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Sony Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia C3 now receiving Lollipop
4/22/2015 2:30:33 PM
Two additional Sony devices are jumping on the Lollipop train starting today: the Xperia T2 Ultra and the Xperia C3. These follow in the footsteps of three generations of Xperia Z flagships, which are already running Android 5.0. The update for the Xperia T2 Ultra was certified last month, and it's now been spotted in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Taiwan. It looks like only the single-SIM model (D5303) is receiving Lollipop at this time. The update should become available globally in the coming days and weeks. For the Xperia C3, the new software is so far only available in Taiwan, but it will certainly make it to more countries soon. In this case too only the single-SIM variant (D2533) is currently getting the new bits. Both smartphones will run Android 5.0.2 Lollipop after applying the update, and both will then be on build 19.3.A.0.470. Source 1 • Source...
Project Fi debuts, making Google a carrier in the US
4/22/2015 1:26:20 PM
The rumors were actually true, as it turns out. Today Google has basically become a carrier in the United States, with the launch of its new service called Project Fi. Although it will offer mobile services, Google hasn't built its own network for this purpose. Instead, it will act as an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator), using the infrastructure of both Sprint and T-Mobile. This makes Google a pretty unique MVNO - and means devices connected to Project Fi need to support the network bands for both T-Mobile and Sprint. This isn't something every phone out there can do, so for now Google is only allowing Motorola Nexus 6 units to use Project Fi. If you already own a Nexus 6, Google will send you a SIM card. If you don't have the phone, then you can buy one through Project Fi on a 24-month installment plan (with payments of $27.04 for the 32GB model, and $29.12 for the one with 64GB of storage). There's also the option to pay in full - $649 or $699, depending on which storage variant you choose. Project Fi lets you make calls and send and receive texts via Wi-Fi when you're connected to such a network, so even if you encounter no signal areas you can still use your phone as you normally would, provided that you have a usable Wi-Fi connection. Calls are said to transition seamlessly between Wi-Fi and the mobile networks. Google's service has just one plan, and no long-term contract requirement. You pay $20 per month for "The Fi Basics" and then you add a data allowance on top of that. The Fi Basics consist of unlimited domestic talk and text, as well as unlimited international texts. Data costs $10 per GB, and you can choose bundles in increments of 1GB - from 1GB all the way up to 10GB. Overages are charged at the same $10 per GB rate, so if you go over by 300MB, for example, you'll pay an extra $3. Wi-Fi tethering is built-in. The data costs are exactly the same even in more than 120 countries across the world while you're roaming, but in this case your speed will be limited to 256kbps. Obviously in the States you're on Sprint's or T-Mobile's 4G networks, so you should get much more. If you don't use all the data in your allowance in a month, you'll be credited the difference in your Project Fi account, and you can use that towards your next bill. If you pay $20 for 2GB but only use 1.5GB, you'll get $5 back. You can change the data package from month to month, and all account administration is done via a dedicated mobile app which you install on your Nexus 6. The huge caveat right now is that you need an invite to get in on the action. Yes, Google is once again pulling its Gmail trick, so if you want to use Project Fi you have to request an invite from its official website and hope for the...
Lenovo A5000 with 5" HD display launched in Russia for $227
4/22/2015 12:20:24 PM
Lenovo has introduced a new affordable smartphone A5000 in Russia for RUB 12,000 ($227). Spotted earlier in February, the Lenovo A5000 brings a massive 4000 mAh battery as its key selling point. The smartphone runs Android 4.4 Kitkat and may get the Lollipop update later, hopefully. As the younger kin to the A6000, we do expect some tradeoffs in the specs. The A5000 features a 5-inch 720p IPS display and comes with a special nano coating to make it resistant to water splashes. Powered with a MediaTek MT6582 SoC with quad-core 1.3GHz CPU, the A5000 packs 1GB of RAM and 8GB on-board expandable storage. At there rear it has a 8MP auto-focus snapper with LED flash and a 2MP fixed-focus camera for clicking selfies. This dual-SIM smartphone supports 3G network in one slot and ropes along other connectivity features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, FM Radio, and GPS. Weighing 160 grams, A5000 is almost 10 mm thick - understandable given the sizeable battery...
