Tag: gingerbread

Samsung shows off Galaxy Ace 2 and Mini 2

Samsung has taken it up its alley to release new phones every fortnight. The new Ace 2 and Mini 2 are two very suitable revisions to popular and successful first versions. Ace 2 specs include a dual-core 800MHz processor, HSDPA 14.4 connectivity, GPS/GLONASS, 1,500mAh battery and 4GB of internal storage and a 3.8-inch WVGA screen. The mini 2 on the other hand has HSDPA 7.2Mbps connectivity, an 800MHz CPU, 1,300mAh battery and 3.27-inch HVGA screen.

Both phones will come with Gingerbread – Andro 2.3 along with Sammy’s TouchWiz UI. Expect them in Europe in March and in India early summer.

For the full spec list and features read the PR below

[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”no” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Samsung introduces the new GALAXY Ace 2 and GALAXY mini 2

February 21, 2012

Welcome to Samsung’s AndroidTM experience with the two new members of GALAXY smartphones

SEOUL, Korea – February 21, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced two new additions to the GALAXY smartphone range: GALAXY Ace 2, which will be available in UK from April, and GALAXY mini 2, which will be available in France from March before being rolled out globally.

Building on the market success of GALAXY Ace and GALAXY mini since their release last year, GALAXY Ace 2 and GALAXY mini 2 are ideal devices for users with active lifestyles who value individuality and style without compromising on performance or affordability.

“Launched in 2011, GALAXY Ace and GALAXY mini have been a huge success in the global market. Today, we introduce GALAXY Ace 2 and GALAXY mini 2 with upgraded features and services,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “Our goal remains the same-to continue to create new and improved mobile experiences that deliver something suitable for everyone. This is the hallmark of Samsung’s GALAXY range and what has made the GALAXY brand such a runaway hit with consumers around the world.”

Double-Engine Power, GALAXY Ace 2

GALAXY Ace 2 delivers efficient multitasking, lightning-fast screen transitions and high-quality graphics for even the most demanding applications and games. HSPA 14.4 connectivity provides an enhanced browsing experience and fast content downloads with minimal lag-times. Additionally, 4GB of internal storage ensures that films, photos and a whole array of personal multimedia content can be easily stored and taken out and about; a 1,500mAh battery adds to GALAXY Ace 2’s on-the-go performance for active, demanding use.

Enhanced Samsung Hubs and ChatON services ensure that users are never far from the content or social connections they care about. Music Hub allows one-step access to over 17million tracks at anytime; Game Hub offers users the very latest gaming titles; Social Hub allows users to view their instant messages, social network and email communications all in one single inbox. Samsung’s ChatON service connects users with other phone users – across any platform – into a single community, providing easy multi-format instant messaging and group chatting.

Compact and Trendy for more fun, GALAXY mini 2

GALAXY mini 2 packs a real performance punch into its slim and colorful 11.9mm-thick casing. The 3.27″ HVGA touch-screen enables high-quality multimedia viewing while maintaining the device’s portability. The compact GALAXY mini 2 ensures comfortable Web browsing and easily handles the demands of the most resource-intensive applications.

An improved 1,300mAh battery capacity also guarantees extended multimedia usage and longer chat sessions. 4GB of storage allows users to comfortably store videos, music and images.

Like GALAXY Ace 2, GALAXY mini 2 keeps users connected through ChatON and Social Hub, while Music Hub allows one-step access to over 17million tracks at any time.

For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com.

Note to Editors:

Samsung GALAXY Ace 2 Product Specifications:

Network

HSDPA 14.4Mbps 900/2100

EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900

Process

800MHz Dual-Core Processor

Display

3.8″ WVGA(480×800) PLS TFT

OS

Android 2.3(Gingerbread)

Camera

Main(Rear): 5 Megapixel Auto Focus Camera with Flash

Sub(Front): VGA Camera

Video

Codec: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV, VC-1, VP8

Playback/ Recording: 720p

Audio

Codec: MP3, AAC, AAC?, eAAC?, WMA, FLAC, Vorbis

Music Player with SoundAlive

3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo FM Radio with RDS

Value-added Features&

Services

Samsung TouchWiz / Samsung L!ve Panel UX

Samsung Apps

Samsung Kies / Samsung Kies air

Samsung Hub

– Social Hub

Integrated Messaging(Email, SNS), Contacts, Calendar Sync

– Music Hub

– Game Hub

Samsung Hub Widget

– Music Hub/ Game Hub

Samsung ChatON mobile communication service

Polaris

GPS/ Glonass

Connectivity

Bluetooth® technology v 3.0

USB 2.0

Wi-Fi b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Sensor

Accelerometer, Digital compass, Proximity, NFC (optional)

Memory

4GB User memory ? 768MB (RAM)

microSD (up to 32GB)

Dimension

62.2 x 118.3 x 10.5 mm, 122g

Battery

Standard battery, Li-ion 1,500 mAh

? All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

Samsung GALAXY mini 2 Product Specifications

Network

HSDPA 7.2Mbps 900/2100

EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900

Process

800MHz Processor

Display

3.27″ HVGA(320×480) TFT

OS

Android 2.3(Gingerbread)

