Category Archives: Phones

Events, Phones

Apple Announces Sept. 7 Event, New iPhone 14, Watch Series 8 Expected

Apple sent out invites on Wednesday, announcing Sept. 7 as the date of the iPhone 14 launch event, at which the Cupertino giant is expected to unveil a new series of iPhone 14, or whatever Apple might formally choose to call its successor to the iPhone 13 series. In addition to new iPhones, the company is also expected to introduce new iPad models, and 3 new smart watches, including an Apple Watch Series 8, Watch SE model, and a fitness-focused watch model. While the iPhone 14 and the Apple Watch Series 8 are likely to be the official stars of the annual event, other announcements, including the release date of iOS 16, watchOS 9 and others, are also possible but less certain.

iPhone 14 mockups

The coming event is following a March announcement for the Mac Studio, the 5-G iPhone SE, and a new iPad Air, in addition to previewing iOS 16, macOS Ventura, and other new software features at the company’s developer conference in June. While the iPhone 14 lineup and the Apple Watch Series 8 will make the biggest headlines at its annual event, iPhone-maker Apple Inc could be out and about with a bevy of new Macs, iPads, AirPods, and iOS 16 launch dates, and possibly even a mixed-reality headset, who knows?

Apple Watch Pro

In addition to that, Apple is said to be rolling out a new, higher-end smartwatch version, which is likely to be called Apple Watch Pro. This way or another, the September event, is going to be held at the Steve Jobs Theatre, within Apple’s Park campus in the city of Cupertino, Calif.

See you there, folks!

Mobile, New, Phones

Why Smartphones are Such a Popular Tool

These days, everyone who has a pulse has a smartphone. When they first came out, only the people who had a ton of money had it, and it was a tool that people have shown off with. However, the smartphone has become one of the most common tools among many different people. As a matter of fact, the other types of phones have become increasingly rare. It is not just a sign of status that attracts people to the smartphone. There is also the use that the smartphone offers.

Surf the Internet

With the popularity of the internet, the smartphone has become popular because of the ability to surf the internet and do some of the same things that are done on a full sized computer. As a matter of fact, many mobile carriers double as internet service providers in order to provide you with the services you need. Smartphones are often used to access apps. Often times, people use their smartphones in order to access their favorite video streaming sites and apps.

Connect With People

Smartphones seem to have become very popular at the same time that social media has become mainstream. People use smartphones to connect on social media. However, there are other things you can do with your smartphone as well as social media. Once you develop enough of a following, then you can use the smartphone to make money in various ways. The smartphone has resulted in more people becoming connected than ever. This has also provided people with opportunities to network and build something that is going to be great for their lives.

The Types of Smartphones to Look For

As with many other products, not all smartphones are equal. As a matter of fact, you might want to be careful with the type of smartphone you are purchasing. Some smartphones are going to be very useless when it comes to battery or other aspects of the phone. Before you decide on the type of smartphone you are going to use, you want to make sure that you are getting a phone that you can handle. You want a battery life that is reasonable and not liable to leave yo constantly looking for a charger. While you don’t necessarily have to pay a fortune for the latest smartphone, you might want to look at the features and the performance of the phone before trying to move forward with one.

High Quality Entertainment

One thing that the smartphone has done was open people’s mind when it comes to how they can watch shows. While people still look to a big screen with a large sound system, the high quality image and sound has also been translated to the smartphone. A reasonable sized smartphone is good enough to watch a show. Also, if you want high quality sound, the streaming sites have a great sound quality with really good dynamic range that translate well to your headphones. There are also some phones that support multi-channel surround sound.

Watch TV

Speaking of entertainment, the internet and the mobile web has advanced to the point where you can watch TV. This includes all of the programs and the advertising from channels in the palm of your hand. There are plenty of streaming services that offer television service with a few different channels that you can choose from in order to watch your favorite shows. You can watch them in the highest possible quality with your device and headphones.

One of the reasons that smartphones have become so popular is that there is just so much you can do with a smartphone besides connect with others and talk. It can actually be your only source of entertainment if you want it to be. This is one of the reasons that people find them to be very fascinating. Some people may find themselves struggling to live without a smartphone. Fortunately, smartphones can be used for reasons that are related to productivity as well so that they can be of greater benefit.

Mobile, Phones

Oppo F3 Review: Affordable Android With Good Performance

 

In just a few years’ time, Oppo has made a significant place for its smartphones in the Indian Market. Soon after the successful launch of its smartphones, Oppo doesn’t need an introduction anymore. After the grand success of F1 plus model, Oppo came back with its most successful model F3 Plus. And now, Oppo F3 has been launched in Indian market. F3 Plus came with a whole lot of features in March with a price tag of approx. 30k and Oppo F3 dual camera Selfie phone is just a smaller sibling to Oppo F3 Plus.

This amazing little brother of F3 Plus comes with a price tag of $307 (19,990 INR) and is up for Pre-Order exclusively on Flipkart. Oppo F3 comes with an extraordinary variety of features and hardware in such an affordable price range.

Key Specifications of Oppo F3:

  • 50-Inch Display.
  • 5 GHz Mediatek MT6750T Octa-Core Processor.
  • 16 Megapixel Front Camera.
  • Resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  • 4 GB Ram.
  • Android 6.0.
  • 64 GB Storage.
  • 13 Megapixel Rear Camera
  • Battery Capacity of 3200 mAh.
  • Dual Sim 4G

Display

Oppo F3 has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protected display and the 2.5D curves on the edges give this smartphone an amazing look with a premium feel. It has a 5.5 inch Full HD Display which seems to be a good move by Oppo for competing with the smartphones in same price category.

Chipset and Storage

Oppo F3 is loaded with a 1.5 GHz Octa-core processor with MediaTek MT6750T Chipset. It is a power pack performer which uses a very little power from battery making the battery life longer. Oppo F3 can handle graphic-heavy games very easily with the help of its 4GB RAM. It consists 64 GB hard disk and an expandable storage up to 128GB with the help of microSD card slot.

One thing which makes OppoF3 a step ahead is that it consists a Dual sim slot with space for two nano sims and a micro sd card slot separately for expanding the memory. Most smartphones use the second sim slot to expand memory whereas, OppoF3 has three slots in total and all three can be used simultaneously.

Design

Oppo F3 features a beautifully crafted design with a mix of plastic, glass, and metal. The 2.5D curved glass in front edges gives this smartphone a premium look with the metal back plate gives a cool feel when touched. Plastic is only limited to the frames covering buttons at the top and bottom panels on the back. It is also loaded with a fingerprint scanner. Overall, OppoF3 is a smartphone which looks classy and premium when held and makes the user feel cool about it.

Operating System

While Nougat is in the mainstream, Oppo F3 works on an Android 6.0 Marshmellow operating system, which is pretty odd. Users should expect an update from Oppo pretty soon. This handset is loaded with color OS 3.0 and some pretty cool apps and customization.

Camera

The USP of Oppo Selfie phone has always been its Camera. Oppo F3 has slight changes in camera settings compared to the other models. It consists two cameras in front which is,       16MP + 8MP with a 120-degree wide angle and a whopping 13 MP at the back. Selfie lovers are going to love the front camera of OppoF3 because of its greater results, Sharp and close to real pictures and lots of different modes like Group Selfie mode when the user wants to click a picture with many people, lapse, beauty and panorama modes.

Verdict

With an incredible battery life, provided by sealed in 3200 mAh battery, dual front cameras, gorgeous display and Power packed performance, Oppo F3 is undoubtedly one of the best selfie smartphones in town and every selfie lover should buy this gadget. It is available on Flipkart exclusively and the users who want to own it must Pre-Book it now.

 

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Author Bio: Pankaj Jangir is a Website Designer and Developer. He makes websites from where users can download their own videos and photos from social media.

General, Mobile, Phones

The Future is Now – Phone Tracking Technology

 

A couple years back, the best way to track a mobile device was through the usage of phone towers. Truly, phone companies can without much of a stretch find the area of a phone device by decoding information longs got after the target make calls. Beside this, the organizations can likewise track the area of a phone when the cell phone remains on and continues sending radio signs. In any case, when the phone device is off, it is near difficult tracking it.

Cell phone tracking has turned into an ordinary event. In any case, everybody who uses a mobile phone is being or can be tracked. Numerous late studies uncover disturbing proposals about how mobile phone behavior is being used, not to just track individuals but rather keep an eye on regular life.

We all actually need the most recent technology in telephones. Cell phones, every Android phone including the iPhone, incorporate incalculable measures of applications and uses, from playing music, watching movies, taking photos, playing games and more. However when you buy a cell phone, you are outfitting yourself with presumably one of the most complex tracking devices around.

Today, phone tracker software is no more a thing that amazes individuals. Everybody, in this very moment, knows about the way that cell phones can be tracked. To let you know reality, whether you like it or aversion it, everybody who possesses a cell phone is being spied and tracked. As per various studies directed recently, more individuals tend to keep an eye on somebody. As such, they attempt to track their area notwithstanding their online exercises without their authorization.

Regardless of what mobile device you claim, it is fit for sending and accepting radio signs at whatever point you make calls, send text messages or surf the web. Presently, envision that your phone is armed with a satellite GPS tracking device too. Practically all most recent phone devices accompany GPS phone tracking component. Every day, many people get caught on account of the GPS in their devices.

Another disturbing truth is that, researchers have contrived an approach to track human behavior in points of interest, in a trial crossing maybe over two years. The researchers claim to foresee future conduct of individuals through cell phones. Clearly, mobile devices organizations are presently foreseeing if a client is going to change to another service supplier through this innovation.

The researchers were not just ready to distinguish general changes in the changes of individuals, there were additionally fit for deciding data as to the wellbeing of the mobile device client before he could even thought about it himself. This gives us a thought of what the eventual future of phone tracking will resemble. And this will happen with the assistance of the helpful device you can put in your pocket and convey wherever you need to. Give us a chance to figure out what specialists need to say in regards to it.

As indicated by specialists, as innovation gains progress, cell phone tracking innovation with likewise keep on creating. This innovation is helping us from multiple points of view:

  • It is offering folks some assistance with keeping tabs on their insidious children;
  • It is tracking so as to offer cops some assistance with catching criminals by tracking their mobile devices;
  • It is offering husbands or wives some assistance on finding out if they are cheating;
  • It is helping insight organizations in tracking terrorist and so on.

Along these lines, with the help of this innovation, it is trusted that we will have the capacity to cope with the bad guys in a better way.

 

Operating Systems, Phones

Apple’s iOS 8.3 Is Out Now, With New Emojis, Bug Fixes and Wireless CarPlay Support

Apple-emoji

Apple has just rolled out iOS 8.3. This ain’t a big release, but iPhone and iPad owners expecting to upgrade their iDevices should be looking at some truly fantastic improvements inside, including the usual mix of bug fixes for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3rd-party keyboards, and such, as well as a few tasteful enhancements, such as the wireless CarPlay for in-car support, along with some 300 types of emoji for fun. In this context, we should also mention that the new update lists a whole new version of keyboard under the lid, boasting a new scrolling UI.

The latest release also includes a brand new set of languages for Siri, amongst which you might find Russian, Danish, Dutch, Thai, Swedish, Turkish and Portuguese.

In addition to that, Apple has also added an option to download free apps without the need to enter your password, along with the option to report any junk or spam to filter out iMessages that are not sent by your contacts.

Lastly, the update is also said to improve stability and performance of the overall platform, but that is part of the regular ongoing efforts. With that in mind,  there’s also now iCloud Photo Library support which has been optimized to work with the new Photos app on OS X 10.10.3.

Like any previous update release, the software upgrade is likely to be available as an over-the-air update on the Settings section of your iPhone or iPad, as well as on iTunes 

Mobile, Phones

Apple to Finally Start Offering SIM-free iPhone 6 & 6 Plus in the U.S.

Apple-iPhone-6-Plus

Apple will officially start selling SIM-free iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices in the US of A today. At least that’s what a recent report from the guys over at 9to5Mac says, based on people familiar with the matter. The phones will be available for purchase at retail and the online stores, so you can choose whatever suits you best.

Up till now, You could only buy one of Apple’s latest and greatest line of iphones in the US via one of Uncle Sam’s popular mobile carriers either with a contract or a contract-free package, but starting today, if things are going to work as planned, people from all over the world will be granted the opportunity to nab a factory-SIM free device directly from Apple.

Currently, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of change in pricing, with the iphone 6 to start at merely $649 for the 16GB version and up to  $949 for a 128GB 6 Plus device.

