LG Optimus Vu III in the works with same odd screen size

Does anyone remember that odd 4:3 aspect ratio smartphone from LG last year? The LG Optimus Vu was quite the handset and wanted to take on the Galaxy Note, and eventually even hit the US on Verizon as the LG Intuition. Well, it looks like a new and improved Optimus Vu III phablet  might be in the works if the latest leaks are accurate.

The uncomfortable to hold and oddly shaped 5-inch device with a wide 4:3 aspect ratio wasn’t extremely popular in the states, but apparently sold enough to warrant a few successors. Yes that would be the third Vu, because the company released an updated second model back in South Korea last year, for those curious.

The device had pretty awesome specs, support for a stylus, but just wasn’t enough of a match for Samsung’s Galaxy Note II, but maybe the third time’s a charm. Today we’re seeing some leaked screenshots and photo samples that could be exactly that, a new Vu III.

LG’s dropped the “Optimus” branding from flagship devices, but the leak shows what appears to be another 1280 x 960 resolution display, which certainly isn’t top-tier 1080p like we’ve been seeing. So it may just be a successor to the previous devices, and not a flagship smartphone. That leak also suggests the same odd 4:3 aspect ratio, which wasn’t our favorite. We’ll update if we learn more.

Read More

LG G2 expected to arrive with 100 carriers within 90 days

We know LG has an event planned for August 7th. That will be when they officially unveil the LG G2 smartphone, however while we know that date — there is still plenty of discussion in terms of when the handset will actually arrive for purchase. We have seen some reports suggesting late-August, however some updated information coming by way of the Korean press points towards a global launch with 100 mobile carriers.

This latest round of details comes by way of an MK News report which mentions that LG is planning to have the G2 smartphone available with 100 carriers within 90 days time. Or more specifically, the report cites a 60-90 day time window for the global rollout. Of course, we do have to remember that LG has yet to publicly confirm these details.

That said, further details coming from the report mention the handset arriving in Korea in early-August. From this point the handset is then expected to arrive in North America and Europe in September with the remainder of the global launch to follow in October. This was a similar pattern with the LG Optimus G Pro which launched first in Korea and then followed in the US a short time later.

Other talk about the G2 included details about how this handset will debut as the successor to the Optimus G and perhaps more important, that it will serve as the first in the new “G” premium brand of handsets. Aside from the few bits we have seen from LG, which included a confirmation of the volume rocker being on the backside, we are still looking towards the rumors for most of the specs.

Earlier leaks have pointed towards the G2 as sporting a 5.2-inch 1080p display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM, a 13 megapixel rear-facing camera and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Though, we cannot help but hope that changes to Android 4.3 before the actual launch. Otherwise, as for a US launch, earlier rumors have suggested the G2 will arrive with multiple carriers to include Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Read More

LG touts new Bluetooth headset, claims 8 hours battery life

Who says good things must come in big packages? Definitely not LG who just announced a new Bluetooth headset no larger than a matchbox. Don’t let the size deceive you, though, as the small device packs just the right features to make it worth a longer look.

At a size of 35.9mm x 50.2mm x 19.2mm, LG’s BTS1 Bluetooth headset is hardly eye-catching. It sports controls for playback and volume at the front and a built-in clip for attaching to collars, belts, or ties. But as they say, it’s what’s inside that counts. The headset has a “G-Class Amplifier” and support for the aptX audio codec. LG also claims a battery life of 8 hours on continue music playback. The company suggests that the device is perfect for watching TV with a movie theater experience, without having to worry about the volume bothering other people.

The BTS1 includes Bluetooth 3.0 support, allowing it to connect to a variety of devices such as smartphones, tablets, and TVs that support Bluetooth connectivity, like LG’s Smart TVs, for example. It could be the perfect partner to LG’s new flagship smartphone, the LG G2. The G2, sporting a 5.2-inch 1080p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, is expected to be announced next week.

The LG BTS1 is priced at 59,000 won, around $53. However, it can only be purchased in Korean markets for now. International availability has not yet been announced.

Read More

LG's New Portable Projector Is a Retro Rhombus-Covered Wonder

Despite the strong feelings Don Draper harbors for them, projectors have never been particularly moving pieces of technology. LG's new portable projector, though, has charisma. This elegant little device looks more like a 1950s camera than a gadget from 2013.

