Archos 80 Titanium & 97 Titanium HD both available in US now

Way back at CES 2013 we gave readers some initial information about some affordable Archos tablets on the way. We are pleased to be able to tell you that the Archos 80 Titanium and 97 Titanium HD have now been released in the US. Although these tablets have a premium look and feel they are targeted at the more budget-minded consumer.

Firstly the Archos 80 Titanium has a 1.6GHz dual-core processor, 8-inch display with resolution of 1024 x 768, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. It also has a 2-megapixel rear-camera along with a front facing camera. This tablet has a very reasonable price of $169. Dimensions of the 80 Titanium are 0.39-inches x 7.89-inches and 6.08-inches and it weighs 15.5 oz.
The Archos 97 Titanium HD is a bit more lush with a 1.6GHz A9 dual-core processor, quad-core Mali 400 graphics, 9.7-inch IPS LCD display with beautiful resolution of 2048 x 1536, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD). There’s also a 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The price of this one is $249, which still seems very reasonable. Dimensions of the 97 Titanium HD are 0.35-inches x 9.45-inches x 7.24-inches and it weighs in at 1.4 pounds.
You can order the Archos 80 Titanium tablet from Amazon here or the Archos 97 Titanium HD tablet at Amazon here. We’d like to hear your thoughts on these two affordable tablets. Do you feel the prices are reasonable for the specs? Let us have your comments on these new tablets.

Acer Liquid E1 Duo gets UK price, release MIA

There is becoming a growing trend recently for more affordable Android smartphones that are available at a relatively low asking price, but still offer some reasonable specifications. Now the Acer Liquid E1 Duo has been priced in the UK but the release date is still unknown.

Acer is more famous for their range of laptops and tablet PCs, but the upcoming Liquid E1 Duo from the company will certainly provide many consumers a worthy choice when getting a cheaper smartphone.
The device has been put up for pre-order via online retailer Expansys for only £174.99 SIM free, but at the time of writing there is no information on when the handset will begin shipping to customers. For your hard earned cash the Acer Liquid E1 Duo as the name suggests will offer dual SIM capabilities along with a 4.5-inch touchscreen display at 960 x 540 pixel resolution.
Under the hood is a dual core processor clocked at 1GHz and paired with 1GB of RAM that is running the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. Camera wise you are treated to a 5-megapixel unit on the back while around a front is a VGA unit for self portraits and video calls.
There is only 4GB of built in storage but this can be expanded by a further 32GB thanks to the microSD card slot, and the handset has a 1760 mAh battery pack in a form factor measuring 132mm x 68.5mm x 9.9mm and weighing 130grams.
Is the Acer Liquid E1 Duo a handset you will be considering?

iOS 6.1.3 update problems now include battery life

There can quite often be new software released for smartphones that doesn’t quite work as it should do, and that certainly seems the case for the recent iOS 6.1.3 update that was released by Apple, as now problems include worsening battery life for some users.

At the beginning of last week the new iOS update was released by Apple, but it only took a couple of days before a new problem was found with another lock screen flaw. Now there is a growing thread over on the Apple Support website with owners experiencing much less battery life then before the update was installed.
One owner that opens the thread states that their iPhone 4S is draining its battery really quickly, and in the time it took to sign in and write the post the device had lost 13% of its battery life. It seems the issue is affecting a number of different iPhone models as well as on a number of networks.
Some users have tried doing a hard reset as well as putting the device through various different charge cycles, but to no avail. Other members have suggested users try disabling automatic updates for things such as email to help with battery life, and one user first got the problem when updating their iPhone 4S to iOS 6.1.2 with it still present in this latest update.
While some users are reporting having a fully charged battery at night with it being completely drained by the morning, others are having no issues at all.
Have you had any problems since updating to iOS 6.1.3?

Samsung Galaxy S4 reviews via the web

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is due to be released in the coming weeks in what could be the biggest smartphone launch of 2013, and while the device is not officially available yet some have managed to get their hands on the device and provide a number of Galaxy S4 reviews via the web.

There are many Android fans looking to pick up the Samsung Galaxy S4 once it becomes available around the world, and today we have a couple of early reviews of the device from around the Internet. Many were strangely left a little disappointed by the unveiling in New York and felt the device was just a minor upgrade to the previous model, but it’s when you look a bit deeper do you realise that Samsung has again provided a great handset.
The guys over at Phone Arena have managed to spend some time with the handset and found the new handset comfortable to hold despite the increase in dimensions over the older model. The display was found to be smooth without any graininess with great colour reproduction that does need a bit of tweaking.
Samsung’s new TouchWiz user interface was found to be extremely smooth with a number of customizations available on top of the Android 4.2.2 OS, and for the full review click here. TechRadar has also spent some time with the smartphone with the device feeling extremely light when held.
Smart Pause and Smart Scroll were found to be patchy in use but it has to be remembered these are pre-release models so any issues could be ironed out by the time the device hits the shelves. The camera is said to be extremely quick as well especially in Burst mode with a really powerful flash.
Combined with the new Full HD display and the new video hub, the device is ideal for watching movies while on the go, and for more on this review click here.
Based on what you have seen so far are you going to get the Galaxy S4 in the coming weeks?

Nexus 5 keyword is camera but no 1080p display

The next Google Nexus device is creating a lot of attention even though plenty of us are still excited about the Nexus 4 from LG. Ever since the beginning of this year we’ve been hearing rumblings about a Nexus 5 device, possibly to be made by LG again, and we’ve already heard of leaked specs. However these seem to be changing by the moment and today we have the latest details of believed specs for the Nexus 5 and the keyword seems to be ‘camera.’

Way back in February we told how the camera could be a real focus for the Nexus 5 after Google’s Senior VP of Engineering Vic Gudontra said that the company was “committed to making Nexus phones insanely great cameras.” Now it seems even more likely that the focus of the Nexus 5 (excuse the pun) could well be the camera.
In the leaked specs that we have seen so far for the Nexus 5, firstly a 16-megapixel rear camera was claimed and that was followed by rumors of a Nikon-branded three-sensor camera module for the phone. This was to be no ordinary phone camera though as it was stated that this camera would use stacked low-resolution sensors, which would all be used to come up with one high-resolution image that would be superior in quality.
Now though, a tipster to Phone Arena has supplied them with some new specs for the Nexus 5 and some of these are quite different to those we’ve heard before. The tipster claims that the camera for the Nexus 5 will be a 9-megapixel CCD camera, a very different option than the CMOS sensor currently used in many smartphone cameras. Unfortunately the camera is not detailed much more than that except that the source claims that camera performance will be a major emphasis for the Nexus 5.
Other specs from the same source include a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor and a 4.5-inch 720p IPS display. Many may think that the lack of a 1080p display for the Nexus 5 would be a step backwards, especially considering how many upcoming impressive handsets are due out with 1080p full HD displays. However, it’s said that the Nexus 5 isn’t being made to compete with all those large-screened 1080p devices, again with the point being made that the Nexus 5 is all about the camera.
The 4.5-inch display is said to utilize 88% of the phone’s front, more than any other smartphone to date, which would presumably mean the Nexus 5 would have extremely narrow bezels and would also enable a compact form factor. Another plus factor, especially for those of you who are heavy users of their smartphones is that the battery will be 2,800 mAh, a big step up from the 2,100 mAh battery in the current Nexus 4. One element that may disappoint though is that this latest source says that the Nexus 5 will have no expandable storage, the same as for the Nexus 4, and that was one of the only criticisms leveled at the Nexus 4.
As always we’ll remind you that these are not confirmed specs and of course we are likely to hear much more between now and when the next Nexus eventually launches. We’ll be passing on all the news as we hear it. In the meantime what do you think about the possibility of a 9-megapixel CCD camera for the Nexus 5? Maybe you’re more concerned about the lack of expandable storage again or the ‘only’ 720p display? Let us know with your comments.
Source: Phone Arena

Facebook Messenger for iOS getting calling features in UK

There has long been rumours of a dedicated smartphone supposedly coming from Facebook but away from handsets with a button that launches the social networking site, nothing has so far appeared. That’s not to say the company is not providing more ways for its users to communicate with each other though, as today we can tell you that the Facebook Messenger for iOS app is to get calling features in the UK.

