Honor V20

ABOUT HONOR V20

Honor, the sub-brand of Chinese smartphone maker Huawei has just launched its latest flagship smartphone, the Honor V20. The new device comes with a 6.4-inch LCD display panel with FHD+ (2,310x1,080 pixels) resolution and 19.25:9 aspect ratio. The device is powered by Kirin 980 SoC with up to 8GB RAM and up to 256GB internal storage. 

Xiaomi MIUI 7 launch on August 19 in India

The MIUI 7 will be built on top of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Information about what’s new with the MIUI 7 is scarce at the moment. The company’s current latest MIUI 6 runs on many Xiaomi smartphones like the Mi 4, Mi 4i, Mi Note, Note Pro and several others. The Redmi Note 4G and the Redmi 1S have also got the MIUI 6 update. We expect Barra to provide clarity on all the smartphones that will receive the MIUI 7 update on August 19.

Get Android L Look with this new theme for your Mobile

Android L is currently in the works and being sampled by a limited group of Nexus toting developers. If you’re suffering from a case of L envy and a Nexus 5 or 7 aren’t within reach, there’s now a way to bring the software’s look and feel to devices stuck on Jelly Bean or KitKat. An XDA member called “Adhi1419″ has put together a theme that emulates most of Android L’s appearance, including its status bar icons, settings, calculator and ringtones.

Toss in L’s keyboard and you’ve got yourself a genuine knockoff Android L handset. If you decide to take this theme for a spin, your device will need Xposed Framework support and some users are experiencing issues with various ROMs, so there may be a hiccup or two along the way. However, if you’re not moved by a slight challenge and your phone could use a makeover, head on over to the source link below to get started.


(via 9to5)

Samsung four new Galaxy devices running Android 4.4 for low-end User

Samsung new Low-End Galaxy Core II, Galaxy Ace 4, Galaxy Young 2, and Galaxy Star 2 affordable Android KitKat smartphones

Samsung a quartet of new budget-focused Galaxy smartphones, that in reality, are pretty forgettable. Firstly, the South Korean company unveiled the four new smartphones called Galaxy Core II, Galaxy Ace 4, Galaxy Young 2, and Galaxy Star 2. All these new smartphones run on Android 4.4 KitKat, and feature Samsung’s latest TouchWiz UI that it rolled out on the flagship Galaxy S5.

iPhone 5s With 'Touch ID' Fingerprint Sensor.

At iPhone media event, Apple introduced the new iPhone 5s. The new iPhone 5s will be the same size and design and the current iPhone 5 but will feature improved specifications and will be available in three colors: Silver, Gold, and Space Gray.

Colorful New iPhone 5C, Starting at $99 on 2year Contract

At iPhone media event Apple announced the new lower-priced iPhone 5c, replacing the iPhone 5 in Apple's phone lineup. The new iPhone 5C is available in five different colors -- green, yellow, blue, white, and red -- in a polycarbonate design. The phone uses the same A6 processor and rear-facing camera as the iPhone 5.

Apple has posted a new video for the iPhone 5c.

iOS7 goes for Public Launch on September 18

At iPhone media event, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced iOS 7's public launch date -- September 18, two days before the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c release. He also highlighted iOS 7's major redesign and the slew of new features the operating system will introduce, including Control Center, a revamped Notification Center, AirDrop, iTunes Radio, and new multitasking capabilities.

Microsoft bought Nokia for $7.17 billion

Nokia today announced that Microsoft will be acquiring substantially all of Nokia’s devices and services business for $5 billion. Microsoft will also license Nokia’s patents and mapping assets for another $2.17 billion making the complete deal worth $7.17 billion in cash.

Building on the partnership with Nokia announced in February 2011 and the increasing success of Nokia’s Lumia smartphones, Microsoft aims to accelerate the growth of its share and profit in mobile devices through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. For Nokia, this transaction is expected to be significantly accretive to earnings, strengthen its financial position, and provide a solid basis for future investment in its continuing businesses. “It’s a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies.

Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft’s share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive officer. “In addition to their innovation and strength in phones at all price points, Nokia brings proven capability and talent in critical areas such as hardware design and engineering, supply chain and manufacturing management, and hardware sales, marketing and distribution.”

The deal will see 32,000 Nokia employees transfer to Microsoft, with Microsoft also acquiring the Lumia and Asha brands while licensing the Nokia brand for continuity with current Nokia-branded hardware. Microsoft will also acquire Nokia's long-term license with Qualcomm for chip technology. 

Microsoft and Nokia have seen some success with Lumia phones running Windows Phone, but the platform remains well short of becoming a third major player in the smartphone market alongside Google's Android and Apple's iOS. 
By uniting the hardware and software, Microsoft seems intent upon offering a more complete and end-to-end user experience, similar in some ways to Apple's work integration of iOS and iPhone. 

