AT&T still certifying Jelly Bean for HTC One X

There is often new versions of the Android firmware released by handset manufacturers that take a while to reach all end users, and that is certainly the case for HTC One X owners that are also customers of US carrier AT&T. The wait for the Jelly Bean update goes on as the carrier is still certifying the software.

HTC first released the Jelly Bean OS back in October of last year and since then a number of carriers around the world have rolled out the new operating system to the One X, but customers of AT&T are still waiting. The HTC One X was the company’s flagship smartphone until the recent launch of the One, which is obviously coming with Jelly Bean straight from the box.
An AT&T support thread is growing in size daily with frustrated customers of the carrier wondering when their handset will be getting access to the later version of the Android OS, but no date has been given so far. A Support manager has said the company is still going through the process of certifying the software for the HTC One X, but you have to wonder why the process is taking so long.
Obviously the carrier will be adding its own features and skins to the Jelly Bean operating system, and testing that everything works as it should. While users won’t want the software released with a number of bugs or glitches, but it does seem to be taking ages.
Some users have questioned if it’s a ploy by the company so owners of the HTC One X will simply purchase a later handset, but many will be locked into a contract so this won’t be a possibility. Others have suggested going down the road of rooting their device and installing a custom Jelly Bean ROM, but this will invalidate the handsets warranty and not everyone is comfortable with the process to achieve this.
One of the main criticisms is the fact that no timeframe has been given for the updates arrival, but AT&T’s argument is that they wouldn’t want to announce a date only to see it pushed back. You would have thought though they could give at least a rough estimate for a release date.
Have you given up worrying about the release of the Jelly Bean update on the AT&T HTC One X?

HTC One release news for India, growing market

The HTC One is definitely one of the hottest smartphones of the moment and here at Phones Review we’ve greeted this phone with a lot of enthusiasm. There’s a huge amount of interest in this device, which was officially announced last week and is due for release in some regions in March, with other regions to follow. For our many readers in India we now have some news for you about the HTC One release there and also the price of this very desirable phone.

There’s also news that HTC recognizes the growing importance of the Indian smartphone market with Faisal Siddiqui of HTC India stating that India is now one of the top markets for the company. Not only does HTC say that India is one of its top 5 markets but it seems that the potential is there for India to rise to one of its top 3 markets.
HTC says that the HTC One will release there from April although there’s no specific launch date yet. Pricing will be between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 45,000 and we should remember that this is a very high-end device. Specs include a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, a 4.7-inch Super LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and hugely impressive 469ppi, 2GB of RAM and options of 32 or 64GB of internal storage (non-expandable).
The HTC One also has an UltraPixel camera with 1080p video capture and a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera and it runs on the Android Jelly Bean operating system. You may be interested in our recent look at the Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One if you want to see more details on the phone, or alternatively a comparison of the Xperia Z and HTC One.
HTC also spoke of its plans to launch a massive campaign for the HTC One in India with in-mail activation so you will be able to keep track of further developments. If you’re in India are you pleased to hear that the HTC One will release there in April? What are your thoughts on the pricing of this phone? Let us have your comments.

Nexus 4 & Nokia Lumia 920 prices for Vodafone Romania

Vodafone Romania is now offering the Nexus 4 and Nokia Lumia 920, it also seems in the future the BlackBerry Z10, HTC One and Sony Xperia Z will be up for offer in the near future as well. However, today we will concentrate on the prices for the LG and Nokia smartphones in Romania.

The Nexus 4 can now be purchased for 169 Euros and this will be on the 1.5 GB Mega 25 option on a 2-year contract, the Nokia Lumia 920 is also up for grabs on the 1.5 GB Mega 25 option and same contract for 249 Euros.
These are 2 of the most sought after handsets and with the Nexus 4 featuring Android Jelly Bean, 1.5GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, 4.7-inch display and an 8MP camera, this is a great smartphone. The Nokia Lumia 920 runs on Windows Phone 8 and features a 1.5 GHz Dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon CPU, also has a 8MP camera, these are stunning mobile phones.
Please do let us know if you are considering buying the LG Nexus 4 or the Nokia Lumia 920 via Vodafone Romania?

Samsung’s Android takeover supposedly concerning Google

In the last year or so it seems that Samsung is taking over the Android smartphone world with the release of a number of flagship handsets that have grown in popularity each year. Now there are reports that are claiming Google is getting concerned by the apparent Android takeover of Samsung.

Sales of the last year’s Samsung Galaxy S3 and other handsets in the S range have gone through the roof and the anticipation for the release of the Galaxy S4 is at an all time high for an Android smartphone, and according to the Wall Street Journal Google is worried how Samsung is beginning to overshadow the rest of the Android market.
Samsung enjoyed 39.6 percent of the smartphone market around the world last year, with a majority of these devices running Android with other manufacturers such as HTC seeing sales decline recently.
Google is said to be concerned that if Samsung gets too big it may start demanding more online advertising revenue from what the company is making for the search engine giant. If down the line Google doesn’t provide Samsung with a reasonable offer the fear is that Samsung could provide their own operating system, whether it’s their own version of Android in a similar way to the Amazon Kindle tablets, or focus on the Tizen OS.
The Android platform makes Google money by using services such as Google Play, and YouTube but if Samsung took the same route as Amazon has with Android, revenue from these services would drop.
Google’s acquisition of Motorola may be the company’s way of covering its bases for this happening, and the two companies are reportedly working on a handset that will be a worthy alternative to anything that Samsung has to offer.
Surely though Google will want to keep Samsung on board as the company is selling a lot of handsets, which in turn generates a healthy income for Google.
Do you think Google needs to worry about the market share of Samsung?

Anymode travels to the 2013 Mobile World Congress, Barcelona

The annual Mobile World Congress begun yesterday, and for those planning to attend, make sure you stop by the Anymode stand. Presenting their finest accessories and gadgets, Anymode will be showcasing their most innovative products yet.

Social media is continuing to take the digital world by storm and with posting, sharing and uploading so readily available, our mobile phones serve a multiple purpose. Our devices have become part of our personality; reflecting our identity and intregrating dispositions onto our online profiles. As the MWC begins, Anymode will prepare the finest show of leading accessories for technology fans around the world. Exhibiting their latest accessories, Anymode’s accessories are specifically designed for convenience and created to cater for individual preferences.
Amongst the exhibit, guests will be able to sample some of their most notable accessories. This includes their first IP54 certified Tablet Case for Samsung Tablet’s, a Wireless Samsung Charger and a Sonic Speaker System. For those who are looking to find new accessories for the iPhone 5, Anymode are proud to present their range of protective cases, support stands and wireless gadgets.
The COO, Chief Designer and Managing Partner will be available to take appointments and talk through all their products. They will be based in Hall 1, Stand Number: 1EMR.B7.

Piper Alderman announces class action against Vodafone

Law firm Piper Alderman has announced plans to proceed with a class action against Vodafone. The action relates to Vodafone customers experiencing calls dropping out, reception issues, weak data and Internet performance and poor customer service in 2010 and 2011.

Sasha Ivantsoff, the partner leading the action for Piper Alderman said: “We know of a doctor who couldn’t receive calls in the hospital, a mother who couldn’t contact her child’s day care centre and people who have had their credit rating unfairly tarnished by Vodafone. We believe consumers have overpaid for services that were not provided, or were misled into signing contracts with Vodafone when there was no mobile coverage in their area. We ask anyone who has experienced issues with their Vodafone service to sign up for our action by visiting www.piperalderman.com.au.”
No single claim against Vodafone is big enough to warrant its own legal action, so Piper Alderman and LCM Litigation Fund (“LCM”) will group thousands of small claims together into one action. Patrick Coope, the Managing Director of LCM, said: “Listening to the experiences people have had with Vodafone I’m pleased to support this action so class members can participate on a no-win no-fee basis. Vodafone customers were unable to make or receive calls in areas that should have coverage like metropolitan airports and the CBD. Vodafone has publically admitted to these faults and accepted that they responded inadequately to the complaints and concerns of their customers. While their customers appreciate the acknowledgement, it comes far too late for many people who have suffered as a direct result of Vodafone’s failure to provide them with the services they signed up for. “
Since first announcing their intention to build the class action in December 2010, Piper Alderman has received more than 23,000 registrations of interest to participate from Vodafone contract holders. It is not too late to join the class and those interested may do so by visiting piperalderman.com.au.
Piper Alderman aims to file the claim against Vodafone within three months. Complaints range from losses sustained by small businesses to the inability to make calls during times of emergency. The claim will focus on Vodafone’s misleading and deceptive conduct and other breaches of the Australian Consumer Law. Evidence will centre on dropped calls, reception issues and poor data performance experienced by millions of Vodafone, 3 and Crazy Johns customers.

iPhone 5 vs Huawei Ascend P2, review of specs compared

There are two smartphones that are very close in the specs corner, and they are the iPhone 5 and the Ascend P2. It is fair to say that Apple and Huawei will be rivals. Below we will take a quick look at the iPhone 5 vs Huawei Ascend P2 review of specs compared.

