Thursday, December 13, 2012

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Google Sound Search now available in the Play Store, brings cross-device syncing

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 05:32 PM PST

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Good news for music lovers always ready to discover some new tunes. Google has just released their Sound Search app into the Play Store today, mimicking the functionality found in popular apps like Shazam or Soundhound. Once reserved for devices running stock Android, Google’s Sound Search widget lets users easily identify music no matter where they are — that is, as long as the device is running Ice Cream Sandwich or above. So, whether it’s bumpin’ at the club or playing on the radio, Sound Search makes for easy music identification and from there, easy downloading from the Google Play Store.

And if for some reason you didn’t want to download music at the moment it’s identified (data limits can be brutal), Sound Search also lets you saved your tagged music for later. You could even pull up your tagged history from another device, making purchasing music from the Play Store easier than ever. Now, if Google can get to releasing even more stock Android apps, we could have near-stock experience for our non-Nexus devices.

[Google Play Link]

Voxeet for Android aims to trump call quality of Skype

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 01:55 PM PST

Skype might have a seemingly deadly grip on the VoIP conferencing market, but that won’t stop competitors from trying their hand at taking it on. Voxeet’s claim to fame won’t be through multi-way video conferencing or a robust text-based chat platform. Instead, it’s starting its humble trek as a straight forward calling app. Their x-factor? Crystal-clear VoIP technology that they say is so impressive that people might drop Skype in droves just to use.

They call it “Natural Conferencing,” and it uses a proprietary algorithm for delivering high definition audio between multiple parties. Voxeet promises it can eliminate the annoyances that tend to come with your typical VoIP experiences, such as voice echoes, robotic voice syndrome, voice overlap and more.

An even more interesting element of Voxeet is its “Immersive 3D” sound technology that can detect who’s speaking at any given moment and deliver their voice to specific sides of your ears. For instance, if you want to hear the call moderator on your right ear and have others come in from the left or the middle Voxeet will facilitate that with ease.

Even cooler is the ability to seamlessly transfer your call to your mobile from the desktop version of Voxeet. There have been a ton of scenarios where I’ve needed to tell someone that I’d call them back because I was switching to mobile, so something like that is nothing to sneeze at.

Voxeet acknowledges its software is probably best served for folks who find themselves on regular conference calls with colleagues, and that’s fine — it’d be a tough job to get all your casual friends to migrate to a platform without video chat. But give it a shot with your co-workers or a buddy or two, and see if Voxeet’s promise of a superior conference call experience can live up to its own claims. Find it in the Google Play Store.

Google Zeitgeist page features Droid Gangnam Style easter egg

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 01:21 PM PST

If you have been on any tech blogs today, you have likely seen plenty of stories about Google’s Zeitgeist 2012. Google has detailed the most searched items for the year and even put together a quick video highlighting popular terms (and pitching a few Google products in the process).

The video and list are both worth checking out, but the highlight of Google’s page is tucked away at the very bottom. Hover over a nondescript banner of Google’s colors and you will find none other the mascot of the year’s most popular mobile OS doing the year’s most popular dance. Yes, that’s Gangnam Droid, coded up out of CSS and web magic. Pretty darn cool, Google, pretty darn cool.

[Google Zeitgeist via JSFiddle.net]

Is Google blocking explicit results from Image Search, regardless of SafeSearch setting?

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 12:33 PM PST

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A wise man once said, “Hell hath no fury like a man’s porn takeneth away.” While Google isn’t necessarily blocking porn sites from showing up in the normal web search, some changes Google made today to their Image Search is enraging a few lazy pr0n surfers. Users are noticing that, regardless of their SafeSearch filter setting, Google Image Search is no longer displaying the typical explicit images that come from from the usual search queries. Before you freak out, no this isn’t the Mayan apocalypse, and this isn’t Google censoring the web. Google’s just tweaked some things. In a statement to CNET, Google had this to say on the changes to their image search algorithm:

“We are not censoring any adult content, and want to show users exactly what they are looking for — but we aim not to show sexually-explicit results unless a user is specifically searching for them. We use algorithms to select the most relevant results for a given query. If you’re looking for adult content, you can find it without having to change the default setting — you just may need to be more explicit in your query if your search terms are potentially ambiguous. The image search settings now work the same way as in web search.”

