Meizu MX3 press photo sees the light of day; phone tipped to offer 128GB of storage

Back in July (hard to believe that it was only a month ago), we told you about a handset called the the Meizu MX3. The phone is top-shelf all the way from the 13MP camera on back, to the Exynos 5 Octa SoC under the hood. The 5.1 inch screen carries resolution of 1080 x 1920 and where we were growing up, that was called FHD, Mister. And there is more to the MX3 that makes those reading about this bad boy yearn for it to escape to a major carrier. Android 4.2 is driving the phone and Meizu even has its own Flyme 3.0 UI, which is a modded Android 4.2 with capabilities for one-handed use.

What makes us eager to write about the Meizu M3 is not the new press photo of the device, although it does show some changes since we showed you the device last month. The flash, which was above the camera lens earlier, is now below the snapper. No, what gave us the impetus to mention the handset is a leaked image that shows the different versions of the phone starting with the 16GB model (and even here there is one 16GB version with NFC support and one model without) ranging to the 32GB model, the 64GB variant and the 128GB Meizu MX3.Chinese Model LCD

The 16GB variant is rumored to be priced at 1999 CNY which translates into $327 USD. But it might take more to impress your friends, so figure that the 128GB model of the Meizu M3 will run you the same as other flagship phones which means you might have to whip out six Benjamins to take the handset home with all of that native storage on board.

Meizu hasn't made this official yet, but the unveiling is said to be taking place soon. Even so, it's a shame that we might never see this model take flight from the China region.

Apple iPhone 5S name confirmed by Japanese carrier KDDI

Japanese carrier KDDI has confirmed that the next iteration of the full-priced Apple iPhone will be named the Apple iPhone 5S. On the carrier's website is a listing for the phone, which is expected to be formally introduced on September 10th alongside the budget priced Apple iPhone 5C. Expect Apple to throw away the guide book with the "rules" that it previously had adhered to when it came to its number one grossing product.iPhone 5 Parts

Besides the traditional black and white variants of the iPhone, the Apple iPhone 5S is expected to be offered in gold/champagne and in graphite. Additionally, Apple is believed to have added an improved camera sensor with an aperture of f/2.0, the same setting found on some of the Nokia Lumia models known for taking great pictures in low-light conditions. We should also see a faster A7 processor under the hood that brings a 30% faster experience to iPhone users. And the oft-rumored fingerprint sensor it believed to be under a sapphire home button. There also is a strong possibility that we will see a 128GB model of the iPhone for the first time.

Want more firsts? This should be the first time that more than one iPhone model will be introduced at a time with the introduction of the Apple iPhone 5C which stands for the 5 Colors that the phone will be available in, red, blue, white, yellow and green. We still don't know exactly which markets will be receiving the budget model and what the pricing will be.

For current owners of the iPhone, the full-priced version of the iPhone is what you would be interested in, and with the KDDI site revealing the Apple iPhone 5S name, it looks pretty certain that the Apple iPhone 6 will be the name of next year's full-priced model.

More Sony Xperia Z1 (Honami) high-res photos outed

New high-res snaps of both a black and a white Sony Xperia Z1 (Honami) have been brought to our attention, and the source, unsurprisingly, is somewhere in China. While these are obviously dummy devices, they're still a pretty close (and realistic) match with what we're expecting to see unveiled soon.

The new shots are somewhat late to the party, but they nevertheless complete the feeling that Sony's Xperia Z1 (Honami) has claimed a spot on the list of most hyped up phones this year. However, that's not surprising in the least – while the design may not necessarily be everybody's cup of tea, all the initial information we've had in the form of leaks and hints indicate that the Xperia Z1 will be a hardware beast.Sony LCD

But the specs on the Sony Xperia Z1 are only a part of the story: Sony itself appears intent to battle through the hardships of cultural reorganization in order to carry out its relatively nascent "One Sony" strategy that Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has vowed will turn the Japanese manufacturer into a smartphone powerhouse. What's infinitely more important than vows and promises, though, are the actual results of said good intentions, and those have started appearing already. Namely, after a rather tumultuous period financially, Sony has gone back to profitable and has delivered on its promise of converging the different departments of expertise at the company (e.g. Triluminos displays in smartphones, X-Reality engine for mobile, the BIONZ image processor, etc). These all have helped Sony shape a truly competitive line-up this time around – one that caters to a very wide range of customers: the Honami mini for the more conservative of us, all the way up to the downright extravagant Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Of course, how Sony's new contenders will end up handling the ruthlessly competitive smartphone market remains to be seen.

Exact release date for the Sony Xperia Z1 remains unclear, but we do know that the new Sony flagship will be announced on September 4 during IFA 2013 in Berlin, so stay tuned for more coverage.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Take Apart Repair Guide

Suggested Replacement Part(s):
Samsung Galaxy S4 LCD Screen and Digitizer Assembly
Samsung Galaxy S4 Replacement Battery

Adhesive Strips
Tools Required:
Small Phillips Screwdriver
Safe Open Pry Tool

First step is to completely power down the device and remove the battery cover using the safe open pry tool
Remove the battery and SIM card and/or Micro SD card
Next you will need to remove 9 Phillips screws which are located in the image below


Figure 1 back housing screw locations
Using a safe pry tool, gently lift the speaker assembly from the retaining clips on the bottom of the deviceNow we are ready to remove the front bezel. Slide your pry tool slowly around the perimeter to release the clips
It is now safe to remove the back housing
You will now need to release the 8 connections that are circled in the image below


Figure 2: connector locations
Remove the metal shield that is covering the charging port
You can gently remove the charging port flex cable which is held in by a bit of adhesive
Remove the long antenna on the right side of the device
The motherboard is being held in by one small Phillips screw and once removed the motherboard with camera can be removed
Once the motherboard has been removed you can then start removing the vibrating motor, headphone jack, front facing camera, proximity sensor and the earpiece speaker


Figure 3 Motherboard removed

Xiaomi looking beyond China: Hugo Barra to be VP of Xiaomi Global

Just a couple hours ago, we heard that Hugo Barra was going to be stepping down as Google's vice president of Android product management in order to take a position with Xiaomi. Now, we're getting a clearer picture of what this is all about, because Barra has posted to his Google+ that he is leaving Google to become the VP of Xiaomi Global.Chinese Model LCD

In his Google+ post, Barra said: In a few weeks, I'll be joining the Xiaomi team in China to help them expand their incredible product portfolio and business globally — as Vice President, Xiaomi Global. I'm really looking forward to this new challenge, and am particularly excited about the opportunity to continue to help drive the Android ecosystem.

Barra went on to thank the top members of the Android team including Andy Rubin, Sundar Pichai, and Vic Gundotra. Sundar Pichai also took to Google+ to wish Barra luck, and of course Sundar added "we're thrilled that he's sticking with Android." Xiaomi's president, Lin Bin, and co-founder, Lei Jun, have both taken to Weibo to welcome Barra to the fold, saying that he will start at the beginning of October, which is slightly later than the "in a few weeks" that Barra said.