Earlier on today we gave you the full run down on specs for the Huawei Ascend P2 and this is one of the closest handsets that can go side-by-side with the iPhone 5 in the way of specifications.
The iPhone 5 is 7.6mm and the Huawei Ascend P2 is a little thicker at 8.4mm, the rest of the specs are as follows with the first being iPhone 5 and the second being the Huawei Ascend P2; 4-inch LCD / 4.7-inch LCD, 1136 × 640 pixels / 1280 x 720 pixels, when it comes to built-in storage the iPhone 5 has 16/32/64GB versions and the Ascend P2 only has 16GB, one runs on iOS 6 and the other runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.
The iPhone 5 has a 1.2 GHz Dual-core A6X processor and the Ascend P2 has a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor, this means the Huawei is faster. Both handsets have 1GB RAM. On the camera from the Apple smartphone has 8MP on the rear and 1.2MP on the front compared to 13MP and 1.3MP, looking good for the Huawei Ascend P2 so far.
iPhone 5 – Huawei Ascend P2 (Specs Respective): 1440mAh compared to 2420mAh, Lightning connector charger / Micro USB, the sound on the P2 will be better thanks to the Dolby Mobile Plus sound enhancement, the P2 has 315 ppi and the iPhone has a marginally better 326 ppi.
The screen is easier to use on the P2 if you are wearing gloves, if you purchase both phone off contract then the Huawei Ascend P2 is cheaper at €399 unlocked, the P2 will not be available for those in the US. This is the case of “Do you want a great phone on Android or iOS?” both are great smartphones but specs wise the P2 just pips it.
Would you choose the Huawei Ascend P2 over the iPhone 5?

Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE online pricing with Virgin Mobile

It was back in September that the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE smartphone was announced for Sprint and this very decent mid-range handset soon won plenty of fans. Now we have heard that those who prefer the pre-paid route will be able to obtain the phone through Virgin Mobile, launching with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. This also suggests the Jelly Bean update could soon be pushed to the Sprint variety of the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE.

Many consumers prefer the hassle-free option of buying a phone and not having to be tied down to a two-year contract and Virgin Mobile has already begun selling the Galaxy Victory 4G LTE online and will also start offering it in-store from mid-March. As a brief reminder of specs we can tell you that the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE has a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core processor, 4-inch display with resolution of 800 x 480 and 233 ppi, 1GB of RAM and internal storage of 4GB, expandable to 32GB via microSD.
Other specs for the Galaxy Victory include a 5-megapixel rear camera, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, NFC, Bluetooth version 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and a 2100 mAh battery and it will run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box, whereas the Galaxy Victory for Sprint launched on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This could signify that a Jelly Bean update may be rolled out some time soon for the Galaxy Victory on Sprint.
The price of the phone with no contract from Virgin Mobile is $299.99 (without taxes) and Virgin Mobile’s unlimited data and messaging plans cost from $35 per month and you can find out more or order the Galaxy Victory 4G LTE at Virgin Mobile online here.
We’d really like to know your thoughts about the Galaxy Victory 4G LTE being available for Virgin Mobile? Does this sound like a reasonable deal for the phone?

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 4G Android 4.1.2 XXDMB2 Root

Not so long ago the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 4G model N7105 had its XXDMB2 Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean firmware release, when users installed this new firmware it removed all root access, which left you performing the root access all over again so that it would allow apps to run that asked root permission.

You can now root XXDMB2 Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean firmware on your Galaxy Note 2 4G on XXDMB2 Android 4.1.2 updated from Samsung KIES or you can try a new manual firmware installation.
Just so you know this will flash a little .tar file using ODIN, so it is recommended you backup your device because this could lose all your personal information and settings. DO NOT use this on any other device other than the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 4G model N7105.
You will be able to get your warranty back again by applying the official firmware update, because this root will make your warranty void. If you do not know if this has rooted the Samsung Note 2 just install the free “Root Checker App” via Google Play.
Your device must have at least 80% battery power, do not turn off your device once you start, Backup your EFS Folder to save IMEI number and other important data, Make sure USB Debugging is enabled. For more information please visit Android Jinn who will be very happy to show you how to do the above following some easy steps.
Please let us know if you root XXDMB2 Android 4.1.2 on Galaxy Note 2 4G N7105 official firmware?

Galaxy S3 price drops in readiness for new model release

The smartphone world is constantly changing all the time and once flagship handsets are quickly replaced, and sometimes in under a year, and that can certainly be said about the Samsung Galaxy S3 that has seen a price drop in readiness for the new model release.

Samsung introduced the world to the Samsung Galaxy S3 last May, and has now sent out invites for the event that will see the unveiling of the Galaxy S4. As it can be expected the price for the Galaxy S3 has begun to drop in a number of retailers around the world, with prices expected to fall even lower as we get closer to the release of the Galaxy S4.
US consumers can currently pick up the S3 with a new two year contract for $99 from Staples brick and mortar stores, and in the UK online retailer Amazon now has the handset priced at £349.99 for an unlocked version of the device.
In India the Galaxy S3 when it was first released came with a price of around of Rs. 43,000, but online retailer Flipkart has the handset listed for only RS.29, 500, although at the time of writing it is showing every colour option as out of stock.
This trend will only continue as the weeks go on and Samsung are still likely to provide stock of the Galaxy S3, as the previous S2 remained available to purchase long after the new Galaxy was released.
If you are not worried about having this year’s Galaxy S model picking up the Galaxy S3 could prove quite a bargain, as you get a handset that features a 4.8-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 powered by a quad core processor running at 1.4Ghz with an 8MP camera on the back, and the handset is currently running the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS with an update to 4.2.1 on the cards.
Will you be picking up the Galaxy S3 as the price begins to drop?

iPhone vs Android vs Blackberry vs Windows Phone: Complete OS Comparison

In this day and age, smartphones seem to be on the cusp of becoming more intelligent than us humans – if I’m not careful mine can get a one up on me pretty easily. So how can we mere mortals decide which smartphone to choose to be our partner in crime? Well, don’t fret, because My Phone Deals have done all the leg work for you and have compiled this comprehensive, concise, multi-dimensional infographic that compares all four major smartphone operating systems that’s also handsome, sleek and highly desirable to boot (yes, I’m still talking about the infographic here). But don’t let me speak for you, take a look for yourself.

With major brands popping out smartphones at the quickest rate since its inception, there are a few important factors unique to each user that are seriously considered before calling it their own. How does it organise my files? Will I be on top of my social media profiles? If I misplaced myself, could its map features get me back home? For a long time it seemed Apple’s iPhone iOS was at the forefront of this user-friendly technology, but in the past few years Android’s Jelly Bean and Windows have given them something to worry about; their operating systems spreading across more models with features rivalling the iOS.
However, a newcomer recently reared its head in the form of past global smartphone leader, Blackberry’s 10 handset. In a comeback that (might possibly) stir more gossip than Fleetwood Mac’s, it looks like Blackberry have removed one of their notable features – the BIS servers giving consumers back to back encrypted push email. This might beg the question – would it still inherently be a Blackberry? If Fleetwood Mac lost Stevie Nicks, would they still be Fleetwood Mac?
Having seemingly disappeared off the market after Apple first released its iPhone; Blackberry has a lot of years to catch up on, especially when Apple is about to ship its seventh generation (rumoured for mid-2013). With smartphones becoming more of an essential part of our daily lives, it’s anyone’s game for user desirability. Which will you choose?
Please take a look at the iPhone iOS vs Android vs Blackberry OS vs Windows Phone complete infographic comparison below, click the infographic to take you to the full clear to see version.

Cheap mobile phone deals by MyPhoneDeals.co.uk
Gary Palman is a writer for MyPhoneDeals who is knowledgeable in all things phone related, including mobile phone deals.