Camera

Main(Rear): 3 Megapixel Fixed Focus Camera

Video

Codec: MPEG4, H.263, H.264

Playback: WVGA@30fps

Recording: VGA@25fps

Audio

Codec: MP3, Vorbis(OGG), AAC, AAC?, eAAC?, AMR-NB/WB, WAV, MIDI, WMA, FLAC

Music Player with SoundAlive

3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo FM Radio with RDS

Value-added Features&

Services

Samsung TouchWiz/ Samsung L!ve Panel UX

Samsung Apps

Samsung Kies / Samsung Kies air

Social Hub

– Integrated Messaging(Email, SNS), Contacts, Calendar Sync

Music Hub (Downloadable via Samsung Apps)

Samsung ChatON mobile communication service

GoogleTM Mobile Services

– Android Market™, Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Search™, Google Maps™,

Syncing with Google Calendar™

ThinkFree (Downloadable via Samsung Apps)

A-GPS

Connectivity

Bluetooth® technology v 3.0

USB 2.0

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA

Sensor

Accelerometer, Digital compass, Proximity, NFC (optional)

Memory

4GB User memory ? 512MB (RAM)

microSD (up to 32GB)

Dimension

58.6 x 109.4 x 11.9 mm, 106.8 g (NFC)

58.6 x 109.4 x 11.6 mm, 105.3 g (Non-NFC)

Battery

Standard battery, Li-ion 1,300 mAh

All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 222,000 people in 205 offices across 71 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LCD. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world’s most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Android, Google, Android Market, Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail, Google Talk, and Google Search are trademarks of Google Inc.

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February 22, 2012
LG Launches three new L Series Phone pre-MWC (PR)

LG has launched three new L series phones ahead of MWC 2012, the L3, L5 and L7. Identical to the LG Prada phone, the L series are essentially based on that particular device. The L3 is a budget device whereas the L5 and L7 feature 4-inch and 4.3-inch displays respectively. All three devices are supposedly very thin,or so claims LG. No real specs or pricing has been outed for the three.

Read the full Release below.

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LG’S NEW DESIGN STRATEGY FOR MOBILE DEVICES TO BE REVEALED AT 2012 MWC
LG Takes Design Philosophy to the Next Level
with Line-up of Stylish Smartphones

SEOUL, Feb. 21, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) makes its boldest move yet in its strategy to attain smartphone leadership with the launch of its new design identity, L-Style, at the 2012 Mobile World Congress (MWC).

The core essence of L-Style involves a timeless design with finer details that further differentiate LG’s mobile devices from the competition. LG’s design leadership has been well established in the past with a successful track-record that includes the Black Label Series phones such as the Chocolate and Shine.

“Design is consistently the top or second most important factor for customers when choosing a mobile phone,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “With smartphones, we sometimes took a more functional approach to design but with L-Style we’re going back to our roots as a company focused on how our products fit into the lifestyle of our customers.”

L-Style’s design philosophy is comprised of five aesthetic elements: Modern Square Style for a comfortable grip, Floating Mass Technology for a slimmer look, Seamless Layout for a more intuitive arrangement of keys, Harmonized Design Contrast utilizing metallic accents and Sensuous Slim Shape that naturally draws one’s attention.

Three new smartphones to be unveiled at MWC will initially feature the L-Style look. The Optimus L3, with a 3.2-inch display, will first launch in Europe this March. This smartphone will be followed by two other devices in the first half of the year running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich: Optimus L5 with a 4.0-inch display and Optimus L7 featuring a 4.3-inch screen.

Market availability and additional hardware specifications of all three models will be announced at a future date.

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[LG]

February 22, 2012
Leaked : Sony Xperia U ‘Kumquat’
Sony’s first handset, after their major split with counterpart Ericsson, might be rolling into the Mobile domain. the Sony Xperia U “Kumquat” might just have shown itself before purported launch at MWC 2012 next week. Specs include
- 3.5-inch FWVGA (854 x 480) Reality Display
- 1GHz dual-core CPU
- 8 MP Exmor R sensor with 720p video capture
- 1,290mAh battery
- Android 2.3.7
While the battery is replaceable, the OS is rumored. This phone could possibly be placed at a lower bracket compared to exiting SE phones. Oh the wonders of a new breakup.
February 21, 2012
LG Optimus Vu 5 inch Released with pen Stylus and 1.5 GHz processor (PR)

LG has released the Optimus VU smartphone in Korea on saturday, that truly banks in on the success of the Samsung Galaxy Note, because of the large screen size and included Stylus pen. The device also features a nice 4×3 aspect ratio, 1024×768 resolution screen, which has a stylus friendly 5-inch IPS LCD display. The phone is also extremely slim at just 8.5mm thickness. It will be available in March with select carriers in Korea. LG promises an upgrade to ICS within 3 months for device availability. For shutterbugs the device features an 8MP camera at back and a 1.3 MP front snapper.

As far as the stylus is concerned, it seems a rubber stylus is all you’ll need for this device.

Expect the device to hit India in Summer for a meager Rs. 25000 Price (when compared to the Note). LG is banking their 2012 spring back on such devices.