Update: We have confirmed the news – Apple now selling SIM-free unlocked iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices both online and on its retail stores. Do you have one already or are you getting one today?

Sim-Free-Unlocked-iPhone-6

[Image Credit, Flickr, Kārlis Dambrāns]
Mobile, Phones

Apple Releases New iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Ads With Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake

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Apple-iPhone-6-and-iPhone-6-Plus

Apple has aired two new ads for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus entitled ‘Huge’ and ‘Cameras’ in which it features Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake. You can see in the ads that the Cupertino giant is highlighting some of the most important features that the new devices are offering to users – the updated cameras with the slow motion and high quality time lapse shooting functions from one hand, and the larger displays they both boast on top, from the other (the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus feature 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch HD displays respectively).

This isn’t the first time the two, Jimmy and Justin, are running over a couple of lines in an Apple ad, as we have seen a similar footage during the iPhone 6 event. Yet, the dialogues are quite funny, to say the least, although you can’t really see the characters themselves.

Apple announced that opening weekend iPhone 6 sales were over 10 million. This is a record for the company in the first three days of sales.

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Mobile, Phones

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Pre-Orders Kick Off Online

iphone-6-and-6-plus

Apple’s next-generation iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus mobile devices are finally available for pre-order for Cupertino fanboys in USA and eight other countries, including the UK, France, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and Japan. With shipping scheduled to begin September 19, 2014.

If you are interested in buying one of the two without a contract (SIM free), you’ll need to pay the full price upfront.

The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus prices start at $199, and $299, respectively, while the iPhone 6 Plus starts at $299 and $399 when purchased as part of a two-year contract with all three U.S carriers AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon.

Unlocked contract-free option for the two models (including T-Mobile), will set you back as follows:

iPhone 6 (16GB): $649
iPhone 6 (64GB): $749
iPhone 6 (128GB): $849

iPhone 6 Plus (16GB): $749
iPhone 6 Plus (64GB): $849
iPhone 6 Plus (128GB): $949

Apple’s website is currently down, but you can already place your orders on AT&T and Verizon’s websites, as well as App Store mobile app.

Update1: Apple’s online stores now officially available to get your orders.

Update2: iPhone 6 Plus orders already delayed by a few weeks. It seems they are selling like crazy hot cupcakes.

Update3: Apple says it sold a record 4 million pre-orders of the iPhone 6 in 24 hours.

Mobile, Phones

Apple Announces New iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Smartphones

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Apple-iphone5s-iphone6-iphone6plus

CUPERTINO, Calif. – Apple announced the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus on Tuesday. The 6 is the company’s flagship mobile device, coming in Silver and Space Gray colors at your choice plus a Gold just in case any of you are thrust into this luxurious phone. It has a ‘Touch ID’ fingerprint reader, same as the previous 5S series had, as well as Apple’s new A8 processor, which is 25% faster than last year’s models, capable delivering about 50 percent more energy efficient. That means 4 hours of 3G talk time for the 6 model, and 24 hours for the Plus; up to 10 days standby for the 6, and 16 for the Plus, about 11 hours of video for the 6, and 14 for the Plus. There’s also a new M8 co-processor to handle all motion data, and track your activity. Connectivity wise, we’re looking at an 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 and 150 Mbps LTE network. Finally, the phones are also featuring an integration of short-range NFC and mobile payment technology.

While the a camera on both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will still capture 8-megapixel images as before, it now offers a more advanced iSight sensor and an f/2.2 aperture lens paired with the same True Tone flash, capable of catching up to 43-megapixel panoramic photos, plus stunning slow-motion videos with 240 frames per second.

Th screen on the iPhone 6 devices is as follows:

iPhone 6 — 4.7-inch display: 1334 × 750, 326 PPI
iPhone 6 Plus — 5.5-inch display: 1920 × 1080, 401 PPI

Some measures:

The iPhone 6 – 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 inches (138.1 x 67 x 6.9mm) and weighs 4.55 ounces (129g)

The iPhone 6 Plus – 6.22 x 3.06 x 0.28 inches (158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1mm) and weighs 6.07 ounces (172g).

Probably one of the most important improvements inside the new iPhone devices (besides the camera) is the A8 chip, a 64-bit SoC that’s 20% faster CPU, 50% faster graphics. It has 2 billion transistors, on a 20nm process, and It’s 13% smaller than the A7 — this is a truly amazing computer-power chip.

Apple-iphone-6-smartphone

Apple has also announced a bigger model, dubbed the iPhone 6 Plus, which is basically a similar version of the 6 only with a bigger screen display (5.5-inch 1080p Retina HD display) and a mildly little thicker body form (7.1mm vs. 6.9mm). It has an “Ion-strengthened glass,” up on the hood, paired with an IPS liquid crystals panel beneath, and an “anodized aluminum back” on the rear. The iPhone 6 Plus is available for pre-order from Apple on September 12th, and both will be available for shipping on September 19th.

Apple-iphone-6-iphone-6plus

As has been the case in previous keynotes, much of today’s announcement has already been leaked ahead of the event. Over the past few months, we’ve seen plenty of images and video footage of both the new iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 plus. And as it turns out most of the rumors were pretty spot on.

Apple-iphone-6plus-prices

The iPhone 6 lineup maintains the same price points (at least in the US) as before, with new 4.7-inch iPhone 6 to cost $199 (16GB), $299 (64) and $399 (128GB). While the new 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus to set you back for $299 (16GB), $399 (64GB) and $499  (128GB). Expect similar pricing in Canada. Apple also drops prices of the previous models as follows: iPhone 5S: $99, iPhone 5C: “free”

Hit the Play to watch the video

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Mobile, Phones

Alleged Working iPhone 6 Detailed In a New Series Of Videos

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working_Apple_iphone_6

Apple’s iPhone launch event is only three days away, but leaks haven’t stopped coming in. Apple set to reveal a new line of iPhone devices, as well as a smartwatch, which was rumored to be in the making for quite some time, and its latest and greatest iOS 8. As rumors of the new iPhone design continue to swirl, we’ve stumbled upon a series of short “hands on” videos related to the most expected iPhone 6. In those videos you can see a guy playing around with what appears to be Apple’s next-gen iOS 8, running on an iPhone 6 (or whatever it is). As usual you should take this footage with a little grain of salt, but you should also pay attention to some of the details included in the videos. For instance, this tiny little red stripe icon which apparently includes an image of a credit card, that most likely indicating of an electronic payment capability through Passbook. In addition to that, the submitted clips which have been recently uploaded to Chinese video sharing site MiaoPai (by a user called “zzray”), also present a new Health app plus many other upcoming iOS 8 features. What do you think, is that the REAL DEAL?

Hit the Play to watch the videos

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Mobile, Phones

Leaked Footage of the iPhone 6 Back Plate Suggest New Logo and Hardware Rearrangement

Alleged-iphone6-gold-1

It’s that time of the year again when iPhone rumors begin to circulate the internet, giving us the geeks and fanboys a special look at what appears to be the next upcoming device. Yes, the next iPhone is clearly on the horizon, but  you should always take “leaks” with a little grain of salt. This time around, though, Apple is probably planning to launch two larger iPhone devices: one with a 4.7″ screen and another with a 5.5″ screen.

Alleged-iphone6-gold-2

A new batch of leaked images sets the rumor-mill a-churning over the possibility of a bigger gold colored iPhone 6, tucked with some awkward bands around its back (probably to help with the wifi/bluetooth signals). The images also appear to suggest a different housing from the iphone 5S model, with a recessed logo area on the cover, plus a different hardware rearrangement for the purported iphone 6 (power button has moved to the side), with all pieces to lay inside a flat and thin surface structure.

Alleged-iphone6-gold-3

Apple analysts believe an announcement on the new iPhone 6 will take place sometime around mid-September, with many suggesting it could go on sale later this month. Take a look at the following video:

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Mobile, Operating Systems, Phones

Apple Rolls Out iOS 7.1 Update

Apple-iPhone-5C

Apple has just released to the public iOS 7.1, featuring a number of notable changes including official support for Apple’s in-car CarPlay system, a manual control how long Siri listens to your mobile devices, some calendar tweaks, a few minor bug fixes, and some tiny bits of integrated functions, such as faster iphone 4 experience, continued user interface refinements, an HDR auto settings improvement, and additional changes to the OS control.

Apple-iOS 7.1

Apple users with the following devices will be able to download the iOS 7.1 update over the air (OTA) or via iTunes: iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina display, iPad mini, iPad (3rd and 4th generations), iPad 2, and iPad touch (5th generation).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3VLILsESFQ]

Here’s the complete list of fixes:

CarPlay
– iOS experience designed for the car
– Simply connect your iPhone to a CarPlay enabled vehicle
– Supports Phone, Music, Maps, Messages, and 3rd-party audio apps
– Control with Siri and the car’s touchscreen, knobs, and buttons

Siri
– Manually control when Siri listens by holding down the home button while you speak and releasing it when you’re done as an alternative to letting Siri automatically notice when you stop talking
– New, more natural sounding male and female voices for Mandarin Chinese, UK English, Australian English, and Japanese

iTunes Radio
– Search field above Featured Stations to easily create stations based on your favorite artist or song
– Buy albums with the tap of a button from Now Playing
– Subscribe to iTunes Match on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to enjoy iTunes Radio ad-free

Calendar
– Option to display events in month view
– Country specific holidays automatically added for many countries

Accessibility
– Bold font option now includes the keyboard, calculator, and many icon glyphs
– Reduce Motion option now includes Weather, Messages, and multitasking UI animations
– New options to display button shapes, darken app colors, and reduce white point

Other
– New Camera setting to automatically enable HDR for iPhone 5s
– iCloud Keychain support in additional countries
– FaceTime call notifications are automatically cleared when you answer a call on another device
– Fixes a bug that could occasionally cause a home screen crash
– Improves Touch ID fingerprint recognition
– Improved performance for iPhone 4
– Fixes display of Mail unread badge for numbers greater than 10,000
– Continued user interface refinements

[Apple, video by DetroitBORG]

Mobile, Phones

How Do Brits Use Their iPhone? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Have you ever wondered what people do on their mobile phones, and what exactly do they use them for? Yeah, well me too. Thankfully, we were given the opportunity to get a glimpse of the iPhone usage in the UK and the way the Brits interact with their mobile iDevices (AKA: Apple iPhones). From what we know and learn, the citizens of the United Kingdom still prefer communicating by voice with family and friends over sending and receiving text or multimedia messages; although SMS is still very popular at this part of the Western world. But the pattern of use remains traditional. Most interesting, though, are the facts that British men take more selfies than British women, and that 69% of the people of London use their iPhone while sitting on the toilet. 

Take a look at this infographic by UK’s fastest growing mobile network, Three, to find out more about their habits. 

A Snapshot Of UK’s iPhone Habits

View the iPhone 5s on Three

General, Mobile, Phones

Apple Unveils Faster, Stronger iPhone 5S and Cheaper, Colorful iPhone 5C

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Apple’s Tim Cook took the stage today at the company’s media event in Cupertino to officially introduce the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, Apple’s next generation of mobile devices. As most rumors already suggested, the iphone 5S, which is considered as Apple’s new flagship machine, looks exactly the same as the previous model, AKA the iPhone 5; rear aluminum build and a front glass panel, surrounded by a metal stripe around the sides.

Clearly, the new 5S is Apple’s fastest handset yet, and it runs a super powerful A7 chip under the lid. It’s the first and probably the only smartphone in the world to ship with a 64-bit configuration in the form of the new A7 processor, with a “desktop-class architecture” housing 1 billion transistors, which are twice the amount you’ll find on an A6 chip. This brings the A7 chip performance to more than double the speed of an “old” iphone 5. As for the graphics, Apple has announced a new support for the OpenGL ES 3.0 standard like the new Nexus 7. But that’s not all, ladies and gents, because there seems to be a secondary chip, that Apple is tossing in alongside the A7 processor, and it’s called the M7. This one, is more of a “motion processor” and it will help measure motion stuff like the accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope. In addition, it’ll improve support in a few apps within the health and fitness fields.

One of the most important questions the media had to deal with was how big is the screen on the Apple iPhone 5S/5C smartphones? Today, we’ve finally got the answer, the new Apple iPhones come with a 1136 x 640 pixel 4-inch Retina display, which is about the same as we had as with the iPhone 5 model. In other words, DISAPPOINTMENT. We truly expected from Apple to offer a larger screen alternative. But I guess it won’t happen until probably the next iphone generation, number 6, I presume.

