBerry

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Lenovo Acquires Google's Motorola for $2.91 Billion (€2.13 Billion)

It looks like what started as a rumor earlier today proved to be 100% accurate, as Lenovo and Google have just announced they have reached an agreement for the acquisition of Motorola Mobility smartphone business.

Google purchased Motorola Mobility back in 2011 for $12.5 billion (€9.15 billion) and the agreement it has reached today with Chinese company Lenovo mentions it will only get $2.91 billion (€2.13 billion) for the company. That means Google has decided to sell Motorola at a huge loss. Even though the Motorola Mobility's smartphone business shrank over the years due to layoffs and closing of operations in almost all countries except the United States and Canada, the selling price is still far from what Google originally paid for it. The good news for Google is that the search giant will keep most of Motorola's patents, including current patent applications and invention disclosures, like Project Ara for example. Lenovo will still receive a license to Motorola's portfolio of patents and other intellectual property, along with over 2,000 patent assets, as well as the Motorola Mobility brand and trademark portfolio.

Aside from the current smartphones Motorola is already successfully selling in various countries (Moto X and Moto G), Lenovo has also confirmed it will take ownership of the future Motorola Mobility's roadmap. Under agreement, Lenovo will pay $1.41 billion (€1.03 billion) at close, comprised of $660 million (€483 million) in cash and $750 million (€549 million) in Lenovo ordinary shares (subject to a sharecap/floor). Furthermore, the remaining $1.5 billion (€1.1 billion) will be paid in the form of a three-year promissory note.

“The acquisition of such an iconic brand, innovative product portfolio and incredibly talented global team will immediately make Lenovo a strong global competitor in smartphones. We will immediately have the opportunity to become a strong global player in the fast-growing mobile space,” said Yang Yuanqing, chairman and CEO of Lenovo. “Lenovo has the expertise and track record to scale Motorola Mobility into a major player within the Android ecosystem. This move will enable Google to devote our energy to driving innovation across the Android ecosystem, for the benefit of smartphone users everywhere,” said Larry Page, CEO, Google. “As part of Lenovo, Motorola Mobility will have a rapid path to achieving our goal of reaching the next 100 million people with the mobile Internet. With the recent launches of Moto X and Moto G, we have tremendous momentum right now and Lenovo’s hardware expertise and global reach will only help to accelerate this,” said Dennis Woodside, CEO, Motorola Mobility.

Lenovo logo
Image credits to Lenovo

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Samsung SM-G900L (Galaxy S5) Emerges in Korea with 5.1’’ 1080p Screen

Galaxy S5, the upcoming flagship smartphone from South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung, has been rumored to arrive on shelves in a variety of versions, and one of them seems to have just made an appearance in the company’s homeland country.

Featuring model number SM-G900L, which falls in line with the various Galaxy S5 versions, the new handset was spotted over at South Korean wireless carrier LG U+. The phone appeared there with a 5.1-inch display capable of delivering a 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution, as well as with the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system loaded on top. Previous reports on Galaxy S5 suggested that Samsung would plan on launching it in two different versions, Prime and Standard, with the latter featuring a full HD screen, and the former capable of delivering a 2k resolution. However, the phone was expected to sport a 5.2-inch screen in both variants, and the fact that this device is listed with a 5.1-inch panel comes as a surprise.

With the SM-G900 models supposedly confirmed to be part of the Galaxy S5 lineup, all that remains to be seen is an official announcement from Samsung on this handset and its actual capabilities. For the time being, however, we’ll take the possible info on its screen size and resolution with a grain of salt, as things might turn out differently in the end. As PhoneArena notes, there’s also the possibility that the flagship device will not feature the aforementioned SM-G900 model number, and that this will be a completely different handset from the leading vendor. Specifics on this might not become available until March, as the mobile phone is expected to be announced sometime in the middle of that month, during an event supposedly set to take place in London. Keep an eye on this space for more on the matter.

Samsung SM-G900L (Galaxy S5) at LG U+
Image credits to LG U+

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