Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Should cellphone makers and carriers impose more stringent anti-theft measures?

Posted: 06 May 2013 10:16 PM PDT

Samsung GS4 vs iPhone 5
Cellphone theft is on the rise. According to information first published in a recent story on The New York Times, in places such as Washington and San Francisco in the U.S., over 40% of all robberies last year involved a cellphone. And in New York, 14% of all crimes equated to the theft of iPhones and iPads. To make a long story short, cellphone theft has now become a much bigger problem than ever before. Is it time for the carriers as well as the cellphone makers themselves to impose more stringent anti-theft measures through technology?

San Francisco district attorney George Gascón seems to thinks so. A little over a month ago, Gascón held a conference call with some of the largest carriers and their lobbyists in the U.S in order to discuss the need for better technological solutions to the issue of cellphone theft. He also reportedly met with an Apple executive named Michael Foulkes to talk about how Apple could improve its anti-theft technology. He’s pushing hard but so far, his efforts have been unsuccessful.

In a recent story on Time online, Gascón lamented that carriers “refused to even entertain the idea of a technological solution” to the problem. He then went on to accuse the carriers of being “motivated by profit and not social responsibility.” Whether that is true or not, he does have a point: it’s time to do something about the growing problem of cellphone theft. But is it really up to the carriers and cellphone makers? What can they really do about it?

A quick look at current solutions

Believe it or not, anti-theft solutions for cellphones do exist, and some of them have been around for quite a long time now. They exist in the form of apps, web services, and soon-to-be-implemented software features that work up to a certain point, but just haven’t been able to thwart cellphone theft completely.

F-Secure Anti-theft
F-Secure’s Anti-Theft mobile app offers a quick and easy way to protect not only your mobile devices but also your data, and the best thing about it is that it’s available for free.

It’s the same thing with the Comodo Anti-theft Free app for Android, which we already told you about a while back. There’s really no shortage of working — and free — anti-theft apps for mobile devices. But still, the government, and San Francisco D.A. George Gascón in particular, wants to see carriers and cellphone makers work together for a full-blown kill switch to be implemented. Is it really possible?

A hard lesson in not buying a cellphone

Some years ago, I inadvertently found out the answer to that question. Times were simpler back then, and when you said “top-of-the-line smartphone” everyone automatically assumed you were talking about a Nokia. The Nokia Nseries phones were new, and everybody wanted one. I knew I did, and so I jumped at the first chance of getting one that I got.

Nokia N70
Here’s what happened. I saw an online marketplace listing for a “broken” Nokia N70 that couldn’t connect to any mobile networks at all and instead showed an error message on the screen. It was the exact same error message that appeared if you used an “expired” or a non-working SIM card though, so I figured that maybe the seller just didn’t know about that.

I offered to get the Nokia N70 from the seller in exchange for a mint condition iPod nano (2nd gen), thinking that I would be able to make the N70 work. The seller agreed to my offer, and so I got a phone-less high-end smartphone in exchange for a used music player. I thought it was a steal. I had no idea…

In the end, I failed in making the N70 work as a phone again, and not only that, but when I brought it in to get checked at a local carrier’s satellite office, it was confiscated from me. Apparently, it had been reported as stolen, so they had to take it from me and there was nothing I could do about it.

I may or may not have cried.

The kill switch at work

I’m not really sure what happened back there. One possibility is that the person who sold the N70 to me knew perfectly well that it was never going to work because it was a stolen unit. Perhaps its unique identifying IMEI number was blacklisted by the local authorities and that’s why it couldn’t connect to any of the available mobile networks anymore. Maybe it got returned to its rightful owner after it was confiscated from me. Maybe not.

In any case, the incident proves that, at least in the case of carrier-tied handsets, it’s possible to implement a “kill switch” type solution to render a phone unusable (as a phone) after it has been reported as stolen. That sounds like a really good idea until you realize that somehow, it could also be used against you.

Imagine buying a cellphone or a tablet from someone and then finding out a week later that it can’t connect to your mobile network anymore. And then when you take it to your carrier’s nearest satellite office in order to get it checked, you are told that it has been reported as stolen. Imagine a store manager telling you that they have to take the device from you and that you have to leave immediately or else they are going to call the police. This is one of the many possible scenarios that you may find yourself in once the plan to implement this so-called kill switch for mobile devices gets fully deployed.

Search for alternatives

The fact of the matter is, there are many ways through which the power to use a kill switch may be abused. Besides which, there’s really no way to easily implement the use of such. Stolen phones change hands too quickly. And making it illegal to modify IMEI numbers in an effort to prevent theft would be just as effective as making it illegal for people to murder with guns.

A better solution may yet be found if legislators would perhaps look beyond the cellphone makers and the carriers, and try to fix what’s causing cellphone thefts to occur in the first place. Many bright minds are already working on some possible solutions, but an ultimate kill switch may not be one of them.

    

What is Google planning with Chrome?

Posted: 06 May 2013 02:23 PM PDT

Google Chrome

Chances are, you're reading this article on a Chrome browser. There's also a good (but not equally so) chance you're reading this on a Chromebook. With the Chrome browser teetering on taking the browser throne outright, and Chromebooks gaining in popularity daily, it's time we take a look at what's happening with Google's baby. There is a lot going on with Chrome, as always, and I/O may give us a glimpse into what's next.

The OS

Chrome OS is many things, and next to nothing, all at once. As it only operates on Chromebooks, and the perhaps forgotten Chromebox, it's proprietary to Google-blessed equipment. That equipment is meant to take full advantage of Chrome OS, and keep the operation of it dead simple and speedy.

The idea is also really simple: we use the web quite a bit, and do so much in it, so why not have a device that gets you straight there? While that seems limited to some, the days of changes are afoot. Google is set to change things up quite a bit, and some clues are right in our faces.

As much as there is changing, we're wise to remember one crucial aspect of Chrome: it's not open. The Chromium build, which Chrome is based on, is absolutely free and open… but Chrome OS, as it stands, is not. There is no way to simply load Chrome OS onto a device, like you can Ubuntu or another Linux distro.

To summarize, when we look at the operating system that is Chrome, we have a polished, proprietary system that has a wide open future, yet remains closed a bit. In more ways than Chrome OS, Google has the advantage here.

chrome

The browser

The browser many consider to be the best is perhaps Google's most penetrating product. Free to download, and free to use, it is available on any platform, at any time. It has the benefit of syncing to other iterations of Chrome (like on your Android device), making it a true cross-platform champion.

