Samsung Galaxy S5 and Note 4 may ditch AMOLED for LCD

We could still be getting some bend and flex, though

Samsung's tradition of packing its Galaxy and Note phones with AMOLED displays may have come to an end.

The latest rumour is that Samsung is looking to fit PLS LCD displays on its future phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Note 4 – both of which are expected in 2014.

According to G 4 Games, who picked up the story from the hit-and-miss etnews, the reason is that Samsung is looking to cut down on production costs.

For your consideration

The important thing to note here it that Samsung is apparently only "considering" at the moment, so don't get too overworked by the news.

But the reports state that Samsung could make a decent 20% cost cut by opting for PLS LCD over AMOLED, so it's no doubt a big decision for the company.

Especially as, at the same time, Samsung is said to be looking to put AMOLED displays on its top-end Android tablets.

• What else is going on with the Samsung Galaxy S5 then?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s5-and-note-4-may-ditch-amoled-for-lcd-1206543

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Android's menu button is now an EX-BUTTON says Google, again

If we just pretend it's not there, eventually it'll go away

While Android phones are still being made with a physical menu button on them, Google is making it pretty obvious that they're not wanted by shifting all functions to the on-screen capacitive button in KitKat.

Writes Google engineer Adam Powell:

"The menu button is not pining, it's passed on! The button is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed it to a flagship device it'd be pushing up the daisies! THIS IS AN EX-BUTTON!!"

Okay then. Just need those pesky manufacturers to get on board, eh?

More blips

Let's get physical with some more blips.

• Send in the drones: German firm gets in on the unmanned delivery act
• Halo: Spartan Assault for Xbox One release date settles on December 24
• Ebay Xbox scam sucker gets free console for his trouble

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-s-menu-button-is-now-an-ex-button-says-google-again-1206515

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Samsung announces 10 million Galaxy Note 3s shipped

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is leaving its predecessors in the dust – it sold 5 million units in the first month of availability and now a month later the number of units shipped has reached 10 million.

Note that the number of sales is probably lower than the number of shipments as those are supplies sent to retailers and carriers. Still, the numbers are impressive – the original Galaxy Note took 9 months to reach 10 million units shipped and the Note II took 4 months. The Galaxy S4 took less than a month to reach that milestone , but that one was a far more mainstream product.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was launched simultaneously in 58 countries on September 25. According to Samsung, it drew in customers with its large-screen multitasking and fast LTE in the west and the convenience of text input with the S Pen in Asia.

Funny Samsung should mention LTE, the Exynos-powered Galaxy Note 3 does not have it. This raises the question of how many of those 10 million units does the N9000 (the Exynos 5 version) account for versus the N9005 (the Snapdragon 800 version).

Source (in Korean) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_announces_10_million_galaxy_note_3s_shipped-news-7339.php

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LG making iPad-mini-rivalling Nexus 8... maybe

Could this be the Nexus 8? And could LG be working on it?

This isn't the first time that we've heard the Nexus 8 might be a thing that exists or that LG might be making it, but now we have more fuel to add to that fire.

A recent tweet from @evleaks states that a tablet with the model number LG V510 is indeed a Nexus tablet and it backs that up with what seems to be an inventory manifest which shows that the LG V510 is a Google device.

Seen it all before

Whatever it ends up being, a manual for the device, leaked by the Japanese site RBmen, suggests that its specs will be very similar to those of the LG G Pad 8.3, including in 8.3 inch 1920 x 1200 screen, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a 5MP rear camera, a 1.3MP front facing camera and a 4600 mAh battery.

The manual doesn't include the word 'Nexus' but it does state that the LG V510 will be running stock Android, which strongly suggests that it will be a Nexus device.

We're still waiting on a Nexus 10 refresh but in the meantime we'd quite happily take a Nexus 8 to tide us over, if that is indeed what this is.

• Can't wait for the Nexus 8? Then check out the Nexus 7.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/lg-making-ipad-mini-rivalling-nexus-8-maybe-1206460

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The world gets into big phones in a big way as Note 3 sells 10m

Well there's three right there

While the world at large may have poo-pooed the 'phablet' at first glance, Samsung's sales figures show that these big-screened phones are becoming more and more popular with every passing iteration.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has blown previous Notes out of the water by hitting 10 million sales within 60 days of going on sale, which isn't making anyone more enthusiastic about calling it a 'phonblet'.

It joins such Samsung handsets as the SGH-T100, SGH-E250, Samsung Galaxy S, S2, S3, S4 and Note 2 in the Samsung 10 Million Sellers Club which isn't so much an exclusive club as a list of phones Samsung has made.

Infinity and beyond

The Note 2 did pretty well for itself too, hitting 30 million sales back in October 2013 after going on sale a year before - at the Note 3's current speed, it should out-do its predecessor quite comfortably.

Attentions understandably turn to future Samsung products, with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 presumably currently in development - we don't expect to see that get its big unveil until IFA 2014 which, mark your calendars, kicks off in September.

Not so long to wait for the Samsung Galaxy S5, though, which should be birthed after MWC 2014 in February, at which point we may also be treated to a Galaxy Note 3 Lite.

• What spiffy new features will the Samsung Galaxy S5 bring? Find out here

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/the-world-gets-into-big-phones-in-a-big-way-as-note-3-sells-10m-1206450

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Google starts rolling out Android 4.4.2 to Nexus devices

Shortly after the 4.4.1 update, Google has now started rolling out the 4.4.2 update for the Nexus devices. Whereas the previous update focused on improving the camera performance on the Nexus 5, the latest one merely includes bug fixes.

There is no official change log from Google but according to Sprint, the following changes have been made:

• Fix for clearing the VM Indicator
• Fix for delivery of the VM Indicator
• Various additional software fixes
• Security enhancements

The update is rolling out to the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2013 and 2013 model) and the Nexus 10. If you didn't get the 4.4.1 update it's fine as you can directly install the 4.4.2 update as soon as it is available for you.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/google_starts_rolling_out_android_442_to_nexus_devices-news-7338.php

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Qualcomm announces 64-bit, entry-level Snapdragon 410

Qualcomm announced its first 64-bit mobile chipset – the Snapdragon 410. Curiously, the SoC is not a high-end powerhouse, but one designed for devices with sub-$150 price tag.

Alongside its 64-bit capability, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 will also bring 4G LTE connectivity to the masses. Manufactured using a 28nm process, the chipset will come with Adreno 306 GPU, as well as support for 1080p video playback and up to 13MP camera units.

Furthermore, the new silicon by Qualcomm will support Dual and Triple SIM configurations. In addition to LTE, connectivity options will include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and FM radio. GPS, GLONASS, and China’s new BeiDou standard will cover location services.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 will support all major mobile operating systems including Android, Windows Phone and Firefox OS. Sampling of the SoC will begin by device manufacturers in the first half of 2014. The first commercially available devices are expected in the second half of the same year.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/qualcomm_announces_64bit_entrylevel_snapdragon_410_chipset-news-7337.php

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