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Sony SmartWatch 2 Announced

Smartwatches today haven’t yet reached the must-have status among consumers—not yet. But companies, big and small, are banking on the market fully blowing up in 2013; the year wearable technology will be the next big mobile revolution. To get ahead of the trend, Sony has announced its brand new touch Sony SmartWatch 2 at the Mobile Asia Expo, a device the company claims is “the most advanced smartwatch available.”

The Sony SmartWatch 2 features a 1.6-inch 220×176 touchscreen, which is larger than the 1.3-inch display on the previous SmartWatch. Sony also promises that the display on the SmartWatch 2 is easier to read in sunlight. Along with its larger display, the SmartWatch 2 packs Bluetooth 3.0, NFC, a micro-USB port and the ability to be used with any standard 24mm wrist strap. Finally, the SmartWatch 2 is IP57 rated, meaning that it can withstand splashed water and rain.

“We have over 200 unique apps dedicated for Sony SmartWatch with over one million downloads to date and we are continuing to work with our strong developer network to deliver even more compelling smartwatch experiences,” said Stefan K. Persson, Head of Companion Products at Sony Mobile Communications.

On the software side of things, the Sony SmartWatch 2 is powered by Android and features a UI similar to Google’s mobile OS, which Sony says helps to make the SmartWatch 2 a more intuitive experience. The new wrist gear can also display a user’s missed notifications (including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, calls and messages) and can be used as a remote for a Sony Walkman or other media players. Sony says that the SmartWatch 2 is compatible with “most Android phones.” The device is expected to begin shipping worldwide in September 2013.

June 25, 2013
Sony Xperia Z Ultra Announced Officially, Snapdragon 800, 6.4″ 1080p Display (PR)

After numerous leaks over the past few weeks, Sony today officially announced the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, a new smartphone with a 6.4-inch full high-definition screen and a Snapdragon 800 chipset.

The 6.4-inch, 1,920 by 1,080 pixel display is what Sony calls a TRILUMINOUS Display, incorporating technology from the Bravia television line, including the X-Reality video-enhancing software.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra works with a stylus (or any pencil, Sony says) and runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. There’s a powerful Adreno 330 GPU to push all the pixels to the screen too, a part of the new Snapdragon 800 chipset, which also packs a quad-core Krait 400 processor clocked at 2.2GHz.

At 6.5 mmm Sony is heralding the phone as the “world’s slimmest and largest full HD smartphone.”

Other specs of note include an 8-megapixel camera, a 3,000 mAh battery and 16 gigabytes of internal storage, with about 11 GB available to the user, and a microSD card slot for extra space. (Props to Sony for being up-front about the usable storage space).

The battery, on the other hand, is a quite respectable 3000mAh, though that screen will definitely eat it up faster than more conventional phones.

The Xperia Z Ultra is set for a third quarter 2013 global release, with precise dates varying by market. There is no price set for the phone at the moment.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]

The new Xperia™ Z Ultra: The world’s slimmest and largest Full HD smartphone display*

6.4” Full HD TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile powered by X-Reality™ for mobile engine for the ultimate big screen entertainment experience
Ultra slim, waterproof** and dust-resistant (IP55/IP58) durable design
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with 2.2 GHz quad-core CPUs and 4G LTE for fast performance
Write and sketch with any pencil and selected stylus or pen
Full accessory ecosystem for premium entertainment and one-touch connectivity
Battery STAMINA Mode for outstanding battery life
25th June 2013, Mobile Asia Expo, Shanghai – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces the next revolution in premium large-screen Android smartphone entertainment. The new Xperia Z Ultra is waterproof**, ultra-slim with a lightweight design so you can enjoy it anytime, anywhere. It’s the first smartphone ever to incorporate a Full HD TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile powered by Sony’s latest X-Reality™ for mobile picture engine to deliver the most immersive viewing experience imaginable. Additionally, the Xperia Z Ultra will also feature the fully integrated Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with 2.2 GHz quad-core CPUs, 4GLTE and HD voice to provide a seamless connected entertainment experience, industry-leading battery performance and amazing speed.