Secure from the ground up, Google understands the pitfalls of navigating the Internet. Sandboxing is not only safe for the browser, it's safe for your machine. Getting over the wall that is your browser window is difficult at best, making us feel comfortable. As the operating system is based on this browser, both are secure.

In another stroke of genius, Google makes much of the apps available on Chrome OS useful in the browser as well. It may not be the exact method of accessing the app as the OS, but the browser has the capability. When considered flatly, the browser is a trojan horse for Chrome, mimicking the OS on any device.

When we look at the browser, Google has a slightly altered, but eerily similar, version of the operating system. It can be used on any machine, meaning it not only is a cross platform champion, it's a cross OS champion as well. This, above all, earns Chrome usership dividends.

Chromebook-PIxel-logo-AA

"Just an internet machine"

That's the knock on Chromebooks, isn't it? As much as I'm on record as loving my Chromebook Pixel, that complaint holds merit. The device does access the browser for nearly everything, but the damning of it for doing so is short-sighted. That becomes evident more and more every day, and is about to get kicked in the teeth.

Another knock is that software can't be loaded locally on a Chromebook. With packaged apps, that complaint begins to decay. Packaged apps will be loaded locally, and act like standalone software apps. They will not open in a browser, or be dependant on a web connection. Rather than take Chrome OS backwards to allow software to be loaded, Google has taken operating systems to the next level by utilizing local apps based on web technology. Developers just need to follow suit.

The web

Even with packaged apps, we've still got at a shift toward cloud solutions. Even as Chrome begins to mature into a very real standalone OS, the push toward web apps is still very present. It may seem a conflicted gameplan, but it's not. In fact, it makes perfect sense, considering the larger picture.

We recently saw a great push toward HTML5, which made some of us wonder just what was going on. HTML5 is fast becoming standard, which is good for everyone involved. Developers have a very universal language to write for, and that language is perfect for the future. It supports mobile well, and has CSS capabilities which make building awesome looking stuff quicker and easier than ever before. It reduces time spent programming, meaning developers have more freedom to build awesome stuff, and more of it.

With new operating systems like Firefox making exclusive use of web apps, it will be important moving forward. Packaged apps can easily support web apps, and vice versa, so we now have offline capabilities (of sorts) for web apps.

Chromebook Pixel keyboard AA

For What's Next

That was the tagline for the Pixel, but it didn't tell us much. If we look at what is going on now with development, we begin to see very distinctly what is happening. That change we spoke of earlier is coming quickly.

Like much of what Google is doing, the virtual keyboard is for the future. Currently being developed for Chrome OS, we wonder why Google would make something like that when only one device in the Chrome family is touch capable. Perhaps they're readying a line of tablets, or perhaps it's for another solution.

Recently, Intel said there would be a line of $200 Android computers that would sport detachable keyboards, much like the Transformer series for Asus. There is also news noting that Intel's Haswell processors will be running Chromebooks in the near future. Those virtual keyboards are almost certainly for a portable computing solution, which is good news for mobile productivity.

Chrome OS is best used as a means to a productive end. You can do things with Chrome apps you can't do on an Android app counterpart, which makes it a true enterprise solution. Given an option between a keyboard or not has a much further reaching impact to business than a traditional Chromebook. Coupled with packaged apps, the sky’s the limit for Chrome OS and business.

Chromebook Pixel Hinge AA

Conclusion

Chrome is, perhaps, the most versatile weapon Google has. Android has a monstrous market share, and plenty of OS's or skins based on it, but Chrome has a different type of reach. Android can't readily enter into the desktop realm, and it most certainly doesn't offer the type of productivity Chrome does.

With the sheer amount of sessions Chrome has at I/O, it's clear that Chrome is the new focus for Google. Everything from mobile HTML to gaming is being discussed for Chrome, so the time is right for Chrome to move into a leadership position. If that sounds far-fetched, it shouldn't be. Chrome has already started leading the way, we just have to acknowledge it.

 

    

Can Acer sell 10 million tablets this year?

Posted: 06 May 2013 01:44 PM PDT

 

Pictured above: the Acer Iconia B1

Pictured above: the Acer Iconia B1

Selling 10 million tablets is a lofty ambition. When you're Acer, it's especially far fetched. They've set a high benchmark for themselves, and made their intentions quite public.

With their updated Iconia line, they've got an outside chance at achieving that McDonald's-esque "10 million sold" moniker. Acer has already sold 1.5 million Iconia B1 tablets, and at $150 it's no surprise. That tablet is also set for an upgrade this summer, with Acer planning to sell an additional 1.5 million at that time.

Acer is also planning to ship 5 million units of their Iconia A1, an 8-inch tablet they recently announced. Starting at around $200, it hits that sweet-spot for tablet pricing. They've also announced a 10-inch Iconia A3 to round out their lineup. That tablet will ship this summer, presumably around the same time as the B1 redesign. No price has been announced, but Acer wants to ship about 2 million of those, bringing us to that lofty benchmark of 10 million.

If it seems unlikely that Acer can do it, that's because it is. With ASUS leading the Android tablet push, and stiff competition from Amazon (and of course Apple), selling so many devices is a hurdle we're doubtful they can clear. With news that the Nook has not only ingrained Play Store support, but lowered the price for a limited time, things are looking increasingly difficult for Acer. We hope they do it, and will celebrate them if they do, but we're not going to hold our breathe.

 

    

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. Galaxy Note 2

Posted: 06 May 2013 12:58 PM PDT

samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-note-2

People like what they like. Yeah, that’s something that people (and writers, who don’t count as real people) say, but it also happens to be true. Case in point: the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Remember all your friends who liked the original Note? Yeah, neither does anybody else.

But, as things often do, it took off. It didn’t only take off, but quickly became one of the most popular phones among tech enthusiasts. Why? Well probably because it was big and did an awful lot of stuff.

The Samsung Galaxy S4, on the other hand, is small and does a lot of stuff. As tiny a difference as that may seem, it’s an important one. It’s the difference between people reading this article who may buy one and, well, anyone else who may buy one.

samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-note-2-3

The question remains: which is the better choice? As the opening may have implied, this is a far easier question to ask than it is to answer.

In a hurry? Check out our video review or jump to the conclusion.