But first, the specs. The PG65U is a portable LED projector with an external battery, which makes it easy to carry it anywhere. The bulb packs 500 lumens and is guaranteed to last for 30,000 hours, with a respectable 1280x800 native resolution. If you're the kind of person that wants to take it outside and project a movie on the side of your house (I assume you are, since you're not a monster), you'll be able to enlarge the screen up to 125 inches wide. The PG65U is eminently portable, too. It arrives Wi-Fi enabled with a built-in TV tuner, and it's also equipped with a USB hub for playing HD files. Miracast is another perk-you can mirror any of your other enabled devices automatically.

But it's the product design that makes this thing shine-unlike convention projectors, which sit low and flat, LG's engineers have flipped the PG65U on its side and given it an oversized bulb cover that mimics the lens of an 8mm camera. The rhomboid-patterned vents are the icing on the cake. At $700, it's an investment-but I'd wager that it's a safe one. 

Read More

LG and Samsung OLED HDTVs available now: What you need to know

As of today, you can buy an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV from LG and Samsung. On the horizon are models from Sony and Panasonic. The long-awaited release of these next-generation televisions is finally starting to happen.

Here's what we know, as of right now.

What we're talking about

There are four companies making a significant push in the area of OLED HDTVs: LG, Samsung, Panasonic, and Sony. The latter two have paired up on OLED to help compete against LG and Samsung. The Korean companies, for their part, have done everything they canshort of a whiskey-fueled bar brawl (more or less) to ensure that the other two aren't successful with OLED. It's ugly. Rest assured, these companies do not like one another, in a way that makes Ford and GM look like BFFs.

LG

LG was unquestionably the first to market, or a market anyway, with big-screen OLED. If you live in Korea, or have really big luggage, you can get two models: the flat 55EM9700 and the curved 55EA9800 (more on this later). If you live in Europe, you can get the flat 55EM970V and the curved 55EM9800. There's a fair amount of information on those pages, and as the model numbers suggest, all are 55-inch TVs.

We were supposed to get the 55EM9700 here in March but as of today, instead you can get the curved 55EA9800 for $14,999 from Magnolia/Best Buy! The first store to have it is in Richfield, Minn., but it'll be rolled out to other Magnolias (the high-end stores within Best Buy) over the coming weeks. We were expecting this price tag, and before sticker shock sets in, remember this is what the first plasma TVs cost when they first came out, and those were 42 inches, standard definition, and look horrible. Here's more info on LG's U.S. rollout.

LG is using RGBW OLED: red, green, and blue OLEDs, stacked in a sandwich. This creates white light that shines out through red, green, blue, and white/clear (RGBW) filters. If this seems convoluted, according to LG there are actually significant benefits for longevity and manufacturing, historically the two biggest impediments to OLED being in your home right now. Here's an illustration from LG's Korean Web site:

For more on how it works, and the pros and cons, check out "What is OLED TV?"

Samsung

Samsung, too, showed flat and curved OLED screens at CES. The company has also got anOLED TV available on its Korean page, the curved, 55-inch KN55S9CAF.

And, just like LG, Samsung is shipping a curved OLED TV to the U.S. market this week. TheKN55S9 is also $14,999, and the first retailer to have it will likely be Value Electronics, a high-end dealer in Scarsdale, N.Y. 

Samsung's OLEDs likely use traditional RGB subpixels (like a plasma), but we don't know for sure yet. The TV seems to have all the features found in Samsung's other high-end models, like 3D, Smart Hub streaming, and a built-in camera.

Here's another LG illustration showing the difference between RGB and RGBW:

Panasonic/Sony

At CES we saw 56-inch, 4K OLED TVs (at a distance) in both the Sony and Panasonic booths. Though my (and others') opinion on 4K is that it's unnecessary muchness, as long as it's OLED I don't care what the resolution is. Again, maybe a 1080p OLED would be nice to bridge the gap, but hey, whatever gets here first.

Given the manufacturing potential of Panasonic, and the OLED know-how (and patents?) of Sony, this seems like a fascinating hybrid/chimera. Hey, if Subaru and Toyota can make something cool together, why not Panasonic and Sony?

I e-mailed Panasonic for an update, and as of this writing the company hasn't responded, either.

Sony, however, did. Here's what Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Sony Electronics, had to say: "Sony's 56-inch OLED 4K television certainly received a lot of attention last January at CES, and that didn't go unnoticed by our product team. We introduced the first OLED televisions in 2007 and have a successful line of professional monitors currently in market. We're continuing to explore the commercialization of OLED, particularly 4K Ultra HD OLED, for consumer markets."