Xiaomi Global The really interesting part of this whole move is from the perspective of Xiaomi. Xiaomi hasn't made a move to grow beyond China yet, but obviously the addition of now ex-Googler Hugo Barra as the VP of Xiaomi Global shows where the company is aiming. As we mentioned when we Xiaomi looking beyond China: Hugo Barra to be VP of Xiaomi Global first heard this news, Xiaomi is one of the fastest growing manufacturers in China, and has recently surpassed Apple's sales in the country, and Xiaomi also outsells Samsung in China.

Xiaomi is often called the "Apple of China", because of its hardware design, and because the skin that it puts onto Android does look quite a bit like iOS. But the truth, according to Lei Jun, is that "Xiaomi looks a bit like Apple but is really more like Amazon with some elements of Google." It is huge within China and has garnered a reputation of creating great high-end devices that really shine because of the software that the company adds on top of Android. But, it hasn't been the quality that has spurred the growth of the company, it is more because of a business model more similar to Amazon, or the Google Nexus line.

Xiaomi has gained so much market share in China because it routinely undercuts the competition at the expense of its profit margins, because it expects that it can make up the difference with its online shopping and games services. That sounds a lot more like Amazon than anyone else. The question remains as to what we should expect from Xiaomi when it does make a move outside of China.

Xiaomi and Google We have already seen that Xiaomi knows how to attract spec enthusiasts, so the biggest question will be in whether Xiaomi will go with Google Android for its handsets, or if it will try to fork Android as Amazon has. With Barra in the mix, we'd expect that he would push for Google services, but Xiaomi has developed its own app store which includes both apps and themes for its devices.

Xiaomi looking beyond China: Hugo Barra to be VP of Xiaomi Global Of course, looking at a Xiaomi device as we mentioned, it will look quite a bit like iOS, and that is because before Xiaomi started manufacturing handsets, the company developed the MIUI custom ROM for Android, and that MIUI design is still used on its devices along with the MIUI App Store. Interestingly, the MIUI Store even includes an app that will allow you to easily install Google apps like Gmail, Maps, Chrome, and even the Google Play Store.

No doubt, this is something that Google does not look positively upon, so it will be interesting to see if Xiaomi tries to keep its own app store going when it makes a move into international markets, or if it will forego the app revenue in favor of more easy acceptance in regions where the Google Play Store is more established.

We would guess that Barra will try to push for Google Apps adoption, but that could mean a lot of work to pull MIUI back from being a custom ROM to being more of a custom UI on top of Google Android. Of course, sticking with a fork of Android poses its own troubles, because making a fork successful is a very difficult thing to do. As yet, only Amazon has been able to make it work. But, with a fully stocked app store (assuming the apps can be translated to different languages), Xiaomi has a good start.

Conclusion If nothing else, this is going to be a very interesting transition to watch. Xiaomi has a big name in China, and those in the custom ROM community can attest to the fact that the Xiaomi software (MIUI) is quality software (if you like the very iOS-like feel to it). There are still a lot of questions surrounding the company and its plans, and we certainly don't expect them to be answered soon. But, the addition of ex-Googler Hugo Barra does add some much needed international legitimacy to Xiaomi, and it makes the company one to watch.

HTC One in blue coming to Sprint on September 10th

We have seen pictures over the last several days of the HTC One in blue. All of the prior leaks mentioned that the sad HTC One (it's blue, get it?), was heading to Verizon. But one of our loyal readers sent us a screenshot showing a Sprint road map. And on that road map was the blue HTC One with a launch date scheduled for September 10th 2013.HTC One LCD Screen

If this information pans out, Sprint will be offering the Taiwan based manufacturer's Android flagship model in silver, black, red and blue. And the nation's third largest carrier is currently asking $99.99 for the handset with a signed two-year contract. Not a bad price for the phone that currently has the highest pixel density (468ppi) in the industry.

If September 10th sounds like a date you've circled on your calendar, it's because you probably have. That is the date that when Apple is rumored to be introducing the Apple iPhone 5S, Apple iPhone 5C, the fifth generation Apple iPad and the Apple iPad mini 2. But if the HTC One in blue is more to your liking, you should be able to pick it up from Sprint on that date.

Installing Earpiece Speaker in your iPhone 5

Step 1 — Front Panel Assembly

Before disassembling your iPhone, be sure it is powered off.

Remove the two 3.6 mm Pentalobe screws next to the Lightning connector.

Step 2

Press a suction cup onto the screen, just above the home button.

Be sure the cup is completely on the screen to get a tight seal.

Step 3

Make sure the suction cup is firmly attached to the front panel assembly.

While holding the iPhone down with one hand, pull up on the suction cup to slightly separate the front panel assembly from the rear case.

Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The iPhone 5 display assembly is a much tighter fit than most devices.

With a plastic opening tool, begin to gently pry the rear case down, away from the display assembly, while you pull up with the suction cup.

There are several clips attaching the front panel assembly to the rear case, so you may need to use a combination of the suction cup and plastic opening tool to free the front panel assembly.

Step 4

Continue to pry up around the sides of the front panel assembly, detaching the clips along the left and right side

Step 5

Do not try to completely remove the front panel assembly from the rear case, as there are several ribbon cables still attached at the top of the iPhone.

Once the clips have been released on the bottom and sides of the front panel assembly, pull the bottom of the assembly away from the rear case.

Lift and rotate the front panel assembly up to about 90 degrees from the rear case.

Step 6

Remove the following screws securing the front panel assembly cable bracket to the logic board:

Two 1.2 mm Phillips screws

One 1.6 mm Phillips screw

Step 7

Remove the front panel assembly cable bracket from the logic board

Step 8

Use a plastic opening tool to disconnect the three front panel assembly cables: Front-facing camera and sensor cable
Digitizer cable
LCD cable

When reassembling your phone, The LCD cable may pop off the connector. This can cause white lines, or nothing at all to appear when powering your phone back on. If that happens, simply reconnect the cable and power cycle your phone. The best way to power cycle your phone is to disconnect and reconnect the battery.

Step 9

Remove the front panel assembly from the rear case.

Step 10

Remove two screws securing the front-facing camera bracket to the display assembly.
One 4.1 mm Phillips screw
One 2.2 mm Phillips screw


Step 11

Remove the earpiece speaker bracket from the display assembly

Step 12

Remove the earpiece speaker from the iPhone

Anti-Static Wrist Strap

An anti-static wrist strap is a made of a stretchy band of fabric with fine conductive fibers woven into it, attached to a wire with a clip on the end to connect it to a ground conductor. Usually, the fibers of an anti-static wrist strap are usually made of carbon or carbon-filled rubber, and the strap is bound with a stainless steel clasp or plate.

This item is used to prevent the buildup of static electricity on a person who works on very sensitive electronic equipment causing electrostatic discharge. Because movements as simple as lifting one foot off the floor or raising one arm from a conductive table mat may change body capacitance by as much as 10% to 30%, and the capacitively created voltage may reach several hundred volts or more, using an anti-static wrist strap while you are holding sensitive electronics can protect it from being damaged by static electric.

DBX

Nokia says India 'least favourable market'

Finnish telecom giant Nokia has told India's government that the country is now its "least favourable market" to operate in and it makes better sense to export its products from China, a report said Friday.

Nokia, which is fighting a 20-billion rupee ($311 million) tax demand from Indian authorities, urged the government to "act quickly to correct the wrong perception of India as a place for business", The Indian Express newspaper reported.