Key Specifications:
– Chipset: 1.5GHz Dual-Core Processor
– Display: 5-inch (1024×768) IPS Display
– Memory: 32GB eMMC and 1GB DDR2
– Camera: 8MP with AF LED Flash (rear) and 1.3MP (front)
– OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
– Battery: 2,080mAh
– Dimension (L x W x D): 139.6 x 90.4 x 8.5mm

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LG UNVEILS UNIQUE 4:3 RATIO, 5-INCH OPTIMUS VU: AT MWC 2012
With Productivity in Mind, LG Demonstrates its LTE and Display
Leadership with Device that Does, Well, Everything

SEOUL, Feb. 19, 2012 – LG today unveiled one of the most anticipated LTE devices, the Optimus Vu:. Equipped with LG’s advanced LTE and IPS display technology, the Optimus Vu: offers a unique combination of tablet-like viewing with smartphone portability. Running on a powerful 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 32GM internal memory and a large 2,080 mAh battery, the Optimus Vu: is a multimedia lover’s dream device.

“The Optimus Vu: was designed to maximize what customers could do with a smart-phone,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “By offering an optimal 4:3 ratio viewing experience, 5-inch display combined with superfast LTE technology, Optimus Vu: is just one example of what we can achieve when we combine our best technology with customer needs.”

The large 5-inch display with bright 4:3 aspect ratio makes viewing documents, books, internet and multimedia contents easier and more comfortable. The 4:3 aspect ratio is optimized for viewing to grasp more at a glance and note taking to increase productivity in everyday life. Moreover, IPS display realizes every color in its natural state for the best viewing experience even under bright sunlight.

Backed by unparalleled speed and performance from LG’s advanced LTE technology, the Optimus Vu: boasts unmatched productivity. Its unique built-in QuickClip™ hotkey allows users to conveniently capture screenshots and memos with a single push. Jotting notes is also possible with a finger or with the dedicated Rubberdium™ pen. Among many productive apps installed in the Optimus Vu:, the included Polaris Office allows users to open any document, spreadsheet or presentation while on the go.

At only 8.5mm, the Optimus Vu: is the slimmest among all LTE phones currently on the market and is perfectly suited for a hand and fits comfortably in a jacket pocket. Despite the large 2,080mAh battery, the Optimus Vu: adopts LG’s exclusive floating mass technology to appear slimmer than its actual dimensions.

In addition to HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), Optimus Vu: comes with 32GB memory and an 8-megapixel camera. While it will initially launch running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is already in the works.

The Optimus Vu: will be introduced in Korea in March. Additional information on the unique Optimus Vu: can be found at the LG Stand (Hall 8) at MWC 2012 from February 27 to March 1.

Key Specifications:
– Chipset: 1.5GHz Dual-Core Processor
– Display: 5-inch (1024×768) IPS Display
– Memory: 32GB eMMC and 1GB DDR2
– Camera: 8MP with AF LED Flash (rear) and 1.3MP (front)
– OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
– Battery: 2,080mAh
– Dimension (L x W x D): 139.6 x 90.4 x 8.5mm

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February 20, 2012
Motorola Ties up with JCB to add Extra rugged on UK Defy + (PR)

Motorola has tied up with power machine maker JCB to release the UK variant of the Defy +. The limited-edition handset comes pre-loaded with branded-applications for the construction site including a spirit-level, theodolite, decibel meter and a DIY store locator. The remaining specs are the same as we saw on the Indian version of the Defy + including 1GHz processor, 2GB internal storage and a 3.7-inch Gorilla Glass display along with a 5MP camera. In the UK its priced at a high £260, compared to the 18 K in India. You can check out our review here.

[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Motorola Mobility and JCB Announce Limited Edition Motorola DEFY™+ – Life Proof just became Work Proof

Jan. 17, 2012

BASINGTOKE, UK – January 17, 2012 – Motorola Mobility today launches a limited edition Motorola DEFY™+ handset which transforms the UK’s favourite life proof handset into a ‘work proof’ model.

The exclusive Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition features exceptional work-orientated protection for anyone operating the demanding construction and engineering sectors, or who work in the rugged outdoors and in extremely demanding conditions thanks to its patented visco-elastic protective sleeve from JCB with re-entrant geometry.

Taking ‘work proof’ functionality one step further, the Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition handset also offers construction site users and outdoor enthusiasts who routinely work with core technical and measuring materials a range of built-in options. It comes pre-loaded with bespoke JCB applications including: a spirit level, theodolite, decibel meter and recorder, torch, unit converter, calculator and DIY store locator. This saves the user time and effort of lugging around a boot load of individual work components, and also serves to speed up their productivity and output at the touch of a button.

For those users who will also need to communicate remotely, between multiple venues, or even on-the-go with a range of associates the handset will feature Push To Talk functionality which will allow them to operate the device as a walkie-talkie (via the cellular network) with group call and messaging functionality.

Victoria McManus, UK marketing director, Motorola Mobility said: “We’re thrilled to be working with JCB on this bespoke Motorola DEFY+ device. The unique protective sleeve will pull on JCB’s years of expertise in the construction industry to help us reach a new audience who we know are in need of a life and work proof handset.”