“The Xperia Z Ultra is the most exciting revolution in large-screen smartphone entertainment devices with both the slimmest and largest Full HD smartphone display* in the world that is second to none.” said Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications. “We’re already bringing the best of Sony technology and design across a range of premium smartphones and tablets, and now we are bringing this same premium offering to the large-screen smartphone segment, setting a new standard for others to follow.”

The world’s largest Full HD smartphone display*

Xperia Z Ultra features a 6.4” touchscreen Full HD display with Sony’s unique TRILUMINOS® Display for mobile, creating a wider palette of rich natural colours thanks to Sony’s BRAVIA TV expertise. The breakthrough technology includes X-Reality™ for mobile – Sony’s intelligent super resolution display technology which analyzes each image and reproduces lacking pixels to optimize quality for the sharpest videos. It analyses elements depending on the scene and adjusts them based on pattern, outline and colour composition. It also strengthens subtle patterns and accurately portrays their detailed feel, as well as reinforcing bold outlines. The large Full HD display has been optimised to experience at least 60%*** more of the screen than most other smartphones.

The world’s slimmest Full HD smartphone*

Xperia Z Ultra is supremely slim and lightweight with a beautifully crafted 6.5mm body and weighing just 212 grams for ultimate portability. Sony craftsmanship in design and attention to detail comes to the fore with clean lines and premium materials – the front and back are made of tempered glass, creating a seamless surface with the OptiContrast™ panel housed in an innovative solid metal frame which looks stunning from any angle. It features the same acclaimed OmniBalance design as Xperia Z and Tablet Z. The Xperia Z Ultra is available in a choice of black, white or purple colour finishes.

The only waterproof Full HD smartphone**Xperia Z Ultra is both elegant and durable. With an impressive rating of IP55 and IP58, this smartphone isn’t only resistant to dust, but is waterproof** too – giving you the freedom to enjoy it anywhere. You can even film in Full HD underwater, taking your large-screen smartphone experience to a new level. The camera features “Exmor RS for mobile”, HDR for both photos and film, and Superior Auto mode automatically activates HDR and noise reduction when needed, so you’ll get stunning imagery even in challenging light conditions.

Ultimate entertainment experience

The Xperia Z Ultra is uniquely positioned to offer the ultimate big screen phone entertainment experience for watching movies, playing games, reading books and browsing the web.

Sony’s “WALKMAN”, Album and Movies media applications enable discovery of online and offline content through a single access point with new ways to enjoy and share that content.

The “WALKMAN” application leverages Sony’s audio engine and Facebook integration for sharing and discovering new music and is unique in that it provides seamlessly integrated access to all your downloaded music as well as access to a global library of over 20 million songs2 from Sony’s cloud-based subscription music service, Music Unlimited3.

The Movies application brings new intuitive ways to discover, manage and play movie content, together with easy access to an extensive library of blockbuster movies and the latest TV episodes from the Video Unlimited2 service.

The Album application provides seamless integration with the PlayMemories Online2 service, letting you access all your photos and albums from within the Album app instantly and easily, wherever you are. You can even set an automatic upload of your photos to the PlayMemories Online service to access and enjoy from any your favourite Sony devices.

The Sony Reader app2 provides seamless Reader store2 access so you can download and enjoy the latest bestsellers – it even lets you sync purchased books in popular formats and continue reading from same page.
Xperia Z Ultra will include an exclusive free entertainment content offer, including a free trial of the Music Unlimited2 service (subject to availability).

Ultimate performance with the world’s fastest smartphone processor****

The Xperia Z Ultra features the world’s fastest smartphone processor**** – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with HD voice, that together with Sony´s audio Sony’s ClearAudio+ mode and Xloud loudness enhancement, delivers not just exceptional speed and performance, but also unsurpassed voice and audio quality.

