Saturday 28 April 2012

Alleged pictures of BlackBerry 10 developer device leak

By on 22:56
RIM is holding a BlackBerry Jam conference next month in Orlando where it is supposed to give out development devices running the upcoming BlackBerry 10 to ten of the developers attending the event. We are now seeing what are allegedly pictures of this developer device, courtesy of a CrackBerry forum member.

ZTE announces quarterly results, misses analyst expectations

By on 01:30

As you may recall, ZTE made some bold statements earlier this week, most notably involving ambitions to start shipping some 100 million smartphones annually by 2015. This goal now seems slightly less realistic, after they fell short of their forecast results for the first quarter of the year.


ZTE's biggest rival, crosstown manufacturer Huawei, reported a 53% decrease in its 2011 profits, despite a sales growth of only 11.7% and ZTE also noted similar trends.

Samsung Galaxy S3 photo leaks, yes, again

By on 01:27

It's time for today's "photo of the Samsung Galaxy S3" leak - these seem to occur more and more often as we come closer to May 3, when Samsung's Unpacked event will finally settle things one and for all.
Note: the middle and right photos come from previous leaks.
  
The newly leaked photo is the one on the left
The leaked photo in question (the one on the left) shows a device with a hardware home button with two capacitive keys on its sides (menu and back).

Entry-level ICS-running Sony ST21i leaks

By on 01:24

Photos and specifications of an yet unannounced Sony smartphone just surfaced. The guys fromTechblog.gr got some live photos and specs of the ICS-running Sony ST21i and they were kind enough to share them with us.
 
Sony ST21i live photos
Sony ST21i reportedly rocks Android 4.0.3 ICS and is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227 chipset with a single-core Snapdragon CPU clocked at 800 MHz and an Adreno 200 GPU - just like the one found in the Xperia X10 mini, X8, Galaxy Ace and others.

Samsung Q1 results are out, takes top spot from Nokia

By on 01:22

Samsung announced its financial results for the first quarter of this year and the South Korean company is cheering. Analysts like Strategy Analytics say that it is now king of the mobile phone hill - ending Nokia's 14-year reign.
Samsung shipped 93.5 million phones in the three month period, while the former champ Nokia managed just 82.7 million. Of the shipped Samsung phones, 44.5 million were smartphones, which beats Apple's achievement of 35.1 million smartphones.

Friday 27 April 2012

International Sony Xperia ion (LT28i) announced in Taiwan

By on 02:45

Sony had announced earlier this year that we can expect an international version of the Sony Xperia ionto come out in the summer. In a press conference in Taiwan, the company unveiled just that - the Sony Xperia ion LT28i (the AT&T version, which was exclusive until recently, is dubbed LT28at).
 
Live photos of the international version of the Sony Xperia ion
The phone is almost identical to the US carrier option - 4.6" 720p LCD screen backed by Mobile BRAVIA technology, 12MP camera with 1080p video capture, Snapdragon chipset with 1.5GHz dual-core processor, NFC and 16GB built-in memory (expandable with microSD cards). In other words, it's like a bigger Sony Xperia S, unfortunately including the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS at launch (with an ICS upgrade coming).

Motorola to launch the RAZR MAXX in UK

By on 02:41

Motorola recently announced that the GSM version of the RAZR MAXX will be launched in Germany this May. Now in their latest announcement, Motorola said that it will also be bringing the phone to the UK by mid-May.

The phone is identical to the one sold in the US on Verizon's network, except instead of CDMA it will be running on the GSM network. Curiously, it is known by the same model name, XT910, as the standard GSM Motorola RAZR.

Samsung accidentally confirms Galaxy S III name

By on 02:40

During its first quarter earnings call, Samsung let slip the name of its upcoming Galaxy smartphone, which until now was only being referred to as the next Galaxy phone.

The person responsible for the Freudian slip was Samsung's senior Vice President Robert Yi, who said:

LG reveals Q1 2012 financial results, has turned the corner

By on 02:38

LG has announced its financial report for the Q1 of 2012 and things are looking good for the Korean tech giant.
The company reported consolidated sales of $10.78 billion, which is 7.1% and 11.5% lower compared to the previous quarter and the same period last year respectively. However, that's expected , due to the slow nature of the period which comes right after the holiday season. Consolidated net profit, on the other hand, is up at $214.3 million.
Handset shipments decreased by 22% quarter-over-quarter to 13.7 million unit and revenue from the division declined 10% compared to the previous quarter to $2.2 billion. Nevertheless, the division remained profitable, due to increased smartphone sales portion and the host of LTE-rocking phones it offers.

Nokia 808 PureView new samples arrive, look stunning

By on 00:12

Nokia is apparently not all about the Amazing Everyday and still finds time for its 808 PureViewcameraphone monster. Today we got some fresh samples from the 41 megapixel to feast our eyes on. It's not the first time they're doing it, but you won't hear us complaining.
 