If you’re not familiar with the name of Doro in the phone world then we can tell you that it’s one of the leading brands in the world that produce easy-to-use phones, mainly for the benefit of seniors. Today we have news for you of a new 3G feature phone, the Doro PhoneEasy 622 which is a simple-to-use device using cloud-based smart technologies. It will release in May so read on for more on the PhoneEasy 622. doro-phone-easy-622 Doro is introducing the PhoneEasy 622 as a new concept, to provide an easy-to-use, reliable and stylish phone for those who want a modern approach. A recent study from Doro showed that half of those participating over the age of 65 would prefer a simple feature phone but that the remaining half might buy a smartphone. The Doro PhoneEasy 622 endeavours to cross that divide with a phone that’s not too complicated to use but that also offers smart functions and cloud services. The Doro PhoneEasy 622 uses the Doro Experience Manager, a remote device management tool, which enables the user to have a great mobile experience without needing to know the ins and outs of all of the technical aspects. This tool allows the user or their nominated family and friends to control the contents and settings of the phone from a secure online portal. This means for instance that a computer can be used to seamlessly push new contacts to the online address book of the device. Alternatively it makes it easy for photos on the handset to be stored online and the phone can be used not only to record video but also easily share it. There’s also a weather forecast app available from the homescreen. Of all of Doro’s feature phones so far, the Doro PhoneEasy 622 is at the highest level with wideband audio technology being used for clear, amplified sound and also text size adjustment and a bright display. The phone has a clamshell design that is easy to open and you can see instant caller identification from the outside screen. The PhoneEasy 622 will launch in the UK at some point in May, 2013.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei are busy bringing out a number of handsets ranging from budget offerings to more high-end hardware, and now the Huawei Ascend W1 UK release and price has been revealed with O2 exclusivity.

Earlier this month we heard that the Huawei Ascend W1 Windows Phone 8 handset would be releasing in the UK on O2 sometime during March, and we can now tell you that the device will be available on the carrier from March 7th.
The handset will be available in either electric blue or the electric pink colour from March 18th and is priced at only £119 on Pay-as-You-Go, but it will also be available on a number of pay monthly options as well. It will be available free on contracts starting at only £13.50 per month, and has been designed for the hectic modern lives many of us lead.
To recap the handset has a 4-inch IPS LCD touchscreen display with a resolution of 480 x 800, which also has a low reflective surface and full lamination technology that is promised to provide great visibility under a number of lighting conditions.
There is a dual core Qualcomm processor clocked at 1.2GHz along with an Adreno 305 GPU for graphics, and camera wise the device uses a five megapixel unit on the back with autofocus and LED flash. Internal memory is only 4GB but this can be expanded by a further 32GB via a microSD card, and the handset is powered by a 1,950 mAh battery unit.
Will you be getting the Huawei Ascend W1?

Doro PhoneEasy 622 feature phone, simple but smart

If you’re not familiar with the name of Doro in the phone world then we can tell you that it’s one of the leading brands in the world that produce easy-to-use phones, mainly for the benefit of seniors. Today we have news for you of a new 3G feature phone, the Doro PhoneEasy 622 which is a simple-to-use device using cloud-based smart technologies. It will release in May so read on for more on the PhoneEasy 622.

Doro is introducing the PhoneEasy 622 as a new concept, to provide an easy-to-use, reliable and stylish phone for those who want a modern approach. A recent study from Doro showed that half of those participating over the age of 65 would prefer a simple feature phone but that the remaining half might buy a smartphone. The Doro PhoneEasy 622 endeavours to cross that divide with a phone that’s not too complicated to use but that also offers smart functions and cloud services.
The Doro PhoneEasy 622 uses the Doro Experience Manager, a remote device management tool, which enables the user to have a great mobile experience without needing to know the ins and outs of all of the technical aspects. This tool allows the user or their nominated family and friends to control the contents and settings of the phone from a secure online portal.
This means for instance that a computer can be used to seamlessly push new contacts to the online address book of the device. Alternatively it makes it easy for photos on the handset to be stored online and the phone can be used not only to record video but also easily share it. There’s also a weather forecast app available from the homescreen.
Of all of Doro’s feature phones so far, the Doro PhoneEasy 622 is at the highest level with wideband audio technology being used for clear, amplified sound and also text size adjustment and a bright display. The phone has a clamshell design that is easy to open and you can see instant caller identification from the outside screen. The PhoneEasy 622 will launch in the UK at some point in May, 2013.

Custom iPhone cases to flaunt off

Let’s face it, we love our gadgets and we will do what it takes to protect our stuff! But in the process, most of us out there will end up using the cases that comes with the device or buy one sold by the manufacturer that covers your phone like a condom!

But if you spent all that money on a gadget, wouldn’t it be cool to have a case that not only protects your device, but also gives you the ability to flaunt your latest purchase? In this article, I will try to cover some of the available options for you to personalize your most important gadget accessory.
Personalised iPhone case using Case Mate DIY

If you are a fan of normal iPhone cases which protect your phone from accidental falls and yet want something that will show the world a little something about your personality, then the Case Mate DIY iPhone 5 Cases will help you with just that. A simple, elegant, yet no nonsense case customizable through an online tool with both “barely there” and “tough” cases to choose from. This one supports both iPhone 4 and the latest iPhone 5 unlike some of the other cases I have mentioned in this article. Get your Personalised iPhone 5 barely there case using Case Mate DIY.
Brenthaven Exo Case for iPhone – $39.95

This case, manufactured by Brenthaven is a minimal yet protective case for your iphone 5 that protects your iphone what it matters the most. Instead of other cases that cover the iPhone top to bottom, this case, which is made with a unique BX2 foam protects the four corners of the iPhone, yet show off the inherent hardware beauty of the iPhone. It comes in a variety of colors including the bright tones of sky and cayenne.
The Custom Bamboo iPhone Case – $69.99

This one raises the bar in custom protection! As the name suggests, this iPhone case made from eco-friendly bamboo materials and can be personalized with your own artwork. Users can visit the website of the manufacturer – iGearunlimited.com to upload your artwork and get is laser engraved on your bamboo cases. Do not let the eco-friendly name fool you, bamboo is not only light-weight, but also is one of the strongest materials in nature.

Quirky Crossover Case – $34.99

I have to admit, I am a huge fan of minimal cases that do not get in the way. But even for me, this crossover case from Quirky is a bit hard to digest. Two pieces of silicone protect your iPhone forming a web of protection. The material being stretchable and all, allows up to 4 credit cards within it or some currency notes if you prefer that. A minimal case, available in a variety of colors and stylish to the boot, this crossover merges protection with functionality.
I hope you like the cases mentioned in this article and I look forward to hear from you on your favourite case for the iPhone. Sound away in the comments below!
This article was written by Mary Roberta.

Mobile bandwidth costs and $500 million in data charges

New research from AnchorFree, the maker of Hotspot Shield, has found that naive consumers are set to lose the equivalent of over $500 million in data charges in 2013.

David Gorodyansky, founder and CEO, AnchorFree says: “Mobile phone operators are under pressure. They are setting stringent data limits and also factoring broadband speeds into their pricing structures. Going over the data limit has a cost in both time and money for consumers. Once you cross your data limit, bandwidth can be throttled and supplementary charges added.”
Mobile bandwidth costs mean consumers could lose over $500 million in data charges this year and new research from AnchorFree, the maker of Hotspot Shield, has found that naive consumers are set to lose the equivalent of over $500 million in data charges in 2013. With the global average for G/LTE data costing $4.86 per GB and rising, consumers are missing out on mobile data savings of up to 50 per cent by not downloading a simple app.
As voice profits erode, mobile service providers are continuing to increase mobile data charges to ensure future profitability. The GSMA, the organisation that represents the mobile industry, predicts that mobile operators will make more money from data than from voice by 2018. As Wi-Fi hotspots and 4G networks become common place, by 2017, the average smartphone will generate 2.7 GB of traffic per month compared to the 2012 average of 342 MB.
Tech-savvy consumers have already begun to reduce their data usage by 50 per cent by downloading virtual private networks (VPNs), but typical consumers are missing out. Hotspot Shield, a free app that enables secure web browsing, online privacy and mobile data compression, has saved its users 60 million MB of bandwidth – all without limiting their smartphone use. The company predicts MB savings will quadruple in the next 12 months.
David Gorodyansky, founder and CEO, AnchorFree says: “Mobile phone operators are under pressure. They are setting stringent data limits and also factoring broadband speeds into their pricing structures. Going over the data limit has a cost in both time and money for consumers. Once you cross your data limit, bandwidth can be throttled and supplementary charges added.
“However, with a tool such as Hotspot Shield, consumers can reduce their bandwidth by up to 50 per cent. This feature is an integral part of our app and is automatically activated whenever you use Hotspot Shield. You can even set the level of compression, trading off some image quality for greater savings.”
On mobile devices Hotspot Shield, can increase the amount of data a user has under their mobile data plan. It has already been downloaded by over 100 million people in 190 countries, and is available for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android platforms. The savings are based on recent data analysis – ‘Compressing costs and bandwidth’ by AnchorFree, recently ranked as America’s sixth most promising company by Forbes. The full report can be downloaded here.

