Asus makes the Padfone official in Australia

We reported back in June that the Asus Padfone was already available to purchase in Australia from Mobicity. Evidently, only now does Asus seems comfortable enough to share its plan of officially bringing the combo device to ‘Down Under’. The launch date of the Padfone in Australia has been officially set for August 14.

You can get the smartphone and tablet combo at Harvey Norman for AU$999. Just to make it clear, the price covers both the Padfone and the Padstation. Compared with what they’re selling for in the US, the price tag  seems rather steep, but think of it as getting two great devices for the price of one.

When talking about USP, one can’t get more unique than the Asus Padfone. On its own, the PadFone is a very capable smartphone sporting a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display and dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor. Combined with the Padstation, which will only function when you place the Padfone inside, you get a full-fledged 10.1-inch tablet with 1280 x 800 resolution that packs an extra 6,600mAh battery. The fun doesn’t end there because you can also add a keyboard dock for that laptop-like experience.

If you’re looking for the best deal on the Asus Padfone, the online retailer mentioned earlier is selling the 16GB model of the same combo for AU$889.

So, will you give the Asus Padfone and Padstation a go?

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/asus-makes-the-padfone-official-in-australia-104429/

Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade available for GT-P7500 model

Galaxy Tab 10.1 users will be happy to hear that the Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade they have been waiting for is nearer than ever, with some models reportedly getting Android 4.0.4 as we speak.

Sam Mobile says that the firmware update is available for Italian users of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 GT-P7500 model. In case you own such a device, then you’ll be able to update it via Samsung Kies or over-the-air (OTA).

According to the same publication, various other Galaxy Tab models will receive their Android 4.0.x update including:

GT-P6210 Galaxy Tab Plus 7.0 WIFI

GT-P6200 Galaxy Tab Plus 7.0 WIFI + 3G

GT-P6810 Galaxy Tab 7.7 WIFI

GT-P6800 Galaxy Tab 7.7 WIFI + 3G

GT-P7310 Galaxy Tab 8.9 WIFI

GT-P7300 Galaxy Tab 8.9 WIFI + 3G

GT-P7510 Galaxy Tab 10.1 WIFI

GT-P7500 Galaxy Tab 10.1 WIFI + 3G

As for the Italian version available today, here are more details about it:

This firmware is specially for Italy (Android 4.0.4)

Build date July 10th

Changelist:

PDA: P7500XXLQ8

CSC: P7500OXALQ8

Let us know whether your Galaxy Tab 10.1 is running Android Ice Cream Sandwich already. In case it does, then a new tedious waiting period begins for the Jelly Bean update. After all, Samsung is yet to reveal its Android 4.1 rollout plans.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/galaxy-tab-10-1-android-4-0-4-ice-cream-sandwich-upgrade-available-for-gt-p7500-model-104455/

Sony Xperia GX/SX release dates confirmed

We’ve been waiting for Sony’s Xperia GX (aka Hayabusa) for quite some time now, hoping that it will be able to stir things up in the high-end phone niche. Anticipation grew gradually over the last few months, as we found out more and more about the handheld, and we now finally know when it will start selling.

As you might already know, the Xperia GX is the phone’s exclusive branding for Japan, where it will ship via NTT DoCoMo starting Thursday, August 9. One week before that (meaning the day after tomorrow), the carrier will open pre-orders for Sony’s new flagship, although the pricing details are still being kept under wraps.

The GX won’t hit the Land of the Rising Sun by itself and will be accompanied by a similarly designed phone whose specs make it fall right between the mid-range and high-end categories. The Sony Xperia SX will be up for pre-order on August 3 and will start shipping a week later, on the 10th. The 3.7-incher also has its price tag kept secret, but fortunately a revealing of that very important piece of information should happen in only a couple of days.

Unfortunately, NTT DoCoMo’s official listings for both the GX and SX do not clear the air about the phones’ global future. The SX is thought to remain a Japan-only device, though the information is unconfirmed, while the GX will most definitely spread to the US and Europe in the form of the “Hayabusa”.

This doesn’t have an official release date or pricing details attached to its name, but it’s very likely to be unveiled during Sony’s special Berlin event at the end of August.

Before that, though, we have a thing or two to make the waiting process easier. We’re talking about some high-quality sample photos supposedly taken with Hayabusa’s monster 13 MP rear-facing shooter. These aren’t the first ever leaked pics, but, unlike those from back May, they look very crisp and overall more impressive.