As mentioned, the outside box doesn’t bear any notable changes from the older version, except one significant update in the form of a revolutionary fingerprint sensor that Apple has placed under the home button. Yes, you’re getting a fingerprint sensor that is likely to boost your mobile security BIG time, and will ultimately replace all those user ID passwords. NEAT. The button itself is said to be made from a laser-cut sapphire crystal materials, which are basically unscratchable. And while rumors were spot on, this fingerprint reader – The TouchID – that Apple has managed to attach underneath the iphone home button is nothing but amazing. The technology behind it can literally read  your fingerprint at “an entirely new level” if you will. Touch ID Sensor is about 170 microns thin, and senses 500 ppi resolution. Generally speaking, it can scan all of your “sub-epidermal skin layers.” Touch the button and DANG, your phone’s unlocked.

Another cool thing that Apple has added, is the upgraded camera. The company has improved the current rear 8MP camera from the iPhone 5 with a new f/2.2 aperture. The new camera technology features a backside illumination, and will apparently endorse about 15 percent larger active sensor area. Other than that, we’re also looking at a new flash at the back of the phone (with two LEDs attached), and a cool shooting option with an auto image stabilization mode. The front facing webcam is at 1.2MP, while the rear one was specifically designed to capture 720p HD video at a very high speed, at 120FPS. It basically means that you can easily take slow-motion videos out of your phone. Last but not least, you will now be able to shoot at burst mode & up to 10 frames per second. Which is crazy if you come to think about it.

In addition to that, the iPhone 5S will also include support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4G LTE network. As far as storage goes, the 5S model will ship with your choice of either 16/32/64 GB of storage — No 128 GB flavor for you at this point. Bummer.

The phone will arrive in Silver, Gold, and a new Space Gray colors. Is anyone surprised?

The second device that Apple has officially unveiled today is the iPhone 5C which the good guys over at Cupertino are aiming for the low-mid mobile market. The cool thing about this model is the variety of colors that you can choose from (Blue, White, Pink, Yellow, and Green), and the fact that it’s light and made from a cheap plastic flavor. Apple says that It’s made of a hard-coated polycarbonate material, if you really want to know. It also features a 4-inch Retina display with the same 8-megapixel rear camera and the regular support for LTE bands, dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity, and Bluetooth 4.0. The chip inside is an A6 processor, same as the iPhone 5.

Both devices will run Apple’s latest and greatest iOS 7 out of the box. The platform, which Apple has completely built from the scratch around the 64-bit technology, in a new “flat” design, is due out September 18th. Supported devices include the iPhone 4 or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini or fifth-generation iPod touch.

As for prices and availability, the two new iphones will officially go on pre-order at Apple’s online store September 13th, with both devices to start shipping on September 20th in the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK. The most significant thing here is that it would probably be the first time that China is getting in the first phase of the iPhone’s release. This is huge for a company like Apple who’s been making efforts to penetrate the Chinese market for quite some time now.

The iPhone 5S will offer a range of 16 GB to 64 GB models and will be priced as follows:

  • 16 GB: $199 (with a 2-year contract), or $649 off-contract.
  • 32 GB: $299 (with a 2-year contract)
  • 64 GB: $399 (with a 2-year contract)

The iPhone 5C will offer 16 GB/32 GB capacities and will be priced as follows:

  • 16 GB: $99 (with a 2-year contract), or $549  off-contract.
  • 32 GB: $199 (with a 2-year contract)

Apple will also offer dyed leather cases for $39 each, and a set of rubber skin cases for the iPhone 5C, priced at merely$29 apiece.

Finally, Apple to discontinue the iphone 5, while the 4S version remains as a free model in a 2 year contract.

[youtube id=”wGCetsl-srk”]

 

General, Mobile, Phones

Alleged iPhone 5C Cases Start Showing Up Online

Apple is gearing up for one of those major events, where it’ll officially announce the iPhone 5S and the iphone 5C, on September 10 or so. While rumors continue to circulate about the possibility of two different iphone machines, the 5S which is the company’s heir to the throne, and the 5C that is expected to emerge as Apple’s “low-end” offering, alleged soft cases for the iPhone 5C are beginning to appear online these days, and they may provide us with some clues about the overall design and the size of each dimension. 

One such online store we’ve stumbled across, that is offering Apple’s new cases is Deal Extreme, which has just started to sell the goods. Looking at the picture they posted (above), we see the same pattern and exact shade of colors as we have already seen before. But the specs are new for the most part. A quick glance at the ultra-thin protective back case, for instance (that is about the closest we get to the actual dimensions of the real phone), will teach us that it will measure in at 4.96 in x 2.36 in x 0.35 (12.6 cm x 6.0 cm x 0.9 cm), exactly the same as in the previous releases. In other words, NO size change, in case you were speculating on the topic. Perhaps a tad thicker, as some other cases suggest, but we expect the overall layout and design to remain pretty much the same.

We’ll keep you updated as more information comes in.

Mobile, Phones

What to Expect From The New Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung-Galaxy-S4-smartphone

With the new Samsung Galaxy S4 set to be released at the end of April, fans have now been given a clear idea of what to expect from Samsung’s latest offering. Here, we will take a look at 4key features of the Samsung Galaxy S4 which are getting fans across the globe increasingly excited and impatient in equal measure, for its release.

 Samsung Wallet

The new offering comes with a brand new Samsung Wallet which will allow the user to keep anything they have bought in their phone. Furthermore it is anticipated that the new phone will support Visa Payments, although this is not yet known for certain. If this does transpire to be the case, then this should function as a contactless payment method called Near Field Communication. This will render the new style payment system as simple and easy to use, good news for fans excited about this proposition.

 Eight Core Processor

This would not have come as a surprise to most Samsung Galaxy S3 fans as it has been leaked on numerous occasions that the Samsung Galaxy S4 would be the first phone to have the first in built eight core processor. You may also be pleased to note that Samsung Galaxy S4 has full support for 4G LTE networks. Not only will the phone run at 4G speeds but it will also come with storage space options of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB depending on your own needs. There is an additional microSD slot for extra space if this is required.

Camera

Samsung-Galaxy-S4-small

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has an in-built rear mounted camera that boasts an impressive 13 mega pixels. Not only does it have a lower-level flash but for the more adventurous among us, it has the ability to capture 360 degree panoramic pictures.

Contactless Hand and Gesture Controls

Perhaps the biggest achievement of Samsung’s new release is the implementation of the new contactless gesture controls. This would allow the user to answer a call by simply waving their hand or making a simple air gesture.  Icons can be clicked simply by moving a finger above the screen. Furthermore, users will be able to scroll the screen using their eyes, with the new phone tracking the user’s eye movements.

The new Samsung Galaxy S4 is certainly recognizable and has not strayed too far away from the S3’s design and function, The phone has many impressive features, most notably its super fast processor and its great looking design. The new S4 although almost perfect is not entirely faultless.  Its entire plastic body belies its impressive and sleek design and means that the new offering is a little on the flimsy side. So you’ll want to make sure you get a good smartphone case and a screen protector. Furthermore, Samsung have refrained from overly improving Touchwiz which some users may find a little disappointing. On the whole though, Samsung have managed to successfully mix the new and the old in such a way that the latest option should not fail to disappoint. It may be not be perfect, but it certainly comes to close and it has enough updated features to compensate for any of its flaws.

Mobile, Phones

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Officially Introduced: 5-inch 1080p Screen, 13MP Camera, and 1.9GHz Exynos Processor

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samsung-galaxy-s4-mobile-phone

At Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy S4, a phone that will let you “experience life without boundaries.” That’s right, according to the South Korean corp. the Galaxy S4 is your ultimate “Life Companion” and it will greatly serve you, both in your house and whenever you decide to take it on-the-go. The S4, which is  somewhat a mix of Samsung’s Galaxy S3 and Note II mobile phones, offers a wide range of functions and features, including a beautiful 5-inch 1080p (1,920 x 1,080) Super AMOLED screen display (441 ppi), capable of use with gloves in wet, cold and dusty conditions, your choice (depends on the region) of either a 1.6GHz Exynos Octa-core chip or a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor (probably the Snapdragon 600), 2GB RAM, and 2,600mAh battery to match.

When it comes to connectivity, the 7.9mm thick device has quite a lot to give, starting with the very exceptional WiFi 802.11ac (which also supports the usual a/b/g/n bands), that comes alongside an IR blaster to let you fully control the big tele (access via Samsung’s WatchON service), a built-in NFC technology, as well as MHL 2.0, radios for HSPA+ (850/900/1900/2100MHz) plus Cat 3 100 / 50 Mbps LTE, and last but not least, a Bluetooth 4.0 + LE module.

Moving on with the specs, the GS 4 is running an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean platform under the lid, with Samsung’s well-known TouchWiz interface layered on top. You get to choose between 16, 32, or 64GB of storage capacities, and there’s a microSD addition, expandable up to 64 gigs, an option that will give you the potential for a whopping 128GB of total memory.

Another important part of the Galaxy S4 is obviously the new 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with f/2.2 aperture and autofocus capabilities. The camera is claimed to be able taking more than 100 shots in four seconds, and then re-arrange them all in one single frame. It’ll also record video at the 1080p range, and with the “dual camera” mode, you’ll be able to use both the front-facing camera and the rear-facing camera, concurrently, and put ’em together in a pic-in-pic mode. And yes, there’s also a 2MP front-facing camera, in case you wondered.

As mentioned earlier, the GS4 is stuffed with tons of tweaks and features. A quick roundup of some of the good things going on inside:

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Eye-tracking features[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Smart Pause – Will pause a video by simply “looking away”[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Smart scroll[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Air View interface[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Air Gesture[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]S Translator – That literally understands 9 languages, both speech to text, and text to speech[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]S Voice Drive – Voice commands for driving[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Optical Reader – Scans QR codes and business cards, turns them into text[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Swipe-to-type keyboard[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]Group playing – Play music with multiple phones at the same time[/li]
[/list]

[list type=”plus”]
[li]S Health – Tracks your fitness activity[/li]
[/list]

Samsung is planning to sell the Galaxy S4 around the world via 327 carriers in 155 countries, sometime towards the end of April. And while prices are yet to be disclosed, we hear that the GS4 is made of a tough polycarbonate frame, and will be launched either in Black Mist or White Frost colors.

So… Are you getting one?

[youtube id=”2LHv1FPd1Ec”]

[Samsung]

 

Mobile, Phones

Apple Announces The iPhone 5: 4-Inch Display, 8MP Camera, A6 Processor, LTE, Coming September 21

 

Today at Apple’s event the company announced the iPhone 5 which will be available for Pre Orders September 14th and goes on sale September 21th. As expected, all rumors confirmed this time, so no surprises at all. But before we get into the details, first some numbers from the Cupertino spreadsheet. According to Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, the company “sold more iPads than any PC manufacturer sold of their entire PC line.” And guys, we’re talking about 84 million pieces in here, where in the last quarter alone, Apple had already sold 17 million. That’s crazy!  As for the the iOS App Store, apparently it has just crossed the 700,000 apps, while 250,000 are iPad applications. Cook says that 400M iOS devices sold through June 2012, an incredible milestone for the CEO and the entire team.

Now that you know the numbers, let’s get to the juicy stuff. Apple’s Phil Schiller first words on stage were: “Today we’re introducing iPhone 5.” Of course you are, that’s what we’ve all been waiting for. But when the applause died down, we finally could get some info. So let’s break it down into specs:

The new iPhone 5 comes with a larger screen than previous versions, 4-inch at 1136 x 640 resolution (to be on the accurate side),  just as the mockups predicted. And yes, this is a 16:9 widescreen Retina panel we have inside, with 44% more color saturation, and full sRGB rendering support. And just to add another quote from Phil, “you see, we’re able to add a fifth row of icons.”

As for measures, the iphone 5 is only 7.6mm thick (about 18% thinner than the 4S ), and weighs 112 grams (which makes it 20% lighter).  Phil Schiller claims this is “the most beautiful product we have ever made.” And frankly speaking, it sounds too polished to live up to its competition. But hey, it is made completely out of glass and aluminum hardware.

 

Connectivity wise,  Apple is going to release the iPhone 5 with 4G LTE, supported by all three major U.S networks (Sprint, Verizon and AT&T). Other than that, there’s a dynamic “ultrafast wireless technology” under the lid, featuring the 5GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi support for a wireless experience up to 150 Mbps. Too bad there’s no NFC chip out of the box. Perhaps in iphone 6 (oh well). Yet, you can either choose between CDMA or GSM configuration, depends upon your mobile provider.