Samsung Galaxy S4 with Knox puts pressure on iPhone

We’ve been posting articles about the Samsung Galaxy S4 (S IV) for some time now and although nothing is yet confirmed we’ve got a good idea of what to expect when this smartphone releases. The success of the Galaxy S4 is already assured as the Galaxy S line dominates the Android phone platform and its main rival is likely to be the next Apple iPhone, the iPhone 5S. Today we have news on the Samsung Galaxy S4 with Knox and this puts further pressure on the iPhone.

Many of you will already know that the massively-anticipated Samsung Unpacked event has now been confirmed for March 14 and this is where we expect to see the Galaxy S4 smartphone unveiled in the usual fanfare for big product launches. Now we hear that Samsung has come up with a new initiative dubbed KNOX, a security software solution that is likely to make Samsung phones more desirable to enterprise users.
Although it has not yet been confirmed that the Galaxy S4 will feature KNOX, it has been reported that this initiative will initially be available for some Galaxy phones during Q2 this year and that Samsung is considering it for the Galaxy S4. To be frank, we’d be amazed now if the Galaxy S4 doesn’t appear with KNOX as it would be a surefire way to attract even more business customers, tempting them away from other brands that are popular with enterprise users such as Apple and BlackBerry.
KNOX is a solution that allows the device user to completely separate work and personal use. This means that the private use of a phone is controlled by the device user while the work use can be remotely managed by the company, if desired. The Samsung SAFE (SAmsung for Enterprise) program has developed KNOX and it’s another step forward in Samsung’s bid to grab more of the enterprise market, especially with BlackBerry a weakened force for the same market. It remains to be seen if BlackBerry’s new BB10 operating system and devices running it can rejuvenate the BlackBerry platform.
In the U.S. Samsung achieves around 50% of Android phone sales so there is vast potential if it can plug-in to the business market more and this statistic could rocket if KNOX takes off. With Samsung intending to make it as easy as possible for IT departments to implement KNOX there’s no reason to think that more businesses won’t choose to switch to an Android Galaxy phone, such as of course, the Galaxy S4. Around two-thirds of smartphones purchased by consumers are Android handsets and so just imagine the potential if Samsung phones using the Android platform also attracted a larger share of the enterprise market.
There has certainly been some feeling among business users in the past that the Android platform was weaker in security than some of the other contenders but the KNOX initiative certainly looks set to wipe out that impression. The next iPhone release is disputed but either summer or fall looks likely as a timeframe while the price of the Galaxy S3 is already being cut before the Galaxy S4′s arrival. The Galaxy S4 release date is likely to be announced at the March 14 event and we think an April launch is likely. If the Galaxy S4 does indeed arrive with KNOX then we think this could really put pressure on the iPhone 5S as not only will it attract more enterprise users but it’s also likely that it will have a good head start on sales before the next iPhone even arrives. While we are waiting you may appreciate our Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One article.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on this. Are you waiting for the Galaxy S4 and if so are you a consumer or enterprise user? If your business currently uses another platform would KNOX be enough to make you consider using a Samsung Galaxy Android phone instead? Send your comments to let us know.

Galaxy Note 2 vs Galaxy Note 8.0 in pocket size debate

The release of the original Samsung Galaxy Note back in 2011 saw the birth of the phablet device which has been growing ever popular in recent times. The current model from Samsung continues to lead the way and today we are looking at the Galaxy Note 2 vs Galaxy Note 8.0, with big pockets needed.

You may think this is bit of a strange comparison as one is basically a large sized smartphone and the other a tablet PC, but the Galaxy Note 8.0 can also make calls just like a normal smartphone.
Display
The Galaxy Note 2 features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 720, while the larger Note has an 8-inch display with the same resolution, but with a lower 189ppi pixel density compared to the 266ppi of the Note 2.
Processor and Power
Under the hood the two devices share the same quad core processor that is clocked at 1.6GHz along with 2GB of RAM.
Storage
The Galaxy Note 2 comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB storage options with the ability to expand this further by another 64GB via a microSD card, while the new kid on the block comes in either 32GB or 64GB options that again has the same expansion options as the Note 2.
Camera
The Note 2 comes equipped with an 8-megapixel rear facing shooter while around the front is a 1.9-megapixel unit, while the Note 8.0 has a 5-megapixel unit on the back with a 1.3-megapixel front facer.
Dimensions
Obviously this is where the biggest difference will be with the Note 8.0 measuring in at 210.8mm x 135.9mm x 7.95 mm and weighing 338grams, which compares to the Note 2 at 151.1mm x 80.5mm x 9.4mm and 183 grams.
Battery
Owners of the Galaxy Note 2 have praised its battery life from the 3,100 mAh unit, while the larger Note uses a 4,600 mAh battery pack.
The use of smaller sized tablet PCs is growing and it’s not just down to price as holding a 10-inch device for a length of time can become tiresome, and the Note 8.0 also adds the option of being able to make phone calls as well.
There will be many though that are not bothered about making calls from a tablet PC especially the size of 8-inches, as you may feel pretty silly walking down the road with the Galaxy Note 8.0 held to your ear. Tablet PCs with a call option may become a growing trend though as Asus officially announced the FonePad yesterday.

LG says meet the world’s smallest wireless charger, the WCP-300

As well as information about all the latest new mobile devices out there we also like to keep readers informed about accessories and peripherals. Today LG has announced a very interesting product and have billed it as the “world’s smallest” wireless charger, meet the WCP-300. It certainly seems that with this new creation LG is moving forwards in its bid to impress with wireless charging and the idea of its devices having this ability built-in.

This is a real step forward and LG is obviously making it clear that add-on wireless kits are not for them. Recent releases from LG include the Nexus 4 smartphone and the Spectrum 2 with built-in wireless charging and LG also just released the wireless charging Orb for the Nexus 4.
We’re not sure if the WCP-300 is the name that this charger will release with but that’s what it’s being referred to for now. It’s only 6.9mm in diameter and is QI certified (wireless standard) by the Wireless Power Consortium. Despite its small diameter the charging area of the WCP-300 is 1.7 times wider than LG’s earlier chargers and its compatible with standard 5-pin micro-USB chargers.
There’s no news yet on when this little beauty will release or of the price but we’ll be following developments and will let you know more as we hear it. One thing for sure is that LG is certainly making its intentions clear that it wants to lead the way as far as the future of wireless charging in smartphone technology is concerned.
Do you like the look of the WCP-300 and if so will you be hotfooting it to purchase one when it becomes available, depending on price of course? Let us have your comments on this latest in wireless charging.

Canal Football Club app for Android & iOS

We all love apps and we thought we would reach out to those in France, if you follow the the Canal Football Club show then the Canal Football app will be just perfect for you. This will allow users the unique experience of during and after games of the Ligue 1 CANAL + great matches.

The app allows users the ability to select your perfect angle of view to review the noblest actions, it alos provides exclusive content via the show Canal Football Club, it also provides reactions consultants antenna, analysis and replays.
You can note the players, the game and you can also compare notes with those subscribers as well, which is cool. Visit all the football news video and much more.
For iOS users you must have iPod touch, iPhone or iPad running iOS 5.1 or later, it is compatible with the iPhone 5. Android users need Ice cream Sandwich (4.0) minimum.
Please do let us know if you are using the Canal Football app, love to know what you think?
We normally write about apps that are written in English, but we thought we would share this with those that are Frence and follows the Canal Football Club show. Install via Google Play / App Store

Nexus 4 seamless with AOKP Build 4 Jelly Bean 4.2.2 ROM

If you’re the owner of an LG Nexus 4 then one of the reasons you may have purchased it is because of its pure vanilla Google Android experience. Many Android enthusiasts like to buy the Nexus smartphones, particularly those who like to customize their devices with ROM’s. The Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 firmware is already available for the Nexus 4 but now the AOKP Build 4 ROM is also available offering customizable features for a seamless experience.