That’s not extremely surprising, as it was pretty clear that the Xperia GX used at the early photos was an “unpolished” test unit, while this Hayabusa is almost certainly a final model, ready to enter production. You can see all the new pics below (and one above), so don’t be afraid to leave a comment and let us know what you think about the future phone’s camera. Also, don’t hesitate to click on each photo and enlarge it to get a taste of its high-resolution crispness!

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/sony-xperia-gx-sx-release-dates-confirmed-104426/

LG Optimus 4X HD coming to Canada in September

When everyone else was playing with their single-core phones, LG was first to deliver a dual-core smartphone in the Optimus 2X. With the Optimus 4X HD, however, we’re seeing LG playing catch up with other major players in the high-end quad-core field. It seems only logical that the Koreans are trying to make up for the lost ground by launching the phone successively in many regions. The phone arrived in Europe in late June, followed by a launch in several Asian countries.

Folks in North America shouldn’t feel left out if they’re not seeing the Optimus 4X HD in stores yet. LG has said that it’s planning to push its smartphones for the North American market in the second half of the year. While it hasn’t been officially confirmed, Mobile Syrup has gotten a scoop on the phone’s availability in Canada.

Word has it the white flavor of the LG Optimus 4X HD will be offered by several carriers in Canada in fall. The tip didn’t mention their specific names, but we can probably expect major ones like Telus Mobility, Rogers Wireless, and Bell Mobility to be keen on selling the Optimus 4X HD.

As a quick refresher, the quad-core phone packs a 4.7-inch True HD IPS display, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, NFC, 2,150mAh battery, and Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. An upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is not out of the realm of possibility, but given LG’s rather patchy history, we wouldn’t get our hopes high about that.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/lg-optimus-4x-hd-canada-availabilit-104459/

Samsung product chief likens Apple patent litigation to “fighting over rectangles”

It’s like “fighting over rectangles,” Samsung’s Chief Product Officer Kevin Packingham has said of the Apple vs. Samsung patent litigation. In an interview with Wired, the executive details Samsung’s frustration over the seemingly endless attack against their Galaxy line of Android smartphones and tablets, with some arguments bordering on the trivial.

Apple and Samsung have been biting at each other for alleged patent infringements, with lawsuits spanning ten countries on four continents. Apple initiated the offensive, as the Cupertino, CA company claims that Android (and companies running the platform) have “slavishly” copied the iPhone and iOS. As such, Android smartphone makers have had to bear the brunt of lawsuits, chief among them Samsung, which is Apple’s main rival in the mobile business today.

Just Rectangular Pieces of Glass?

While the two companies were given a chance to reach a potential out-of-court settlement, the discussions went nowhere, and this Monday has marked the start of actual courtroom hearings. These early discussions have shed light to the plethora of Apple iPhone prototypes, which have included various shapes and form factors. Prototypes that would not make it past mockup stage can be described as anything from unwieldy to downright ugly. But there’s one thing in common: they’re mostly rectangular.

This seems to be Apple’s main argument against Samsung’s smartphones and tablets in question, which has put Samsung on the defense. “For us, it’s unreasonable that we’re fighting over rectangles, that that’s being considered as an infringement, which is why we’re defending ourselves,” said Packingham.

The product chief discussed how it can likewise be frustrating to both deal with Apple as a litigant and as a component customer, with Samsung supplying memory chips and screens that power the iPhone and iPad. However, he contends that just like any other electronics business, Samsung also sources chips from other suppliers, as well.

Form vs. Function

Samsung’s complaint against Apple involves mostly 3G-related patents, and Apple has eschewed responsibility, saying these are supposed to have been standards-essential patents, which should come with a lower licensing fee. However, Packingham feels these arguments are more relevant, from an engineering standpoint.

“Logically, as an engineering and manufacturing company, it makes more sense to focus on the things that are really relevant and we think are truly intellectual property,” Packingham said. “They are truly unique, and have come intrinsically out of the investments we made in R&D.”

Samsung products happened to have been marketed in the shape of rectangles, although the art and science behind these creations are in the underlying technology, and not just in the rectangular shape, he stressed.

If companies are fighting over rectangles, then perhaps the patent system is, indeed, broken. Of course, arguing that the generic shape and form factor of product design is one thing, and the functional design behind these products is another. But the big question now is whether Apple will  be able to convince the judge and jury that  they really do own intellectual property rights to all those rectangular pieces of glass with touchscreens.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-design-chief-apple-patent-litigation-rectangles-104388/

MetroPCS plans for the rest of the year leaked, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S Lightray, Huawei Verge and others coming soon

MetroPCS might not be in the exact same league as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile, but the regional carrier has grown steadily in the last couple of years, attracting more and more customers. Based on a leaked roadmap, however, it seems like we ain’t seen nothing yet, and MetroPCS might be looking to seriously step it up by the end of the year.

