Posts Tagged smartphone
AT&T NEC Terrain announced for the rugged Blackberry fan
For those busy with both work and life, today AT&T and NEC have announced a device for those needing a rugged smartphone. One perfect for the BYOD market. It’s for both work and play, according to NEC, and blends Android and a Blackberry into one oddly shaped smartphone. It’s a rugged and military spec smartphone, and even has those Push-to-talk features some still love.
This device was first spotted back in April thanks to a few leaksters, but today we’re learning all the official details, release date, and pricing right from AT&T themselves. So for those that still want a dedicated keyboard and want this phone, here’s what we know as of now.
It’ll be available come June 21st through AT&T Business Solutions, and online for $99 with the usual 2-year contract deal. According to NEC this phone “embodies toughened versatility and business-ready features” but all we’re seeing is a rugged budget phone with a keyboard. Sorry NEC. Anywho, the specs leave a little to be desired but overall it should handle daily emails and all those busy tasks with ease.
With a 3.1-inch touchscreen covered in Gorilla Glass for protection, you’ll also enjoy a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor running at 1.5 GHz, then a 5 megapixel (720p capable) camera on the rear and VGA front, of course a huge QWERTY keyboard, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. More details can be found from AT&T themselves, soon, because their product page appears to be broken. I’d rather get the Galaxy S 4 Active.
SOURCE: AT&T
Story Timeline
- Kyocera Torque rugged smartphone announced for $99 by Bear Grylls
- CAT B15 rugged smartphone hands-on: Built to last
- Casio G’z0ne Commando rugged phone is back with Verizon 4G LTE
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Active official: Rugged, waterproof with Aqua Mode camera
- Samsung GALAXY S 4 Active pre-orders go live with AT&T
Ultra rugged push-to-talk smartphone NEC Terrain heads to AT&T June 21st
AT&T has announced that it has teamed up with NEC to bring folks a super rugged smartphone that doesn’t seem to be half bad in the specs department. Fittingly enough, t’s called the NEC Terrain
LG “Always On Voice Commands” tipped for smartphones in 2014
If you were wary of the Xbox One’s ability to see and hear you basically 24 hours a day, you might want to skip reading this story. LG has been tipped by several sources to be bringing forth a new smartphone inside 2014 that’ll be working with Always On Voice Commands. This means it’ll be listening all the time.
If you’re one for believing “three different sources who are familiar with the situation” as Gotta Be Mobile is, you’ll be pumped up for LG’s next generation in smartphone technology. Or next generation in do-it-yourself spy technology: however you want to look at it.
These sources are saying that LG’s smartphone technology will be used for navigation, primarily – here working with “certain settings or environments” rather than 100% of the time, all day long. This could have interesting effects on how the brand is seen in the world of automotive connectivity – much easier to speak to a smartphone when you don’t have to touch it all the time.
This fits well with the Qualcomm chatter earlier this year about Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 always-on voice activation, complete with the yelling.
It also fits well with LG’s recent big hits with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors – the LG Optimus G Pro works with a Snapdragon 600 while the LG Optimus G works with the first quad-core processor from the SoC maker. LG also scored big with the Google Nexus 4, a design based on the Optimus G with the same quad-core Snapdragon processor inside.
Now we’ve just to wait for the announcement – or the LG leaks galore!
HTC announces the Desire 200 smartphone: a budget device with Beats Audio
The next great HTC budget device has officially been unveiled to the masses with the introduction of the Desire 200 smartphone. Like many of HTC’s previous budget offerings, the smartphone comes in a compact, yet sleek package as the device will feature a 3.5-inch display encased in a nice black or metallic grey shell. Specs-wise, the smartphone has your typical run-of-the-mill items like a single-core Snapdragon chip, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of on-board storage (plus an expandable microSD slot), a 5MP camera and a 1,230mAh battery. Oh and for prospective customers out there looking for an extra kick when listening to music, the Desire 200 will feature Beats Audio as well.
While the newest addition to the HTC family is officially launched now, there’s still no word on when or where the device will hit retail outlets— nor do we know how much it will cost for now. The good thing is that the wait for the specific details shouldn’t be too much longer from now.
source: GSM Arena
Come comment on this article: HTC announces the Desire 200 smartphone: a budget device with Beats Audio
HTC announces the Desire 200 smartphone: a budget device with Beats Audio
The next great HTC budget device has officially been unveiled to the masses with the introduction of the Desire 200 smartphone. Like many of HTC’s previous budget offerings, the smartphone comes in a compact, yet sleek package as the device will feature a 3.5-inch display encased in a nice black or metallic grey shell. Specs-wise, the smartphone has your typical run-of-the-mill items like a single-core Snapdragon chip, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of on-board storage (plus an expandable microSD slot), a 5MP camera and a 1,230mAh battery. Oh and for prospective customers out there looking for an extra kick when listening to music, the Desire 200 will feature Beats Audio as well.
