Sunday, April 15, 2012

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Google Android News Android Forums

LG Optimus LTE Renamed To “Optimus True HD LTE” In A Dig Against Samsung’s Super AMOLED HD

Posted: 14 Apr 2012 05:28 PM PDT

LG’s Optimus LTE has already been galavanting around South Korea and Japan, and the U.S. has seen it as the LG Spectrum and LG Nitro HD. Now, right before launching in Hong Kong at the end of April, LG has decided to change its name to the LG Optimus True HD LTE. Name changes between markets is commonplace, so what’s the big deal? The big deal is the “True HD” portion of the name. It’s apparently a slam against Samsung’s Super AMOLED HD technology, which uses a Pentile pixel layout, meaning less sub-pixels per pixel, reducing some sharpness.

LG doesn’t think Samsung should use “HD” for it’s screens because of this, so they added “True HD” to call attention to the fact that their screens will NOT use a Pentile display and is therefore real HD. LG has also criticized AMOLED’s over-saturated colors and higher power consumption, stating that LG’s AH-IPS screens have a more consistent power consumption across varying levels of whiteness.

This amounts to mostly a spec war since most users cannot tell the difference between Samsung’s latest Super AMOLED HD screens (seen on the Galaxy Nexus) and other non-pentile HD screens, at least when it comes to sharpness and clarity. The higher color saturation is typically seen as a positive to most users who aren’t concerned with true color reproduction, but if they do any sort of semi-serious photography with their devices, it becomes more noticeable. All this drama will most likely go away as soon as Samsung releases their Super AMOLED Plus panels in time for the Samsung Galaxy S III.

Check out some of LG’s slides comparing the two technologies after the break.

source: engadget

HTC announces 3 new additions to the Desire series for Chinese carriers

Posted: 14 Apr 2012 01:25 PM PDT

HTC Desire VT T328t

It’s been quite some time since we have heard about any news or future additions to HTC’s Desire series of smartphones. Chinese Android users will be happy to hear that HTC has just introduced 3 new devices that will attempt to reestablish the Desire name into the Android community. Meet the HTC VT T328t, VC T328d and the V T328w. Each phone is destined to a different Chinese carrier yet all three will have nearly identical specs comprising of a 4-inch S-LCD WVGA (854 x 480) display, Sense 4 with ICS, 1 GHz single-core processor, 5 MP camera, 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of internal memory with microSD card support, and Beats Audio.

HTC plans on having these devices on shelves by the end of the month, however they look to be a Chinese exclusive for now. I don’t want to jump the gun, but does anyone else think that HTC just might be heading down the old path of quantity versus quality? The fact that we are already hearing reports of possible hardware design flaws with their One series, I truly hope that HTC will stay true to their commitment to focus on better quality handsets. Let us know what you think in the comments and hit the break for more images.

HTC Desire VC T328d

HTC Desire V T328w

source: UnwiredView

First Press Shot Of The HTC Golf Smartphone Surfaces

Posted: 14 Apr 2012 10:33 AM PDT

2012 is ushering a new wave of thinking when it comes to entry-level phones. When you mentioned entry-level phones, you think bottom of the barrel, bland and as basic as it gets. HTC is looking to change that way of thinking by showing the world its codenamed Golf smartphone. You should remember the Golf name— we recently showed you the test image from its camera. Rumor has it that HTC will release the phone as the Wildfire C and will come with some decent features. For starters, there will be a single-core processor complimented by 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, a 3.5-inch screen, Bluetooth 3.0 and naturally Android 4.0 with Sense 4.0. Sure the internal storage may be slacking, but HTC will toss in 25GB of DropBox storage for 2 years to make everyone just a little happier.

No word on when the device is expected to arrive, but we think it will be sooner than later.

source: pocketnow

U.S. Cellular offering discounts on Galaxy smartphones

Posted: 14 Apr 2012 06:51 AM PDT

 

It’s a good day for Android bargain hunters today as U.S. Cellular has launched a promotion with discounts of up to $100 on leading Samsung Galaxy devices. The highlight being that  the carriers newly announced flagship device, the Galaxy S Aviator will be available for $99.99 with a $100 mail in rebate. Other available deals include the white Galaxy S II for $179.99 again with a $100 mail-in rebate and the Samsung Mesmerize for only $49.99 after instant savings.

In addition to the Galaxy promotion, U.S. Cellular have also bolstered its prepaid line-up by adding the Galaxy S II, the HTC Hero S and Motorola Electrify all at competitive prices. The Galaxy S II and Electrify will each cost you $399.99 and the Hero S for only $299.99.

There’s no word on how long the promotion is set to last so if you’ve been holding out for one of these devices, it might be time to get ordering. Click the link below to get started!

 

source : U.S. Cellular

Pebble watch for Android (and iPhone!)