"The political risk of operating in India" has become "suddenly substantially higher and may inevitably influence future decisions to develop one's operations in India", Nokia said in a letter quoted by the daily.Nokia LCD

The reported warning comes at a bad time for India when foreign direct investment has slowed to a trickle amid mounting domestic economic woes including a plunging rupee, a huge current account deficit, slowing growth and perceived government policy paralysis.

The Finnish group did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the message which The Indian Express said was dated June 19 and was received by the finance ministry last month.

Nokia said its tax problems made it "more cost-efficient for Nokia to transfer the manufacture of mobile phones to China and to import them to the Indian market rather than manufacture them in Chennai".

Nokia, which has one of its biggest plants world-wide in the southern city of Chennai, is among a string of multinationals in tax disputes in India including Cadbury Royal Dutch Shell and Vodafone.

India has stepped up its pursuit of alleged tax delinquents to reduce a hefty budget deficit.

Nokia insists software downloaded onto its mobiles in India should to be taxed in Finland under a bilateral treaty between the countries, but India's tax authorities view it differently.

"Nokia does not think India can override its international obligations," Nokia was quoted as saying.

Tax claims against Nokia and other multinationals have "too great an impact on the predictability and certainty of Indian business environment to be ignored", Nokia added.

India one of the world's fastest-growing mobile phone markets is the second largest market for Nokia which began operations in the country in 1995 and employs 8,000 workers directly in Chennai.

Nokia which had been the country's leading handset maker for 14 years recently ceded its crown to South Korea's Samsung.

Micromax Canvas Fun A76 with Android 4.2 available online

Micromax has introduced a new smartphone, Canvas Fun A76, which has been listed on ecommerce website Snapdeal for Rs. 8,499. The company has not officially announced the launch, yet.

The Micromax Canvas Fun features a 5-inch FWVGA (480x854 pixels) display. The device is powered by a 1.2GHz dual core processor coupled with 512MB RAM. It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera accompanied by an LED flash and a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It includes 4GB of internal storage which can be expanded up to 32GB via a microSD card. The Micromax Canvas Fun runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and is a dual SIM (GSM+GSM) device. Connectivity options on the device include 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, EDGE, GPRS and GPS. The phone includes a 2000mAh battery. mobile phone lcd

Earlier, Micromax's next phablet, the Canvas Doodle 2 was also spotted on an online retailer's listing with a coming soon tag. The company has been teasing the phone on its Facebook page, which is expected to be officially launched soon.

The Canvas Doodle 2 features a 5.7-inch HD display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. The device is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor. It sports in a 12-megapixel rear camera accompanied by dual LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The device includes 12GB of internal storage, as per Flipkart's listing. The Canvas Doodle 2 runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. There is a 2600mAh battery that can give up to 8 hours of talk time, as per the listing. It is a dual-SIM device (GSM+GSM). Connectivity options include EDGE, GPRS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G.

Windows Phone is second most widely used mobile OS in Latin America: IDC

It looks like Windows Phone has been able to capture the Latin American market, becoming the second most widely used operating system in the region.

Research firm IDC has released its Mobile Phone Tracker report that notes that Windows Phone has been ranked second in Mexico, Colombia and Peru in the second quarter of 2013. The platform has been ranked second in Mexico for the second consecutive quarter.

As per the report, Colombia is one of the countries with the highest user preference ratings for Windows Phone, with 25.6 percent of the market share being dominated by the platform.

In other countries, including Argentina, Chile and Brazil, Microsoft's mobile platform has also grown in popularity, ranking third in the second quarter of 2013, as per the IDC report.Samsung I8700 LCD

"Reports show an important increase in the positioning of this operating system in Latin America. The market availability of new devices will be a factor in ensuring this trend endures over the next three months," said Oliver Flores, regional manager for Mobile Phones at IDC Latin America.

Liliana Gonzalez, director of the Windows Phone Division for Latin America, stated that "during this year's Mobile World Congress, we set ourselves the goal of being the second most widely used mobile platform in Latin America by the end of 2013, and we are overjoyed to be able to announce that these reports show that we have achieved this five months before the end of the year." She also commented that, "We will continue working alongside Nokia to offer more and more people in Latin America the holistic experience which Windows Phone has for them, in order to offer a more personalised smartphone which is the best for the Windows environment and the best hardware for people and companies."

Previously, Microsoft had announced that Windows Phone had shipped more than the iPhone in seven market of the world in the quarter ending December 2012. The countries included Argentina, India, Poland, Russia, South Africa and Ukraine in addition to a group of smaller nations that include Croatia and rest of central and eastern Europe.

Source:NDTV

Nokia Lumia 925 and Lumia 625 officially launched in India

Nokia has launched its much anticipated smartphone, the Lumia 925 in India for Rs. 33,499 . The Finnish handset maker has also launched its large screen mid-range Lumia device, the Lumia 625 for Rs. 19,999.

The Lumia 925 had been listed on Nokia's official website with a price tag of Rs. 34,169. However, the MRP of the phone was listed as Rs. 38,529.

The Nokia Lumia 925 was introduced back in May at an event in London and was seen as a new interpretation of company's flagship phone, the Nokia Lumia 920 LCD.

The Nokia Lumia 925 is a premium smartphone and sports a metal frame with a polycarbonate back. As far as the specifications go, it comes with a 4.5-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display with a resolution of 768x1280 pixels and Gorilla 2 Glass. It is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor alongside 1GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage. It has an 8.7-megapixel PureView rear camera and 1.2-megapixel wide-angle front camera. Nokia claims that the Lumia 925's camera is better than the one featured in the Lumia 920. The Nokia Lumia 925 is available in two colour variants Black and Grey. It comes with a 2,000 mAh battery and runs Windows Phone 8. A wireless charging cover can be attached with the phone, available in Yellow, Red, White and Black colours.

With the launch of the Lumia 925, the company also introduced the new Nokia Smart Camera mode that offers an easy way to capture ten images at once and edit the pictures with options like Best Shot, Action Shot, and Motion Focus.

Samsung beats Nokia to top spot in India, Apple posts strong gains

Buoyed by high demand for smartphones, the mobile handset market in India is estimated to have grown by 14.7% in 2012-13 to touch Rs. 35,946 crore, according to a Voice&Data Survey.

The market grew from Rs. 31,330 crore in FY'12 with Korean electronics maker Samsung dethroning Nokia from the top position this year, the survey said.

The 18th annual survey 'V&D 100' covered over 30 mobile handset companies doing business in India across categories like feature phones, multimedia phones, enterprise phones and smartphones.

The survey attributed Samsung's rise in Indian market to its rich product portfolio catering to customers of all budget categories.

"Samsung handset prices range from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 50,000 and come in varied screen sizes. These two factors helped the company grab customer's attention, besides the product quality and new features," it added.

The survey said Samsung ended the year with revenues of Rs. 11,328 crore in 2012-13 as compared to Rs. 7,891 crore in FY'12, a growth of 43.6%. It also became the market leader with 31.5% market share.Apple Parts

On the other hand, Nokia, with 27.2% market share, dropped to the No 2 spot.

In the 12 months ended March 2013, Nokia's revenues from Indian operations were placed at Rs. 9,780 crore as compared to Rs. 11,925 crore in FY'12, as per the survey.

