WhatsApp+ 3.17 Available for Android

WhatsApp for Android already proved a highly appealing application, the same as it did on devices based on other mobile operating systems out there, but it seems that enhancements could be made to it.

WhatsApp+, a re-worked, custom version of the official WhatsApp Messenger for Android, can easily prove that. The software comes with the same features as WhatsApp, given that it is built based on it, but adds some new options of its own, allowing users to easily customize colors and more. The app enables users to share music with a single click, to add contact profile pictures to their chats, and can also increase the upload media limit to send large files.

Today, WhatsApp+ was released as version 3.17, with fixes over the previous versions, after getting a consistent Holo UI on all devices only two days ago. The new app release also comes with a series of fixes, its developer notes. More on it can be found over at the XDA-Developers.

WhatsApp+
Image credits to XDA-Developers

Read more »

New Alleged Google Babble Screenshot Emerges

Google Babble, the unified messaging service that Google is expected to make official in the not too distant future, will be available for the owners of Android devices as well, and a new screenshot supposedly showing the upcoming mobile client is now available for your viewing pleasure.

The photo emerged over at the Dutch site Skloink, and shows an interface that closely resembles that of the currently available messenger feature in the Google+ application for Android devices. However, it does sport a series of new elements, such as Google Now-styled cards to separate conversations, as Droid-life notes in a recent post.

Of course, there’s always the possibility that the photo is not the real deal, so we’ll take it with a grain of salt for the time being. Stay tuned for more on the matter.

Alleged Google Babble photo
Image credits to Skloink

Read more »

Microsoft Office “Blue” to Be Called Gemini

Microsoft will soon launch Windows Blue, a major Windows 8 upgrade that would bring improvements to the desktop and tablet client, Windows Phone and server software.

Now rumor has it that the Redmond-based giant is also working on an important overhaul for its Office solution, but unlike Windows, it won’t be called Blue. According to a ZDNet report, the upcoming Office revamp could be called “Gemini” and would include significant enhancements to every single app included in the productivity suite. Since the Office division has only recently started work on Gemini, this major update won’t be launched together with Blue, as the debut will basically be split in two different smaller releases.  First, Microsoft is planning to use the Windows Blue launch event to introduce significant updates to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

While there’s no information on whether the company plans to bring the Office suite in the Metro UI, Microsoft may very well introduce Modern versions of these apps, especially because Blue is betting big on this particular working environment. At this point, there are only two Office apps available for Metro fans, namely OneNote and Lync. The second important step into revamping Office will probably be completed next year, most likely just before the debut of Windows 9. Office 365 and its subscription system would serve as the foundation of this new upgrade, as Microsoft is trying to adopt a similar strategy as for the Windows platform. The software giant is planning to improve the Office solution in such a way that it would allow more frequent updates, so the annual subscription service would clearly help a lot.

All in all, Microsoft Office is getting ready for a major refresh and, even if Microsoft has yet to talk about this, it’s pretty clear that the Blue effect will go way beyond the Windows platform.

Office will receive plenty of updates in the next years
Image credits to arstechnica.com

Read more »

Microsoft Finally Confirms Windows Blue

The Redmond-based technology giant Microsoft finally confirmed the Blue project and even though it refused to provide specific details on the first major Windows 8 refresh, it did reveal that a “set of plans” is now under development.

Microsoft corporate vice president Frank Shaw wrote in a post on the official Microsoft blog that Blue is the internal codename of the project, hinting that a different designation might be picked before the OS upgrade goes live. “With a remarkable foundation of products in market and a clear view of how we will evolve the company, product leaders across Microsoft are working together on plans to advance our devices and services, a set of plans referred to internally as Blue,” Shaw explained.

According to previous reports on the Blue project, the stable version might be released sometime this summer, most likely in August, while the first beta build is expected to be launched in June.

Microsoft's "set of plans" might include both a desktop and a tablet OS
Image credits to hdwallpapers.in

Read more »

Leaked Photo Shows Galaxy S4’s Back Logo

Earlier this month, South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung made official its next Android-based flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4, set to arrive on shelves in late April, but did not unveil the phone’s back logo as of now, although it did publish press photos with the device.

However, a leaked photo that emerged online courtesy of @evleaks appears meant to provide us with a glimpse at the phone’s final branding before it arrives on shelves. In all fairness, Samsung did show the phone’s logo in the video presentations that were made public following the official launch, yet it still has to show it carved on the phone’s back plate, as can be seen in the photo above.

Galaxy S4 arrives on shelves with a 5-inch screen, a quad-core processor (8-core in some markets), 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel photo snapper, front camera, Android Jelly Bean, and Samsung’s UI loaded on top.

Samsung Galaxy S4
Image credits to Samsung

Read more »

Windows Blue Metro Snap Mode Drops 1366x768 Resolution Limit [Video]

Windows Blue will bring a lot of improvements to the existing Windows 8 platform, at least judging by this leaked build, but here’s something that’s pretty important for consumers still using devices with low resolutions.