Now, I wouldn’t really know, but I’d assume when people go searching for their evening “reading” material, the last place they travel is to Google image search. Of course, it’s also been awhile since I was in 6th grade. No matter. Do you guys think Google might be overstepping their boundaries by double filtering SafeSearch? Does anyone find it unfair that you now have to search extra hard (no pun intended) when looking for explicit material? What’s next? Searching for “Apple” brings 5 pages of fresh produce before presented with the evil logo we’ve all come to loathe? Guess there’s always Bing.

[Google | Google SafeSearch]

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City jumps back into the Play Store

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 12:20 PM PST

Seemingly everyone who frequents the Google Play Store was excited to know that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was headed to Android, but an unfortunate blunder plagued Rockstar’s launch and forced the game developer to pull the title. It was originally explained to be an error with the authentication process which meant the game was inaccessible to anyone who bought it. Rockstar said we probably wouldn’t be waiting much longer than the end of this week to see i back in the Play Store, and we’re happy to say that particular estimation was accurate.

You can grab Vice City for $5 right now, and it should come without many issues as long as you have a phone decent enough to play it. It’ll cost you 1.4GB of bandwidth so be sure to stick to WiFi if your carrier charges for data overages. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2002, and this year marks its 10th anniversary. Rockstar’s celebrating that by bringing the fables of Tommy Vercetti to mobile for one very attractive price point.

Vice City for Android will be even better than it was on consoles with its updated, high resolution visuals and adjustable graphics. The game is compatible with gamepads like the MOGA, or you can customize the on-screen controls however you want in case Rockstar’s default configuration isn’t to your liking. Get over to the Google Play Store and grab this one before it disappears before our very eyes again.

[Google Play Store]

Report: Google to sell over 1 million Nexus 7 tablets in December

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 11:54 AM PST

According to a report from Digitimes, sales of Google’s Nexus 7 tablet are on pace to surpass 1 million units for the month of December. The boost from a November estimate of 800,000 to 900,000 tablets shipped can be attributed to strong holiday sales. It also comes a month after Google revamped its Nexus 7 lineup with larger storage options and the addition of a 3G-enabled model.

Overall, from information gathered from Google and ASUS’ supply chain partners, an expected 2-4 million Nexus 7 slates will have shipped by the end of the fourth quarter of 2012. December will mark the first time Google has surpassed the 1 million monthly sales mark since the tablet launched back in July. An estimated 2-3 million units had been sold as of the end of October, putting a total year-end figure somewhere in the 4-7 million range, surpassing Google’s initial goal of 3 million.

In comparison, the same report sees Amazon moving 3-4 million Kindle Fire tablets over Q4 and Apple’s manufacturing partners have plans to ship a combined 3.5 million iPad mini slates between November and December. The uptick in tablet demand coincides with a decreased number of notebook shipments.

 

Google pulls Nexus 4 factory images from developer site

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 10:40 AM PST

Google has pulled factory image files for the Nexus 4 from their developers resource page. At this time it is not clear exactly why Google decided to remove the files, but there are two main lines of thought. Either Google discovered a critical issue in an already buggy Android 4.2.1 build or the removal could be part of an effort to strip vestigial LTE connectivity from the handset.

The latter case is at least plausible considering Android 4.2.1 factory images remain live for Google’s other Nexus devices. A lack of regulatory approval by the FCC could be forcing Google’s hand in issuing a software update to make it harder for hackers to connect to North American LTE airwaves.

At the very least, the move is curious. The Android 4.2.1 software is already available on Nexus 4 handsets and removing the images, which serve as a method for restoring the device to its original factory settings, won’t do much to alleviate any issues owners are currently experiencing. Will Google return the Android 4.2.1 build as is? Or will we not see another until the next version of Jelly Bean is released?

[Google via TheAndroidSoul]

Verizon Galaxy Note 2 bootloader unlock method now available

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 09:47 AM PST

Just as we told you this past Monday, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for Verizon has had its bootloader unlocked. Our beneficiary, Adam Outler, teased us earlier this week with his progress, but wouldn’t let us in on the full details of the unlock until he revealed it this morning on XDA TV. There was a guessing game, initially — either it would be a hardware mod or a software mod — but Outler eased our souls this morning when he revealed that we wouldn’t have to physically crack the device open in order to gain a full unlock.