While the newest addition to the HTC family is officially launched now, there’s still no word on when or where the device will hit retail outlets— nor do we know how much it will cost for now. The good thing is that the wait for the specific details shouldn’t be too much longer from now.
source: GSM Arena
Come comment on this article: HTC announces the Desire 200 smartphone: a budget device with Beats Audio
More liquid-cooled smartphones to be introduced this year
Apple, Samsung, and HTC are considering the introduction of liquid-cooling technology in their handsets, according to a report published by Digitimes. Smartphones featuring the technology will reportedly be released as early as the fourth quarter of the year. Such liquid-cooling technology will make use of slim heat pipes with liquid coolant that will work to lower the temperature of the smartphone’s internal parts. This prevents overheating and thus improves the efficiency of the devices.
Prior to the three electronic giants, however, the Japan-based company NEC had already released a liquid-cooled smartphone just last month. The device, which is called the Medias X06E, was nicknamed the “ladyphone” since it was aimed at women. Said consumers were promised a smartphone with better cooling capabilities than the others that were available on the market. The Medias X06E, which came in white and pink, features a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro 4 processor, Android OS, and a 4.7-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. For its cooling system, the Medias X06E has a 0.6 mm heat pipe, which is significantly smaller as compared to the 1 to 1.2 mm ones that are used by Ultrabook makers in their devices. Despite the promise of the liquid-cooling technology, it appears that no other NEC handsets offer the same mechanism.
At present, most smartphone makers employ the graphite and foil cooling mechanism. However, this solution is now believed to be unsuitable for current smartphones, many of which are reported to have heating problems because of available technologies such as 4G connectivity support. In contrast with graphite and foil cooling, liquid-cooling is deemed as a more active and effective way to keep the temperatures of mobile devices low.
Several companies are already developing the super-thin 0.6 mm heat pipes, including Chaun-Choung Technology, Auras and TaiSol Electronics from Taiwan, and Furukawa Electric from Japan. Such companies are hard at work at increasing their yield rate, which currently stands at only 30 percent.
via digitimes
Huawei introduces Ascend P6, the world’s slimmest smartphone
Huawei has taken the wraps off the Ascend P6, the smartphone which holds the title of being the world’s thinnest smartphone as of now. Measuring only 6.18 mm thin, the device is also ultra-lightweight, tipping the scale at just 120 grams. The device made its first public appearance in a Huwei event in London, UK.
The Huawei Ascend P6 is the flagship handset of the Ascend P6 series. It features a 4.7-inch HD in-cell LCD screen which comes with MagicTouch technology. Such technology improves the screen responsiveness, allowing it to be sensitive to input even if one wears gloves while using it.
The device also comes with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, to which Huawei has given its own customizations via the proprietary Emotion UI. Huawei proudly announces that such UI is the result of input from 5 million consumers. Among its features are SmartReading, Me Widget, and better security protection.
Huawei also includes a productivity feature called AirSharing, in which one may share documents or play with other users with very little lag time.
Like most other smartphones today, the Huawei Ascend P6 comes with two cameras. Huawei says its front-facing camera is ideal for taking self-portraits. Such camera comes with a 5 MP sensor, and an automatic facial enhancement feature. Meanwhile, on its rear is a more powerful BSI camera, boasting of an 8 MP image sensor, F/2.0 aperture, 4cm macro photography mode, and support for recording videos in 1080p Full HD quality. To assist users, Huawei includes its propriety software called IMAGESmart, which allows one to tweak basic image settings such as contrast and color, and introduce automatic adjustments through the instant facial beauty feature.
Huawei also boasts of the Ascend P6’s battery, which has a capacity of 2,000 mAh. According to the company, such battery performs up to 30 percent better as compared to other similarly-sized batteries.
Huawei markets the device as a smartphone which combines user-friendly features with an aesthetically-appealing look. It achieves this through its brushed metallic exteriors and a curved base. The smartphone is offered in three colors, including pink, white, and black.
The smartphone will first hit the Chinese market this month, followed by Western Europe in July. Eventually, it will also arrive in other markets, as well.
via huawei
Samsung to allegedly release kill switch to improve mobile security and prevent device theft as soon as July
Smartphone theft is on the rise, and as these devices get more and more expensive it gets less and less easy to replace them. On top of that there is the risk of sensitive personal information going into the wrong hands (i.e. a thief). Samsung and other manufacturers recently met with New York Attorney General Erich Schneiderman to discuss the future of smartphone security and how to prevent device theft, reportedly working on a kill switch of sorts. Now, it looks like Samsung will be releasing this new feature as soon as July.
The kill switch goes a step further than LoJack for mobile phones, not only allowing the owner to remotely wipe their device, but also essentially brick the phone, rendering it unusable to thieves. With Samsung having such a large foothold in the smartphone industry thanks to the Galaxy S 4, this is an opportunity for them to blaze new trails in smartphone security, prompting other manufacturers to follow suit.