‘This should brighten everyone’s day’ Sept 10 2013 iPhone event in Cupertino

Apple has just sent out invites for their September 10th event, scheduled for 10 AM PST, via The Loop. Apple is hosting the event on campus in Cupertino.

he event will begin at 10:00 AM Pacific Time and will be held at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California. The tagline on the invitation reads "This should brighten everyone's day."

Microsoft Bought Nokia's Device and Services Division to Merge Windows Mobile Hardware and Software

Nokia today announced that Microsoft will be acquiring substantially all of Nokia’s devices and services business for $5 billion. Microsoft will also license Nokia’s patents and mapping assets for another $2.17 billion making the complete deal worth $7.17 billion in cash.

Green iPhone 5C packaging surfaces online with multi-color

 

After sharing blurry photographs of the supposed plastic iPhone 5C showing the devices’s packaging and printed manual, the same Chinese source is back at it and now has posted a pair of new images. The photos appear to picture the blue, white and yellow iPhone 5C units in their boxes and a close-up shot of the blue iPhone 5C.

Samsung Galaxy S IV costs $244 for mostly Samsung inside

Samsung’s latest flagship Android smartphone, the Galaxy S 4, costs $244 to make, a preliminary virtual tear-down by IHS reveals. The research firm estimates that the build of materials cost $236 with an additional cost of $8.50 to manufacture and assemble the smartphone. This is 15 percent or $30.40 higher than the equivalent version (16GB HSPA+) of the Galaxy S III.

The higher cost in build of materials is being attributed to a larger and higher resolution display, an array of new sensors and Samsung’s new Exynos 5 Octa processor. “While many brands have released smartphone models using full-HD LCD displays, the S4 represents the first with an AMOLED display at this resolution,” said Vinita Jakhanwal, director for small & medium displays at IHS. “Reaching a true pixel density greater than 300 ppi has been a challenge for AMOLED display makers. However, Samsung was able to enhance AMOLED display performance by implementing new technologies that also drove up the cost of the display.”

The cost of the Galaxy S 4’s Octa processor with ARM’s new big.LITTLE architecture is estimated at $30.00, compared to $17.50 for the chip in the Galaxy S III. The Galaxy S 4 also has new humidity and temperature sensors along with an IR gesture sensor, which drove the sensor subsystem price up from $12.70 to approximately $16, the research outfit claims.

The big story here, however, is most of crucial and expensive components that go into the Galaxy S 4 have been manufactured by Samsung itself, which is one of the biggest advantages the Korean electronics giant has over its rivals, including Apple and HTC. Samsung manufactures the display and touchscreen module, NAND memory, processor and power management integrated circuit that gives the manufacturer flexibility in terms of component availability and customization. This gives Samsung an significant edge over HTC, which is struggling with component availability for its flagship One smartphone, which is reported to have been delayed and has now been pushed back to end-March and even April for most markets.

Samsung will launch the Galaxy S 4 across the world starting from the last week of April.

Sony Ericsson launches Walkman Android smartphone

Sony Ericsson launches Walkman Android smartphone in India

Sony Ericsson has just launched its Live with Walkman smartphone in India for Rs 14,549. This Android handset has a 3.2-inch display, a 5.0 MP camera at the back, a front-facing VGA camera and should be able to offer a talk-time of 6.5 hours.

Currently it runs on the Android Gingerbread, however it shall soon be upgraded to Android ICS along with other XPERIA devices. A 4GB micro SD card and headset worth Rs 2,000 will come bundled with it. Sony Ericsson has also partnered with Aircel wherein Aircel users will get multiple data and calling benefits. On a recharge of Rs 295, Aircel 3G subscribers will get 500 minutes of free local calling (Aircel to Aircel) whereas 2G users will get 600 minutes of free local calling. Other benefits include free data download of 2GB and free 1000 text messages.

Cheapest Android Smartphone in India

Spice Mi-270 price slashed to Rs 3,399, becomes cheapest Android smartphone in India

Spice Mobility has announced that it has cut the price of its Mi-270 Android smartphone and the phone is now available for Rs 3,399. It is now one of the most cheapest Android phones available in the Indian market. The Spice MI-270 is based on Android 2.2 aka Froyo, sports a 2.8-inch display and offers dual-SIM functionality. Other tech specs include a 2.0MP camera, expandable memory up to 16GB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio jack and up to 3 hours of talktime.

HTC Edge gets renamed

HTC Edge gets renamed, now code-named as Endeavor

A source close to HTC is reporting that the leaked HTC Edge has now been re-named as the HTC Endeavor. It had rippled some serious waves in the blogosphere a few months ago when news broke out that it might be the vendor’s first Quad-core smartphone based on the Tegra 3 processor. 