Outler proudly exclaims that the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 has gone from “the most secure device on the market, to the least secure device [publicly] available.” Outler has been particularly rebellious throughout the process as his driving motivation was to stick it to Verizon and the carrier’s unhealthy obsession with locking devices down. He even went as far as naming one of the tools needed to unlock the device the “Suck it Verizon Odin Package.”

The Verizon Galaxy Note 2 gained a root method just a couple of days after it launched, but a full bootloader unlock will allow developers to do so much more. Custom recoveries, custom ROMs and more will all be the result of Outler’s hard work, and if you think that deserves a beer or six for him you can donate to his XDA user account appropriately.

If you just want to break the chains on your device and let it roam around in smartphone peace and tranquility, though, be sure to head to the thread for everything you need. Remember to read the instructions fully and carefully before getting started, and remember that your device is your responsibility — anything that happens as a result of applying this unlock is your own fault, and no one is liable for any damages but yourself. That said, have fun!

Motorola attacks Samsung in latest ad campaign

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 09:02 AM PST

In this day and age you pretty much expect the likes of Samsung, HTC, Motorola and others to attack Apple — and vice versa — but it’s become a bit taboo to see the aforementioned Android-loving OEMs attacking each other. Well, Motorola’s taking the charge against the biggest Android player in the game.

The OEM has gone after Samsung in its latest advertising efforts, though don’t expect a fifth round knockout type of scenario here (sorry, Pacquiao). This episode is a bit more mild than that, but no less interesting. Motorola claims “it’s not easy downloading from another galaxy” on its Facebook page, boldly displaying a Galaxy S3 trying to get through a download of Angry Birds Rio while the Motorola DROID RAZR HD already has it installed.

The image used to portray this suggests the Galaxy S3 only gets half signal bars while the Motorola RAZR enjoys full strength signal bars at any given time, but that is terribly misleading, no? For starters, location location location — that plays a bigger part in signal strength and download speeds over 4G LTE even if Motorola’s radios happen to be more solid than the ones Samsung use (though these two use virtually the same circuitry so we’re not sure what to make of that one).

It’s no surprise Motorola didn’t publish how it came about this particular result. The OEM could have tested the Galaxy S3 in a low coverage area, then proceeded to perform the same test on a RAZR MAXX HD in a full coverage area. We wouldn’t know that, of course, because Motorola is not required to tell us, but more power to them if they can get a few more sales out of it. And although Motorola’s image doesn’t show any branding, the simulated software image certainly suggests they’re comparing this to the version of the S3 that’s on the very carrier that has exclusive DROID RAZR MAXX HD rights — Verizon.

Motorola took things a tad further on its website, though the marketing plan there is less tricky than the one they deployed on Facebook. They claimed that the RAZR MAXX HD has 20% more battery life than the Galaxy S3 — this is true as the MAXX HD has a 3,300mAh battery compared to the S3′s 2,100mAh battery. They also boast the MAXX HD’s superior build quality — can’t really get mad at that with all the Kevlar sitting on the back of this thing.

Finally, overall innovation and impressive design are touted over the Galaxy S3, though this is highly subjective and we’d argue that Samsung’s S3 is in the same class as the DROID RAZR MAXX HD in this regard.

We can’t say what compelled Motorola to get a bit more bold in its marketing tactics, but we kind of like it. Even though the speed claims are a bit fishy they do have a couple of points over Samsung’s Galaxy S3. Sure, Samsung has another device that completely outclasses any of the RAZR devices, but the Samsung Galaxy S3 is still Samsung’s primary bread and butter and Motorola has no problem letting you know that it has a device that can stand toe to toe with it. What do you guys think?

[Motorola via Facebook, thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

In ‘war’ with Apple, Schmidt says Google is ‘clearly’ winning

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 08:46 AM PST

While CEO Larry Page is a bit more reluctant to openly talk about Google’s competition with Apple, chairman Eric Schmidt wasn’t shy about voicing his thoughts in a recent Bloomberg interview. In comparing the current mobile landscape to the home computer market of the 1990s, Schmidt said that Google is “winning that war pretty clearly now.”