Specs

While both devices have the same amount of RAM and the same options when it comes to the internal storage, the story changes once you look at the processors. While the quad-core 1.6 GHz Exynos in the Note 2 is no slouch, both variants of the S4 have a faster chipset, whether you’re looking at the Snapdragon 600 or the Octa-core Exynos.

As we’ll see in just a bit, the performance proves that the specs in the Samsung Galaxy S4 simply can’t be beat by the Galaxy Note 2.

Build Quality & Design

If you look past all the possible jokes (especially the ones about an unnamed person who may or may not have “said” something at some point), it’s fairly easy to see that size doesn’t matter. The S4 and Note 2 both share a striking amount of physical similarities. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but neither is it a point in favor of either phone.

samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-note-2-7

Which phone you prefer is going to have a lot to do with how you plan to use it. The Galaxy Note 2′s larger size makes it more difficult to use one-handed, though there are benefits as well, like the aforementioned larger size. On the other hand, users who prefer a smaller form factor are definitely going to prefer the Galaxy S4.

Display

Based on specs alone, it’s easy to just simply hand this category to the Galaxy S4. The 1080p resolution and 4.99-inch display size leave you with a pixel density of 468 ppi. When you compare that to the Galaxy Note 2′s 5.5-inch 720p display with a pixel density of around 267 ppi, it’s even more impressive. If you like your display sharp as a knife, the Galaxy S4 is hard to beat.

samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-note-2-6

The one thing certain people may prefer about the Galaxy Note 2 is the sheer size of the screen, especially if you plan to often be looking at it from a few feet away. At this distance, any lack of sharpness due to the 720p display is no longer noticeable, but the larger image certainly is.

Performance

To get a solid metric of performance, we ran our usual tests, starting with AnTuTu Benchmark. We ran the benchmark 10 times on each phone and averaged the results, ending up with a final score of around 24,500 for the Galaxy S4 and around 17,500 for the Galaxy Note 2. Note that the chipset in the Galaxy S4 we used was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600.

samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-note-2-4

Next we ran Epic Citadel. Having seen decent results in the past on phones with 720p displays, we thought this might be closer than the AnTuTu results, but that wasn’t the case. Running Epic Citadel a few times in High Quality mode, we saw around 58 frames per second from the Galaxy S4, while the Note 2 seemed to struggle, producing only around 45 frames per second.

In day to day use, the performance differences are much more difficult to notice. Both phones were very responsive, though some of the animations used by the Galaxy S4 made it feel slower than it actually is at times. Still, if you want the best performing phone, your best bet is the Galaxy S4.

Software

Both phones run Jelly Bean, albeit different versions. At the time of this writing, the Galaxy S4 runs Android 4.2.2, while the Galaxy Note 2 runs Android 4.1.2. While this gives the Galaxy S4 a slight advantage in the features department, the differences aren’t all that noticeable.

samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-note-2-5

What is noticeable is all the software that has been added to the Galaxy S4. While we’ve already covered a lot of this when we explained the features, it’s worth a quick mention. Air View and Air Gesture add S Pen-like functionality without using the S-Pen, and Smart Scroll allows you to scroll using your eyes (even if I personally found it to be problematic). S Health is a fitness app that does everything from counting calories to measuring how far you walk in a day.

The Note 2 doesn’t have any of that, and to certain people, that may be a plus, especially if you’re never going to use them anyway. Plus, it has the S-Pen and related software.

Camera

This is another category that easily goes to the Samsung Galaxy S4. Its camera comes with a metric ton of features that the Galaxy Note 2′s camera just doesn’t have. Add the increased megapixel count and the improved image sensor, and it’s tough to make a case for the Galaxy Note 2.

samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-note-2-cameras

While not everybody is going to use the slightly gimmicky Dual Shot mode or Drama Shot on the Galaxy S4, other features like Eraser are just too handy to shrug off. While the Galaxy Note 2′s camera isn’t bad by a long shot, taking a look at photos produced by each phone should be enough to prove who the winner is here.

Battery

Being that it’s so much larger, we expected the 3,100 mAh battery in the Galaxy Note 2 to last much longer than the 2,600 mAh battery in the Galaxy S4. That didn’t turn out to be the case.

This isn’t exactly a lab-run test, but during testing and benchmarking over a period of about 6.5 hours, the battery life remained the same between the Galaxy S4 and the Galaxy Note 2. Both phones were at the same brightness and running the same apps and tests during the entire time.

samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-galaxy-note-2-8

During shooting for the video for this piece, we saw the same results. As the video shows, both phones were running the same software nearly simultaneously. We found a 1 percent difference between the two devices, with the Galaxy Note 2 besting the Galaxy S4, but by an extremely narrow margin.

Video

Conclusion

For the most part, if you’re looking at numbers and sheer power, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is probably the right choice for you. That’s no reason to simply ignore the Note 2, however. If you’re looking for a bigger screen or want to use the S Pen-specific features, then you might want to go for the Galaxy Note 2. In the end, it all comes down to what you want or need out of a phone.

Are you planning to upgrade to the Galaxy S4? Or are you going to get/stick with the Note 2? Let us known in the comments!

    

HTC One on Verizon? They’ll let us know when it happens, don’t worry

Posted: 06 May 2013 12:30 PM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 vs htc one one back aa

The HTC One is a great device, and one we're big fans of. Verizon is the country's largest cellular service provider, but their customers go wanting for the One. The Droid DNA is still a great device, but the new One is really superb.

Rumors persist both ways about the HTC One on Verizon. HTC itself has been ambivalent about those rumors, but are clearly touched by them. A tweet from the HTC account claiming the One would never come to Verizon was quickly removed, adding more wood to the rumor fire.

In a recent live chat on Yahoo, the HTC team briefly addressed this topic. After being asked about it several times, HTC's PR chief for North America Tom Harlin said:

There are tons of rumors online but we haven't made any official announcement about HTC One coming to Verizon. The DROID DNA continues to be the HTC hero smartphone at Verizon. It launched in late 2012, it's features still compete with products in 2013. When we announce our next product with Verizon, we'll make a big deal about it so you're all aware.
Tom Harlin

That's neither a denial or admission. It's more a means to ask us to stop worrying about it. Verizon may be the biggest provider here in the States, but the reason for the One not being available on their network is lost on us, and HTC is clearly getting weary of hearing about it.

With pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S4 already being taken, the window of opportunity for the HTC One on Verizon may have came and left. If it ever does show up, it's nice to know HTC will make sure we know about it. We're hoping for helicopters or terrible Korean pop music remakes.

 

    

Red HTC One apparently does exist, shows up on retailer website

Posted: 06 May 2013 12:01 PM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 vs htc one one back in hand aa

The red HTC One, the smartphone that appeared on the HTC website then disappeared never to be heard of again, has made another appearance recently.

You may remember that a red HTC One showed up on the company’s website (see image below), but it was then removed and blamed on a mistake. Well, it would seem that the elusive red HTC One has made yet another appearance.

This time, it’s on the website of UK retailer Handtec and, while at first you would tend to think that the site has mistakenly used the wrong image (as there are remains of the whole red HTC One discussion all over the web), it seems that it is not the case. The text on the site also mentions that what the retailer is selling is the SIM free Red 32 GB HTC One, SIM unlocked.

red HTC One

There’s only one problem: the smartphone is listed as being out of stock (but you can sign up and get notified when it’s getting restocked). The price is £503.99 (around $782), which includes VAT, for UK and Europe, and £419.99 (approximately $652) for the rest of the world.

What would be interesting to know is why, if the model exists indeed, has it been saved for later? Will it be exclusive to some carriers? Because it’s hard to imagine that a company would make a render of a smartphone in a color version that it doesn’t plan to sell. Only HTC can answer these questions and who knows, maybe the company will at some point.

But until it does, you can check out our review of the HTC One (it’s not a red HTC One, but it’s the same device, after all):

Do you think the red HTC One actually exists?

    

Asus Q1 2013 financials are in: great tablet sales, not so great PC sales

Posted: 06 May 2013 11:31 AM PDT

Asus Logo aa (3) - 600px

Asus has released its financial results for the first quarter of the year and like most of the post-holiday sales, it's a mixed bag. The PC market as a whole is on the slide and Asus isn’t immune to that. However, the dropping sales in the notebook and components markets have been alleviated by great tablet sales.

The company revealed that it made $3.5 billion in revenue, raking in $202 million, an improvement of 5.4% over both the previous quarter and the year before. Asus has also risen in the American market, with it now accounting for a total of 23% of its business, up from 17% at the same time last year.

Asus revealed that it sold 3 million tablets, affirming its position as number 3 in the tablet market. Asus has also stated that it expects the results for its Q2 2013 to be flat, perhaps alluding to the fact that we won't see the rumoured Nexus 7 successor until the third quarter.

In addition to Android tablets, Asus has told the Wall Street Journal that it feels “very optimistic about sales for Windows 8 tablets this year.” The company could launch cheaper but smaller Windows 8 tablets in the coming months next to new Android offerings, with the price of said Windows 8 devices to be only $50 more expensive than their Android counterparts.

    

AT&T: 32GB Galaxy S4 launch date set for May 10, to cost $249.99 on-contract

Posted: 06 May 2013 10:47 AM PDT

samsung galaxy s4 vs galaxy s3 s4 performance aa

AT&T announced via Twitter the launch date of its 32GB Galaxy S4, confirming pricing details in the process:

As you can see, the AT&T 32GB Galaxy S4 will be available starting with May 10, for $249.99 with new two-year agreements

AT&T was the first U.S. carrier to mention 32GB Galaxy S4 prices, although we're not sure whether it intended to do so in the first place. In case you forgot, we'll remind you that initially AT&T announced that the Galaxy S4 will be available for pre-order for $249.99 with new two-year contracts. Then, after some backslash from the media, AT&T said that the 32GB Galaxy S4 would cost $249.99, while the 16GB model will cost $199.99.

However, AT&T did not launch the 32GB model simultaneously with the 16GB version. In fact no mobile operator or electronics retailer stocked the handset yet, and AT&T could be the first one to offer it to buyers.

A few days ago, the media took an interest in the available storage to the user on the 16GB Galaxy S4 version – only around 9GB out of the 16GB – with Samsung rather annoyingly responding that those users that need more storage could always buy microSD cards (the phone supports cards of up to 64GB).

Now, at least some Galaxy S4 buyers will be able to get more on-board storage by buying the AT&T 32GB version.

At this time, we have no idea when the 64GB model will be available, or what carriers will offer the 32GB version in the near future. However, we do know that U.S. Cellular will only have the 16GB model in stock.

In case the fact that handset has been confirmed to come with a locked bootloader from AT&T, you should also know that the bootloader has apparently been unlocked, but a public version of the procedure will be released only after Verizon launches its own Galaxy S4 model.

    

Telus Samsung Galaxy Note gets a taste of Jelly Bean goodness

Posted: 06 May 2013 10:13 AM PDT

galaxy note vs galaxy note 2

Galaxy Note 2 (left) vs Galaxy Note (right)

The Telus Samsung Galaxy Note is finally getting its Jelly Bean upgrade, as the carrier has promised not long ago, so good news for you if you’re on Telus and you own the device.

According to a How To page on the Telus website, the update will be available both over the air (OTA) and through the Kies software. The first option is probably the easiest to use, so just go to Settings, then About device to check for the Android version and you’ll be notified if the update is already available for you.

However, if the update isn’t available for you over the air yet and you can’t wait to get your hands on it, the same page also includes instructions on downloading and installing the update using the Samsung Kies software for Windows or Mac OS (you can find the instructions in the source link below).

The carrier has kept its word with the Telus Samsung Galaxy Note Jelly Bean update, as it had been promised for the month of May and it’s already here, with the month having just started.

The Telus Samsung Galaxy Note users are not the only ones getting Jelly Bean these days – a little while ago, users of the AT&T Galaxy Note also got the update, and are now able to enjoy Google Now and all its other great features.

Telus Samsung Galaxy Note users, have you received the update yet?

    

Rumor: Motorola Obake (Google X Phone aka Ghost?) spotted in AnTuTu benchmark

Posted: 06 May 2013 10:00 AM PDT

X Phone concept

X Phone concept

A new report reveals that a Motorola handset codenamed obake_verizon has been spotted in AnTuTu benchmarks, with speculation suggesting this could be the Ghost aka the Google X Phone.

Obviously, we'll take all AnTuTu benchmarks with a grain of salt, considering the new devices these tests seem to describe are not official yet. In fact, we've seen plenty of AnTuTu benchmarks for unofficial devices, from the X Phone to the Optimus G2 or the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, so we'll just add this Obake to the collection.

