BlackBerry Confirms BBM for Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread Coming in February

It's no secret BlackBerry is trying to bring one of the most popular services is still providing, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), to as many customers as possible.

We reported about two weeks ago the Canadian company plans to launch a BBM client for devices powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The first details on the upcoming release of BBM for Gingerbread devices leaked in mid-January, but BlackBerry had been mum on the subject until recently. Today, Jeff Gadway, head product and brand marketing for BBM, announced his company will be launching BBM for Android 2.3.3+ Gingerbread devices very soon. “We’ve got some exciting BBM news for Android Gingerbread users – you’ve been asking and we’ve heard you loud and clear. We’re now pleased to announce that BBM will soon also be available on Android Devices running Gingerbread (v2.3.3+).”

It looks like BlackBerry wishes to tap into the Android Gingerbread market, which according to the latest Android Developer Dashboard, represents no less than 21% of the total Android platform. Bringing so many new users under its wing will hugely increase BBM's market share in comparison with other instant messaging services. The upcoming launch of BBM Voice and BBM Video services for Android and iOS platforms is another aspect that could contribute to another success on the instant messaging market. According to Gadway, BlackBerry will launch a open beta BBM application for Gingerbread devices sometime in February.

“The team at BBM has been busy in the kitchen over the last few months cooking up this special release of BBM for Android smartphones running Gingerbread and are now moving into an external beta ahead of the launch in February. We couldn’t be more excited, too! Supporting Gingerbread will allow millions more Android users to download the popular BBM instant messaging app,” added Jeff Gadway.

BBM for Android
Image credits to BlackBerry

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Samsung’s Tizen-Based SM-Z9005 to Arrive as ZEQ 9000

Samsung hasn’t announced a smartphone running under Tizen as of now, but rumor has it that it could make the move as soon as the next month, at the MWC show in Barcelona, and that the first such handset from the company might be called ZEQ 9000.

The mobile phone has made it online before, and even leaked in a hands-on photo via @evleaks, but no specific info on Samsung’s plans for it has emerged until now. However, the device was spotted recently on the Korean site MovePlayer, where the the ZEQ 9000 branding is visible once again. The SM-Z9005 is also said to be the dual-SIM version of the smartphone, with the single-SIM variant expected to arrive on shelves with model number SM-Z9000 attached. The available image with the device also shows a design similar to that of Galaxy S4, while the UI appears to resemble the Tizen 2.1 interface that leaked online a few months back, as SamMobile notes. ZEQ 9000, provided that this will indeed be the phone’s name, should land on shelves with a 4.8-inch capable of delivering a 720p resolution.

Moreover, the handset is expected to be powered by a 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which suggests that Samsung might aim it at the mid- to high-end of the market. On the other hand, we should note that a certain Samsung SM-Z9005 smartphone has emerged on eBay with a price tag of only $250 attached, as can be seen on this page. The phone is said to be running under Tizen, and chances are that it is the ZEQ 9000 mentioned above. According to the eBay description, the smartphone sports a 4.7-inch touchscreen and 16GB of internal memory, while featuring support for GSM networks. Should previous reports on Samsung’s plans for the MWC 2014 show pan out, we might see this device being at least showcased at the event, so keep an eye on this space for additional info on the matter.

Samsung SM-Z9005 (ZEQ 9000)
Image credits to evleaks

Samsung SM-Z9005 (ZEQ 9000)
Image credits to eBay

Samsung SM-Z9005 (ZEQ 9000)
Image credits to MovePlayer

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Samsung Confirms 2K AMOLED Smartphone Panels, Points at 4K Too

South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung Electronics has officially confirmed that it has a 2k smartphone screen in the works.

According to daum, Samsung unveiled that it was working on an AMOLED QHD (2560 x 1440 pixels) screen during the Semiconductor and Display Technology Roadmap Seminar, but did not provide specific info on what devices might feature it. However, it appears that the company also said there that a smartphone packing an AMOLED UHD (3480 x 2160 pixels) display could also be launched in the not-too-distant future.