Nokia 808 PureView samples
Most of the photos have been downsized to 5 megapixels, which supposedly allows us to see the best of the PureView technology and they are really impressive.

Samsung Galaxy S3 name pops in Samsung Kies

By on 00:09

The announcement of the next Galaxy is just a week away, but Samsung has already added the device to its Kies database under the name Galaxy S3.
Previous rumors had it that Samsung won't be calling their next flagship Galaxy S III at all, but this suggests the Koreans will merely be switching to Arabic numerals.
There are two model numbers in the Kies database – I9300 and I9300T. The latter is probably reserved for a CDMA, LTE or a carrier-bound version of the upcoming smartphone.
Anyway, May 3 is close, so we won't have to wait long to know the truth

Thursday 26 April 2012

LG Optimus True HD LTE P936 goes official in Germany

By on 10:13

For a while there Europe was left out there, with South Korea and North America both having access to the LG Optimus LTE in some form, while the old continent couldn’t enjoy the 720p goodness of the 4.5" HD-IPS LCD display.
Now LG is ready to right the wrong as it announcedLG Optimus True HD LTE P936 in Germany. The phone runs on a Snapdragon chipset with dual-core 1.5GHz processor and packs an 8MP camera with 1080p video capture. It runs Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread and comes with a 16GB microSD card. The Optimus True HD LTE also packs T-DMB connectivity.
But the network data connectivity is where it gets really interesting - the phone has both HSPA+ and LTE support. LTE coverage is pretty rare in Europe, but carriers around the continent are busy testing and expending their networks, so this shoud change soon.
There's no official launch date for the LG Optimus True HD LTE P936 mentioned, or anything on which carriers will get it.

Samsung Galaxy S Advance is now available

By on 09:50

Samsung I9070 Galaxy S Advance is finally available. The smartphone was announced back in January and it was scheduled for April release. Samsung managed to keep its promise – the phone is now in stock at various retailers across Europe.
Clove UK was the first to report it has the Galaxy S Advance in stock – it costs £323 there.
The Galaxy S Advance comes with a first-generation Super AMOLED WVGA screen, a 1GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor, Mali-400 MP graphics and 768MB RAM. There is a 5 megapixel camera with HD video recording and 8 or 16GB internal storage as well as optional NFC connectivity. The phone runs on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread, but it will probably get ICS later this year.
Amazon DE offers the non-NFC version of the Galaxy S Advance for €365, but you could find it for €330 at other online retailers
By on 09:46

We have seen the BlackBerry Curve 9320 before being handled by BGR.in in India and once again we have some more hands-on pictures, this time from Sohoa in Vietnam.

The phone looks similar to the recently announced Curve 9220 but features a matte silver trim around the front edges which gives it a more upmarket look compared to the spartan 9220.

Samsung announces new quad-core Exynos 4 Quad processor

By on 09:42

Samsung has announced its next generation Exynos processor that will be powering its next Galaxy smartphone. The Exynos 4 Quad comes with four Cortex A9 cores that can go up to 1.4GHz individually and is based on Samsung's 32nm HKMG fabrication process.

The Exynos 4 Quad, also known as the Exynos 4212 (previously as the 4412), packs two times the number of cores as the Exynos 4 Dual (Exynos 4210) that you find in the Galaxy S II but due to the new 32nm processor is said to be 20 percent more efficient.

GSMArena Labs tests now added to phone specs

By on 09:38

If you've been following our reviews, then you're undoubtedly familiar with the extensive array of tests we subject any device which finds itself under our critical gaze in the GSMArena Labs. Today, we're proud to announce the test results now have their own category at the bottom of the specifications page for each of the tested devices.
We hope that adding all the test results in one place will save you the time and effort to dig them through. Clicking on any of the results will take you to the relevant page in the respective review article, where you can get more information on the selected test.

Huawei working on WP8 phones and Windows 8 LTE tablet

By on 09:32

Huawei may not be the first name that springs to mind when you think smartphones and tablets, but the Chinese are certainly one of the major players in both markets. At this year's MWC Huawei declared its intentions to storm the top of the Android food chain with its Ascend D1,D quad and D quad XL. The company also introduced the Media Pad 10 FHD, which is one of the most interesting upcoming droid tablets.
And it turns out, the Huawei ambitions aren't limited to the Android market. The latest rumor suggests that at least 70 people at Huawei are working on developing Windows Phone Apollo-based smartphones, which will become available by the end of 2012.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Apple iPad 3 review: Hotter than ever

By on 23:45

So, the iPad is dead, long live the iPad. That's also part of the deal. The retirement of the first-generation of the Apple tablet is nothing out of the ordinary. There used to be the iPad and the iPad 2. Now, we have the iPad and the iPad 2 is the backup, the second choice.
  