“Obake” means "ghost," Japanese website Ameblo tells us, and a quick Google Translate check confirms it, although the first translation it returns for “obake” is "monster."

Now, we haven't heard anything about a Verizon-bound Motorola Monster, but a Motorola Ghost has been spotted in recent reports, pointing to a device that would be launched by Big Red in the U.S. later this year.

motorola-obake-ghost-google-x-phone-antutu-1

This is where things get more interesting, as Phone Arena indicates that the Ghost is an internal codename for Google X Phone handset. The publication revealed the details in a post detailing that @evleaks set of X Phone images we have shown you in previous days, saying that the image is in fact legit and the name of the device is Ghost:

We’ve seen leaks before, but according to our sources, this one is legit. Pics have been released by EvLeaks, who has a more positive than not reputation for good leaks, showing the Motorola X Phone. Or, we could start referring to the device by its codename: Ghost. Much like the Nexus 4 was mako, and the Nexus 7 was grouper. The Moto X Phone is codenamed Ghost.

Getting back to this "obake_verizon" AnTuTu benchmark, we can easily see that the handset reportedly got a 18218 score. Ameblo further tells us that the handset sports a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, without revealing any other details about the handset.

Assuming this is indeed the Google X Phone, we'll want to look at other similar AnTuTu benchmarks that appeared in the past few weeks, while also pointing out that neither one was confirmed.

motorola-xt1055-benchmark-x-phone

A Motorola XT1055 (image above) also packing a 1.7GHz processor and running Android 4.2.2 has obtained a similar score, 18252, while a Google X device (image below) with a 1.5GHz CPU and Android 5.0.1 scored 15479. It's worth mentioning that since the latter screenshot hit the web, it was revealed that Android 5.0 won't be Google's next Android OS update, with Android 4.3 being spotted in server logs and named in different reports as the next Jelly Bean version.

google-x-phone-antutu-1

Considering the similarities between this obake_verizon handset and the XT1055, it seems logical to conclude that the X Phone aka Ghost aka Obake could very well be the XT1055. Of course, we can’t confirm any of that just yet.

Now, the obake_verizon could be a future DROID-branded handset heading to Verizon later this year, not at all related to the Google X Phone. Or it could be just a fake AnTuTu benchmark meant to have us fooled.

What's clear is that Motorola will indeed launch new handsets this year, maybe not as spectacular as that Motorola Nexus+ render we've seen before, but definitely worthy of some excitement, at least according to certain Google execs.

    

Sony C3 leaks out, probably headed to the Chinese market

Posted: 06 May 2013 09:22 AM PDT

Sony logo aa (1) - 600px

We're big fans of Sony here at Android Authority. We're hopeful for a comeback of sorts, and their Xperia line of phones is pretty good stuff. Sony is very supportive of the developer community, and their hardware is top notch.

Sony is also aware of the mobile industry downfalls. For a company that once had a near duopoly with Nokia, they're aware of how precious their place in the market really is. Like many handset manufacturers, they're wise to create devices at different price points, meaning more consumers consider them in their purchase decisions.

They're also aware that Asia is an emerging market, and China is the low-hanging fruit on that tree. The largest country in Asia also has the biggest number of potential handset users. Chinese consumers are also keen for a good deal on a great handset, and manufacturers are clamoring to give them what they want. The battle for initial market presence will rely on who has the best device at the lowest price point.

With recent leaked info regarding their "C3" phone, it seems as though Sony is on the right path. While no official specs are out, we're hearing all manner of things suggesting the device will be an entry level Xperia device, and pretty good to boot. Things like a 5-inch screen and 1.5GHz processor are nice, but definitely not earth shattering. The presence of a dual-SIM is normal for markets outside the US, and the persistent talk of a MediaTek chipset suggest lower-cost guts for the device.

The rumored sub-3,000 yuan (about $486 US dollars) is competitive, too. With most devices topping the $600 mark, Sony looks serious about staking a claim to China, and beyond. This is a good move at the right time, and one that could do wonders for Sony's future in mobile.

 

    

Budget MediaTek big.LITTLE chip supposed to be available this year

Posted: 06 May 2013 09:10 AM PDT

MediaTek chip

I love the idea behind the big.LITTLE architecture; powerful cores for peak processing backup up by less power hungry CPUs for the more simple day to day tasks, it makes perfect sense. But the big.LITTLE architecture has had a few teething problems when it comes to balancing efficiency and performance, and it’s a pretty expensive piece of hardware.  Perhaps someone else needs to step into the ring and broaden the choice for consumers.

Of course we know that Qualcomm and MediaTek aren't interested in octo-core chips, they said so themselves, but MediaTek does appear to like big.LITTLE, as it's preparing to release its own chip by the end of the year, at least according to industry sources.

The chip will be called the MT8135 and will again be using Cortex A15 and A7 cores, but in a 2-by-2 rather than a 4-by-4 combination. The chip will supposedly be clocked much slower than Samsung's version, crawling in at a peak of 1Ghz. However, this does mean that it will be a lot less power hungry than the 1.8Ghz Cortex A15s found in the Samsung Galaxy S4, and it should still be more than powerful enough for a decent smartphone or tablet.

The MT8135 will be much cheaper to manufacture than Samsung’s design, as it uses fewer cores and won’t have to tolerate higher temperatures generated by fast clock speeds. But brute power isn't everything, and I'm more than happy to see a company pursue energy efficiency over clock-speeds and bumping up the number of cores for once.

Knowing MediaTek, this chip will be targeted at mid range devices, which is certainly a good thing for those looking to upgrade at a reasonable price. Expect to see a few more big.LITTLE chips for all budgets heading our way before the end of the year.

    

Apple and Samsung combined to make 100% of mobile device profits, but how?

Posted: 06 May 2013 08:38 AM PDT

Samsung Apple

If you're a mobile technology fan, you've come to know that Samsung and Apple don't exactly see eye-to-eye. The two pillars of this industry have long held a distaste for each other they intend to satiate in court proceedings. Whether you love them or loathe them, they're mammoth, and here to stay.

Even with the lawsuits, bad blood, and overall disdain for one another, their business doesn't seem to be hurting much. A recent analysis by Cannacord Genuity suggests that all of the industry profit was made by Apple and Samsung. That's right, 100% of the profits were absorbed by the two disparate companies.