One thing that is certain is that a 4k resolution on a 5-inch device could be a little over the top. After all, 2k smartphones have yet to arrive on shelves and prove themselves worthy of spending money on. For the time being, no official confirmation on whether Galaxy S5 will pack a 2k screen or not has been provided, so stay tuned for more on the matter.

Samsung confirms 2k smartphone screen
Image credits to Samsung

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Leaked iPhone 6 Logic Board with A8 Processor [Video]

The next-generation A8 System on a Chip (SoC) is allegedly shown in a new YouTube video uploaded by MrVoolp. This is the third such leak from this user in under a week.

Apparently, someone at Foxconn has access to a lot of iPhone 6 parts, as both the chassis and (now) the logic board have been videotaped and posted online for everyone to glance at. We can’t confirm the accuracy of MrVoolp’s claims, but the hardware does seem to pertain to an Apple handset, albeit a much larger one than what we’ve become accustomed to.

There are no clear markings on any of the chips shown in the video, but the source says we’re looking at the all-new A8 processor that will power the iPhone 6. Hit the play button and see for yourselves.

iPhone 6 Parts New Processor A8 Exclusive
Video credits to MrVoolp

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BlackBerry OS 10.2.1 Officially Announced, Changelog Available

Earlier today, BlackBerry 10 users around the world started to see the BlackBerry OS 10.2.1 update emerging on their devices, and the full changelog for the release is now available.

The Canadian mobile phone maker has confirmed the rollout, announcing that users will benefit from hundreds of enhancements as part of it, and that they will be able to do more after installing it, while also being more productive than before. The company has also noted that the new platform release is available starting today in the US, Europe, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The new operating system flavor is still subject to carrier approvals, but it should not be too long before all owners of BlackBerry 10 devices, including the Porsche Design P’9982, receive it.

The release notes for the new update include the option to customize Pinch Gesture to Filter BlackBerry Hub, a simplified Phone Experience, SMS and Email Groups, Actionable Lock Screen Notifications, and more. Following the installation of OS 10.2.1, users will be able to filter the message list in the BlackBerry Hub. They can set it to show only Unread Messages, Flagged Messages, Draft Messages, Meeting Invites, Sent Messages, or Level 1 Alerts, BlackBerry announced. Moreover, the OS brings along a new incoming call screen, which allows users to swipe to the left to answer, or to the right to ignore a call. “New intuitive icons allow you to instantly silence the call, or send a Reply Now response through BBM, SMS or email that you can’t answer the phone right away. You can choose from a list of standard automated responses or respond with a personalized note,” BlackBerry announced.

For efficient communication, OS 10.2.1 will enable the creation of SMS and email groups, while also allowing users to tap to open a message that appears on the lockscreen. Faster unlocking is also possible through using a combination of a picture and a number (0-9). At the same time, the Quick Settings Menu is customizable in the new OS version, so that owners of BB10 devices can set what appears on the Settings menu, with options such as quickly changing the Brightness, toggling various network connections, and more.

Other enhancements in BlackBerry OS 10.2.1 include:

• Offline Browser Reading Mode – You can now save the current web page you’re on for later viewing, even if you are offline or without an Internet connection.
• Preferred Contact Sync – You can now choose the sync source for your Contacts ensuring you always have the most up-to-date contact details. When adding a new contact you can designate which sources you want the contact info to sync with, such as the corporate address book, Gmail, Hotmail, etc.
• Device and Battery Monitor – A new and improved device monitor provides you with essential details on battery usage, the impact of installed apps on battery life and memory usage and storage, as well as CPU stats.
• FM Radio – If you have a BlackBerry Z30, BlackBerry Q10 or BlackBerry Q5 smartphone, the new software update unlocks the built-in FM radio in those handsets. You can listen to local FM stations, which does not require any network connection.
• Automatic Software Updates – OS updates can be set to happen automatically over a Wi-Fi connection to help ensure you’re always benefiting from the latest and best possible customer experience.
• Enterprise Features – When combined with BES10 version 10.2, enterprise customers will gain additional security features and IT policies for when more granular controls are required, such as for regulated industries and for organizations that work with sensitive data. 