Check out the slideshow above for some images of the OLED monitors he mentioned. More information on Sony's professional site here.

Bottom line

We are, as promised, seeing a slow rollout of OLED TVs (a touch delayed, but it's a start). Hopefully we'll see more TVs from LG and Samsung, plus Sony and Panasonic models, soon. I doubt, though, we'll hear much before CES about any of them.

Like any new technology, it's going to start expensive and get cheaper. Today's $14,999 is tomorrow's $1,499. I can't wait.

Read More

Three smartphones that will disrupt the industry

Every so often a device comes along that changes the course that its respective industry was on. It changes the way we look at the world, and sometimes, it tears a hole in the fabric of time and space. Okay, maybe a device can’t be that awesome, but you get the point.

In the upcoming months we have a multitude of devices coming, but there are three smartphones which stand out amongst the noise. The much-hyped Moto X, might just redefine the term high-end, the Sony Honami (Xperia i1) could bring Sony back to its former glory and the LG G2 may be the phone that turns LG into the powerhouse it aims to be.

So how will these devices disrupt the industry?

Moto X – High-end. Redefined.

The Moto X might be the most-leaked smartphone in recent history, but thankfully for Google and Motorola, it’s also one of the most hyped. Coined as the return of Motorola, under the watchful eyes of Google, there’s a lot riding on the Moto X and Motorola’s upcoming smartphones. Just how much? Around the $12 billion that Google bought Motorola for, plus a rumored $500 million for marketing.

So when some relatively mid-range specifications were leaked, a lot of people were disappointed. However, it looks as if Google and Motorola will be focusing on providing a brilliant user experience rather than attempting to run the gauntlet of the spec-race.

Current leaks say that the Moto X will have a 720P 4.4-inch (or 4.7-inch) display, 2GB of RAM, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4, and a 10-megapixel camera.

Motorola and Google clearly believe that the Moto X can match the big boys without matching their specification lists. However, with a massive marketing budget and the clout of Google and Motorola behind the smartphone, it could redefine the meaning of high-end and force other OEMs to focus on a great user experience, rather than the amount of cores they can cram into their device.

Sony Honami (Xperia i1) – The rebirth of Sony?

There once was a time when Sony was one of the finest electronics companies in the world. Sony’s Bravia TVs were heralded, the Walkman was an industry leader, and its Sony Ericsson phones weren’t too shabby either. Now though, Sony has been relegated to the stands as Samsung dominated the television and smartphone markets, and the Walkman has been antiquated by smartphones and tablets.

2013 has brought a more focused and streamlined Sony, intent on recapturing its former glory. The Sony Xperia Z was a decent seller, but not enough to catapult Sony into the top 3 smartphone makers as it so dearly wants. The Sony Honami is the antithesis of the Moto X focusing on destroying every other smartphone that has been announced this year when it comes to specs.

Rumors claim that the Sony Honami will have a 20-megapixel camera, a quad-core Snapdragon 800 clocked at 2.3Ghz, 2GB of RAM, a 5-inch Full HD display, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, water-resistance, and a 3000mAh battery. The Sony Honami is expected to be announced at IFA 2013 on September 4.

Sony’s clearly hoping on to take a bit of gloss off of the announcement of another smartphone which is expected to be announced at IFA 2013, the Galaxy Note 3, and the Honami could push Sony back into the limelight if it can get its carrier deals in order.

LG G2 – Weird name, even weirder button placements

The LG G2 (pronounced El-Ge-Ge-to) might win the gold medal for the weirdest name on this list, but it certainly wins the gold medal for weirdest button placements. Of all of the ways that LG could’ve shook up the industry in terms of design, it chose to tweak what has long been a standard of smartphone design.

The phone has been leaked in photos several times, and they all point towards the LG G2 moving the volume buttons to the back of the device. Done scratching your head yet? If so, put your smartphone in your hands (if it isn’t there already) and you’ll realise that the button placements make perfect sense, since that’s where your finger rests when using your smartphone.

Just because the button placements on the LG G2 make sense, doesn't mean it'll be practical in real life.

Now just because something makes sense, doesn’t mean it’ll be practical in real use, so we’ll have to wait for a hands on before we decide whether this is a good move from LG. The LG G2 also has a solid set of specs to back up its strange button placement, with an already confirmed use of the Snapdragon 800, and rumors claiming it will have a 5.2-inch Full HD display, 2GB of RAM (some rumors say 3GB), and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

LG hopes that the G2 will help it capture the all important 3rd place in the smartphone market, and there are also rumors that the next-gen Nexus smartphone will be based on the LG G2. The G2 is expected to be announced at an event in New York on August 7.