Battery STAMINA Mode significantly improves the standby time of your smartphone by four times or more1 as it recognises when you’re not using your display and automatically turns off the functions you don’t need, while keeping the notifications you want. As soon as you press the power button to wake up your screen, everything is up and running again.

Built for business

The Xperia Z Ultra is the ideal business partner thanks to the super responsive screen with handwriting recognition which is compatible with any pencil and selected stylus or pen (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm). You can even write notes or sketches during calls so you’ll always be ready capture your ideas as they happen. The easy-toggle keyboard makes it ideal for one-handed input and multi-tasking, with small apps to help you improve productivity so you don’t lose time browsing between windows.

The robust security architecture safeguards both your corporate and personal data, with support for multiple accounts that are quick and simple to set up. Further business oriented applications will be made available in future as software updates, ensuring you get the best smartphone experience – whether for work or play.

Ultra connectivity

With one-touch functions you can instantly and easily share music, photos and videos from your smartphone to a wide range of NFC-enabled Sony devices, including speakers, SmartWatch, wireless headsets and TVs. There are several new and innovative accessories joining the range of popular connected devices.

The SBH52 is a dynamic Smart Bluetooth™ Handset that provides easy hands-free call handling with a single press, while leaving your smartphone conveniently in your bag. The OLED display conveniently lets you browse your call log, view text messages, and see who’s calling you. Use it as a quality stereo music headset to listen to your tracks or to the built-in standalone FM radio with RDS. Pairing and connecting is done simply by touching it to your Xperia Z Ultra or other NFC-enabled device. And it’s sleek, minimal design is splash-proof, meaning you can now use it anywhere, in any weather.

The latest generation of SmartWatch, the SmartWatch 2 SW2, helps you keep track of everything without taking your smartphone out of your pocket or bag. The SmartWatch 2 is a truly multifunctional digital watch and phone remote that lets you receive notifications, control your music, and connect with one-touch NFC to your Bluetooth™ headset for easy call handling. The water-resistant design makes it more versatile to use than ever and can be personalised with any standard watch strap. Use it as a standalone watch or with your smartphone. There are over 200 apps available for our first generation and with an open API we expect new applications will be developed quickly and easily for SmartWatch 2.

The Magnetic Charging Dock DK30 has an innovative magnetic pin that lets you to place your Xperia Z Ultra snugly in the dock using one hand, either with or without the phone cover on. While your phone is charging, it stands at a comfortable viewing angle easily allowing you to keep watching your favourite movies even while charging.

Xperia Z Ultra features

6.4” Full HD TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile powered by X-Reality™ for mobile engine for the ultimate viewing experience
Ultra slim, waterproof** and dust resistant (IP55/IP58) durable design
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 800 processor with 2.2 GHz quad-core CPUs and 4G LTE for fast performance
Write and sketch with any pencil and selected stylus or pen (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm)
8 megapixel camera with “Exmor RS for mobile” sensor and HDR for videos and photos
Full accessory ecosystem for premium entertainment and connectivity
Battery STAMINA Mode for outstanding battery life
The Xperia Z Ultra will launch globally from Q3 2013 (exact timing of availability will vary by market).

* Specifications verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX service, as of 19th of June 2013 the Xperia Z Ultra is the slimmest smartphone with a Full HD display, for more information on Strategy analytics results go to: www.sonymobile.com/testresults

** As of 19th of June 2013, outside of Japan, the Xperia Z Ultra is the only waterproof smartphone with a Full HD display on global distribution. In compliance with IP55 and IP58, Xperia Z Ultra is protected against the ingress of dust and is waterproof. Provided that all ports and covers are firmly closed, the phone is (i) protected against low pressure jets of water from all practicable directions in compliance with IP 55; and/or (ii) can be kept under 1.50 metre of freshwater for up to 30 minutes in compliance with IP58. The phone is not designed to float or work submerged underwater outside the IP55 or IP58 classification range that may lead to your warranty will being void. Find out more www.sonymobile.com/testresults

*** Display area available compared to smartphones with a 5” display or smaller

**** Specifications of Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.2GHz processor verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX service as of 19th of June 2013, for more information on Strategy analytics results go to: www.sonymobile.com/testresults

1 Based on testing done with default settings, default accounts and applications for Skype™ and Twitter downloaded to the phone. The more applications installed, the bigger the effect of Battery STAMINA Mode.

