Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Will Samsung’s SM-C101 be a Camera sequel or a new Galaxy S4 Zoom smartphone?

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 02:43 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Camera front zoom flash

I'm sure that until now you've heard us on repeated occasions mentioning a rumored Samsung SM-C101 device. Samsung's upcoming creation is said to have a camera powerful enough to beat even Nokia’s camera phones, a medium size screen with modest resolutions and, most important, phone capabilities.

From how we see it, there are two possibilities for this unconfirmed device. First, we may see Samsung bringing to market yet another Galaxy S4 family member, this time called Zoom. The phone could have an impressive camera but modest specifications all-around. The other road leads to a Galaxy Camera sequel and towards the possibility of establishing a brand line, which may be updated on a yearly basis. But which one will it be?

A Zoom member of the Galaxy S4 family?

It all started with a report stating that the Korean manufacturer plans to release its very first camera phone. Right from the start, sources claimed the phone would pack an optical sensor with 16-megapixel resolution, just like the one found on the current Galaxy Camera model.

A few days later, a Russian website added a 10x optical zoom to the story, which would be quite an improvement compared with existing competitors. For instance, Nokia's bulky 808 PureView is only capable of 4x zoom at great qualities and it requires a Hubble-like accessory to reach higher standards.

On the other hand, the existing Galaxy Camera is quite a thick device that has a 21x optical zoom. But would offering half of that zooming performance mean that the phone should be rather bulky, as it would be packing a lot of lenses hidden under the hood? Fortunately, the source of the optical zoom rumors also noted the handset to be as thin as the Galaxy S4 Mini, thanks to new technology used by Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, another member of the proud family.

As far as specifications go, we have reasons to believe this would be a mid-ranged phone sporting a 1.6GHz dual-core CPU, Android Jelly Bean and 8GB of included storage upgradeable via micro-SD support. The Zoom should come with a sufficient 1900mAh battery, the usual connectivity options but no LTE support. All these sacrifices could have been made to accommodate a more advanced camera sensor on an affordable handset.

Several days after the rumored specs hit the web, a UA profile containing more details about the screen was leaked. Supposedly, the display will render content under a maximum 540 x 960 resolution with the help of a vague ARM11 CPU. Coincidence or not, this is the same resolution packed by the Galaxy S4 Mini which leads us to believe that the Zoom could also come with a 4.3-inch qHD screen and a mere 256 PPI pixel density.

Another confirmation of the Zoom name within the Galaxy S4 family surfaced two days ago on Samsung’s website, on a page detailing a VIP service for the Kazakhstan region. In addition to the Galaxy Note 3 and models of the third edition of the Tab family, the Galaxy S4 Zoom was also mentioned. An interesting point is that the SM-C101 model number was also spotted.

It could also be a Galaxy Camera

Until now we had no real reasons of believing that the Samsung SM-C101 may be the Galaxy Camera sequel. Even though the product arrived at FCC and a Samsung employee snatched a picture with it, there was no clear indication towards this possibility. Just pure speculation.

But just recently @evleaks, a regular source of leaks, referred to Samsung's future SM-C101 product as the "Galaxy Camera," see tweet above. Moreover, it once again added the previously mentioned 4.3-inch screen size and phone capabilities.

Why not both?

The last, and perhaps the most logical theory is for Samsung to actually release a Galaxy S4 Zoom smartphone with state-of-the-art optics in the following weeks, while delaying Camera's successor for a September IFA announcement in Berlin. We have reasons to believe that autumn may be a more profitable season for this kind of product, with the proximity of Black Friday and Holiday season in mind.

Furthermore, it may be too early for Samsung to launch a Galaxy Camera sequel ten months after its original release, considering the unit was not so successful.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

    


New Samsung Galaxy S4 TV ad “Swaddle Master”, the cutest thing you’ll watch today [video]

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 01:57 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S4 TV ad

The new Samsung Galaxy S4 TV ad called “Swaddle Master” has every chance of being the cutest video you’ll watch today.

This one doesn’t make fun of Apple, like the Pool Party one did, rather preferring to highlight some of the Galaxy S4′s features in a fun and cute way, which appeals even to iPhone users (as seen in a couple of comments on YouTube).

The new Samsung Galaxy S4 TV ad shows a young daddy that’s left alone at home with the baby while the wife is out running some errands. He’s doing his best to swaddle the baby, and wisely uses some of the Samsung Galaxy S4′s features in the process, starting with Air Gesture, which he uses to answer the phone.

Then, he uses S Voice to find the best swaddling technique video, and then Smart Pause to stop the video while actually performing the tasks described in it. Watch the video below to see what I mean.

Samsung deserves all the credit for the Galaxy S4 TV ad campaign, as it has managed to promote its flagship device in a fun way, that highlights its features in a manner that’s not at all too technical. That way, a larger number of potential buyers are reached. The strategy is obviously paying off, if you look at the sales figures the Korean giant has achieved.

What did you think of the new Samsung Galaxy S4 TV ad?

    


HTC One Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update apparently coming in mid-June [video]

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 01:26 AM PDT

HTC One

The HTC One Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update may be released soon, according to a tweet posted by a HTC Russia executive.

Andrey Kormiltsev said on Twitter that the update is planned for a mid-June launch, when it will be pushed out over-the-air (OTA). Other details have not revealed at this time.

While you wait for Android 4.2.2 to come out, you may want to check out the video below that shows us some of the new features coming to the One. Keep in mind though, that the device in the video runs an unofficial version of Android 4.2.2 with Sense 5 UI on top.

According to the clip, some of the new Android 4.2.2 features for the HTC One include setting up a battery percentage indicator in the status bar, fast access to quick settings, support for mapping the home key to the menu button (swiping up gets you to Google Now), Daydream, and updates to the app drawer and BlinkFeed.

A few days ago we've seen the first screenshots showing new Android 4.2.2 features running on the handset.

In case you don't want to wait a few more days to get the real deal, you can always go to xda-developers and obtain your Android 4.2.2 fix for the HTC One right away, although we'll advise caution when installing unofficial ROMs.

    


Roundup: Asus devices at Computex 2013 – what you need to know

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 01:15 AM PDT

Asus mobile
Now that the official Asus press conference for Computex 2013 has come and gone, it’s time to check out the highlights. This of course means looking at the latest batch of Android-powered products that will soon hit the market courtesy of Taiwan-based Asus itself.

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

Asus Transformer Pad infinity
Asus kicked off its Computex press conference by introducing the Transformer Pad Infinity. It’s a refresh of the original Pad Infinity which was launched some time last year, and it claims the title for the world’s first tablet rocking the NVIDIA Tegra 4 SoC.

As a refresh of an old model, the new Transformer Pad Infinity offers improved features such as a built-in 2560×1600 IPS touchscreen display, support for 2GB of RAM and up to 32GB internal storage, plus the ability to output 4K signal through its built-in HDMI port. It even has dual cameras — a 5-megapixel camera sits at the back, while a 1.2-megapixel camera remains up front.