Posted: 14 Apr 2012 05:46 AM PDT

The dawn of the smart watch may well be upon us. After a rocky start with substandard devices such as the frustrating Sony Ericsson LiveView, 2012 promises to see a multitude of exciting options hit the shelfs. We brought you the news this week of Sony’s LiveView successor, the SmartWatch which already looks to be a huge improvement in many ways over the original. You should also check out our in-depth look at the versatile Wimm One watch to see what it brings to the table.

Next to step up the plate is the little known Pebble watch concept which surfaced through a Kickstarter campaign this week. The Pebble watch is set to support Android and iOS, sporting an e-ink display and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity. The watch will allow you to check calls, texts, e-mails, social messaging alerts etc remotely from the watch screen. Music controls and fitness monitoring facilities are on board of course ensuring the spec sheet stands up to the competition.

The project was launched looking for up to $100,000 in funding to get the development up and running and once again the power of the internet has really delivered with Pebble Technology announcing that it had already smashed the original target, receiving $2 million dollars to date. The unexpected generous donations will go towards extra features and getting improved technology on board. The device is expected to retail for £150 when it launches however Kickstarter backers can reserve one for only $115.

Take a look at the video after the break for a taster of what to expect when the watch hits the market. You can also check out the Kickstarter project details in the link below.

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

 

source : Kickstarter

 

 

 

Sony Starts ICS Upgrades For Scandinavian Xperia Users

Posted: 14 Apr 2012 12:04 AM PDT

Looks like Sony is starting its Ice Cream Sandwich updates… if you’re in Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, or Norway. If you are, and you own an Xperia Arc S, Xperia Neo V, or Xperia Ray, get ready to start tasting some sweetness as the updates roll out over the next four to six weeks. These will NOT be over the air updates, so you will need a Mac or PC to install (which is pretty lame in my opinion).

Scandinavian Xperia users, hit the source link below to get started.

source: sonymobile blog

 

Analysts Agree Samsung Has Toppled Nokia From Top Spot

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 11:34 PM PDT

In a recent Reuters poll of analysts, on average they agree that Samsung has sold 88 million cellphones between January and March, besting Nokia’s 83 million during the same period. Globally, Nokia has held the #1 cellphone seller spot for 14 years, so this news is devastating to Nokia. “After 14 years as the largest global mobile phone maker, getting knocked off the top spot will come as a bitter blow to Nokia,” said Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight.

On Wednesday, Nokia announced their sales numbers and warned of losses in the first and second quarters. Samsung will release their sales numbers on April 27th, proving one way or the other if the analysts are correct with their predictions, though with Nokia’s struggles in the smartphone market and Samsung’s successes, it seems pretty likely they are on target.

Nokia has only been able to hang on to the top spot due to their dominance in the lower end feature phone market, but once the smartphone market took off, they have been playing catch-up. The rapid decline of Nokia is seen by the fact that a similar poll in January showed it was still far ahead of Samsung.

“I think it will hurt them from a PR perspective,“ Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said, “but in reality it does not change anything: at the end of the day the problems are the same if they remain the No 1 or become the No 2.”

I wonder if Nokia is regretting their decision to shun Android and partner with Microsoft.

source: reuters

 

Original Angry Birds Gets 15 New Surf & Turf Levels

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 10:00 PM PDT

The original Angry Birds is getting ready for summer early with a new update. Version 2.1 adds 15 new tropical levels and a beach theme for some more laid back pig smashing. Grab it from the Play Store link or QR code below.

qrcode
Play Store Download Link

Samsung Galaxy S III Screen To Be 4.6-inch Super AMOLED+ According To OLED Association Report

Posted: 13 Apr 2012 09:43 PM PDT

 

Prior rumors of a 4.6-inch Super AMOLED+ HD screen for the Samsung Galaxy III just got another plausibility boost. This time it comes from the OLED Association. According to a news report on Samsung’s screen technology, it seems they may have just let the cat out of the bag.

 SMD [Samsung Mobile Display] is planning to release a 4.6" Super AMOLED HD Plus with the 319 ppi for the Galaxy S3 Super AMOLED plus in May of this year.  In addition, SMD is expected to add phosphorescent green, which will reduce power consumption and make the OLED display competitive with the retina display at white levels of 40%, while significantly outperforming LCDs for images and video.

The Plus means this screen will not be using a Pentile pixel matrix. That’s good news since a Pentile display shares the red and blue pixels on the green cell, rather than having three separate cells, making the display nearly 30% less sharp, technically, than a full dot matrix screen. Normal users won’t notice a difference, but many screen enthusiasts (screenophiles?) claim they can, and won’t buy a device with a Pentile display.

This report also mentions a May release, which seems perfectly plausible, but we have no other evidence to confirm this date.

source: oled association
via: androidcommunity
Posted by at 6:01 AM

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