On top of the user being able to remotely disable their phone, the new system would also allow carriers and possibly the government to carry out these tasks as well. This is all rumor, of course, as Samsung has yet to make an official announcement regarding the kill switch. Let us know in the comments if this is a welcome feature to the smartphone market, or if it may be a bit too invasive.
Via: Android Authority
Source: MK (Korean)
Come comment on this article: Samsung to allegedly release kill switch to improve mobile security and prevent device theft as soon as July
Rumor: Verizon to release limited-edition Galaxy S4
A limited-edition version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphones will be arriving on Verizon, according to a post by famous leak source @evleaks.
Attached with the information is an image of a web page which bears the tag line, “a phone that’s as limited edition as you are.”
From the image, it appears that the upcoming version of the handset will sport designs by Kidrobot, a company which hires various artists to make designs for toys, clothes, and accessories.
It is unclear whether the custom designs are printed on the rear plate itself or simply attached via a skin.
Four designs are visible from the screenshot, which are Kronk, Mad, Buff Monster, and Groening. There is also an option to choose from among four brands, Kawks, Undftd, Krinks, and Kidrobot.
Supposedly, users are allowed to “design [one’s] own wallpaper,” as per the leaked image. Collaboration is also encouraged by the same image.
The leak suggests that the limited-edition Samsung Galaxy S4 from Verizon will permit smartphone owners to customize their own handsets. As to how much freedom they will be given, however, is still unknown.
Will users be able to create their own designs from scratch? Will they be able to share their designs with the Verizon community? Will there be some sort of contest that will inspire users to compete against each other in making creative designs?
As for the smartphone itself, the so-called limited-edition smartphone is expected to have the same technical specifications as the regular Galaxy S4 that is out in the market. In other words, it may also sport Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, a 5-inch full HD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and a 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor under the hood.
The leak does not include any information regarding the price or the date of availability of the customized smartphone.
via gottabemobile
Samsung to allegedly release kill switch to improve mobile security and prevent device theft as soon as July
Smartphone theft is on the rise, and as these devices get more and more expensive it gets less and less easy to replace them. On top of that there is the risk of sensitive personal information going into the wrong hands (i.e. a thief). Samsung and other manufacturers recently met with New York Attorney General Erich Schneiderman to discuss the future of smartphone security and how to prevent device theft, reportedly working on a kill switch of sorts. Now, it looks like Samsung will be releasing this new feature as soon as July.
The kill switch goes a step further than LoJack for mobile phones, not only allowing the owner to remotely wipe their device, but also essentially brick the phone, rendering it unusable to thieves. With Samsung having such a large foothold in the smartphone industry thanks to the Galaxy S 4, this is an opportunity for them to blaze new trails in smartphone security, prompting other manufacturers to follow suit.
On top of the user being able to remotely disable their phone, the new system would also allow carriers and possibly the government to carry out these tasks as well. This is all rumor, of course, as Samsung has yet to make an official announcement regarding the kill switch. Let us know in the comments if this is a welcome feature to the smartphone market, or if it may be a bit too invasive.
Via: Android Authority
Source: MK (Korean)
Come comment on this article: Samsung to allegedly release kill switch to improve mobile security and prevent device theft as soon as July
Samsung to allegedly release kill switch to improve mobile security and prevent device theft as soon as July
Smartphone theft is on the rise, and as these devices get more and more expensive it gets less and less easy to replace them. On top of that there is the risk of sensitive personal information going into the wrong hands (i.e. a thief). Samsung and other manufacturers recently met with New York Attorney General Erich Schneiderman to discuss the future of smartphone security and how to prevent device theft, reportedly working on a kill switch of sorts. Now, it looks like Samsung will be releasing this new feature as soon as July.
The kill switch goes a step further than LoJack for mobile phones, not only allowing the owner to remotely wipe their device, but also essentially brick the phone, rendering it unusable to thieves. With Samsung having such a large foothold in the smartphone industry thanks to the Galaxy S 4, this is an opportunity for them to blaze new trails in smartphone security, prompting other manufacturers to follow suit.
On top of the user being able to remotely disable their phone, the new system would also allow carriers and possibly the government to carry out these tasks as well. This is all rumor, of course, as Samsung has yet to make an official announcement regarding the kill switch. Let us know in the comments if this is a welcome feature to the smartphone market, or if it may be a bit too invasive.
Via: Android Authority
Source: MK (Korean)
Come comment on this article: Samsung to allegedly release kill switch to improve mobile security and prevent device theft as soon as July
Samsung to allegedly release kill switch to improve mobile security and prevent device theft as soon as July
Smartphone theft is on the rise, and as these devices get more and more expensive it gets less and less easy to replace them. On top of that there is the risk of sensitive personal information going into the wrong hands (i.e. a thief). Samsung and other manufacturers recently met with New York Attorney General Erich Schneiderman to discuss the future of smartphone security and how to prevent device theft, reportedly working on a kill switch of sorts. Now, it looks like Samsung will be releasing this new feature as soon as July.