As was the case with Microsoft so many years ago, Google is relying on hardware partners, advertisers, and developers to create an expansive ecosystem that is attractive to more and more users. The model is working, with a recent Gartner report revealing that Android’s stranglehold on the market grew to 72 percent in the third quarter of 2012. It’s a dominance that is expected to extend for several years.

Schmidt said, “the core strategy is to make a bigger pie,” but admitted, “we will end up with a not perfectly controlled and not perfectly managed bigger pie by virtue of open systems.” Apple’s strategy, on the other hand, has always been to offer software and hardware as a packaged deal, seeing one as the natural extension of the other. In the early days of home computing this model prevented the company from overtaking Microsoft, but a successful string of relatively cheaper products like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad have helped to grow their business as a whole.

Many argue that Android will ultimately be doomed by its size, scope, and fragmentation, with the entire ecosystem eventually buckling under its own weight. While that could be a reality someday down the road, Schmidt and company will be riding their wave of success for the foreseeable future. But Google shouldn’t rest now. They may think the war is over, but we’re sure Apple sees things a little bit differently.

[via Bloomberg]

Snag the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 for as low as $250 from Woot

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 08:09 AM PST

Most looking for a great deal on an ASUS-manufactured Android slate will turn to the Nexus 7, but if you act within the next 14 hours you can upgrade your act without spending much more than you would for the Google-branded device. As Tech.Woot’s deal of the day, the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 can be yours for as low as $249.99 for the 16GB model. The 32GB model isn’t much pricier at $279.99.

Woot was also offering a combo deal that included that ASUS keyboard dock, but it appears as though the option is now sold out. What you get is a refurbished version of the quad-core Tegra 3-powered tablet with a 10.1-inch display, 8MP camera, and ability to combine with the previously mentioned docking station for a more laptop-esque experience. The Transformer Pad ships with Android 4.0 out of the box, but a Jelly Bean update has been made available.

Act quick if you’re looking to snag the spiritual big brother to the Nexus 7 for a very similar price. I’m sure more than a few Android fans wouldn’t mind seeing this bad boy as a gift under the Christmas tree, either.

[via Tech.Woot | Thank, Josh!]

Amazon Mom Prime members can get up to $50 off a Kindle Fire device [DEALS]

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 08:06 AM PST

Moms who want to get some holiday reading done or nice gift for children will be happy to know that Amazon has cooked up some nice deals for you. You can get up to $50 off a Kindle Fire device for being a member of Amazon’s Mom program with Prime access.

You can get the base Kindle Fire model for $20 off to make it $139, the Kindle Fire HD for $25 making it $174, or you can get the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 for $50 making it $249. The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 4G is also included in this deal but Amazon didn’t specify whether or not this would have the same $50 discount as the WiFi model.

Those wanting to take advantage of the deal need only enter FIREMOMS with any of these tablets in your shopping cart inside the promotional code field at checkout. Note that the deal can only be had once per account, and that you only have until the end of the day on December 18th to take advantage. You’ll also get a one-month trial of Kindle FreeTime, Amazon’s parental control service for its Kindle devices which will allow you to control your kids’ usage habits.

The Kindle Fire tablets feature dual-core processors with 1GB of RAM and a host of storage options depending on which device you’re after. The base Kindle Fire only nets you 8GB, but the Kindle Fire HD can be had for anywhere between 16GB and 32GB. The 8.9 inch models come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage.

You’ll definitely want to rely on Amazon’s Cloud Storage for the lesser options so you can store your music on the go. And video content is streamed through Amazon’s Instant Video collection so you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows without having to give up storage space. Head to Amazon if you want to take advantage.

Dual-screen YotaPhone features both LCD and E Ink displays

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 07:31 AM PST

How’s this for an interesting take on smartphone form factor? Russia’s Yota Device has let slip a few detail about an upcoming Android-based smartphone featuring both LCD and E Ink displays. The handset, which is naturally dubbed the YotaPhone, pairs the two screen technologies by replacing what would traditionally be the back of the phone with the secondary screen, a logical solution to a problem others have attempted to solve with convertible clamshell devices.

