Android Authority |
- Broadcom licenses ARM’s ARMv7 and ARMv8 architectures; Snapdragon killer?
- Sony Xperia Z 13-megapixel camera’s first sample photos emerge
- ZTE debuts ultra-thin Grand S with 5-inch FHD screen, quad-core Snapdragon CPU [Video]
- Polaroid M10 tablet launched with $229 price tag, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- Galaxy S3 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean CyanogenMod 10.1 Review [video]
- $999 Razer Edge gaming Windows 8 tablet announced, formerly known as Project Fiona
- Learn everything there is to learn about the Xperia Z/ZL from these 18 videos from Sony
- Acer Iconia B1-A71 pricing and release date for Europe official
- Corning video: see how Gorilla Glass 3 is made, and why it eventually breaks
- Google and Chelsea Improvement Co team up to bring free WiFi to New York Neighborhood
| Broadcom licenses ARM’s ARMv7 and ARMv8 architectures; Snapdragon killer? Posted: 09 Jan 2013 01:11 AM PST
If you’re a geek, then chances are you know that Samsung’s Galaxy S3 has four ARM Cortex A9 processors. The Tegra 4 that was announced earlier this week, it has four ARM Cortex A15 processors. This is how ARM makes money. They design processors that companies then license and shove inside their own chips. But there’s also something else ARM does that gets far less attention. Qualcomm’s latest chips use “Krait” cores. What exactly is a Krait? Qualcomm paid ARM for a license to the ARMv7 architecture so they could design their own processor that’s compatible with ARM code. Why would a company do that? Several reasons, the most important being optimizing a core for a specific usage scenario. Which brings us today’s news: Broadcom has announced that they’re going to pull a Qualcomm and license ARM’s ARMv7 and ARMv8 architectures so that they can make their own custom tailored cores. According to The Verge, the end goal is to make a chip that integrates Broadcom’s 4G LTE modems. What’s the difference between ARMv7 and ARMv8? Without getting into all the little details, the biggest change in that the newer version adds support for 64 bit. In plain English that means ARMv8 will let companies make phones that have 4 GB or more of RAM. That may sound crazy today, but then again if you told someone in 2008 about the Samsung Galaxy Note they would have laughed until their sides hurt. Now the big question, when will these chips hit the market? No dates were mentioned, but we have a rough feeling that this is going to take at least one year, realistically two. That sounds horrible if you’re the kind of person who buys a new phone every 6 to 12 months, but what Broadcom is doing here is very much a long term play. Don’t expect Qualcomm to stay on top forever. People are hungry for pole position, which means we’re going to see some competitive offerings from different players, and we absolutely love that there’s so much competition in this space! Related Posts |
| Sony Xperia Z 13-megapixel camera’s first sample photos emerge Posted: 09 Jan 2013 01:01 AM PST
A lot of people are therefore understandably eager to find out just how good it really is when it comes to taking photos. If you’re one of those people, well, today is your lucky day because the first set of Xperia Z sample photos — photos taken with its 13-megapixel camera — have been posted on the Internet.