Motorola Mobility launched the standard Motorola DEFY+ handset in September 2011. The limited edition JCB version will also feature existing Motorola DEFY+ handset functionality such as a 1GHz processor that runs 25 percent faster. Users can make the Motorola DEFY+ JCB edition meet their own personal needs by organising and personalising their Application trays for easy and quick access to their most used tools, games and content.

It also features the Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) which delivers a more intuitive user interface and improvements on the features users choose most – including enhanced calendar and email features, home screen options and better battery life.

Jason Kemp, Marketing Director at Data Select, said: “The Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition is the perfect extension of an already robust handset. Smartphone use is on the rise amongst construction audiences and this handset perfectly addresses their workday needs.”

The Motorola DEFY+ JCB Edition also includes a car charger with an extra long curly cable. It is available to purchase in all good UK retail stockists from RRP £259.99.

Motorola DEFY+

Key features and specifications of Motorola DEFY+ include:

Powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and features more than 300,000 apps from Android Market™
1 GHz processor that runs 25 percent faster for efficient Web browsing and multitasking
Water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof to withstand all that life throws users way
Features scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass
3.7-inch high-resolution touch screen display
MOTOBLUR™ lets users stay in touch with friends, providing quick access to social media accounts and live widgets directly from the homescreen
Motorola Media Link allows users to sync their media content from their desktops at home or work
Loaded with the ability to create group emails and communication
Adobe® Flash® Player 10 for uncompromised viewing of applications, content and videos
5MP camera with auto focus, flash and digital zoom
2GB internal; 2GB microSD card in box, expandable up to 32GB1
Access to Google Mobile™ Services (Google Maps™ with Navigation, Google Talk™, browsing)
1700 mAH battery for 7.1 hours of talk time and 16 days in standby2

About JCB

JCB is the world’s third largest manufacturer of construction equipment with 22 factories around the world including 11 in the UK, six in India and others in Brazil, the USA, China and Germany. The company employs more than 10,000 people worldwide and is privately owned by the Bamford family. In 2010 JCB’s earnings on an EBITDA basis were £235 million (2009 – £95 million) on sales of £2 billion.[/toggle]

January 18, 2012
HTC Rhyme Unboxing and Quick Review

HTC Rhyme was announced a while back and it promised a lot of hope, especially because initial pricing pointed towards a Rs. 15000 launch. When the device was finally launched at Rs. 25000 , it seemed like a bit of a disappointment. The functionality and specs of the device prove otherwise.

Bundled are really nice quality in ear earphones with remote and mic, also in the box is the wonderful light charm which will effectively signal women that their phone is ringing somewhere in the depths of their handbags. Simply targeted at the younger Gen. buyers and more so at the smartphone buying ladies. Specs include 480 x 800 pixels, 3.7 inches SLCD display along with a 1 GHz Scorpion + Adreno 205 GPU. For media and apps there is 4 GB storage plus 768 MB RAM.

Stay Tuned for the Full Review

January 5, 2012
Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus Announced, Bigger yet less (PR)
Samsung has announced the sequel to their highly successful Galaxy Ace, the new one is dubbed aptly the “Galaxy Ace Plus”. the specs include a 1GHz processor, five megapixel camera, 3GB internal memory, HSDPA and a 3.65-inch HVGA (320 x 480) screen. Apart from really resolutions the device is expected to be launched somewhere in the Rupees 18000 price mark. The device is running Android 2.3 with TouchWiz and will most probably get the ICS update, no official word on it though.

The screen is much larger than the previous version and retains the same pixel density, therefore reducing the pixels per inch to . The device will go on sale in January for a price somewhere in the region mentioned earlier, unless Samsung pulls a Omnia w/ Galaxy R on the consumers and announces the device for somewhere in the 12000 price region ( too hopeful?)

Full specs :
- 1GHz processor with 512MB of RAM,
- 3GB of internal memory, microSD card slot
- 3G speeds at up to 7.2Mbps on the downlink
- 5-megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash capable of recording 480p videos at 30fps,
- 1300mAh battery,
- Samsung TouchWiz on top of Gingerbread,
- Wi-Fi b/g/n, A-GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0.
[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Play and Share Faster and Smarter with the GALAXY Ace Plus January 3, 2012

New addition to Android-powered GALAXY portfolio delivers style, power and versatility

SEOUL, Korea – January 3, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the introduction of the Samsung GALAXY Ace Plus. As an enhanced version of the widely popular GALAXY Ace, the GALAXY Ace Plus is the smartphone for trendy and sociable young professionals. The GALAXY Ace Plus will be available in Russia starting from January 2012, and will be gradually rolled out to Europe, CIS, Latin America, Southeast and Southwest Asia, the Middle East, Africa and China.

“Samsung Mobile is opening 2012 with the introduction of the Samsung GALAXY Ace Plus, which will help enhance the GALAXY brand following the huge success of the GALAXY S, GALAXY SII, GALAXY Ace and GALAXY mini. The GALAXY Ace Plus benefits from the Android™ Gingerbread platform and Samsung services, which provide a better mobile experience for more consumers,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “In 2012, we will continue to make every effort to create an easy and fun mobile experience by expanding our incredibly popular GALAXY smartphone range, which is now one of the most recognized and successful mobile brands in the world.”