2 Number of tracks available from this catalogue varies by country and may be less.

3 Sony Entertainment Network services are subject to availability by region. Please visit www.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com for more details.[/toggle]

June 25, 2013
New Mercedes Benz E-Class launched at Rs. 41.50 Lakh

Luxury car giant Mercedes-Benz has launched the 2014 E-Class in India. The new E-class (codename W212) gets a refreshed design with this mid-cycle facelift and has gone back to a single headlight unit for the first time in 18 years. The headlamp is now encased in a single flowing lens with LED elements for the low beam and daytime running lamp.Mercedes will also be offering the E-class with the option of full LED headlamps. Other changes include a bigger, more aggressive grille flowing into a restyled bumper devoid of fog lamps. The rear sports new taillights and a new bumper as well.

Inside, you’ll find a new sportier steering wheel as well as minor updates to the central console. The dials are new, the COMAND system gets a new screen and Merc is bringing in a sat-nav and a DVD player as well.

The E-class will be offered in India with a choice of two engines – a 2.0-litre, direct injected petrol unit making 184bhp and a 2.1-litre diesel mill putting out 204bhp. Both are four-cylinder engines and will be mated to Merc’s 7G-tronic automatic transmission.

Slightly surprisingly, Mercedes Benz has done away with the cheaper Classic and Elegance variants for the E-class. Both versions are available only in the top-spec Avantgarde trim, unlike its predecessors. Additionally, the German manufacturer has also introduced a ‘launch edition’ spec of the E 250 CDI, of which only 100 units will be sold. The launch edition E 250 CDI gets a panoramic sunroof, rear tyres that are larger than the front (245/40 R18 (F), 265/35 R18 (R)), a space saver and Merc’s illuminated central star.

New Mercedes E-Class Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi)

E200 Petrol: Rs 41.50 lakh

E250 CDI: Rs 44.8 lakh

E250 CDI launch edition: Rs 49.90 lakh

June 25, 2013
Age Of Empires Heading To Android And iOS

According to a report from Japanese news outlet the Nikkei, by way of Reuters and MacRumors, Microsoft is gearing up to release some of their classic gaming franchises on iOS and Android devices. This initiative will begin this year and it is said that the first title to grace our touchscreens will be the historical real-time strategy epic Age of Empires.

A Microsoft representative has confirmed that a mobile version of the Age of Empires series is being developed for mobile devices as a result of the partnership, with no other games currently announced.

Microsoft has released an official statement to Polygon saying:

“Today, KLab Inc. announced a licensing agreement with Microsoft Corp. to develop a mobile version of Microsoft Studio’s Age of Empires franchise, which will be initially developed in English for iOS and Android and launched globally, with plans to release the game in other languages and on Windows Phone in the future. Some reports included incorrect information about additional Xbox Live-based games on iOS and Android but there are no further announcements beyond Age of Empires at this time.”

The mobile version of Age of Empires will follow a free-to-play model, and will be released by the end of the 2013 financial year. There are no more details at this time about which other titles Microsoft will bring to iOS and Android.

[Via, Via]

June 25, 2013
Microsoft Set To Reshuffle Company Structure

According to sources at AllThingsD, Microsoft is poised to make major changes to its executive team, cutting the fat from the top and reorganizing the company into four distinct parts — operating systems, applications & services, hardware, and enterprise — overseen by Steve Ballmer.

The company is holding its annual Build developer conference later this week, which coincides with a public launch of Windows 8.1, the first major update for the new operating system which was released in late October.