The Xperia Z sample photos were taken by the gang at Engadget during a press briefing at CES 2013. The photos taken show nothing spectacular, but offer a glimpse at what the Xperia Z can do as far as suboptimal conditions and unglamorous subjects are concerned. Go ahead and have a gander at all these photos yourself via the source link posted below. Related Posts |
| ZTE debuts ultra-thin Grand S with 5-inch FHD screen, quad-core Snapdragon CPU [Video] Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:55 AM PST
The Grand S is ZTE’s very first smartphone equipped with a Full HD screen, meaning it offers users a native resolution of 1920×1080 pixels on the screen. This should allow effortless viewing of web sites in full screen mode. The official press release also touts the Grand S as the world’s thinnest 5-inch Full HD quad-core smartphones. And since it’s only 6.9mm thin, that’s pretty hard to contest. The ZTE Grand S boasts many top-of-the-line hardware features, such as the aforementioned quad-core processor, which is actually a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro running at 1.7GHz, 2GB RAM, and 16GB storage. It also has a 13-megapixel autofocus rear camera with flash and the ability to capture 1080p video, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for videoconferencing and self-shots, microSD card support and finally, 4G LTE network connectivity. When it comes to software, the ZTE Grand S will rely on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean as the default operating system. Like many other smartphones, it will run a custom skin on top of the stock Android UI, which is similar in appearance to HTC’s Sense UI. It would be a mistake for ZTE to not do a worldwide release for the Grand S, given its excellent hardware and software feature-set. The company plans on releasing it first in China, where it will be available for purchase online throughout Q1 2013. Check out the full press release below. Check out our hands-on video with the ZTE Grand S at CES 2013! ZTE Announces World Debut of the Thinnest 5.0 FHD Quad-core Smartphone Grand S at CES 2013 Introducing more High-end Smartphones with Power and Style in 2013 LAS VEGAS, N.V. – January 9, 2012 – From the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), ZTE Corporation ("ZTE") (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, today announced the world debut of the ZTE Grand S – 5.0 FHD LTE. As the flagship handset in ZTE's high-end Grand Series line of products, the ZTE Grand S is the company's first FHD smartphone and the world's thinnest within 5 inch FHD quad-core smartphones, enabled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated. Developed by ZTE, the ultrathin body and high definition display of the ZTE Grand S offer consumers the latest in style, quality and functionality. From the full-website display which enables optimal content browsing, to the 4G LTE high-speed network which powers a world-class multimedia experience, the ZTE Grand S offers cutting-edge features for even the most discerning smartphone user. The blazingly fast 4G LTE network allows for top-speed downloading and establishes the handset as a premier gaming and movie-viewing portal. Furthermore, the ZTE Grand S offers smartphone photography mavens advanced functions for more vivid self-photography and video calling effects. With face recognition, anti-shake and a panoramic camera, the ZTE Grand S truly presents a high-quality multimedia option for today's smartphone audience. The introduction of the ZTE Grand S completes the new Grand Series, which also includes the Grand Era and Grand X. In the series, the ZTE Grand X is for consumers with a passion for high tech, the ZTE Grand Era is for the most advanced smartphone user and the ZTE Grand S is the flagship handset offering the perfect combination of art and technology. The ZTE Grand S represents the company's latest entry in a new era of smartphone design, which will continue in 2013 with the introduction of additional high-end smartphones. "The ZTE Grand S gives our customers the latest in technology, functionality and style. We understand that today's consumers call for advanced features and state-of-the-art multimedia options in their handsets, and the ZTE Grand S confidently addresses those demands," said Mr. Kan Yulun, Corporate Vice President of ZTE Corporation and CTO of the ZTE Mobile Device Division. "It is fitting that we can announce the world debut of the ZTE Grand S at CES 2013, the world's largest annual innovation event." Key features of the ZTE Grand S include:
The ZTE Grand S was introduced at a special press event at the Las Vegas Convention Center and will remain on display at the ZTE booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #36612) throughout CES. The ZTE Grand S will be available for online purchase in China first in Q1 of 2013. Related Posts |
| Polaroid M10 tablet launched with $229 price tag, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Posted: 09 Jan 2013 12:52 AM PST