You may be wondering how that could be, considering there are many other manufacturers in the mix. It's really an anomaly of accounting practices. Let's say Samsung and Apple combined to make $200 million, but HTC lost $30 million. If LG, in turn, made a profit of $30 million, it washes the HTC loss, meaning Apple and Samsung made 100% of the profits.

In the past, the two have combined to make over 100% of the profits, so in a weird way this is good for everyone else. It means the overall health of the industry is improving, even with Samsung and Apple running roughshod over everything. While it's still not as level a playing field as we'd like, it's good to know those smaller companies are making strides to whittle out their own corner of the marketplace.

    

Rumour: Subsciption service coming to Youtube as early as this week

Posted: 06 May 2013 08:00 AM PDT

YouTube-app

It looks like 2013 could be the year that Google gets serious about content. It already has Google Play and Youtube, but it seems as though Google's taking a few more steps towards being your one-stop destination for digital content. Now, the rumored Youtube subscription service may be edging ever closer to reality.

According to the Financial Times, the new subscription based service could be rolled out as early as this week. Pricing is slated to start at $1.99 per month, with up to 50 channels looking to utilize the subscription based model. Google has already implemented code references in the Android application, so it seemed like a matter of time before it announced the service.

With a rumored music service possibly coming to Youtube before the year is out, it seems Google is ramping up its efforts in making Youtube a place for professional video, rather than just the amateur content it has become famous for. Last week Eric Schmidt claimed that television had already been replaced by the internet, and this news further backs up his claim.

With Google I/O less than two weeks away, it would be the perfect time for Google to announce the subscription service. Watch out Netflix, Google's got you in their sights.

Would you be interested in a subscription based Youtube service?

    

Nook tablets prices slashed, as part of Mother’s Day offer

Posted: 06 May 2013 07:36 AM PDT

 Nook_HD+_with-google-play

Both Nook tablets are getting price drops as part of a Mother’s Day offer, so now is a pretty good time to get your hands on them, as the offer is limited.

Now that the Nook HD and Nook HD+ have Google Play support and you don’t need to go through the process of installing it yourself, both of the Barnes & Noble tablets must have become much more tempting. And if the price is slashed, too, even better.

According to the company’s press release, the 7-inch Nook HD now costs $149 for the 8GB version and $179 for the 16GB one, which is $50 off the regular price. As for the Nook HD+, its price is now $179 for the 16GB version, and $209 for the 32GB tablet, $90 off the regular price.

The offer lasts until May 12, at the company’s stores and on its website, so whether you’re buying one for your mother or for yourself, make sure you do it until then. If you live in the UK, Barnes & Noble has a price cut for you, too, as part of the “Get London Reading” campaign.

It would seem that Barnes & Noble’s reduced prices and Google Play support have got Amazon is a bit worried, since the Kindle Fire HD is also getting a Mother’s Day price cut, with promotional code FIRE4MOM.

Will you take advantage of these offers? Will you buy one of the Nook tablets or the Kindle Fire HD?

Barnes & Noble Announces Special Mother's Day Offer: NOOK HD Starting at Only $149 and NOOK HD+ Starting at Just $179

Best Prices Ever for One Week Only on Amazing Reading and Entertainment Tablets Now with Google Play™, Over 700,000 Android Apps and Games,

Millions of Songs, Movies, TV Shows and More

New York, New York – May 5, 2013 – NOOK Media LLC, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today announced its best prices ever for the acclaimed NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ in celebration of Mother's Day and the recent addition of the popular Google Play digital content experience on the lightweight 7- and 9-inch high definition tablets. Through Mother's Day, May 12, NOOK HD is available at the amazing price of $149 (8GB) and $179 (16GB), and NOOK HD+ is offered at the spectacular value of $179 (16GB) and $209 (32GB) at Barnes & Noble bookstores and on NOOK.com. NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ are also available through other leading retailers.

On Friday, the company announced it was expanding its extensive catalog of reading and entertainment with Google Play on NOOK HD and NOOK HD+. Now customers can enjoy the best in reading and entertainment with access to one of the world's largest digital reading content catalogs, with more than 700,000 Android apps and games, millions of songs, thousands of movies and TV shows, plus popular Google services like the Chrome™ browser, Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Search™ and Google Maps™.

"In recognition that the best gift for Mother's Day is now even better, we're proud to offer this special limited-time offer for our award-winning 7- and 9-inch tablets," said Jamie Iannone, president of NOOK Media. "NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ are not only beautifully designed, lightweight devices with stunning displays, they now offer customers the most reading and entertainment content we've ever offered, at the best prices ever."

NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ Features

More than 700,000 Android Apps and Games: Choose from more than 700,000 great apps all ready to enjoy right away. The NOOK Store™ continues to feature a wide selection of thousands of high-quality NOOK Apps™ tailored for the devices.

Millions of songs: The addition of Google Play Music lets customers browse millions of songs, discover new artists and fill NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ with favorite tracks to enjoy anytime.

Favorite Movies & TV Shows: Choose from thousands of movies and TV shows, including new releases, the latest episodes, award-winning films and past seasons from favorite TV series. Stream movies and TV shows to watch instantly on NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ or make them available offline to watch later, even when not connected to Wi-Fi.

The Very Best in Reading: The NOOK Store offers more than 3 million books, including more than 1 million free titles, as well as thousands of magazines and newspapers in spectacular HD each available for a 14-day free trial. Browse favorite catalogs like never before.

Fast Web Browsing: Enjoy fast start up and page loading and an unlimited number of tabs open at once with the new Chrome browser.

Great Google Services: Customers will have instant access to Google Search, Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps, now built in to NOOK HD or NOOK HD+. Sync calendars across multiple devices and check email from any account including Exchange, Yahoo! and Hotmail.

Additional great tablet features include:

Stunning HD Displays: Crisp text and beautiful graphics make books and magazines stunning to read and movies a joy to watch.

Light and Portable: Weighing in at only 11.1 ounces and 18.2 ounces respectively, NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ are light and easy to hold for hours of enjoyment.

NOOK Profiles™: A personalized experience instantly transforms the device in hand to any family member's very own tablet so only they can see their own content.

NOOK Channels™: This pioneering recommendation system provides an easy way to discover new titles by theme.

The ability to sync the last page read on any NOOK Book across NOOK devices and apps so customers don't lose their place.