Back in January we told you that users in the US had been given the chance of making app based calls to other Facebook users on their friends list, and now the feature is about to hit users in the UK at some point today. The update is currently rolling out to UK users with other regions of Europe also expected to receive the update at some point.
Basically the app is still in testing so you may notice some small bugs or other issues but allows users to make free Wi-Fi calls to other Facebook contacts, and works without Skype. Another neat feature is that even if the contact you are trying to connect with doesn’t have the Facebook Messenger app, you can leave a voice message that they should be able to collect via the standard site messaging system.
You can also use the features via a 3G connection so will be ideal for users that have plenty of data in their monthly plans but not much talk time. For those that have yet to download the Facebook Messenger app can find it on the App Store here, and the feature should eventually reach Android and BlackBerry users as well.

Sony Xperia ZL US pre-orders begin at a price

If you are in the market for a nice shiny new smartphone in the coming few weeks the impressive Sony Xperia ZL may be a handset worth considering, and now the device has gone up for pre-order in the US but at a price.

We have already heard that the device is heading to Canada and that consumers in the US will be getting the Sony Xperia ZL in a tasty looking red colour option, and now the company has confirmed that pre-orders are kicking off via the official Sony online store, although at the time of writing the store is down for maintenance.
The unlocked Sony Xperia ZL with LTE connectivity will set you back a cool $759.99 or the HSPA+ model is a little cheaper at $719.99. This pricing does seem a little steep but they are luckily the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices so they could easily come in cheaper at other stores.
Sony has stated that the Xperia ZL will shortly be available via other selected retailers, and once the Sony online store gets back up and running consumers can pre-order the device in red, black, and white.
The Sony Xperia ZL uses a Full HD 5-inch touchscreen display with an impressive 443ppi pixel density, which uses a quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 processor clocked at 1.5GHz under the hood. This is paired with 2GB of RAM running the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system with an update to 4.2 Jelly Bean due shortly.
Will you be pre-ordering the Sony Xperia ZL?

PAC-MAN +Tournaments free for Android, iOS later

Despite its age many people will fondly remember the classic PAC-MAN arcade game and now for the first time this classic title gets made available and called PAC-MAN + Tournaments, and is free for Android users with an iOS version coming later.

This great arcade game has been made available for Android users via Google Play, and surprisingly iOS users will have to wait to get access to the game as usually big titles such as this take a while to become available for the Android platform.
The game was released at the end of last week and is following the growing trend of the freemium model, and users are treated to the original game with a new tournament mode. The developer will be adding weekly updates that include new mazes that have never been seen before, which will be available via an in-app purchase.
There are also performance based score boosts with lots more bonus items available compared to the original game, and besides the new mazes users are treated to new colour schemes, Tournament rankings, and much more. This new application will undoubtedly bring back many fans to the game as well as finding new ones, and to find out more or to download yourself head over to Google Play.

HTC One black or white color & why it matters

The HTC One smartphone is about to release in some regions and a short while later for others and is a brilliantly impressive device. We’ve been pretty wowed by this phone and have already posted many articles about it but something we hadn’t paid much attention to so far are the color options. A look at a recent video though has convinced us that this is something you might want to consider if you’re about to order an HTC One, as it looks at the choice between black or white and why it matters.

Although the HTC One was announced coming in three color options, black, white or red, we’re not sure yet if the red option is going to be widely available although it certainly looks as though the white and black versions will be. Also we should point out that although we are referring to the white HTC One it’s really more of a silver aluminum finish than white but we’ll continue to refer to it for now as white as the video also does.
The design of the HTC One is extremely sleek and classy and should appeal to many consumers and with top-notch specs as well this phone should be a big hit. So why put so much thought into whether you should choose black or white? Quite simply your choice may depend on how fussy you are or how clumsy you are, according to the video that we have embedded for you below this story.
The Pocketnow YouTube video is just over 7-minutes long and gives viewers a really good close-up look at the HTC One in black or white. We’re shown all sides of the HTC One in both color options along with the front and rear of the device and this really is a good-looking phone in either color. It is noted however that the rear of the black HTC One gets covered in fingerprints very readily that are both hard to get off and also noticeable. On the silvery-white version though the fingerprints on the rear hardly show at all. A nice plus point is that the video points out that less fingerprints are gathered on the front glass of the HTC One than other smartphones so that’s good to hear.
Another thing to consider is that the HTC One has chamfered edges similar to the iPhone 5 and on the iPhone 5 these edges have been prone to denting and chipping. If you are the sort of smartphone user who is very careful with your device, or uses a case, then this is something you probably won’t need to pay much attention to. However if you treat your phones pretty roughly then the color choice here could make a big difference. If you were to chip the silvery-white aluminum it might hardly show at all. However the black one has an anodized finish over the natural aluminum color and so a chip here would really notice.
So you see it really could make a difference to you which color option you choose if you’re going to purchase the HTC One and that’s something you may now want to take into account. Ultimately your choice will probably come down to color preference and many people will still choose the black HTC One as it’s a beautiful looking device, despite the fact that fingerprints and chips will show more easily. However at least you can now make an informed decision between these two colors.

New Motorola X Phone specs suggested with November arrival

The smartphone world has recently been awash with numerous rumours regarding the first handset that has been jointly developed by Google and Motorola since the search engine giant swallowed up the manufacturer. Now today some new Motorola X Phone specs are being suggested along with a November arrival that could also challenge the Samsung Galaxy S4.

There have been a number of different claims of what the Motorola X Phone will be like, and now Phone Arena has been provided with some information that is claiming what the specifications of the handset will be.
The handset will allegedly feature a 4.8-inch Full HD touchscreen display protected by Sapphire Glass that we have heard about recently, while powering the device will be a quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2GHz.
Other features claimed to be coming with the handset include a massive 4000 mAh battery pack and the device will be water resistant with a release suggested for November. Obviously these rumours have to be taken with the usual pinch of salt, but if accurate would mean the display would have a higher pixel density than the Galaxy S4.
By then though we could have a number of different new smartphones available that includes the next offering from Apple, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and the next Nexus smartphone should also be available around this time if not before.
What it does mean though is that consumers will be getting a great range of new smartphones to choose from this year.
Do you like the sound of these latest rumours for the Motorola X Phone?

iPhone 5 case suggestion, don’t miss the Mist,

We always like to bring readers details of accessories as well as devices and if you have a spanking new phone then you may well want to splash out a little extra on a case for it. Today we have news of an Apple iPhone 5 case called the Mist and this is a little different from many cases out there. It doesn’t claim to offer robust protection but it will give some minimal protection and its appeal to many could be that because of this it hardly looks as though it’s there.

It’s a great idea to purchase a case for any new smartphone but much of our decision when it comes to deciding a new phone comes down to how much we like the design of it. Therefore it can be a shame to cover a device that we particularly like the styling of, with a case that means you can no longer see that design. This is where the Mist from id America comes in, a very slim, very lightweight case.
The Mist has a hard clear (most options) form-fitting shell that’s only 0.6mm thick and using a white Mist for example on the white iPhone 5 it’s pretty difficult even to see it’s actually wearing a case, apart from the ‘Born in New York’ branding. The fact that the Mist is also so light adds to the illusion as you hardly notice it, even when handling the phone.
Let’s be clear here though. If you want something that will offer robust all-round protection for your iPhone then the Mist is not the case for you. The Mist doesn’t cover the entire phone for example so your phone can still be vulnerable if you drop it, however it does offer at least some protection without completely spoiling the look of your coveted new smartphone and its slimness and lightness will appeal to many. It also offers scratch-resistance.
This Mist Hardshell Case for iPhone 5 is priced at $14.95 and is available in the following color options; black, blue, pink, purple, red white, solid black or solid white. To see more, or to order, head to id America here. Orders can be shipped worldwide. We’d like to know what you think about the Mist case for iPhone 5? Will you be ordering one? Maybe you already have one and could share what you think of it with our readers by sending us your comments?