As far as specs, the LCD portion of the device is rated at 720p resolution and measures in at 4.3 inches. The E Ink screen matches the size of the “front” display and is rated at 200dpi. Both are constructed with Gorilla Glass for extra toughness. Internally, the phone will rock a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4, 2GB RAM, and 32GB of storage. The LTE-enabled YotaPhone also sports a 12MP camera with complimentary HD front-facing camera.

But haven’t we learned our lesson about dual-screen devices? They have done little to capture the hearts of users in the past. Sure, what we have seen so far have been mostly shoddy implementations from manufacturers like Kyocera, but who is to say the YotaPhone will do any better? And is there really a point in having a secondary E Ink screen if it only measures in at 4.3 inches? I guess if you are doing a lot of reading it makes sense, but if having the option is that important, you likely own an E Ink-based e-reader already.

Right now the YotaPhone is pegged for a tentative Q3 2013 release in Russia, with a potential for European and US release as well. By the time Q3 rolls around, however, we doubt two screens will be enough to keep the handset afloat given its decidedly mid-range spec sheet.

[via Engadget]

Fuhu’s Nabi XD to bring a 10 inch “tweener” tablet for the holidays

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 07:14 AM PST

Fuhu, the same company who brought us the nabi Jr. tablet late last month, has announced forthcoming availability of the nabi XD. No, the tablet does not exist for the sole purpose of making you laugh uncontrollably (though a few funny games might do just that). The nabi XD is Fuhu’s tablet for “tweeners,” those children who aren’t young but not particularly too old, either.

It’ll feature a 10 inch display with 1366×768 HD resolution and NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 processor. It’ll also feature 10-hour battery life, both front and rear cameras, NFC, Bluetooth and more. For software, it’d be running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean but not without Fuhu’s customizations on top of that.

It’s a “smart 3D” user interface called “Kanzi,” and it utilizes grids to display whatever apps, widgets and gadget you want depending on where you are and what time it is. These element automatically update with live information if the widget supports that. It sounds a tad like Windows Phone’s Metro UI in that regard.

The tablet will be compatible with a “pad-folio” accessory that turns the device into a notebook. The pad-folio features an integrated silicone keyboard cover that protects it while offering a nice typing experience at the same time. We’re also told that the tablet and keyboard are made out of aluminum so build quality should be no concern here.

We’ve got a late December window for availability, though Fuhu says this will be a limited launched. A full launch won’t come until mid January. We’re not sure just how “limited” things will be but hopefully a pre-order opportunity will spring up. As far as pricing goes, a 16GB model can be had for $250, while 32GB will cost you just $100 more. Read on for full press details.

Fuhu, Inc. Unveils nabi™ XD: The World's First Android Ultraportable for Tweens at $249

 

Fuhu, Inc. defines a new market for tablet users with its nabi™ XD, positioned as a tween's first tablet with a keyboard dedicated to homework, gaming, social networking and kid-safe browsing

 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 12, 2012 – Fuhu, Inc., the leader in tablets made just for kids, today unveiled the new nabi™ XD: an ultraportable tablet that combines the best of a notebook and tablet PC with an amazing 10.1-inch high-definition in-plane-switching (IPS), five-point capacitive touch screen. Positioned to be your tweens' first portable computer, nabi XD features an NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 4-PLUS-1™ quad-core processor, Android™ 4.1 Jelly Bean, front and back cameras, near field communications (NFC) technology, 10-hours of battery life and the 10.1-inch screen – all for only $249. The nabi XD is a first of its kind, an Android ultraportable tablet with productivity apps, incredible console quality gaming, modified parental controls for browsing and a dynamic and intelligent gadget-based user interface that adapts based on the time of day and location.

 

Featuring the NVIDIA Tegra 3 4-PLUS-1 quad-core processor

nabi XD features a beautiful 10.1-inch IPS 1366×768 HD capacitive touch screen running the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. The NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with a 5th battery saver core helps extend battery life so that nabi XD can go up to 10 hours between charges.