The new Transformer Pad Infinity is also more than just a tablet since it can be used with an external keyboard dock. This effectively transforms it into a long-lasting notebook that runs on the latest version of the Android operating system. An Asus spokesperson says it will be released some time in the fall of this year with a sub-$400 price tag ($500 with the bundled keyboard).

Asus FonePad Note

Asus FonePad note
Among a swath of new tablets, Asus also announced the 6-inch FonePad Note, which as its name suggests is the latest entrant in the market of oversized smartphones a.k.a. phablets (spawned by the legendary Samsung Galaxy Note).

The FonePad Note is powered by an Intel Atom Z2560 processor that runs at a clock speed of 1.6GHz. Its other highlight features include 2GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear camera, built-in front-facing stereo speakers, and support for a bundled stylus.

Of course, we can’t talk about this kind of mobile device without mentioning the kind of screen that it uses. It comes with a 6-inch Full HD (1920×1080 pixels) Super IPS+ touchscreen display. That should be enough to give quote-unquote phablets from other companies a run for their money.

Asus MeMo Pad HD 7 and MeMo Pad FHD 10


Next, there’s the MeMo Pad HD 7, a new Asus-branded answer to the famously affordable Google Nexus 7. It won’t blow you away with incredible high-end specs but it will still catch your attention with something else: its affordable retail price.

The Asus MeMo Pad HD 7 comes with a 7-inch display that features a native resolution of 1280×800 pixels, a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 1.2-megapixel front camera, Sonic Master audio tech, and is pre-loaded with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

It will be available with either 8GB or 16GB of internal storage space for $129 and $149, respectively.

Similar to the MeMo Pad HD 7 is the Asus MeMo Pad FHD 10, with the biggest difference being that the former carries a 7-inch screen while the latter has a 10-inch one. Its 10-inch display has a native resolution of 1920×1200 pixels and it is powered by the same Intel chip found in the above-mentioned Asus FonePad Note.

Like its 7-inch counterpart, the MeMo Pad FHD 10 will come with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean pre-installed, as well as other hardware features which include a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 1.2-megapixel front camera, and Sonic Master audio tech. It will be sold with either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage.

Asus Transformer Book Trio


Last but not the least, we saw the official announcement of the Asus Transformer Book Trio. It’s a tablet-notebook hybrid that comes pre-loaded with not just the latest version of Android, but the latest version of the Windows operating system as well. It is billed as “the world’s first three-in-one notebook, tablet, and desktop PC” which is quite fitting considering it has the ability to run Windows 8, a full desktop OS.

With the kind of silicon it has inside it, the Transformer Book Trio might as well be a desktop indeed. To run Jelly Bean, it uses an Intel Atom Z2580 processor, while an Intel Core-i7 4500U chip is used to handle Windows. And since it only has an 11.6-inch Full HD screen, it probably won’t have any problems taking care of the graphics part of the equation at all.

There’s no word yet on when it might become available for sale (and at what price), but the current info points to a Q3 2013 release.

Which of the new Asus devices do you find most exciting? Are you looking forward to getting your own hands on any or all of them? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

    


Toshiba Excite Pro, Excite Write and Excite Pure tablets official, include Tegra CPUs and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Posted: 04 Jun 2013 12:47 AM PDT

Toshiba Excite Pro

Toshiba Excite Pro

Toshiba has unveiled no less than three new Android tablets, all powered by Tegra processors and running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

These are the Excite Pro, Excite Write and Excite Pure, and we're going to show you what each of them has to offer.

Toshiba Excite Pro

The Toshiba Excite Pro comes with a 10.1-inch PixelPure display that offers 2560 x 1600 resolution (300 pixels per inch or ppi), NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, microSD support, 8-megapixel camera, Harman Kardon speakers, DTS Premium Voice Pro audio processing technology, micro HDMI, micro USB and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Toshiba Excite Write

The Toshiba Excite Write features a 10.1-inch PixelPure display with 2560 x 1600 resolution (300 ppi), Gorilla Glass 2 technology, NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, microSD support, 8-megapixel camera, Harman Kardon speakers, DTS Premium Voice Pro audio processing technology, micro HDMI, micro USB and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Toshiba Excite Write

Toshiba Excite Write

A Toshiba TruPen with the appropriate TruNote application are also included, as it looks like the company is targeting a certain segment of the tablet-buying crowd with this device.

Toshiba Excite Pure

Finally, the Toshiba Excite Pure is the last device in the family, and from the start we're going to tell you this one is made for tablet buyers shopping on a budget.

Toshiba Excite Pure

Toshiba Excite Pure

The device will feature a 10.1-inch AutoBrite display with 1280 x 800 resolution, NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, microSD support, 3-megapixel camera, stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, micro HDMI, micro USB and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Pricing and release dates

The tablets will launch on June 25 on ToshibaDirect.com. The devices will hit "major retailers and e-tailers" in the U.S. starting with early July.

Toshiba Excite Pro Toshiba Excite Pro Toshiba Excite Pro Toshiba Excite Pro Toshiba Excite Pro Toshiba Excite Write Toshiba Excite Write Toshiba Excite Write Toshiba Excite Write Toshiba Excite Write Toshiba Excite Pure Toshiba Excite Pure Toshiba Excite Pure Toshiba Excite Pure Toshiba Excite Pure

The Excite Pro, Excite Write and Excite Pure are priced at $499.99, $599.99 and $299.99, respectively. It’s worth pointing out that these are Wi-Fi-only devices, and we have no idea whether 3G/4G models will be released later down the road.

TOSHIBA REFRESHES EXCITE TABLETS – UNLEASHES NEW DISPLAY, PEN AND PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIES

Newest Android Tablet Features Include 10.1-inch PixelPure Super High-resolution Display, Digitizer Technology and the Latest Processors From NVIDIA. With Three All-new Models, Excite Tablet Family Offers Something for Everyone and Prices Starting at $299

IRVINE, Calif. – June 3, 2013 – Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today introduced three new devices in its Excite™ family of Android tablets – the Excite Pro, Excite Write and Excite Pure. Outfitted with the latest tablet technologies, including a 2560 x 1600 PixelPure™ display, NVIDIA® Tegra™ 4 processor1 and premium Harman Kardon® speakers, Excite Pro and Write models introduce new entertainment and productivity possibilities to Toshiba’s tablet category, while Pure delivers essential performance and features at a lower price point. The Excite Write also comes equipped with a touchscreen digitizer for precision pen and handwriting. All three models are powered by Android™ 4.2, Jelly Bean, ensuring consumers can take advantage of the latest Android features right out of the box.