Expandable memory on the devices and free unlimited NOOK Cloud™ storage for all NOOK content.

Adjustable fonts, spacing and themes for a customized reading experience.

Powerful dual-core processors and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Google Play and the other Google services are available to all new and existing NOOK HD and NOOK HD+ customers at no cost through an automatic over-the-air update currently underway. More information on the major new software update is available at www.NOOK.com/support. For more information on NOOK HD and NOOK HD+, or any of NOOK's innovative products and devices, customers can visit www.nook.com or www.nook.co.uk.

    

Motorola Nexus+ concept phone appears amidst Google X Phone and LG Nexus 5 rumors

Posted: 06 May 2013 06:16 AM PDT

motorola-nexus-plus-1

Renders for a Nexus concept phone imagined by a designer have hit the web amidst increased speculation on future smartphones such as the Google X Phone or the LG Nexus 5 that would run stock Android.

Obviously, this is just a concept device, so don't expect to see it available from Google in the future.

Called the Motorola Nexus+, the device in the image gallery below looks interesting, while at the same time aligning itself to this year's standards for high-end Android smartphones when it comes to specs and features.

Designed by Christophe Siméon, the Motorola Nexus+ would pack a 5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 13-megapixel camera, 2-megapixel front-facing camera, dual frontal stereo speakers, infrared port and a notifications capacitive pad. Such a device would easily fight against current flagships including the Galaxy S4, HTC One, Sony Xperia Z or the rumored upcoming Optimus G2 (also said to pack a Snapdragon 800 CPU).

Design-wise, we're looking at a handset that measures 137 x 67 x 8.5 mm, features a magnesium frame and a "machining carbon fiber back."

motorola-nexus-plus-1 motorola-nexus-plus-7 motorola-nexus-plus-8 motorola-nexus-plus-6 motorola-nexus-plus-4 motorola-nexus-plus-5 motorola-nexus-plus-9 motorola-nexus-plus-3 motorola-nexus-plus-2

Just the other day we speculated on who's going to make next-gen Nexus smartphone, but we'll still have to wait to see what Android device maker will actually build the Nexus 5.

LG seems to be the front-runner for the Nexus 5, with various rumors and reports suggesting that the company will build the next Nexus, which could be similar to a future Optimus G2.

As for Motorola, also a potential Nexus handset maker considering that Google now owns the company, the company is rumored to be working on a variety of new mobile devices, including a Google X Phone that would also be a Nexus-like device (running stock Android) without actually being included in the Nexus brand. Google execs have shown increased excitement around Motorola’s unannounced smartphones, revealing that such products would offer increased battery life and durability and sport a size that would be just right for the user.

That said, it may be a while until we actually see a Motorola Nexus in stores, considering that Google doesn't want to favor Motorola that way, or at least not yet.

How do you like this Motorola Nexus+ concept?

    

Samsung GT-P5200 comes out fighting in Antutu benchmark

Posted: 06 May 2013 05:04 AM PDT

Samsung Logo 645px

It's time for another benchmark result, this time from an, as of yet, unidentified Samsung product. The GT-P5200 scored an impressive 24616 in the popular Antutu benchmark, sticking it right up at the top of the performance table with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One.

Some have speculated that this could be a benchmark for Samsung's 10.1 inch version of the recently released Galaxy Tab 3, after all the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 was the GT-P5100. However, it looks like this it could be a result from an earlier prototype, as the codename has supposedly changed.

But if this is indeed a benchmark from one of Samsung's next tablet devices, then it would be one of the fastest Android tablet results recorded to date.

GT-P5200 benchmark

All we know hardware wise is that the device packs a 1.6Ghz processor, a 1280×800 resolution display, and comes with Android 4.2.2. Based on the results, it could easily be using a Snapdragon 600 chip, which scored 24258 when clocked at 1.7Ghz in the HTC One and 25900 when clocked slightly higher in the 1.9Ghz Galaxy S4. On the other hand it might be a slightly slower Exynos 5 Octa, it’s possible that a 200Mhz under-clock could cause a nearly 3000 point loss compared with the 1.8Ghz Exynos powered Galaxy S4.

Of course benchmark scores aren't the most reliable pieces of data as they are quite easily tampered with, so well just leave this as speculation for now. Still, whatever Samsung device the GT-P5200 turns out to be, it could be a pretty snappy piece of hardware.

    

Samsung Galaxy Core official, has both dual and single SIM versions

Posted: 06 May 2013 04:58 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Core

The Samsung Galaxy Core, a device that had its details leaked not too long ago, has been made official by the Korean giant, and will also have a single SIM version (the previous information only mentioned a dual SIM smartphone).

Described in the press release to offer “Ideal Portability and Power”, the device mostly confirms what had been previously mentioned: it has a 4.3-inch touchscreen at a resolution of 800 x 480 and a 1.2GHz CPU, coupled with 1GB of RAM. Internal memory is 8GB (expandable via microSD card), and you can store images taken by the 5-megapixel camera on it, among other things.

The Galaxy Core runs Android Jelly Bean, with Samsung’s TouchWiz interface on top, of course, and both dual SIM and single SIM models are set to be available on the market . The press release says that you should expect the dual SIM in May, with the single SIM one coming in July. It also mentions that availability depends on market, so it might be possible that your location might get only one of them.

The most interesting thing about the device is that it comes with some of Samsung’s proprietary software features, like Smart Stay, Smart Alert, Motion UI and S Voice.

The press release doesn’t mention anything on pricing, but if we’re to believe the previously leaked information, the dual SIM version will cost around $415.

Would you be tempted to get the Samsung Galaxy Core, and if so, which version?

Samsung Introduces the GALAXY Core for Ideal Portability and Power

May 6, 2013

The smartphone combines dual core processing power, compact design, and Dual SIM technology

SEOUL, Korea – May 06, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leader in mobile technology and digital solutions, today announced the Samsung GALAXY Core, a smartphone designed to offer users dual core processing power for multitasking, Dual SIM technology for easy transition between work and play, and a wealth of innovative smart features. The GALAXY Core is a device that can operate seamlessly and effectively in all aspects of life.