As it turns out, the rumors were true about that new A6 processor as well, which according to Apple is more energy efficient, 22% smaller, and two times faster in CPU and graphics performance.

The battery is one of Apple’s strongest components, in general, and the iPhone 5 is no different in that area.  The numbers tell the whole story: 8 hours on LTE, 10 hours of video playback, 40 hours of music, and 10 hours even when you wirelessly browsing.  Overall, you’re getting 225 hours at standby mode, which looks and sounds quite impressive!

Up next, are the camera shooters (called the iSight). Basically, we are looking at the same “things” we’ve been looking at before, in the previous model. In that regard, there’s a front-facing 720p webcam, alongside an 8-megapixel sensor on the back, shooting pictures at 3264×2248 with backside illumination, hybrid IR and an f/2.4 aperture. It definitely should be better, when you take everything into consideration. In fact, it is claimed to be 40%  faster when taking pictures. Not to mention the dynamic low light mode that is supposed to improve performance in low light conditions, and this uber cool Panorama mode, that will get you up to 28 megapixel of widescreen nature images. And then, there’s the 1080p video capturing element that comes native, as part of the deal.

So what else, you’re asking? There are three microphones in this monster, front, back, and bottom. While the new earpiece technology now includes noise canceling on your own audio out. And speaking about audio, Apple is now giving away a new set of earbuds, also known as the earpods. Apple’s guy said they’ve spent about 3 years in order to get to the new in-ear design, which ultimately gives you greater canal comfort . Interesting!

As for the cord, Apple has finally got rid of the good ‘ol 30 pin dock connector (not that we had any complaints about it), unveiling instead a newly designed 8-pin cable connector, dubbed the Lightning (a play on the Thunderbolt). This one is 80 percent smaller, in case you were wondering, but it will match your previous accessories with a $29 Lightning port adapter. Just another way for Apple to make some extra money on the side.

Then, there’s the iOS 6 on iPhone 5, which has over 200 new features, compared to iOS 5. Apple says it will go live Sep 19th, one week from today.

For those asking THE “how much do I have to spend” question, well, the short answer would probably be “same prices” no matter if you choose the black one or the white color. The long asnswer is the following:  $199 for 16 GB, $299 for 32 GB, $399 for 64 GB version, on a two-year contract. Regretfully, Apple discontinues the 3GS model, but keeps the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S as part of its lineup.

So yeah! This is pretty much it for now. You can jump on past the break, either read the full PR or take a look at the nifty videos below.

Update1: Prices of unlocked iPhone 5 mobile devices just showed up on Apple’s U.S online store. Here are your options: $649 (16GB), $749 (32GB) And $849 (64GB).

Update2: Apple has officially reported it sold over 2 million iphone 5 devices in the first 24 hours (long before the retail craziness begins). More than double the iPhone 4s opening weekend sales. A new record, for sure!

[Apple]

Continue reading Apple Announces The iPhone 5: 4-Inch Display, 8MP Camera, A6 Processor, LTE, Coming September 21 →

Games, Mobile, Phones

Two of The Best New Free Games for Nokia Mobile Phones

Mobile gaming is a massive growth industry, as indeed is the mobile phone sector as a whole; and one of the biggest manufacturers of mobiles in the world is Nokia. Thus Nokia mobiles are amongst the devices that many of the top games developers are pitching their games towards, with the good news for those using Nokia mobiles being that many of these games apps are free to download. These are some of the better new ones out there for Nokia mobiles.

Continue reading Two of The Best New Free Games for Nokia Mobile Phones →

Mobile, Phones

Smart Phones and Their Influence on Digital Photography

There’s much doom and gloom spoken about the effect smartphones have had on digital photography. Although the digital camera market was still worth £598 million in 2011, this is down by nearly a third from 2006, when it was worth £843 million.

Some speculators (probably with a vested interest in mobiles) are saying that they can hear the death knell of digital cameras: here’s an example:

“I can see no reason for people to buy a digital camera in a couple of years’ time as many people have already abandoned them. Why would you pay more, carry around two devices and go through all the pain of uploading photos when you can do all that from one device that you already own? I wouldn’t want to own shares in digital camera companies right now because their industries are about to get decimated by the mobile phone.”

But we ought to look beyond the bare stats and the ravings of “the end is nigh” brigade and those who want to make in your face headlines. As newer technology continues to improve the specifications of top-end equipment, measurements like megapixel density or the top level of optical zoom possible will become all rather meaningless those consumers who want a simple good quality picture from their phones or cameras, and then want to share them socially.

When mobile phones first had a camera built in them, in the 1990s, they were poor quality add-on affairs that were more gimmicky than of actual genuine photographic use. But how times have changed. The latest top of the range mobiles have quality optics and features that rival many entry-level digital phones. But is this trend going to continue, and what are digital camera manufacturers doing in response? In a word, learn.

The big change that made cameras in mobiles so popular was the ability to not only speak to someone, and text them, but to send them an image or a video of where you are and what you are doing, that they can receive and look at on their own phone, without having to rush to plug in a computer. While there will always be purists who will compartmentalise photography as something to be kept separate from day to day human interaction on the move, the bridge should be made between those who like to take decent (even artistic) photographs and videos, but who also want to share them quickly and simply with their friends, employers, whoever.

Camera manufacturers could choose to either invest in a web service that complements captured photos or video, or to focus on including new, innovative hardware capabilities and modifications, to retain consumer interest. And go beyond that. Actually win over people from mobile phone photography to digital camera photography.

One of the big pluses of cameras being included in almost all mobile phones is that it has opened up photography to a whole new swathe of people who probably wouldn’t have thought of themselves as photographers. Many of these new converts will actually begin to be drawn in to the world of digital photography and see that it is a medium in its own right, and not just an appendage to social networking.  That means there’s a potential new set of customers for those digital camera manufacturers who can get on the beam and produce a quality digital camera, which will not only have more features than a mobile phone camera, allowing the user to grow with the product, but retain and even enhance the social sharing communication experience of mobile phones.

There is also the factor that some shots are so important that you may not want to trust mobile phone camera technology, but want to go with a dedicated camera to make sure that the shots will be the best possible and stand the test of time.

I’m thinking here of weddings, parties, even holidays. While a mobile phone with a camera can take a shot as good as an entry-level digital camera most of the time, what about if the conditions on the day mean that you need more than the built-in flash of the mobile phone camera? Or a stand/tripod? Or something to enhance a particular part of the composition? Indications are that for “important” photography, people will turn to their digital cameras, or buy one.

So what empirical evidence is there of the effect of the phenomenon of mobile phone cameras on recent digital camera manufacturers?

Canon, Panasonic, Olympus, Pentax and Nikon have in recent years launched a new kind of camera that matches the quality of lenses of a professional model with the sleek, light body of a pocket, point-and-shoot device. Although these mirrorless cameras aren’t a great deal cheaper than the professional digital single lens reflex (DSLR) model, they are lighter and more compact. More mobile phone like in fact.

A range of cameras launched in the past few months have for the first time included WiFi chips, making it possible for users to share their photos much as a smartphone user might.  With this Samsung you can share images and videos wirelessly; instantly send a photo to another mobile phone using Bluetooth. Or rely on the Wi-Fi capability to email it directly from the camera or upload it seamlessly to Picasa, Facebook, YouTube, and samsungimaging.com. You can even upload a video you just shot to YouTube. Now that’s going to make mobile phone manufacturers sit up and take notice!

Panasonic too have entered this market with their Lumix DMC-TZ50. It will let you connect to your wireless home router or a T-Mobile hotspot to upload one or more photos directly to Picasa, Google’s integrated photo-sharing website.

While mobile phones may have a zoom feature that is likely to be a digital zoom, which is inferior in quality to the optical zooms found on digital cameras. In fact this advantage is being maximised by more recent digital cameras having astonishing optical zooms built in, on even very compact phones. Take the Nikon Coolpix 100 for example, with its x26 optical zoom. Or the Panasonic Lumix FZ series with a x24 optical zoom. Even more compact is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 with a x8 optical zoom that will suffice for most shots for most people. If you want more the Lumix TZ30 has a x20 optical zoom.

Just as the camera gets smaller and more sociable, so will the mobile phone evolve and compete to incorporate features presently only available on a digital camera. The winner will ultimately be the consumer who will have more choice and more features, for both digital cameras and mobile phones with cameras, at competitive prices.

 

Mobile, Phones

Samsung Galaxy S III Now Official

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Samsung has finally put the rumors to rest by announcing its next iteration mobile phone, the Galaxy S III. In a splashy London event, the South Korean giant revealed that the next-gen Galaxy handset will feature its new 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad processor, alongside a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED touchscreen display, with 1280 x 720 pixels on top. There’s 1GB of RAM under the lid, paired with a front-facing 1.9-megapixel camera and an 8-megapixel rear shooter. The 8.6mm soft plastic device which weighs 133g, is the latest and greatest in mobile technology. It is said to boast eye tracking support (by all means) and top notch capabilities, such as the “Smart Stay” feature that knows whether we are looking at the screen or not, a very sophisticated Siri-like voice recognition, missed calls/messages technology that lets you auto dial when you pickup the phone, S Beam technology that ease the way you share photos and videos with some other Galaxy S III machines (simply attach them back-to-back with each other), and last but not least,  a social media friendly platform that features “The fastest and easiest way to share with friends in just ONE touch.”

Connectivity wise, the S3 has ’em all: Whether it’s 40MHz 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and  GPS with GLONASS reception. As far as software goes, it will be rolling out with Google’s Ice Cream Sandwich platform (AKA: Android 4.0), crammed with Samsung’s very own TouchWiz “Inspired by nature” UI running on top. In terms of radios, you will be getting the  HSPA+ flavor, but the 4G LTE magic will be out as well, both in North america and Japan (but not in Europe).

At first, you will get to choose storage capacities that range between 16 to 32GB, while the 64 gigs will follow later on. In addition you can either pick up the Pebble Blue color, or go all the way with the Marble White hue. There’s a very large 2,100mAh battery inside and a microSD slot expansion to double your storage, if needed. The Samsung Galaxy 3 will go live starting May 29, while US customers should be able to nab one somewhere around June.

Full PR after the break, along with the first Galaxy S III TV Commercial and a full video of the keynote event.

Update1: Looks like the most powerful Android smartphone to date, Samsung S3, is now officially available in 28 countries, including Germany and the UK. US launch is yet to be determined, but Sammy’s executives already been quoted saying their latest and greatest mobile device will go live worldwide “within a month.”

Update2: Samsung has just announced that the Galaxy S III will officially hit all five U.S carriers, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and US Cellular,  in the early days of June, with prices to be around $199 on contract.

[youtube id=”ImDnzJDqsEI”]

[youtube id=”gAh9frGNulY”]

Samsung Introduces the GALAXY S III, the Smartphone

Designed for Humans and Inspired by Nature

Effortlessly smart and intuitively simple,

Samsung GALAXY S III reveals a new concept of smartphone

London, UK-May 3, 2012-Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the third generation GALAXY S, the GALAXY S III. Designed for humans and inspired by nature, the GALAXY S III is a smartphone that recognizes your voice, understands your intention, and lets you share a moment instantly and easily.

This sleek and innovative smartphone has the enhanced intelligence to make everyday life easier. With Samsung GALAXY S III, you can view the content like never before on the device’s 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display. An 8MP camera and a 1.9MP front camera offer users a variety of intelligent camera features and face recognition related options that ensure all moments are captured easily and instantly. Samsung GALAXY S III is powered by Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, with greatly enhanced usability and practicality to make life easier. Packed with intuitive technology, the GALAXY S III delivers a uniquely personalized mobile experience that refuses to be compromised.

“With the GALAXY S III, Samsung has maximized the consumer benefits by integrating superior hardware with enhanced smartphone usability,” said JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung. “Designed to be both effortlessly smart and intuitively simple, the GALAXY S III has been created with our human needs and capabilities in mind. What makes me most proud is that it enables one of the most seamless, natural and human-centric mobile experiences, opening up a new horizon that allows you to live a life extraordinary.”

Introducing Natural Interaction

The GALAXY S III enhances the interaction experience between the device and user. Smart enough to detect your face, voice and motions, the GALAXY S III adapts to the individual user to provide a more convenient and natural experience. With the innovative ‘Smart stay’ feature, the GALAXY S III recognizes how you are using your phone – reading an e-book or browsing the web for instance – by having the front camera identify your eyes; the phone maintains a bright display for continued viewing pleasure.