“With more and more consumers adopting tablets as their go-to devices for entertainment and travel, we wanted to push the boundaries even further and equip our new Excite tablets with the technology and features needed to maximize the potential of these devices,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “By focusing on boosting the capabilities of the screen – from increasing the resolution to adding a digitizer option – we’re also evolving the way consumers can use these devices from consumption to creation.” Pixel Perfection for the Eyes, Sublime Sound for the Ears

Excite Pro and Excite Write models are the first Toshiba tablets to feature a 2560 x 1600 native screen resolution, currently the highest in the tablet market. Pushing an astounding 4 million pixels (300 pixels per inch), images, video and text come alive across the 10.1-inch PixelPure display2 with stunning color and razor-sharp clarity, making it an ideal choice for entertainment-lovers, photo enthusiasts and image-quality seekers.

Proving that sound quality doesn’t have to be sacrificed on a tablet device, Excite Pro and Write models utilize Harman Kardon stereo speakers, making them the first tablets to feature speakers from a premium audio brand. Enhanced with DTS® Premium Voice Pro audio processing technology, the audio experience on these two devices is hallmarked by more natural sound with enhanced bass, audio leveling and more clarity for VoIP web chats.

A “Tru” Boost in Productivity

Outfitted with a digitizer display and precision TruPen featuring 1024 pressure points, Excite Write delivers greater productivity possibilities by bringing a ‘pen and paper’ experience to the tablet screen. Most ideal for students, as well as mobile and creative professionals, Write models offer the precision and performance needed for note-taking and sketching. Loaded with Toshiba’s own TruNote application providing a fun and easy way to store, organize, navigate and edit their notes, as well as a full version of 2

ThinkFree Office Mobile for Android, Write users can easily create and edit documents with greater creativity and accuracy. Productivity capabilities are enhanced further with TruCapture, a Toshiba-developed application that quickly and easily captures whiteboard content using the tablet’s built-in camera and converts the snapshot for easier integration into presentations and documents.

Blazing Performance for Browsing, Games and Entertainment

All three Excite models are equipped with the processing power of NVIDIA Tegra. Pro and Write models are among the first to feature the NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, delivering greater power and efficiency, along with new camera capabilities. Equipped with an 8MP F2.2 camera, Pro and Write models achieve robust photo-taking capabilities by enabling high-dynamic range (HDR) and panorama effects, in addition to steadier shooting with enhanced image stabilization.

For consumers on a budget, Excite Pure delivers the robust performance of the NVIDIA Tegra 3 mobile processor, delivering more price-performance value along with plenty of capability for multi-tasking, gaming and more.

“NVIDIA Tegra processors bring an unmatched multimedia experience to the new Excite tablets from Toshiba, one of the world’s most popular computing brands,” said Matt Wuebbling, director of product marketing for the Mobile business at NVIDIA. “With Tegra, the Excite family features incredibly fast web browsing and new productivity and creativity tools that professionals and consumers will both enjoy.”

Optional Keyboard Cover

Toshiba now offers a protective 2-in-1 keyboard cover that fits all the new Excite tablets. Featuring a raised tile Bluetooth® keyboard and magnetized notch that allows the tablet to easily prop up the tablet screen, the keyboard delivers a convenient way to maximize the capabilities of the tablet at home or on the go.

Models, Pricing and Availability

Excite Pure pricing starts at $299.99 MSRP3. Key specs include a 10.1-inch AutoBrite™ display (1280 x 800), NVIDIA Tegra 3 mobile processor, Android 4.2, Jelly Bean, 1GB DDR3 memory4, 16GB internal storage5, a 3MP rear camera, stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, and built-in Micro HDMI®, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

Excite Pro is priced at $499.99 MSRP. Key specs include a 10.1-inch PixelPure display (2560 x 1600), NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, Android 4.2, Jelly Bean, 2GB DDR3, 32GB internal storage, an 8MP rear camera, Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, and built-in Micro HDMI, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

Excite Write is priced at $599.99 MSRP. Key specs include a 10.1-inch PixelPure digitizer display (2560 x 1600) featuring Corning Gorilla Glass 2, pressure sensitive Toshiba TruPen and TruNote application, NVIDIA Tegra 4 mobile processor, Android 4.2, Jelly Bean, 2GB DDR3 memory, 32GB internal storage, an 8MP rear camera, Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS Premium Voice Pro, and built-in Micro HDMI, Micro USB ports and a Micro SD slot.

All three tablet models will be available beginning on June 25, 2013 and can be purchased directly from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com or from major retailers and e-tailers nationwide beginning in early July.

Image Gallery: http://bit.ly/ExciteJune2013.

    


Rumor: HTC T6, One mini (M4), Butterfly S, Desire 600 and 200 set to launch in 2H13

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 11:55 PM PDT

HTC Logo

HTC is going to unveil a variety of new Android-based devices in the second half of the year, a new report says.

According to DigiTimes, the Taiwanese company will be quite busy in the following months, with several smartphones scheduled to be released starting with June. Mind you, this is just a rumor at this point, and we have no actual confirmation that most of these devices exist – the HTC Desire 600 has already been launched though.

That said, we're looking at plenty of handsets that have appeared in a variety of rumors so far, including the HTC T6, the HTC One mini (also known as M4), the HTC Butterfly S, and the HTC Desire 200.

The HTC T6 is expected to be a Galaxy Note 3 competitor according to previous reports. The publication also says we're looking at a 5.9-inch device with Full HD resolution that will also make use of a 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU. The smartphone could come with a metal chassis supplied by Taiwan's Catcher Technology and China's BYD.

The HTC One mini is also said to pack a similar metal chassis coming from the same suppliers. Additionally, the handset would sport a 4.3-inch display with 720p resolution, a dual-core processor and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean under the hood. According to sources, the device would enter volume production in July.

We have no details on the HTC Butterfly S, but we'd assume the device would be a successor to last year's Butterfly (Droid DNA) model. As for the Desire 600 and Desire 200, we expect these devices to target specific customers that are either looking for a dual-SIM Android device or for a entry-level handset, respectively.

Interestingly, an Android tablet made by HTC is not mentioned in this particular rumor.

We'll be back with more details about these five handsets as soon as we have them. But it already looks like HTC is going to have plenty on its plate in the second half of the year, assuming this report is accurate.

    


HTC Butterfly and One mini will have Ultrapixel cameras!

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 04:39 PM PDT

HTC One and One mini

Do you love Ultrapixels? HTC thinks you do, and they're giving you more of it.

The upcoming Butterfly and One mini are both set to have Ultrapixel cameras. That's about where the similarities, end, so we'll start with the One mini.

The mini, which is clearly a Galaxy S4 mini competitor, has a 4.3" screen displaying in 720p, but keep many of the same specs as the HTC One. It will reportedly have a 1,700mAh battery, and 16GB of storage.

The Butterfly, however, is more like a beefed up One. While no reliable specs are available, it is said to have a larger battery, Micro SD slot, and updated Snapdragon processor. Expect the phone later this month.

Does all this mean the HTC One is dead in the water? Not at all. With an upcoming Nexus experience device, and these two new phones designed and built from its architecture, the One is HTC's new blueprint device. The Taiwanese company seems to be riding the wave of admiration and attention the device is getting, and is set to release two color variants – blue and red – sometime this summer.

Do either of these devices interest you? How do you think the One mini will fare against the S4 mini? Let us know in the comments section!