The GALAXY Core is the perfect device for the user looking for optimal balance of portability and power. Equipped with a 1.2 GHz dual core processor, the GALAXY Core performs data intensive tasks with speed and ease. The processing power is supported by 8GB of Internal memory and 1GB of RAM so that users can play feature-rich games, multitask and consume limitless media. All of these activities are aided by a beautiful 4.3 inch display, and a long-lasting 1,800mAh battery for extended usage. The device also comes equipped with a 5-megapixel camera, offering flawless and beautiful photos. These features are also supported with the GALAXY Core’s Dual SIM technology, enabling users to access both SIM cards simultaneously.

Offering innovative mobile solutions to enhance the user experience, the GALAXY Core’s smart features provide advanced tools that continue to set the GALAXY series apart. Utilizing human interactions including voice, movement, and optical commands, the GALAXY Core has a wide array of smart features that include:

• ‘Smart Stay’: Recognizes when a user is looking at the phone, and saves battery life when a user looks away by

dimming the screen and powering down using advanced facial recognition

• ‘Smart Alert’: Alerts the user to missed calls and messages when the device is picked up

• ‘Motion UI’: Activates common functions such as refresh or mute with simple motion commands

• ‘S Voice’: Provides voice command functionality

The GALAXY Core will be available in two different versions – Single SIM from July or Dual SIM from May, depending on the market.

    

10.1-inch Kindle Fire in the works, analyst says

Posted: 06 May 2013 04:38 AM PDT

Amazon Kindle Fire HD

An analyst believes that Amazon will unveil a bigger 10-inch Kindle Fire model later this year, which would take on similar rivals including the iPad or the Google Nexus 10.

NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim told CNET that Amazon is "moving up to the 10-inch class" after having previously released two-generations of 7-inch Kindle Fire and the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire models.

The new model will reportedly sport a 10.1-inch display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution – about 300 pixel per inch (PPI) – which would match the resolution of the current Samsung-made Google Nexus 10 tablet.

Other specs and features for this unconfirmed 10-inch Kindle Fire model have not been mentioned so far, but Shim said that display production for the tablet is apparently set to start in the third quarter.

In addition to unveiling a new size for its Kindle Fire tablet line, Amazon is also expected to release new 7- and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire versions that would also sport improved displays when it comes to resolution, with all of them said to offer users a 300 PPI ratio.

nexus 7 vs kindle fire

Naturally, we'll remind you that analysts aren't always right, and we're still treating everything they say as rumors until products become official.

That said, hearing that Amazon may be interested in coming up with an even higher-end tablet than the current 8.9-inch HD model makes plenty of sense considering that Amazon is quite successful at selling Android tablets – even if they're running a forked OS version.

After somewhat taking the industry by storm when it introduced an affordable 7-inch Android tablet back in 2011 – everyone from Google to Apple released smaller, cheaper tablets as a response in the year that followed – Amazon managed to secure a top three position when it comes to tablet shipments in past quarters. For Q1 2013, Amazon ranked fourth after Apple, Samsung and Asus, according to IDC.

While not being able to match Apple and Samsung in terms of quarterly tablet sales, Amazon still outpaced Microsoft (since the Windows 8 tablets came out) and battled Asus for third-spot (see IDC table below), which can only mean that the company is willing to put up a great fight in the tablet business in the years to come.

Also worth remembering is the fact that Amazon is yet to be present in a variety of markets with its Kindle Fire tablets, and we can surely expect to see Amazon target more countries with its tablets as it continues its content stores expansion – China is the latest market in which the Amazon Appstore was launched.

Finally, while we have seen already a variety of new tablets launched this year – the Sony Xperia Tablet Z, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 or the budget-friendly Acer Iconia A1 to name just a few – Google, Apple, Samsung and Microsoft are all expected to launch new models in the coming months, not to mention that affordable Intel-based Android-based notebooks are also in the works. These are all plenty of more reasons to see Amazon interested in expanding its tablet efforts this year.

Assuming Shim is right and the 10.1 Kindle Fire tablet is coming later this year, we’re certainly interested to see how much the device will cost compared with rival offerings from Apple, Samsung and Google.

Anyone looking forward to a 10.1-inch Kindle Fire or do you already have a different tablet in mind for later this year?

    

Amazon opens own app store for Android users in China

Posted: 06 May 2013 04:25 AM PDT

Amazon App Store China
Amazon has just successfully launched its very own Android app store in China, wherein Android users may download as many free apps as they want as well as all of the paid apps that they can afford. Amazon was able to beat Google to the punch and has now become the first Western tech company to provide an official source of both free and paid apps for Android users in China, Reuters reports.

Compared with Google’s own official source of apps for Android in China, where only free apps are available at the moment, Amazon’s has a much bigger pool of downloadables. In fact, the online retail giant is currently urging developers to start offering their own apps through its new app store. That is, as long as they agree to let Amazon keep 30% of all app sales, of course.

Right now, Amazon China features a prominent banner on the front page that tells users about the news of the newly launched app store. Clicking on it brings one to a page with instructions for installing the app itself, both for tablets and for smartphones.

Though it managed to launch its own Android app store before even Google itself was able to do so, Amazon still has to deal with a number of China-based rivals. Is it too late for Google to catch up? Not likely, but Amazon getting involved like this can only make things that much harder for Google when it comes to conquering the China mobile market.

    

Sony Xperia Z available unlocked in the Sony Store, HSPA+ version only

Posted: 06 May 2013 03:44 AM PDT

Sony Xperia Z

The Sony Xperia Z has started selling in the U.S. through the company’s own Sony Store, but it’s only the HSPA+ version you’ll be able to purchase (for the moment, at least).

The Sony Xperia Z, which has made a recent FCC visit, is now available to buy in the Sony Store for $629.99, and apparently you’ll get the device immediately, as it is listed as being “In Stock” (unlike the Sony Xperia Tablet Z, which you can only pre-order at the moment).

The Sony Store offers all of the three color options – black, white and purple – so you can buy an Xperia Z that fits your personality. The interesting thing is that, as Xperia Blog has noticed, the $629.99 is not the cheapest price for the device at the moment. New Egg lists it for $599, should you want the purple or white version, while the black one is priced at $629.99.

The same version (model number C6602) is available on Amazon for $599 both in white and black, while the LTE version (C6603) is also available, for $589.

Moreover, Sony has dropped the price of the Xperia ZL (with LTE support) from $759.99 to $629.99. The device has been available for sale in the region for quite a while now.

To help you with your buying decision, check out our Sony Xperia Z review:

U.S. readers, do you plan on getting a Sony Xperia Z?