100,000 Lenovo A6000 Plus units to be available in first flash sale
4/22/2015 11:41:22 AM
Lenovo has announced that 100,000 units of the A6000 Plus smartphone, which launched in India late last week, will be available in the first flash sale on Flipkart on April 28 . "Considering the A6000 sold out 300,000 units faster than anticipated, we are expecting the A6000 Plus to see an even greater response," the company said. "The Lenovo A6000 Plus lets you do more in every way seamlessly and outperforms phones that cost a lot more." The handset, which is essentially an improved version of the already existing A6000, carries a price tag of INR 7,499 ($120). Registrations for the sale have already begun, and will close on April...
The LG G4 said to feature a slightly curved screen
4/22/2015 10:48:50 AM
With the Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 edge and the HTC One M9 already official and hitting consumer markets, it seems that LG is next in line for a major flagship release. The eagerly-anticipated LG G4 is scheduled for a release on April 29 and, naturally, the phone is attracting a lot of attention. Thanks to a few rumors, a big leak, ahead of schedule, and all the official information form LG, we already have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the LG G4, in terms of hardware and design. But a new report from Business Korea throws an unexpected curve-ball in the mix - an allegedly curved display. While listing various features of the eagerly-anticipated smartphone in an article, the author mentions a curvature in the screen and even cites the exact radius, making the information all that more believable. The LG G4 will, allegedly, have a slightly bent screen, but it won't be anything like the Galaxy S6 edge with its double rounded corners, but rather like the LG G Flex 2 - curved along the y-axis. The cited radius of 3000mm, however, makes the curve a lot less pronounced. For example, the one on the aforementioned LG G Flex 2 is with a radius of 700mm. This actually makes the angle so slight that nobody managed to detect it from all the renders and even a few live photos of the device. Truth be told, however, the G4 is obviously curved for better handling, but, we mostly assumed that the bend didn't extend to the screen as well. If the slightly angled display does turn out to be true, it is one more thing that LG can use to set its handset apart from the competition. Unlike the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, the LG G4 does come with a user-removable battery and also boasts a better camera, at least on paper. The company has been harping about the 16MP rear snapper with f/1.8 aperture for clicking wide-angle images. The rest of the phone's specs highlights include a 5.5" True HD IPS display of QHD resolution and made from Corning Gorilla Glass 4 and a Snapdragon 808 chipset with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of on-board storage. A couple of days ago, LG announced it will offer free screen replacement and free 64GB microSD card for all those who pre-order the G4 in Korea. As you might know LG is also running a LG G4 trial program in few countries to let a select group of people try out the phone before it officially launches. Source |...
Lumia 940 might come with 5.2-inch display, 25MP cam
4/22/2015 10:12:57 AM
Microsoft is expected to announce Lumia 940 later this year and it should be the next Lumia flagship replacing the dated Lumia 930 model. We are yet to learn Microsoft's announcement plans, but we can shed some light on the possible specs. According to the latest report the Microsoft Lumia 940 may pack a 5.2" display, while its Lumia 940 XL sibling will bump the screen estate up to 5.7". The upcoming Windows 10 supports high-end processors, so Microsoft is expected to go after a flagship chipset with an octa-core CPU. Finally, the rear camera will get a new higher resolution 24 or 25 MP sensor, while the front one will be upgraded with a 5 or 8 MP one. Other details of the rumored Lumia 940 include native pen support, iris scanning capabilities and 3D-like interactions. Nokia has been working on the latter for a while before Microsoft's acquisition and Microsoft is prepping a revolution of its own, so this time around those long-postponed innovative feature may finally come to life. The next Microsoft Lumia flagship, most probably Lumia 940, should run natively on Windows 10 and could be announced as early as April 29 at the BUILD conference. We also expect to Microsoft to debut two new mid-range phone as rumored before and one of the could be a dual-SIM flavor of the Lumia 830 as the today's report...