    


The pros and cons of manufacturing smartphones in the U.S.

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 04:13 PM PDT

Foxconn factory assembly line, China.

Credit: AP- Kin Cheung

At last week's AllThingsD conference, CEO of Motorola Dennis Woodward announced the company's intention to begin assembling smartphones in the United States. Some components would still be manufactured overseas, granted, but the sheer size of Motorola's planned operation – utilization of a 500,000-square-foot plant and employment of about 2,000 people – show a meaningful commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing. The company's move comes at an interesting time: Apple CEO Tim Cook recently committed to domestic assembly of iMacs, and Google experimented with U.S.-based manufacturing just last year.

It's no secret that manufacturing in the U.S. has been on the decline for several decades. Industry Week reports that, over the past 13 years, 3.5 percent of factories closed each quarter while 2.9 percent opened. A number of prominent companies have closed their U.S. plants, some as recently as this year. Just today, the Institute for Supply Managements Index of Purchasing, an important measure of manufacturing activity in the United States, declined below 50, signaling contraction.

What can consumer electronics companies like Motorola hope to accomplish in such a tough climate? Some point to the automobile industry as an example of offshore manufacturing which brought profitably back to U.S. shores, but that kind of comparison might not be fair. Consumer electronic company executives cite lack of flexibility and skills as reasons device manufacturing remains almost exclusive to Asia. Cost remains a concern for some, as well: according to one estimate, Apple would have to increase the price of a 64gb iPad to nearly $1,200 if it moved assembly to the U.S. and wished to retain the same profit margin.

Motorola X Phone

Credit: Bloomberg

There is something to be said for United States manufacturing, though. One key benefit is proximity. An executive for ET Water Systems, a California company that recently moved a majority of operations from China to the U.S., said in an interview with the New York Times that real-time collaboration is helpful when developing products. Supervision of the prototyping process is infinitely easier when it requires a short car trip rather than flights to China, he said. A recent development may make the U.S. more attractive than Asian countries for manufacturing, too. Somewhat surprisingly, the cost of Chinese fabrication is growing less competitive as energy and labor costs continue to rise.

Logistics are complicated, more so where shareholders are involved. Companies always strive to maximize profitability, which can be difficult in the hardware business. Even corporate behemoths like Google have tried and failed to sustain assembly programs in the U.S. What hope does Motorola have, then, of making the Fort Worth, Texas plant profitable? Apple's supposedly seen success with the latest U.S.-built iMac, and some companies have shown confidence in domestic manufacturing. If assembly costs are kept low and Motorola's products prove successful, the company's grand experiment may just become an industry-wide trend.

    


Gmail updated to version 4.5

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 04:01 PM PDT

gmail

Since I/O, Google has been updating quite a few of their mobile apps. A few design tweaks have been made, like removing the bottom bar in favor of two separate top menus. We told you about a Gmail update before, and we're glad to see it's finally happening.

This update, which brings the app in line with a few other Google-y apps, is just as nice. It follows the design cues of Play Music or Drive, with the top left menu housing your accounts and labels. The right side menu will continue to be your action and settings menu, with the "Search" and "New" buttons staying put.

Like the desktop version, Gmail for Android gets the organizational luxury of “categories”. Those tabs are meant to filter email messages into a type of sub-folder system, rather than clutter your inbox. While they're currently static (Social, Promotions, Updates, Forums, and Primary), we hope for customization in a future update.

The tablet UI is the same, though the left menu remains on the screen. You can get it on the Play Store, but don't hold your breath. Google plans on rolling the update out incrementally, and there are plenty of users to get through.

    


What does mobile gaming mean for the future of PC and console gaming?

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 02:56 PM PDT

galaxy s4 vs optimus g pro aa g pro display gaming

Not too long ago, mobile games were minor distractions with awful graphics and meaningless gameplay. While this still is true for some titles, many mobile developers have begun pushing the envelope further, breaking new ground and showing just how beautiful and entertaining mobile games can be.

That’s why it isn’t surprising to see many tech journalists and gaming experts ask questions like "will mobile gaming to do consoles what consoles did to PC gaming?" It’s a fair question.

In the winter of 1993 I first laid my eyes on what – at the time – I considered the most beautiful video game I had ever seen, Myst for the Macintosh. Back then, I was in elementary school and didn’t fully understand that the game wasn’t true 3D, all I remember thinking was that my Super Nintendo sure as hell couldn’t pull off that kind of visual quality.

Fast-forwarding to a decade later, console and PC games were much closer together in terms of graphics and online capabilities. Sure, the PC provided a superior experience in just about every way (and still does), but for many gamers, the convenience and lower prices associated with a console outweighed the benefits of building a gaming rig.

Today, PC gaming is still an important part of gaming culture. There are gamers that will never touch a console and will stick fiercely by the PC. Nonetheless, it is hard to deny the impact that console gaming has had on PC gaming in recent times.

Not only are some PC games "held back" graphically because they are under-optimized ports originally made for the console, but even traditional PC control mechanics (like point and click PC games) have become less common as controller-style gameplay has risen to dominance.

The same kind of changes seem likely for consoles and PCs as the mobile gaming industry grows.

How mobile gaming has already affected console and PC gaming

I’ve heard talk about how mobile gaming will affect the future of console and PC gaming many times before, but the truth is that it has already begun to impact PC and console gaming.

Windows 8 is choke-full of mobile-style games for the new Modern UI. Many popular mobile games are also available right from your browser as a PC game. We are even seeing some of these mobile titles make their way over to online stores for consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360. Many times these titles, such as Angry Birds, aren’t much different from the mobile versions, in a similar way that some PC ports aren’t much different from the console versions.

And then there are "freemium" titles. In the mobile gaming world, many folks like the idea of free games. While many of us truly hate games that rely heavily on in-app purchases, they have quickly become commonplace in the mobile world – but what about on the console and PC?

Most console games still stick to traditional methods of paying "full cost" upfront, but titles like Dust 541 break from that tradition, instead offering a free game experience that has micro-transactions that allow gamers to buy currency that can help them buy special items in the game. There are also quite a few PC games that utilize the freemium model.

Last but not least, let’s not forget about the Nintendo Wii U, which is obviously influenced by the growth of mobile gaming and the usage of touchscreens.

Of course freemium (shareware?) games and casual games existed long before the mobile gaming era really took off, but it’s hard to deny the impact that mobile devices have had in the acceptance and growth of freemium and casual games.

Nvidia Shield Hands On 1600 aa

Game-changing developments: game streaming & Android micro-consoles

Mobile gaming might already be mainstream, but I believe we are still in the very early stages of a mobile gaming revolution.

The next step forward could be found in devices like the Ouya, Gamestick and Gamepop. These so-called micro-consoles use the power of Android and a library of mobile games. They are aimed at casual gamers, families, open-source junkies and folks that simply can’t afford to pay the higher prices associated with console hardware and games.