The GALAXY S III features ‘S Voice,’ the advanced natural language user interface, to listen and respond to your words. In addition to allowing information search and basic device-user communication, S Voice presents powerful functions in regards to device control and commands. When your phone alarm goes off but you need a little extra rest, just tell the GALAXY S III “snooze.” You can also use S Voice to play your favorite songs, turn the volume up or down, send text messages and emails, organize your schedules, or automatically launch the camera and capture a photo.

In addition to recognizing your face and voice, the GALAXY S III understands your motions to offer maximized usability. If you are messaging someone but decide to call them instead, simply lift your phone to your ear and ‘Direct call’ will dial their number. With ‘Smart alert,’ the GALAXY S III will also save you from trouble by catching any missed messages or calls; your phone will vibrate to notify missed statuses when picked up after being idle.

Easy and Instant Sharing
The Samsung GALAXY S III is more than a personal device that can be enjoyed by one user – it wants you to share and experience smartphone benefits with family and friends, regardless of where you are. With the new ‘S Beam,’ the GALAXY S III expands upon Android™ Beam™, allowing a 1GB movie file to be shared within three minutes and a 10MB music file within two seconds by simply touching another GALAXY S III phone, even without a Wi-Fi or cellular signal. The ‘Buddy photo share’ function also allows photos to be easily and simultaneously shared with all your friends pictured in an image directly from the camera or the photo gallery.

With ‘AllShare Cast’, users can wirelessly connect their GALAXY S III to their television to immediately transfer smartphone content onto a larger display. ‘AllShare Play’ can be also used to instantly share any forms of files between GALAXY S III and your tablet, PC, and televisions regardless of the distance between the devices. Under AllShare Play is also the ‘Group Cast’ feature that allows you to share your screen among multiple friends on the same Wi-Fi network; you can make comments and draw changes at the same time with your co-workers, witnessing real-time sharing on your individual device.
Human-centric Design with Uncompromised Performance

The GALAXY S III not only presents features with enhanced usability, but also provides an ergonomic and comfortable experience through its human-centric design. Its comfortable grip, gentle curves, and organic form deliver a rich human-centric feel and design. Inspired by nature, its design concept is the flow and movement of nature. The elements of wind, water and light are all evoked in the physical construct of the GALAXY S III. In its essence, the minimal organic design identity is reflected in the smooth and non-linear lines of the device. Available in Pebble Blue and Marble White at launch, Samsung will introduce a variety of additional color options.

 

With a 4.8″ HD Super AMOLED display, the GALAXY S III offers a large and vivid viewing experience. Samsung Mobile’s heritage Super AMOLED display even enhances to HD and 16:9 wider viewing angles. To ensure faster content sharing and connectivity, the GALAXY S III offers Wi-Fi Channel Bonding which doubles the Wi-Fi bandwidth.

 

The GALAXY S III also sports a range of additional features that boost performance and the overall user experience in entirely new ways. It introduces ‘Pop up play,’ a feature that allows you to play a video anywhere on your screen while simultaneously running other tasks, eliminating the need to close and restart videos when checking new emails or surfing the Web. Its 8MP camera features a zero-lag shutter speed that lets you capture moving objects easily without delay – the image you see is the picture you take. With the ‘Burst shot’ function that instantly captures twenty continuous shots, and the ‘Best photo’ feature that selects the best of eight photographs for you, the GALAXY S III ensures users a more enhanced and memorable camera experience. HD video can be recorded even with the 1.9MP front-facing camera, which you can use to capture a video of yourself. Improved backside illumination further helps to eliminate blur in photos that result from shaking, even under low lights.

 

Mobile payment is also accessible with the device through advanced Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. The gaming experience is enhanced through ‘Game Hub,’ providing access to numerous social games, while Video Hub brings users high quality TV and movies. Furthermore, Samsung Music Hub will offer a personal music streaming service. Game Hub, Video Hub and Music Hub will be introduced in select countries initially and soon rolled out to global markets.

 

The Samsung GALAXY S III will be available from the end of May in Europe before rolling out to other markets globally.

 

For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com.

 

 

Note to Editors:

 

Samsung GALAXY S III Product Specifications

 

 

Network

2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz3G (HSPA+ 21Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz

4G (Dependent on market)

Display

4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED (1280×720) display

OS

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Camera

Main(Rear): 8 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BSI

Sub (Front): 1.9 Mega pixel camera, HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BSI

Video

Codec: MPEG4, H.264, H.263, DivX, DivX3.11, VC-1, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark

Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p)

Audio

Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AC-3, apt-X

Additional

Features

S Beam, Buddy photo share, Share shot

AllShare Play, AllShare Cast

Smart stay, Social tag, Group tag, Face zoom, Face slide show

Direct call, Smart alert, Tap to top, Camera quick access

Pop up play

S Voice

Burst shot & Best photo, Recording snapshot, HDR

Google™ Mobile Services

Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude

Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Movies

Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk,

Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads

Connectivity

WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi HT40

GPS/GLONASS

NFC

Bluetooth® 4.0(LE)

Sensor

Accelerometer, RGB light, Digital compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer

Memory

16/ 32GB User memory (64GB available soon) + microSD slot (up to 64GB)

Dimension

136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm, 133g

Battery

2,100 mAh

* Specifications above may differ on the LTE version.

* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

 

* Android, Google, Android Beam, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude, Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Movies, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads are trademarks of Google Inc.

CES, Mobile, Phones

Why New Breed of 4G Smartphones Emerges at ICES

3 Comments

A new breed of smartphones has emerged at the ICES (International Consumer Electronics Show) recently. In this giant gadget manufacturer meet that was portrayed as an amazing event as per the live reports from the event, a race of smartphones made a mark. This was an event where a lot of gadgets were on display, produced by different manufacturers all round the globe. The gadgets that were put on display in the event ranged everything from the head mounted headphones to a variety of amazing phones and computers.

But the same event also carried some bad and frustrating news for the customers of Sprint and AT&T who established a cutting edge for 4G smartphones in the previous year. So, the real problem vests with the fact that this phone will soon be outdated. When it came to tapping into the all new and faster fourth generation networks, Sprint Nextel and AT&T Mobility were the first two companies to have unveiled some of the first league of smartphones.

This new class of smartphones that emerged at the ICES may be an attempt to stand against its potential contemporaries. Over the time, launching 4G network from Sprint is continuously being talked about. And the talks had been doing rounds since the successful launch of the previous one, way back in 2008. This followed the launch of its premier phone, HTC’s Evo 4G in the preceding year. In the meanwhile, it was AT&T that begun adding the short, impressive yet a powerful word “4G” to almost all its smartphones names recently.

But the progress does not take a backseat here! AT&T and Sprint, two of the largest U.S. cellular carriers are actually working hard to get another 4G system on the front. LTE (Long Term Evolution) will be an additional thing to the two mobile carrier giants. This was made available so that it can compete with the wireless version of Verizon that was launched almost a year back.

If T-Mobile USA is to be believed then it has 4G that stands quite similar to the old 4G service of AT&T but the talks about the plans for the 4G LTE deployment is still pending. It’s unclear how AT&T and Sprint will be able to explain to their customers more on the investments they have made in order to have one of the most talked about technology. This seems unclear also because both AT&T and Sprint have earlier exhausted the usage of 4G in marketing.

Last year, it was at the CES where Verizon hosted two high profile news conferences and also went into operating huge sales promotion booth so that the official launch of its 4G network receives promotion too. On the contrary, things this year appeared different since it was visible how the company managed to keep a low profile at the most talked about event.

AT&T announced eight of the new LTE products at CES that included the smartphones and tablets. Now the first LTE based windows phone better known as Lumia 900 is expected to arrive in March. Before the announcement of the break-up of T-mobile, the first ever 4G LTE phones for AT&T already hit the stores in November, last year.

Sprint at the CES announced three new and amazing gadgets that included Samsung phones, a portable wireless hotspot and Galaxy Nexus that is a product of Samsung & Google partnership. It’s expected that Sprint’s new 4G LTE network will surpass its older versions with the elimination of slower 4G network too.

——————————————————

This is a guest post by Emily Steves, who is associated with various internet security related companies as their freelance and staff writer. She has been linked with some of the best web media companies and offers various ways for internet solutions. She excels in writing articles related to internet security, internet plans, comcast deals, etc. 

Operating Systems, Phones, tablets

Is Ice Cream Sandwich an Apple iOS Threat?

Google’s newest Android operating system version has had experts and users alike sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting impatiently for the Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) to be delivered on mobile devices with all the bells and whistles of the ice cream truck. Users have delayed purchasing new mobile phones and tablets until the new operating confection was available. After all the headlines and the anticipation, does Android 4.0.- finally beat Apple’s iOS?

In some areas and functions, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” In other facets, it’s, well, “not yet.” While Ice Cream Sandwich does make user control of apps easier, animation less jerky and the interface more user-friendly, it can’t yet claim the fame of toppling iOS yet. But it’s getting there, and it’s our opinion that Apple should be getting very, very worried.

Improvements

First, the good news: Many of the Gingerbread snafus, glitches and hang-ups are gone. Smoother operations are the norm with Ice Cream Sandwich. However, there still are a few that we’ll outline below.

The separated, dedicated Function keys permanently resting at the bottom of the screen are tremendous time savers. You want to return Home? Press the key. Want to head back one screen? Press that key. Want terrific apps management? Press that dedicated key. Forget a screen full of icons that you can’t see when surfing or texting or writing a note: The dedicated function keys are offset and separated from the used screen area. They’re always there – unless you deliberately use a full screen operation.

The user interface is a major improvement from Gingerbread (2.3) to Honeycomb (3.0) to Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0). Logical organisation is the key phrase. While there is still a learning curve for new Android users, learning to navigate the device is much simpler and shorter than ever. It’s not quite as intuitive and familiar as Win 7 or as easy as iOS, but it’s a major step up from Android 2.2 Froyo, Android 2.3 Gingerbread or Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

Quirks and Glitches

Alas, while apps are much more easily managed in ICS, many apps don’t work with ICS: The apps are made for Gingerbread; many won’t even download onto an ICS-driven device. Overall, Android apps are much fewer in number than Apple apps, and with the ICS compatibility issue, the Android number just dropped even farther.

The touch controls for apps might be nicer, but the touch controls still have a minute lag that is absent in Apple iOS. It’s better than it used to be, but the lag is still there. Because of that barely noticeable but noticeable delay, Ice Cream Sandwich can seem rather sleepy at times.

Future Possibilities

Android developers are extremely responsive to glitch reports, so much so that Ice Cream Sandwich has moved from the 4.0 original version to 4.0.3 in just a few weeks. It won’t be long at all before Android OS is a true, heads-on competitor with Apple iOS.

Mobile, Phones

Unlocked iPhone 4 Now Available Throughout The States

Apple has officially started selling unlocked iPhone 4 devices through their online US store. And while we’re not exactly sure what that means, iPhone 5 wise, the fourth generation (that only work on AT&T’s 3G network, Stateside) will set you back for $649 (16GB) or $749 (32GB), and the best part – will run without restrictions on a U.S. carrier, whether it’s the black mobile device that you like, or perhaps the relatively new whitish flavor.

[Apple]

Mobile, Phones

Report: iPhone 5 to Start Shipping in September

iPhone 5 may not be available for purchase this coming summer, but according to a Reuters report, delivered by three different people who are well informed about the manufacturing process, the Cupertino legend might start shipping throughout the US somewhere around September, while mass production is rumored to start sometime in early July. We can expect to see and hear more about it in Apple’s WWDC 2011 event which takes place this summer between June 5 and June 9, so stay tuned there is more to come!

Mobile, Operating Systems, Phones, software

Apple Officially Releases iOS 4.3.1, Grab It Now!

Apple has just rolled out a new firmware update for the myriad of iDevices, with the latest release of iOS 4.3.1 which should fix several pesky bugs that users have been experiencing in AV-out, enterprise apps, iPod touch graphics and mobile network connections. The new update is now available for download via iTunes, so hook your stuff and get it done right.

Mobile, Phones

Greenpois0n Untethered Jailbreak for iOS 4.2.1 Officially Released (Update: Verizon iPhone Jailbreak Included)

Looks like the wait is over, fellow readers, now that the Chronic Dev Team Greenpoison hack is finally out and about, to help you jailbreaking iOS 4.2.1 firmware. Now, as some of you may or may not have noticed, this most recent update (RC5 build) is an untethered jailbreak, which of course means you do not need to re-jailbreak if you restart your iDevice. Cool, isn’t it? Well, the good news is that the new software works for both Mac and Windows users. The bad, if you’re willing to take our advice, is that you still need to proceed with caution – and if that’s ok with you then go for it.