The AOKP (Android Open Kang Project) custom ROM’s are extremely popular and this latest release gathers top features from earlier releases, giving your Nexus 4 experience smoothness and stability. It will not give you any major feature upgrades but nevertheless as an AOKP ROM it’s bound to gain widespread use.
Remember that the AOKP Build 4 ROM is only for use with the LG Nexus 4 and before you begin you’ll need to make sure you have the correct USB drivers installed on your computer and back up your important data and settings on the phone. Also check you have at least 85% charge on your device and ensure that USB Debugging mode is enabled.
You’ll also need your Nexus 4 to be factory unlocked and rooted and installed with ClockworkMod recovery. You should also be aware that after installing this custom ROM your device won’t be recognized by Samsung KIES and you will also void your warranty. Before we go on we should say that at Phones Review we can never recommend that you tamper with your devices and if you go ahead with installing the ROM then the responsibility is entirely your own and you do so at your own risk. However we know that many of our readers really enjoy this aspect of owning a device and so like to keep you informed about such releases.
If you’re ready to proceed you can download the Android 4.2.2. AOKP Build 4 Jelly Bean ROM by heading to this link. You can find further tips and also step-by-step instructions for installing this custom ROM at Team Android here, along with further links you may need. Happy customizing!
Will you be using this AOKP ROM for your Nexus 4? Maybe you’ve already installed it and could share what you think of it with other readers by sending us your comments?

Verzis 4-way multiplayer controller for smartphones and tablets

There are many game controllers you can purchase right now, but one that stands out a mile is the new Verzis 4-way multiplayer controller for smartphones and tablets, it will work with any iOS or Android device thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Ready.

4 players at once can play a number of games at the same time; Verzis already have games including music games, social mobile gaming, and action and quiz games. The 32 x 32 cm Verzis controller features 4 game pads with touch sensitive fields and all four players can touch the pads at the same time, which means it will recognise all touches applied.
The games available are called Tiësto, Planet Earth quiz, Kaboom, Voice music games, Sea Hero’s action game and one that is all about pirate ships.
The Verzis multiplayer game controller for will work with devices such as the iPhone 5, iPad, iPad mini, Samsung Galaxy S3, Note 2 and many more.
The controller will priced at €39,95 and will be available electronics shops, warehouses and toy shops, just do some searching. Identity Games will launch the controller worldwide, just before the Holidays 2013.
We really want one of these so that we can give it a good testing, would you use the Verzis 4-way multiplayer controller for smartphones and tablets?

Windows Phone gains market share from Android & iOS

The majority of smartphone users have chosen to purchase a device on either the Android or iOS platforms, with the likes of BlackBerry and Windows Phone picking up the small amount of consumers left. Now it is being reported that Windows Phone gains market share from both Android and iOS in the UK at least.

According to recent research both Android and iOS are starting to lose market share in the UK to Windows Phone, with seventeen percent of users having left Android for the platform from Microsoft. It is believed that the company has added 700,000 users to the platform over the last year, and in the three months leading up to the end of January had achieved 6% of all smartphone sales compared to 2.4% last year.
The Nokia Lumia 800 leads the way with the HTC 8X also fairing well and the figures reveal that almost one in five users were once Android owners, which compares to two percent that dumped the iPhone in favour of the platform.
Some users had also made the switch from Nokia’s aging Symbian OS and BlackBerry, but it has to be remembered this is before the launch of the BlackBerry 10 OS in the country. It seems the Windows Phone is gaining users that have never owned a smartphone before as 47% of all users on the platform are made up from these customers.
Samsung still has a tight stranglehold on the British smartphone market though with 36.8% of handsets bearing the company’s name sold in the last three months to the end of January, while 62% of the UK now owns a mobile phone with 83% of these being smartphones.
Do you think Windows Phone can seriously challenge Android and iOS long term?

Haven iPhone 5 case for those with money to burn

Okay, so when we get a shiny new device many of us want to look after it with a good case. In that case if you have the latest Apple iPhone you may be interested in this Haven iPhone 5 case from Brikk, but only if you have money to burn. We’re not kidding either as this line of luxury designer cases has a starting price of over $11,000!

To be honest it’s not even a full case but more of a bumper but it does come in various colors, depending on what shade of metal you prefer. Choose from Pink Gold, Yellow Gold, or Platinum, the most expensive. The case frames are made from a single piece of pure titanium and then coated with gold or platinum and if you’re wondering if it will actually offer any protection to your iPhone 5 then they also feature a shock absorbing silicone gasket system.
The ‘lowest priced Haven case is $11,610 and this rises to $14,235 or even more. You’ll get 75 grams of gold in the Yellow Gold options or 100 grams of gold in the Platinum edition. As well as this Brikk will also offer made-to-measure cases such as Black Carbon or Gray Stealth and if your choice is to stud them with diamonds that option is open to you as well.
If you’re wondering whether you should splash that much cash on an iPhone case then there’s consolation as some money from each sale goes to charity in Africa to feed hungry children. Of course you could always spend $20 on an alternative simple case and donate $11,000 to the charity of your choice anyway. Just saying!
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Haven iPhone 5 case then head to the Brikk’s Etsy store here. Prices include free US shipping. Are you tempted to treat yourself or someone you love to one of these Haven iPhone 5 cases? Maybe you think anybody who does buy one has more money than sense?

Kyocera DuraPro for US Cellular, the flip phone lives on

It seems the flip phone will live on thanks to the Kyocera DuraPro, which will be sold on US Cellular tomorrow. Whoever said that flip phones are dead and would never be sold again? Over on our Phones Review Facebook page we asked a question about flip phones and many followers said that there is no point to flip phones and that they are old hat now, seems like the flip phone lives on here.

The Kyocera DuraPro comes with the Military Standard 810G certification and would suit those for both personal and business use, it is water an dust resistant, which is the norm with most rugged phones, but this one is vibration proof as well thanks to its non-slip Dura-Grip material. If you happen to be near 1 meter of water then you will not be shocked when the Kyocera DuraPro drops in it, because it will be able to last 30 minutes plus.
There is a few things to mention when it comes to the Kyocera DuraPro specs, is comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera, up to 32GB with optional microSD card, powerful speakerphone, large keypad and large font option for menus. The handset has been designed for those that are out in all weather types, those that love the great outdoors as well as those who work in a tough environment such as building sites etc.
Other little features include quick access to the calendar; Bluetooth and alarm, if you purchase Kyocera DuraPro via US Cellular you will be offered a valuable rewards program that recognizes customer loyalty. The phone will be available to buy on via US Cellular tomorrow (Feb 27th) and in stores on February 28 for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.
Are you interested in the rugged durable Kyocera DuraPro flip phone?

HTC One vs Sony Xperia Z, HD heavyweights square up

There is a lot of nice new shiny tech being released into the mobile world recently with even more to come in the months ahead, and today we are comparing the HTC One vs Sony Xperia Z as the two HD heavyweights square up.

Both the Sony Xperia Z and HTC One look set to make a bigger splash in the smartphone market this year as both companies look to grab a larger slice of the smartphone world during 2013, and certainly give consumers something to seriously consider when looking to pick up a new smartphone.
Display
The Sony Xperia Z arguably wins here as it features a 5-inch display with a Full HD resolution and 441ppi pixel density, which compares to the HTC One that has a 4.7-inch Full HD display and 469ppi.
Processor and Power
The Xperia Z has a Qualcomm quad core Krait processor clocked at 1.5GHz with 2GB of RAM, while the HTC One uses the new 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad core Krait processor also with 2GB of RAM.
Storage
Sony’s new smartphone comes with 16GB of internal storage that can be expanded by another 32GB via a microSD card, while the HTC One is non-expendable but with 32GB or 64GB storage options.
Cameras
The HTC one has what the company is calling an Ultrapixel camera that uses a 4-megapixel sensor that is paired with a 2.1-megapixel unit on the front, while Sony has fitted a 13.1-megapixel sensor to the rear facing camera and a 2.2-megapixel unit on the front.

Battery
The Sony Xperia Z uses a 2,330 mAh battery pack while the HTC One has a slightly smaller 2,300 mAh battery.
Dimensions & Weight
The HTC One measures in at 137.4mm x 68.2mm x 9.3mm weighing in at 143grams, while the Sony is 139 mm x 71 mm x 7.9mm and weighs 146grams.
Both handsets are gaining a lot of plaudits and rightly so as the smartphone wars heat up for 2013, and gives Android fans even more hardware to choose from.
Are you buying the HTC One or Sony Xperia Z?