The Polaroid M10 tablet’s 10-inch screen has a native resolution of 1280×800 pixels. It uses an IPS panel on its display, so it should offer excellent viewing angles and color accuracy. Its other features include a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI-out, 16GB of storage, and microSD card support. It also seems to be rocking some kind of colorful new skin on top of the stock Android UI that’s similar to the Modern UI available on Windows 8. The best thing about the Polaroid M10 is its price tag. When it arrives some time in spring 2013, it’s going to cost only $229 a piece. While it’s somewhat inferior to something like the Google Nexus 10, it’s at least cheaper. So it just might be perfect model for those who are looking for a 10-inch Android tablet but are working with a tight budget. Related Posts |
| Galaxy S3 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean CyanogenMod 10.1 Review [video] Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:35 PM PST
Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is Google's latest Android version, but the updated Jelly Bean operating system is officially available only on Nexus devices, and there's no telling when some of the most popular Android devices out there will be updated to Android 4.2, Galaxy S3 included. Earlier today we heard that Haier wants to launch an Android 4.2 Smart TV later this year, and the TV maker could beat various Android OEMs when it comes to actually launching Android 4.2 devices. Getting back to the best sold Android handset to date, the Galaxy S3, we still don't have a roll out date for its Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update, so if you're not willing to wait anymore, there are definitely other avenues for you. We'll remind you that we don't encourage you to install custom software on your handsets, and that in case you go down that road, you'll be the only person responsible for whatever happens in the process. That said, we have a new video for you in which we take a look at the Galaxy S3 running the Android 4.2-based CyanogenMod 10.1 custom ROM. That's definitely one way to go to enjoy Google's latest mobile operating system on one of the most popular devices out there. Are you running CM 10.1 on the Galaxy S3 or are you waiting for the official firmware to come out? Related Posts |
| $999 Razer Edge gaming Windows 8 tablet announced, formerly known as Project Fiona Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:59 PM PST
Remember Project Fiona, that Razer-made tablet gaming / console we talked about in the not-so-distant past while looking at what tablets competitors are making? It looks like the project still exists, although now it's called the Razer Edge. And this time around we have updates specs for the gaming tablet, right alongside pricing details for the device. Razer's tablet will cost $999 – yes, that's not a typo – which makes it a lot more expensive than any tablet out there that's capable of offering access to lots of gaming action. Sure, the Edge is basically a console packed in a tablet and will be able to let you enjoy some console-grade PC titles on a tablet, but that's quite a price to pay for an entertainment device. In case you're wondering, the device will run Windows 8 so yes, it also acts as a PC. But just like other Windows 8 tablets, it's still very expensive.
The device will be available in two versions, Razer Edge (priced at $999) and Razer Edge Pro (priced at $1,299). Here are the main specs and features for each of them: Razer Edge
Razer Edge Pro
The Gamepad Controller will turn the tablet into a full mobile console and, as you can see, will only be bundled with the more expensive version. Other accessories include a Keyboard Dock, an extended battery and a Docking Station.
Described as a the first tablet in the world to be designed "for PC Gamers, by PC Gamers," this crowdsourced device is available now for purchase (both models). Will you buy one? RAZER™ LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST CROWDSOURCED GAMING TABLET LAS VEGAS (CES) – Jan. 8, 2013 – It’s a tablet. It’s a PC. It’s a console. It’s all of the above: a full-feature PC and the most powerful tablet in the world. What’s more, it has four modes specially designed for gamers and is able to run all PC games and applications. Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems, today announced it intends to send its highly-acclaimed Project Fiona PC gaming tablet concept into production and retail distribution this year as the “Razer Edge” in North America and Asia Pacific. The Razer Edge was introduced in January 2012 at CES as Project Fiona-the world’s first tablet designed for PC gamers by PC gamers-where it received CNET’s “Best of CES 2012″ People’s Voice Award, Stuff magazine’s “Hot Stuff” Award, IGN magazine’s “Best of CES” award and Laptop magazine’s “Best of CES award.” “When we decided to design a tablet from the ground up, we did it to create a phenomenal experience for mobile gamers. By combining the best of PC and console gaming with Windows 8, we’ve created a true gaming tablet,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. “Clearly, the critical acclaim