The kill switch goes a step further than LoJack for mobile phones, not only allowing the owner to remotely wipe their device, but also essentially brick the phone, rendering it unusable to thieves. With Samsung having such a large foothold in the smartphone industry thanks to the Galaxy S 4, this is an opportunity for them to blaze new trails in smartphone security, prompting other manufacturers to follow suit.
On top of the user being able to remotely disable their phone, the new system would also allow carriers and possibly the government to carry out these tasks as well. This is all rumor, of course, as Samsung has yet to make an official announcement regarding the kill switch. Let us know in the comments if this is a welcome feature to the smartphone market, or if it may be a bit too invasive.
Via: Android Authority
Source: MK (Korean)
Come comment on this article: Samsung to allegedly release kill switch to improve mobile security and prevent device theft as soon as July
Motorola Moto X smartphone specs leak; includes 1.7GHz processor, Android 4.2.2, 720p display
The purported technical specifications of the Motorola Moto X smartphone have been posted by @evleaks, a frequent source of information about unreleased devices.
According to the post, the handset will sport a 720p touchscreen display, a 1.7GHz dual-core MSM8960 Pro processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and lastly, dual cameras, including a rear-facing one with a 10 MP sensor, complemented by a 2 MP front-facing camera. Such post leaves out information about the battery, the measurement of the screen, and the connectivity options, among others.
Judging from these specifications, it appears that the Motorola Moto X will be aimed at the mid-range segment. That said, Motorola’s statement a few weeks ago stated that the device is deemed as a competitor against the Samsung Galaxy smartphones and the Apple iPhone. Given these specifications, however, it is quite difficult to imagine how Motorola will manage such feat. Granted, the full list of features is not yet available, which means that Motorola may still provide consumers with some surprises, such as a good battery, or even an attractive price tag.
It bears mentioning, as well, that the leaked list of specifications is unofficial, and like all leaks, should be taken with a grain of salt.
Previously, rumors suggested that the X Phone would have an NVIDIA Tegra 4i processor, 16 MP rear-facing camera, 5 MP front-facing camera, and a 4.7-inch full HD display. It was also believed to come in different colors.
Motorola just a few weeks ago already confirmed the existence of the Motorola Moto X smartphone, which was earlier rumored to be called the Google X Phone.
Motorola’s Dennis Woodside, speaking at the D11 Conference, revealed that the Moto X will be assembled near Fort Worth, Texas. This would make the device the first smartphone to be built in the United States. He furthermore noted that that its internal parts will come from Taiwan, Korea, as well as twelve American states. Woodside also boasted about the device’s so-called contextual awareness through its sensors, which will give the device an edge over others.
Government Officials Urge Smartphone Makers to Include Kill Switch Function
Government officials are now pushing for the integration of a Kill Switch function in smartphones. This function will brick or render a phone inoperable once it is stolen.
Phone Theft Statistics
According to USA Today, statistics show that 1 out of 3 thefts throughout the nation involve mobile phones. The figure was shown by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon. Usually, some of the incidents involve violent confrontations which result to assault or murder, they added as a warning to mobile phone makers and to encourage consumers to lobby tech companies for the creation of such function.
The report said that New York Police Department coined the term “Apple-picking” to describe the theft of iPhones and other popular handheld devices like iPhones and iPads. This act comprises 40 percent of all the robberies in their State alone, the authorities mentioned.
Incident
One violent incident cited by the source is the case of the 23-year old Megan Boken in 2012. Based on her father’s account, she was chatting with her mother when the line suddenly went blank. She never picked up the phone again when her mother dialed her.
It was later discovered that she was a victim of a violent crime. The source recounted that she was shot and killed in St. Louis by an assailant who was trying to steal her phone.
The Coalition
The Secure Our Smartphones Initiative was formed by lawmakers, consumer advocates, police and other key sectors of the different States to urge smartphone companies and their shareholders to cut the operation of smartphone thieves by introducing a Kill Switch function, stated the source.
Apple’s Response
The source said that Apple hinted in the WWDC that such feature will be made available in the iOS 7 which will be released this coming fall. However, Schneiderman and Gascon commented that the giant tech company has been vague to them about what it could do, so they are pretty skeptic whether it is really the Kill Switch function that they are asking.
Source: USA Today
Official Samsung Galaxy S4 Spare Battery and Charger Now available
As a consumer, being able to have a smartphone with a removable battery can bring many benefits. Unfortunately, for manufacturers it’s easier for them to scrap the removable battery idea and in its place manufacture smartphones that house unremovable batteries. Doing so will allow smartphone manufacturers to spare more room for even more hardware components.