Additional info on the new update can be found on BlackBerry's website.

BlackBerry OS 10.2.1 officially confirmed for global roll out
Images credits to BlackBerry

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HTC M8 Leaked Wallpaper Confirms 1080p Display

HTC M8 or One+ (Plus), or whatever its name will be, was rumored to pack a stunning 2K display, but according to the latest hearsay that will not be the case with this smartphone.

We reported several days ago some benchmark results pointed to an 1080p display instead of the rumored 2K screen, and now we have more proof that HTC M8 will indeed feature the former. Courtesy to @evleaks, we now have access to the official wallpaper of the unannounced HTC M8. The wallpaper has 2160 x 1920 pixels, which suggests the smarpthone will sport a large display that will support 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. You can find the full sized original wallpaper here.

No other details have been confirmed either than the 1080p resolution of the display, but rumors hint to a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, Android 4.4 KitKat and HTC Sense 6.0.

HTC M8 original wallpaper
Image credits to evleaks

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BBM Voice and BBM Channels for Android to Arrive in February

Canadian mobile phone maker BlackBerry is getting ready for the release of voice calling features for BlackBerry Messenger for Android devices, and appears set to make it available as soon as the next month.

The feature is called BBM Voice, and will provide users with the possibility to enjoy free calling to other BBM users out there. iOS users will also receive the new functionality. At the same time, the company is aiming at allowing Android users to browse and create BBM Channels from their devices, an option that has long been confirmed to arrive on other platforms beside BlackBerry 10. According to The Times of India, Krishnadeep Baruah, senior director, channel marketing in Asia Pacific for Blackberry was the one to confirm this, stating that both options will be delivered as part of an update set to arrive in the next few weeks. Moreover, he confirmed that BBM Video was also considered for release on Android and iOS devices, but did not provide a specific release window for it.

The feature will make it on more mobile operating systems in the not too distant future, but it’s unclear whether it will be part of the next app update or not. When asked about the availability of BBM for Windows Phone devices, Krishnadeep Baruah did not deny the possible release of such an app. "We're constantly evaluating and hopefully at the right time we will be able to launch on newer platforms," Baruah said, without offering further info on the matter.

Previously, BBM Voice and BM Channels were confirmed to arrive on other devices beside BlackBerry 10 smartphones before the end of this year, but no specific timeframe for the roll out has been provided. Hopefully, the Canadian vendor will deliver specifics on its plans for BBM for Android sooner rather than later, so keep an eye on this space to learn the news.

BBM Voice and BBM Channels for Android expected next month
Image credits to BlackBerry

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Samsung Galaxy TabPRO Line and Galaxy NotePRO Set to Arrive in the US February 14

Yesterday I brought you news saying one of Samsung’s latest Galaxy NotePRO tablet might be arriving in Europe, February 7.

But apparently an unnamed Samsung source speaking to RootzWiki claimed customers in the US can expect to see the Samsung’s Galaxy TabPRO series and the Galaxy NotePRO go on sale on Valentine’s Day (February 14). The insider also mentioned that Samsung employees would not going to be allowed time off between the dates of 2/14 and 2/16, so indicating the tech giant expects to sell a lot of tablets in the first few days. Nothing was mentioned of pricing, but European rates were leaked a while ago in the press and they go as follows:

• Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 8.4, Wi-Fi: €389 ($389?)
• Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 8.4, LTE: €519 ($519?)
• Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 10.1, Wi-Fi: €479 ($479?)
• Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 10.1 LTE: €609 ($609?)
• Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 12.2, Wi-Fi: €649 ($649?)
• Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 12.2, LTE: €749 ($749?)
• Samsung Galaxy NotePRO 12.2, Wi-Fi: €749 ($749?)
• Samsung Galaxy NotePRO 12.2, LTE: €849 ($849?)