Samsung Galaxy S4 details still unknown, Apple does better

We have all been carried away on the tide of expectation and eventual reveal for the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone. When it was unveiled we were not disappointed and the phone has been generally excellently received but after waiting patiently for all the details we were looking for we are still left without some important information. We thought we’d take a look at what we still want to know about the Galaxy S4 and bearing this in mind we’d say that Apple still manages its major device launches better.

This is not meant to turn into an Apple vs. Samsung or iOS vs. Android debate as we know that many readers are fiercely loyal to their preferred devices or platforms, but one thing we can’t get away from is how Apple absolutely kills its device launches, from trickling out minor details at first to dealing out information about the new device next and then building up to the big finale, always somehow leaving us wanting even more.
One of the big criticisms of Samsung Galaxy S phone launches over the last year or so was how those in the US often felt rather left out as the phone was released in other regions first, not reaching them until some time later. This year Samsung attempted to make US customers feel more part of the fold by holding an event in New York but despite an all-singing, all-dancing affair, parts of which were mind-numbingly dull, we were still left at the end with too many questions. Samsung may have introduced the new Galaxy S phone in the US for the first time but unfortunately that didn’t make any difference in filling in the gaps.
For instance there’s the question involving concrete release dates for the Galaxy S4. Although we were told the phone would first release in late April, which turned out to be April 25 for the UK, there were no other confirmed dates for releases in different regions. We may have found out that India and Italy would see a launch in early May and that the US was more likely to see it hit shelves ‘sometime’ in May or June but it was all very vague. Contrast this to Apple iPhone events where Apple also gives some confirmed release dates for different regions and you’ll see what we mean when we say Apple does it better.
Another thing we’d still like is some official price news from Samsung for the Galaxy S4, which again was not forthcoming at the event. Although some details have trickled out on pricing for the UK and a possible US price, we’d still like to see the price of the device officially declared at the announcement event so that customers know exactly what they will be facing. Again this is something that Apple does better, giving official price details at the time of the unveiling.
One more thing regards storage options and although we were officially informed at the Samsung Unpacked event for the Galaxy S4 that it would have 16, 32 and 64GB options, we weren’t told where those options might be available. The same storage options were available for the Galaxy S3 but not all models were available in all regions and on all carriers and that’s something that many customers would like to know in advance when planning their purchase. Again this is information that Apple is transparent about from the beginning.
We think the Samsung Galaxy S4 is a great smartphone that will be difficult to match but if only Samsung would learn some lessons from Apple on how to launch a major new device we’d be happier still. Surely some factors such as official release dates and pricing should automatically be part of such an event.?
We’d like to know what readers think about this though. Would you like to have seen these basic questions answered at the event that introduced the Galaxy S4? Maybe you disagree and got something out of Samsung’s S4 event that we didn’t? (Please don’t say the dancing!) Let us know with your comments.
Source: Gotta Be Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S3 hidden features that have the wow factor

Despite a new model being released soon the Samsung Galaxy S3 remains a premium smartphone that still has a lot to offer those that already own one. There are a few features that can be hidden if you don’t know where to look but some of them certainly bring the wow factor to the average user, and after spending a few months with the device I have decided to share some of my favourites.

Some of these features were added in the last Android Jelly Bean update that includes the Premium Suite options, and like many of the already available neat features these can have little tricks to get the most out of them.
If you have never owned a smartphone before Samsung has included an Easy mode that provides a more simple to use interface until you get into the swing of things, and this can be activated by going to settings and selecting home screen mode and then checking the Easy mode.
If there is something on your screen you would like to capture a simple sliding of the side of your hand across the screen, and the handset will then capture the image and save it to your Clipboard. Another clever feature that was highlighted at the handsets launch is the Smart Stay option, which will basically keep the display awake as long as you are looking at it.

This can be activated by going to the main settings and selecting display and scrolling down and checking the Smart Stay option, you will then see a small icon on the top right hand side of the display showing the option is active.
One of the most popular recent additions to the Galaxy S3 is the Multi-Window option that allows two applications to be run at the same time on the display, and sometimes the little tab for this option on the left of the display disappears, but to quickly open the option while on the home screen a short press down on the back button will open this up.
The camera can be quickly accessed by tapping the screen and holding down while rotating the device, and to set this up go to settings and select Lock screen and Lock screen options and making sure Camera quick access is switched on.

Google Now can be accessed quickly by simply holding down the menu button while accepting and ending calls can be made easier by setting the home button to receive them or the power key for ending calls. This can be achieved by heading to the main settings and selecting Accessibility before choosing Call answering/ending and activating the options.
The neat Direct call feature allows users to simply call the contact that is currently displayed on the screen by putting the handset up to their ear, and to enable this option select the Motion option from settings and enabling Direct call.
Many of us will have been hit with unexpected data charges if we unwittingly go over our allowances, but the Galaxy S3 has a clever data monitor that tracks your use with the option for the user to set a limit for a warning and a cut off, and this can be found via settings and Data usage.

Applications running in the background can seriously affect you battery life and if you don’t have one of the numerous apps that are available to address this issue you can still find out what is running on the device by holding down the home button. This will bring you a list of currently running apps and to go to it tap on the app or swipe to the right to kill it.
There are obviously many more neat features that haven’t been covered this time, and if you have any better tricks and shortcuts for the Samsung Galaxy S3 let us know via the comments section below.

Nexus 4 absence in India, frustration & explanation

The Nexus 4 pure Google Android smartphone by LG is a great handset and has met with huge popularity across the world, despite problems with supplies meeting demand. However, we have been detailing the release saga of the Nexus 4 for India and there is growing frustration that the phone has still not been officially launched there, although several times it has looked as though it was about to be. Today we want to look at just why the Nexus 4 is still absent for India.

Recently we updated our readers in India with the latest situation regarding the official Nexus 4 release there and detailed the sorry saga so far (see here). Even though Google now lists India as a supported country on a Nexus 4 microsite the order page still lists it as not available yet for the country. Also online retailer Saholic put up a new availability date for the Nexus 4 as April 30, which was taken down again merely to be replaced with the unhelpful ‘coming soon’ message.
We also mentioned that Google’s and LG’s lack of official information about the delay of the Nexus 4 for India was not helping the situation, with consumers feeling left out of the loop and as though they didn’t matter. Although there had been speculation that the delay may be down to a pricing disagreement between Google and LG we had no further details of this at that time. In the last few days though Google’s Eric Schmidt discussed Nexus devices (or lack of them) for India at the Big Tent Activate India event and gave us a little insight into the situation.
From previous comments to our posts on the Nexus 4 for India we now that many of our readers have felt really disappointed as well as annoyed about the treatment of customers in the country by Google and LG and when Schmidt appeared at the event in India one question in particular drew a big response from the audience. A developer asked Schmidt about ‘low-cost’ Nexus devices in general and why they didn’t make it to India within a reasonable timeframe. In reply, Schmidt said this had been noted and that Google was working on it and then apologized for this. He then went on to concede that ‘low-cost’ Nexus devices often ended up being more highly priced for India and said that was also being looked at.
It does seem then that pricing has played a large part in why the Nexus 4 has not yet been officially released in India. Furthermore we have heard that a report last month discussed a pricing debate between Google and LG about the Nexus 4 for India and quoted a source who said, “They (LG and Google) have not yet come to terms on whether to opt for the same price model at which Google introduced the phone in the US, or let LG determine the price of the new phone for the Indian market.”
Of course we should remember that not all Nexus devices have been officially launched in India but we still expect the Nexus 4 to be, although nobody seems any closer to offering a release date for the phone in the country. Many consumers in India have taken alternative routes now to get the Nexus 4 in the country, either via unofficial sources or asking friends in the US to get it for them and many of our reader’s comments on other posts have reflected this.
As we said in our previous post about this saga, an eventual official release of the Nexus 4 in India could be too late, as other potential customers will have given up and opted for a different smartphone instead. We’d really like to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think that customers for the Nexus 4 in India have been given the short straw and deserve more of an explanation? Are you still waiting, or maybe you’ve moved on to another smartphone because of your frustration? Let us know with your comments.
Source: CIOL

Sony Xperia ZL price appears in Canada before release

While the main focus has been on the new Sony Xperia Z from the company over that last few weeks, Sony still has a number of different handsets becoming available and the price for the Sony Xperia ZL has possibly appeared for Rogers in Canada ahead of a release.