Style and power with expanded features

Building on the previous GALAXY Ace style heritage, the GALAXY Ace Plus is a stylishly designed smartphone contained in a modern and minimalist casing with rounded edges, featuring an affordably-sized 3.65” HVGA display. The phone has been designed to be simple yet elegant.

The GALAXY Ace Plus is backed by an impressive 1GHz processor and HSDPA 7.2 Mbps connectivity, providing all the versatility and browsing performance that today’s busy and sociable young professionals need. WiFi 802.11 functionality offers lightning-fast speeds for browsing, downloading and video streaming. Application startups are faster with virtually no lag time, even while multitasking. Additionally, an impressive 2GB of shared storage capacity for multimedia content and up to 1GB of direct storage for applications-more than any smartphone in its category-allow users greater content freedom and usability.

Running on Android Gingerbread and featuring Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface, the GALAXY Ace Plus allows users to handle mobile tasks faster and more efficiently. New music playback functionality features a play progress bar and the ability to view music tracks in folders. Call features allow users to reject calls with text messages or add unwanted callers to a black list log. For added productivity, users also have the option of using ThinkFree, a tool that enables viewing and editing of Office documents, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDFs, while on the move.

The GALAXY Ace Plus enables users to stay connected through Samsung’s Social Hub, Music Hub and ChatON services. ChatON, connecting all phone users-across any phone platform-into a single community using phone numbers instead of usernames and passwords, provides an easy instant messaging, group chatting and sharing of content in multiple formats-images, video, voice, contacts, calendar-to make messaging simpler and more intuitive than ever.[/toggle]
January 4, 2012
Samsung Ships 1 Million Galaxy Notes Worldwide (PR)

In an announcement made today, Samsung has clarified that the company has managed to ship 1 million units of the Galaxy Note in under two months. These numbers are just from countries in Europe and Asia. While Samsung expects these numbers to rise rapidly once the Note is launched in North America, possibly the largest market for such a device.

“1 million global shipping of Galaxy Note means it has well positioned itself as a market creator,Samsung will continuously strengthen its leadership in the global smartphone market as well as create new markets with innovative devices.”

-Samsung official

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Samsung Electronics Ships over 1 Million Units of Galaxy Note Globally

Samsung’s flagship smart device Galaxy Note has reached 1 million global shipping.

Samsung Electronics said on the 29th that it has shipped more than 1 million units of Galaxy Note globally. The worldwide sales of Galaxy Note are also on the rise in Europe and Asia including France, Germany, Hongkong and Taiwan. The rapid global sales of Galaxy Note are notable since it is creating a new market for something between smartphone and tablet pc. The speed of the global sales is expected to accelerate further next year when it will be available in the US.

Recently, Financial Times reviewed highly of Galaxy Note, commenting it as”a happy medium for consumers who want to carry just one device, rather than both a smartphone and a tablet and whatever other portable gadget they pick up on their way out”.

A Samsung official also said “1 million global shipping of Galaxy Note means it has well positioned itself as a market creator,” also adding “Samsung will continuously strengthen its leadership in the global smartphone market as well as create new markets with innovative devices.”

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December 30, 2011

Samsung Galaxy R i9103 Second Review ( Price Drop Version)

We got over a thousand requests to review the Samsung Galaxy R especially after the price drop. The device originally launched at Rs. 27000, just a little shy of the price of the Galaxy S2, but now the phone is priced at a mere 20,800 , also available at online retailers for a discount of 1000 using a coupon. Making it the best under 20k handset, here is why.

Build Quality and Design

Not the best build quality by Samsung, the Galaxy R lacks precious looks and precious materials. The back panel especially fades away after just light use, the scratch resistant front display is not so scratch resistant after all. We did face some issue with the power button and it turned out to be really fidgety. Apart from the downsides, we did like the look of the handset and it does feature some great elements, including a nice sized, tactile home button along with a nice chrome bezel.

The design is identical to the S2 but is much fatter than the powerful predecessor. The back of the device makes it look a bit ugly, and since it fades easily the look worsens day by day.

Hardware and Multimedia

Now that the price is so different, we see that there is a slight difference b/w the specs of the S2 and the R.


COMPARISON	Samsung Galaxy R I9103	Samsung Galaxy S 2 I9100

Platform
Operating Freq	GSM – 900, 1800	GSM – 850, 900, 1800, 1900; UMTS – 2100
OS	Android v2.3 (Gingerbread)	Android v2.3 (Gingerbread)
User Interface	TouchWiz	TouchWiz 4.0
Java
Processor	1 GHz ARM Cortex A9, Dual Core	1.2 GHz ARM Cortex A9, Dual Core
Graphics	ULP GeForce	Mali-400 MP

Display
Type	Super Clear LCD	Super AMOLED Plus
Size	4.2 Inches	4.27 Inches
Resolution	WVGA, 480 x 800 Pixels	800 x 480 Pixels
Colors	16 M	16 M

Camera
Primary Camera	5 Megapixel	8 Megapixel
Secondary Camera	VGA	2 Megapixel
Flash	LED	LED
Video Recording	1280 x 720	1920 x 1080, 30 fps
HD Recording	HD	HD, Full HD
Other Camera Features	Geo-tagging, Smile Detection, Auto Focus, Image Editor	Auto Focus, Shot Mode, Photo Effects, White Balance, Geo-tagging, Face and Smile Detection
Zoom		Digital Zoom

