Sunday, November 25, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority


Rumored Xbox TV could compete with Google and Apple TV devices

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 04:14 PM PST

Recent rumors suggest that Microsoft is looking to take on Google and Apple TV with a set top box of their own known as Xbox TV. Sources close to the company seem to believe that Xbox TV will be competitively priced, and will run on Windows 8.

Much like the Xbox Surface tablet, Microsoft has yet to confirm or deny any Xbox TV rumors. If Xbox TV can match the prices of Apple TV, and Google TV devices like Vizio’s Co-Star, then Microsoft will have a good chance of winning the battle for the living room.

Microsoft’s flagship console, the Xbox 360, already offers a wide variety of non gaming uses, such as streaming movies, music, live sports, and web browsing. It’s no secret that many Xbox 360 owners use their consoles as a dedicated Netflix box, and Microsoft could capitalize on this with Xbox TV.

The real question is whether or not consumers will flock to the Windows 8 powered set top box simply because of the Xbox branding. Image has long been a concern of Google TV, a platform that is still struggling to break-out in terms of sales. Apple has had a fair amount of success with its Apple TV largely because of Apple’s successful image, and has yet to heavily market the device.

If these rumors are to be believed, Xbox TV is set to launch late 2013, just in time for the holidays.

Related Posts

Germany’s Federal Environment Agency backs ban on sealed smartphone batteries

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 12:00 PM PST

Germany
For the longest time, Android owners put removable batteries on the list of pros that they’re phones had over arch rivals, iPhones. Recent offerings from OEMs like HTC and Motorola have been devices with non-removable batteries. The Federal Environment Agency in Germany wants to do something about it.

The Federal Environment Agency in Germany has called for a ban on sealed smartphone batteries. Also called non-removable batteries, The President of the agency is quote as calling them grotesque and environmentally unfriendly. After all, if you can’t remove the battery, how are you supposed to recycle them?

They aren’t pushing for a ban like the bans you read about in patent lawsuits. What the FEA would like to see is an amendment made to the Ecodesign Directive to include restrictions on non-removable batteries.

Is Germany on the right track with this?

They made a number of logical arguments, so it makes a lot of sense. Android OEMs only use non-removable batteries to give devices a larger battery without affecting the size. However, the aforementioned environmental concerns seem to make more sense. Many OEMs have no trouble keeping a low profile while including bigger batteries.

Phone Arena has also mentioned the cost of replacing non-removable batteries as well as the lives of the batteries themselves. According to Phone Arena, iPhone batteries only hold 80% of their charge after a year of use and they’re pretty expensive to replace.

Is Germany on the right track with asking for bans on sealed batteries in smartphones? Let us know what you thought.

Related Posts

Sony applies for patent for stylus with friction-based haptic feedback

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 10:41 AM PST

While a lot of patent-related news these days is a slightly more complicated take on who is taking their ball and going home, Sony’s latest patent application is actually sort of interesting. Who would have thought that was still possible?

Sony’s patent application is for a new sort of haptic feedback, in addition to the vibration that phones currently use. A stylus with a ”rolling contact ball gripping mechanism” would be able to make it easier or harder to move the stylus on the screen.

The possible uses for this type of system are certainly interesting. For example, the stylus could replicate the feel of a ballpoint pen on paper to make writing using the stylus easier, something that Samsung has already tried to do by increasing the friction of the S Pen on the Galaxy Note 2.

Sony has some more interesting ideas in its patent application, which includes a scenario where the stylus “simulates the manipulation of objects depicted on a display, including at least one of a game object and a game character.” Another is a situation where “rotary stylus motion triggers a game event.”

What do you think some interesting uses for this stylus could be?

Related Posts

Finnish startup Blaast launches Android app store in Asia

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 10:15 AM PST

Third-party app stores for Android aren’t doing so well in the U.S. and Europe. Manufacturers and carriers are closing their own app stores, and those that remain open are increasingly coming under fire as being sources of malware. Finnish startup Blaast is hoping that it will find better luck in Asia.

Blaast, which was founded in 2010, is focusing on building a platform that will allow carriers to sell data plans that include free access to apps. While Blaast could have targeted a more multi-platform solution, they’re putting all their chips on Android.