Samsung however, is a company that has stuck to creating handsets with removable batteries, and this means that consumers can not only take out their battery and request a new one if it happens to die on them, but they can also buy additional batteries to use as spares, perfect for long trips without a ‘plug-in point.’
Samsung has recently announced its new official spare battery and charger kit, and it’s available for purchase through a few online retail stores for about $50. The kit comes with a 2,600mAh battery, a charger that allows you to charge the battery even if it’s not in your smartphone, and a cable to plug it into the wall. The 2,600mAh battery is most likely the exact same model that the Galaxy S4 is shipped with as they both carry the same capacity.
Source: Droid-Life
Galaxy S4 gold-plated edition brings elegance to Android
When you have extra cash to throw around, you might as well rock the latest and greatest smartphone on the planet with style. The iPhone isn’t the only one getting the gold-plated treatment, and we have the Samsung Galaxy S4 wrapped in Gold, Platinum, or Rose Gold for you below. Sadly it’ll cost you some serious coin so you better start saving your pennies now.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen ridiculously priced luxury smartphones. Just like a watch, some people will pay the premium. Lamborghini has a few Android phones, and the company VERTU offers a few costing upwards of $10,000 USD. We have good news though, the gold-plated Galaxy S4 will only run you a little over $2,600 if you’re interested.
Even the folks from TAG Heuer offer a few smartphones topping $4,000 and beyond. It’s a bit ridiculous if you ask me, but we figured you’d all like to give it a look. The company GoldGenie is responsible for making Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S4 gold as you see it today, but sadly they appear to be sold out at the moment.
So what will that £1700 get you besides a gold-plated Galaxy S 4? You can choose the white or black version of the phone as your base, then it’ll come with 16GB of storage and the usual quad-core processor under the hood. The device is SIM unlocked, and will probably have a substantial increase in weight. Your device will be worth its weight in gold.
Each unit also comes in a specially designed Limited edition Cherry Oak finished collectors box, so that should totally make it worth the purchase. More details can be found below.
VIA: GoldGenie
Samsung showcases Galaxy S4 Zoom in lifestyle demo video
Samsung is promoting its new Galaxy S4 Zoom through a 2:49 minute lifestyle demo video. The video features a young woman showcasing the various uses of the device.
From the specifications that were released recently, it was pretty clear that the Galaxy S4 Zoom combines the features of a camera with those of a smartphone. The video, however, shows that you can use both the camera and the smartphone simultaneously. While in an active call, a user can capture and send photos to the other person, as per the video, in a feature called In-Call Photo Share.
It also highlights some of the camera’s features such as zoom-ring control which allows for easy focusing. Also shown in the video is the camera’s 10X optical zoom, which lets the user to capture distant objects; and 16M BSI CMOS Sensor, which allows for great shots even in low lighting conditions or when the subject is in motion. Meanwhile, the Optical Image Stabilizer minimizes the chance for blurred photos to be captured due to camera shake. Quick Launch and Shortcut lets the user access the camera functions on the smartphone display with a simple turn of the zoom ring. Smart Mode Suggest, meanwhile, automatically provides the settings for virtually any kind of subject in whatever lighting condition that the user wants to capture. These are organized in 25 Smart Modes, which the Smart Mode Suggest feature filters to a small number to aid the user in making a decision. Photo Suggest, for its part, gives suggestions, based on one’s physical location.
As the device’s specifications and features have already been revealed earlier, the lifestyle demo video does not give many surprises. It does, however, give users a better idea of how such features work in actual situations. The video also features several images supposedly taken with the camera-smartphone combo device, but it is unclear if we should take them to be real images captured with the Galaxy S4 Zoom.
Here is a link to the video.
via androidpolice
Samsung Galaxy S 4 smartphone “selling well”, despite lowered expectations by analysts
Samsung’s Galaxy S 4 is no doubt a smash hit despite those lowered expectations, but its leader took some time recently to tout just how much of a hit the new smartphone has been since its release last month. While not giving raw numbers, Sammy head J.K. Shin told Korean reporters that the smartphone has been “selling well”, pretty much refuting J.P. Morgan’s analysis. With Shin’s comments, the hope is that the Galaxy S 4 will hopefully sustain, if not gain positive momentum so that Sammy can continue to pull in the cheddar and all that good stuff.
source: Korea Times
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S 4 smartphone “selling well”, despite lowered expectations by analysts
Nokia Hosting ‘Zoom Reinvented’ Event on July 11
Nokia may be preparing to reveal something new and snappy at ‘Zoom Reinvented’ on July 11th. Press invites for the event have just been sent out with a simple banner containing the text ‘Zoom. Reinvented,’ and ‘See more from Nokia- 11am, July 11th, New York City.’
As the name suggests, it sounds like the event will showcase something relating to Nokia’s camera technology, and it would make sense that Nokia use this to show off the rumored ‘EOS smartphone.’