Dimensions
Size	66 x 125 x 9.5 mm	66.1 x 125.3 x 8.4 mm
Weight	135 g	116 g

Battery
Type	Li-lon, 1650 mAh	1650 mAh
Talktime		18 hrs (2G), 8 hrs (3G)
Standby Time		710 hrs (2G), 610 hrs (3G)

Memory and Storage
Internal	8 GB	16 GB
Expandable Memory Slot	Micro SD, upto 32 GB	Micro SD, upto 32 GB

The camera on the device is a 5MP snapper and it gives out decent image quality and 720p video, the LED flash is also good enough to illuminate low lit subjects, but don’t expect it to fill a room. Images are as crisp as can be from a 5Mp sensor, the quality when compared to a 5MP snapper from the iPhone 4 is a bit lower. 720p video is smooth and without jitters and we will soon upload a video sample to demonstrate that.

The screen is not anything like the Super AMOLED Plus display on the S2 but the SLCD display is the same size and same pixel resolution, also the same color density and is a exceptionally bright display with great outdoor visibility. The display is try capable of playing good video and the device supports unto 1080p video playback without any issues.

Audio on the device is loud, a bit louder than the S2 we presume, the earpiece did give us some problems as we mentioned in the unboxing, but somehow the volume keeps going up and down in the earpiece and we suspect its a software thing. Mic works great without any problem.

The NVidia Tegra 2 chipset is well supported in the gaming developer community, so expect to find more games work on this device than were supported on the S2 initially. Let us mention that all sort of games play brilliantly.

Call Quality and Messaging

The network is great and no breakages in sustained network, even while traveling. We did however face low signal in key areas like flyovers and tower changes. Audio is good, but like we mentioned the earpiece can get a bit bothersome.

The device also supports video calling over 3G networks which is a great add-on to those who want to use this feature, although we prefer services like Skype and Fring which work great too.

Messaging works great on the nice and large screen, with the ability to switch to Swype which is inbuilt into the system you can enhance the experience of typing. You can also switch to a flurry of available keyboard replacements in the Android Marketplace to best suit your needs of typing.

Battery Life

The battery life on this device is varied out of the box you will struggle to pass a few hours with the device, you will need to charge it at least twice a day if not more. But we found easy fixes, and we have discussed these with Samsung and we believe that a software update should rectify the problem soon. Turn off Wifi, background data sync and Mobile data, when not in use and here are the results

Talk time 2G : 5 hours

Talk Time 3G : 4-4.5 Hours

Standby Time : 2 Days- 3 Days

Internet usage : 8 Hours over Wifi

Video Playback : upto 6 hours constant video

Conclusion

The device is an exceptional device especially after this price drop, it does lack proper construction, but has a set of features that are difficult to match at this price. The only thing that comes close to this device is the LG Optimus 2X with almost the same price and the same chipset. The Galaxy R has a newer built of Android and will definitely get the ICS update. The Galaxy R also has TouchWiz UI which we prefer over the one on LG. We also believe that the device is well supported in the developer community and has a larger user base.

Samsung Galaxy R is a great purchase and a brilliant holiday gift.

We Rate it 4.0/5.0

Images

Unboxing Video

New Review

December 27, 2011

Dell Streak gets official Gingerbread update

Still holding on to that Streak from the past? Dell has issued a Gingerbread update to most of the streak division and should be hitting up Indian update servers shortly. It has been more than a year since Gingerbread was announced, and we don’t know if Ice Cream Sandwich is supported on this device, or will ever come officially. Although most Streak users, including our very own one was ported to a custom rom a long time ago. Those who still enjoy their device on 2.2 can update it to official 2.3.

You can also download the Rom (use 350 Recovery to install it) from this LINK

December 23, 2011
Samsung Galaxy Note to get a Qualcomm chip in the US, Leave Exynos, add 4G LTE

Looks like fragmentation continues for Samsung on their global launch platforms. The Galaxy Note for the US At&t is said to sport a dual-core 1.5GHz MSM8660 Qualcomm chip. Everything else will remain the same, including the brilliant 5.3 inch screen, and smart pen features. The new radios will support 700MHz / 1700MHz bands to power up the LTE.

[PocketNow]

December 16, 2011
Micromax Superfone Lite A75 Unboxing

A quick unboxing and hands on with the recently launched Micromax Superfone Lite A75. The device is a first from Micromax in many ways, including first under 10k with 3.75 inch screen, first with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and also the first Dual sim Android. Check out the video below.

December 14, 2011
Micromax SuperFone Lite A75 Hands On

We just got hold of a unit of the Micromax A75 SuperFone and we couldn’t wait to get our hands on with the device. Before i get down and dirty unboxing the unit, here are a bunch of sneak peak images for the A75.

The build quality of the device is fairly surprising, its really well built. The overall form factor and shape feels really good in the hand and fits well. First impressions of he unit show that the display is bright and vivid and the screen is very responsive. The device does not show lag or slow down while moving from screen to screen or navigating the menus. The device comes preloaded with Android 2.3.4 and is supposedly good enough for Ice Cream Sandwich, But no official words on that. (We are still struggling with 2.3 on A70). The device is more expensive looking than it actually is. It also comes with unique UI enhancements done by Micromax that make the experience a little better.