The carrier is planning to add no less than eight new smartphones to its portfolio in 2012, if the leak’s source proves accurate, and the leading name on the list is by far the Samsung Galaxy S3. Already up for sale from five US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and US Cellular), the S3 should hit MetroPCS “after September and before December”. That’s certainly vague, but at least we know that soon enough Sammy’s flagship will reach even more users.

The Galaxy S3 is not the only name that drew our attention on MetroPCS’ supposed launch schedule, with two other Samsung phones, two Huawei devices, a ZTE, an LG, and a “Coolpad” (?) all battling it out for the headlines.

Samsung’s Galaxy S Lightray 4G is the first of the bunch to arrive, with its launch scheduled on August 8, which is one short week away. We talked about the Lightray a few days ago, and about how it could come with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, a 1.3 GHz processor, an 8 MP rear-facing camera, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Two weeks after the Lightray, something called the Coolpad Quattro 4G might hit MetroPCS. This has had a photo leaked already (below), and, according to rumors, will come with a 4-inch WVGA display, a 1 GHz processor, 3MP camera, 512 MB of internal storage, and Android 2.3.

August 29 seems like the most crowded date in MetroPCS’ summer schedule, with both the LG Motion 4G and ZTE Anthem ready to hit the market. The Motion has made a short photo appearance earlier this month and should come with a Snapdragon S4 processor, a qHD screen, 5 MP camera, and pre-installed Ice Cream Sandwich. As far as the Anthem goes, that is a huge unknown for the time being, but hopefully it will be a part of ZTE’s plans to foray into the high-end market niche.

The Huawei Pinnacle 2 and Samsung Contour 2 are scheduled to be launched in early and mid-September respectively, and there’s also not much we can tell you about them. It’s obvious that both will be rehashed versions of older phones and it’s also very likely they’ll be low-end devices, but their exact spec sheets are a complete mystery.

Finally, the Huawei Verge is the only device appearing on the leaked roadmap without any approximate ETA, but, as it’s placed before the Galaxy S3, our guess is it’ll come sometime in October. All of its technical details are kept under wraps, but we surely hope, like in ZTE’s case, to see a device closer to the high-end Ascend line than the entry-level M735 or M835.

That’s it, folks, these are MetroPCS’ complete plans for the end of 2012. What do you make of them? Could the new phones take the carrier towards new heights? Did any of the eight devices especially draw your attention? Which one?

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/metropcs-late-2012-phones-galaxy-s3-lightray-huawei-verge-104457/

Best Buy offers Verizon Galaxy Nexus for free on two-year contracts

Google has cut the price of the unlocked GSM model of Galaxy Nexus to $350 for quite some time now on its Play Store. Now there’s more good deal to be had for those looking to score the Verizon variant of the phone.  You can get the smartphone that Apple tried to silence and take down through patent litigation on the nation’s biggest carrier for free.

Best Buy is currently offering the Galaxy Nexus for gratis on its website, as long as you say to yes to Big Red’s data and voice plan proposal for the next two years. The zero-dollar pricing is valid for new customers and upgrading ones, and it will ship in 2-5 business days. You have until August 25 to purchase the phone there.

It was only a week ago that Verizon reduced the price of the Galaxy Nexus to $99. So that’s your option to get the phone straight from the carrier if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of a third-party purchase.

The Galaxy Nexus has had a mini revival in the last few weeks, after it topped the carrier’s best seller list in the first month or so of its availability. With the introduction of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, one that unfortunately has not made it to the Verizon variant yet, and said attempt by Apple, the Galaxy Nexus remains one of the more popular Android phones in the market.

With its 4.65-inch Super AMOLED display, dual-core processor, and a promise of a pure Google experience, the Galaxy Nexus is one phone that you don’t want to miss out, especially at that attractive price of zero.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/best-buy-verizon-galaxy-nexus-104494/

Archos 97 Carbon tablet with Android 4.0 is now up for sale for $250

Archos seems to have realized that there is a huge group of people that want affordable tablets that look good and work well. This is how the Archos 97 Carbon seems to have been born. It’s a 10-inch tablet, so it’s not really a competitor to the Nexus 7. It has the same aspect ratio as the iPad (4:3), same resolution as the iPad 2, 1024×768, it runs Android 4.0, and it costs only $250.

Not everything about it is perfect, though. The processor is only a single-core 1 GHz CPU, which means browsing performance and overall performance will not be the best, although it shouldn’t be terrible either. I expect the interface to work well with Android 4.0, and if they upgrade it to Android 4.1 it should work even better.