"Nokia's drop in market share started when the company failed to sense the need of a dual-sim phone for the Indian consumer, and the same was tapped by the Indian players years ahead of global players like Nokia," it added.

Nokia's Lumia series phones that witnessed huge growth globally in the initial phases could not draw much attention in India.

The survey said Apple's revenues grew 417.2% to post revenues of Rs. 1,293 crore in FY'13 as compared to Rs. 250 crore in the year ago period. Though India was never a focus market for the Cupertino-based smart devices maker till some years back, in the last two years, the iPhone maker has started making inroads slowly.

"In the last fiscal, Apple made some disruptive changes in its sales strategy, which paid off. Appointing Ingram Micro and Redington as the national distributors for their entire sales, and offering EMI schemes to the consumers to buy the most coveted Apple product changed the game for them," the survey said.

Apple now enjoys 3.6% market share in India having the smallest number of handset models in its portfolio.

Homegrown handset maker Micromax captured the third position with 8.7% market share. In FY'13, Micromax posted revenues of Rs. 3,138 crore as against Rs. 1,978 crore in FY'12, a growth of 58.6%.

iPhone sales power China Telecom to higher profits

State-owned China Telecom, the country's third biggest mobile phone operator by subscribers, said Wednesday that profit grew in the first half of the year as revenue from iPhone sales kicked in.

Beijing-based China Telecom, also the world's biggest fixed-line telephone operator, stepped up marketing spending to woo customers after it became the second Chinese mobile company to offer Apple's popular iPhone in the first half of 2012.

Company officials had warned the increased spending would hurt short-term profitability but help in the long term.
The efforts appear to have paid off.
The company posted a 10.2 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) profit in the January-June period, up 16 percent from the year before.
Operating revenue rose 14 percent to 157.5 billion yuan.
China's three state-owned mobile phone companies are locked in an increasingly competitive battle as they invest heavily in faster fourth-generation networks to support new data-hungry smartphones and tablet computers.iPhone 5 Parts

China Telecom Chairman Wang Xiaochu also warned of the threat from free instant messaging apps such as the hugely popular WeChat that have eroded two important sources of revenue, text messaging and voice calls

"There are still uncertainties in domestic regulatory policies while the accelerated evolution of new technologies is driving up industry competition," Wang said. "The cross-sector competition of mobile internet gradually emerged. In future we will face new challenges."

The company's mobile customers rose to 174.5 million, up 13.8 million from the end of last year. Mobile data revenue rose 36 percent.

Chinese version of Sony Honami scores high on AnTuTu

Regardless of whether you call Sony's upcoming Android flagship the Sony i1 Honami or the Sony Xperia Z1 (which is the rumored true moniker of the device), the phone is obviously quite a beast. The Chinese variant of the phone was recently sent through the AnTuTu benchmark test and it was obvious this handset had studied for the test.

The results put the Honami, Xperia Z1 or whatever you want to call it, in the company of other beastly handsets with a score of 30,625. In fact, the Sony i1 Honami topped the eagerly awaited LG G2 which scored 29,909 earlier this month. For the record, the unit was powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU with Android 4.2.2 installed.Sony LCD

We expect to see the Sony i1 Honami see the light of day on September 4th when it is finally unveiled in Berlin. Even without actually being released, the device will already face some tough competition as that is the same day that Samsung will be introducing the Samsung Galaxy Note III, which itself is no stranger to the AnTuTu benchmark test. The last time that the phablet went through the site, the Hong Kong variant tallied a very impressive 33,082 score.

With all of the powerful new Android handsets on the way, fans of the platform are going to have a tough time making a decision about which model to choose when the time comes to purchase a new phone.

Purported pictures of HTC One Max with fingerprint scanner surface online

The new images posted on ePrice show the long-rumoured HTC One Max pictured alongside the HTC One and HTC One mini. The images also reveal a fingerprint scanner just beneath the rear camera, a feature that had not been seen in previous leaks. The Taiwanese site also claims that the launch of the upcoming phablet from HTC may be pushed to the end of October because of the addition of the new feature.HTC One LCD Screen

Last week an alleged official render of the HTC One Max surfaced online but the images did not show the fingerprint scanner on the device's back.

The fingerprint scanner, if true, could be HTC One Max's USP and could be find usage for authentication process to unlock the phone or for mobile payment authorisations.

The rumours of HTC One Max sporting a fingerprint scanner come after months of speculation of Apple's next smartphone coming with a similar feature. The iPhone 5S is rumoured to feature a fingerprint reader that may be placed under the Home button and could provide a seamless way to authenticate while unlocking the phone.

Coming back to the HTC One Max, the rumoured specifications of the device include a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor while the original HTC One is powered by a Snapdragon 600 processor. The HTC One Max is likely to sport a 5.9-inch HD display and run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, out-of-the-box. The One Max is expected to feature the UltraPixel rear camera and 2.1-megapixel front-facing cameras as seen in the HTC One.

HTC One and HTC DROID DNA to get updated to Android 4.3 by the end of September in U.S. and Canada

A sweet tweet from HTC America's president Jason MacKenzie, brings some good news to U.S. and Canadian owners of the HTC One and those Verizon customers who own the HTC DROID DNA. By the end of next month (known as September on your calendar), both phones will have been updated to Android 4.3. That means both models will leap frog over Android 4.2 HTC One LCD Screen

Android 4.3 will allow multiple users to create restricted profiles. Restricted profiles means that you can decide which features to allow others who use your phone, access to. If you don't want your kids using the browser, or the camera, you can block them from doing so. The update will also allow you to have your notifications sent to a device connected to your phone via Bluetooth. Like a smartwatch, for example. And hardware geofencing allows your phone to save battery life by performing location computation in the hardware rather than the software. These are just a few of the changes you'll find on Android 4.3 and frankly, the multiple accounts will probably be the one you will notice and care about the most.

Apple to begin shipping two new iPhones in September

Apple has asked its Taiwan-based supplier to begin shipping two new versions of the iPhone next month, including a lower-cost model, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

The Journal, citing unnamed sources, said Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision, the parent company of Foxconn in China, was readying both a standard iPhone with new upgrades and a less expensive model with fewer features.

Last week, the news site AllThingsD, part of the same company as The Journal, said Apple had scheduled a September 10 event to unveil the new smartphones as part of an effort to regain momentum.iPhone 5 Parts

An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

Apple's move comes with its chief rival Samsung reportedly set to unveil its own smartphones and other devices, including a smart watch.

Speculation has centred around whether Apple will shift its strategy to include a lower-cost handset to appeal to more consumers, especially in emerging markets.

A survey released by Gartner last week said Apple's share of the smartphone market worldwide fell to 14.2 percent in the second quarter, while Samsung's share rose to 31.7 percent.

Gartner said the Google Android operating system was used on 79 percent of smartphones sold in the period.

Source:NDTV

HTC One X update rolling out, brings Android 4.2.2 and Sense 5

The Android 4.2.2 update including Sense 5 for the HTC One X was spotted on Xda-developers forum and picked up by Android Central. The publication notes that HTC is rolling out update to version 4.18.401.2 for the HTC One X in Europe for now, with other regions to follow suit soon.HTC ONE X LCD

The report further affirms that the update for HTC One X will hit Nordic countries and parts of Eastern Europe like Denmark and Slovakia first, while other European countries are likely to get the OTA update in coming days. As per the reports, the software update weighs around 380MB and includes Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with the Sense 5 user-interface on top.

