Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update arrives in Korea

Another country gets the sweet taste of Jelly Bean

Word from South Korea is that the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update has started rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S3 customers.

Last month we saw Samsung push the Jelly Bean update out to Galaxy S3 handsets in Poland, with the Korean firm telling us the latest version of Android would be "gradually being introduced to other markets".

Apparently this South Korea update is just for the 3G model of the Galaxy S3, with a 4G compatible Android 4.1 upgrade still in the pipeline.

Still no word on rest of the world

Korean Galaxy S3 owners aren't currently able to download Jelly Bean over the air, instead being forced to plug their handset into their computer and use Samsung's hit-and-miss Kies desktop software.

There's still no word on when the likes of Britain, USA or Australia will see the latest version of Google's mobile platform hit their Galaxy S3 devices, but hopefully there's not too long to wait now.

We've contacted Samsung to find out when we may be able to expect Android 4.1 on our devices, and we'll update this article once we hear back.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s3-jelly-bean-update-arrives-in-korea-1103657

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iOS 6 country-specific features listed

Carmen Sandiego would be proud

Not all iOS 6 features will be available in every country, so Apple has posted a list to help users find what features they can use at home.

As expected, major features like maps, directions, music, movies, and the app store are widely available in as many as 150 different countries.

However, more specific features like traffic data and business reviews on maps, only appear in North and South America, select European countries, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Meanwhile a feature like 3D buildings on maps is only available in the U.S.

Siri doesn't like to travel

Voice dictation is also limited to only 15 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Siri is under similar restrictions, with Twitter and Facebook integration only available in those same countries minus China.

Siri local search and restaurant search further remove Asia from the list of available regions, while Siri's ability to look up movie showtimes is only accessible from the U.S., Canada, and U.K.

On the other hand, notable new features for iOS 6, like the Passbook app and Facetime over 3G, appear to be widely available to all given their absence from the country-specific list.

While iOS 6 is designed for the newly announced iPhone 5, it will also be compatible with the iPhone 3GS and above, both the new iPad and iPad 2, as well as the fourth generation iPod touch when it launches on Sept. 19.

Via Apple

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/ios-6-country-specific-features-listed-1096777

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Report: iPhone 5 will have international LTE support

Apple's LTE is going global

The Apple iPhone 5 may support LTE globally, allowing users to jump from country to country and continent to continent without losing their lightening fast connectivity.

This is according to a recent report, with sources telling the Wall Street Journal the device can pick up on LTE in places like the U.S., Europe and Asia.

While this is exciting in terms of connectivity and speed, the sources also said not every carrier will offer the service.

Showdown at the LTE corral

Apple needs to watch itself, however, as Samsung has threatened to sue if the Cupertino releases an LTE device.

Samsung holds 819 LTE patents and while the iPad 3 has LTE connectivity, the Korean company seems to be lying in wait for the iPhone 5, likely as payback for the $1.05 billion in damages it's supposed to pay Apple in lawsuit damages.

Apple has picked up several hundred LTE patents (434, to be exact) over the last year to cover itself against Samsung's potent patents, but that doesn't guarantee Samsung won't engage in a long, drawn out court battle with their rival.

TechRadar will have live coverage of Apple's Sept. 12 event from San Francisco, where we expect the iPhone 5 to make its prodigious debut.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/report-iphone-5-will-have-international-lte-support-1095688

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