The handset is slightly a lower spec than the Xperia Z but still has some worthy specifications in its armoury, and now a document has been leaked with the pricing for the Xperia ZL, and if you want the device without a contract its yours for $624.99. This is less than Sony themselves who will sell you the handset for price of $674.99.
If you want the device on a three year contract the handset will still cost you $124.99, and this is for a handset that still has a lot to offer even if it isn’t dust and waterproof. To recap the device has a more compact feel compared to the Xperia Z but still uses a 5-inch Full HD touchscreen display with a pixel density of 443ppi.
Other features include a quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 processor clocked at 1.5GHz, which is paired with an Adreno 320 GPU for the graphics and 2GB of RAM. There is 16GB of on board storage that is expandable by a further 64GB thanks to the microSD card port, a 13-megapixel rear facing camera with Exmor technology that is also capable of 1080p video capture, and a 2-megapixel unit on the front of the device.
The handset will ship running the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system but Sony has promised a quick update to 4.2 Jelly Bean shortly, and supplying all the power to the handset is a 2,370 mAh battery pack.
Will you be getting the Sony Xperia ZL?
Source: Mobile Syrup.

HTC One could update to Jelly Bean 4.2.2 within 2 months

We’ve liked the sound of the HTC One smartphone ever since we heard the first murmurings of the flagship device and haven’t been very secretive about our admiration for it. Although HTC announced the One would release running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean we also knew that this would be updated to 4.2.2 eventually, although there was no timescale available at the time. Now a source claims that the HTC One will receive the Jelly Bean 4.2.2 update within 2 months.

Many of you following news about the HTC One will have heard that there has been some question recently over whether its release will be delayed slightly for some regions. Whatever happens it should shortly be available though. It is likely to come up against the Samsung Galaxy S4 as its main Android competition as that will also be released in April in some regions and other regions in May. In our comparison between the two we told how one of the aspects that favored the Galaxy S4 was that it would be launched running Android 4.2.2 out of the box.
However if you were wondering if that would sway your choice, the news that the HTC One seems likely to receive the update to 4.2.2 between one month and two months after it releases may be interesting to you. Android 4.2 has already been pushed out to various Nexus devices and also the Verizon variant of the Galaxy Nexus but it seems it wont’ be long until the HTC One caches up.
An HTC tipster dubbed @LlabTooFeR has tweeted reliable information before and has now tweeted in response to a query about the 4.2.2 update that the HTC One “will get the update in 1-2 months” so of course according to that tweet the update could come as early as 4 weeks after the phone releases. This means it could possibly be upgraded to Jelly Bean 4.2.2 before the Galaxy S4 releases, or very close to the same time.
This is good news for anyone who may have been deterred from purchasing the HTC One just because it’s launching on Android 4.1.2. We should point out though that the new timeframe given for the HTC One 4.2.2 update is as yet unconfirmed. However it does appear credible because HTC will be very keen to do everything to help the One flagship compete against the Galaxy S4. One more thing to remember though is that owners of devices in the US often get such updates later because of carrier requirements so if this applies to you then you may have to wait a few weeks longer for the HTC One 4.2.2 rollout than those in other regions, however unfair that may seem.
Jelly Bean 4.2.2 may well be the last iteration of the Jelly Bean updates as Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie is expected to debut at Google’s I/O conference in May. Just some of the benefits from the latest Jelly Bean update are Google Now, Quick Settings menu, new keyboard with gesture typing support, PhotoSphere camera feature and new lock screen widgets.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this and if we hear any more news or leaks about the HTC One we’ll pass that on to you as soon as possible. What are your thoughts on the HTC One and its possible update to 4.2.2 so soon after launch? If both the HTC One and Galaxy S4 were available to you at exactly the same time running Jelly Bean 4.2.2, which would you choose? Let us know with your comments.

iOS 7 release could be less of a leap than anticipated

Although Apple’s iOS 7 is still some months away we have been discussing it for some time. One thing we have consistently talked about is the need for Apple to come up with something completely groundbreaking that will restore its reputation for innovation. Unfortunately it seems that some are not expecting iOS 7 to be as much of a leap forward as many of us are hoping for.

For some time we have been saying that Apple’s iOS 7 is becoming a little stale and how much we long for something to arrive that will wow us. As many of you will know, a new major upgrade to iOS usually arrives just in time for a new iPhone, thus last year’s iPhone 5 launched with iOS 6 that had just been introduced. It’s thought that the next iPhone will be the iPhone 5S and will run iOS 7 but that the phone will be more of a refresh than a big upgrade. However that hasn’t stopped many of us hoping for something that will knock our socks off, although that doesn’t look likely.
The iPhone 5S is rumored for a release in summer or fall and as we’ve pointed out is likely to launch already running iOS 7, which could be introduced as early as Apple’s WWDC in June. For some time now we have thought that although the next iPhone may not be a complete overhaul, there was a real need for Apple to come up with the goods for iOS 7 and following the official introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S4 there now seems even more need for that than previously, as the S4 will be its major competition.
It seemed to us that even if the iPhone 5S was nothing more than a slight refresh then iOS 7 could offer more excitement than the new phone itself, with some outstanding new software features that would be more interesting than the hardware of the iPhone 5. From comments to our previous stories we know that many people agree that Apple needs to show something that will captivate us with iOS 7 but it seems that plenty of us might be left feeling disappointed when it is finally revealed.
At a time when many investors are also hoping that iOS 7 will bring back Apple’s edge, some people with knowledge of the matter are already saying that it won’t be as revolutionary as many of us are hoping for. For example Thorsten Heins, BlackBerry CEO said earlier this week in an interview that the rate of innovation in the mobile industry is now so high that companies can lose their foothold in the market extremely quickly if they don’t keep up. Heins also spoke about how Apple’s iPhone user interface is now five-years-old and although Heins might not be exactly unbiased in what he says, he does have a point as the basic UI hasn’t changed that much.
Although nobody could accuse Heins of being neutral it seems that even people with Apple connections are feeling the same way. iOS developer Guy English when speaking to renowned Apple blogger John Gruber, also seemed to feel that there might not be any radical changes with iOS 7. English said, “Maybe iOS 8 will be interesting, but iOS 7 will be less of a leap than many people are hoping for.”
Maybe we should have expected this after all, especially considering Apple’s former hardware design guru Jonathan Ive was brought in along with Craig Federighi to work on iOS when Scott Forstall (Apple’s chief of iOS) was sacked last year following the Apple Maps debacle. When you consider that Ive and Federighi have only had a few months in their new roles then maybe it was too much to expect a completely revamped and breathtaking update for iOS this time around, although of course that may follow further down the line.
We’re really interested to hear what you have to say about this. Do you think that iOS 7 needs to be something that will grip consumer imagination and give Apple back its luster? If the iPhone 5S is nothing more than a minor refresh could a completely new-look iOS 7 keep customers interested? Let us know with your comments.
Source: The Motley Fool

Lenovo S920 official & releasing in early April

There are some great smartphones releasing at the moment such as the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 and now we can add the Lenovo S920 to the list. This one has a 5.3-inch display though making it more of a ‘phablet’ device, akin to the Galaxy Note 2 and it has specs almost rivaling those of the Note 2.