Apple iPad 3rd gen official pictures
The new iPad. Here's one for you. You're Apple and you're about to launch your latest product. You want to dispel even the remotest suspicion of recycling old stuff. You want the slightest hint smothered of sequels and their questionable worth. What do you do?

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 preview: First look

By on 23:41

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 dispels any doubt about the return of the stylus - the S Pen transforms the tablet into something that will appeal to artist and business types alike. It's a very different experience, one that other tablets cannot match. It's not just the level of precision no finger can provide, the bundled software really extends the functionality.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Preview Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Preview Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Preview Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Preview
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 official pictures
The tablet itself can be seen as a special edition of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 - the body is slimmer (8.9mm vs. 9.7mm), the chipset is more powerful (both in CPU and GPU terms) and the front-facing camera is much better.

O2 UK promises Galaxy S III availability, eventually

By on 23:37

O2 UK just confirmed via Twitter its joining the next Galaxy bandwagon. The carrier said it's excited about the "next Samsung Galaxy" and that it will be coming to its stores.
They didn't see fit to clarify but we're guessing the device in question is the successor to the Galaxy S II, that's bound to be unveiled in London on May 3.

HTC Q1 results: profits are down, expected to bounce back in Q2

By on 23:35

HTC's preliminary report made it pretty clear that the last couple of quarters were pretty tough for the company. Now, their full report is out and it gives us some more details on how HTC performed in Q1 of 2012.
The company's revenue ($2.3 billion) dropped about 34% both quarter on quarter and year on year. HTC attributes that to the product transition cycle (the new HTC One series went on sale after Q1 ended).

LG Optimus 3D Max launches in Europe, not coming to the UK

By on 10:02

LG has some good news for 3D buffs - the LG Optimus 3D Max, their second generation Android phone with glasses-free 3D screen is launching across Europe. There's some bad news too - the Optimus 3D Max won't be coming to the UK for now.
Anyway, the 3D Max brings updates over the original Optimus 3D in several key areas - the dual-core CPU is now clocked at 1.2GHz (it still uses a TI OMAP 4430 chipset though), it has 1GB of RAM (up from 512MB), it's 2mm thinner, 20g lighter and comes with NFC connectivity.

Sony Xperia P and Xperia U delayed until May 28

By on 09:44

Sony Xperia P and Xperia U are scheduled to be released this May. The previous launch date rumors were pointing to May 7, but according to new info from Clove UK, Sony will be delaying both devices.
Either those rumors were full of it or Sony faced some production or shipping issues as the date has now been pushed back to May 28. Granted, three weeks isn't too bad, but delays are never good news.

T-Mobile could get its own Galaxy Note as T879 leaks

By on 09:42

Samsung has been intensely promoting its Galaxy Note phoneblet ever since its announcement, and it looks like it might finally make its way to T-Mobile.
   

While the T879 model number may be a far cry from the SGH-i717 of the original Galaxy Note, there's a few key bits of information that point to it being a T-Mobile branded Note:

Nokia Lumia 900 officially coming in magenta soon

By on 09:36

The Nokia Lumia 900 has so far been available only across the Atlantic on the AT&T's GSM network. The available color options there are only black and cyan with the cyan version being noticeably more popular.
Recently, we even saw some hints of white units hitting the stores, but so far magenta was only a thing of rumors. Well, no longer as it's officially listed on Nokia's own Facebook page.

LG Optimus Vu will get a white version next week

By on 09:33

The (so far) South Korea-only LG Optimus Vu debuted in traditional black, but starting next week it will be available in white too. Both the back and the bezel around the 5" XGA display will be white.


XGA resolution is 768 x 1024, making for a 4:3 aspect ratio - quite rare for a mobile screen of this size. Anyway, the 8.5mm slim phoneblet packs LTE connectivity and a dual-core 1.5GHz processor along with niceties such as an HDMI port and a T-DMB TV tuner.
The white LG Optimus Vu will be available for SK Telecom and according to the press release is aimed at the ladies and youngster out there. There's still no info on a worldwide release of the Vu.

Galaxy S3 name spotted in Unpacked Mobile app description

By on 09:31

While the name of the next generation flagship Galaxy smartphone is often just assumed to be Galaxy S III, we are yet to hear the same being confirmed by Samsung. Until now, sort of.

Nokia Lumia 710, 800 to get internet sharing in WP 7.5 Tango

By on 09:27

The Lumia series, the hallmark Windows Phone devices by Nokia, so far were left out in the cold as regards the Wireless Hotspot functionality. Every other WP smartphone has been enjoying that since the update to Mango, but not the Lumias.
Previously, we've caught wind of rumors that the about-to-be released Nokia Lumia 610 finally has that feature.
Now user reports suggest that the Lumia 710 and 800 will also have that featured enabled once the new Tango (WP7.5 refresh) update becomes public. So far, only pre-release firmwares have been out and about via the NaviFirm application. Navifirm acquires the firmware files directly from Nokia support servers so those are the real deal.