Gionee Pioneer P4S launched in India at $125
4/22/2015 9:16:01 AM
Gionee has added yet another smartphone to its entry level lineup - Pioneer P4S. As a successor of the old P4, the new handset supports dual-SIM configuration and will be sold in the Indian market for INR7,799 ($125). Sporting a 4.5-inch WVGA display and is powered by a MediaTek MT6582 chipset with quad-core 1.3GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM. Internal storage is 8GB and photography needs are covered by a 5MP rear snapper and a 2MP front camera. The rear camera packs fancy features such as HDR, panorama, face recognition and others. The 8.7mm thick P4S boasts the HotKnot feature that mimics the function of Near Field Communication. Cellular connectivity features dual-SIM 3G support. Hardly appearing to be an improvement over its predecessor, the P4S runs Android 4.4 KitKat and packs a 1,800 mAh...
Gionee Elife E8 allegedly spotted on GFXBench
4/22/2015 8:44:43 AM
Ever since the launch of the Gionee Elife S7, the news has been out that the company is already working on a successor. The successor to the fairly popular E-series handset will allegedly be named the Elife E8 and a new GFXBench benchmark page might reveal a big part of its specs sheet. The device will probably feature a 4.6-inch 2560 x 1440 pixel display, which is in tune with previous rumors. It will be powered by an Mediatek MT6795 SoC with octa-core CPU - the same chip that powers the HTC One E9+. And graphics will be courtesy of a PowerVT Rogue G6200 GPU. As far as memory goes, the Elife E8 will probably have 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. And the camera setup looks really impressive, at least on paper. The main shooter will be capable of 23MP stills and the front-facing one has an 8MP sensor. There is still no official word on the Elife E8, but Gionee's president William Lu promised to introduce the smartphone in June. Source |...
Wait, what? Galaxy S6 sales in S. Korea fall short of expectations
4/22/2015 7:50:56 AM
Less than a week after Samsung said that it is expecting to sell over a whopping 70 million units of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge this year, there are reports that sales of the devices in the company's home country have fallen short of expectations. According to Yonhap News, although there were a total of 300,000 pre-orders of the S6 and S6 Edge in South Korea, Samsung has managed to sell just over 200,000 units till now. While the possibility of earlier sales forecasts being exaggerated cannot be ruled out, it looks like some other issue is at play here: as per the report, the less-than-expected sales could well be due to carrier's limited subsidies. The initial subsidy given by South Korean carriers was capped at 210,000 won (US$193.9), but the amount has been extended over the previous weekend. "We expect sales will improve soon, as the mobile carriers decided to increase subsidies on the Galaxy S6 series," a local handset retailer said. Via ...
Vivo X5Pro teased in new promo images
4/22/2015 6:41:16 AM
Vivo is the final stages of development of its new X5Pro smartphone, as indicated by more and more specific details, that have surfaced online. After we showed you a glimpse of the handset's sleek 2.5D glass corners a few days ago, new info sheds light on some of the X5Pro's features. For starters, the camera will come with phase detection autofocus, a feature so far limited to DSLR cameras and a select few smartphones in the high-end segment, namely the Apple iPhone 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S5. Vivo has been working on the tech for a while, apparently, and what was rumored to be intended for the Xshot sequel will make it's way to the X5Pro. It's not all about imaging though, and one of the slogans in the X5Pro promo images translates into endless music. Together with the "Hi-Fi and smart" motto this leads us to believe the smartphone will feature some serious audio circuitry, targeting audiophiles on the go. The smartphone will boot Android 5.0, hardly a surprise at this time anymore, even less for a premium offering. In typical Vivo fashion, the OS will be skinned with the company's proprietary Funtouch OS in its 2.1 iteration. Camera features • Funtouch OS 2.1 for the Vivo X5Pro So far, that's all that has been revealed on the Vivo X5Pro. The smartphone is to be expected sometime in May so we'll know the whole story sooner rather than later. Source |...
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