Wrap up

The next few months are destined to be interesting for Android users, and these three devices could disrupt the industry for different reasons. The Moto X’s focus on user experience, the Sony Honami’s attempt to reignite the sleeping giant that is Sony, and the LG G2’s venture into the deep end of smartphone design, are all unique attempts at standing out in a crowded market.

Read More

Android rumor roundup

Google I/O may have passed without any new hardware announcements or big Androidreleases, but we still heard chatter around the elusive white Nexus 4. This week also brought additional details about previously rumored devices.

White Nexus 4 (May 16, 2013)
Google will reportedly announce the white version of the LG Nexus 4 on June 10, according toAndroid And Me. After being tossed around the rumor mill for months, the handset is said to be the first to run a to-be-announced Android 4.3 Jelly Bean build.

The specifications should be nearly identical to the current model, but with IPX7 waterproof rating. Indeed, the so-called LG Optimus GJ could withstand being submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.LG Optimus GJ (May 15, 2013)
LG is rumored to announce a waterproof version of the Optimus G on May 22,according to ePrice.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (April 17, 2013)
Samsung may opt to stick with the same familiar plastic build and not the "higher quality" aluminum materials of the HTC One, according to SamMobile. While it does conflict with the blog's earlier reports, Samsung has long stuck by plastic, so this amended rumor doesn't come as a surprise.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is rumored to feature either a 5.99-inch or a 6.3-inch display. Additional specifications for the device are reported to include an eight-core processor, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front camera, and 3GB RAM. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will presumably arrive in the fall, perhaps around October, which is in keeping with Samsung's release cycle.

Verizon may soon offer the HTC One.

Verizon HTC One (May 15, 2013)
An HTC smartphone that recently received Wi-Fi certification could be Verizon's take on theHTC One. As spied by Blog of Mobile (translate), the PN073XX features dual-band WI-Fi and LTE connectivity. Verizon has a press event slated for May 22 at CTIA in Las Vegas, so it makes sense to assume this is the big reveal; the Droid DNA also happens to be free (with contract) through May 21.

May 3-10, 2013

Nexus 7 (May 10, 2013)
A more powerful Nexus 7 tablet may not have arrived at Google I/O but that doesn't mean it's not coming. According to KGI Securities analyst Mingchi Kuo, the rumored tablet will carry the same affordable $199 price tag, the 7-inch tablet may feature a 5-megapixel rear camera, faster Qualcomm processor, higher resolution display, and support for wireless charging. DisplaySearch analyst Paul Semenza told CNET in March that the next model may reach 323 pixels per inch, which could mean up to 1,900 x 1,200 pixel resolution.

Previous Amazon smartphone rumors indicate that the retail giant has scrapped plans for 4.3-inch screen in favor of a larger 4.7-inch display. Early reports had the phone arriving as soon as the second quarter, though it appears Amazon will now miss that mark. Presumably, both Amazon phones will employ a forked version of Android, similar to the Kindle Fire tablets. Allegedly, Amazon has tasked Foxconn with building the Kindle Phone.Amazon 3D phone (May 9, 2013)
Amazon is reportedly working on a pair of new smartphones, including one capable of creating 3D capabilities and hologram-like images. Details are light, but the phone is said to employ eye-tracking technology that makes images appear to be floating "like a hologram and appear three-dimensional at all angles."

An artistic render of the rumored Sony i1 smartphone.

Sony i1 (May 1, 2013)
Early details for a Sony "Homani" i1 suggest we could be in for an incredibly powerful and gorgeous experience later this summer. Leaked hardware specifications are purported to include a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 32GB internal storage, 2GB RAM, and a camera up to 20-megapixels. Other features may include a form factor with glass, metal, and traces of carbon fiber.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom (May 10, 2013)
A Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is may arrive as soon as June, reports Russian tech site Hi-tech.ru (translate). Features are alleged to include a 4.3-inch qHD AMOLED display and a 16-megapixel camera with 10X optical zoom. Documents found on a Bluetooth special interest group Web site list the device as model number SM-C101.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 (May 10, 2013)
Leaked benchmarks for a Samsung SM-T311 are linked to an upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0. Specifications could include Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS with Samsung's TouchWiz interface, an 8-inch WXVGA (1280 x 800 pixel resolution) display, a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 2GB RAM, and a 4,500mAh battery.

