Samsung Galaxy Note III to Sport an LCD Screen in Some Markets

Samsung Galaxy Note III, the long rumored large smartphone that South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung will make official in its popular Galaxy Note series later this summer, is now rumored to arrive on shelves in some markets with an IPS LCD screen. 

According to a recent article on ETNews, Samsung is working on the release of two different flavors of the device, one with an AMOLED screen, and the other packing LCD, due to the high demand in OLED panels, which could lead to shortages. The news site also notes that Samsung might plan on purchasing the LCD screens from Japanese companies such as Sharp, yet nothing has been confirmed.

As SammyHub notes, the Galaxy Note III might be launched with a 5.7-inch display and a Snapdragon 800 processor packed inside. It might also include LTE-Advanced capabilities.

Samsung logo
Image credits to Samsung

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Source Code Available for HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition

Soon after the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One arrived in the Google Play Store with the stock Android platform loaded on top, the source code for them was also made available for download.

However, although some might have expected for the kernel to arrive via Google, the code was actually published on the developer websites of HTC and Samsung, respectively. This clearly shows that the new devices, which are set to provide their users with a “Nexus experience,” are not seen as Nexus handsets on their own, despite the pure Android platform they run under.

Furthermore, it seems that updates for both of them will arrive from their manufacturers, rather than from Google themselves, which further distinguishes them from the popular series of Google-branded devices.  Those interested in having a closer look at the software for the two should head over to the Samsung Open Source Release Center (and search for GT-I9505G there), or to the HTCDev website.

Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Edition
Image credits to Pocketnow

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Android 4.3 Camera App Now Available for Download

One of the features that the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Edition smartphones arrived on shelves with was a new interface for the camera application, and it seems that more users can now take advantage of it.

The application was previously spotted on a Nexus 4 with Android 4.3 packed inside, and might be released to the world as part of that platform version, yet those who would like to grab it before that can already do so, unofficially. The software’s .APK file was made available for download through various sharing sites and, while it appears mostly safe to install, it might cause some issues on certain devices.

According to Pocketnow, for example, it will replace the current camera app on Nexus handsets, while being installed alongside the existing one on other smartphones. Fonearena notes that there are a series of improvements made to photosphere and film strip view, and that only Android 4.0 and newer devices can install the app.

Android 4.3 camera app
Image credits to Pocketnow

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New Camera App Included in Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Edition

The newly released Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Edition smartphones will provide users with more than just the stock Android experience, despite featuring no custom software on top of the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean platform version.

Apparently, both these devices sport a new Camera app interface, different from what Android 4.2.2-based Nexus phones can offer at the moment, but similar to what a previously leaked Android 4.3 video had to show. The new flavors of the Galaxy S4 and HTC One will offer five options to users when pressing and holding the screen in the camera app, displayed in a new curved line, a recent article on AnandTech explains. Also, the volume buttons can be used as shutter triggers, it seems. Through these settings, users will receive fast access to HDR mode, exposure adjustments, flash mode, and front and rear camera switching, and a More Options feature. Hitting “More Options” will offer access to a new menu, with features disposed in a semicircle as well, offering the possibility to opt in or out of location data for their photos, to adjust the image size and color temperature, select scene mode, and activate the countdown timer.

The camera app will provide mostly the same functionality as it did before, but the interface has been updated, most probably hinting at what’s set to arrive on other stock Android devices as well. Apparently, some other changes have been included in the two devices as well, such as a new Sun Beam live wallpaper, a modified flavor of the Phase Beam live wallpaper that has been available inside Android for a while now.  At the same time, the two handsets sport the new Google Keep note-taking service pre-loaded right from the start, and also come with modified boot animations. Users interested in grabbing the Galaxy S4 or the HTC One with stock Android loaded on top can find them available in the Google Play Store today, though only in select markets.

Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One Google Edition
Image credits to The Verge

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Motorola to Launch Droid RAZR Ultra, RAZR M Ultra on Verizon

Mobile phone maker Motorola might soon make official some new devices in its Android series, such as the Droid RAZR Ultra and RAZR M Ultra, rumored to become available for purchase in the United States on the network of Verizon Wireless.

The two companies have launched some successful phones in the DROID lineup, including last year’s RAZR handsets, and it would not come as a surprise if new products were added to the series, that’s for sure.  Provided that the info that emerged courtesy of @evleaks pans out, it won't be too long before Motorola unveils some additional details on this. A certain DROID Ultra Maxx phone will be launched as well, Droid-life claims.

No confirmation on this has surfaced, but the new “Ultra” family of smartphones could prove to be Verizon’s exclusive version of the long rumored Motorola X phones (already said to land on shelves at other carriers in the US).

Motorola RAZR HD
Image credits to droid-life

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Download Windows 8.1 Preview

Software maker Microsoft has just published the official download link for Windows 8.1 Preview, so users who wish to set up a dual-boot configuration are recommended to get these ISOs.

As you probably know, Windows 8.1 Preview is offered as a free update to Windows 8 users, to the main package is available via the Windows Store. And still, because it’s only a preview, the company is also offering the update as a stand-alone ISO, which should come in very handy in case you wish to deploy the operating system on a different partition and use it on a dual-boot configuration.