One virulent rumour to emerge from this department shuffle is the unification of Windows and Windows Phone into a single division, something that was seen as inevitable given the former’s dominance and the latter’s sustained obscurity. Windows Phone 8 brought a unified kernel, which made it easier to develop apps and games for both platforms at once, but the operating systems maintain separate app stores and update processes. Windows Phone also suffers from the fact that it entered a market entrenched by two dominant players, and has struggled, despite a warm reception, to gain market share, especially in North America.

Creating unified ecosystems for mobile and desktop seems to be a common theme for big tech companies at the moment, and might position Microsoft to challenge the king of the ecosystem – Apple – more effectively.

Microsoft is likely going to issue updates to its Surface RT and Pro tablets later this year, informed by the improvements made to Windows 8.1. Rumours persist of a smaller, cheaper Surface, likely in the 7- to 8-inch form factor, to better compete with the iPad mini. The Redmond-based company has recently been discounting its RT tablet, which runs an ARM-based Tegra 3 chip and is limited to apps distributed through the Windows Store, to spur lukewarm sales.

Microsoft is expected to issue a minor update Windows Phone 8 this summer with a more extensive “GDR3 overhaul coming later this year, which would bring 1080p display and quad-core chip support. Nokia will likely announce its Lumia 41MP EOS smartphone next month with the GDR2 update on board.

According to sources close to the situation, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is likely to unveil his plans to restructure the tech giant to a larger group of senior execs by July 1.

[Via]

June 25, 2013
Cheaper Audi Q3 Sport variant coming soon to India

While BMW and Mercedes Benz are busy attracting customers with high-end hot hatchbacks, Audi has devised a clever plan of its own to take its share of the market. Instead of rivalling the BMW 1-series and Mercedes Benz A-Class with its A3 Sportback or its A1 supermini, Audi is taking on the BMW X1 and Mercedes Benz B-Class with a cheaper, lower-spec variant of the Q3 called the Q3 Sport.

The Q3 Sport will be assembled in India as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) unit at Audi’s assembly facility in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The Q3 Sport loses a lot of features in order to keep the price relatively low. It comes with a downgraded 2.0 TDI engine, producing 140 bhp and 320 Nm of torque instead of the 177 bhp and 380 Nm of torque put out by the 2.0 TDI in the standard Q3. The Q3 Sport will have to do without the more common 7-speed dual clutch auto transmission, and the all-wheel drive Audi Quattro system. Instead, the front wheels will be driven through a six-speed manual. Also missing on the ‘budget’ baby SUV, will be the daytime running LED lamps which have come to be a symbol of brand recognition for the German auto giant.

However, Audi knows the business well enough to offer all the kit which one expects from a luxury car. Creature comforts such as leather seats, cruise control, voice dialog system, climate control, MMI with Bluetooth connectivity and 18-inch alloy wheels amongst others, will be standard on the Audi Q3 Sport.

The entry level Q3 is expected to be priced at around Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) courtesy of the toned down performance and the CKD assembly. At this price, the Q3 Sport will be cheapest Audi to be sold in India, and should give the Merccedes-Benz B-Class and the BMW X1 a run for their money.

June 25, 2013
iOS 7 Beta 2 Now Seeding To Developers

Apple has released iOS 7 beta 2 to developers today, which officially contains “bug fixes and improvements” to the redesigned and initially-divisive mobile operating system.

Apple first unleashed iOS 7 to the developer community at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) on June 10, but the release was only accessible on the iPhone and iPod touch.

One major addition in the iOS 7 beta 2 is support for the iPad and iPad mini, though support only goes back to the iPad 2.

Existing iOS 7 beta users can go to Settings / General / Software Update and begin the over-the-air download of iOS 7 beta 2. Registered developers can head to Apple’s Developer Portal for more information on how to sign up.

iOS 7 includes an all-new user interface and features such as AirDrop peer-to-peer file transfer functionality, Control Center for quickly accessing settings, a new Photos app, integration with cars, and new Siri voices and options.