April 27 - May 3, 2013

The HTC "M4" looks to be a lower-powered and smaller take on the HTC One.

HTC M4 (May 1, 2013)
HTC will reportedly debut a smaller version of the flagship HTC One smartphone, according toPhone Arena. Operating under the codename of "M4," the handset is rumored to feature a 4.3-inch 720p display, an "UltraPixel" camera, a dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, and LTE connectivity. These reports confirm early chatter of a lesser-powered M7 (HTC One) would soon be announced. Presumably, the M4 will also run the latest version of HTC's custom Sense UI.

Motorola X Phone (May 2, 2013)
A trio of new images appear to suggest Ma Bell is in line to carry the so-called, and still unconfirmed, Motorola X Phone. The three photos, which come from oft-reliable Twitter source@evleaks, show a smartphone (or smartphones) that somewhat resembles previously leaked photos. Bearing the name "Blackboxed Motorola for AT&T," it appears to be the same handset found in a batch of images that have since been removed from a Vietnamese site.

New benchmarks surfacing this week show a potential X Phone running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. These new numbers conflict with scores from last week that tipped tipped Android 5.0.1. The scores, which can be easily rigged, showed a "Google X" with a 1.5GHz processor and a score of 15,479.

Could we be looking at one (or three) of AT&T's future X Phones?

Sources indicate that users might be able to customize multiple facets of the rumored device, including the outer materials and colors. Internally, reports suggest that the X Phone is actually part of a larger brand and an approach that could feature user-defined configurations for memory and processor options as well as carrier selection.

It likely won't be called the X Phone when the project hits prime time, but the project is at least very much real. A job posting on LinkedIn advertised for an "X Phone" product manager.

Plenty of other rumors swirl around the suspected device, including one that the X Phone may offer hardware choices that resemble the Droid Razr Maxx HD, according to one PhoneArenasource.

Nexus 5 (May 1, 2013)
Google may again tap LG as the handset maker of choice for the next generation of Nexus smartphones, according to the Korea Times. No hardware details or time frames were given; however, we might anticipate something in the fall. Given that the trend as of late is to release the Nexus experience in the fall, we might expect specs and rumors to come in short order.

Toshiba's next Android tablet could feature a keyboard dock.

Toshiba AT10LE-A (May 2, 2013)
Toshiba is rumored to be testing a new high-end Android tablet capable of connecting to an external keyboard, reports Techblog. Hardware specifications are said to include Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4 1.8GHz processor, 10.1-inch display, microSD, Mini-HDMI output, and stereo speakers. There are no indications yet as to which markets may carry the Toshiba AT10LE-A, nor are pricing details clear.

The Toshiba AT10LE-A seems to run the Android 4.2.1 version, and according to benchmarks that appeared recently Tegra 4 processor, will be clocked at 1.8GHz.

Might the NEC Terrain be a rugged take on the "business" form factor?

NEC Terrain (April 29, 2013)
AT&T looks to be readying another portrait QWERTY Android, this time in the form of an NEC. Known as the NEC Terrain, the phone should run Android 4.1+ and feature a display in the realm of 2.8-inches to 3.0-inches. No additional details are known however the rubber coating and moniker lead us to believe a rugged experience could be in order.

April 20 - April 26, 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active (April 26, 2013)
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Samsung expects to release a waterproof and dust-proof version of the Samsung Galaxy S4. Known for now as the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, the smartphone is rumored to touch down in July.

Samsung Galaxy Core (April 26, 2013)
Samsung could also be readying yet another member of the Galaxy family as word of a Samsung Galaxy Core trickles online (translate). Details for the smartphone point to a trimmed-down experience with specs such as a 4.3-inch (800x480) display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 768MB RAM, 8GB internal storage (with microSD expansion), a 5-megapixel rear camera, and a 1,800mAh battery. Resembling pretty much every other Samsung handset as of late, the Galaxy Core figures to run Android 4.1 with TouchWiz UI.

The so-called Samsung Galaxy Core offers entry-level hardware specifications.