I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of images the new smartphone will be capable, of, and I’m hoping we’ll end up with a product that is both an enjoyable smartphone experience and a capable camera for enthusiast or professional photographers.
There’s no doubt that the smartphone will be running Windows 8, and it’s likely the smartphone will use Nokia’s already developed 41 Megapixel 808 PureView Sensor, although seeing it with completely new camera hardware isn’t completely out of the question.
Source: GSMArena
Top 5 Water Resistant Smartphones For 2013
You might own one of the top smartphone models out in the market today with all the cool features but in the end it’s still considered as an electronic equipment. Just like any other electronic equipment, smartphones and water don’t mix well. Some of you might have experienced your smartphone not turning on due to water damage. This is one of the common problems affecting smartphone users today.
The good news is that manufacturers are now slowly releasing water resistant smartphones that can withstand accidental splashes or even a dip in a glass of water. Listed below is our top 5 water resistant smartphones for 2013.
Sony Xperia Z
The Sony Xperia Z is a high end device that is designed for people with an active lifestyle. It has an IP 57 certification (water and dust resistance) making it perfect to bring at the beach or at pool parties. You can even place it under one meter of water without damaging it.
- Android Jelly Bean v4.1
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core 1.5GHz processor
- 5-inch HD display
- 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
- 13MP rear camera
- 3.2MP front camera
- 2GB of Ram and 16GB in-built memory
- 2330 mAh Li-Ion battery
Sony Xperia ZR
The Sony Xperia ZR offers even better protection against the elements compared to the Xperia Z. This model has an IP55 and IP58 certification and can withstand submersion up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
- Android Jelly Bean v4.1
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core 1.5GHz processor
- 4.55-inch TFT LCD
- 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
- 13MP rear camera
- 3.2MP front camera
- 2GB of Ram and 8GB in-built memory
- 2300 mAh Li-Ion battery
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is the company’s answer to people who wants a rugged version of the current flagship model. It’s different from the S4 in that it comes with physical hardware buttons instead of capacitive keys. It also has a different back plate that is bolted on to the chassis. The S4 Active has an IP67 certification which means it can withstand being under one meter of water for 30 minutes.
- 5.0-inch Gorilla Glass 3 screen with 441 PPI pixel density and 1080 x 1920 resolutions
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chipset with quad-core Krait 300 processor clocked at 1.9 GHz and Adreno 320 as the GPU
- 8-megapixel back-mounted camera
- Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean right from the box
- 2GB of RAM
- 16 GB of internal storage expandable up to 64 GB via microSD
Samsung Xcover 2
This rugged smartphone is priced affordably and even comes with an IP67 certification. It comes with a tough shell that is dust tight and can even survive being under one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
- 4-inch WVGA display, 480 x 800 resolution, 233ppi
- Single-core Cortex-A9 CPU clocked at 1 GHz, Mali-400MP GPU
- 1GB of RAM
- 4GB of internal storage
- 5 MP rear camera, 0.3MP front camera
Huawei Ascend D2
The Huawei Ascend D2 is a high end device that not only offers excellent specifications but is also dustproof and waterproof.
- 5-inch Super IPS display with 1920 x 1080 resolution (443ppi) and Corning Gorilla Glass technology
- Quad-core 1.5 GHz K3V3 processor
- 13-megapixel camera with interesting features
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- 9.9 mm thin, 170 grams
- 3000mAh battery
Galaxy S5 will be the first Samsung full metal smartphone
Samsung has been a dominate player in the smartphone market since the Galaxy S2, but one of the biggest problems with the top-line devices is the plastic coating slapped on top.
The Galaxy S5 may break this barrier, with a full metal smartphone similar to the HTC One or iPhone 5. Samsung has been pressured into doing this, with the outbreak in HTC One sales.
The South Korean mobile giant has already sold more than 10 million Galaxy S4 units and with the launch of the GS4 Active and Zoom we can expect Samsung to rake incredible profits in this quarter.
However, if they cannot entice users who love the design of the smartphone, they are missing out on a big demographic who always hunt for the best smartphone.
To get in gear, Samsung will add the full metal unibody design to the Galaxy S5, splitting the roots from previous generations by not allowing users access to the battery.
Source: PhoneArena
Verizon Casio Commando render leaks
If you are one of those smartphone buyers that has to look at devices other than top of the line devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 or HTC One due to a need for a rugged device, Verizon may have a smartphone on its way to help you enjoy the benefits of their 4G LTE network. A new render posted by @evleaks shows the new Casio Commando smartphone with support for 4G. The device is believed to be coming to Verizon in July if the on-screen image is an accurate indicator. The device is thought to be water and dust resistant and capable of surviving drops and other mishaps, although other specifications are not known.
source: @evleaks
Come comment on this article: Verizon Casio Commando render leaks
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom now official
Samsung has just announced the Galaxy S4 Zoom, a smartphone geared to please photography lovers with its inclusion of a 16 MP rear-facing camera with 10x optical zoom. According to Samsung, this is the first smartphone which offers such zoom capability.
