Samsung Galaxy S III Neo+ Goes Official in China

A new Samsung smartphone went official in China this week, in the form of Galaxy S III Neo+, which is now listed on the company’s website in the country with model number GT-I9300I attached to it.

The smartphone comes with about the same specs and features as the original handset, but packs support for dual-SIM connectivity (3G + GSM), a 4.8-inch HD (720p) Super AMOLED display, and a 1.4GHz quad-core processor packed inside, as SammyHub notes. Moreover, the device comes with an 8-megapixel camera on the back, as well as with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a 2100mAh battery, and a microSD memory card slot for expansion purposes.

Moreover, the new Samsung Galaxy S III Neo+ arrives on shelves with the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system loaded on top right from the beginning.

Samsung Galaxy S III Neo+
Image credits to SammyHub

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Galaxy S5 to Pack Better One-Handed Operation Capabilities

South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung Electronics is reportedly planning on including better support for one-handed operations inside its Galaxy S5 smartphone, after being granted new patents for the functionality.

The guys over at GalaxyClub.nl have discovered info on said patents on the Korean patent information website KIPRIS, which might be hinting at the user interface that Samsung plans on loading on top of Galaxy S5. The device might provide users with the possibility to select a corner of the screen they want to use for the function, with apps and notifications put at their fingertips there. The feature should prove great on a large screen, such as the 5.2-inch one expected on Galaxy S5.

Additionally, Samsung has received a patent for a new music interface with deep social media integration, one that might land on the flagship phone as Friends Music, as SamMobile notes. However, no confirmation on this has been provided.

Samsung could pack better one-handed operation capabilities inside Galaxy S5

Samsung Galaxy S5 to sport a new music app
Images credits to GalaxyClub

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Carpad T68 MAX "Mini" Tablet Arrives with 6.95-Inch Screen and Octa-Core Processor

Chinese device makers are seemingly on a roller-coaster of unleashing octa-core devices that blur the line between smartphones and tablets.

This is the case of the Carpad T69 MX, the flagship device of this unknown Chinese brand (via GSMInsider). This product has a wide 6.95-inch LTPS + OGS display with an impressive 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, so it can be thought of a mini-tablet of sorts. Most 7-inchers coming out of China and India today sport calling capabilities, so it’s getting increasingly difficult to understand where the line between tablets and smartphones is drawn.

The T59 MAX draws power from a MediaTek MT6592 octa-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz complete with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. I also have to note the main camera’s (8MP) lens glass is made of sapphire. On top of that, there’s USB OTG, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, dual SIM (compatible with both GSM and WCDMA networks) and a decent 4,200 mAh battery. The device will be made available for purchase in seven different colors with a price tag of $278 / €204.

Carpad launches octa-core mini tablet
Image credits to GSMInsider

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VTX3D Radeon R9 290X/ R9 290 X-Edition Debut

There never seems to be a surplus of factory-overclocked cards, so VTX3D has decided this would be as good a time as any to release a pair of new Radeon R9 series boards.

So here they are, the VTX3D R9 290X/ R9 290 X-Edition, with 4 GB of GDDr5 VRAM (each), dual-fan coolers (black and red) and clocks GPU clocks 30 MHz above those of the reference adapters. Which is to say, the VTX3D R9 290X X-Edition operates at 1030 MHz and the memory at 1250 MHz, while the R9 290 X-Edition can manage 975 MHz GPU and 1250 MHz memory.

The newcomers have Ferrite Core Choke and SVI2 power management, plus digital PWM and a Multi Phase Design. Sadly, the prices of the VTX3D Radeon R9 290X/ R9 290 X-Edition were not mentioned in the announcement.

VTX3D Radeon R9 290X X-Edition

VTX3D Radeon R9 290 X-Edition

VTX3D Radeon R9 290X X-Edition
Image credits to VTX3D

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MSI Launches New FM2+ Gaming Motherboards for AMD APUs

For Micro-Star International, the word “gaming” isn't just a label it describes products under, it is an actual brand that has been strapped to the two newest motherboards to leave its laboratories.

Said two motherboards are called A88X-G45 Gaming and A88X Gaming. The former is a Full-ATX model, while the latter is a micro-ATX motherboard. Since they possess the FM2+ socket, that means they're ready to welcome AMD's Kaveri APUs. Both newcomers have MSI Audio Boost technology, MSO USB Audio Power technology, MSI Real USB Power, Killer LAN networking and Military Class 4 Components (Hi-c Cap, Super Ferrite Choke and Solid CAPs). OC Genie 4 and Click BIOS 4 are included as well.

That said, both mainboards have 4 DDR3 DIMM memory slots and several PCI Express 3.0, 2.0 x16/x8/x4/x1 slots, plus a bunch of ports on the rear panels, and via headers. Prices are unknown though. Assassin's Creed Liberation HD ships for free with A88X-G45 Gaming.

MSI A88X-G45 Gaming
Image credits to MSI

MSI A88X Gaming
Image credits to MSI

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Video Shows Sailfish OS on Google Nexus 4

Google phones have always proved to be great modding devices among enthusiasts, to load not only various custom Android versions on them, but other operating systems as well.

A newly posted video, embedded below for your viewing pleasure, proves exactly that, as it shows a Nexus 4 smartphone running under Sailfish OS. The video shows the work of Lithuanian developer Simonas Leleiva, who managed to successfully port the new mobile operating system to the 2012 smartphone. What you’ll be seeing in the video below is the Recovery menu of the Nexus 4 being used to boot up into a clean install of Sailfish OS, as esphoneblog notes. The entire installation, boot up and setup process takes only a few minutes. The move was possible mainly due to the openness of the Sailfish OS, but also courtesy of the various tweaking capabilities that Nexus devices arrive on the market with. For those out of the loop, we should note that the Sailfish OS is a new mobile operating system coming from Jolla, a Finnish startup.