and community support the Razer Edge has enjoyed suggests we hit the mark. Now, we get to celebrate the reality of what was formerly a dream with the audience for which this groundbreaking tablet was made.” The world’s first gaming tablet for PC gamers was also designed by PC gamers, as a massive crowdsourcing effort put into place by Razer targeted millions of gamers to determine final specifications for the Edge. Razer let its community (and the PC gaming community as a whole) decide the end-game chipset, weight/thickness, features and even price for the Edge, and hosted the initiative on its social media pages (Go to www.facebook.com/razer and www.twitter.com/cultofrazer for more information). PC gamers ended up helping to design the most powerful tablet in the world today, the only system of its kind utilizing technology from both Intel and NVIDIA. Powerful 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors will help ensure even the most advanced, full-fledged PC games will function at full capacity, and NVIDIA GeForce graphics will offer striking visual clarity-a first for tablet gaming and a godsend for the world’s 300 million-plus PC gamers. “Gamers are among the most demanding audience when it comes to processor performance. We’re happy to be working with Razer to satisfy those desires by helping build one of the most powerful tablets based on the 3rd gen Intel Core family of products,” said Brad Graff, Director of Customer Marketing, Mobile Communications Group at Intel. “The Razer Edge is a testament to what can be achieved with true innovation between industry-leading companies.” By way of a true Windows 8 operating system with Intel architecture, the broadest array of today’s most popular PC games will run natively on the Razer Edge without the need to be ported, optimized or developed anew. That functionality out-of-the-box is prevalent in any of the Razer Edge’s modes, as the tablet offers a myriad of form factors. It’s a tablet, it’s a PC, and it’s a console. The groundbreaking system will be available in two types: a standard Razer Edge and the Razer Edge Pro model. The base model is equipped with an Intel® Core™ i5 processor, NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU, 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 64 GB SSD. The Razer Edge Pro comes replete with an upgraded Intel® Core™ i7 processor, NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU, 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 128 GB or 256 GB SSD. Both models are available now, with the Razer Edge starting at $999. The Razer Edge Pro will additionally be offered in a bundle package with a Gamepad Controller in both the 128 GB and 256GB SSD model. Each model is available at a wide-range of retail outlets and online at www.razerzone.com, and includes a USB 3.0 port and supports Bluetooth 4.0. Four dedicated configurations offer maximum versatility for Razer Edge users: Tablet mode, Keyboard Dock mode, Gamepad Controller mode and Docking Station mode. Tablet mode avails the Razer Edge with multi-touch capabilities for full Windows 8 applications, movies and music playback, in a traditional tablet form factor. An optional Keyboard Dock gives the Razer Edge the laptop experience with a traditional keyboard and mouse, supporting a removable 40 Wh battery, so gamers can play their favorite keyboard and mouse reliant PC titles. An optional Gamepad Controller turns the Razer Edge into a mobile console, offering an immersive, portable gaming experience. A fully programmable dual controller interface with precise analog sticks is unique among all tablets, featuring the ability to play any PC game “out of the box,” along with immersive vibration-feedback, so players can “feel” every in-game explosion and recoil. An extended battery is able to connect with both the Keyboard Dock and Gamepad Controller, and doubles battery life for the Razer Edge. Finally, the Razer Edge can be docked in the Docking Station as part of home console mode, which serves as a full desktop and charging resource with three USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, mic-in and stereo-out. Hook-up the Razer Edge to the big screen with multiple gamepad controllers and Razer gear and tag team PC games with your friends for a complete home console experience. It’s the most versatile tablet on the planet. The Razer Edge tablet in its many forms is designed with ultra-precise accelerometers and a highly-sensitive, multi-touch screen. This provides game developers with fertile new ground for engineering game experiences around the hybrid control capabilities. It also ensures current-generation PC games and those optimized for touchscreens run on the tablet. Future games developed for the Razer Edge are expected to take advantage of the integrated gamepad and functionality controls for the touchscreen and accelerometer-based movements. Related Posts |
| Learn everything there is to learn about the Xperia Z/ZL from these 18 videos from Sony Posted: 08 Jan 2013 02:56 PM PST