HTC One SV and Force price, release on Boost Mobile

A new press release courtesy of Boot Mobile reveals two new smartphones releasing on this network, we can now give you the HTC One SV and Boost Force price and release date details. The two handsets will support 4G LTE and the sad news is that they do NOT run on the Android Jelly Bean operating system.

The HTC One SV that is shown above offers a 4.3-inch WVGA Super LCD-2 display, 1.6 megapixel front-facing camera, 5-megapixel on the rear, as well as a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, Wi-Fi, GPS, record at 1080p, Beats Audio integration, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC.
The Boost Force smartphone specs include a smaller 4-inch display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, GPS, front-facing camera and Wi-Fi. The HTC One SV seems to be the better phone but then the price reflects this, both the One SV and Force runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Both of these smartphones will be available via Boost Mobile from March 7th, the the Boost Force price will be $199.99, and the HTC One SV will be priced at $299.99. Just visit Boost Mobile online or its stores from March 7th.
Just so our readers know, these will be based on pre-paid and qualifies for use with the Android Monthly Unlimited plan etc. Monthly plans start at $55 per month but if you are good with on-time payments this will drop by $5 per month, over a period of time the monthly price will drop to $40 per month, this includes unlimited messaging, data and nationwide talk.
If you are interested in the HTC One SV on other networks please click on these relevant links to learn more: EE 4G / Cricket

Google Motorola X phone design ideas look good

Many of you will have heard of the smartphone currently in development by Google and Motorola and dubbed the Motorola X phone. There’s a huge amount of interest in this project that may or may not be a Nexus device and the phone has already been referred to as a ‘game changer’ and now we want to offer you ideas for the design of the Motorola X phone that we feel actually look pretty good.

Recently we told of rumors suggesting an all-new OS for the Motorola X said to be different from that on any other smartphone yet. Of course that could mean it may be the first to release running Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie or it may mean something exclusive to this phone. We’ve also heard some leaks on specs but something we haven’t considered too much yet is what it may look like.
Now one designer has come up with some concept renders and even a video of the Motorola X showing what it could look like, but of course we have to point out that at this stage we have no idea of what the phone’s design will be when it appears. It’s always good to see some concept ideas though and we thought this was worth sharing. Jason Chen has come up with a design for what he calls the Google X phone and he’s also come up with imagined specs.
Chen’s concept includes a 1.5GHz quad-core Krait processor, 4.5-inch Super AMOLED display with resolution of 1280 x 720 and 13-megapixel PureView (Nokia?) camera with 1080p video. His X phone measures 128mm x 62mm x 7.6mm and weighs only 125g. Looking at the renders we can see this version of the Motorola X has a metal body and we reckon that’s something that many people would like to see on the real article to give it a premium look and feel.
We’ve also embedded the short video of this concept phone below this story to give you a further look. Tell us what you think of this X phone styling by sending your comments? Would you like the real thing to have a similar design?

ZTE Grand Memo spec list changed, disappoints in tests

Leading up to a smartphone release we can often hear of various rumours regarding the speculations of the handset, which can easily alter once the device is revealed officially, but the ZTE Grand Memo that was officially announced yesterday has seen its spec list changed as the handset disappoints in tests.

The ZTE Grand Memo was officially announced by the company yesterday along with a spec sheet that listed all of the features that are used with the device, but the guys over at the Android Police got to have a play with the handset, and found it had terrible lag.
The handset was listed to be using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor which is the most powerful unit the company makes, and LTE mentioned the processor five times in their press release for the handset.
This processor is probably not available to companies yet with the likes of the HTC One and LG Optimus G Pro using the Snapdragon 600, and then Qualcomm revealed that the Grand Memo wasn’t using the processor, and in fact using the 600 as well.
But after doing some digging it seems the handset is in fact using the APQ8064 processor, which is the Snapdragon S4 Pro that is found in the likes of the Nexus 4, while the Snapdragon 600 is an APQ8064T.
It doesn’t end there though as ZTE stated that the handset also has 2GB of RAM in its press release, when in fact it actually only has 1GB according to the spec sheet for the handset. The benchmarks for the device don’t make better reading either as it compares with the Galaxy S2 in AnTuTu, but does match the HTC One X in Quadrant.
The link above also has some screenshots of the tests run on the device, but it makes you wonder why LTE listed a different processor for the device.

Verizon BlackBerry Z10 poses for the camera before release

The new Blackberry 10 operating system launched in the UK and Canada with the Z10 being the first handset available on the platform, and now it seems the Verizon BlackBerry Z10 release is closer after the device poses for the camera in a number of images.

We told you yesterday that the device had stopped by the FCC, and the release of the handset may be only a couple of weeks away as the guys over at CrackBerry have got hold of a number of images showing the Verizon version of the BlackBerry Z10.
Verizon has decided to place its branding on both the front and back of the device, and are the best images seen so far of the unreleased smartphone. On the top left corner on the front of the device the Verizon logo can be seen, and on the back both Verizon and LTE branding can be found.
Some Verizon customers will be annoyed at this move by the carrier, as there was a big uproar from some users when the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 first appeared with its Verizon home button. What will be more pleasing though is the fact for the time being the carrier will be the only one in the country offering the white model officially.
The handset is going to be priced at $199.99 by the carrier with a new two year contract, but currently no exact release date has been given for the Z10 although previously rumours suggested it could be held back to come with the release of the Q10, but by the look of things mid March is still looking good.
Are you bothered by the Verizon branding on the BlackBerry Z10?

LG Optimus Vu 2 receives Jelly Bean update at last

Of course at Phones Review we try to inform readers about the latest tablets and smartphones but we also attempt to keep readers in the know about operating system updates for their devices. Today we have news that the LG Optimus Vu 2 (Vu II) is now receiving the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update and for some owners it will have seemed a long wait since the phone was first launched on Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

The rollout of Android Jelly Bean 4.1 to the Optimus Vu 2 began today in Korea and although this device may not be one that immediately comes to mind for some, LG has now sold over one million units of this and the original Optimus Vu.
The Optimus Vu 2 is a phablet type of smartphone with a large 5-inch display and when it was released in Q4 last year many were surprised to see it running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, rather than the later Jelly Bean that some other phones were using, such as the Galaxy Note 2.
The official LG Android Jelly Bean update is heading first to versions of the Optimus Vu 2 that were purchased on SK Telecom and KT. However if you purchased this smartphone from LG U+ the rollout isn’t expected to commence until some time in early March. The news came in an LG Korea press release.
Good news then if you’re one of the many owners who’ve been waiting for this update and who should notice a significant change between ICS and Jelly Bean. We’d like to hear from you about whether your device has already received this desirable upgrade? Send us your comments about this.

BlackBerry Z10 prices for India & Wind Mobile Canada

If you live in India or Canada then sit back because we have some great news concerning the BlackBerry Z10, we have a few details covering the prices for India and Wind Mobile. We already knew that Wind Mobile was set to sell the BB10 smartphone but now we can confirm that they are.

WIND Mobile will be launching the BlackBerry Z10 on February 27th; this information came via emails that were sent out to customers. We can also reveal the pricing for the BlackBerry Z10 on Wind Mobile thanks to CrackBerry, the price will be set at $299 on the WIND Tab with a $40 per month plan, the lower your price plan goes the higher the phone cost. You can also buy the Z10 without contract for $599 and stocks will be limited.
We reported 4 days ago some pricing details for the BlackBerry Z10 in India, and we said it was to be between Rs 38,000 to Rs 43,000 mark, the good news is official information came in yesterday via an email that the BlackBerry Z10 in India will be priced at Rs 43,490 ($800).
The India price above is near enough the same as the BlackBerry Z10 SIM Free in the UK, we all know that BlackBerry is very popular indeed in India and we can see this new smartphone selling off the shelves in no time at all.
If you live in India or Canada, please do let us know if you will be purchasing the BlackBerry Z10?

iOS 6.1.3 will murder evasi0n jailbreak for good

All the exploits that are used for the evasi0n jailbreak will be killed off in next iOS update, yes that means the iOS 6.1.3 will murder the evasi0n jailbreak for good. One of the evad3rs team aka PlanetBeing released the iOS 6.x untethered jailbreak and has now reported that a new patch by Apple has been completed, which is one of the five exploits that evasi0n uses to pull off the jailbreak.