Update: If you happen to own a Verizon iPhone and are willing to give it the jailbreak treatment using Greenpois0n’s latest and greatest RC5.4 hacking software, mind you it’s here  – live and kickin’, ready to rock your iOS 4.2.6 devices with some cool Cydia apps, whether you’re a Mac or a PC user.

 

[greenpois0n]

Mobile, Phones

Google’s Nexus S Smartphone Becomes Official, Comes Out December 16th

Google has just finally, officially announced the release of the Nexus S (from Samsung), Mountain View’s next flagship smartphone that was built according to commonly accepted 2010 standards and designed to replace the company’s first-gen HTC Nexus One. So what makes it so exciting, you’re asking? Well, there’s a stunning 4-inch WVGA “contour display” inside, paired with a 5 megapixel camera, 16GB of internal storage, NFC (Near Field Communications), 512MB of RAM, a 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor, and a triband HSPA with AWS support. Besides that, for $199 with a two-year contract or $529 unlocked, you get yourself a three-axis gyroscope, together with a single USB 2.0 port, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a GPS integration, and Google’s latest Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform, already preloaded onboard – Nice! So how do you get one? Starting December 16th, the Nexus S will be available for a purchase (via T-mobile and Best Buy) by anyone who wishes to have it, either online or at one of the local retail stores. Full PR and a pair of videos right after the break.

Update: Looks like Best buy is gearing up to start selling Google’s magical smartphone, the Nexus S, throughout its US retail stores, starting this Thursday, 8AM sharp. Basically, you won’t be able to secure yourself a device (or two) in advance, which means you’ll have to think about the possibility of queuing up for a long long time – and be sure we’re gonna see long ones this time (just a hunch).

Mobile, Operating Systems, Phones

iPhone 3G, 3GS Finally Get iOS 4.2.1 Carrier Unlock

Well guys, the day that iPhone 3G, 3GS users have been waiting for has finally come – Dev Team has just released their latest and greatest PwnageTool 4.1.3 and redsn0w 0.9.6beta5, which provide the first iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak that seamlessly works with carrier unlock support. Regretfully, it will only be useful with a baseband later than 05.13.04, but not to worry, fellow gadgeters, because the hack, that uses the 6.15.00 baseband from iPad firmware 3.2.2, will upgrade your modem during the quick and risky process, and hopefully turn it unlocked. Of course, it is not recommended to do this, only if you’re stuck on 05.14 or 05.15, and you’re willing to accept the risks it entails: no way back, you won’t be able to update again in the 05.xx sequence, warranty problems and inability to make a full stock firmware restore (You’ll need to only restore to custom IPSWs, which is what you’re probably doing right now).  If you’re still into it, after all, please proceed to the Dev-Team link below.

[Dev-Team Blog] 


Communication, Mobile, Operating Systems, Phones

iOS 4.0.1 Now Available For iPhones

As more and more people keep talking about Cupertino’s iphone 4 mobile device and this all antenna reception issues, it seems that Apple, the mother company, is finally realizing the time has come to start doing something about it – the sooner the better. And one of the steps the company has just taken in order to try and extinguish the flames is the new iOS 4.0.1 that Steve Jobs and the rest of his fellows has officially released to the pond (updating iOS4) and that apparently “improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display.” The platform itself is already available for a download via iTunes and supports only iPhone 3G, 3GS, and iPhone 4 machines.

Update: So Apple has urgently called a press conference to speak about the “Antennagate” reception issues and the good news is that everyone, I mean EVERYONE is going to get free bumpers (case) when buying a new iphone device. If you already bought one, just go straight into one of Apple stores next to your house and get a full refund. Here’s what Steve Jobs had to say about it:

“You know, we’re not perfect. We know that, you know that. And phones aren’t perfect either.”

Antenna reception problems are well known in the smartphones world and make a “challenge for the entire industry”

“.. the iPhone 4 drops less than one additional call per 100 than the 3GS. Less than one.”

“A free case for every iPhone 4 buyer.”

Mobile, News, Phones

Apple: 1.7 Million iPhone 4 Devices Sold So Far

The hottest news of the day: Apple is reporting that 1.7 million iphone 4 devices already sold in last three days, since official debut. That’s pretty impressive if you have a moment to think about it. And needless to say, a new world record. Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs said:

“This is the most successful product launch in Apple’s history. Even so, we apologize to those customers who were turned away because we did not have enough supply.”

Update1: Read the PR after the break.

Update2: At that note, the guys at iSuppli claim that Apple’s iPhone 4 costs somewhere around $188 to make.

Continue reading Apple: 1.7 Million iPhone 4 Devices Sold So Far →

Mobile, News, Phones

Apple iPhone 4 is Now Available For Pre-Orders (Update: Sold Out)

Well, hello there! Looks like the iPhone 4 is now up and ready for your pre-orders on Apple’s website. Actually it’s only the black version at the moment, while whitish flavor is set for later this month. Prices are at $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB) in the US (with a 2 years contract), while Britons can get their own piece of mobile craft – SIM FREE – for £499 (16GB) or £599 (32GB). Only two pieces per customer.

Update1: Apparently, Canadian users will be able to buy a SIM FREE iPhone as well, from carriers like Rogers, Bell, or Telus. Way to go Apple!

Update2: And after Apple’s unsteady servers collapsed, turns out that iPhone 4 pre-orders are sold out! both in Apple and AT&T. Next shipping is scheduled for July 2. Here’s AT&T’s official statement:

“Because of the incredible interest in iPhone 4, today was the busiest online sales day in AT&T history. As of Tuesday afternoon, customers who preorder iPhone 4 moving forward will receive their device on June 25 or later, depending on when the order is placed. We’ll email customers with confirmation once their order is placed, and again when it ships. In addition, we will have devices available on a first-come, first-serve basis in our stores beginning on June 24.”

Update3: Apple says that white iPhone 4 devices won’t be available until second half of July due to “proven more challenging to manufacture than expected.” Here’s the official statement:

White models of Apple’s new iPhone® 4 have proven more challenging to manufacture than expected, and as a result they will not be available until the second half of July. The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected.

[Apple]

Media Players, Mobile, News, Phones, Video

iPhone 4 Officially Announced, Due Out June 24th For $199 With 3.5-Inch Retina Display, FaceTime Video Chat And OS4

2 Comments

Apple has just introduced its brand new iPhone 4 at the WWDC 2010 event in San Francisco, CA, with CEO Steve Jobs telling the open-eared crowd “Now, stop me if you’ve already seen this” and adding “This is one of the most beautiful designs you’ve ever seen.” But we’ve already seen it before, due to recent unpleasant leaks, and all that left is for Cupertino to finally make things official.

Basically, the new iPhone 4 is firmly constructed from a stainless steel band, used for structural support and works as dual-antenna, while both front and back are coated with real glass cover. The screen is sized at 3.5-inch, with 960 x 640 points of high resolution (x4 more) and 1:800 contrast ratio – Apple calls it “Retina Display” for its super-sharp display, boasting 326 pixels per inch. The good news is that Apple has apparently added that strong A4 processor it first planted inside the iPad, into the new iPhone. Despite its 9.3mm thick, Apple has somehow managed to stuff up the iPhone 4 with a pretty impressive battery which can literally deliver 7 hours of 3G talk, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music, and up to 300 hours of standby – did we say impressive already? Connectivity wise, you get a 802.11n WiFi, paired with Bluetooth and equipped with GPS capabilities.

Beyond that, one of the things that is talked about a great deal  is the FaceTime video calls feature that Apple has finally tossed into the four-gen iPhone, with future plans to make it an open industry standard. In general, there are two different cameras onboard – the rear one, is at 5 megapixel with a backside illuminated sensor, x5 digital zoom, and a LED flash, featuring 720p HD video recording at 30FPS (Portrait or landscape), while the second is a front facing camera that lets you conduct smooth video calls through your iPhone – the suspense – it can only be made over wifi networks at the moment. At that note we should mention Apple’s new iMovie app that gives any iPhone user the opportunity to edit his/her video content without the need to leave your mobile device in favor of your desktop platform. iMovie is said to be available at the App Store right away for a small $4.99 price tag.

As expected, the new phone is going to run on Apple’s latest OS4 (AKA: iPhone OS 4) that includes all the good stuff we’ve already written about, such as folders, multi-tasking, iBook, iAds and more.

Other than that, the iPhone 4 also houses a microSD slot and a a three-axis gyroscope.

The new iPhone will be available in June 24th, both in white and black flavors, running for $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB), with Pre-orders start a week from tomorrow in 5 countries: US, France, Germany, UK, Japan, and 18 more following in July. The 3GS, on the other hand, will now be $99 only. PR and videos after the break.

[Apple]

Continue reading iPhone 4 Officially Announced, Due Out June 24th For $199 With 3.5-Inch Retina Display, FaceTime Video Chat And OS4 →

Hardware, Mobile, News, Phones

iPhone 4G Chassis and Body Spotted in the Wild Streets of Portugal

Another day, another iPhone 4G update, this time coming from Portugal (yes, Portugal), as the techie guys from iPhone Portgual have managed to obtain some iPhone 4G parts, which apparently include an aluminum chassis mold and a silver body case – both said to be acquired from china for a non-disclosure price. Unfortunately, there’s no way for us to authenticate this leak at the moment, and the possibility of it being a fake job is still there. For the meantime, you’ll have to settle with the pair of videos after the break – watch them and judge for yourself

[via iPhone Portugal]

Continue reading iPhone 4G Chassis and Body Spotted in the Wild Streets of Portugal →

Mobile, News, Phones

iPhone 4G Gets a White Flavor In The Wild

The closer we get to Apple’s Annual WWDC Event on June 7th, the more likely it is that we will see random iPhone 4G photos emerging out of the Asian Savanna, claiming to portray the real next iPhone HD prototypes. Clearly there’s no way to confirm those images at this early stage, but guess what, It won’t take long before we’ll know whether they are real or just a fake. One more image after the break.

[via Apple.pro]

Continue reading iPhone 4G Gets a White Flavor In The Wild →

Hardware, Mobile, News, Phones

Another iPhone 4G Prototype Pops Up In Vietnam, Gets Dissected and Filmed On Video

2 Comments

Another day, another Apple’s fourth-gen iPhone spotted in the wild, this time by the Vietnamese guys from Taoviet.com who’ve managed to purchase a prototype of Cupertino’s future device on the black market for a whopping $4,000. And while Gizmodo’s acquired phone had no capacity numbers behind its back, besides the “XXX” caption, this one, on the other hand, indicates a 16GB of internal storage, housing the usual “Bonfire” testing interface, instead of Apple’s coming OS 4 platform – what a pity. Other than that, it apparently packs the same line of hardware (minus the two external screws) we’ve already seen before with a micro SIM slot stuffed to the right side of the box and these dual silver volume buttons placed to the left, while rear and front-face cameras adorn this “magical” bad boy as well, providing a clear evidence to support future arguments about authentication. Hands-on video after the break.

Update1: The guys at Chipworks claim that the “339S0084” serial number etched on top of the big chip (the one with Apple’s logo) found in Cupertino’s next-gen iPhone during last teardown session, is actually THE Apple A4 chip, fabricated by Samsung as a result of Apple’s design acquisitions of PA Semi and Intrinsity. And if that allegation should be taken seriously, it means that Apple’s fourth generation iPhone will share the same micro-processing capabilities you can find inside the iPad – huzzah!

Update2: We’ve just added two more videos of Apple’s alleged iPhone 4G, posted by the same group of the Vietnamese guys. Check them out after the break.

[via Tinhte]

Continue reading Another iPhone 4G Prototype Pops Up In Vietnam, Gets Dissected and Filmed On Video →

Mobile, Operating Systems, Phones

Installing Android On Your iPhone is Now Possible

1 Comment

So here’s the thing guys, you still have a 2G iPhone and finally want to make a change, something new, refreshing that would literally turn your good old stuff into a current, up-to-date smartphone. Up until now it’s been really difficult to carry out, but today, it’s actually possible. To do so, you’ll need to follow very cautiously a 68 step guide that would walk you through the long and tiresome process which includes the use of an iPhone Explorer to initially copy the Android files, then a stage where you have to turn your desktop into an Ubuntu virtual machine to install the OpeniBoot software, that would eventually create a dual-booting iPhone with iPhone OS and Android 1.6 systems hanging around. Definitely exhausting but hey, users are seldom willing to sacrifice well- established standard technology for a new and “more open” one, even if the latter don’t necessarily promise increased functionality, right? If you’re still in for it, you can checkout the video after the break or the entire guideline frame after frame (at your risk!).