Specs include a 650Mhz processor, a nice 3.75 inch 320×480 capacitive screen, Android 2.3.4, 10.9 mm thickness, 1300 mah battery, the standard Wifi b/g/n- Bluetooth 3.0. Not to forget the fact that this is a dual sim phone, both gsm+gsm.

Most of Micromax’s new marketing and dev team is from HTC so you will start to see some Ui flavor(maybe its because i already know this fact). The device is an excellent add on the the Under 10k list and will definitely make the holiday list of the phones to get under 10k. Wait for the Unboxing video going up shortly followed by a full review.

December 13, 2011
Micromax Launches the A85 SuperFone in India (PR)
Like Wow, Micromax finally launches the A85 Superfone in India. Boys and girls, months after the device was leaked on iGyaan Micromax has finally made the A85 Superfone official. The device is the first Micromax device with a dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 Processor. The UI is custom made with gestures and final touches from Micromax.

Key Specs of the A85 Superfone Include
- 1 GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 Processor with Geforce8
- Android 2.2 + Upgradeable
- 512 MB RAM- 8 Gb onboard storage
- 3.8 inch screen with 480×800 pixel resolution
- Capacitive Touch Screen with 4 Multitouch points
- 5 Megapixel camera with tap focus and intelligent illumination
- 1080p full hd video
The company has set the MRP of the device at Rs. 19,990/-

Check out the Leaked Videos by Bharat

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Micromax unveils A85 SUPERFONE with Gesture Control

– Powered with 1GHz dual core NVIDIA Tegra 2 Processor

– A85 offers multitasking functionality, exceptional web experience and console-quality gaming on the move

New Delhi, November 21^st, 2011 Micromax Informatics Limited (“Micromax”), the 12th largest handset manufacturer in the World (According to Global Handset Vendor Market share report from Strategy Analytics), creates a new benchmark in enriching user experience in the smartphone category by unveiling A85 ‘SUPERFONE’

Powered with a 1.0 GHz Dual Core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and Android 2.2 Froyo (upgradable to Ginger Bread) the users can work on various applications at the same time, like browse the Internet, check mail, blog, share photographs, and update their status on social networking sites at a lighting fast speed.

The uniqueness of the device is Gesture Control : A85 Superfone features the amazing capability to understand and respond to hand gestures, allowing to command over answering/ rejecting, scrolling Contacts, Gallery, Music player, Calendar and E Mail.

For the gaming enthusiasts, A85 offers console quality gaming. Also, the users get to download more than 2 lakh applications available with the Google Android platform.

The worldwide smartphone market is forecasted to grow 55% year over year in 2011 as a growing number of users turn in their feature phones for more advanced devices. Also, with the growing Android share worldwide, India becomes an important destination in propelling the mobile penetration through Android-powered smart phones.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rahul Sharma, Executive Director, Micromax Informatics Ltd. said “The Indian consumers have a great appetite for newer technology adoption and this inspired us come up with a product which is leap ahead of the current generation of smartphones. We think that the new SUPERFONE category of phones will help the existing feature phone users to the latest technology innovation (Gesture Control) from Micromax.

Mr. Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, NVIDIA, Asia-South said, “We are excited to partner with Micromax for their latest smartphone especially crafted for Indian users. Be it playing high-quality games or listening to music, today’s consumers require much more in their mobile handsets. Micromax A85 powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor will provide users with an enriched mobile experience with premium graphics, smooth audio-video playback, astounding gameplay, all this while consuming low battery power!”

The A85 comes with a 3.8” capacitive touchscreen, powered by NVIDIA Cortex A9 and 1.0 GHz Dual Core processor which can be used in parallel giving more power and speed to the device. The phone runs on Android 2.2 Froyo upgradable to Ginger bread and is packed with features like gesture control, Wi-Fi enabled, dual camera (5.0 MP back camera and 0.3 MP front camera) with auto focus.

The A85 has a TFT screen with a resolution of 480 X 800 pixels and is fitted with Gorilla glass for better durability and damage resistance. Micromax A85 comes with preloaded mobile applications like M! ROAMER, M! TRIM, M!APPS, SAAVN, NETQIN ANTIVIRUS, NETQIN MOBILE GUARD, TOI, BSE/NSE, ACCU WEATHER, TXTR EBOOK READER, FACEBOOK, WHATS APP, NIMBUZZ, OPERA, ZOOMIN(POSTCARD), QUIKR, IPLT20, YOUTUBE, TEENPATTI, RIPTIDE and office solution POLARIS OFFICE 3.0 which let end users easily read and edit various format documents on the go.

It comes with a 5.0 MP camera with 7.2x zoom auto focus, to give you a good picture quality. It is also capable of HD Video Recording 720p – 1080p and comes with a multi format video player giving you an ultimate cinematic experience of your favorite videos and movies.