At the moment, systems like the Ouya are far from comparable to today’s gaming consoles, not just graphically but also in terms of game quality. Give it a few years though and we could be looking at a very different scene.

This is especially true as technologies like OnLive (game streaming) continue to evolve.

If you haven’t used OnLive before, it works reasonably well with a fast connection– though it has some flaws like occasional lag that hold it back from being truly exceptional. But technology changes quickly and the combination of improved Internet connections, faster servers and better streaming delivery systems could mean that in a few years you could have a game streamed to your mobile phone, tablet or micro-console that is every bit as advanced and functional as you’d find on your console or even PC.

Additionally, devices like the Tegra 4-powered Nvidia Shield offer an interesting look at what could be the future of handheld gaming. The Shield offers beautiful graphics, the power of Android and a 5-inch display. Additionally there is functionality baked-in that allows the streaming of PC games over to the device, providing deeper gaming experiences than currently found on Android.

Who’s going to care, and who isn’t?

Mobile gaming will NOT replace PC or console gaming. Despite what some “analysts” say, PC and console gaming aren’t dead, dying or in any major trouble.

It’s hard to say if mobile gaming will even overtake console gaming in market dominance in the foreseeable future, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a close second. Its biggest potential audience likely will be families and casual gamers. The reason for this is that these audiences don’t tend to care about graphics or even features.

The Wii sold like gang-busters and yet had an inferior online, social gaming and graphics experience. All you need is hype, affordability and a few quality titles to win over these type of gamers. This means that Sony and Microsoft might not need to worry much, but Nintendo should think long and hard about their strategy going forward.

In the end, so-called "hardcore" gamers won’t easily toss aside their traditional home consoles or custom gaming rigs in favor of a mobile gaming device, micro-console or game streaming services. That’s not the point though.

PC gamers still exist despite the dominance of console gaming. The same could soon be said for console gaming, it will still be around — but it won’t necessarily be the primary gateway to the world of gaming. That also means that we might see console and PC gaming ‘evolve’ in a way that reflects popular trends in the mobile gaming world. Just like PC gaming has (arguably) changed due to console gaming.

Could I be wrong? Of course. My crystal ball doesn’t always get it right, after all. What do you think, how might mobile games affect the future of PC and console gaming? Conversely, do you feel it won’t directly affect the PC/console gaming scene any more than it already has?

    


It’s official! HTC One coming to Verizon this summer

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 10:51 AM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 vs htc one one in hand aa

The HTC One isn’t just another flagship phone, it represents the last bastion of hope for a company that wishes to rebuild its lost empire. So far the HTC has certainly provided a much-needed boost to HTC’s reputation thanks to its sexy, well-built design. Unfortunately, it has also yet to launch on America’s biggest cellular network. All of that changes this summer, as Verizon Wireless has finally confirmed the HTC One is in fact coming.

verizon-tweet-htc-one

So what exactly do we know about the Big Red’s version of the HTC One? Almost nothing other than it is coming "later this summer" (hopefully no later than July?). It seems that the HTC One will be spared from Verizon’s "Droid branding" treatment, but we really can’t say for sure what software changes, color choices, branding or design changes might be coming to the handset.

Pricing also remains a mystery, but if we had to take a stab at it, $199 with contract would sound about right – but keep in mind that’s just a guesstimate at best.

Now the big question is whether or not the Verizon HTC One is too late to the party to make any real difference for HTC or Verizon. After all, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is now available and rumors of an HTC Droid DNA 2 (possibly the HTC T6?) could detract interest from the Verizon HTC One.

Still, the HTC One is a sexy handset with great specs and a smaller screen size that might prove attractive to Verizon users looking for a powerful handset that doesn’t follow the 5-inch+ screen trend.

What do you think, are you interested in picking up Verizon’s HTC One when it arrives later this summer?

    


Android accounts for 52% of U.S. smartphone sales in April; iOS and Windows Phone growing

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 10:26 AM PDT

Android logo green robot 7 1600 aa

Interested to know how the big mobile operating systems rivals have been stacking up against each other so far this year? Kantar Worldpanel has you covered, as it has conducted some insightful research into the U.S. market share of each operating system.

Our favourite mobile operating system grabbed an impressive 51.7% of all U.S. smartphone sales in the three-month period from the beginning of February to the end of April, securing the top spot. Apple followed closely in second place with a 41.4% share, and Microsoft's Windows operating system came in third with a much less impressive 5.6% share.

Disappointingly for RIM, the company dropped from a 5.3% share over the same period in 2012 to just 0.7% of the local market this year, performing almost as badly as Nokia's aging Symbian OS. The Blackberry Z10 doesn’t appear to have revived the company’s fortunes, and you’d probably be forgiven for suggesting that the company is pretty much down and out.

kantar market share april 2013

Interestingly though, it looks like Android's growth in the U.S. could be starting to slow, as both iOS and Windows Phone grew at a faster rate over the year. Google's mobile operating system pulled off a decent 1.4% increase over the previous year, but Windows grabbed an extra 1.8% of the market, whilst iOS managed a superior 2.3% growth year over year.

The research conducted by Kantar suggests that Nokia's Lumia handsets were big winners for Windows Phone. According to the findings, around 23% of new Windows Phone users have come from Android, which is sure to be a bit of a worrying sign for Google. Even so, Windows is still quite far behind Android and iOS, so the platform will have to further improve on this short term success if it wants to become a serious contender for Google and Apple.

Kantar also looked at U.S. carriers, confirming Verizon’s and AT&T's positions as the dominant market leaders. There has been a couple of percentage point shifts between some of the top carriers over the past 12 months, but the companies have pretty much maintained their shares. T-Mobile’s numbers seems to have changed the most, dropping 3.5% and falling to fourth place compared with the same period in 2012.

    


Final Fantasy IV now available in Google Play Store (video)

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 09:48 AM PDT

final fantasy IV android

The Final Fantasy IV Android game is now available in the Google Play Store, and it’s not one of the cheaper Android games out there.

Square Enix, the developer of the game, must have been happy with the success of the Final Fantasy III Android game, which must be the reason why it chose to put the same $15.99 price tag on Final Fantasy IV.

The game is hailed by the developers as a “complete 3D remake” of the game, initially launched in 1991, and also features voice acting for important scenes. The game also has selectable levels of difficulty and a new mapping feature, with the dungeons map empty, for added mystery.

If you’ll like the soundtrack of the game, the good news is that now you have a jukebox feature at your disposal, which allows you to listen to the tracks in it whenever you want.

The game runs on Android 2.3.3 and up, so having an older device won’t stand in the way of your playing it. Initial reactions from those having downloaded and played it seem to be good, as the game has averaged a 3.9 score on the Google Play Store (with 22 reviews at the time this article is written). However, there are some reviews complaining about Final Fantasy IV not working on rooted devices, which is something you should consider before shelling out $15.99.

If you want to get an idea about the new (or old) title, Square Enix provides a short trailer video, which you can watch below.