HTC gives all its products a codename before they are officially launched or announced in the market. The ‘Edge’ was certainly a code-name but it rarely happens that a company re-names the codename or changes the codename. We think we kind of know what’s cooking around with the name changing thing. Since MWC is around the corner, HTC could be trying to create some buzz around its upcoming flagship device, now called the Endeavor. And here comes the last twist, this Android 4.0-based handset with its supposed “optically laminated” 720p display and a unibody design might just be called the HTC Supreme when it finally hits the market early spring.

LG details Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade path for its high-end smartphones

LG Optimus 2X, Black & 3D to get Android ICS updates

LG has announced it will provide Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich updates for the Optimus 2X, Optimus Black and Optimus 3D. The company is currently evaluating whether other phones can be updated to Android 4.0. It will announce the upgrade schedule and possibly some more models later in December. Here’s the official statement. LG published on their official Facebook page a list of handsets that will get a firmware update with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich software. Initially, high-end LG smartphones will be eligible for upgrade to Google’s latest Android release, including the Optimus 2X, the Optimus Black, the Optimus 3D and the Optimus LTE. The company did not say when Ice Cream Sandwich will arrive for the aforementioned handsets, noting it will update customers via Facebook in December. As for their other devices:

    We are also continuing to evaluate the ICS OS to determine whether it is compatible with the functionality, features and performance of other LG smartphones to make the ICS OS available on as many LG smartphones as possible.

Google’s been serious about requiring phone vendors and carrier partners to support high-end handsets with Android software updates for up to 24 months since the purchase date. Phone vendors recently began announcing lists of devices eligible for Ice Cream Sandwich, including Sony Ericsson and HTC. Google on its part confirmed that the Nexus S will get an Ice Cream Sandwich firmware update “within weeks”, but not owners of the older Nexus One smartphone. Samsung refrained thus far from public comments, but their flagship Galaxy SII is certain to get the new software and we have no doubt in our mind that the South Korean manufacturer will soon detail an ICS upgrade path concerning their Android devices.

Nokia 500 goes up for pre-order

Announced in August, the Nokia 500 is now available for pre-order with online retailer Flipkart for Rs 10,200. The 500 runs on Symbian Anna and features a 1GHz processor, a 5.0 MP camera, 3.2-inch 640×360 pixel display, Wi-Fi and GPS. It has 2GB of internal memory and a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 32GB. It comes with two additional exchangeable back covers. Nokia is expected to release the latest Symbian Belle update for the 500 towards the end of this year. It is We expect Nokia to officially launch the 500 in India soon. Read on for the complete specifications of the Nokia 500.Nokia 500 Specification

    Weight (with battery): 93 g     Volume: 73 cc     Internal memory: 2GB     Support for up to 32GB with an external microSD memory card     Talk time (maximum):         GSM up to 7 h         WCDMA (3G) up to 5 h     Standby time (maximum):         GSM up to 500 h         WCDMA (3G) up to 455 h     Video playback time (maximum): 5 h 15 min     Video recording time (VGA,15 fps, maximum): 1.5 h     Music playback time (maximum): 35 h     Screen size: 3.2″     Resolution: 16:9 nHD (640 x 360 pixels) TFT display, 16 million colours     Orientation sensor (accelerometer)     Compass (Magnetometer)     Proximity sensor     Ambient light detector     5 megapixel camera, Full Focus, Zoom up to 4x (digital)     Video capture in 640 x 480 (VGA), 640 x 352 (nHD), 176 x 144 (QCIF) at 15 fps     Stereo FM radio (87.5-108 MHz/76-90 MHz)

Nokia 500 goes up for pre-order for Rs 10,200 Price of Nokia 500 in India will be around Rs 10,200 

Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich Launch High-quality video

If you watched the stream last night, you know the quality was almost unwatchable.  Luckily, Google has posted a high quality video that helps show the quality of the screen and the design of the new OS.  Make sure to crank it up to 720P.

Nokia Announces N9 MeeGo Phone with Swipe Interface

Nokia’s future lies with Windows Phone 7 and Symbian, but the Finnish phone maker has decided to give MeeGo one last hurrah before abandoning it to the cold darkness of forgotten operating systems. The Linux-based mobile OS gets a final day in the sun later this year when it launches on the Nokia N9, an all-touch smartphone with a 3.9 inch curved AMOLED display and unibody polycarbonate frame.

Nokia’s hyping a new “swipe” interface that eschews buttons for nothin' but finger controls. A swipe inwards from the edge of the screen will return to the home screen PlayBook style. Despite its imminent shift to Windows Phone 7, Nokia’s putting some decent hardware into this final MeeGo phone and claiming it delivers the best multitasking experience on a smartphone.