The Archos 97 Carbon also has 16 GB of storage and 1 GB of RAM, so it matches the similarly priced Nexus 7. MicroSD support is there as well, so that’s another advantage it has over the Nexus 7. There’s no mention of what type of GPU the Archos has, but they claim it decodes 1080p video, so you shouldn’t experience any problems when watching media.

It also comes with a HDMI-out port and a full USB port, which once again increases the connectivity options over the Nexus 7. There are two cameras as well, and, although I wouldn’t expect high quality, they should get the job done.

Archos is currently running a deal giving a $20 discount to the buyers of the Elements series tablets, which includes the Archos 97 Carbon tablet, so if you hurry, you might be ale to get it for only $230.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/archos-97-carbon-tablet-pricing-availability-104402/

GREE unleashes free to play military game Modern War in Google Play

Although it operates the largest social networking service in Japan and it has seen some success with a couple of basic, but addictive iOS games, GREE hasn’t made much efforts to get into the Android game (both literally and figuratively).

The only GREE title available in Google Play until a few days ago was Crime City, a crime game that probably doesn’t say much to many of you. However, the new Modern War might just put GREE on the Android map, as it looks like a pretty fun and challenging little MMO war game.

Before anything, I have to warn you to not expect high-quality 3D graphics from Modern War, because you’ll be terribly disappointed in that case. Then again, the game is available for free over in Google Play, so, as you can imagine, there are other aces up GREE’s sleeve.

One of these is surely the addictiveness of Modern War, claimed to be “the first ever graphical military game”. The “rich and engaging storyline” consists of more than 300 missions and 200 goals to complete, as well as over 30 areas around the world ready to be explored.

The target of the game is, of course, to rule the world, but unlike similar titles, strategy and alliances seem to be more important here. You can choose to fight for the US, Russia, UK, Germany, China or Iran, and the multiplayer aspect of the game is also pretty complex.

You can form alliances with friends, but also make new friends to help achieve your in-game goals, which is clearly GREE’s way of combining gaming with social networking. There don’t seem to be many different kinds of weapons in Modern War, but you can build up and customize your own powerful military base, which is a nice touch of originality.

Getting back to the game’s visuals for a sec, it has to be said that the existing Android trailer doesn’t look so hot. As you’ll be able to see at the end of the post, the characters and environments seem unidimensional and lacking depth, which is not a good thing, even for a free to play title.

That said, you can give Modern War for Android a quick whirl, if not for anything but out of curiosity. The existing user reviews on Google Play are not half bad, giving the game a 4.5 star average, so it might be worth a shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zhcMn-SiyGw

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/gree-modern-war-android-game-104493/

Republic Wireless adds Motorola Defy XT to its $19 unlimited service, takes new Beta customers

Republic Wireless adds Motorola Defy XT to its $19 unlimited service, takes new Beta customers

Republic Wireless started offering its hybrid wireless service in late 2011, with the premise that customers can make unlimited phone calls, texting, and browsing for only $19 a month. Unfortunately, it only provided one choice of Android model for its proprietary technology, the rather outdated LG Optimus S. The mobile operator is reopening its unlimited Beta service for new customers today, bringing along a new phone to offer, the Motorola Defy XT.

Before you can gorge on the carrier’s unlimited everything, you will have to shell out $249 for the Motorola Defy XT. But since there’s no contract, no overage fee, nor other hidden fees, it’s still a pretty good deal.  There’s also no termination fee if you feel the hybrid set up doesn’t work well for you. As for past customers who want to upgrade their phone, they need only pay $149 to get the Defy XT.

The Motorola Defy XT is known for its durable design. It’s not only water- and scratch-resistant, but also dustproof. The phone boasts a 3.7-inch Gorilla Glass display, 1GHz processor, 5MP rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, 1,650mAH battery, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and the Hybrid Calling technology that allows you to seamlessly switch between WiFi and cellular network. The latter will have your phone connected to Sprint’s CDMA network.

If you find the description of the service and handset appealing, head to Republic’s website to put your name forward.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/republic-wireless-beta-customers-motorola-defy-xt-104524/

Sony Xperia Tablet leaks, to hit the market in September starting at $450

When Sony announced it will organize a special “unveiling event” in Berlin at the end of August, we knew that the company was preparing to launch at least a couple of new and exciting products. However, it will be hard for the Japanese to surprise us in any way, as their future devices have been almost certainly revealed.