The update will add some new goodies like BlinkFeed home screen, which has been quite popular after first making an appearance on company's flagship smartphone, the HTC One. Some new features that the HTC One X will get include improved battery endurance, new gallery and camera apps and automatic video highlights.

With the updates rolling out in European region first, the wait for HTC One users in India to receive the Android 4.2.2 updates begins. Earlier, HTC announced an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update for HTC One X+ also. However, we are yet to see the update rolling in India.

HTC had announced that it will be offering upgrades to some of its existing devices in the next few months. However, it had mentioned the software update won't include all of Sense 5 features, as some are dependent on the HTC One hardware.

Source:NDTV

HTC One will skip 4.2.2 and go straight to 4.3 says president

The Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update was pushed out to the international versions of the HTC One over one month ago; and, of course the HTC One Google Edition has already been updated to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. But, the U.S. carrier versions of the HTC One are still running Android 4.1, and it has been a while since we've heard anything about when users should expect the update.HTC One LCD Screen

Well, good news, everyone! HTC's president, Jason Mackenzie gave some potentially great info to users with a tweet recently. According to Mackenzie, Android 4.2.2 is a "minor update", so HTC has decided to skip it and update the HTC One directly to Android 4.3. This may only be for the HTC One Dev edition, which is what the question was about, but since the dev edition is just an unlocked HTC One, it seems likely the plan will be the same for all One devices in the U.S. Mackenzie gave out the info because a user was frustrated that the Verizon HTC One was said to launch with Android 4.2.2, but the update hadn't yet come to other HTC One models. Mackenzie said that the decision was made "because 4.3 is so close. And 2.2 offered limited customer benefit."

Unfortunately, Mackenzie ignored questions on when we should expect to see the update pushed out to users, so we'll have to just keep being patient until we get more info.

Source:phonearena

Rumored Sony Honami mini won't downsize the specs

The latest trend with handset manufacturers is to make a"mini" version of their flagship phone. Samsung, HTC and even Motorola has done this. Now, there is speculation that Japanese based OEM Sony will do the same with its upcoming new flagship model. The Sony i1 Honami is expected to be the first of Sony's new camera-centric phones and is scheduled to be introduced September 4th in Berlin. Even though the full-sized phone has not even been introduced by Sony, already specs for the Honami mini have leaked. If true, Sony is going to be the first to truly keep flagship type specs in a mini version of their flagship phone.Sony LCD

According to a tipster on the Esato.com forums with a great track record, the Sony Honami mini will pack a 4.3 inch Triluminos display with resolution of 720 x 1280 (Ok, so its not perfectly the same), with a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 under the hood, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. A microSD slot will be available and a 2400mAh battery will be keeping the lights on. But the most important news is that the 20.7MP camera won't be touched with at all. The same Sony G lens, f/2.0 aperture and the same 1/2.3″ sensor will be on the Honami mini. So to recap, the only changes to the full-sized version of the phone is with the screen (from 5 inch 1080 x 1920 to 4.3 inch 720 x 1280), and the battery (from 3050mAh to 2400mAh).

The Sony Honami mini has a code name of Ray3. Despite all of this information, we caution you to take this with the proverbial grain of salt. After all, we are still days away from the unveiling of the full-sized model.

Source:phonearena

Celkon A107+ Signature One with Android 4.2 launched

Celkon Mobiles, an indigenous handset maker, has announced a new smartphone for the Indian market, the A107+ Signature One.

The Celkon A107+ Signature One sports a 5-inch display with 480x800 pixels resolution. The device runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. It is powered by 1GHz dual-core processor and comes with 512MB RAM. There is an 8-megapixel rear camera at the back with LED flash and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

The dual-SIM smartphone (GSM+GSM) dual standby smartphone comes with 4GB of internal storage capacity expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. Connectivity options on the phone include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio jack, EDGE, GPRS and GPS. The phone comes with a 2100mAh battery.Cell Phone LCD

The phone will come with a free flip cover and is priced at Rs. 7,299.

The Celkon A107+ Signature One is said to be the successor to the Celkon Signature One A107 which was launched earlier this year.

The Celkon Signature One A107 comes with a 5-inch capacitive display and has a resolution of 480x800 pixels. It carried a price tag of Rs. 6,999 at the time of launch. It is powered by 1GHz dual-core processor along with 512MB RAM. The internal storage available on this device is a scanty 512MB, but it can be further expanded by up to 32GB through a microSD card. It is a dual-SIM smartphone that runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Other features include an 8-megapixel primary camera, VGA front camera and a 2100mAh battery. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.

Nokia Lumia 825 with 5.2-inch display, quad-core processor in the works

Nokia seems to be getting aggressive with its Lumia line-up as the company has unveiled three smartphones in a short span of time. Not content with launching the Lumia 925, Lumia 1020 and Lumia 625, the company is apparently working on the Lumia 825 featuring 5.2-inch display. A report in the Chinese Media first picked up by Unwired View notes that Nokia is working on its first phablet, the Lumia 825 which will be based on Windows Phone 8 GDR3 update.Nokia LCD

According to the report, Microsoft is expected to release the GDR3 update for Windows Phone 8 soon which will enable support for quad-core processors and full-HD displays on the Windows Phone platform.

The rumoured Nokia Lumia 825 is believed to be a successor to the Lumia 820 which was launched alongside the former flagship, the Lumia 920. The site claims that the alleged Lumia 825 will be a mid-range device as it will still boast a 720p HD screen and not a full-HD display.

The site further suggests that the Lumia 825 will likely be powered by quad-core processor and the chipset may be Qualcomm's Snapdragon 400 possibly clocked at 1.2GHz. Nokia is expected to release the Lumia 825 in October, the report claims.Nokia Lumia 920 LCD

Nokia has no doubt taken the whole Windows Phone ecosystem on its shoulders and thanks to its growing Lumia line-up, Windows Phone smartphones seem to be finally gathering some momentum. The launch of quad-core phones is the next step, something that Android and other platforms have been sporting for a while now.

Nokia has currently eight smartphones powered by Windows Phone 8 that include the Lumia 1020, Lumia 625, Lumia 925, Lumia 920, Lumia 820, Lumia720, Lumia 620 and the Lumia 520.

Source:NDTV

The difference between International Edition and American Edition Blackberry Z10 LCD Screen

What's the difference between International Edition and American Edition Blackberry Z10 LCD Screen?

Now I will tell you the difference.

The American Edition
15-pin connector
backlight flex cable without dented interface

The International Edition
13-pin connector
backlight flex cable with dented interface

Slide shows the Sony Xperia Honami will record 4K video

A batch of photos starring the Sony Xperia Honami and the iPhone 5 leaked less than a day ago, but it turns out there's one more photo that's the most interesting of the bunch. It's a presentation slide that touts the Honami's 4K video recording capabilities.