Yesterday’s news also indicated the Galaxy NotePRO 12.2 (Wi-Fi model) will be selling for €749 / $1,024 in Europe, so it appears we're not far from the truth. So is it possible Europeans will be getting the chance to grab the slates a week earlier?

Samsung's new tablets might arrive on Valentine's Day
Image credits to GeekyGadgets

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Tango PC, a Fanless, Pocketable and Upgradeable Computer System

There are mini PCs, there are micro PCs, and then there are things like the Tango PC, which look more like portable HDDs than anything else. Nonetheless, they are full-fledged systems, albeit not overly powerful ones.

Then again, when the package measures 4.9 x 3.15 x 0.5 inches / 125 x 80 x 13.5 mm, there's hardly any room to complain. Especially when, despite the small package, you can still upgrade the storage and memory and still be able to carry it in a pocket, like you would a wallet. Obviously, the performance won't match that of laptops or desktops. The size demanded sacrifices after all, not the least of which was the CPU. Since it's a fanless computer, the chip needed to make do with a low TDP and, thus, a low performance as well. Nonetheless, the AMD A6-5200 is still quite capable, a quad-core APU (accelerated processing unit) with a core frequency of 2 GHz and integrated GCN-based graphics, the HD 8400. 2-8 GB Ram back it, data is stored on an mSATA SSD (SATA III 6.0 Gbps).

High-end PC games won't run on it, but Call of Duty 4 (a shooter from 2007) should run fine, and Battlefield 4 might manage 20 FPS. Not that it'll be playable. But you could play the ever so enduring Counter Strike, or pretty much any title from up to five years ago. Just mind the gameplay and video settings. That said, video will run just fine of course, so if you happen to carry a projector with you, as well as a foldable white sheet of some sort, you can even project movies when camping on some peak or another, or in a forest clearing. It should scare animals away quite nicely, if nothing else.

Keep in mind, though, that the reason the Tango PC (that's the name of the device) is so small is because it has a separate docking system, which provides USB, HDMI, Ethernet, AV and power powers. You'll need to plug the PC in the dock for anything to work. So, I suppose this is, in the end, a PC cartridge. Fortunately, it can be used with multiple docks, and it's not like the dock itself is all that big: 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.06 inches / 135 x 135 x 27 mm.

Tango PC pocket system
Image credits to TangoPC

Tango PC joined us onsite at CES to demo their shirt pocket or purse PC. This super small and powerful PC features an AMD A6-5200 APU and can run any laptop PC compatible OS. Learn more about it by checking out their indiegogo page. 
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tango-pc-worlds-most-powerful-pocketable-dockable-gameable-officeable-pc

Want more CES? http://www.amd.com/ces #AMDCES

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©2014 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, the AMD Arrow Logo, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Video credits to AMD

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CyanongenMod 11 Android 4.4 KitKat Nightlies for Nook Tablet Available

Owners of the original Nook tablet interested in trying out the new Android 4.4. KitKat build, should know than the official Cyanogenmod 11.0 (Android 4.4) nightlies has been released for their device.

The ROM is compatible with Nook Tablet 512M/8GB and 1GB/16GB. The device code name is “acclaim”. Before trying out this new ROM, you should have a CWM recovery. If you’re installing CWM coming from a stock device, you will need a special SD card. Updating to Android 4.4 KitKat will offer increased performance and reliability over stock Android for your Nook, but note you might stumble upon a few issues too. For example from time to time boot hangs/crashed and users will be forced to reboot. This is an ongoing problem and a fix is currently in the works.

After downloading the new ROM for your specific device, you can find detailed instructions on how to install the new release on the xda-developers forum. Be warned that installing the Cyanogenmod 11.0 (Android 4.4) nightlies on your Nook tablet will void your device warranty.

CyanongenMod 11 Android 4.4 KitKat Nightlies for Nook available
Image credits to IamFanof

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