The Hayabusa phone has been known for a while to be the global version of the already unveiled Xperia GX, the Mint has leaked not long ago, and now an “Xperia Tablet” has been revealed online. The leak seems very trustworthy, not due to its source, but due to the information revealed, which is clearly too elaborate to be false. There are no less than 17 presentation slides mentioning the tab, and we couldn’t possibly understand why someone would go to the trouble of fabricating so many photos.

According to the slides, the slate will be an evolved version of Sony’s Tablet S, keeping its design guidelines while upping the ante in terms of hardware and software.

Powered by a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, the new tab, whose final name is unknown, will be sporting a 9.4-inch display with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution. Among the future device’s technical highlights, there are dual 8 MP/1 MP cameras, a 6,000 mAh battery supposedly capable of running for 10 hours on a single charge, 3G, Bluetooth 3.0 and WiFi connectivity. The new tab will come in three versions, with 16, 32 and 64 GB of internal memory, all set to come with SD cards, ST ports, HDMI, and DLNA.

Sony’s upcoming tablet will run “ICS or later”, according to one of the leaked slides, which give us hope that it might actually come directly with Jelly Bean. What’s clear about the gadget’s software, however, is that it will include a few Sony-exclusive tweaks, the most intriguing one being by far the “Guest Mode”. That particular function will allow users to set preferences for the tablet’s owner and for guests, which would come in handy if, say, your parents like to borrow your gadget from time to time, but they only need access to a couple of apps (or you only want to give them access to a limited number of apps).

The Xperia Tablet will be PlayStation Certified, and will also be significantly thinner and lighter than the S, while still having that original folded magazine look and a splash-proof body. Almost unbelievable, today’s leak reveals all there is to know about the upcoming tab, including what kind of optional accessories Sony will release alongside it, but also the 9-incher’s “suggested retail pricing”.

$449.99 could be the 16 GB model’s price tag, while the 32 and 64 GB versions will add $100 and $200 to that pricing point. It’s true that you won’t find the tab’s release date anywhere in those photos, but the leak’s source tells us that it should be put up for sale sometime in September. That means that, almost certainly, Sony will be unveiling it in Berlin in less than a month. Anyone excited about the Xperia Tablet? Do you think Sony needs to work a bit on those suggested prices for the 9-incher to become successful? Or will you buy it no matter how much it’ll cost?

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/sony-xperia-tablet-availability-price-specs-104525/

iPhone 5 event set for September 12, release date set for following weeks

iPhone 5 event set for September 12, release date set for following weeks

The iPhone 5, which is what tech blogs and media still call the sixth-generation iOS smartphone, is expected to be unveiled at some point this fall, but the device may hit stores a lot sooner than mid-October, which is when the new iPhone was believed to arrive.

According to Reuters, Apple is going to hold a special September 12 event during which the company will introduce the new iPhone model. However, that September 12 date may “shift, the source said on condition of anonymity.”

In case Apple does indeed announce new products on September 12, then we’d expect them to see them in stores up to 10 days later so the new iPhone could start selling around September 21, which is a Friday.

“The fifth iteration of the device that helped revolutionize the mobile industry” – even Reuters counts the sixth iPhone Apple is about to launch as the fifth version – is expected to feature a “thinner, larger screen and a smaller dock connector,” according to sources and analysts.

Meanwhile, iLounge has gathered more information on what’s coming from Cupertino this year, and we could see Apple’s fall event star a variety of products, including new iPhone, iPod and iPad models.

i Phone

The new iPhone should be launched in the third week of September, or even a little later, if Apple “waits to build additional inventory,” but according to the publication the device should definitely be released during that month. 

 

In addition to a brand new iPhone, Apple is also said to launch two new cases specifically created for the new iPhone, including a bumper-like case and a yet-to-be-revealed case that “will have a major impact on the accessory market if released.”

iPod

 In addition to the new iPhone, Apple is also rumored to launch an iPod touch that will offer the same features the new iOS smartphone will bring – minus the actual phone features. The new iPod touch should sport a bigger display and a more powerful processor.

Apple is also rumored to unveil a new iPod nano model, one that would feature a complete redesign

iPad

Finally, Apple is also said to unveil a new iPad Mini model, the 7.85-inch tablet we have talked about in the past. The device could ship by November, alongside special iPad Mini cases including the iPad Smart Cover and iPad Smart Case.

Moreover, there’s already talk about a fourth-generation iPad that could be unveiled by the end of the year. The device would offer only small changes compared to the current third-gen tablet, with Apple expected to make the device even thinner and more efficient at dissipating heat. The new iPad design would also feature a small Dock Connector, just like the one that’s reportedly found on the iPhone 5, and a rear-side microphone to help with “noise cancellation or improve audio quality during rear video recording.”