Sony Xperia ZR (April 26, 2013)
Sony may introduce a 4.6-inch variation of the Xperia Z in the near term, reports Xperiablog. Previously rumored under the moniker "Dogo", the C550X looks to feature a 720p HD display, 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, a 13-megapixel (Exmor RS) rear camera, and 2,300mAH battery. While the processor is listed as a Qualcomm design, it is unclear whether it will be a Snapdragon S4 Pro or Snapdragon 600 series. Like the Xperia Z, the so-called Xperia ZR is also rumored to be water-resistant.

Previous rumors for the handset line up closely with the Xperia ZR specs; however it's not an exact match. Details uncovered in March suggested the Dogo would feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU, though it was listed with 32GB internal storage. For what it's worth, this handset was also tied to the name "Xperia A" and was said to feature an IR blaster and NFC support.

Other rumors we're tracking

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini (April 19, 2013)
Samsung looks to have delayed the release of the Galaxy S4 Mini by eight weeks, reportsSamMobile. Rumored to come in two colors (Black Mist and White Frost), Samsung may offer the handset in both single-SIM and dual-SIM flavors.

Dovetailing with previous rumors, the Galaxy S4 Mini could feature a 4.3-inch qHD display, an 8-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, AGPS, and provide 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB storage options.

LG Optimus G2 (April 18, 2013)
The LG Optimus G2 could prove to be too thin for a conventional form factor, or so says tech site MyDrivers (translate). Word on the street is that the volume and power buttons will be moved to the rear, as they do not fit properly on the sides. First discovered by its model number, the LG D801 has been found to score considerably high on benchmark tests; all sources indicate LG may be readying one of the most powerful devices to date.

Rumored as the LG Optimus G2, details include Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, a 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, a 13-megapixel rear camera, 2GB RAM, and an Adreno 330 GPU. Expected to offer a full-HD 1,920x1,080-pixel display, it's possible that the D801 will boast a screen size of 5 inches or larger.

Huawei Edge (April 11, 2013)Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 (April 18, 2013)
The first details for what is expected to be the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 have arrived, suggesting that another midrange experience is on the horizon. Preliminary specifications are reported to include a dual-core 1GHz Broadcom processor, a display resolution of 480x800 pixels, 4GB internal storage, and a 5-megapixel camera. As often has been the case with European models of this kind, the Galaxy Ace 3 is rumored to come in a variety of colors and single-SIM and dual-SIM editions.

Huawei may dial up the Edge as the handset maker's flagship device for summer 2013. Recently leaked (translate) details suggest the smartphone will run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and feature a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, a 4.9-inch 1080p HD display, and 2,600mAh battery. Reportedly, the Huawei Edge will come in 16GB and 32GB models and could come in a svelte 6.3mm chassis.

Android-powered notebooks (April 2, 2013):

 Rumors out of Digitimes suggest that Google is building an Android-powered notebook PC that could arrive as soon as the third quarter. Reportedly, the "Androidbook" is one of Sundar Pichai's projects and could help accelerate Google's foray into the PC market.

Casio C881 Gz'One Commando (April 1, 2013):

 A Casio C881 Gz'One Commando has been recently spotted in FCC documents, tipping Verizon's hand for an upcoming military-spec device. Presumably a successor to last year's C771 Gz'One Commando, the details look to include CDMA and LTE support, as well as NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

Sony Togari (March 27, 2013):

 Sony may introduce a massive 6.44-inch smartphone this fall with rather impressive specifications. Components are reported to include 3GB RAM, a 2.3GHZ Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU, Adreno 330 GPU, 32GB of internal storage, and 13-megapixel Exmor RS camera. Powered by a 3,500mAh battery, the Togari should also feature a stylus, NFC, LTE, and an IR blaster.

HTC Droid DNA/Butterfly successor (March 27, 2013)

: A follow-up to HTC's Droid DNA phone is being planned, says HTC Chief Marketing Officer Ben Ho. Talking with reporters earlier in the week, Ho said that HTC would soon launch a second-generation Butterfly aimed at those looking for the large-screen experience.

Google's Android smartwatch (March 21, 2013)

: Google looks to be joining Apple in the development of a rumored smartwatch, according to a recent Financial Times report. Details are light, however, the watch is said to be designed by the "Android unit" at Google. An unnamed source said that the watch will "act as an extension to the smartphones using that operating system." According to a 2011 patent application, the watch will have dual-screened display and a interactive user interface.

Samsung smartwatch (March 18, 2013):

 Samsung has confirmed plans to release a smartwatch, but details like pricing and availability are unknown. "We've been preparing the watch product for so long," Lee Young Hee, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile business, recently said during an interview with Bloomberg. "We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them."