Blue could drop the 1366x768 screen resolution limit required to snap apps and run two different programs side by side in Metro mode, according to a report by McAkins Online. As you can see in this video, snapping apps is now possible on a 1024x768 screen resolution as well, regardless of whether you’re using a desktop computer, a laptop or a tablet.

Windows 8 currently limits snap view to 1366x768, while the 1024x768 resolution is required to run just a single Metro app. While we can’t tell for sure whether this particular option will make it to the stable build, it seems like Microsoft has listened to users’ feedback and is now making Metro apps available on lower resolutions too.

"Blue" is an update to Windows 8, bring patches and new features. One of the new features is that the screen resolution requirements to snap a metro-style application has been dropped. In Windows 8, you need a resolution of 1024 by 768 to run metro-style apps, and you need a screen resolution of 1366 by 768 to snap metro-style apps and run them side-by-side. However, with the "Blue" update, there are no special requirements to snap metro-style apps.
Thanks for watching, and peace be unto you!
Video credits to Nazmus Shakib

Read more »

Oppo R815T Flagship Quad-Core Android Phone Coming Soon

Chinese mobile phone maker Oppo is reportedly getting ready for the launch of a new high-end Android-based device in the now too distant future, though it would pack it with a smaller screen than that of the Oppo Find 5 handset, it seems.

According to the latest reports on the matter, the new device will feature a 4.3-inch IPS display, while being powered by a 1.2GHz MediaTek MT6589 quad-core processor, paired with 1GB of RAM. Furthermore, the handset is said to pack an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back, to run under Google’s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system and to offer support for the TD-SCDMA network of China Mobile.

The upcoming handset is also said to sport model number R815T, and is expected to arrive on shelves with the same HiFi feature that Oppo Find 5 (which can be seen above) arrived on shelves with. It might be priced between 1,500 Yuan ($241 / 186 Euro) and 2,000 Yuan ($322 / 248 Euro), MyDrivers claims.

Oppo Find 5
Image credits to Oppo

Read more »

Samsung to Pack Galaxy Note III with an Unbreakable Display

This fall, South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung Electronics might bring to the spotlight the next-generation Galaxy Note III smartphone, currently expected to arrive on shelves with a 5.9-inch touchscreen display.

While capable of delivering a 1920 x 1280 pixels resolution, the panel is also said to be flexible, and might also prove to be unbreakable; at least this is what a recent post on Asiae notes. The handset was also said to arrive on shelves with Google’s Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system loaded on top, while expected to feature an Exynos 5 Octa processor, the same as Galaxy S4.

Other rumored specs of this device include 2GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back (which might be a 13MP one, in the end), and a larger battery compared to Galaxy Note II.

Samsung Galaxy Note II
Image credits to Samsung

Read more »

BlackBerry Z10 Gets Torn to Pieces

BlackBerry Z10, the latest smartphone from the Canadian mobile phone maker and the first to run under the new BlackBerry 10 operating system, and been torn down by the people over at iFixit, who were interested in learning more on what it packs inside.

BlackBerry enthusiasts who already grew fond of the handset’s looks will certainly appreciate a look at its internal circuitry, especially since this is the first BlackBerry to pack a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor inside. As expected, the teardown exposed the phone’s new motherboard, along with its 3.8 V, 1800 mAh Lithium-ion battery, the 8 megapixel auto-focus camera, 16 GB MLC NAND Flash from Samsung, 3-axis MEMS Accelerometer and 3D Accelerometer & 3D Gyroscope, and the like.

All the details on the matter can be found on this page, complemented by photos with all the BlackBerry Z10 internals.

BlackBerry Z10 teardown
Image credits to iFixit

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Unofficially Revealed, May Launch in June/July

It's been less than two weeks since Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy S4 and rumors on an unannounced mini version of the flagship smartphone.

Although the Galaxy S4 won't be available on the market until late April, and in some regions early May, Samsung seems to be planning to offers a budget variant of the superphone. Just like it did with the Galaxy S III, Samsung will be launching a Galaxy S4 mini devices some time this summer. According to SamMobile, Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is expected to hit shelves in June / July, but there's no telling whether or not the timeframe is correct. By the time Samsung will launch the smaller version of Galaxy S4, Google will announce the next version of Android mobile operating system. However, Galaxy S4 mini will not come with Android 5.0, but an upgrade is not out of the question.

Rumor has it Samsung Galaxy S4 mini will ship with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system out of the box, the same version of the platform as its larger counterpart. It will also integrate TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 and will pack a much smaller display. SamMobile's insider claims the Galaxy S4 mini sports a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD capacitive touchscreen display that supports 540 x 960 pixels resolution and 256ppi. On the inside, the smartphone will be equipped with a 1.6 GHz dual-core processor, but there are no details on the amount of memory, storage and graphics processing unit yet. The phone has already been caught on camera and looks like a small replica of the Samsung Galaxy S4. It is also worth mentioning the Galaxy S4 mini is also known as Samsung GT-I9190, so we will be looking for this codename in future leaks.

Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S4 Mini
Image credits to SamMobile

Galaxy S4 Mini
Image credits to SamMobile

Read more »