Forbes, data expert Andy Greenberg has reported that the new iOS 6.1.3 beta 2 has closed one of the exploits found in the time zone bug, that means that there are only four more to go and the jailbreak will be buried, which means those wishing to jailbreak should do so now. This in fact means that if one of the vulnerabilities does not work then the whole jailbreak will stop working.
David Wang aka PlanetBeing had a chat with Andy Greenberg and stated that the evasi0n jailbreak will mo doubt be patched in iOS 6.1.3, there is the chance of replacing it with another vulnerability, but to be blunt “What is the point?” Apple will have fixed most or probably all the bugs that was used when 6.1.3 releases.
Is this the case of the iOS 6.1.3 burying the evasi0n jailbreak for good? It is not yet set in stone but it looks more than likely the jailbreak will have to RIP, it was only a matter of time.

Alcatel One Touch Scribe Easy & Snap continue the assault

News is flooding in from MWC 2013 in Barcelona, despite the event only officially beginning today. We told readers a few days ago that Alcatel was set to announce 13 new One Touch Devices at Mobile World Congress and today we have some details for you of the Alcatel One Touch Scribe Easy and the One Touch Snap so read on for more.

Yesterday we gave information on the just-announced Alcatel One Touch Idol X smartphone, a stylish handset that we were pretty impressed with going by initial details. Alcatel is continuing the assault and we shall be bringing you news about further devices but for now we’re concentrating on the One Touch Scribe Easy with MagicFlip cover and the One Touch Snap.
First we’ll start with the One Touch Scribe Easy and this has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 5-inch WVGA display, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. It also has a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 2500 mAh battery, runs Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 and enables the user to write on the screen with a stylus, plus has dedicated creative apps.
A rather nice magnetic MagicFlip cover protects the screen as well as carrying the stylus and it comes in Flash Red, Flash Yellow or Fresh Blue to add a burst of color. This is set to release in March and although no pricing has yet been announced we’d expect it to be very affordable, going by the specs.
The One Touch Snap on the other hand has a 4.5-inch qHD display and an 8-megapixel rear camera with a good build at only 9mm thick. It will be available in three color options silver, white and cloudy white but there’s no further info yet on when this will become available or the price.
You can bet we’ll pass on more information as we hear it but for now we’d like to hear your first impressions of these two upcoming Alcatel devices? Let us have your comments.

iPhone 5 Juice Pack Air 1700 mAh case, ships March 22

The lightning charging cable for the iPhone 5 is brilliant and does charge the smartphone in lightning speeds, but we all know that the phone drops in charge rapidly as well. When users are out and about it is hard to charge your phone using the cable so a charger case is well worth owning, and today we can announce that the new iPhone 5 Juice Pack Air 1700 mAh case will be shipping in March.

Mophie announced its new juice pack air for iPhone 5 and this is really quick considering it was only a few weeks ago the juice pack helium was released. The new mophie juice pack air for the iPhone 5 comes with 1700 mAh and provides edge-to-edge protection as well as a 10-percent thinner design than the previous model.
Many iPhone 5 users loves the sleek thin design, so to have a case that provides extra battery life in a case that is also thin and keeps the shape of the Apple smartphone is a step in the right direction.
The iPhone 5 1700 mAh juice pack air is now available to buy for S99.95 in three different colours such as glossy white, soft touch black and metallic red (Product RED), and will ship on March 22. This new charger case will offer users up to 10 more hours 3G talk time, up to 8 more hours internet use on 3G and 11 hours using Wi-Fi, it also offers up to 40 hours additional audio playback and up to 10 hours video playback.
The new juice pack design is fantastic because it doubles up as a speaker as well, like a virtual speaker box because it redirecting sound from the bottom of the iPhone 5 to the front. The is a switch on the Mophie case that offers charge on demand, basically standby and charging mode, it also features a LED battery indicator, and charging output has been upgraded from .5A to 1A.
Please watch the video provided below and see what you think of the new iPhone 5 Juice Pack Air 1700 mAh case. Buy via Mophie

Mozilla Firefox OS offerings shown on video

We’ve been bringing news about the upcoming Firefox OS from Mozilla from some time and expected to hear much more about it at MWC 2013. MWC in Barcelona has now begun and already there is plenty of news about the Firefox OS. We have some of the details for you along with a video that Mozilla has produced to show what the open-source Firefox OS will offer.

Back in January we told readers how Mozilla was creating the Firefox OS but not the hardware that will run it and then later that month informed about new developer phones running the Firefox OS. Now we have heard that the new HTML5-based Firefox OS will become available in many regions this year such as Brazil, Columbia, Spain, Venezuela, Poland and more, with an arrival in the US due for 2014.
It has also been confirmed that manufacturers Alcatel, Huawei, LG and ZTE will all be producing phones running the Firefox OS and that all of these phones will use Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Along with this news, 18 carriers have already agreed to offer phones using the open-source Firefox OS. Among these carriers are Deutsche Telekom, China Unicom, Etisalat, KDDI and Sprint.
The Mozilla YouTube video is over four-minutes long and should give you a good look at the Firefox OS and you can view the video below this story. There will also be a Firefox Marketplace for downloading apps.
We’d be really interested to hear what you have to say about the Firefox OS. Do you think another new operating system can ever hope to compete with the likes of Android and iOS or maybe you think it’s unlikely that Mozilla even intends to rival the big boys? Let us know with your comments.

Nokia Lumia 520 & 720 to assault midrange market

Nokia has kicked off at MWC 2013 today revealing the new Nokia Lumia 520 and 720, which should assault the midrange market. The Mobile World Congress in Barcelona will be the place where all the latest technologies will be announced and we will try and cover as much as we can, today from the Nokia front we will provide a few details of the new Lumia smartphones.

We will keep this short because we will be giving your greater details covering both Nokia Lumia 520 and 720 later in the day as well as much more via MWC 2013.
Both 520 and 720 use a dual-core 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and will run on the Windows Phone 8 operating system, yes the one with Windows Live Tiles. They will come featuring the norm such as Nokia Maps, Drive and much more.
The Nokia Lumia 520
Key specs will include 512 MB of RAM, a 4-inch WVGA IPS LCD, super sensitive touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera on the rear as well as 720p video capture. It will offer 9.6 hours 3G-talk time max, 360 hours 3G standby time max and 61 hours music playback time max.
The handset weighs 124 grams and is only 9.9 mm thick. The 520 will release Q2 and pricing will start at $183 with China, then it will release for Europe, Asia and T-Mobile in the US soon after. For full in-depth information please watch the video below and read the official Nokia page here.
Nokia Lumia 720
This phone also has a dual-core 1 GHz Snapdragon processor; other key specs include a 4.3-inch ClearBlack WVGA display with 800 x 480 resolution and super sensitive touch. This is a great screen because it will work with nails and gloves.
Other specifications include 512 MB of RAM, 2000 mAh battery, NFC, microSD card slot with up to 64 GB support, 8GB built-in storage weighs 128 grams and is 9mm thick. Users will have the option to choose wireless charging if they like, the Nokia Lumia 720 comes with a 6.7MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics and bright f/1.9 aperture.
The Lumia 720 will be available select European countries and Asia (TD-SCDMA version for China) this quarter starting at €249 (around $330). Not sure if this handset will release in the U.S, but we will let you know. There will be a choice of colours including cyan, red, yellow and magenta etc thanks to its exchangeable panels. For more info about the Nokia Lumia 720 please watch the video provided below, for more tech-specs visit here.
Both the Nokia Lumia 520 and 720 are for the mid-range market, will these phones be enough for Nokia to assault this market seeing as there are so many other choices?

Sony Xperia Z Tablet specs & availability confirmed

Sony’s attempt at both the smartphone and tablet PC market has been a mixed affair in the past, but the company is showing it really means business in the last few months with appearance of a number of great looking products, and now the Sony Xperia Z Tablet specs and availability have been confirmed.

The tablet has been seen before but now it has been officially revealed at the ongoing Mobile World Congress, and it seems the Sony Xperia Z Tablet will be taking on the competition with regards to specifications and pricing for the device.
It features a 10.1-inch WUXGA display that provides a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and is powered by a quad core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor clocked at 1.5GHZ paired with a nice 2GB of RAM, and is claimed to be the thinnest tablet PC available at only 6.9mm and weighing only 495 grams.
The Xperia Z Tablet is also water resistant in a similar way to the smartphone with the same name, and camera wise Sony have fitted an 8-megapixel camera on the back, while around the front is a 2-megapixel shooter. The device will launch running the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system, but has already been promised to be upgraded to 4.2 Jelly Bean shortly after launch.
There will be up to 64GB of storage on the Wi-Fi model with 32GB on the LTE version, but there is the nice inclusion of a microSD card port to increase this further. The Wi-Fi model is priced at a respectable £399 with the LTE version costing £499, and Sony is promising the device will be available from the 1st of March.