It would seem that those of you missing a classic game have every chance of playing it on Android eventually, as a whole series of such titles have made their way onto our favorite platform lately.

Are you a Final Fantasy fan? Will you buy Final Fantasy IV for Android?

    


MSI introduces three tablets, all very Apple-esque

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 09:43 AM PDT

MSI Primo 81We haven't heard about MSI in a while, since January to be more precise when the Taiwan-based company brought the low-price Enjoy 71 tablet to market. At this year’s Computex event, MSI introduced several tablets under the Primo brand. One of them,  the Primo 81 has an interesting concept in mind; elegantly bringing Apple iPad Mini’s elements to the Android world.

If we wouldn't know better we would go even in saying that MSI is trying to make a full-state copy of Apple's popular tablet. The story continues with two other devices, the Primo 73 and 93, with the latter being sold in the same segment as the Apple iPad.

Starting with the most intrusive, the Primo 81 comes with a 7.85-inch IPS display that's capable of 1,024 x 768 resolutions (which is HD), fabricated by LG. The same specs, with the same performance, can be found on the original iPad Mini. Even the viewing angles are exactly the same.

iPad Mini vs Primo 81

When it comes to sizes and design, the Primo 81 is around 7.8mm thick and comes with a matte finish and a modest build quality. The slate has a rectangular form with rounded corners and a front side with thick bezels.

On the back side we've spotted a camera (specs unknown), and a wide range of connectivity ports; HDMI, miniUSB and of course, the casual 3.5mm audio jack. We can also observe a rather large speaker in the bottom-left corner, as well as how much the Prim 81 mimics iPad Mini's protective shell.

On the inside, Primo 81 comes with a quad-core Allwinner A315 processor, 1 GB of RAM and a sturdy 3,500 mAh battery. All these elements should power Android 4.2 Jelly Bean just fine. Unfortunately, we won't see it in the United States.

MSI Primo 73

Primo 73 (displayed above) was another product introduced by MSI today, and the 7-inch screen with 1024 x 600 resolution is surely destined for emerging markets. We managed to get a peek of its form, and judging by the first impression, Primo 73 has a slightly more polished design and a better build concept than it’s lineup mates.

The software will be powered by a SoC AllWinner A20 chip, formed by a dual-core ARM Cortex A7 processor, working in tandem with an ARM Mali 400 GPU. Those are then combined with 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal storage and of course, the popular microSD memory slot.

MSI Primo 93

The last member of the crew is Primo 93, which aims to hunt down the iPad 4 using a 9.7-inch display with HD resolutions (1024×768). Besides a microSD port, a stylish volume button and a rather interesting design, this slate has a rubber side finish.

Specs wise, the Primo 93 packs the same Allwinner A315 quad-core processor and Android 4.2. There will be 16 GB of internal storage and 1 GB of RAM. As batteries go, MSI announced a 6800 mAH battery which should be sufficient for 3G and GPS capabilities. As far as we know, there is no LTE support.

There were no release date or pricing details disclosed.

    


Acer’s new Orbe is a 2TB cloud storage curiosity

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 09:29 AM PDT

Acer Orbe

At Computex 2013, Acer unveiled to us a very odd looking device. Named "Orbe", it is meant as the data hub for the AcerCloud service. The device has 2TB of storage, and will work with any device running Acer's cloud storage app or software.

If you're wondering how the device is different from other cloud storage options, like Drive or Dropbox, the answer is fairly simple. Local file hosting, coupled with the app, creates a peer-to-peer connection with your device. With traditional cloud storage options, our connection is with the server. Essentially, you're acting as your own cloud storage provider with a device like Orbe.

What's important to ask is whether or not you care. Cloud storage is very secure, and options like Drive allow you to edit and create documents. By using that system, we gain functionality beyond simple file storage. With Orbe, we simply get file hosting. There are workarounds for editing and file creation, but none as seamless as something like Drive. It also is subject to your data plan and configurations, while Google has a 99.9% up-time. Again, comparing it directly to drive, your only true benefit is amount of storage.

If you're curious why the device is so odd looking, we have no answer. Perhaps Acer was trying to mimic a cloud. It's clever, but silly, and not really necessary. If you are really wary of cloud storage, but like the idea, this is a device you should consider. No specs or pricing have been announced yet, but we'll let you know when they are.

    


Canada adopts $50/month data overage cap, is immediately dubbed ‘genius’.

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 08:41 AM PDT

Canada adopts $50/month data overage cap

If you've ever looked at your monthly cellphone bill and wondered where those extra charges came from, you're not alone. Maybe it was going over your SMS limit, or call minutes. Increasingly, the culprit is data. As our mobile devices get more data hungry, and mobile providers offer less of that precious cell sustenance, we've got to throttle ourselves.

In Canada, there is new wireless code, issued by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, allowing customers to have a $50/month overage limit. That would stem the threat of a massive cell phone bill, but the new code doesn't stop there. The full breadth of changes afforded to customers are:

  • Terminate their wireless contracts after two years without cancellation fees, even if they have signed on for a longer term
  • Cap extra data charges at $50/month and international data roaming charges at $100/month to prevent bill shock
  • Have their cellphones unlocked after 90 days, or immediately if they paid for the device in full
  • Return their cellphones, within 15 days and specific usage limits, if they are unhappy with their service
  • Accept or decline changes to the key terms of a fixed-term contract (i.e., 2-year), and
  • Receive a contract that is easy to read and understand.

Canadian customers are, unfortunately, still routinely saddled with three-year contracts. The ability to terminate freely after two years, or return a device within 15 days, brings them more in line with our methodology, which we'd be smart to reciprocate. The language about easy to read contracts is nice (though I still suggest prepaid), and the data caps are a stroke of genius. Let's hope to see these two things adopted by US carriers, but not hold our breath for it.

    


Twitter’s Vine for Android now officially available in the Play Store

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 08:31 AM PDT

  Vine for Android

Twitter's short video sharing Vine app is no longer an iOS exclusive, as the Vine for Android app is now available in the Google Play Store.

In case you don't know what Vine is, you'll have to know the app lets users record and share videos that aren't longer than six seconds. That's pretty much all you need to know about it before you start using it.

As the company explains it, Vine for Android is not perfectly in sync with Vine for iOS when it comes to features, but the Android app "has many of the features that more than 13 million people have grown to love.”

Here's what's currently included in the current version of the app:

  • "easy video creation" – automatic playback and sound
  • support for unlimited free uploads
  • Explore – discover popular posts and trends
  • Find Friends – find and invite people to join

In the near future, the app will get various updates that will bring new features to the Android app including front-facing camera support, hashtags, mentions, search support and Facebook integration.

Vine for Android

In order to play with Vine, you need Android 4.0 or later running on your device and at least 18MB of available storage. The application is available as a free download from the Play Store.

Have you started recording and sharing your Vine videos?