LG smartwatch (March 22, 2013):

 LG could be cooking up both a smartwatch and a wearable computing device along the lines of Google Glass, reports the Korea Times. It remains unclear whether the LG watch will run Android or Firefox; both are likely candidates for the hardware maker.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Plus (March 21, 2013): 

Samsung could introduce a Galaxy Tab 3 Plus later this year, according to a SamMobile insider. Reportedly, the high-end Samsung tablet will feature a Super AMOLED FULL HD Display and may come in either a 10.1-inch or 11.6-inch display size. Early rumors pegged pegged the device with a 2,560x1,600 pixel resolution and possibly a quad-core Exynos processor and at least 2GB RAM.

ZTE Quantum (March 19, 2013):

 Sprint is rumored to be testing a 4G LTE smartphone from ZTE, reports AndroidPolice. Carrying an N8910 model number, the Quantum is said to run Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and feature a 5-inch 720p display, a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB RAM, and 4GB internal storage. Flanked by a 13.0-megapixel rear camera and front-facing 0.9-megapixel camera, the Quantum could be another lower-cost alternative for Sprint customers.

Sony Xperia L (March 6, 2013):

 A Sony Xperia L could soon be introduced as a mid-tier Android device, reports Xperia Blog. Details for the handset are reported to include a 4.3-inch, 854x480-pixel display, 1GHz dual-core processor, 8GB internal storage, microSD slot, and an 8-megapixel camera. Said to run Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, the Xperia L is also known by its C210X model number.

T-Mobile could soon introduce an entry-level Prism II.

T-Mobile Prism II (March 3, 2013)

: T-Mobile may offer the Huawei U8686 as the T-Mobile Prism, indicates oft-reliable @evleaks. Specifications are reported to include Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, a 1GHz single-core processor, and a display with 320x240-pixel resolution. Typically, a QVGA display falls at around 3.5 inches.

HTC G2 (February 1, 2013):

 Not to be confused with the another HTC smartphone of the same name, a low-end Android model is also rumored for a spring 2013 release date. Details obtained by Unwired View include a 1GHz processor, a 2.5-inch HVGA display, 512MB RAM, 4GB of internal storage, and 5-megapixel camera. Presumably aimed at first-time smartphone users, the G2 could run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Samsung Godiva (February 25, 2013): 

The Samsung Godiva, spied indicates Verizon may offer another member in the Stratosphere family. Details are rumored to include CDMA and LTE bands, GSM roaming, NFC, and support for future AWS networks. A photo obtained by Engadget, however, shows no physical keyboard.

Asus ME371MG tablet (February 7, 2013)

 Asus will allegedly debut an "ultra-budget" 7-inch Android tablet in the second quarter, reports Bulgarian tech site Tablet.bg (translate). The tablet could have an Intel Atom Z2420 dual-core processor, a microSD expansion slot, 1GB RAM, and a 3-megapixel rear camera. Powered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the ME371MG is listed with a 7-inch 1,280x800-pixel IPS screen, 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera, and 4,270 mAh battery.

Read More

LG Nexus 4 design updated, now less 

Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like the Nexus 4 has quietly received a bit of a design change.
The news of the change was first reported by German site Mobiflip, and has since been confirmed by Android Central, which recently received a Nexus 4 via Google Play that features the newly reported changes.
Okay, with that out of the way, what’s different? On the front-side the Nexus 4 looks the same as ever, with both changes only affecting the back of the smartphone. The biggest change is the addition of two small nubs, as seen in the picture directly below this sentence.

At first glance, you might not think this slight change would mean much. Actually, it is quite a useful adjustment. Right now, the Nexus 4 lies completely flat on its back, which means it is more prone to scratching and even sliding. It also means that your speaker is somewhat muted when the phone is on its back. None of these are probably considered ‘deal breaker’ problems, but they are still annoyances nonetheless.

The next change is one of those “we changed it because we can” design adjustments. The camera lens’ outer ring is now smaller than the original model. We have no clue what practical reason they had for changing this. Perhaps the only reason for the change is purely aesthetics, though it is hard to say for sure.
So how about it, have any of you received a new LG Nexus 4 with these cosmetic changes? What do you think?

Read More

How to take screenshots on Android

There are times when you really need to share to others what’s on your Android device’s screen. At such moments, you’ll need to capture screenshots, which are nothing more than snapshots of whatever is currently showing on your screen. App developers take lots of screenshots to document their apps. Writers take screenshots to complement their online posts. Some gamers take screenshots of their game sessions. There are varied reasons for needing screenshots.