While Android is doing well worldwide, it is absolutely exploding in emerging markets, thanks to the availability of sub-$200 handsets.  CEO of Blast, Joonas Hjelt told Reuters that “Android is going to own over 75 percent of smartphone sales in emerging markets.”

This is the exact market that Blaast is targeting. Carriers in Malaysia and Bangladesh have already launched Blaast on some phones, and the Blaast Android store will launch in Indonesia and the Sony Xperia J.

In addition to being useful for carriers wanting to offer bundled apps, this could be a boon to manufacturers who are unable to obtain Google certification and therefore can’t include the Google Play Store on their handsets.

Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing for Android as a whole? On one hand, it introduces more of the dreaded “fragmentation,” but on the other hand, it offers users in emerging markets access to more apps. Where do you stand?

Related Posts

Patent Chief claims US patent system isn’t broken

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 10:15 AM PST

patent
Thoughts on the patent system aside, we’re all pretty tired of the constant litigation. OEMs are spending money and time in court battling one another instead of on their products. As it turns out, not everyone shares that opinion. Patent Chief David J. Kappos believes everything is working fine.

Yes, there was no typo. Despite some ups and downs, Mr. Kappos believes that our patent system isn’t broken and is functioning as it should be. A study conducted by the USPTO showed that over 80% of patents being used in high profile cases right now are valid. Apparently, four out of five is good enough for the USPTO.

According to The New York Times, Mr. Kappos talked about the patent wars with a little indignation. He defended the patent wars, stating that it’s just the process working as it should. As the New York Times put it, all these lawsuits aren’t a bug, but a feature.

So Mr. Kappos thinks there is nothing wrong with our patent system?

For the most part, yes. Mr. Kappos stepped back from his defense once to admit that software patents aren’t everything they should be. He’s quoted as saying, “We know that inconsistency in software patent issuance causes uncertainty in the marketplace and can cause threats of litigation that in turn can stifle innovation and deter new market entrants.”

That couldn’t be further from the truth. With Apple frequently obtaining patents on such bleeding edge technology as the page turning animation, software really should be given more scrutiny. Unfortunately, there is some room to disagree that the rest of the patent system is okay. After all, Apple was granted a patent for a basic geometry shape.

So for those who were hoping that the patent system would be changed up, you’re going to be very disappointed the the USPTO. While the words of Mr. Kappos bring hope for at least the software side of patents, it seems the system as a whole isn’t making any significant changes. Let us know what you think about that.

Related Posts

Boid Twitter client ends official development, goes open source

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 08:56 AM PST

While official development of the Boid Twitter client may have ended, there is a glimmer of hope for fans of the app, as the development team have decided to turn Boid into an open source project. Boid is dead. Long live Boid.

In an unofficial statement made a few days before the official announcement, developer Graham Macphee said “In my mind, Boid is over. It was a success. And now its job is done.” The official statement continues this theme, stating that “it is the opinion of the team that Boid was made to stir competition in the Play Store and to aid the Holo design pattern in gaining mass adoption by developers – a target which now appears to be met.”

The Boid team has already created a Git repository for the code, hoping not only to see development of Boid continue, but also that developers looking to create their own apps will be able to learn from the code.  Boid, including updates from the community, will continue to be available in the Play Store.

Are you a fan of the Boid Twitter client? Do you plan to continue using the app now that it is an open source project?

Related Posts

Google Fiber is impressive, says analysts, but when will it launch for the rest of us?

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 07:32 AM PST

You might have heard of Google’s latest foray into the Internet and entertainment industries. Google wants its presence to become even more pervasive in your home. You already use Google Search, an Android device, Gmail and all kinds of services. But current broadband connections are not enough for Google. With Google Fiber, the company wants you to run these services on their own pipes.

Google Fiber is basically a fiber-optic service that offers 1 Gbps of speed both down- and upstream. For $70 per month, you can get the basic Internet service, but an additional $50 monthly also gets you a subscription to Google’s cable TV killer. Sure, Google’s content partners are still limited at this time. But given Google’s industry clout, it’s probably just a short time until they get more content into Google Fiber.