The 3.9 inch curved glass AMOLED runs at a resolution of 854x480 with power coming from a 1GHz OMAP chip from 2010. The OMAP 3630 has been kicking around for awhile now in phones like the Droid X, Droid 2, and LG Optimus Black. The SoC’s PowerVR SGX530 graphics won’t blow you away, but the N9 won’t be a complete slouch and should handle day-to-day tasks just fine. The phone will go on sale in 16GB and 64GB configurations sometime in 2011.

Other hardware includes an HD video-capable 8MP camera with dual LED flash, 28mm lens and auto focus support. The phone supports Dolby Headphone and Dolby Digital Plus for giving stereo audio the surround sound treatment, and Bluetooth and NFC support are in for short-range data transfer. A 1450 mAh battery keeps the WCDMA phone running.

Nokia’s big on the N9’s touch interface: it uses a double tap to unlock the screen and has a trio of home screens that focus on different phone elements. One shows your installed apps, another lists social feeds and notifications and the third houses the applications currently running on the phone. The Webkit 2 browser is HTML 5 ready and Nokia Maps comes with a Drive application for in-car navigation.

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has said that the company will likely launch its first Windows Phone 7 device before the end of 2011. Production won’t seriously ramp up until 2012, and that may well be for a Europe-only launch. Nokia plans to launch up to 10 more Symbian devices by this time next year and will continue to support the platform until 2016. MeeGo won’t be so lucky--the N9 may well be the last Nokia MeeGo phone to hit the market when it launches sometime between late summer and winter 2011.

Everything You Need to Know About the HTC Sensation

For months now we've been hearing about a phone with killer specs called the HTC Pyramid. After the customary leaked specs and spy shots, the device is now official. The HTC Sensation is an Android handset that's likely to cause phone envy all around. In the US it will be called the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile. The device has high-end internals and an impressive software loadout.

Let's go over what makes this device special, and why you might want to start saving your pennies now. The Hardware:

The Software 

We are very happy to see the Sensation is running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. HTC has also slapped the new version of HTC Sense on the HTC Sensation. This is the version that we first saw on the HTC Evo 3Dlast month. It brings a lot of improvements to the Sense user experience.The lock screen is a lot more functional and skinnable. You unlock the device by dragging the ring at the bottom up. But you can also drag one of the icons you have placed on the screen down to open that app directly. With the skins, the Sensation can also show you ambient information on the lock screen like weather or stocks.

The home screen has gotten a nice 3D makeover as well. If you swipe through the screen quickly, the individual panels actually pull back and become a sort of 3D carousel. You can keep spinning it until you find the screen you want, or get bored of watching the effect. When you get to the last screen, it will loop back around to the first. When using the pinch gesture to get to the HTC Leap screen preview, the panels fly in as translucent spinning cards. Another part of the new HTC Sense build on the Sensation has a new camera feature called Instant Capture. This means that when you press the shutter button, the image will be captured at that moment. It might still take a second to write to the SD card, but there should be no shutter lag. The notification bar has also learned a few new tricks. At the top of the notification pane, running applications are in a scrollable bar. This pull-down interface is now tabbed. At the bottom is a tab called Quick Settings. Here you get a list of toggles for things like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular data, and so on. HTC is also bundling a new app called HTC Watch. This is similar to Samsung's Media Hub ecosystem. Watch is a way to rent and buy movies to watch on your device. Test videos shown off at the launch event played back very well, and seeking through the files was very snappy. As far as we know, DVD quality will be the highest you can get, so dreams of hooking the Sensation up to an HDTV for video are futile. Android's video playback experience has been notoriously bad, so we can appreciate HTC's desire to do something. It is unclear if licensing deals in different regions will cause issues, though.

Are you feeling Sensational? 

There's no question the HTC Sensation is a powerful phone. The big crisp screen and top of the line internals are great. We really can't wait to see what the new dual-core Snapdragon SoC can do in the wild. HTC's Adreno graphics have proven themselves in the last iteration of the platform, and we have high hopes for the 220. It's also impressive that HTC was able to create a unibody shell for the Sensation with all that high-end hardware and still keep the weight down.HTC has made some notable improvements to Sense, like the new lock screen and notification area. The 3D effects are attractive, but probably won't make the phone much easier to use. In most ways, it is still recognizable as Sense UI, which is a little disheartening. HTC has been adding features, and that makes Sense a heavier interface over time.The HTC Sensation will be out in Europe sometime in May on Vodafone. The T-Mobile version with the 4G branding will show up sometime early in the summer. Are you going to hold off on phone upgrades for this device?