    


Cheap quad-core tablets heading our way, as MediaTek launches its new chip

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 08:09 AM PDT

MediaTek chip

MediaTek has released a new quad-core processor, named the MT8125, which will be targeted for use in tablets. Compared with other big chip manufactures such as Samsung, Nvidia, or Qualcomm, MediaTek processors tend to be cheaper, meaning that we might soon see a few more reasonably priced quad-core tablets and smartphones.

The new processor is built from four in-order ARM Cortex A7 cores, meaning that it's not going to be an absolute powerhouse when it comes to processing capabilities. The MT8125 will instead be an energy efficient solution that still has enough juice to power through the most commonly used applications.

The processor will be clocked at an acceptable 1.5 GHz, making it a faster chip than other cheap A7 based quad-cores, and the SoC will also come packing a multi-core PowerVR 5XT series graphics chip, so it won't be a slouch when it comes to media either. Speaking of media features, the processor comes with Full HD video playback and recording compatibility, support for up to 13-megapixel cameras, and is compatible with Full HD displays, making it suitable for not just budget tablets.

As for other features, the MT8125 also includes MediaTek’s 4-in-1 connectivity combo, which packs Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and FM radio into a single integrated package. Another selling point for tablet and handset designers is that the chip will come in three network varieties, HSPA+, 2G EDGE, and Wi-Fi only versions, which are all pin-to-pin compatible, meaning that designers can easily interchange the chips without having to alter any other components. That way manufacturers can offer consumers a wider choice of products without incurring any additional costs.

In the near future, we could see a few more cheap quad-core tablets on the market powered by this MediaTek chip. And if there's one thing we need more of, it's affordable quad-core tablets.

    


Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini uses Snapdragon 400 chip, the company confirms

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 06:56 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S4 mini

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini will be using the Snapdragon 400 chip, the company has confirmed recently.

The official announcement for the smartphone mentioned a 1.7GHz dual-core CPU, but didn’t give any other specific details. Not that the type of CPU didn’t appear in benchmarks of the device, even before it was officially announced.

Well, Samsung has decided to make everything crystal clear, and gave Phone Arena details about the CPU the phone is using.

Two Snapdragon 400 chips are being used for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, depending on whether the respective device is the 4G LTE or 3G variant of the device. The 4G LTE version uses the MSM8930AP, while the 3G one has the MSM8230AP Pro in it, and both versions use Adreno 305 graphics.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini also has a 4.3-inch qHD display (960 x 540 pixels resolution), 1.5GB of RAM, 8GB of internal memory, and runs Android 4.2.2 with Samsung’s own TouchWiz interface on top.

It also has an 8-megapixel main camera, as well as a 1.9-megapixel front-facing shooter. Some versions of the phone will offer NFC and dual SIM support. The battery of the device is a 1900mAh one.

Do you plan on purchasing the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini?

    


Vodafone to launch its 4G services in the UK before the end of the summer

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 06:30 AM PDT

vodafone logo Credit: JonOakley/Flickr

4G is slowly coming online in the UK. Currently EE is the only network offering consumers a 4G service, but Vodafone is setting up to be the next big carrier to offer the faster service to its consumers. Earlier today Vodafone announced that it will be rolling out its own 4G high speed network by late summer.

Vodafone is increasing its infrastructure spending by 50% this year in preparation for the launch, bringing spending up to more than £900 million this year, or £2.5 million every day if you prefer. After all, the company has a large network to maintain and upgrading its services is an expensive venture, especially as it wants to make sure that its network covers 98% of the UK population.

We're still waiting on pricing information for Vodafone's 4G packages, but if the company follows in the footsteps of its rival carrier EE, then prices could be a bit more expensive than the current offerings.

Eventually both O2 and Three will roll-out their own 4G networks, which should both come online before the end of the year. This will hopefully help bring the prices down for everyone, especially as Three has announced that it won’t charge a premium for its 4G customers.

    


Future Intel Pentium and Celeron chips coming to Android

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 06:21 AM PDT

intel.1

Intel was initially absent from the market boom that was smartphones and tablets. The company has long been playing catch-up to ARM in terms of mobile market share, and its Atom line-up of processors simply hasn’t cut it, compared with the more energy efficient designs of its competitors.

However, more recently Intel has been making some waves, indicating that it's keen to finally play its hand in the mobile market with its new line of Silvermont processors. We've also heard that a range of cheap, $200 Android powered netbooks will be heading our way at some point later this year. But exactly what sort of products is Intel planning to bring to the Android market?

Those familiar with what's inside their desktop computers will probably have heard of the old Pentium and Celeron processor tags, the Pentium ranges making up the high end chips, whilst Celeron tends to be more budget-oriented. According to CNET, Intel’s new line-up of Silvermont processors will also be branded in these two categories, which for a start means that Pentium brand chips will be available for Android, and secondly, that their performance is now comparable with Intel's current line-up of mainstream chips. This is a significant step up from the notoriously slow current range of Atom mobile processors which lag far behind their Pentium counterparts.

However, these names will most likely be reserved for more costly laptops parts. Future Intel tablets will probably just keep the Baytrail/Silvermont name.

Intel Silvermont vs Saltwell performance

Intel is promising significant performance improvements in its next-gen processors compared with its current Saltwell cores.

This has a particularly interesting implication for Android, as it means that we could see a broad range of laptops made available, from budget to more performance orientated models. Also, what could this mean for the PC market? If Android is making the move into the laptop space, it's surely likely that we'll also see Android supported on traditional PC hardware as well.

Speaking of PC type hardware, high performance versions of Silvermont will also ship with common PC features like PCI expansion and SATA support, allowing for a greater range of supported hardware, such as sound cards or more powerful graphics processors.

Worryingly for Microsoft, this announcement sees Android poised to push Windows almost completely out of the mobile market. With a cheap price point and comparable hardware, I don't see why consumers who are becoming increasingly familiar with Android, through smartphones and tablets, wouldn't also make the switch over to Android on their laptops.

    


Samsung SM-C101 (Galaxy S4 Zoom?) arrives at the FCC

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 04:39 AM PDT

galaxy-camera-

We first heard of the Samsung SM-C101 back in May, when rumors classified this smartphone as a proud member of the Galaxy S4 family with impressive camera capabilities. Also known as Zoom, the handset should be an interesting sequel of the Galaxy Camera, but one with conversations skills. The same model number has been spotted passing through the FCC.

While the documentation contains sparse details, we've managed to find out that the Samsung SM-C101 will come with quad-band GSM and HSPA+ support (compatible with AT&T's network), NFC, Wi-Fi (working with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands) and Bluetooth 4.0 LE. Unfortunately, there is no mention of a 4G LTE antenna.

Furthermore, no details of an advanced camera sensor or other technical specifications have been included.

In our previous unofficial encounters with the SM-C101 we've seen plenty of speculation regarding this mystery device. According to some reports, the Galaxy S4 Zoom includes a 16-megapixel camera with 10X optical zoom. Someone reportedly snatched a picture with the device and posted it online.

galaxy-s4-zoom-sm-c101-fcc-1

The phone should bear the forms of the Galaxy S4 combined with some elements of the Galaxy Camera. After several images and other details about Samsung Active, (a rugged version of the well-known flagship) were leaked, we have high hopes of seeing Zoom get through – even though it may dilute the popularity of the brand.