BTIG Research went to Kansas City — where Google is doing its initial run of the service — to look into how Google Fiber fares. Their conclusion: it’s awesome. Business Insider gives us a glimpse of what the analysts think of Google’s latest broadband service. Here is a quick summary.

  • Installers set an appointment and make it on time. You might have been used to having to wait all day for the cable guy to fix your installation. With Google Fiber, they arrive on time so you need not waste half a day waiting during their window period.
  • Installation is two-step. Different teams take care of the outside and indoor setups.
  • The first step involves connecting your house to the utility pole with fiber-optic cables. These are literally a single thread of glass. It’s amazing how these pipes can carry data at 1 Gbps.
  • The second step involves installing sleek TV and Internet boxes in your house. Who said Apple was the only company into great looking hardware? Google’s boxes are not like the usual cable or satellite boxes, which are bulky and cumbersome. The boxes support WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, reducing the need for wires.
  • The “TV” services comes with several functionalities. These include a channel guide with DVR functionality and a recommendation engine. The box comes with 2 Terabytes of storage for all your DVR needs.
  • The service comes with a free Nexus 7. The tablet acts as the Google Fiber remote and the TV remote, as well. Note that this comes with a two-year subscription contract.

Limitations

Google Fiber is far from perfect, as it still lacks some services and content you would expect Google to have taken care of at this point. For instance, there’s still no YouTube integration, nor can you access content from HBO. But if you’re out for raw speed at this point,then Google Fiber will be sure to excite.

At this time, Google Fiber is running only within Kansas City, although the company looks serious in expanding to more areas and regions soon. I attended a conference keynoted by Google VP for infrastructure Dr. Eric Brewer this October, and he says Fiber will connect even the remotest of islands in the next five to ten years. Is this an ambitious plan by Google? And with this plan, should telcos and cable providers be afraid?

Word has it that Google has made a deal with the city government for a city-wide WiFi service. This might render cellular data plans obsolete if Google Fiber plus city-wide WiFi service will be the norm in the future.

The BTIG analysts say that in their site surveys, cable providers are already going door to door to check if customers are satisfied with their service. This only means that providers will need to step up their game in order to better compete against Google Fiber.

Are you excited for Google’s latest broadband and TV service? Do you think this is how everyone will get online and watch content a few years down the line?

Related Posts

Mobile payments booming this Thanksgiving; eBay, PayPal report massive growth over last year

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 05:11 AM PST

ebay_thanksgiving

Thanksgiving and Black Friday mark the beginning of the year-end shopping season, and this year retailers pulled out all stops to ensure that they capture the buyers' attention. For some retailers, preparing for the shopping madness meant ensuring that customers that prefer to shop on their mobile devices could check out orders hassle free. But just how many users took to mobile to pay for their stuff?

According to eBay and PayPal (a subsidiary of eBay), Thanksgiving 2012 brought a 2.5-fold in the global volume of mobile transactions over the same day of 2011. Also, the number of customers that used tablets or smartphones to shop this Thanksgiving was 164% higher than last year.

PayPal also offered a couple of details about the most mobile-friendly shoppers in the US. Apparently, people in Houston, LA, Chicago, Miami, and New York made the most mobile purchases, while the hourly interval with the most activity in this area was 12pm to 1pm PST.

Did you try out mobile shopping? Have you ever paid for an item from your smartphone or tablet?

Related Posts

Another brick in the wall: Samsung no longer supplies batteries to Apple

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 04:47 AM PST

samsung battery

Samsung, South Korea's largest industrial conglomerate, is supplying many crucial components that go into Apple's insanely popular devices, including displays, processors, and memory modules. If you've been following us over the past few weeks, you might know that the once rosy relationship between the two industry titans is slowly turning sour.

Apple is trying to give up its Samsung addiction, by looking for other suppliers for processors, displays, and other components. Now, news broke that Samsung will no longer sell batteries for tablets and laptops to Apple, and that the American company has switched to two Chinese manufacturers for future battery orders.

It's not clear from the original news report if it was Samsung or Apple that initiated the break up. Given the contentious nature of the legal and commercial relationship between the two, either option it's possible. All we know is that Samsung and Apple are drifting apart at increasing speed, and, in a year or so, their collaboration might be history.