Built on a Linux core, the platform is developed in cooperation with the Mer project, while also enjoying support from the Sailfish Alliance. The operating system comes with multi-tasking capabilities, while also promising a complete openness, aimed at offering advantages over OSes such as Android and iOS. The Sailfish OS comes with support for Android applications, providing users with access to tens of thousands of them right from the start (the first phone to run under it was launched back in November).

Furthermore, the operating system was also said to be coming to all Android smartphones out there, at least this is what Jolla CEO Tomi Pienimäki suggested in an interview at the end of November. The video below proves that it is possible to have Sailfish loaded on Android smartphones, though it remains to be seen when official releases start to come in.

Sailfish OS loaded on Nexus 4
Image credits to Youtube

Sailfish OS ported to Nexus 4
Video credits to sledges

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Sony Xperia KitKat Boot Animation Now Available for Download

Yesterday, we had the chance to have a look at a video showing the leaked boot animation of Sony’s KitKat-powered Xperia devices, and the feature is now available for download.

Users with rooted devices interested in taking it for a spin can now grab it from the Xperia.cz forum and install it, either via System > Media, or via Recovery. The downloadable file will simply replace the boot animation file in system > media, though it would also require for users to set the right permissions to enjoy it.

As XperiaBlog notes, some users might consider the new animation as lacking the dynamic that the Jelly Bean one has to offer. As mentioned yesterday, users can also download and put on their smartphones wallpapers extracted from the Sony’s upcoming Xperia Sirius smartphone, for some additional personalization options.

nek - http://xperia.cz/ostatni/1161-xperiacz-exkluzivne-bootovaci-animace-z-androidu-442-kitkat-od-sony-mobile

Diskuze & download - http://forum.xperia.cz/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=9248

Video credits to JozaCmar

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Wi-Fi Only Sony Xperia Z Ultra “Tablet Edition” Real Photos and Manual Leak

Earlier today I brought you news about Sony’s official website seemingly confirming the existence of the Xperia Z Ultra Wi-Fi only model.

Previously, the device has been spotted in the AnTuTu benchmark database, scoring a massive 35,073 points and most of its specs have been leaked too. The Xperia Z Ultra so-called “tablet edition” is expected to sport a Snapdragon 800 MSM8074 SoC processor, Adreno 330 GPU, a 6.4-inch screen, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and an 8MP camera on the back.

Now the device gets confirmed for real, as FCC has uploaded all the internal and external test photos for Xperia Z Ultra SPG412 Wi-Fi. On top of that, they have added a complete user manual for the new model. Popping for a visit at the FCC usually means a device will soon be ready to hit the market, so we probably won’t have to wait long until the mini-tablet appears.

Wi-Fi only Sony Xperia Z Ultra real pictures leak
Images credits to FCC

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Huawei Honor 3C 2GB to Arrive in China on January 24

Chinese mobile phone maker Huawei is expected to start selling the 2GB version of the Honor 3C smartphone in its homeland market starting with January 24, the latest reports on the matter suggest.

According to GizChina, while the Honor 3C with 1GB of RAM has already managed to prove successful, the new version should attract even more users on its side. Starting with Friday, users in China will be able to buy the new model, which includes the same 1.3GHz MT6582 quad-core processor as the already available variant. The mobile phone will also sport a 13-megapixel camera on the back, along with a 5-inch display. It is powered by a 2300mAh battery, the same as the current model.

Huawei Honor 3C 2GB is expected to become available in the country with a price tag of 998 Yuan ($165/€122) attached to it, unlocked. It will offer dual-SIM capabilities and WCDMA support.

Huawei Honor 3C
Image credits to Huawei via GizChina

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Octa-Core Phablet iBerry Auxus Nuclea N2 Up for Pre-Order in India for Rs 19,990

We reported about a week ago that Indian OEM iBerry planned to introduce its first octa-core smartphone in India at some point this month. Well, it looks like the company has just kicked off pre-order for the Auxus Nuclea N2, which is set to go on sale on January 23.

For the time being, the high-end smartphone is available for only Rs 19,990 ($325 / €240) off contract, but once the pre-order period ends, customers will be offered the Auxus Nuclea N2 for no less than Rs 23,990 ($390 / €285). The sequel to the iBerr Auxus Nuclea N1 comes with a powerful 1.7 GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6592 processor, which is complemented by a Mali 450-MP4 graphics processing unit and 2GB of DDR3 RAM. In addition, the high-end smartphone packs 16GB of internal memory, which can be further expanded up to 64GB via microSD memory card. Aside from the powerful processor, iBerry Auxus Nuclea N2 boasts a large 5.7-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display that supports full HD (1080p) resolution. This is another selling point of iBerry’s phablet.

According to fonearena, iBerry Auxus Nuclea N2 ships with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system out of the box, but it’s upgradeable to newer versions OTA (over the air). This means that a KitKat update is not out of the question. Furthermore, the Auxus Nuclea N2 packs an impressive 13-megapixel photo snapper on the back, which features LED flash, BSI sensor, autofocus and full HD (1080p) video recording, while in the front there’s a secondary no less impressive 8-megapixel camera. The phone is powered by a high-capacity 3500 mAh battery that features wireless charging. Other highlights of the phablet include HSPA+ and HSUPA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS (with aGPS support) connectivity, as well as FM Radio, 3.5 mm audio jack and microUSB port.

iBerry Auxus Nuclea N2
Image credits to iBerry

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