Apple is scheduled to release iOS 7 this fall for iPhone 4 and up, iPad 2 and later, the iPad mini, and the fifth-generation iPod touch. If history is any indication, its release will also coincide with the launch of a new iPhone.

June 25, 2013
Leaked : Photos Of The Upcoming Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Sony is set to unveil a few new smartphones tomorrow, but the most noteworthy is a 6.4-inch stylus-friendly phablet likely to be called the Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Note, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra is unlikely to come with a stylus. Instead, users will be encouraged to use other objects such as pencils to interact with the screen, though an intermediary piece of paper is encouraged. The technology behind the ZU is similar to what you find on the Nokia Lumia 920 and Samsung Galaxy S4, both of which offer screens of increased sensitivity that can be used with gloves. Sony takes this one step further by allowing non-capacitive styli to work with the screen.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is expected to feature Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with a clock speed of 2.2GHz, the handset will also feature an Adreno 330 GPU.

Other specifications on the Sony Xperia Z Ultra will include 2GB of RAM and 16GB of built in storage. The handset will also feature a 6.4 inch display with a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

As you can see from the promotional shot above, someone is using a drafting pencil to sketch onto a piece of paper on top of the ZU, which in turn will appear on the screen. This could open up a lot of uses beyond just the obvious, but we’ll see what Sony has to say tomorrow.

[Via]

June 25, 2013
Apple 1 Computer Up For Auction

If you fancy owning a little bit of Apple history in the form of one of the very first Apple 1 computer systems, you will be pleased to learn that one of the rare Apple 1 computer systems is now available at auction by Christie’s auction house with a starting price of $300,000.

The first Apple computer designed way back in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The Apple 1 computer was the foundation of the business that the two Steve’s created in the 70’s and is firmly seen as a piece of technology history.

The owner is a 70-year old man named Ted Perry who acquired the computer by trading some computer parts at a second-hand swap somewhere between 1979 and 1980.

The device still works, Perry affirms, and he says he has kept the computer mostly in a cardboard box since he acquired it more than 33 years ago. The new auction for Perry’s Apple 1 kicks off on June 24, next Monday, and will last until July 9, MacRumors said.

Though the Apple I sold modestly, an estimated 200 units, proceeds and experience gained from the project helped to set the foundation for the Apple II, the personal computer which would help to kick off the home computing revolution and make Apple a household name. Over time, the first Apple model became a collector’s item as Apple built itself into one of the most successful companies of all time.

Experts claim that only 30 to 50 of the first Apple computers are still alive and kicking.

June 24, 2013
Apple Publishes iOS Fragmentation Chart, Most Devices On iOS 6

Apple says it’s charted the fragmentation of its iOS operating system and found its devices are generally more up to date than those of its U.S. rival Google.

In contrast to Android, according to the pie chart and Apple, of all the users who visited the iTunes App Store, 93% of them were using Apple devices powered by Apple’s iOS 6 (the latest version of the company’s mobile operating system). iOS 5 is running on just 6% of all devices that used the App Store over the same period. Only 1% used anything older than iOS 5.

Android’s “fragmentation” used to be a great deal worse that it is today, with the majority of users on older versions of the platform. However Android’s developer dashboard now shows that just under 59 percent of Android users are on OS 4.0 or higher (Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean).

While Google has a larger share of the smartphone market, with so many devices running 3-year-old versions of Android, Apple’s numbers suggest its market share — at least for operating systems — is more up to date.

For developers, the message is clear: Build your apps for iOS, and with one API you can hit the majority of the operating system’s addressable market. Develop for Android, and there are at least three different APIs you’ll need to deal with to reach the majority of its users.

Apple’s next OS, iOS 7, is now out in a developer release. A general release consumer version of the new “flat” OS won’t be out until fall — to coincide with the introduction of the new iPhone “5S” hardware.