We’ll be keeping an eye on the new devices Apple launches this fall, as they’ll surely become the main Android rivals this holiday season.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/iphone-5-event-september-12-release-date-set-following-weeks-104386/ 

iPhone 5 release date news: New Apple iPhone 5 cases have now gone on sale

iPhone 5 release date news: New Apple iPhone 5 cases have now gone on sale

The latest rumor regarding the iPhone 5, and the impending release date has risen. Alleged photos proving the new 19 pin connector of the iPhone 5 have surfaced. A Chinese manufacturer of smartphone cases shows on its product page, a case for an Apple iPhone 5 that does not exist yet. It is believed to be an authentic iPhone 5 case, which is similar to many network design studies for the new Apple flagship.

Whether these are the true cases for the iPhone 5, is currently the subject of wild speculation. Even with previous models, the finished cases of the iPhone came to the public before the release. Certainly, the Chinese manufacturer could just be using these images to advertise their merchandise.

The integrated cut-out on the images can be seen for the widely rumored new 19-pin connector. As previously reported, Apple is also implementing a new SIM card format. It has recently been confirmed by sources, including the authoritative edition of published reports, the start of the production of the iPhone 5 has begun. One manufacturer of cases claims to be a holder of a prototype device known as the iPhone 5, which was illegally imposed outside the factory of Foxconn.

According to inside sources, the unit was purchased by a local manufacturer of covers for the iPhone 5, which was needed as a showcase for the cut-out. Many Chinese shops are expected to start production of such products for the unreleased iPhone 5.

We have previously seen pictures of the sixth version of the iPhone. Most have been represented by poor image quality, however, you can infer a lot about its design. These photographs confirm the validity of previous rumors, and unfortunately the new smartphone design is not much different from the iPhone 4s. However, these images can simply just be fakes. If you want to be the first to know when the iPhone 5 release date is announced, make sure you subscribe below.



Source:http://www.examiner.com/article/iphone-5-release-date-news-new-apple-iphone-5-cases-have-now-gone-on-sale

Hackers can exploit NFC, Chrome browser to take over your Android phone

Hackers can exploit NFC, Chrome browser to take over your Android phone

Despite Google’s valiant attempt to make Android a safer playground for its users by introducing the anti-malware Bouncer service last February, which helps scan apps on Google Play Store for malware and keep them out, experts are still finding security loopholes that can wreak havoc on your Android device.


The first threat we’re going to talk about today comes from the Near Field Communication (NFC) feature on certain Android devices, which is becoming more ubiquitous these days. Though the technology was already used in older phones like the Google Nexus S, released back in 2010, newer devices like Samsung’s Galaxy S3 seem to be finding more uses for it, as NFC is being promoted beyond wireless payment – such as for transferring pictures and other files.


Charlie Miller, a consultant from security firm Accuvant, has recently demonstrated how easy it is to push through malicious code to an Android device. He did it with the help of a device as small as a postage stamp, also known as an NFC tag, by placing it within close proximity to where people would be using their NFC-equipped device the most. This enables the code to be beamed over to the handset, thus allowing hackers to gain full control of the device.


So what you can do to avoid the worst from happening? When it comes to NFC, enabling the feature in combination with Android Beam on your device does leave you with no choice but to accept any incoming transfer – malicious or not. There is currently no mechanism in place where you can select to approve or reject the transfer from other NFC devices. This is obviously something that Google and manufacturers need to address.


The second threat is a security flaw that was found in Google’s Chrome browser for Android. Demonstrating it back in February, Miller, alongside Crowdstrike’s Georg Wicherski, used a piece of software to infect the device through the loophole. The flaw has since been fixed by Google, and those who have updated the browser to its latest version should be relatively safe from such attacks.



Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/hackers-can-exploit-nfc-chrome-browser-to-take-over-your-android-phone-104130/

Google may deliver broadband for cheap to your area.

Google may deliver broadband for cheap to your area.

On the heels of the successful release of the much hailed Nexus 7, comes exciting news from Google: cheaper gigabit broadband coupled with TV. This may not seem like much, but to be honest, in the monopolized realm of US ISP’s, it’s big news. Google just launched its first rollout in the Midwest region and is using an old marketing trick of growing their customer base.


Remember the old Gmail and Google Wave invite?  They plan to use the same idea for this new service in order for it to “go viral”. Google is asking potential customers to tell their neighborhood (Google calls it a fiberhood) so as to minimize visits to your fiberhood and maximize customer base. This results in savings to the customer and thus potential profit to Google. The other great thing about Google’s network is its sturdy and reliable infrastructure: they build their own stuff. Instead of the usual rental broadband equipment (which can go stale in a matter of months) in this fast-paced industry, Google is making its own network on its own production merits, as it were. This can only spell success down the road.