4K video has 4000 x 2000 resolution according to the slide (though standard is 4096 x 2160). That's a lot – it will require a very capable chipset (the Snapdragon 800 officially supports the resolution), a capable sensor (the Honami is using a 20.7MP 1/2.3" Exmor R sensor and G lens) and tons of storage.Sony LCD

This isn't the first time we're hearing the 4K video capture rumor, but seeing it up on a slide gives it some credibility. If this rumor pans out, Sony will be able to claim a smartphone camera first at the Berlin event on September 4.

Sprint to offer the HTC One in Ruby Red starting August 16

Sprint has announced that it's going to start offering the HTC One in a red color. Dubbed "Ruby Red", the special color of the HTC One is going to be exclusive for Sprint customers in the US.

HTC has already started selling the One in red in the UK and is calling the paint job "Glamour Red." That's the reason for the slight difference in saturation you're noticing.HTC One LCD Screen

The HTC One is also expected to be available in a blue color variation, a photo of which leaked not too long ago. Any further information regarding its availability or pricing are not available at this point.

Anyway, back to the Sprint Ruby Red HTC One edition, it's going to be available starting August 16 for $199,99 (the same price of the regular graphite and silver HTC One) with a 2-year contract. Off-contract, the device is going to retail for $549.99. Sprint is also throwing in a promo offering for a chance to win a second HTC One if you buy one.

Samsung Galaxy smartphones, Galaxy Tab 3 to support nine Indian languages

Korean electronics major Samsung Tuesday said its Galaxy range of smartphones and Tab 3 will support content and user interface in nine major regional languages of the country.

While the Galaxy Grand, Galaxy S4 and Tab 3 will support Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi and Gujarati from Tuesday, the firm will enhance availability of the regional language content starting with its entry-level Android model Galaxy Star this month.

The introduction of content and user interface in these nine major regional languages will also help the electronics major expand its reach as these languages are spoken by almost 80 percent of the country's population.

"Availability of content combined with easy access is the key driver for usage of any language. We clearly sense a need and demand amongst users to communicate in local languages using their mobile devices," Samsung India Country Head (Mobile and IT) Vineet Taneja said New Delhi.Samsung cell phone Parts

Samsung will not only work with content providers towards making more regional language content, but will also work with app developers so that more Indian consumers can enjoy mobile experience in their own language, he added.

"At Samsung, we will increase the number of devices that offer regional languages content and experience from next month onwards as well as enhance the bouquet of languages for our consumers," Taneja said.

Speaking on the occasion, National Innovation Council Member Kiran Karnik said access to regional languages content will give a strong fillip to mobile data consumption and also empower millions of Indians who are not fluent in English.

"To further propel the market and technology penetration, industry should come out with below USD 50 smartphones and tablets. The government in the next few months will launch the Akash 4 tablet," he added.

Facebook India Country Growth Manager Kevin D'souza said the social networking firm is excited that Facebook for Android and Facebook Messenger on Samsung smartphones will now support 9 Indian languages.

Sony Xperia M with Android 4.1 now available online

Sony is gradually getting aggressive with Xperia smartphone line-up for the Indian market. The company is not only targeting the high-end customers with its Xperia Z Ultra which was launched last month, but also eyeing for budget Android segment with its latest, Xperia M.

The handset has not been officially launched in the company yet but is available through online retailer, Saholic for Rs. 12,990. The listing was tweeted by the retailer who also claims that the handset will be available from August 23.Sony LCD

The Sony Xperia M is powered by 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8227 processor with 1GB of RAM. It features 4-inch TFT LCD with a resolution of 480x854 pixels and boasts a scratch-resistant display. It runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sony's Timescape UI on top.

There is 4GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 32GB with the help of microSD card. The Xperia M sports 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a VGA front camera. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, aGPS and NFC. It also includes a 1,750mAh battery that can deliver 10 hours of talk time and 504 hours of standby time, according to Sony. As per the listing, the Sony Xperia M will be available in four colour options - Black, White, Purple and Lime.

The Sony Xperia M was announced by the company back in June along with its dual-SIM variant, Sony Xperia M dual. The company had announced both Xperia M and Xperia M dual will start retailing from the third quarter of 2013 and it seems the company is sticking to its promise.

Purported pictures of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C parts appear online, September 10 event confirmed by close source

If rumours are to be believed, than the next generation iPhone, which is most likely to be named iPhone 5S, and the new low-cost iPhone or iPhone 5C, would be released in about a month's time on September 10.

While the source of the rumour, AllThingsD, is one of the most credible source when it comes to all things Apple, The Loop's Jim Dalrymple, who is well connected at Apple, has also responded in the affirmative. He has a great track record of being accurate with Apple related rumours, so it's all but certain that the event will take place on September 10.iPhone 5 LCD with Digitizer Assembly

Meanwhile, pictures featuring parts that appear to be the top and bottom strips for the back of the iPhone 5S, have also surfaced online. French website Nowhereelse.fr has posted these pictures that originally appeared on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo. The top strip has space for a dual-LED flash, in line with previous rumours that pointed to the next generation iPhone sporting a pill shaped dual-LED flash or a smart flash which will have white or yellow light depending on the ambient light conditions. Previously, purported pictures of an iPhone 5S prototype that appeared in June, had also revealed the same camera flash.

Recently, Japanese website Mac Otakara had also suggested that the iPhone 5S camera would sport the same 8-megapixel resolution but the lens would feature some enhancements including a wider f/2.0 aperture for taking low-light photos, reaffirming KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's predictions.

While it's still not clear if the low-cost iPhone, rumoured to be named the iPhone 5C will also be unveiled on September 10, images of the alleged volume rocker buttons of the budget iPhone have also appeared online. Sonny Dickson, who had previously posted a gallery of high resolution pictures of the purported low-cost iPhone, has now posted a set of pill shaped plastic buttons in Green, Yellow, Red and Blue colours. It's interesting to note that the low-cost iPhone has leaked several times but the pictures were of preproduction units and did not feature cut outs for the Power and Volume rocker keys. The plastic, coloured buttons are in line with the low-cost iPhone's alleged coloured shells, also made of plastic.

Source:NDTV

BlackBerry 9720 OS 7 smartphone with touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard unveiled

BlackBerry has lifted the curtains off its next device, the BlackBerry 9720, which runs the legacy OS 7.1 instead of the revamped BlackBerry 10 platform.

The BlackBerry 9720 boasts aesthetics similar to the company's Curve series. It features a full physical QWERTY keyboard and a 2.8-inch touchscreen display with a 360x480 pixels resolution, boasting an image density of 214PPI. The device runs BlackBerry 7 OS (version 7.1).

It is powered by an 806MHz Tavor MG1 processor and has 512MB of RAM. It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with 4X digital zoom and image stabilisation, but lacks a front-facing camera. It also includes a 1,450mAh removable battery that delivers up to 7 hours of talk time and 432 hours of standby time. The device supports microSD cards of up to 32GB capacity, while the internal storage offered by the device is a meagre 512MB. The BlackBerry 9720 has dedicated BBM and BBM Voice shortcut keys, placed on the sides of the device. It also features FM Radio functionality.Cell Phone LCD

Commenting on the launch of the device, Carlo Chiarello, Executive Vice President for Products at BlackBerry, said, "The BlackBerry 9720 smartphone gives you all the essentials of the BlackBerry smartphone experience to support a communications centric lifestyle. It has the best keyboard and functionality for BBM, as well as an updated BlackBerry 7 OS that adds many enhancements. It's perfect for customers upgrading from a feature phone or entry-level Android or Windows Phone device, as well as existing BlackBerry smartphone customers, that want a richer experience and jump up in style and performance."