Related Posts

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean gets ported to the Nexus S

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 03:38 AM PST

For an Android phone that was released in 2010, it's nothing short of amazing to see how the Nexus S has made the jump from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich, before finally resting on Jelly Bean. Then again, we're talking about a Nexus here.

Although Google has announced that the Nexus S won't get updated beyond Android 4.1.2, this inconvenience doesn’t seem to deter developers from trying to bring Android 4.2 to the aging phone.

A member of XDA-developers forum by the handle knzo has released a working build of Android 4.2 for the Nexus S. While there are the usual issues and bugs that currently stop the latest flavor of Jelly Bean from becoming a daily driver, the ROM is deemed stable and usable.

Unfortunately, the Android 4.2 ROM has been taken offline by the maker. The developer said that it'll be put back up when it's "ready to be used a daily driver". Check out the original thread for more details and future announcement of when you can test the ROM out on your Nexus S.

Related Posts

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans


Android Overload: DROID DNA bootloader unlocking, Samsung selling 60 million devices Q4, Apple drama and more

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 06:07 PM PST

Ready to head out the door for your weekend adventures? Make sure you take a minute and learn everything that’s going on with the Android universe. Android Overload is where we bring you all the awesome news that didn’t make it to our homepage but are still worth a good read. Check them out and have a safe Saturday night!

  • How to unlock HTC DROID DNA’s bootloader [Android Police]
  • Apple to launch a $200 phone in 2 years? [Business Insider]
  • Samsung shipments to reach 60 million during Q4 [Yonhap News]
  • T-Mobile now carrying SIM card adapters for phone swappers [TMoNews]
  • Samsung to no longer supply Apple with batteries [Electronista]
  • LG Intuition now only $99.99 from Amazon [Amazon Wireless]


Use Ingress AR game to work out after holiday pig-out

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 02:09 PM PST

The holidays are all about giving, and there is something every Holiday season will give you: a few extra pounds. Smartphones have become a great tool for everything, and that includes working out. We have already recommended a slew of good apps for burning off all those Thanksgiving calories, but what if you want to make it a little more interactive? A good augmented reality game would do the trick, and Ingress is the most popular one right now.

In this game, one tries to take over energy sources before the other team does. These are usually located in historic landmarks or important locations, which are usually far away, unless you live in downtown. After being part of the closed beta for some days, I realized it’s very hard to make any progress unless you really go out of your way. The closest energy source to my house is about 3 miles away, and it is not very convenient to keep parking to hack these and fight the Enlightened while I am running errands.

You have to make time and go out of your way for it. The best way to succeed in this game would be to make it a working out tool. It would be especially good for bikers, who could simply ride around town looking for energy sources. But if you are a trooper, you could even pull it off by running.

Simply make it a goal to hack a 2-3 energy sources a day and you are set (or less if you are jogging it). You could just take different routes every day; we all know a good change of scenery is necessary to keep things fresh and exciting. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to drive downtown (where there are usually more energy sources) and run over there once every couple weeks. Just to look at new things and further advance in the game.

Great idea, right?! Sadly, not many have access to Ingress just yet. But the closed beta should end soon enough, and this battle will be about to become very fierce. Whether you are fighting for the Enlightened or the Resistance, a good work out that also serves your Ingress purpose would be ideal.

Don’t forget to go to Ingress.com to sign up for a confirmation code. After you get one, you can simply go to the Google Play Store and download the game. Enjoy the holidays and let us know how you are using your phone to keep all that delicious food from staying in your body! Will you be using this Ingress exercise tip?


Is the Nexus 4, 7 or 10 available yet? You can check with this nifty tool

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 12:47 PM PST


If you did not smash and burn that F5 key enough last November 13, odds are you are still waiting for some of those new Nexus devices to show up in the Play Store. There is a very high demand for them, especially for that shiny Nexus 4. If you are like us, you probably check the Play Store at least a couple times a day to make sure you are not missing out again, but it seems there is an easier way to keep dibs on these gadgets’ availability now.

This website is simple and to the point. In a nutshell, it keeps track of Play Store devices and their status. The neat thing is it not only keeps track of the US Google Play Store, but also other countries’. One can easily filter by country or device, so whatever your priority might be, this helpful site has you covered.