Everybody loves videos, right? Ergo, you can’t go overboard and have too many videos about a single smartphone, right? This seems to be the thinking of Sony’s marketing team, which just opened the floodgates and published no fewer than 18 videos dedicated to the Xperia Z and its sibling, the Xperia ZL. The videos’ themes range from design, to the cameras, manufacturing process, and software. Really, if you are a fan of Sony or the Sony Xperia Z/ZL, you get everything you need to know about the smartphones, neatly cut down in bite-sized chunks for your viewing pleasure. We have our own hands-on videos with the Xperia Z and the Xperia ZL, that you should check if you want to see the devices in a more natural setting. Also, we have all the details on specs, features, pricing and availability right here. Enjoy your playlist! Xperia ZXperia ZLXperia Z and Xperia ZL Tech demoRelated Posts |
| Acer Iconia B1-A71 pricing and release date for Europe official Posted: 08 Jan 2013 02:22 PM PST
Acer unveiled yesterday at CES 2013 its very own 7-inch affordable Android tablet, the Acer Iconia B1-A71, a device that has appeared in various rumors in previous months. While yesterday we were not able to offer you actual pricing details and actual release dates to potential Iconia B1-A71 buyers, we now have more information on the matter. The tablet will cost €119 when it launches in mid-January in various regions including Europe, Middle East and Africa. Availability and prices for the U.S. markets are not clear at this point, with yesterday's press release revealing that the Iconia B1-A71 will cost “less than $150″ when it hit stores. The new Acer tablet will offer you a 7-inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution, 1.2GHz dual-core Mediatek processor, 8GB of storage and microSD support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera, 2710mAh battery and Android Jelly Bean. What do you think of its €119 price tag? Will you buy the tablet? Related Posts |
| Corning video: see how Gorilla Glass 3 is made, and why it eventually breaks Posted: 08 Jan 2013 02:21 PM PST Gorilla Glass is an amazing material, without which our beloved gadgets would look quite differently. We've shown you how Gorilla Glass is made in our recent How It Works, and we've also told you about the latest generation of the material, Gorilla Glass 3, which Corning has just introduced at CES 2013. For many, a picture is worth a thousand words, so a video should be even better at explaining the chemistry (or is it magic?) that Corning uses to make its fortified glass. The company has just released two interesting videos that demonstrate the amazing properties of Gorilla Glass 3. The first one shows a simulation of how Corning manufactures Gorilla Glass, including an animation that explains ion exchange, the crucial process that makes Gorilla so strong. Titled Why Glass Breaks, the video also touches on an aspect that has raised many a question over the years – why does Gorilla Glass sometimes cracks or shatters when exposed to seemingly weak shocks. The cause is the presence of invisible defects on the surface of the device, which can be harmless, but can also cause the glass to fail under the right conditions. The moral of the story? Don't keep your phone with your keys or other hard objects, because, even if you don't see scratches on the glass, its surface can suffer damage that can lead to cracks. Speaking of cracks and scratches, Corning is touting the resistance to scratching of Gorilla Glass 3. The new material is much stronger than common strengthened soda lime and an unspecified competitor (Dragontrail?). Gorilla Glass 2 scratches when a load of about 1.12lb/0.5kg is applied, while the new Gorilla Glass 3 withstands the test even when a 1.8lb/0.8kg load is applied. Related Posts |
| Google and Chelsea Improvement Co team up to bring free WiFi to New York Neighborhood Posted: 08 Jan 2013 02:00 PM PST
Google and the non-profit Chelsea Improvement Co are bringing the people of Chelsea free and public WiFi. The neighborhood is home to a Google campus as well as a number of other tech start ups, according to Reuters. There are also a number of college students. If you were waiting for a launch date, you’re a bit late as it already happened. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer were there to unveil the free public WiFi. In addition to being free, it is also the largest WiFi HotSpot in New York City. Does Google plan on expanding to other parts of New York?According to Reuters via a spokesman, they are not. Google is known for bringing free WiFi to cities where their campuses are. For instance, Mountain View, California has free WiFi via Google. Now Chelsea does too. However, the free WiFi goodness isn’t expected to spread any further than that. Of course, it isn’t feeding the homeless or stopping global warming, but it is a step toward a technology everyone should have by now. Plus, if you’re ever in Chelsea, you won’t have to huddle at a pretentious coffee shop to check your email. Should Google work harder to deliver free WiFi to more areas? Related Posts |
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