Hardware wise, the Jelly Bean-running Galaxy S4 Zoom should come with a 1.6GHz dual-core processor of unknown origins, 8GB of built-in storage with the possibility of expanding storage via a microSD slot. Its screen should be no larger than 4.3-inches, with a modest resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. Add to these a rather small battery of just 1900mAh shows us Samsung's possible intentions of aiming the handset towards a mid-ranged market. Hopefully, it will have an adequate price.

    


Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and 10.1 officially introduced

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 04:18 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and 10.1 have finally been officially introduced, after being rumored for some time.

They’re joining the 7-inch version, also recently announced, to form the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 family. Thus, almost all of the rumors which were floating around about these devices were confirmed.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.o, images of which had leaked recently, comes with an 8-inch WXGA TFT display at a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels (189 PPI) and uses a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 1.5GB of RAM memory. Internal memory is 16 or 32GB, but you can use a microSD card to add to it.

The new member of the Galaxy Tab 3 range has that slim bezel everyone was admiring in the leaked images and the device also includes a 5-megapixel main camera, as well as a 1.3-megapixel front camera.

It wouldn’t have been a Samsung device without some Samsung-exclusive services and apps. Reading Mode is included, helping you enjoy your books on the tablet, promising a similar feeling to reading on printed paper.

For better enjoyment of videos and music, Samsung has included Sound Alive for Audio and Dolby Surround for Video Play. The S Translator feature is also present on board, along with S Travel, which provides you with local information when traveling. Group Play, another feature that Samsung has promoted extensively in relation to the Samsung Galaxy S4, is also available on the tablet.

The tablet runs Android 4.2 out of the box.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1

The rumors about Samsung using an Intel CPU in the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 have proved to be true, as the device does pack an Intel processor, according to Reuters (just like the new Asus MeMo Pad FHD 10 does). Samsung’s press release only mentions that it’s a dual-core chip running at 1.6GHz. The 10.1-inch tablet also has 1GB of RAM and 16 or 32GB of internal memory.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1

The 10.1-inch display is a WXGA TFT one, with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and a pixel density of 149 PPI, with the tablet running Android 4.2, like its smaller brother. The main camera is a 3-megapixel one, with the front one at 1.3-megapixels.

Samsung features are not lacking here either, and that’s why you should know that you’ll be able to use the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 together with your TV. Smart Remote is one of the features on offer, and so is the MHL link for TV Out.

Samsung says that both tablets will be available globally at the beginning of June, but no pricing has been revealed yet.

Which one of the two tablets are you looking forward to?

    


ARM launches new Cortex-A12 processor with new Mali-T622 GPU and Mali-V500 video processing

Posted: 03 Jun 2013 02:59 AM PDT

Cortex-A12-645pxARM has released details of its new Cortex-A12 processor which is designed to be a successor to the very popular Cortex-A9. Aimed at the mid-range smartphone and tablet markets, the A12 is 40 percent faster than the A9 and can be used in a big.LITTLE implementation. The new Mali-T622 GPU is OpenGL ES 3.0 compliant but yet has a 50 percent greater energy-efficiency compared to the first-generation of Mali-T600 GPUs.

According to projections made by ARM and Gartner, 580 million mid-range smartphones and tablets will be sold in 2015. In preparation for this ARM has updated its mid-range offering and replaced the Cortex-A9 with the Cortex-A12. On top of the performance and energy improvements the A12 adds hardware support for OS virtualization and can address up to 1 Terabyte of physical memory. The A12 can also be used in a big.LITTLE configuration bringing the advantages of that architecture to the mid-range.

Technical bits

This is what the specification of the Cortex-A12 look like on paper:

  • ARMv7-A Cortex Architecture
  • Multicore 1-4X SMP within a single processor cluster
  • Multiple coherent processor clusters through AMBA® 4 technology
  • TrustZone® security technology
  • NEON™ Advanced SIMD
  • DSP & SIMD extensions
  • VFPv4 Floating point
  • Hardware virtualization support
  • Large Physical Address Extensions (LPAE)

TrustZone is a security related technology that is used in a range of applications including digital rights management and electronic payments. The NEON instructions are used to accelerate multimedia program such as video decoding and speech processing, while the DSP & SIMD extensions increase the DSP processing capability of the CPU and are used for things like Voice over IP (VOIP) as well as in video & audio codecs.

Because the Cortex-A12 uses the same ARMv7A architecture as the Cortex-A9 it is fully software compatible with the other Cortex processors and will support Android, Linux and even Windows right out of the box.

Mobile users expect a range of devices at different price points and for a mid-range mobile experience to include some high end mobile features.
Ian Drew, an EVP of ARM

big.LITTLE

There has been lots of discussion about the big.LITTLE architecture along with some recent worries about Samsung’s current implementation in the Exynos Octa 5. However it looks like big.LITTLE is here to stay as ARM has added the ability to use the Cortex-A12 in a big.LITTLE setup along with the Cortex-A7, effectively taking the place of the more expensive and power hungry Cortex-A15. This means that we will see more big.LITTLE implementations on mid-range SoCs in the future.

GPU and video processing

ARM has improved the GPU in the Cortex-A12. The new Mali-T622 is smaller and brings 50% energy efficiency improvements over the original Mali-T604. It also supports Renderscript Compute, OpenGL ES 3.0, DirectX 11 and OpenCL 1.1.  The new design can be used in a dual core configuration and can handle 4x Full Scene Anti-Aliasing (FSAA) with a minimal performance drop.

New to the Cortex-A12 is the addition of a dedicated video processing unit. The Mali-V500 is a multicore video solution and by adding it ARM have reduced the system bandwidth requirements by more than 50 percent when compared to the current solutions. It can  handle encoding and decoding video at 1080p/60 with a single core and when scaled to a multiple core solution, it can support ultra-high definition 4K at an amazing 120 frames per second.

In the server room

Many of the features found in the new Cortex-A12 won’t be used in smartphones but are aimed at the server room. With operating systems like Linux running comfortably on ARM and with the chips low energy consumption, the new A12 could be a good choice for data centers and server rooms. Now with added support for Hardware Virtualization the Cortex-A12 can be used in environments that need virtual machine hypervisors. Combined with LPAE the processor can access up to 1TB of memory. Although these features also exist in the Cortex-A15, it is interesting to see ARM include them in a mid-range processor, clearly it is thinking about low priced, energy efficient server solutions.

Conclusion

The Cortex-A9 was announced in 2007 and has served the mobile device market well, but things move fast in technology and it was time the architecture was updated. Its replacement, the A12, is faster, more energy efficient and adds a whole range of new features like  big.LITTLE, virtualization and LPAE. If the history of the A9 is anything to go by, the A12 should be with us for the next five years or more. If you buy a mid-range Android smartphone in 2014 it could well be powered by this design.

    


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