The main camera’s lens has an aperture size of F3.1-F6.3 and supports focal lengths between 24 to 240 mm, The ISO can be set to Auto, 100, 200, 400, , 800, 1600, and 3200 while files may be saved in JPEG, PNG, GIF, WBMP, BMP, and AGIF formats.
The camera’s advanced photographic capabilities packs an optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) which keeps the camera stable, minimizing blurring..
Also available in the device is the Photo Suggest Feature, which gives users access to photos taken by other photography enthusiasts. The same feature gives tips on where one should go in order to capture the best angles of nearby locations.
For amateurs who want to take pro images, Samsung includes Smart Modes, a set of 25 pre-sets with automatic adjustments to make picture-taking easy. Meanwhile, others who are more comfortable with manually adjusting settings may find the Smart Mode Suggest feature useful, as it provides a list of options for settings such as focal length, white balance, and exposure, among others.
Other camera features include Xenon flash and a zoom ring up to 25 mm on the camera lens itself.
As for its technical specifications, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom comes with a 4.3 inch qHD sAMOLED screen with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. Under the hood is a 1.5 GHz Dual-Core Processor, 8 GB of internal memory, and 1.5GB of RAM. There is also an option to expand the memory for an extra 64 GB though a microSD card. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is its operating system while a 2330 mAh battery provides its power. As for connectivity, this smartphone supports Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, NFC, and Bluetooth.
Like other Samsung handsets, it comes with the Google Play Store, Youtube, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Plus, S Voice, and S Translator, among others.
To date, the device’s date of availability and pricing are still unknown.
via samsung
Verizon Casio Commando render leaks
If you are one of those smartphone buyers that has to look at devices other than top of the line devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 or HTC One due to a need for a rugged device, Verizon may have a smartphone on its way to help you enjoy the benefits of their 4G LTE network. A new render posted by @evleaks shows the new Casio Commando smartphone with support for 4G. The device is believed to be coming to Verizon in July if the on-screen image is an accurate indicator. The device is thought to be water and dust resistant and capable of surviving drops and other mishaps, although other specifications are not known.
source: @evleaks
Come comment on this article: Verizon Casio Commando render leaks
Verizon Casio Commando render leaks
If you are one of those smartphone buyers that has to look at devices other than top of the line devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 or HTC One due to a need for a rugged device, Verizon may have a smartphone on its way to help you enjoy the benefits of their 4G LTE network. A new render posted by @evleaks shows the new Casio Commando smartphone with support for 4G. The device is believed to be coming to Verizon in July if the on-screen image is an accurate indicator. The device is thought to be water and dust resistant and capable of surviving drops and other mishaps, although other specifications are not known.
source: @evleaks
Come comment on this article: Verizon Casio Commando render leaks
Blackberry Q5 Now Available For Pre-Order In The UK
Canadian smartphone manufacturer Blackberry is set to release their third smartphone running on the new BlackBerry 10 OS this coming July. The BlackBerry Q5 is a mid-range smartphone that will be sold in select markets worldwide and while it has already made an appearance at the United States FCC it is already available for pre-order in the United Kingdom.
Unlocked Mobiles is now taking pre-orders for a SIM free Blackberry Q5 for £349.98. The device is unlocked which means you can choose which network you want to use it on. While the price may be on the high side considering this is a mid-range device you will be saving a bundle in the long run since you won’t be tied down to a contract with a mobile carrier. It’s also much cheaper than the BlackBerry Q10 making it a perfect choice for individuals who want to try out the BlackBerry OS 10 experience. Customers who pre-order can expect to have their units by mid-July.
BlackBerry Q5 Technical Specifications
- System: GSM Quad Band 850/1800/1900/2100 4G & LTE
- Dimensions: 120 x 66 x 10.8mm
- Software Platform: Blackberry 10.1 Operating System
- Display: 3.1 inch LCD Capacitive touchscreen with 16 million colors, QWERTY keyboard
- Resolution: 720 x 720 pixels
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon Dual-core 1.2 GHz
- Memory: 8GB, 2GB RAM
- Camera: 5MP, LED flash, autofocus
- Battery: Li-ion 2180 mAh battery – Non-removable
The Q5 was first revealed by the company last May during the BlackBerry Live Conference. It’s got similar features as the recently released Q10 with both sharing the same display characteristics as well as a full QWERTY keyboard. The Q10 however has a more powerful processor and a better camera.