The Lenovo S920 has just turned up on the Lenovo China website so that we can find out all about it before it releases in China in early April. There’s no word yet on if it will release for other regions or which regions they might be but we do at least have some specifications detailed.
This smartphone phone looks as though it’s the first from Lenovo that will launch on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, is powered by a 1.2GHz MediaTek MT6589 quad-core processor and has a 5.3-inch HD display with resolution of 1280 x 720. Specs also include 1GB of RAM, microSD support, an 8-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front-facing camera and 2250 mAh battery.
It’s a decent enough looking handset as you can see above and nicely slim at only 7.9mm thick. There’s no official word on price yet but the more affordable MediaTek processor is likely to make it less expensive than the Galaxy Note 2. We’ll be keeping tabs on the Lenovo S920 and will pass on more details to readers as we hear news.
Does this look like a phone that would appeal to you? If you’re not in China are you hoping this Lenovo phone also comes to your region? Let us know with your comments.
Source: Lenovo China
Via: Unwired View

T-Mobile LTE markets going live on March 26

There are plenty of T-Mobile USA customers waiting for its LTE networks to go live and today we have leaked news for you of launch markets where this will finally happen in only a few days time, on March 26. Although there will be limited amounts of customers who have devices that will be compatible straight away, we can imagine this will lead to a rush of customers now seeking out an LTE-compatible phone for T-Mobile. Read on for further details.

LTE (Long Term Evolution) will give users faster data speeds and a leaked document shows the following cities where LTE will go live on Tuesday, March 26; Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose, and Washington DC. However we should point out that not all towers in each city will be upgraded simultaneously so LTE may not be available right across each city at first.
Recently we told about an update being pushed out to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on T-Mobile that would enable its use with LTE so hopefully owners will all have received that update by Tuesday. Once owners receive this update their devices will be able to use LTE.
Other devices that will be available from T-Mobile in time for the LTE launch are the BlackBerry Z10 and the T-Mobile Sonic 2.0 and of course more and more devices will be arriving shortly such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One. We’ll remind you that this news of launch cities is so far unconfirmed but does come from an often-reliable source.
Are you a T-Mobile customer waiting eagerly for the launch of its LTE network? Let us know with your comments.
Source: TMO News

Samsung Galaxy S I9000 Jelly Bean update to 4.2.2 with Slim Bean ROM

If you have the older Samsung Galaxy S I9000 smartphone then we have some news that may interest you today, especially if you’re not averse to a bit of tinkering with your device. If you enjoy customization then the Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 update is now available for the Galaxy S I9000 via a Slim Bean Build 2 ROM. This custom ROM, said to be stable, provides fixes and a myriad of new features.

Just some of the 4.2.2 Slim Bean ROM Build 2 custom firmware offerings are TheRealDarkSlim Toggle, Shiny new Slim Sizer, added root functionality to SlimFilemanager, extended QuickSettings style options and an update to the latest version of DashClock. Other additions include an automatic keyboard rotation feature, USB Tether tile, LTE tile, fullscreen toggle to the browser menu, Signature to Messaging and much, much more.
Some of the bug fixes include one for HTML5 audio playback, BT tethering label, A2DP streaming sound fixes and more and the only known issue at the moment is a small visual glitch for the landscape lock before unlock. This Slim Bean ROM Build 2 is ONLY for the international variant of the Galaxy S I9000 so please don’t try it with other models.
Before we go any further we’d like to stress that at Phones Review we never recommend using anything but official updates for your devices and that if you decide to use this custom ROM and anything goes wrong then it will be your own responsibility. However we know that plenty of our readers enjoy the freedom of customizing their smartphones so we still try to bring the latest news for you.
Before you begin you’ll need to have the correct USB drivers installed, remember to back up data and settings and have at least 80% battery charge. You also need to be certain that the USB debugging mode is enabled and ensure your device is rooted with ClockworkMod recovery installed. You may also want to download and install the Root checker app to check that root access is working okay.
When you’re ready to go you can download the 4.2.2 Slim Bean Build 2 ROM for Galaxy S I9000 from here and Google Apps here to your desktop. You can then proceed to update to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and when you’ve completed if you go to Settings>About Phone you’ll be able to see verification of the software that you’ve installed. You can see full details of the new features, pre-requisites for using the ROM and then step-by-step instructions on how to proceed with the Slim Bean Build 2 ROM at the source link below as well as more links for other steps you may need to take. Please read the instructions and make sure you understand them BEFORE you start.
If you choose to update using this Jelly Bean custom ROM we’d be delighted if you could send us your comments. Did everything work smoothly for you and if you have successfully installed for your Galaxy S I9000 what do you think of the benefits? Send us your comments to let us know.
Source: Vickyz.com

T-Mobile LTE markets going live on March 26

There are plenty of T-Mobile USA customers waiting for its LTE networks to go live and today we have leaked news for you of launch markets where this will finally happen in only a few days time, on March 26. Although there will be limited amounts of customers who have devices that will be compatible straight away, we can imagine this will lead to a rush of customers now seeking out an LTE-compatible phone for T-Mobile. Read on for further details.

LTE (Long Term Evolution) will give users faster data speeds and a leaked document shows the following cities where LTE will go live on Tuesday, March 26; Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose, and Washington DC. However we should point out that not all towers in each city will be upgraded simultaneously so LTE may not be available right across each city at first.
Recently we told about an update being pushed out to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on T-Mobile that would enable its use with LTE so hopefully owners will all have received that update by Tuesday. Once owners receive this update their devices will be able to use LTE.
Other devices that will be available from T-Mobile in time for the LTE launch are the BlackBerry Z10 and the T-Mobile Sonic 2.0 and of course more and more devices will be arriving shortly such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One. We’ll remind you that this news of launch cities is so far unconfirmed but does come from an often-reliable source.
Are you a T-Mobile customer waiting eagerly for the launch of its LTE network? Let us know with your comments.
Source: TMO News

Tabletop Defense iOS app brings classic tower game

Classic tower defense game Tabletop Defense has now arrived for the iOS platform and is available from Apple’s App Store. The app from Immanitas Entertainment can now be played on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad and this game should keep many players enthralled. Read on as we have all the details.

For those who’ve not heard of Tabletop Defense the game involves setting towers at preset points on an enemy supply route in a bid to stop opposition land and air units achieving their aims. Players only have limited funds at the beginning and as levels progress it becomes harder to decide the positioning of the towers and when they should be upgraded. Players can earn more finances with shots and use the funds to construct more towers and destruct increasingly armored enemy units.

It sounds like an intriguing game and features 24 levels plus normal or expert difficulty levels, 5 different towers with three upgrades for each, 3D graphics and game and tower views that are zoomable. Tabletop Defense also has different game modes to suit different players as well as adjustable speed and has language support for English and German.

The game has been optimized for tablets for better game visibility but can also be played on other devices. Tabletop Defense for iOS is compatible for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd, 4th and 5th generation) and iPad running iOS 4.0 or later. It’s priced at $1.99, €1.79 or £1.59 and can be downloaded from iTunes here. A PC version is also available. To find out more about Tabletop Defense head to the official Facebook page here.

We’d like to hear what you think of the iOS app for the Tabletop Defense game so please feel free to send us your comments on this new app that’s in the App Store now.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 demand after iPhone 5S

Two smartphones, two massive names and the game for popular demand, this year is going to be huge when it comes to sales from Apple and Samsung. We would like to talk about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 demand after iPhone 5S and what will be more successful.

Earlier on today we learned that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 could possibly be announced at the IFA 2013 show in Berlin, Germany, which kicks off on the 6th September and finishes on the 11th. No one knows what the screen size is going to be but there are rumours that the phablet could have a new Sharp LCD display, we are hoping that the size will be somewhere between 5.9 and 6.3-inches, time will tell.

The Galaxy Note 3 will no doubt have all the goodies the Galaxy S4 has and much more, they really need to keep the stylus, as this is what it unique to the Note series. Will the next Unpacked event happen before September or after, what we do know for sure is that the Galaxy Note 3 will be announced after the iPhone 5S, which is in June at WWDC 2013.