Update1: Looks like David Wang, the guy who wrote the code that enables Android installation on first-gen iPhones, has now managed to go even further and make Google’s magical platform work on Apple 3G devices. Checkout his video demo after the break.

Update2: Apparently, the iPhone 3G port of Android is now available to download for your iPhone 3G devices. At your own risk, you can get in here, grab it and install.  Here’s another good guide how to install it, courtesy of PC World.

[via Android A Lot]

Continue reading Installing Android On Your iPhone is Now Possible →

Hardware, Mobile, Phones

iPhone 4G Gets Dissected For The Masses

1 Comment

Apple has officially filed a claim to receive its lost/stolen gem – and apparently, got it back. But before retaking possession, it looks like Gizmodo guys have managed to put the fourth-gen iPhone through a non-intrusive dismantling process in order to make us believe the gorgeous piece of craft they were holding in their hands is not just another Cupertino knock-off, but the real thing. And judging by their findings, they were probably right on spot. In general, there’s not much info to share at this point (no one wanted to cause further damage to the phone), still we find it fascinating to have a very early opportunity to take a closer look at what we may be seeing take center stage this summer – the iPhone 4G. Regretfully, the juicy parts of Apple’s next phone were hidden well behind a tight metal plate, so for the time being, there is no detailed information about the work of those sections, and it can hardly be expected that significant components will soon be available across the blogsphere (it would be for iFixit guys to unveil them). Still, without a concrete info, one might assume it would probably include this A4 processor (like the iPad’s), paired with the double sized 5.25 WHr at 3.7V battery which we’ve already had a chance to learn about before. One thing’s for sure, it took Giz ages, and between 40 to 50 screws to be able to open this crank, so pay them a courtesy visit to see more of this brat.

[via Gizmodo]

Media Players, Mobile, News, Phones

Apple’s Next Real iPhone 4G Images Revealed

3 Comments

It was just a matter of time before someone would act on the unthinkable and nab Apple’s fourth-generation iPhone prototype, few months before its time. And the one missing piece, reported by Apple to be lost (or stolen), has found its way to Gizmodo that took photos from every possible direction, examined and even shot some videos – and if they were to be real (and we have no way to verify them at this stage), they sure look amazing. On the positive side, the new phone does show up in iTunes, Xcode, and System Profiler, not to mention the original Apple components found inside. Regretfully, it wasn’t possible to activate the device itself and get impressions of how the pre-loaded OS4 actually works – someone remotely destroyed it before Gizmodo guys first started tackling with it. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of detail to suggest this device is the real deal and not just a hoax.

For the time being we’d settle with the exterior, which unveils a thinner device version compared to the iPhone 3GS, but at the same time 3 grams heavier, thanks to a 5.25 WHr at 3.7V battery which is 16 percent larger than the one you’ll find inside the predecessor. Other than that, the 4G prototype (AKA: iPhone HD) boasts a front-facing camera and a bigger back camera tucked with a flash kit, while screen size remains unknown at this point but said to deliver higher resolution – about 960×640 if you really must know (3GS’s stands at 320 x 480 only). Besides that it packs a second mic for noise cancellation, dual volume buttons to the left and a Micro-SIM slot, similar to the one included in the iPad, placed to the right side of the box. Next, we have the flat back surface that appears to boast either glass or ceramic coat (instead of the 3GS’s rounded plastic cap) and a lavish Aluminum stripe surrounding the elegant squarish edges of Apple’s new phone. Storage capacity is yet to be determined, as etched caption indicates “XX” at the back of this premature model. Hit the break to check Giz hands-on video or go through the link for plenty more additional shots. You can also check out the list of 29 things we personally think that Apple should add to its coming four-gen iPhone.

Update1: Apparently it’s the real deal and the prototype has been confirmed to be original Apple device, lost by one of its talented iPhone Baseband software engineers, 27 years old Gray Powell, who lost the phone on the night of March 18, at Gourmet Haus Staudt, a nice German beer garden in Redwood City, California. The person who found the desirable gadget handed it over to another person and weeks later Gizmodo acquired it for an undisclosed price (rumors say that Gawker, the mother company of the tech blog paid either $10,000 or $5,000 plus percentage from revenues).

Update2: Apple’s legal department has filed a claim to receive the lost iPhone 4G , and Gizmodo guys now say they’ve handed it over, back to the place it really belongs.  End of chapter 1.

[via Gizmodo]

Continue reading Apple’s Next Real iPhone 4G Images Revealed →

Events, Mobile, News, Operating Systems, Phones

iPhone OS 4 Announced, Adds Multitasking, In Apps Ads, Folders, and More To The iPhone

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The iPhone OS 4.0 event we’ve all been anxiously awaiting, just ended with Apple delivering some striking news to the world. But before getting to those shocking news we just heard, here’s some other details that might be worth considering: As of today Apple sold about 450,000 iPads throughout the States (along 50M iPhone devices), while users have downloaded about 600,000 books and over 3.5 million apps, thus far. The iPhone OS 4 which suppose to get official release this summer, is said to provide more than 1500 new APIs for developers, who can now actually download the fourth SDK Beta package from the iPhone Dev Center, and start shaping their magical crafts.

Moving the focus point over the main buffet, it’s all about the multitasking (Finally!). Yes, you’ve heard that right folks, Apple’s OS 4 is said to include multitasking (…and I’ll repeat myself again: ‘multitasking’). Of course it will work if you have an iPhone 3GS in your bag. Earlier devices, according to Jobs, amongst you’ll find “The iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2nd generation will run “many things”, but they will not get multitasking”.  In that note, Apple says it’d actually provide seven multitasking services including: background audio streaming like Pandora playing music all day long without the need to be stopped, Voice over IP apps like Skype taking calls even when you browse, background GPS and location apps, push and local notifications, task completion like Flickr image uploaded i background, and last but not least, fast app switching – all to be safely activated without the worry of battery draining.

Next in line is the new form of Folders, which aims to organize, and make sense out of the dispersed field of applications. With iPhone OS 4, users are said to be able to drag and drop apps onto one another to create folders, that from now on can hold up to 2160 apps instead of 180 apps you used to see over 11 pages.

Cupertino is also pushing forward today the Unified Inbox function, which gathers multiple email accounts (like MobileMe, Yahoo, Gmail, etc) into one single box, and thus eliminates the need to jump from one window to another. Apple has also enabled in this session the possibility of getting third-party email attachments straight into your phones – Yay, attachments are on!

iBooks gets to the iPhone OS 4 as well, with Apple taking advantage of recent iPad e-book galore.

Gaming Center. Another big news, especially for the gamer geeks between us. With Apple, building a social iPhone gaming network, which basically allows you to challenge your friends, compare achievements, leaderboards, match making  and more. In other words, it’s like the Xbox Live, but for the iPhones.

iAds. Suddenly everything that starts with the letter “i” is an Apple related product, eh? But seriously now, it was Steve Jobs who was quoted saying that free apps “Developers need to find a way to start making their money”… so far so good, but how? Apparently, Apple will sell interactive in-apps mobile ads, that everyone can create, not only ad agencies but also iPhone app developers that will split revenues with Apple (60/40) in exchange for selling and hosting their ads. Apple is said to use HTML 5 format to create those ads – interesting!

More coming up  features to include: Home screen wallpaper installation, Bluetooth keyboard support, 5x digital zoom, Spell check like in iPads, Playlist creation, Map overlays, Video playback and capture, and more.

So this is it guys, it’s huge and in some parts very surprising. A short multi-tasking OS 4 hands-on video is just after the break and you can also watch the full iPhone OS 4 keynote event on video on Apple’s website right here.

Update: Full PR announcement after the break.

Continue reading iPhone OS 4 Announced, Adds Multitasking, In Apps Ads, Folders, and More To The iPhone →

Media Players, Mobile, News, Phones, software

Untethered Jailbreak For iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch and iPad Devices Is Possible

Word on the street is that Geohot, the guy that makes Apple challenges look like kids game, has finally managed to jailbreak Cupertino’s latest iPhone and iPod Touch versions. In other words, new machines such as iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 2G/3G and even iPad slates, are now said to be available for a jailbreaked, based on a software hack he’s about to release, and without the need of tethering. In his blog, Geohot says:

“The jailbreak is all software based, and is as simple to use as blackra1n. It is completely untethered, works on all current tethered models(ipt2, 3gs, ipt3), and will probably work on iPad too.”

And considering his record, it would be hard not to believe. See the video for yourselves, after the break

[Geohot]

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Mobile, News, Phones

Apple To Start Selling Unlocked iPhones In the US

Big news for all of you Apple fanboys out there, as we now get to hear across the blogsphere that Apple is finally about to offer unlocked iphones – yes, you’ve heard that right, free, open, no contract attached – you name it. The list of iPhone devices that people will be able to pick up immediately and pay-to-go includes the $499 3G model, $599 16GB 3GS or $699 32GB 3GS, at your choice, courtesy of Mountain View, California and the latest greatest Nexus One (competition, you know). Stay tuned for more to come.

Update1: The guys at Gizmodo have managed to get the official internal doc that confirms the rumors. Check it out after the break.

Update2: Reports are very confusing. Apparently, there wasn’t enough reason to party at this point and the bottom line is that iPhone devices are still locked to AT&T when you buy them in the US. Bummer!

[via 9 to 5 Mac]

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Applications, Games, Mobile, Phones

21 Amazingly Free iPhone and iPod Touch Games

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Mobile gaming is still in primeval stages – that’s unquestionable – but the foreseeable future is likely to be promising. In a rapidly growing market with over 20,000 iPhone and iPod Touch games available on Apple’s App Store, it’s not that hard guessing this is just a matter of time until portable games will start dominating our very own smartphones while overpowering desktop platforms. Especially now, when Cupertino teams up with more developing companies and Redmond that finally joins the party with Windows Phone 7 Series which suppose to integrate Xbox Live architecture in Microsoft’s coming machines. Still, it would probably take some time until substantial changes will eventually become real  – a year or two in our humble opinion. Anyway, ’till then, if you already play games on iPhones or iPod touch players, but  feel short in cash to start funding all those neat apps that show up in big numbers, every day and after, here’s a list of twenty one games, free of charge, for you to download. Please feel free to add your favorite “cost-nothing” apps, down in the commenting section.

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Games, Mobile, News, Phones, Video

iPhone 3GS VS Nexus One, Who Has The Best Video 3D Rates?

Are you eager to replace your old crappy mobile device with a brand new multi-touch compatible smartphone? If you do, and already considered buying either Apple’s iPhone 3GS or Google’s Nexus one, then get this – according to a 3D frame rate video test initiated by the guys at Distinctive Developments, it appears that Cupertino’s iPhone device achieved better results than Mountain View’s latest mobile hit. The test, which included a series of finger pinching gestures, has indicated that iPhone 3GS received an average of 30 frame rates per second, while Nexus one has managed to get only 20-21 rates for that same video segment. The reason for that gap between the two is due to the lack of use of Neon floating-point optimization in the Nexus One. You can see it for yourself right after the break, in hope that someone in Google would take things into consideration and make the essential changes.

Update: It was brought to our attention that Nexus One supports a 800 x 480 screen resolution which is bigger than iPhone’s 480×320. However, in their test DD guys actually changed the Nexus One viewport size to match the iPhone’s 480×320, and by doing that they received a frame-rate improvement from 30fps to 40fps. Still, with 8 characters on screen there was no difference; with the frame-rate remaining the same at 21fps.

[via phonesreview]

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Mobile, News, Phones

Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series Announced, Due Out This Holidays Season

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It’s hot at the Mobile World Congress 2010, in Barcelona, as Microsoft officially unveils its latest and probably biggest Windows Phone 7 series, a new and pretentious Windows Mobile rendition, identical to all carriers and future device brands, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon architecture onboard, handling smoothly the featured (unsized) capacitive touchscreens, built into those dev demo prototype phones. Basically, it’s a a whole new mobile system Redmond has literally built from the scratch and tweaked to be used on mobile machines in a way that you’ve never seen before. True, it would likely take time to get used to the 7 series, but its harmonic look and feel is surprisingly refreshing and conveniently flows. Yes, if you had this “deja vu” feeling of a Zune HD interface control, you’re probably not alone, but Microsoft has taken it few steps forward and created more in-depth platform with many new features like Xbox Live integration, social networking interaction, myriad of apps and widgets installed. “Every Windows series phone will be a Zune”, that’s what we’ve been told, and synchronizing your handheld  music with PC computers is claimed to be very easy and simple to work.