June 24, 2013
Sony Teases New SmartWatch On Twitter

It’s been almost two years since Sony announced its Smartwatch, the intelligent timepiece that was supposed to change the way we tracked our lives — and used our phones.

Hindsight is 20/20, and the product was more vision than substance. While the Smartwatch looked nice enough, it was plagued with bugs, poor battery life and a paucity of substantive software features. That, and it only worked with Android.

While Sony has since improved the experience for users, and recently open-sourced the platform entirely, it wasn’t enough to get people buying. The product has been surpassed in mindshare and popularity by the cross platform-friendly Pebble, and that’s that.

Sony has been teasing a new smartwatch announcement on its @SonyXperia Twitter account, saying that “one-third of smartphone users want smart wrist wear,” and that we should stay tuned to the Mobile Asia Expo in Shanghai next Tuesday.

While it would be great to see Sony back in the smartwatch game, we wonder whether they have it in them to fashion a hit.

A source at CNET claims that the updated model will feature a larger screen, run Android, and feature a three-button layout like its smartphone counterparts. It will also use NFC to quickly pair with devices, and use Bluetooth to communicate.

We’ll bring you more next week when Sony makes the announcement.

June 24, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Core i8262 up for sale Rs 15,350, 4.3 inch Display, Dual Core and 1 GB RAM

Samsung India has put their upcoming Galaxy Core up for pre-order for a price of Rs. 15,350. But if you cant wait, you can head on over to any retailer and grab the phone for a price of Rs. 15,200 in both white and blue colors.

The phone features a lot of the usual features, but interestingly is only slightly cheaper than the Galaxy Grand Quattro which is priced at Rs.16300. The Samsung Galaxy Core features a dual core 1.2 GHz chipset with an unnamed GPU (we are inclined towards the Broadcom chipset), owners will get 8 GB storage, 1 GB RAM and a set of cameras, including a 5 MP main snapper and a VGA front facing shooter.

A 4.3 inch WVGA display completes the front and a 1800 mAh battery with a claimed talk time of 8 Hours powers the handset. The Samsung Galaxy Core will come with Android 4.1 along with TouchWiz out of the box, where Samsung has also included the tradition set of features and apps, including the Social Hub, Smart Stay and Motion etc.

Samsung has recently become very aggressive with the market launching several phones each month. With the mega success of their Galaxy Grand series Samsung also launched the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Mega 6.3 to win over the “phablet market”. Samsung is said to announce over a hundred new handsets in 2013 with their major focus on mid range handsets.

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[tab title=” Buy Now” icon=”icon-shopping-cart”][/tab][tab title=” Galaxy Grand Quattro” icon=”icon-shopping-cart”][/tab][tab title=” Galaxy S Advance” icon=”icon-shopping-cart”][/tab][/tabgroup]

June 23, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 Unboxing and Hands on
Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3 at an event in New Delhi, the phones building on the success of the Galaxy note and the Grand build on the success of Phone – Tablet hybrids in the market or better known as “phablets”. Priced at Rs. 25,999/ the Galaxy Mega 5.8 essentially is a bigger Galaxy Grand, but there is something slightly different about the phone.

Galaxy Mega 5.8 Box Contents

The Samsung Galaxy Mega comes with the standard list of Box contents;
Galaxy Mega 5.8 Initial Impressions

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 is a large device, but clearly is not as large as its big brother the Mega 6.3, next to the Galaxy S4 the Mega 5.8 simply dwarfs the current flagship from the Korean Manufacturer. The display is a 540 x 960 px capacitive touchscreen, and despite a lowly 190 ppi the screen is really sharp and great to look at. The screen is also extremely bright, fairly visible outdoors and has good viewing angles.

The Galaxy Mega features a dual core 1.4 GHz chipset which is the same chipset seen on the Galaxy Grand, which was pretty good at handling gaming on the smaller variant, but may not deliver on a larger screen with a higher resolution. The phone also has 8 GB storage and 1.5GB of RAM, along with expandability upto 64 GB via microSD.