Looking into this a little more we reported earlier that the Samsung Unpacked event for the Samsung Galaxy S4 was episode 1, so it stands to reason that episode 2 is coming this year as well, which will obviously be for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

The Note 3 will be a massive hit there is no doubting that for a second, loyal Apple owners will buy the iPhone 5S but we have to sit back and think about this, it will be a smartphone that is a refresh of the iPhone 5 and the only real difference will be a few additional features such as processing power, the real difference will come via the iOS 7 software release. Do you really think the iPhone 5S will come with new bells and whistles? Well, we do hope so because competition against rivals Samsung with be healthy competition, heck this is why Phones Review is still here because it makes it all that much more fun.

So In A Nutshell
The Apple iPhone 5S will makes it debut in June at WWDC, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will probably make an appearance in September, to be honest we will be shocked if it is before. The demand for both phones will be immense and sales will just go through the roof, we are looking forward to the two announcements.

Head On The Block
Oh gosh, where do we stand when it comes to popular demand – We actually love both iPhone and the Note series, but in the back of our minds the Note 3 will be a powerhouse with many more features than the iPhone 5S. Apple we demand that you prove us all wrong and steer away from an iPhone 5 refresh release.

Do you want the iPhone 5S or the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, what will prove to be the most popular when it comes to demand?

Top 5 Samsung Galaxy S4 Accessories

Good morning everyone! Today we’ll be looking at some of the best accessories for the Galaxy S4. Samsung have done really well this time around to come up with some nice first-party options, but third party manufacturers have stepped up their game too and the result is an already verdant accessory ecosystem for the S4. Let’s take a look!

5. DriveTime Adjustable Car Kit
This is the all-in-one solution for using the Galaxy S4 in your car. The DriveTime car holder is a highly adjustable windscreen or dashboard mounting system, allowing landscape or portrait orientation and everything in between. The kit also includes a micro USB car charger, allowing you to keep your phone fully charged while you’re on the go.
4. Case-Mate Tough Case for Galaxy S4
The Case-Mate Tough Case is, as the name suggests, one of the most durable and protective cases available for the Samsung Galaxy S4 at the moment. As well as offering a good amount of protection from scratches, the Tough Case can boast good impact resistance thanks to its unique layered design.
3. Genuine Samsung Extra Battery Kit
This Samsung-made extra Galaxy S4 battery kit is plenty useful. It includes a spare battery for the S4, allowing you to potentially double your battery life at a very low cost. The kit also includes a battery charger, so you can easily charge both phone and spare battery at once, ensuring that you’ll be ready to take on the new day with both fully charged.
2. Genuine Samsung Galaxy S4 Flip Cover
This flip cover was incredibly popular for the Galaxy S3, as it offered a convincing blend of screen protection and a dramatically small footprint. This is achieved through replacing the rear cover of the original S4 with a new, more durable version that also has a flip cover attached. In this way, you’re replacing instead of adding to the bulk of the phone. That flip cover ensures screen protection whenever your phone isn’t being used, like in your pocket or purse. The Flip Cover is available in a wide range of colours too, ensuring that you can choose one to fit your own style.
1. Ultimate Samsung Galaxy S4 Accessory Pack
If you’re not sure what you’ll need for the S4, why not get it all? The S4 Ultimate Pack contains everything you need to use your Galaxy S4 to the fullest, including protective items like screen protectors and a case, handy portable and desk stands, as well as a car charger and holder. The Ultimate Pack makes a good gift pack, too.
What Samsung Galaxy S4 accessory above do you like the most?

BlackBerry Q10 release & SIM free price, count your pennies

We are about to see a wider audience that can get access to the new BlackBerry 10 operating system, and so far early adopters have had only one handset to choose from. Now we have news of the BlackBerry Q10 UK release with a SIM free price that will mean that you better start counting your pennies if you want to purchase the device.

We heard yesterday that the handset had been put up on the Carphone Warehouse website, and now another retailer Unlocked Mobiles has listed the BlackBerry Q10 with an unlocked price of £529.98 with a release date of April 26th.

This is only slightly more expensive than the same retailer will sell you the BlackBerry Z10 for at £524.99, while rival online retailer Expansys has the Z10 priced at £479.99 unlocked. Expansys currently at the time of writing doesn’t have any information regarding pricing or a delivery date for the Q10.

Another online retailer Clove has the BlackBerry Q10 listed at an eye watering £534.99 once VAT has been added, which also comes with a late April availability date. Online retailers can sometimes see prices change as the handset gets closer to release but this is unlikely to happen now with the Q10.

For this sort of money you could purchase the Apple iPhone 5 or possibly the Samsung Galaxy S4, but there will be a number of consumers that want to experience BlackBerry 10 with a physical QWERTY keyboard, although some may be having second thoughts at this price.

Would you pay this much for the BlackBerry Q10?

Xiaomi Mi-3 to have uber-specs to impress

Last year we saw the release of Xiaomi’s Mi-2 smartphone and so what do you imagine we’re writing about today, you guessed it, some early details about the Xiaomi Mi-3 have just turned up. This is looking to be a beautiful beast of a phone with uber-specs to impress so read on for further details.

Chinese company Xiaomi may be a name you haven’t heard much of as it largely ignores retail sites and carriers and sells the majority of its wares through its own website, therefore cutting down costs. In this way Xiaomi come up with some smartphones that have top-notch specs and yet have a lower price than many phones with a similar lineup of high-end specs. In fact Xiaomi usually sells its phones at cost, making its profits instead from its custom MIUI skin along with e-commerce services.
Hence the top Xiaomi smartphones usually see orders selling out within minutes of batches being received. The Xiaomi Mi-3 not only has notable specs but also looks sleek and stylish so should be another big hit for Xiaomi. Specs are said to include a powerful 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 5-inch 1080p display, 13-megapixel rear camera, 3000 mAh battery and it will run Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie skinned with Xiaomi’s custom MIUI.
There’s no news yet on pricing or a release date but fall looks likely if Xiaomi follows previous launch patterns. We’re sure you’ll agree that this is pretty impressive stuff and we’d like to hear your thoughts on the Xiaomi Mi-3. Will you be waiting for more news about this device? Maybe you have your eye on a different smartphone? Send your comments to let us know.
Source: Mobile.163 (Google Translated)
Via: Unwired View

Motorola X Phone customizable rumors look to be false

There’s a massive amount of interest in the Motorola X Phone, sometimes referred to as the Google X Phone. Since we heard the first rumblings of this phone many Android enthusiasts have been intrigued at what it might offer. A week ago we told of rumors that the Motorola X might feature user customizable hardware after leaks from an insider. However now it seems that this is extremely unlikely after all. Read on for more on this.

The same insider who talked about customizable hardware for the Motorola X also came up with information that Motorola X could actually be a brand rather than one actual device but that may now be in doubt too following today’s news. It’s reported that Motorola advisor Guy Kawasaki talked earlier today about customizable phones for the future but did not mention anything about the X Phone in connection with this.
Further to this Phone Arena reports discussions from “sources in the know” and their gen suggests this it’s not likely at all that the Motorola X Phone will be customizable. These insiders are said to have knowledge of the X Phone project and said that the people who would need to know if this was in the pipeline have no knowledge of it and so believe it’s highly implausible.
Of course this idea of user customization smartphone orders could come to fruition eventually and Phone Arena quotes its sources as saying there’s a “real possibility” that on a later Motorola phone this year we might see this. As usual, with upcoming devices we’ll pass on further news as we hear it.
What do you feel about this latest news about the Motorola X? Does it bother you if you can’t order it as a customized phone when it releases? Let us know with your comments.
Source: Phone Arena

Casio GzOne waterproof smartphone launched for LG U+

There will be many of us that have damaged our mobiles phones at one time or another by getting them wet, but we are seeing more devices or treatments becoming available to help prevent these kind of accidents, and now the Casio GzOne waterproof smartphone has been launched for LG U+.