The good news is that taking screenshots on Android is a very easy task. You can do it blindfolded. Do you know how?

In this guide, learn how to take screenshots on Android. (You may also watch our video tutorialat the end of this post.)

General Procedure

Capturing a screenshot usually involves pressing two buttons on your Android device — either the Volume Down key and the Power button, or the Home button and the Power key.

When the right button combo is pressed, your device’s screen will flash, usually accompanied with a camera shutter sound. Sometimes, a pop-up message or notification alert appears, suggesting that the screenshot has been made.

At other times, you can find a screenshot option on the Power menu. Just long press the Power button, wait for the Power menu to appear, and select Take screenshot to capture a screenshot of the current screen. This can be a useful method, especially when pressing combos of physical buttons is difficult, such as on the Sony Xperia V.

Android device manufacturers even include extra and unique ways of taking screenshots on your device. For instance, you can take a screenshot on the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 using the S Pen. In most high-end Samsung phones, you can take a screenshot by swiping the screen with the side of your palm. There are alternate ways to capture screenshots, and those may or may not be mentioned in this guide.

Important Note: The procedures described in this post are for stock software. Procedures for capturing screenshots under custom ROMs may be different.

Screenshots on Samsung devices

Devices with physical Home button

For many high-end Samsung phones with a physical Home button, you can use the Home + Power button combo to take screenshots.

Just press the two buttons simultaneously until the sides of the screen flash and you hear the camera shutter sound.

You will also get a notification confirming that the screenshot has been captured.

Devices without physical Home button

Some Samsung devices (e.g., Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Camera), however, don’t have a physical Home button. In this case, the button combo is Volume Down and Power. Hold down both buttons until your device takes a screenshot.

Certain devices, such as the Galaxy Note 10.1, also have a quick launch button that can be set to capture screenshots. On the the Galaxy Note 10.1, this quick launch button sits right beside the Multitasking virtual button on the virtual navigation bar.

Devices with S Pen

On Samsung devices that come with the S Pen (e.g., the Galaxy Note series), you can use the stylus itself to take a screenshot. Just hold down the S Pen button and touch the pen tip on the device’s screen until the screen flashes. Usually, after the screenshot is captured, the image will be immediately opened for editing. Just remember to save the edited screenshot afterwards.

Devices with hand motions support

Most high-end Samsung phones also let you capture screenshots by swiping the screen with the side of your hand. For this method to work, go to Settings > Motion and activate the “Palm swipe to capture” option.

Screenshots on HTC devices

On HTC devices, capturing a screenshot still involves the Home and Power buttons. But, instead of simultaneously holding them down, you hold down the Power button first, then tap the capacitive Home button quickly. The screen flashes, and you’ll hear audible feedback. You will also see a popup message confirming that your screenshot has been saved.

Screenshots on Sony Xperia devices

On Sony Xperia phones, the screenshot combo is Volume Down + Power. Hold down both buttons at the same time until the screen flashes and the screenshot thumbnail appears on the screen. A notification also appears on the notification menu once the screenshot has been captured.

There’s an alternate method, too. You can also capture a screenshot through the Power menu. Hold down the Power button until the Power dialog appears. Tap on Take Screenshot to capture the screen underneath the dialog.

Screenshots on LG devices

On LG devices, the button combination is still Volume Down + Power. Long-press these buttons at the same time until the screen flashes and you hear the capture tone. A notification also appears on the notification menu once the screenshot is captured.

You can also take a screenshot with Quick Memo, which can instantly capture and let you create doodles on your screenshots. You can toggle Quick Memo from the notification shade. Once enabled, the editing page will then appear. You can now write notes and doodles on the current screen. Tap the floppy disk icon to save your work.

Screenshots on Nexus devices

Capturing screenshots on the Google Nexus devices (i.e., Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10) remains uniform — hold down both Volume Down and Power keys until you hear audio feedback. The screenshot thumbnail will flash briefly on the screen, and you will get a notification about your screenshot.

Video Guide

Taking screenshots on Android is very easy! Watch our video guide to learn how:

Conclusion

Capturing a screenshot on your Android device is easy. With screenshots, you can easily share what’s on your Android device to everyone. What Android device do you own? How do you capture screenshots on it? Share your screenshotting tales in the comments.

Read More