Some of the features of the Q5 include
- Classic BlackBerry Keyboard with discrete keys that has been re-engineered and elegantly designed
- BlackBerry Time Shift mode and Story Maker
- BBM Video with Screen Share
- BlackBerry Hub
- BlackBerry World
If you are thinking of getting a QWERTY smartphone then the Q5 makes an excellent choice. It runs on the latest BlackBerry OS and it costs less than the company’s high-end models. There are four color options to choose from – black, white, red and pink.
via unlocked mobiles
LG rumored to drop Optimus name from its high-end lineup of smartphones
In an effort to revamp its smartphone lineup, LG is rumored to drop the ‘Optimus’ name from its premium devices and move the name to mid to lower-end devices instead. According to various reports, LG is in the midst of devising a new brand identity for its flagship models, which should help to generate more chatter and excitement among consumers. There’s no indication yet of when we’ll see the new flagship name (or if this sudden change indicates a new LG flagship that’s on the way), but the hope is that we’ll have a clearer understanding sooner than later.
Complimenting the more uniform naming arrangement for its smartphone models, LG is also rumored to go with a more common design language for not just its upcoming handsets— but other types of devices as all— all in order to bring more consistency and familiarity with customers. So while this is exciting (and unusual to say the least), no one knows exactly what this means really. Will the LG smartphones and say appliances feature some sort of sleek curvy design? Will each be featured in a few exclusive colors? Again no one knows exactly… but it certainly will be exciting to see what direction it is LG may be headed towards.
source: Chosun.Biz
via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: LG rumored to drop Optimus name from its high-end lineup of smartphones
Oppo Find 5 Mini shows its little 3.7″ 720p face
There was a time, not to long ago, when people marveled at a 720P display on a big screen TV. When those puppies started to sell, they sold like hot cakes. I myself had a 55″ 720P Plasma Panasonic TV for a short while, and used to love sitting back and watching movies on it. But so much has changed in the past few years, that finding ourselves looking at the new leaked image of the Oppo Find 5 Mini smartphone makes us feel like geriatrics who keep hitting the snooze button.
The Oppo 5 Mini has shown its (rather small) face, but what it packs certainly takes our breath away. With rumors of the utilization of the same quad-processor found in the Find 5, it would pack a performance punch akin to the Ariel Atom V8 (Did someone mention 500HP in a 550KG package? No? Well I did). Sadly however, rumors are floating about of far less outlandish 1.2GHz Mediatek CPU fitted to a LCD IPS Display, to keep costs low.
It’s also been teased in this dizzying array of new colors for that individual touch the consumer may seek, including blue, green, red and yellow. Match that to a rumored price of 199 Euros or slightly more, and you have something that we’ll be aching to get our grubby little fingers on.
The Oppo 5 Mini just goes to show that size isn’t everything. With the release of massive Tablet phones left and right from Samsung, HTC, and more, it’s refreshing to see someone else get back into the portable, comfortable, usable mobile field.
SOURCE: MyDrivers
Smartphones expected to grow by 32.7% in 2013
In 2013, smartphones are poised to make a big leap in growth. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), smartphones are expected to rise about 32.7% during this year which should reach in a total number of 958.8 million units, up from 722.5 million from the previous year. Now days smartphones aren’t considered a luxury item as it once was just a couple years back. With feature phones slowly going out of style and smartphones becoming more and more affordable (thanks to Android), many customers are making the switch. Starting this year, smartphones are expected to account for 52.2% of the total mobile phones in the world, an astonishing number if you ask me.
Cost effective and affordable smartphones is a huge reason for such a big leap in smartphone popularity. According to the IDC, smartphone vendors being able to provide cheaper and cost-effective 3G handsets alongside the more expensive 4G ones has really helped get these smartphones into peoples hands.
With smartphones becoming such a huge market in not only this year, but for the foreseeable future, I don’t see this trend ending any time soon. The smartphone market will only grow and continue to dominate the tech world.
source: IDC
Come comment on this article: Smartphones expected to grow by 32.7% in 2013
Smartphones expected to grow by 32.7% in 2013
In 2013, smartphones are poised to make a big leap in growth. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), smartphones are expected to rise about 32.7% during this year which should reach in a total number of 958.8 million units, up from 722.5 million from the previous year. Now days smartphones aren’t considered a luxury item as it once was just a couple years back. With feature phones slowly going out of style and smartphones becoming more and more affordable (thanks to Android), many customers are making the switch. Starting this year, smartphones are expected to account for 52.2% of the total mobile phones in the world, an astonishing number if you ask me.
Cost effective and affordable smartphones is a huge reason for such a big leap in smartphone popularity. According to the IDC, smartphone vendors being able to provide cheaper and cost-effective 3G handsets alongside the more expensive 4G ones has really helped get these smartphones into peoples hands.
With smartphones becoming such a huge market in not only this year, but for the foreseeable future, I don’t see this trend ending any time soon. The smartphone market will only grow and continue to dominate the tech world.
source: IDC
Come comment on this article: Smartphones expected to grow by 32.7% in 2013
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