While there is the Sony Xperia Z that is dust and water resistant, South Korea’s LG U+ has announced the availability of the Casio GzOne smartphone that can be used submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for around thirty minutes.
Why you want to do such a thing to a smartphone is another matter, but at least if you accidently drop the handset into any water you know the device should live to see another day. That handset is the first of its kind that is compatible with the carriers LTE network in the country.
The smartphone features a 4-inch touch screen display and will come running the Android Ice Cream operating system, and has an IPX8 rating. The handset is also a tough cookie as well as the display is protected from scratches thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass, and the side and back are protected by a buffer.
The device is priced at 423,500 KRW for those that need a smartphone that can survive being placed into water.
Have you damaged a mobile phone with water?
Source and Image: Technology News.

HTC One TrickDroid JB 4.1.2 Custom ROM full of surprises

There are so many custom ROMs out there and we have one right here for you if you own the HTC flagship smartphone, we have one for the HTC One that has the latest Android JB 4.1.2 based on Sense 5.0. Say hello to the cool looking HTC One TrickDroid JB 4.1.2 Custom ROM.

TrickDroid offers so much and one of the main features allows users to get the stock Sense 5.0 interface as if on a stock HTC One firmware, this one allows more battery life and also contains a few small changes to the UI. The new TrickDroid Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean custom firmware is not the official release so it has been advised to backup, it will need a custom recovery like ClockworkMod or TWRP, this does mean you will have to flash the ROM zip file on the HTC One.
Please be sure that your HTC One bootloader is unlocked, if it is not then you will not get the chance to install this custom ROM.
You are still here, so that means you are very much interested in TrickDroid, if you decide to go ahead with this install please be aware that Phones Review will NOT be held responsible if anything should happen to your shiny HTC One.
The TrickDroid custom ROM is based on the latest 1.28.401.6, it has many features and these include: Android 4.1.2 with Sense UI 5.0, Multilanguage support, Removed all debug code from /app and /framework, Fixed all original HTC bugs, TrickDroid tweak package option, Menu tweak in Settings by Riyal, Advanced Power Menu by Dunc001, SuperSmooth, UI Optimization and so much more.
For more information on the new HTC One TrickDroid custom ROM please visit Team Android (This source seem to make a few spelling errors, but we love what they do) for the full installation tutorial. If you are already using this please do comment below and let us know what you think of it?

Lenovo P780 smartphone specs to include huge battery

While the components that are used for modern smartphones have advanced a great deal in recent times, battery technology has seemingly been left behind although some manufacturers are starting to fit larger power packs, and now a Lenovo P780 smartphone specs are said to include a huge battery.

Lenovo are more famous for their computer offerings but recently has been making tentative steps into the smartphone world, and now new rumours are hinting at another handset that is being called at the moment the P780.
The yet to be announced smartphone has what could be called standard smartphone specifications but one standout feature is the 4000 mAh battery that it will be fitted with. This if true will mean the handset will be coming with one of the biggest battery packs on an Android smartphone, only beaten by the Huawei Ascend Mate that uses a 4050 mAh unit.
Away from the battery pack the rest of the handsets specifications include a 5-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 720, which is powered by a quad core MediaTek MT6589 with 1GB of RAM.
There are also claims the device will feature 8GB of internal storage although it is not known if this will be expandable, and an 8-megapixel camera with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean are also rumoured for the device. A release is tipped for sometime in May with a price of around CNY 1,999 in China, which works out at about $318, but it is not known if the device will venture outside of the country.
Do you like the idea of a smartphone with a 4000 mAh battery?
Source: Android Authority.

New Samsung Galaxy S4 vs older Galaxy S3, video makes clear

The Samsung Galaxy S4 may currently be hogging the headlines after being revealed last week but the Galaxy S3 is still a very decent handset indeed. The Galaxy S4 is due for release next month, which means there are now some really good price deals for the Galaxy S3. We thought we’d give you a look at the new Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. older Galaxy S3 with a video comparison that could help you make up your mind if you’re undecided between these two Android smartphones.

We’ve previously given you a specs comparison of the Galaxy S4 vs. S3 but sometimes we’ve found that a video can speak a thousand words. Seeing the handsets in the flesh, so to speak, can be a deciding factor and one thing the video certainly shows is how similar they are physically, with it being very difficult to tell which is which, especially at first glance.

The video cleverly describes the Galaxy S4 as “more of everything except for what less of what you don’t want,” and goes on to point out the lighter weight of the Galaxy S4 to the Galaxy S3 (though not by much). The video then goes on to describe positives of the Galaxy S4 such as Android 4.2.2 instead of 4.1.2 for the Galaxy S3.

Some benchmarks were also run where the performance of the Galaxy S4 far surpassed that of the Galaxy S3. The video goes on to look at the cameras, the displays (with a dramatic ppi increase for the Galaxy S4) and features and clearly shows the Galaxy S4 is a pretty big step up specs-wise from the Galaxy S3.

The Galaxy S3 is still a great smartphone though, even though it may be showing its age a little so if you want to save cash and don’t mind not having the very latest specs then you may well decide to take advantage of some of the current price cuts for the Galaxy S3.

You can see the three-minute YouTube video that we’ve embedded for you below this story. We’d really appreciate it if you could let us have your comments after you’ve viewed the video and tell us which you might choose. Will it be the all-singing all-dancing Galaxy S4 or maybe you’ll choose to save some money with the Galaxy S3?

Most Broken Mobiles Damaged Within First 3 Months of Owning

A study by a leading mobile phone insurance website has revealed that the majority of broken handsets become damaged within the first 3 months of users owning them. Furthermore, 51% of the mobile phones given as gifts at Christmas time 2012 have been broken in some way, lost or stolen already.

In a bid to find out how long into the ownership of a mobile phone handsets most commonly become broken, a mobile phone insurance website in the UK has carried out research to discover more.

www.MobileInsurance.co.uk polled 2,579 mobile phone owners in the UK, each over the age of 18, and asked them questions about their handsets. All respondents had experienced a broken handset in the last 2 years. The site noted an increase in the number of claims made for phones less than 4 months old, which prompted the team to conduct the poll.

When asked ‘When your handset, either past or present, became broken for the first time, how long had you had it for?’ the most common answer, for 37% of respondents, was ‘3 months or less’; suggesting that handsets are most likely to break or go wrong in the first 3 months of owning them.

All respondents were then asked if the phone that they were currently using had been a Christmas gift, to which just less than a quarter, 23%, said ‘yes’. These people were asked if they’d experienced any problems with their handset in the short time since Christmas; for example, it had become broken in some way, or was lost or stolen. 51% of them said ‘yes’, that it had; further emphasising the point that most handset owners experience issues within the first 3 months of ownership.

As respondents were only asked to take part in the poll if they’d experienced a broken handset in the past two years, MobileInsurance.co.uk asked: ‘Was your handset insured at the time of the problems you experienced, such as a break, loss or theft?’ To this question, less than 1 in 10, 9%, said ‘yes’. Furthermore, when asked if they were aware that most insurance policies could only be taken out on handsets that were less than a year old, 65% of those taking part said ‘no’, they thought they could insure a handset at any time.

Jason Brockman, Director at MobileInsurance.co.uk, said the following about the study:

“To see that more than half of handsets given as gifts at Christmas are already broken, or have already been lost or stolen, is a big shock indeed. Most people are usually careful with their handsets in the initial weeks, wanting to keep their shiny new toy in tiptop condition. After a little while though, phone owners tend to get careless.

“Most people assume you can insure a handset at any stage of owning it, but it’s difficult to find anyone willing to offer an insurance policy on a handset that’s over a year old. Get insurance out early, when you first get your phone, to insure you’re covered in all scenarios and at all times. Don’t leave these things to chance!”

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 tipped for September Berlin launch

Away from the Galaxy S4 there are a growing number of users that are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the next phablet device from the company, and now the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is being tipped for a Berlin launch alongside the Galaxy Tab 3.