It’s a great way to check without having to navigate and click through the whole Play Store, so make sure to bookmark this one if you are still waiting to get your hands on one of the new Nexus gadgets before the holidays!

[Soupwhale]

Thanks for the tip, Nick!


Microsoft Patents… Google Project Glass?

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 02:51 AM PST

The patent wars never cease to push forward into realms previously thought too ignorant to explore. While tech companies blindly register for thousands of patents ranging from painfully general to weird and obscure, the US Patent and Trademark Office seems to approve said patents at an equally alarming rate. The most recent? A patent filed 2 days ago by Microsoft, in an apparent attempt to secure exclusive rights to a product Google already has in development: Project Glass.

Quoted directly from the patent filing:

A system and method to present a user wearing a head mounted display with supplemental information when viewing a live event. A user wearing an at least partially see-through, head mounted display views the live event while simultaneously receiving information on objects, including people, within the user’s field of view, while wearing the head mounted display. The information is presented in a position in the head mounted display which does not interfere with the user’s enjoyment of the live event.

I’m not quite sure how such a claim would even be patentable. Someone could accomplish the above by taping their phone to their head. It would be a pretty terrible product, but the point is the general concept is nothing original. Especially considering Google has already locked up a bunch of patents directly related to Project Glass.

WAIT. Microsoft received their patent on November 22nd, 2012 whereas Google’s patent was issued on May 22nd, 2012 but Microsoft actually FILED their patent request earlier. Microsoft’s submission for their “EVENT AUGMENTATION WITH REAL-TIME INFORMATION” came in May 2011, a full 5 months before Google’s “Wearable display device section”.

This could get sticky, and if eventually litigated (which we’ve come to expect), chances are these patents will come down to the utility and design more than the concept alone.

A couple interesting notes, though, are Microsoft’s examples of how the product may be used, mostly in conjunction with live sporting events and concerts. Take for example this picture of how Microsoft’s Google Glasses (note: sarcasm) would work at a baseball game:

Several problems here. First of all, the Yankees don’t lose to the A’s. Second of all, Willie Randolph is at bat, a ball player  who hasn’t played in the Major Leagues in 2 decades. Perhaps that’s part of the strategy… you know, maybe they’ll think we drew this picture twenty years ago and grant us the patent.

Here’s another example from Microsoft used at a football game:

[0001] Fans of live sporting and artistic events have enjoyed various types of information which is provided on different displays to supplement the live event. This supplemental information is provided both when the user is in attendance at the event and when the user views the event on broadcast media. One example of this is the augmentation of football games to display a first down marker superimposed on a playing field in a broadcast television event, and the broadcast of replays both on broadcast television and large displays at the venue of the event.

Interesting indeed, but telling us how a developer might leverage the product to create an app for Project Glass doesn’t make it patentable. Especially considering that whole yellow first down line thing is already patented.

[Via WinSource, LaPresse (thanks Alexandre!)]


Google Android News Android Forums

Google Android News Android Forums


Littlest Pet Shop comes to Android thanks to Gameloft

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 01:25 PM PST

Gameloft has a new game out for folks who love cute, cuddly, adorable virtual pets with the release of Littlest Pet Shop. The Littlest Pet Shop toys are a popular item with the younger set where buyers try to collect a whole menagerie of animals. The actual toys do not have any “combat” or “game” system associated with them. They are only collectibles that kids can then play with using their imagination to guide them. Gameloft’s new title brings a little more structure as users can complete challenges, including simple things like caring for their pets, to unlock variations of the different animals. With 150 pets in the game and good attention to detail from Gameloft, the Littlest Pet Shop should keep little ones busy for some time.

Hit the break for some screenshots and a video as well as links to grab this free game.

littlest_pet_shop_01 littlest_pet_shop_02 littlest_pet_shop_03 littlest_pet_shop_04 littlest_pet_shop_05 littlest_pet_shop_06

Click here to view the embedded video.