A85 is available at an attractive price of MOP 19900/-

This model will be available across all leading outlets in India. For more information, please visit www.micromaxsuperfone.com

About Micromax:

Micromax is the 12th largest handset manufacturer in the World (According to Global Handset Vendor Market share report from Strategy Analytics). The Indian brand is reaching out to the global frontier with innovative products that challenge the status quo that Innovation comes with a price. Micromax has sales presence across India and global presence in Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri-Lanka, Maldives, UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Afghanistan and Brazil.

* Micromax holds the 3^rd position amongst the handset manufacturers in India as pre revenue with a market share of 6.9% for the FY 2011. (Source: V&D report)

About NVIDIA

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Today, its processors power a broad range of products from smart phones to supercomputers. NVIDIA’s mobile processors are used in cell phones, tablets and auto infotainment systems. PC gamers rely on GPUs to enjoy spectacularly immersive worlds. Professionals use them to create visual effects in movies and design everything from golf clubs to jumbo jets. And researchers utilize GPUs to advance the frontiers of science with high-performance computing.The company holds more than 2,100 patents worldwide, including ones covering ideas essential to modern computing. For more information, see www.nvidia.in

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November 21, 2011

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V Review

Sony has been going strong with its Xperia lineup this year. With over 5-8 models released this year does the company actually have what it takes to restructure the market with the right devices. Sony also Recently announced that it plans to buy-out the stake from Sony Ericsson (The Ericsson share) to call the company Sony mobile. The Neo V is an example of what Sony stands for, lets find out whether it delivers to the sony image or not.

Build Quality and Hardware

The Neo V is exceptionally well built with great overall hardware design, and brilliant paint finish. the device feels like a luxury car parked right in the palm of your hand. A curvaceous back and a glossy paint finish make you feel special that you hold this device. There is no shake or rattle from this device and it delivers a robust experience while you fiddle around with the tactile buttons and great structure.

In terms of Hardware the Neo V has a great set check out the total specs:

Price	20,000 /- MRP
Frequency	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; HSDPA 900 / 2100; HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
Phone Style	Touchscreen
OS	Android 2.3.5
Thickness	13 mm
Length	116 mm
Width	57 mm
Weight	126g
Built-in Memory	1GB ; RAM 512
Additional Memory	microSD up to 32GB
High-speed Data	GPRS, HSDPA
Connectivity	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, A-GPS
Screen Size	3.7-inches, 854 x 480 pixels
Secondary Screen Size	N/A
Screen Colours	16 million
Camera	Yes
Camera Resolution	5 megapixel with upto 16x zooming; Front VGA camera
Flash	Yes
Ringtones	Polyphonic, MP3, Truetone
Music Player	Yes
GPS	Gps + aGPS
Radio	Yes
Speaker	Yes
Processor	1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255
Internet	Yes
Browser	HTML
Games	Yes
Battery	Talk time: Up to 7 hrs on 3G and 6hours 55 minutes on 2G, Standby time up to 430 hrs on 3G and 400 hrs on 2G

Multimedia, Display and Camera

The device has a brilliant display with a Mobile Bravia engine, which ensures super smooth video playback. The Device however has only a 1GHZ single core processor which is somewhat of a let down for the price bracket. Coming back to the screen which is a 3.7 inch 854 x 480 px display which offers superior ppi for the size of the display, that makes images and videos look good and text look crisp.

Video playback is well supported over almost all available formats and scrubbing through video does not pixellate or mismatch audio. Audio is loud and clear and the device performs well in all aspects of the Multimedia field.

The camera has a 5 MP XMOR R sensor, which makes images look good even in low light. We however found video to be jittery with 720p at 30fps underperforming the label. Images were also decent but poor compared to those from similar camera of competitors. Overall a decent camera with a bunch of effects and software camera shake reduction, which may or may not impress you depending on where you come from (previous device).

Phone Messaging and Internet

The phone quality and network stability were solid, no dropped calls in 2 weeks of testing. 3G however was not as stable as we wanted and kept jumping from H to 3G to E. The sound and volume of it were clear and loud and we were quite impressed with it. Internet can be bothersome on the go when you shift from tower to tower, the phone takes about a minute to reset the data connection. On wifi however there is no problem.

The onboard keyboard is stock and therefore can be replaced easily with many from the marketplace. The typing experience is great thanks to the highly responsive screen.

The Device also supports the Wifi Hotspot feature which allows you to make the device into a portable router. Which is a convenient feature available in most Androids today, the difference here lies that the Neo V does not drain out of its battery like a dripping plastic bag. It sustains power management within the Wifi hotspot mode and offers extended usage.

Battery

The battery life on the Neo V was impressive swell with a longer talk time than mentioned in the spec sheet we were impressed

9 Hours on 2G
7.5 Hours on 3G
8 Hours Wifi Browsing
4 hours 3G browsing
4 Hours Wifi Hotspot (3 devices connected)
24 Hours of Music Playback
5 Hours of Video

Conclusion

The device is an expensive representation of devices like the Xperia Mini Pro, but offer a different form factor with slightly different specs. The battery life was immense and we were happy with it. The power management is great and handles most features brilliantly. The sealed Bravia display is a delight for those with love for mobile video and multimedia. The speakers and sound is crisp and loud from all areas and impressive overall. The device is a great phone and a nice looking one at that