 

nabi XD introduces an affordable yet incredibly powerful, ultraportable hybrid tablet and notebook solution with pad-folio and integrated silicone keyboard cover

nabi XD features a sleek aluminum body that mirrors nabi's trademarked flared corner design built for a long a productive life. Fuhu designers and engineers spent countless hours ensuring that each nabi is built with unmatched precision — meticulously thinking through every little detail. The result is a beautiful, thin, light, polished and refined look that feels incredibly strong and durable. Combined with its patent-pending optional pad-folio and integrated silicone keyboard cover that provides a traditional typing feel, nabi XD is your tweens' ultimate first tablet PC.

 

"Smart" 3-D User Interface

In partnership with Rightware®'s Kanzi® user interface solution (UI), nabi XD is taking UIs to the next level. A tiled grid of dynamically updating gadgets, widgets and apps headlines the new UI. Pin as many gadgets as you like and move them around just the way you want. Define time and location based rules that dictate when and where your favorite gadgets show up. Want news in the morning and games in the evening? Create a rule for that! nabi XD's UI lets you create multiple home screens each with your own layout of widgets, gadgets and apps. nabi XD's home screen gadgets are designed to give you the most relevant information that you want, when you want it. Set rules for your home screens based on GPS locations, Wi-Fi networks and time, allowing you to define which home screen is the most relevant for any situation.

 

Incredible Gaming Experiences

nabi XD will be the first of the nabi family of tablets to feature NFC technologies. NFC allows you to sync devices simply by touching them together – Great for Bluetooth syncing or sync nabi's exclusive family of 16 figurines with your nabi XD and challenge them to amazing battles while leveling up your unique character. Watch out for the Battle KINABIs™ game and figurines made for nabi XD!

 

"nabi XD features the most powerful specifications and brilliant display of the nabi tablet family. We are excited about what these new features bring to gaming and content," said Fuhu's CEO Jim Mitchell. "nabi XD represents a real transition in personal portable computing with an introduction of an Android-based productivity and gaming device."

 

Pricing and Availability

The 10.1-inch nabi XD will be available late December in limited release and mid-January nationwide. The 16 GB model will be priced MSRP $249 and 32 GB for MSRP $349. Pad-folio and numerous other accessories will be available mid-January ranging from MSRP$19.99 and MSRP$89.99.

OPPO Find 5 announced with 5-inch, 1080p display and 13MP HDR camera

Posted: 12 Dec 2012 06:40 AM PST

Today OPPO introduced the world to their latest smartphone offering, the Find 5. The Find 5 features a focus on minimalist, industrial design and top-teir specs to match. The highlight of the handset is its 5-inch, 1080p IPS display, which matches the likes of HTC’s Droid DNA/Butterfly. The screen sports a pixel density of 441 ppi.

Other specs include a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro clocked at 1.5GHz, 2GB RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. A 13MP rear camera features hardware-supported HDR photos and 120FPS video capture. The OPPO Find 5 runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

OPPO says that they “create products in the intersection of romance and technology,” and hopes to create an intimate connection between the user and phone with quality materials and design. The body of the Find 5 is made of a single piece of stainless steel manipulated 12 times then plated in a black chrome finish. Clean lines and minimal bezel aim to make the phone a delight to hold.

There isn’t a whole lot of info on when and where the Find 5 will be available. A press release only states it should reach global markets sometime in early 2013.

Quality Meets Style with the OPPO Find 5 – The Fifth Element Unfolds

OPPO Find 5 Unveiled With 5" 1080P Screen, 13 Megapixel HDR Camera and More

BEIJING －December 12, 2012 －At the OPPO Find 5 "The Fifth Element" Launch Event held in 798 Art District today, OPPO introduced one of this year's most mysterious and anticipated mobile products, the OPPO Find 5. The all new, industry leading OPPO Find 5 was announced to an audience of over 500 members of the international press, OPPO fans, developers, and partners, in what marks a spectacular end of year for the mobile industry.

See – like you've been blind all along
The OPPO Find 5 features a 5.0" 1080p IPS screen with a staggering 441 PPI pixel density, allowing you to experience a world of crystal clarity and the most realistic colors. With OGS technology that combines touch sensors with display, colors are more vivid and lifelike, and you'll feel as if the screen contents are floating on its surface.