The all new BlackBerry 9720 will be available in selected markets like Asia, EMEA and Latin America in the coming weeks. However, the pricing of the device has not been revealed yet.

Earlier, leaked images of the BlackBerry 9720 had appeared online.

The launch comes at a time when the company is in a state of turmoil and weighing options that could include an outright sale.

BlackBerry says to explore strategic alternatives

Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry has set up a committee to explore strategic alternatives, including joint ventures, partnerships or a sale of the company, Blackberry said on Monday.

Former Goldman Sachs executive Timothy Dattels, a BlackBerry board member, will chair the new committee, which will also include Blackberry Chief Executive Thorsten Heins.

"Given the importance and strength of our technology, and the evolving industry and competitive landscape, we believe that now is the right time to explore strategic alternatives," Dattels said in a statement.

BlackBerry pioneered on-your-hip email with its first smart phones and email pagers. But it has struggled to compete against the likes of Apple Inc and against phones using Google Inc's Android operating system. Its new BlackBerry 10 smartphones have failed to gain traction in a competitive market.mobile phone parts

Reuters last week quoted sources familiar with the situation as saying BlackBerry was warming up to the possibility of going private. The sources said Heins and the company's board were increasingly coming around to the idea that taking BlackBerry private would give them breathing room to fix the company's problems out of the public eye.

(Also see: Taking BlackBerry private may make sense, but not a quick fix) Dattels is a senior partner at private equity firm TPG Capital and a former top investment banker at Goldman Sachs . His appointment to BlackBerry's board last year sparked a flurry of speculation that the company might consider a leveraged buyout or going private.

Dattels' nomination to the board came in June 2012, shortly after BlackBerry hired JPMorgan and RBC Capital Markets to help it evaluate strategies, including a possible overhaul of its business model, as well as other moves, such as expanding the BlackBerry platform through partnerships and licensing deals.

Fairfax Financial Chairman and Chief Executive Prem Watsa said on Monday that he would resign from the BlackBerry board due to potential conflicts of interest. Watsa said Fairfax has "no current intention" of selling its Blackberry shares.

Moto X Google edition with stock Android not in the works

Motorola launched its highly anticipated smartphone, the Moto X, a few days back. Soon speculations about a possible roll out of the device on Google Play Store kicked off with many even claiming that Google might launch a Google edition of the Moto X running stock Android, in due time. Turns out that this will not be the case.

Android-focused website, Talkandroid cites Twit.tv's online tv show 'This Week in Google', on which Leo Laporte quoted Motorola's Guy Kawasaki as saying that the phone would be sold in its current avatar.mobile phone lcd

This means when the Moto X goes on sale on the Google Play Store, it will be the same variant which is available from other retailers and carriers.

This would also mean that none of the enhancements to the UI of the Moto X would be removed, and it will still offer special features like Moto Assist, Moto Connect and Active Display notification.

(Also see: 5 new features in Motorola's Moto X) The Moto X features a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. It is powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8960Pro Snapdragon processor coupled with 2GB of RAM. There is 16GB of internal storage. It also sports a 10-megapixel rear camera accompanied by an LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The Moto X also features a shake gesture that directly opens the phone's camera app.

The device runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Users can customise the body of the phone and choose from 18 back covers, different colour accents for the ring around the camera lens, accents around the volume and on-off buttons and get a personal message etched at the back of the phone. However, the customisation feature is limited to US carrier AT&T.

Source:NDTV

Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos and HTC One X+ reportedly getting Android 4.2.2 update

It's raining updates for some smartphone users. Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos and HTC One X+ owners are reportedly receiving the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update.

Samsung has released the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy Grand Duos in Russia. The South Korean major is expected to roll out the update in other markets including India. According to SamMobile, the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update will bring new features like dedicated toggles menu in the status bar, Daydream screensaver mode, lock screen widgets, improved task switching and some performance enhancements. The Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos is expected to get some new goodies on the TouchWiz side from the Samsung Galaxy S4 like the new widgets and home screen.Samsung Galaxy Trend Duos Touch screen

Meanwhile, HTC has reportedly started rolling out over-the-air update Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with the HTC Sense 5 on top for the HTC One X+. The update will add some new features like BlinkFeed home screen, which has been quite popular with the company's flagship smartphone, the HTC One.

Gsmarena notes some of the new features that the HTC One X+ will get. These include improved battery endurance with new sleep mode switch, Quick settings panel that can be accessed by a two-finger swipe down, some camera improvements like a long tap on the camera UI screen that will now lock exposure and focus and last is the update also includes the video highlights feature, which allows users to opt from 12 kinds of music theme styles and easily make a quick 30 seconds video.

With the updates rolling out in other regions, the wait of Indian consumers to receive the updates begins.

Purported teaser image of Sony Xperia 'Honami' surfaces online, points to IFA launch

Sony may not have officially revealed plans for its next flagship smartphone, codenamed Honami, but the leaks related to the device just don't stop coming in.

Now an alleged Sony teaser has been leaked which is being claimed to be for the company's upcoming flagship smartphone, the Sony Xperia i1 Honami.Cell Phone LCD

The images appeared on Chinese site, Digi-wo and were first spotted up by XperiaBlog. The teaser images show a purple device across a black background. The leaked images show that the device's edges are more rounded much like the Xperia Z Ultra, than straight, as seen in earlier leaked images that looked close to the company's flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z.

It also shows a glimpse of the right side of the device that houses the power key, flap and the volume rocker keys. The image also teases a September 4 date at the bottom with 'Berlin' mentioned beneath.

The Sony Xperia Honami is rumoured to sport a 5.0-inch full-HD display. It's likely to be powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM. The device is said to feature a 20-megapixel Exmor RS camera that is expected to sport a Sony G-lens and BIONZ image processor. The phone is also expected to feature a 2.0-megapixel front facing camera. It's may include a 16GB internal storage and a 3000mAh battery. The device is said to run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

The device is also said to come with IP57 certification which means it would be dust-and water-resistant.

Alleged press shots of the Sony Xperia i1 'Honami' were leaked a few days ago. Earlier the model number of the handset was confirmed to be C6906.

Photos of leaked Apple iPhone 5S parts point to champagne color option

While we expect that the Apple iPhone 5C, the rumored name for the low-cost iPhone variant expected to be introduced later this year, will be available in a variety of colors, it looks like the full-priced Apple iPhone 5S will also have some different color options. A photo displaying some leaked parts allegedly belonging to the iPhone 5S shows that the device could be offered in a champagne color.iPhone 5 Parts

The leaked parts include the volume control buttons and the silent/vibrate toggle switch. We would expect that a champagne colored iPhone 5S would be one color option for buyers to pick from along with the traditional black and white and perhaps some other colors as well.

As usual, there have been quite a number of rumors about the next iteration of the Apple iPhone, and this year we have all of that added speculation thanks to those additional rumors about a low-cost variant of the iPhone. We expect Apple to unveil the new iPhone models on September 18th with the launch taking place not too long afterward, on September 27th.