The phone is also capable of handling two sim cards at the same time with Samsung’s new dual sim smart active mode with active forwarding to your numbers.

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 has dual cameras, an 8MP main shooter and a secondary 1.9 MP camera, both of which capture video at 1080p. The phone also comes with Android 4.2.2 out of the box slapped on with a generous dose of Touchwiz, with many of the UI elements inspired from the S4.

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 appears to be big but is easily handleable and is not that bigger than the Galaxy Note 2. The phone will fit into regular denim pockets, but may cause issues if you are one of those skinny fit lovers.

The UI seems fast and responsive and the handset seems to be holding up well, stay tuned for a barrage of videos iGyaan Style.

[tabgroup][tab title=” Buy Now” icon=”icon-shopping-cart”][/tab][/tabgroup]
June 23, 2013
Leaked : Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.2.2 Build

While most of the world’s Samsung Galaxy S3 owners are anxiously holding their breaths in anticipation of an Android 4.2.2 update, eager beavers can download a test firmware ahead of the official release.

Interested parties can head over to SamMobile, the same Samsung-centric blog that leaked an earlier version of Android 4.2.2 for the Galaxy S3, and grab firmware I9300XXUFME7. The leaked build carries a build date of May 21.

The best features of this new update are as following: a brand new S4 lockscreen that adds support for new widgets, Ripple and Light lockscreen unlock effects, custom clock sizes, create a personal message to be shown when the device is locked, Daydream, Driving Mode, new Screen modes borrowed from Galaxy S4, Adapt Display and Profesional Photo, actionable notifications, improved Notification Center, revamped Settings UI that resembles the one used on the S4. Also, you will get Gallery modes, full screen Samsung apps, new S-Voice, smart switch widget and multiple others.

SamMobile has said that the Korean company is on track to complete testing by the end of the month.

Bear in mind that the leak is only a test build, and while SamMobile does not report any major bugs, it is important to remember that it is not an officially-sanctioned piece of software. Only flash if you have experience doing so.

Will you install this firmware or wait for the official version?

[Via]

June 22, 2013
Next Optimus G To Use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 Processor

LG’s next-generation Optimus G will take advantage of Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 800 silicon, according to a joint press release.

The upcoming chip promises speeds up to 75% faster than that of the Snapdragon S4 Pro, which the 2012 Optimus G was one of the first phones to integrate. Snapdragon 800 boasts four Krait 400 cores alongside a new Adreno 330 GPU, both of which are more than just incremental speed upgrades from the current flagship Snapdragon 600.

Anandtech recently took a look at Qualcomm’s Mobile Development Phone and Tablet equipped with the MSM8974 and found that the system-on-a-chip is not only faster than any current-generation ARM-based combo, but approaches some of Intel’s x86-based internal graphics capabilities, albeit from previous hardware generations.

It may appear strange for a hardware manufacturer like LG to pre-announce the existence of a smartphone, but in many ways it’s the only method of keeping the customer excited in the lulling months before the actual unveiling. Since LG only plans to release one flagship non-phablet smartphone a year, the Optimus G brand must survive on the promise of its hardware; the Korean company doesn’t hold users’ anticipation in its hands like Samsung or Apple.

This is also LG flexing the muscle of its considerably potent partnership with Qualcomm, with whom they’ve struck an unspoken deal to debut new silicon. The Optimus G was one of the first widely-released devices with a Snapdragon S4 Pro, while the Optimus G Pro was similarly one of the first to boast a Snapdragon 600.

Snapdragon 800 will support Category 4 LTE speeds up to 150Mbps by using asynchronous carrier aggregation techniques. Unlike Dual-Carrier HSPA+, this allows network providers to take advantage of extra spectrum that does not need to be paired, or parallel. It also promises 4K video playback and multichannel DTS-HD and Dolby Digital Plus decoding.

Expect the next-gen Optimus G, as well as the Snapdragon 800, to debut in August.

[Via]

June 22, 2013