Of course, most users are recommended to get Windows 8.1 Preview via the Windows Store, as this is the safest, fastest, and easiest way to deploy the update on both desktops and tablets. Users are required to first download this small patch, reboot their devices, and only then proceed with the actual installation of Windows 8.1 Preview. ISO files are not yet available, Microsoft confirmed.

Windows 8.1 Preview is available via the Store and as a separate ISO
Image credits to Microsoft

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Full Specs of Huawei Ascend W2 Emerge

One of the Windows Phone 8-based devices that should arrive on the market before the end of this year is the Huawei Ascend W2, which has yet to be officially announced, but has already made an appearance at the GSMA 2013 Mobile Asia Expo.

The handset was spotted there en route to China Mobile’s network, and all of its hardware specifications were unveiled, showing a mid-range device rather than a new flagship. Packing a 4.3-inch WVGA touchscreen and a 1.4GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, the handset also sports an Adeno 305 GPU, as well as 512MB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory, while being 9.9mm thick.

According to WMPoweruser, Huawei might have decided to lower the specs of the device a bit, so as to bring it in line with other Windows Phone 8 handsets from the company.

Huawei Ascend W2
Images credits to WinP.cn via WMPoweruser

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Imagination Technologies Next-Gen MIPS “Warrior” CPU

Today, Imagination Technologies (IMG.L) announced new processors in its MIPS portfolio, set to arrive later this year based on low-power RISC architecture and capable of delivering increased performance capabilities.

Built following the acquisition of CPU designer MIPS, the new chips should arrive on shelves with support for Gogole’s Android operating system, with the codename of “Warrior” attached. Released in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, the upcoming cores should offer best-in-class performance and efficiency, the company claims, adding that they are poised to change the CPU landscape.

Some of the features that these cores will offer include Hardware virtualization, multi-threading, Imagination's security framework for applications, MIPS SIMD architecture (MSA), and a consistent and comprehensive toolchain across the “Warrior” series. "The industry is longing for a choice in the CPU market, and we are making MIPS a clear and superior alternative,” Hossein Yassaie, CEO, Imagination, said.

Imagination Technologies unveils MIPS "Warrior" CPU
Image credits to Imagination Technologies

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Sony Xperia SP (M35t) for China Mobile’s TD-LTE Network

In addition to the highly-expected Xperia Z Ultra, Japanese mobile phone maker Sony Mobile announced today a new device running under Google’s Android operating system, nothing more than a new, special flavor of the Xperia SP (M35t) handset.

Designed for the Chinese market, the new smartphone flavor will land on shelves with support for China Mobile’s TD-LTE network, so as to provide its customers with fast data transfer speeds while on the go.  The handset keeps the rest of the hardware specifications unchanged from the original model, including the 4.6-inch 720p touchscreen display that packs supersensitive capabilities, as Engadget reports.

The phone also comes with NFC connectivity inside, as well as with the popular illuminating transparent element that other Xperia devices also include. More on the new mobile phone flavor should be unveiled soon, so stay tuned.

Sony Xperia SP (M35t) with TD-LTE conenctivity
Image credits to Engadget

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra Full Specs and Photo Gallery

Earlier today, Japanese mobile phone maker Sony Mobile made official its first smartphone to feature a touchscreen display larger than that of Xperia Z, its latest flagship handset, namely the Xperia Z Ultra.

The new mobile phone was made official with a large 6.44-inch touchscreen display, capable of delivering a full HD resolution, as well as with a 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 processor inside. The new mobile phone is also equipped with 2GB of RAM, 6GB of internal memory and a microSD memory card slot with support for up to 64GB of additional storage space. At the same time, Sony packed the new Xperia Z Ultra with an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back, with support for full HD video recording capabilities, as well as with a 2MP 1080p front camera for making video calls. Packing a TRILUMINOS Display with Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, the new smartphone also offers support for pen input with stylus, while featuring a scratch-resistant glass, and dust and waterproof capabilities. Running under Google’s Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system, the Xperia Z Ultra is IP55 and IP58 certified for dust and water resistance, measures 179 x 92 x 6.5 mm and weighs 212 grams. Sony also boasts that it's capable of shooting full HD videos underwater.

The phone features a 3000mAh battery inside, capable of delivering up to 14 hours of talk time, or up to 790 hours of standby time. The specs list of this device also includes Wi-Fi and WiFi Hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity, Xperia Link, Synchronisation via Exchange ActiveSync, Google Sync and Facebook, aGPS, and a 3.5 mm audio jack - not to mention that it is PlayStation Certified, offers access to the Sony Entertainment Network, as well as a series of exclusive features and apps from Sony, such as the STAMINA mode for increased battery life. “The Xperia Z Ultra is the most exciting revolution in large-screen smartphone entertainment devices with both the slimmest and largest Full HD smartphone display in the world that is second to none.

“We’re already bringing the best of Sony technology and design across a range of premium smartphones and tablets, and now we are bringing this same premium offering to the large-screen smartphone segment, setting a new standard for others to follow.” says  Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications. The Xperia Z Ultra will arrive on shelves starting with the third quarter of the year in three color flavors, namely Black, Purple and White. No specific info on its pricing has been provided as of now.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Images credits to Sony

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