An additional good item to note: Wi-Fi and TV set tops will probably get quick releases because they are Google-made  equipment on the home network. This is unlike the slow release syndrome we’ve seen from smartphone manufacturers.


Overall, this appears to be a giant leap of calculated risk on Google’s part, since they will be going up against other tech companies like Comcast and AT&T. Unlike those two, they will not be relying on the traditional buyout of lower end providers to extend their network, and possibly using dated hardware, and outdated field equipment to deliver promised gigabit speeds. If you are interested to know more details about the HDTV side, you can read up on Google Fiber TV.


If your city is selected, would you be a Google missionary so as to get gigabit goodness on all of your devices? Let us know in the comments below.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/google-may-deliver-broadband-for-cheap-to-your-area-104022/

HTC Rezound Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade coming soon?

HTC Rezound Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade coming soon?

The HTC Desire HD Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade drama has finally come to an end, as the Taiwanese smartphone maker explained why it decided to scrape ICS update plans for the once flagship handset. But that’s not the case for newer HTC devices, which are still on track to receive their ICS builds.

One of them is the LTE-enabled Verizon HTC Rezound, which should get its ICS build at some point in the very near future. A new Android Guys post features a leaked screenshot that clearly shows that the HTC Rezound should receive its ICS over-the-air (OTA) update at some point today.

However, Verizon is yet to confirm the news and we haven’t seen any additional reports mentioning the upgrade. Moreover, there’s something strange with that screenshot when it comes to the dates mentioned for the Rezound ICS upgrade.

For starters, “7/29” is written differently than other dates mentioned in the table in the “Push PTA or EUT” column – see the rows above and below the Rezound’s row where the dates are formatted differently to show a “0” in front of the month: “08/01” and “06/22”. Similarly, the following column shows an availability date of “6/1” rather than “8/1.”

We’ll take this leak with a grain of salt for now, but we’ll definitely looking forward for feedback from Rezound users. Did you get ICS yet?

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/htc-rezound-ice-cream-sandwich-upgrade-coming-soon-104138/

ZTE Flash LTE Android smartphone headed to Sprint, leak says

ZTE Flash LTE Android smartphone headed to Sprint, leak says

After we have recently seen the ZTE Grand X get official, it looks like the Chinese handset maker has another smarpthone with more than decent specs ready for Android fans, the ZTE Flash.


The Flash is apparently heading to Sprint in the U.S., at least according to the following leaked image that was picked by by Talk Android.

The device should be launched on October 14, if the date in the specs sheet is correct, and will offer the following specs and features:


Size: 5.29 x 2.59 x 0.38
4.5-inch HD IPS display with 1280 x 720 resolution
Gorilla Glass
1.5GHz dual-core processor
1GB of RAM
8GB memory
12.6-megapixel rear camera with auto focus and LED flash
1-megapixel front-facing camera
LTE support
NFC support
Bluetooth 4.0
microSD support
1780mAh battery
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
While these specs and features make the Flash an interesting mid-range device, we can’t be excited about a handset that’s coming out in two months from now with ICS on board, especially since there’s no mention of Jelly Bean upgradeability at this point.


There’s no price for the ZTE Flash either, but we expect the handset to sport be an affordable handset, especially if purchased with a new contract. We’ll be waiting for Sprint to officially announce the device, at which point we’ll be able to share more details with you about the handset.


Source:

http://www.androidauthority.com/zte-flash-android-smartphone-headed-sprint-leak-says-104142/

Verizon Galaxy Nexus CyanogenMod 10 (Jelly Bean) preview build now available

The CyanogenMod 10 preview builds continue to trickle in, with Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus being the latest Android device to run a Jelly Bean-based preview of CM10.

Just like in any similar cases with other devices – and we’ve seen CM10 available for the Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S2 or Nexus 7 to name just a few – this is an early CM10 version for the Galaxy Nexus available from Verizon. CyanogenMod developer Brint Kriebel posted more details on Google+ regarding this early CM10 build:

Since all the cool kids are doing it, I’m releasing a preview CM10 build for my device – the Verizon Galaxy Nexus (toro). I’m sure you’ve seen the other CM10 build disclaimers: this is not a release build, please do not file bugs on this, etc., etc.; all of that applies here as well.