Celkon Campus A63 smartphone with Android 4.2 launched

The Campus A63 sports a 4-inch WVGA display with a resolution of 480x800 pixels. It is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and comes with 256MB RAM. The phone features a 3.2-megapixel rear camera and a front-facing camera. It runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

The dual-SIM phone (GSM+GSM) comes with 512MB internal storage capacity expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. Connectivity options on the phone include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS. The phone doesn't offer 3G connectivity and comes with a 1500mAh battery.mobile phone lcd

The phone will be available starting Friday coinciding with Eid and will come with a free back cover.

Celkon had previously launched two budget Android phones, Celkon Signature One A107 and Celkon A9+. The Celkon Signature One A107 comes with a 5-inch capacitive display with resolution of 480X800 pixels. It carries a price tag of Rs. 6,999 and is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor along with 512MB RAM. The internal storage available on this device is 512MB, but it can be further expanded by up to 32GB through a microSD card. The dual-SIM phone runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Other features include an 8-megapixel primary camera, VGA front camera and a 2100mAh battery. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.

The Celkon A9+ on the other hand comes with a price tag of Rs. 3,299. It is also a dual-SIM phone, and features a 3.5-inch display with a resolution of 320x480 pixels. It also runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It is powered by a 1GHz processor accompanied by 256MB of RAM. It comes with 512MB of internal storage, which can be expanded further via microSD card. It sports a 2-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front camera. The connectivity options include Edge, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It has a 1350 mAh battery.

Google Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 spotted running Android 'Key Lime Pie'

Google may have rolled out Android 4.3 Jelly Bean a few weeks back, but that doesn't seem to have stopped the search engine giant from testing the next OS version.

The Nexus 7 and the Nexus 4 have been spotted with a build number KRS36B, suggesting Google might already be testing the next Android version.

Both the devices have been spotted at the Chromium Bug tracker, first picked up by Android Headline, who also notes that it's time to start looking for the next version of Android which can be expected to be announced in October along with the successors to Google Nexus 4 and Nexus 10.Nexus 7 LCD Screen

Following the usual alphabetical order for Android updates and naming them after desserts, the successor to Android Jelly Bean is widely believed to be dubbed as Key Lime Pie, though nothing has been confirmed by Google. Looking at the build number, the publication notes, since the first letter of the build usually corresponds to the major Android version (e.g. J for Jelly Bean in Android 4.3 build number JWR66V), it's likely that KRS36B corresponds to the next major version, Android 5.0.

Android Headline predicts that possible changes that the new Android version may bring is a refined user interface, probably some more features as well as improved NFC capabilities.

It seems that the Android 4.X Jelly Bean has run its course and now Android 5.X Key Lime Pie is ready to take the rounds as the new Android version in the near future. Nothing has been confirmed by Google yet but it will be interesting to see the changes in the next Android OS.

Samsung vs. Apple: South Korea voices 'concern' on US veto of iPhone, iPad ban

The South Korean government voiced "concern" Monday at a White House decision to overturn a US sales ban imposed on certain Apple products deemed to have infringed a Samsung technology patent.

Saturday's decision by the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) was widely seen as siding with Apple against the South Korean technology giant in a long-running legal dispute between the two rivals.

The move effectively vetoed a product ban imposed by the US International Trade Commission (USITC) on some iPhone and iPad models for patent infringement against Samsung.Samsung Galaxy S4 LCD Screen

It was the first time the USTR has overruled the commission since 1987, and South Korea's trade ministry made its feelings clear.

"Our ministry expresses concern about negative impacts the decision by the USTR will have on protecting patents held by Samsung," it said in a statement.

The ministry also said it would "closely watch" a USITC ruling expected on August 9 on whether some Samsung devices violated Apple's patent.

"We hope that the ruling by the USITC and further decisions by the US administration will be made on fair and reasonable grounds," the statement said.

Samsung the world's largest technology firm by value and also the top smartphone maker has been locked in a series of bitter patent battles with Apple across a number of countries including Germany, Japan and the United States.

The ban overturned by the USTR covers devices that are no longer actively sold in the US market such as iPhone 3 as well as the iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G.

But it is still seen as a blow to Samsung, which said it was "disappointed" at the decision.

In a separate battle in US federal court, Samsung was ordered last August to pay more than $1 billion for patent infringement, a ruling which also opens the door to a ban on some Samsung devices.

Apple announces trade-in program for third-party chargers

Fears of dangerous shocks caused by unsanctioned chargers for Apple gadgets prompted the company on Monday to announce a trade-in program. Beginning on August 16, people with counterfeit or third-party power adaptors will be able to swap them for certified Apple models for the local equivalent of $10.

"Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues," Apple said in a blog post.iPhone 5 lcd

"While not all third party adapters have an issue, we are announcing a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program to enable customers to acquire properly designed adapters."

People must bring the unwanted chargers along with a corresponding iPod, iPad, or iPhone to an Apple Retail Store or to an authorized Apple service provider.

Apple said device serial numbers need to be valid to qualify for the adapter trade-in program, which will continue until October 18.

Last month, Apple began investigating reports that a women in China was electrocuted while using an iPhone that was charging.

Nokia parodies Apple's iPhone ad, claims the Lumia 925 takes better photos

After its strategic partner Microsoft took pot shots at Apple's iPad, it's now Nokia's turn to parody Apple's iPhone with a new TV commercial.

Nokia has released an ad for its Lumia 925 smartphone that parodies Apple's "Photos Every Day" commercial for the iPhone and compares the Lumia 925's camera with that of the iPhone by placing photos side by side in the same frame.

The commercial starts with a voice over repeating the same lines that are featured in the iPhone ad, "Every day more photos are taken on the iPhone than any other phone." However, as we go forward, the voice over talks about how "Nokia prefers to build for quality and not just quantity." The ad then goes on to display side by side comparison shots of pictures taken in different modes on the Lumia 925 and the iPhone 5 including various 'no flash' and 'with flash' photos and Best shot and Motion blur photos. It's not surprising that the photos taken with the Lumia 925 look better than the ones taken with the iPhone 5, in the ad. Nokia Lumia 920 LCD

After a few more seconds into the ad, it even displays the same scenes that appear in the iPhone ad and the voice over gives the message that, "Every day better photos are taken with Nokia Lumias than with any other mobile."

While Nokia clearly intends to show off the imaging prowess of its Lumia devices, as imaging is the major differentiator in its flagship phones, the parody is in bad taste, and clearly reflects Nokia's frustration at not being able to sell as many Lumia devices as it intends to. The iPhone 5 dwarfs the Lumia phones by a huge margin in terms of sales.

The iPhone has an edge with Apple's app and content ecosystem, and is an all-rounder as its camera is still considered one of the best among all smartphone shooters. It's also the most popular device when it comes to users sharing images on the Internet as more online photos are shot through the iPhone than with any other phone. Nokia's Lumia devices on the other hand are crippled by Windows Phone, Microsoft's mobile operating system which is facing a major app problem, that is even acknowledged by Nokia execs.

It's interesting to note that despite Microsoft releasing similar parody ads for its Surface tablet, the offering has not been able to do well and have yet to make any profit.

Source:NDTV