QR Code generator
Google Play Download Link



N880E First ZTE Device To Receive Android 4.2 Update

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 11:54 AM PST

 

Chinese manufacturer ZTE has officially pushed its first Android 4.2 update– albeit to a device no one has really heard of outside of China at least. The lucky device receiving the update is the N880E, a mid-range device which was actually among the first devices to ship with not just Android 4.1, but a nearly stock build of Jelly Bean at that. So considering it runs on nearly a stock build of Android, ZTE probably didn’t need to do too much work in order to get the 4.2 update ready for the device. The update is rolling out as we speak, so most (if not all) owners should be getting a heavy dose of that Android 4.2 goodness before most other Android owners get a chance to enjoy it.

Yes— life is good for those of you who own the N880E smartphone. Hopefully it won’t be too long of a wait to see the same update for its other devices elsewhere in the world.

source: Android Central



Apple Getting In The Holiday Spirit By Requesting The Addition Of Additional Samsung Devices In Patent Lawsuit

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 11:21 AM PST

 

‘Tis the season to be grateful for all sorts of possibilities and Apple is grateful for the ability to file yet another patent dispute against you guessed it— Samsung. According to Foss Patents, Apple would like to add additional variations of popular Samsung devices including the Jelly Bean-powered Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Rugby Pro and Galaxy S III mini, to its ever-growing list of devices accused of patent infringement. The thought is that Apple didn’t want to stand idle and be passive because well… Samsung recently went on the offensive and naturally Apple isn’t used to being pushed around and all.

Of course the recent filing was done during holiday hours, so we’ll need to wait to wait and see what the courts decide to do with this recent turn of events. Nevertheless, this should make for an exciting holiday season for Judge Lucy Koh, right?

source: Foss Patents



Apple and HTC forced to show licensing agreement to Samsung’s legal team

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PST

Not too long ago, HTC and Apple reached a settlement to end their patent disputes. Rumors were that it was a little unfair, but either way Samsung saw it as an opportunity to help their legal case against Apple and requested the details of the agreement be released. Fortunately for Samsung, Judge Paul S. Grewal agreed to the request, despite being “more than a little skeptical.” Samsung is planning to use that licensing deal to counter Apple’s injunctions by saying that Apple is fine with getting paid for their IP and patents, as is the case with that massive billion dollar payout, and therefore issuing injunctions against Samsung devices is an unnecessary step.

Apple’s legal team had previously agreed to share the settlement, but left out the financial part of it. According to this ruling today, Apple will have to reveal that last part about the finances. Don’t hold your breath on seeing any details soon, though; it’s been labeled for “Attorneys-Eyes-Only,” which means only Samsung’s legal team gets to see it. Hopefully something leaks in the next few weeks before the December 6th trial, right?

source: The Verge



Samsung releases quad-core, dual screen flip phone designed for Jackie Chan

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 09:49 AM PST

 

Remember that ridiculously overpowered Samsung flip phone? It was released earlier today in conjunction with a big charity concert for the launch. Oh, and Jackie Chan was there, too. He got one of the brand new phones for free. Unfortunately, you almost have to be Jackie Chan to afford the phone, as it’s rumored to be priced between ¥18,000 ($2,900) and ¥20,000 ($3,210). For that hefty price tag, you get Android 4.0, dual-3.7-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED touchscreens, a quad-core Exynos 4412 processor with 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory and an 1850 mAh battery, plus the standard 8 megapixel rear camera and 1.9 megapixel front camera.

So who’s putting one of these on their Christmas list this year?

source: Engadget



Official photos of HTC Deluxe DLX show off three color options

Posted: 24 Nov 2012 06:28 AM PST

HTC’s yet to be released Deluxe DLX superphone (the international brother to Verizon’s new Droid DNA) spent some good time in front of the camera recently. These newer photos reveal that the 5-inch HD device will come in three color variations: white, black, and brown.

The specs on the Deluxe DLX are expected to be identical to the Droid DNA, including a true HD 5-inch (1920 x 1080) Super LCD 3 display at 440ppi, a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera with ImageSense, 2.1MP front facing camera with an 88 degree wide angle lens, 16GB of internal storage, 2020mAh battery, NFC, worldwide GSM capability, and Beats Audio.

The price and release date are still unknown, but the source of the images stated that we should expect more information on December 6th. With the holidays around the corner this could make the perfect gift for tech enthusiasts everywhere. Hit the break for more images.

If you were gonna pick up this phone, which color would you choose?

Soure: GSM Arena