Even so, +CyanogenMod 10 has been the daily driver on my phone for the last couple of weeks now. A lot (but not all) of the CM9 features are in place, and hardware support (camera, data, nfc, etc.) should all be working.

If coming from any other ROM (including CM9), a full wipe/factory reset is highly recommended. From CM9, you can try a non-wipe upgrade, but that has certainly not been tested to any extent.

We’ll remind you that we’re not encouraging you to install unofficial Android ROMs on your devices, and should you choose to go down this path, you’re going to be the only person responsible for any unwanted consequences. Head on to the Google+ page at the link below for more CM10 details for the Galaxy Nexus.

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/verizon-galaxy-nexus-cyanogenmod-10-jelly-bean-preview-build-now-available-104148/

Motorola Atrix HD LTE to hit Virgin Mobile Canada soon

It’s only been a few weeks since Motorola officially took the wraps off the new Atrix HD LTE, but it seems that Google’s subsidiary has some big plans with the super-phone. In US, AT&T has for now been granted the “honor” to be the only supplier of the 4.5-incher, while in Canada the Atrix could come to two carriers.

We reported on the rumors that Bell could be the first carrier up north to get the phone just over a week ago, and now it seems that Virgin Mobile is ready to follow suite. The new rumor comes from the same source as the old one, Mobile Syrup, and, while not yet officially confirmed, it’s very trustworthy.

Again, a leaked internal screenshot makes the revealing, but this is even sketchier than the one picked up from Bell. Neither the phone’s release date, nor its pricing details are disclosed, so we’re knee deep in guessing territory.

One thing seems to be certain nevertheless, and that is Virgin will be getting the Atrix HD LTE later than Bell, which is supposed to start selling the new phone on August 2. As far as pricing goes, we can expect the new Atrix to go for $99 with a three-year carrier agreement, and for $599.99 outright.

As a quick reminder, Motorola’s Atrix HD LTE is set to sport a 4.5-inch LCD touchscreen with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution, feature a snappy dual-core 1.5 GHz S4 “Krait” processor, as well as 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of on-board storage, dual 8 MP/1.3 MP cameras, a 1,780 mAh embedded battery, Android 4.0 ICS with MotoBlur UI, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.

Are there any Canadian tech lovers listening? Will you be looking for the new Atrix in stores once it’ll be released? And if so, are you planning to go for Bell’s or Virgin’s model?

Source:http://www.androidauthority.com/motorola-atrix-hd-lte-virgin-mobile-canada-availability-104156/

Sony Xperia GX Japanese launch pushed back to August, $920 latest rumored price

Samsung and HTC don’t have much competition in the high-end smartphone market niche these days, but we knew for a while that Sony is preparing a charge against the S3 and the One X. But, while Sony’s future flagships look really special in theory, the release delays might seriously affect their practical chances of making a difference.

According to official information on NTT DoCoMo’s webpage, the Japanese carrier will start taking pre-orders for the Xperia GX on August 2, and ship the phone a full week later, on the 9th. That means that, for some reason, the initial plans – to put the handheld up for sale in July – have been modified. Sure, we might not be dealing with the most serious delay in history, but we know that even a day or two mean a lot in such an ever-changing market (especially when Samsung and HTC are preparing another super-phone duo).

The GX’s Japanese delay might also have a serious impact on the global Hayabusa release, a phone that is thought to come with the exact same spec sheet as the Asian version. Also known as the LT29i, this itself was initially rumored as coming in July, but could now be pushed back to September. Moreover, this might have a domino effect on another much awaited launch, that of the Sony Mint, which could now be delayed to late September or early October.

These are all speculations (hence the “coulds” and “mights”), so for the time being, we can hope to see both the Hayabusa and the Mint unveiled at Sony’s special Berlin event.

Before that, though, we have two more juicy rumors for you about Sony’s upcoming phones. First off, it seems that the Xperia GX (SO-04D) is set to start selling at 72,240 Yen, which would convert into around $920. That, however, will surely not be Hayabusa’s US price tag, which should be cut down with at least a couple hundreds bucks.

Finally, the Sony Xperia SX (SO-05D), another interesting Japan-bound phone, is rumored to start selling on August 10 for 58,800 Yen (around $750). We’re not certain if that handheld will ever come to the rest of the world, but again, if it will, it will most likely come at a significantly lower price point.

Do you think Sony has a chance to challenge Samsung and HTC in the Android high-end universe? Do the Hayabusa, Mint, and/or Xperia SX sound like something you would be interested in?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDnwutuYmDs&feature=player_detailpage

Source: http://www.androidauthority.com/sony-xperia-gx-japanese-availability-delay-price-104162/