The home screen itself includes dynamic vertical tiles, with customizable shortcut links to variant apps, contacts and other in-house modes, designed in a way you can flip them down from head to toe, but also pan left and right to sub-directories and other hidden rows. It boasts that same big and bold Zune HD  text style, which relatively changes and gets magnified the moment you slide the screen and start to scroll. And navigating between the menus makes you realize that Microsoft completely revamped the OS code, making it concentrate in four major segments: People, Games, Pictures, Music plus Video hub homes. Each hub is an independent unit that’s responsible for different tasks, where you can watch and share your personal stuff (images/videos) via hub or cloud,when it comes to ‘pictures’ window, or in other case connect with friends and get updates from family/other contacts through social media services in the ‘People’ spot and the most fascinating thing – play Xbox LIVE games, create avatars, and profiles, at the ‘Games’ area zone – Cool. At the end of the day it’s a new platform that suppose to serve our next-gen phones, so naturally it would also include a non-supportive Adobe flash Internet Exploder browser and Outlook email app to handle mails on the go. Oh, and don’t forget, there’s a dialing phone somewhere inside.

Hardware wise, Microsoft mobile phones will include 3 buttons each: Start, Search and Back, while capacitive displays will have 4-points multi-touch compatibility, with flipping, panning and pinch to zoom gestures support. As mentioned, Microsoft has partnered with Qualcomm, which means we’re likely to see Arm Snapdragon chipset, tossed inside the bowel.

Microsoft as you may know, teamed up with worldwide carriers like AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, while manufacturers partnerships include Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC, HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm.

It would probably take time to realize whether Windows 7 series is a game changer or not, but we’re glad to see that Microsoft is finally raising the mobile OS bar and placing it in a whole new and distinguished level that would likely make many people across this realm start scratching their heads and rearrange their thoughts. When will this crazy and exciting software go out and hit the roads? I guess you’ll have to be patient here and wait ’till it gets to the market somewhere around the end of the year, right next to holidays madness season days.

Update: We’ve added the full hands-on walkthrough video, right after the break. A bit long but definitely worth a try.

Continue reading Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series Announced, Due Out This Holidays Season →

Operating Systems, Phones, software

Google Nexus One Update Is Over-the-air, Brings Google Goggles, Maps And Multitouch Capabilities Into The Phone

[tweetmeme]

The mystery behind Nexus One’s multitouch disparity between Europe and the US is finally about to end, as Google reports in its blog, suggesting imminent roll out of a software update, specifically tailored for the Nexus One and which apparently boasts some major add-ons inside, amongst you’ll find Google Goggle app that lets you take pictures through the integrated webcam and then generate search results about them, improved version of Google Maps with a special night mode and useful suggestions, general fix of 3G connectivity and last but probably the most important one, multitouch support, that would likely offer “a new pinch-to-zoom mechanism in the phone’s Browser, Gallery and Maps applications”. In case you were wondering about the timing of this update, here’s Google official statement, given to ReadWriteWeb:

Looking around the mobile industry, from Apple to Palm to HTC and Motorola – it’s clear that pinch-to-zoom technology has become a standard and popular way for users to interact with their mobile phones. Likewise, Android users can now truly benefit from this capability with the availability of Android 2.1, which powers a new class of devices with larger touchscreens and more interactive features. Unlike past devices, these phones have the processing power to deliver pinch-to-zoom, while still providing a great user experience. Based on these new capabilities and numerous requests from Android users, we decided to provide pinch-to-zoom capabilities with this new over-the-air software update for Nexus One devices.

Update: We’ve added a video that shows Nexus One new features in action, check it out after the break.

[Google]

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Media Players, Operating Systems, Phones, software

iPhone OS 3.1.3 Goes Live

Apple just issued iPhone/iPod Touch OS 3.1.3, available on your iTunes right away, offering bug fixes to some of the few problems users were moaning about like improved battery level indicator, or third-party applications that failed to launch in some of the occasions. Other issues this update resolves include a Japanese Kana keyboard fix and security breaches related to CoreAudio, ImageIO, Recovery Mode and WebKit.

Update: And those of you, Mac OS X users, who’ve been patiently waiting for a hack ‘n crack to go out, it appears like Dev-Team‘s new Pwnage jailbreaking tool is now officially up and ready to grab. As usual, proceed with caution.

Applications, Computers, Media Players, Mobile, Phones

iPad UI Now Available On iPhone And iPod Touch Devices

Have you heard the joke that claims you can turn your iPhone into an iPad once looking at the screen from close range? Well, you don’t really need to, that of course in case you have jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch machines at your disposal. But even if you don’t, just think about it, the idea of carrying at the back of your pocket a mobile device that packs iPad capabilities like 3D interface, iBook reader, neat photo display or other cool functions sounds pretty cool, isn’t it? If so, maybe you’d like try it yourself, after all, getting it is as simple as taking your favorite vanilla cookie out of the jar, just get into Cydia app store and look for the “Simple iPad Theme”, exactly as shown in the video, step-by-step, right after the break.

[via PMPtoday]

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Applications, Mobile, News, Operating Systems, Phones

Google's Nexus One Officially Announced With Android 2.1 Preloaded Inside

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So Google has finally launched the most anticipated Nexus One, and if you happen to live in one of the following 4 countries – the US, UK, Singapore or Hong Kong – you can get it right away from Google’s website, priced at $529.99 without a contract or merely $179 including a T-Mobile two year plan (in the US). Other people will have to wait at least until Spring 2010, when it believes that Google will be adding more countries to its smartphone lineup. The phone itself is an HTC brand, coming with a 3.7-inch 800×480 AMOLED display, which regretfully doesn’t support multi-touch at the moment, although Google says it’s not an hardware issue but a software tweak and it’d consider adding screen gestures capabilities in the future. Besides that, you get a fast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor,paired with a 5 megapixels camera including an integrated LED flash that can shoot MPEG-4 video and have it uploaded directly to Youtube. Additionally, this 11.5mm thick device has a built-in compass, GPS, WiFi, A2DP stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone jack, a multicolored LED under the trackball, an accelerometer for landscape view and two mics, positioned on front, for complete noise cancellation. It runs all common frequencies and compatible with HSDPA 7.2Mbps, UMTS Band 1/4/8 (2100/AWS/900), HSUPA 2Mbps and of course, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). The 1400mAH battery inside is claimed to provide 5 hours of 3G browsing and 7 hours of 3G talk time, while storage wise, you receive only 512MB of internal flash along with a 4GB micro SD card, expandable up to 32GB. See the full specs here.

Moving forward with the details, the Nexus One packs Google’s “latest greatest” Android 2.1 platform – also known as Eclair – which crams some nifty stuff inside, like the voice recognition feature that works throughout the entire UI and activates almost any feature in the phone. That way, you can use your voice to write SMS messages and notes (speech-to-text), or tell the Google Earth search engine where should it go. Other than that, Google has implemented a Cooliris technology into the Nexus One gallery app, so you get 3D visualization whenever looking at images in landscape mode. It has a lot of widgets to offer, such as weather and news RSS, and the smartphone’s homescreen customization is interactive and houses 5 panels to store your apps and shortcuts. Stay tuned. Video is right after the break.

Update1: And looks like Adobe is now jumping on Google’s bandwagon by demoing its Flash 10.1 beta on a Nexus One superphone. Check it out after the break.

Update2: Well, what do you know, the European version of Nexus One, apparently supports multitouch capabilities out-of-the-box, while US devices don’t. We’re not so sure why, but as someone suggested, the trigger for the abyssal differences might be the fact that Apple has a US Patent on multitouch which doesn’t apply on European countries. Maybe. Google says it’s carefully reviewing this issue at the moment.

Update3: Different from what has been reported, Google’s Nexus One seems to be incompatible with “n” draft wireless connectivityand official specs state it supports only 802.11b/g WiFi frequencies. We’ll have more about this soon.

Update4: You knew it had to happen sooner or later, did you? No? then get this – iFixit guys have taken Google’s Nexus One on a mission and disassembled it into small pieces of technology craft. See the results here and after the break.

Update5: We’ve added two more stunning videos right after the break, in which you can watch Nexus One’s manufacturing process with stress tests such as bending, slamming, dropping, and cracking, all over the place. A must see creation!

Update6: Turns out Google now has live person phone support in case your Nexus One has problems that need to be solved. It’s 888-48NEXUS (63987) and said to work from 07:00am to 10:00pm PST. Right now the line will handle only status and shipping issues while tech problems can find answer via Google’s support forums, FAQs pages, email support and HTC/ T-Mobile customer care departments.

Continue reading Google's Nexus One Officially Announced With Android 2.1 Preloaded Inside →

Audio, Mobile, News, Phones

iPhone Officially Goes Live In Israel, Sales Go Very Slow

At last, after long expectations and some high hurdles standing in the way, Apple’s mobile star – the iPhone – finally lands in Israel and gets official across the state. It’s been over a month since we first started guessing about potential debut dates, optional packages and probable prices to be set. Back than it was just rumors, now it’s for real. Official release started exactly on midnight, December 10th, with both Pelephone and Cellcom organizing a huge event, while Orange deciding to go with a more restrained release, the day after.

Pelephone was the first company to officially publish their iPhone prices – fair or terribly expensive, it’s up to you to decide:

First package: includes an 18 month obligation with a monthly fee of 299NIS that includes 250 minutes of talk, 250 SMS messages, and 10GB data. The iPhones will cost in this package as follows: iPhone 3G 8GB 399NIS (one time fee), iPhone 3GS 16GB 799NIS and finally, iPhone 3GS 32GB will run for 1199NIS.

Second Package: Same as first package, includes an 18 month obligation, this time with a monthly fee of 349NIS that includes 300 minutes of talk, 300 SMS messages, and 10GB data. The iPhones will cost in this package as follows: iPhone 3G 8GB FREE,  iPhone 3GS 16GB 399NIS and finally, iPhone 3GS 32GB will run for 799NIS. Sells will start at the night between the 9th and the 10th of December, while first buyers are claimed to received some cool freebies. Checkout the table after the break (courtesy of Calcalist).

Turns out if you don’t want to get into a package and commit yourself to a cellular company for 18 months, you can buy the iPhone “on the go” (without any obligation) in the following prices: iPhone 3G 8GB at 2625NIS, iPhone 3GS 16GB for 3150 and iPhone 3GS 32GB will cost you in Pelephone 3675.

Orange came second to release the iPhone prices, and it seems their packages are more reasonable for average mobile users (despite the poor data capacities). For example, a monthly fee of 159NIS package will buy you 100 minutes of talk, 50 SMS messages, and 30MB data. Other alternative that Orange offers is “Air Time” packages which let you buy a monthly talking time for a fixed price. For example, 169NIS will give you 200 minutes to speak with your friends and family, send 200 SMS/MMS messages and consume 250MB of data. The third option that Orange has published is the “Fix Price” packages with permanent 19.9NIS fee fee and prices that start at 81.3NIS for 36 months for those who will take the iPhone 3G and up to 113.8NIS in the next 3 years, in case you decide to buy the iPgone 3GS 32GB edition. For more details about the packages hit the break and see the charts.

Cellcom was the last company to release the iPhone prices, among the three. Their first package includes a 249NIS monthly fee that will get you 300 minutes of talk, 250 SMS messages, and 1GB data. In this package iPhones will cost you 799NIS (iPhone 3G), 1299NIS (iPhone 3GS 16GB) and 1699NIS (iPhone 3GS 32GB). The second package is priced at 349NIS per month and includes 400 minutes of talk, 500 SMS messages, and 1GB data. In this package iPhone devices will cost you 399NIS (iPhone 3G), 799NIS (iPhone 3GS 16GB) and 1299NIS (iPhone 3GS 32GB). All packages involve 18 months contract and you can get the unlimited data for extra 60NIS a month. More details and upgrade plans are now available in Cellcom’s website.

Update: We’ve just added some photos, taken today while we were touring for iphone queues. So far haven’t found any. Last 2 images are courtesy of iPhones.co.il, while previous two came from Cellcom’s PR.

apple-iphone3gs

Continue reading iPhone Officially Goes Live In Israel, Sales Go Very Slow →