Despite its large screen, the OPPO Find 5 is easy to hold thanks to its super slim 3.25mm bezel. When the screen is off, the front becomes a borderless sheet of pure black, mysteriously calming yet satisfying to the eye.

Touch – and your fingers won't stop
Industrial design has always been one of OPPO’s core strengths. An example is the Find 5 front frame. Although it only weighs a mere 6.3 grams, the front frame alone takes four hours to craft. Starting with a 210 gram piece of stainless steel, it undergoes 12 manufacturing processes, after which it is given a black chrome plating in a 1470 °F (800 °C) vacuum environment. The result from this demanding process not only protects the screen from impact, it also contributes to the Find 5's amazing look and feel.

The overall design of the Find 5 is minimalist, relying on straight lines and simple shapes that removes distractions, while at the same time being built using the best materials and techniques available, giving OPPO Find 5 a simple and understated, yet refined and premium look and feel.

Cherish and share, the beauty from every journey
On the backside, OPPO Find 5 comes with the most advanced 1/3.06-type 13-megapixel camera sensor available on the market, adept at taking great photos in low light conditions. With market-leading Stacked CMOS technology, it features an f/2.2 aperture, 4-layer coating and blue glass filters. On the front, Find 5 it is fitted with a 1.9-megapixel camera.

OPPO Find 5 is the world's first smartphone with hardware supported HDR photography and video recording. It redefines smartphone video recording, with its capability of recording video in 120 FPS, five times the speed that the human eye can perceive. Apart from videos being silky smooth in normal playback, they will also be smooth during slow-motion playback and clear during freeze-frames. In addition, the camera on the Find 5 is capable of taking 100 photos at 5 per second with Burst Mode.

OPPO Find 5 will bring you into a new era of wireless sharing. With NFC functionality, gently touching two phones will pair them in less than a tenth of a second, 50 times faster than Bluetooth pairing. OPPO's NFC SmartTags with preset actions will add simplicity and convenience to your life. Find 5 also supports Wi-Fi Display and DLNA, two technologies that allow you to wirelessly project screen contents onto your television in HD.

Listen, and rhythm will touch your heart
Find 5 comes with the powerful Dolby 3D surround sound technology and the exciting Dirac HD technology, combination of hardware and software usually only found in high-end audio and cinema sound systems. With Dirac, you will clearly hear a difference, and become immersed in music the way the artist originally wanted to express it.

Love, for it is the Fifth Element
OPPO never set out to create the most powerful phone. Internally, we have always said that we create products in the intersection of romance and technology, and Find 5 is a product that OPPO employees worked passionately and relentlessly on. Just like Plato was convinced of quintessence, an element beyond thematerial world, there is more to the Find 5 than the mere sum of its parts. There is an element beyond the purely rational, and that element is love. OPPO Find 5 is infused with of our love, a love we wish to explore with the world.

OPPO Find 5 is set to launch in early 2013 across selected markets.

OPPO Find 5 Specifications

  • Network: UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA/HSPA+/HSPA+42 (850, 1700, 1900, 2100MHz), GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz)
  • Processor: Qualcomm APQ8064 Quad-Core 1.5GHz
  • Display: 5.0" 1080P 441PPI IPS (1,080×1920)
  • Memory: 16GB ROM, 2GB RAM
  • Camera: Main: 13 megapixel Stacked CMOS sensor with HDR, Front: 1.9 megapixel, 120 FPS video recording, f/2.2 aperture, blue glass filters
  • Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz and 5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, NFC
  • Features: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), GPS, Wi-Fi Display, DLNA, Gyroscope, Digital compass, Microphone, Sensors (light, proximity, magnetic and gravity)
  • Battery: 2500 mAh built-in lithium-ion battery
  • Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB Cable, Headphones

About OPPO
OPPO is a globally registered technology brand with a long history of serving customers in North America, Europe and Asia. With offices in 6 different countries, we deliver products that receive praise from all over the world. Our core value is to explore with courage and never stop finding, and since entering the mobile market in 2008, we have been restless in our pursuit of the latest technology, the highest quality and the most user friendly products. For more information, please visit http://en.oppo.com.
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