Samsung Galaxy S3 joys of Jelly Bean 4.2.1 video

There’s some interesting news today for Samsung Galaxy S3 (S III) owners who are eagerly awaiting the Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean update to arrive for their device. A few days ago we told how 4.2.1 firmware had leaked before the official arrival and that a custom ROM was available. Now, still ahead of the official release of Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean we have a video for you to take a look at that shows the updated OS running on the Galaxy S3.

When my colleague recently informed about the 4.2.1 custom ROM for the Galaxy S3 there were also screenshots available but a video has now come to light giving a good idea of 4.2.1 on the GS3 as it’s over 5-minutes long. It comes from a user of the Jelly Bean 4.2.1 ROM, Damian Kidd, and clearly displays some of its delights such as UI enhancements and lockscreen widgets.
Other things shown include Google Now, swiping across to the camera, a look at the homescreen and TouchWiz (almost the same as 4.1). We’re also shown the different brightness setting and how to adjust it, notifications, toggles such as Wi-Fi hotspot and then the video moves onto Settings, where some slight differences are noticed although nothing major.
We also see Samsung Cloud settings, lockscreen settings and settings for the lockscreen widget and then there are some details of voice commands. The video certainly shows some of the new features of 4.2.1 and so if you want to see what’s coming when the official update is pushed out you can check out the video below this story.
We’d be interested to hear what you think of the video and the Jelly Bean enhancements heading your way when the official 4.2.1 update is pushed out for the Samsung Galaxy S3? Let us have your comments on this.

Galaxy S4 launch date confirmed, invites due

The recent hype surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S4 has reached fever pitch in the last few weeks with a variety of rumours and speculation regarding the yet to be announced handset, but now news has broke that the Galaxy S4 launch date has been confirmed by the company with invites being sent out today.

As the Mobile World Congress gets underway today there is still a lot of news surrounding the next flagship smartphone from Samsung, and now according to Cnet the company is set to send out invitations to an Unpacked event to launch the Galaxy S4 at a showcase in New York on March 14th later today.
We have heard this date before as well as New York being the venue for the event in arch rival Apple’s homeland, and the news has been confirmed by an executive from Samsung. Last year the company revealed the Galaxy S3 at an event in London but there are reports that Samsung has changed venue due to requests from carriers in the US.
Reuters are reporting that US carriers have been continually requesting that the Galaxy S4 is showcased in the country, and it would be nice for US consumers if the handset is released in the country around the same time as the rest of the world. According to Chenny Kim from Samsung this would be the first major US launch for the company in three years.
Samsung is currently in the middle of a major advertising campaign in the country as it looks to take a bigger share of the smartphone market away from the Apple iPhone. The handset is expected to feature a 5-inch Full HD display but there is no clearer indication of the processor the device will be using with talk of a Qualcomm unit being used.
This will be welcome news for owners of the Galaxy S3 as we recently heard that the next version of the Android Jelly Bean operating system should be released after the Galaxy S4 has been launched.

Motorola Droid Razr & Razr Maxx soak test for new Jelly Bean update

We always attempt to keep readers informed about new software updates coming to their phones and today we have some news for owners of the Motorola Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR MAXX on Verizon. It seems a soak test is just beginning for a new Jelly Bean build for these two handsets, news that should please a lot of owners.

Recently we gave readers news of a new look Motorola Jelly Bean list on which these two phones were listed and told how they were listed to receive an update in Q1. It’s now being reported that some users of these phones, namely members of the Motorola Feedback Network, are receiving emails asking them to test out a new Jelly Bean build for the Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX.
The invitation asks owners of these phones to “participate in an early preview of a new Jelly Bean software release” and also asks for feedback. The numbers of phones being tested in a soak test are intentionally kept down so that if any problems arise only limited numbers of phones would need to be replaced. Anybody taking place in the soak test must also keep the details confidential.
The soak test is good news for those eagerly waiting for Jelly Bean as if all goes well it brings the update release closer, so it still looks as though the Q1 timeframe could indeed be accurate. Sadly there’s not yet any news on Jelly Bean for the Motorola Droid Bionic but don’t give up if you’re waiting as at least it’s still listed for the update at some point.
We’ll be closely following developments with this and will bring you further news as we hear it. Are you the owner of a Droid RAZR or Droid RAZR MAXX and a member of the Motorola Feedback Network? If so, have you received an invitation to take part in the Jelly Bean build soak test? Let us know with your comments.

HP Slate 7 Android JB tablet, affordable with specs to match

The HP Slate 7 Android tablet has officially been revealed at Mobile World Congress 2013 and if you’re after a decent-looking affordable tablet with specs to match then this could be the device for you. The Slate 7 is due out in April and we have plenty of information for you to digest as well as a hands-on video look that you can view, although the reviewer sounds less than impressed.

The Slate 7 is due to be released in the US in April so there’s not too much longer to wait and the price is $169, a very attractive selling point. It’s powered by a 1.6GHz dual-core Cortex A9 processor, has a 7-inch display with resolution of 1024 x 600, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD.
Other specs include a 3-megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera and Beats Audio and it’s very lightweight, weighing in at only 13 oz. The HP Slate 7 will run stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and that will also please many customers. Although that’s not the very latest Android update it’s pretty good considering the price of the device. However it has to be said that overall the specs are low-end so befit the price.
The build is a stainless steel frame and HP’s press release tells us it comes in a soft-touch finish and comes in grey or red on the reverse. You can also see a hands-on look at the Slate 7 from a YouTube video that we’ve embedded below this story. You may also be interested in our earlier article about another tablet just made official at MWC, the Sony Xperia Z tablet.
Okay, so this is an affordable tablet with modest specs but it does actually look quite decent. We’d like to hear your comments on this though. Is the price low enough to tempt you to purchase the HP Slate 7? Maybe there are too many other low-end tablets available at equally affordable prices that you think the Slate 7 could be lost among them?

Caterpillar Cat B15 Jelly Bean smartphone just launched

To be fair rugged smartphones have never been what you call ‘Good Looking’, but we will retract that quote right now because Bullitt Mobile Ltd., global licensee of Cat phones for Caterpillar Inc have just launched the new Cat B15 Jelly Bean 4.1 rugged smartphone that looks sexy and classy.

If you want style but yet still need that hard durable smartphone, then the not so rugged looking Cat B15 will be just for you, wow. MWC 2013 is well underway now and new smartphones, tablets and so much more we will be announced over the next few days, but for some reason the Cat B15 smartphone really caught our eye. We would really love to give you our Cat B15 review, but we will have to wait a little longer until we get our hands on it.
The Cat B15 has been designed for those that want a rugged device that is progressive and highly durable, you can see that the design is slick but yet can take on the bad elements that life could throw at it. It features things such as being submerged in a meter of water for 30 minutes, it also can take a 1.8 metre drop, the best feature is that you can use the touchscreen with wet fingers, with the added benefits of being scratch resistant and dustproof.
Phones Review would love to get to grips with the Cat B15 Jelly bean smartphone, just the look of it for a rugged phone turns us on. The iPhone 5 cannot handle the little of knocks and even the though other Jelly Bean smartphones are not that tough such as the Galaxy S3 why not design all phones to look like this.
The Cat B15 key features include a 1GHz dual core MediaTek MT6577 Cortex A9 processor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, 4-inch WVGA 480×800 LCD, Gorilla glass, Capacitive Multi-touch, wet finger tracking, 512 RAM, 4GB storage, 5.0 MP rear camera as well as a VGA on the front. The smartphone also features 720P recording at 30 fps, up to 9 hours talk time and up to 9.5 days standby time. The 125mm x 69.5mm x 14.95mm Cat B15 offers 3.5mm audio, microUSB, microSD card slot up to 32GB, and A-GPS.
This is a smartphone that can handle 20º C to + 55º C temperature operational range, 1.80M concrete drop test, as well as being IP67 waterproof to 1m for 30 min. The Cat B15 will available from major retailers from March 2013 priced at 329 euros / £299 GBP.