There have been a number of rumours recently regarding the handsets screen size, and the fact the device is supposedly almost ready to go, and now it is being suggested the smartphone will be making its first official appearance at the IFA 2013 show in Berlin, Germany.
The event this year will be kicking off on the 6th of September which is a month later than last year’s show, and there is a chance the device could be revealed at the show ahead of any Samsung Unpacked event.
On the recent invites the company sent out for the launch of the Galaxy S4 it said that it was episode 1, so you would have thought the Galaxy Note 3 will be episode 2. The last two versions of the Galaxy Note were both announced at the show previously, so there is no reason why the same won’t happen again this year.
The next version of the phablet device is thought to be coming with another increase in size with both 5.9 and 6.3-inch displays rumoured, but more recently there was talk that a 6.3-inch device will be a cheaper alternative from the company.
We will have to wait and see if Samsung does reveal the Note 3 at the Berlin show, and it is also being suggested by the same source that the Galaxy Tab 3 will also be making an appearance.
Is the Galaxy Note 3 on the top of your wish list for 2013?
Source: SamMobile.

iOS 7 preview at WWDC 2013 expected

The iOS 7 preview is expected to be at WWDC 2013 (Worldwide Developers Conference) this year, but will it? The event kicks off on June 10th and the last day will be on the 14th at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, we all know that Apple will be announcing the iPhone 5S unless they have something totally different up their sleeves to totally throw us of the normal iPhone launch game.

iPhone 3G to 3GS, then iPhone 4 to 4S, so it stands to reason that it will go from the iPhone 5 to the 5S. More exciting news via WWDC for us would have to be the new iOS 7 operating system, the next iPhone release is basically common knowledge but do you think iOS 7 will have its preview showcased at WWDC 2013?
New iOS 7 features have to be out of this world, something different that even Samsung didn’t think of when they announced the Samsung Galaxy S4, there will be many new features within iOS 7 especially when it comes to the UI (User Interface). We all have expectations that the new OS will be previewed at WWDC and we believe it will be shown, as for the release to public this is another story.
In the back of our minds we cannot see it being ready for the iPhone 5S and will release shortly after, if not then the iPhone 6 will have it pre-installed, all bets are on as they say.
We can see iOS 7 at WWDC so that the circulation for developers gets underway, but as for the public release we say the waiting game will continue. Apple has obviously seen the Samsung capabilities and they need to act upon this to bring iPhone customers something unique, something we have not yet experienced.
The Apple operating system has not changed that much over the years to have us in awe, to be frank it has been stagnant, it needs a better social hub, the notifications needs to be so much better and different as so does the multi-tasking side of things.
We will not sit here blabbing on and on about what features the new iOS 7 will contain, instead take a look at the videos we have provided below and then you can comment on what you want within iOS 7. Please answer this question – iOS 7 preview at WWDC 2013 expected, do you think it will?

Chameleon Launcher for Android released to all

Many smartphone owners like to alter the software and features that are shipped with the device, even if it is simply installing the various applications that are available, and today we have news that the Chameleon Launcher app for Android has been released to all.

Back in January the application was made available for owners of Android tablets but now it is available to smartphone owners that are running Android 3.2 and later. The application basically allows users to create multiple home screens, but unlike other applications Chameleon Launcher will turn your homescreen into the complete information hub.
Users are treated to large and colourful widgets for a number of services such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and much more. These layouts can be personalized for different situations such as for when you are at work for emails and news, or social media when you are at home.
The various widgets can be adjusted in size and shape by simply dragging on it while in the editing mode, which is great considering Android widgets can often come in a number of different sizes. The application also allows users to customize their own mini App Tray doing away with the need of searching through large grids of apps.
Chameleon Launcher app for Android is available on the Google Play Store priced at £2.51/$2.91, and users have been giving the app positive reviews.
Have you used Chameleon Launcher?

Nokia Lumia 820 vs Samsung Ativ S, comparing the specs

Nokia and Samsung are the renowned players in the fields of Smartphones. Here in this article you will get an analysis of the various features of Nokia 820 and Samsung Ativ S Smartphone.

Features of Samsung Ativ S
Samsung Ativ S is comprises of 4.8 “ Super AMOLED touch screen and has Windows 8 as its OS. It is a user-friendly phone. The phone has got dual core 1.5 GHz Krait processor and is very fast and has got optimum performance. The phone has 1 GB RAM and there are two types of variant- 16 GB internal memory and 32 GB internal memory. There is a support for external memory card –microSD card and this can be expanded up to 32 GB.
In this smartphone, most of the audio and video formats are supported. There is one primary camera with 8-megapixel offering high quality images. The camera comes with auto focusing and LED flashlight. The camera also has image stabilization and geo-tagging features. There is a secondary camera of 1.9-megapixel that can be used for video calling. One can have outstanding video capturing using this phone. The phone has support for 3G, 2G, WiFi, Bluetooth v 3.0 with A2DP, GPS. GPRS and micro USB 2.0. The phone has corning Gorilla Glass 2 for screen protection. The phone has all the preloaded applications required for smooth operation.
Features of Nokia Lumia 820
The display screen of Nokia Lumia 820 has 4.3” Super AMOLED touch screen having resolution of 480×800 pixels. The operating system is Windows 8.0. The phone has Dual Core 1.5 Krait Processor and has 1 GB RAM. Both these features make the processing very fast. The internal memory has the capacity of 8 GB and the phone has the support for external memory card or micro SD card, which can be expanded up to 32 GB. The audio and video formats supported by the phone are MP3, WAV, WMA and WMV. This phone supports MP4. Nokia Lumia 820 has dual camera.
The primary camera comes with 8-megapixels while the secondary camera has VGA feature, which could be used for video calling. The primary camera has LED flashlight. The camera can take HD images and also has Geo tagging feature. The phone has support for 4G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v3.1 with A2DP and EDR, GPS, GPRS etc. The best feature about this phone is that it supports wireless charging and micro SIM card.
Though both the phones have similar features the Nokia Lumia 820 has some additional features to offer to the users. Would you choose the Nokia Lumia 820 or the Samsung Ativ S?
Author’s Bio: Kathryn is the author for Chrisalexcorp. She also writes for a website Protwit.com which provides Tweet Adder, which is a powerful tool, used to automate the tweeter posts.

iPhone 6 new display technology could recognize handwriting

The Apple iPhone 6 continues to be the subject of rumors and leaks and over the last few days we’ve heard some intriguing possibilities such as 3D video calls, Intel-manufactured processors, eye tracking and more. Today we’ve heard further iPhone 6 possibilities, as there are reports that the phone will have a new display from Sharp that will recognize handwriting, not from a stylus, but from a standard pen.

Japanese company Sharp is apparently going to use new technology for the display that would offer up to 8 times higher sensitivity to that of a usual capacitive touch display. We have previously heard rumors of a larger display for the iPhone 6 and this seems to be backed up further. It seems that 5-inches would be the largest display possible for the iPhone 6 because this is the optimum size of screen that could use the already-developed new technology from Sharp.
This idea would mean that users could write on the screen of the iPhone 6 with an ordinary pen for notes, emails and texts for example, with no need for a special stylus. Previously we had heard rumors of a stylus for the iPhone 5S or 6 but it seems this would be taking that a step further forward. The new Sharp technology would also allow for a thinner display and PatentlyApple reports that this is the first time ever that an ordinary pen or pencil could be used to write notes on a display.
Although it’s not confirmed that the iPhone 6 will definitely use this technology, it’s certainly a possibility for the phone that has been rumored for a release sometime in Q1, 2014. An iPhone 5S is thought to be on the way in summer or fall this year and we have also heard an increasing amount of news about a budget iPhone on the way as well.
Although Apple keeps its future devices closely guarded secrets we shall continue to bring you news from leaks and rumors as we know that plenty of this eventually turns out to be accurate. We’d like to hear your thoughts on this potential for the iPhone 6. Does this sound like something you’d find really useful, or maybe you think it’s more of a gimmick? Let us have your comments on this.
Source: Patently Apple