HTC M8 looks set to shun 2K display

Two speakers but no 2K screen?

Unable to be kept quiet before a possible MWC 2014 launch, more specifications of the upcoming HTC M8 have made their way onto the worldwide web.

A User Agent Profile (UAprof), highlighted by Twitter tipster @evleaks, reveals the upcoming HTC flagship will ship with a full HD 1920 x 1080 screen, as well as the latest version of Android.

This latest leak appears to confirm that the HTC M8 may already lag behind the impending Samsung Galaxy S5, a handset that is heavily rumoured to launch with a 2K display.

It makes Sense

This all corroborates with previous leaks, with an AnTuTu benchmark showing off the M8 running Android KitKat on a 5-inch Full HD display, as well as a previous evleaks tweet.

HTC is highly expected to customise the M8 with its all new Sense 6.0 UI, bringing over an improved version of BlinkFeed.

• Find out what else is being said about the HTC One Two

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-m8-looks-set-to-shun-2k-display-1216834

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Sony Xperia Z2 UI screenshots leak

Sony is hard at work on its Xperia Z1 successor that should debut at the MWC in Barcelona next month. The alleged device is has the the codename Sirius, but should be called Xperia Z2 once it goes official.

Just e few days ago we saw high-res live pictures of the Xperia D6503 Sirius. It packs a 5.2" 1080p display, runs on Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974-AB chipset with a quad-core 2.3GHz Krait 400 CPU, faster Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB of RAM). At the back there's a 20.7MP camera with a larger than usual sensor, while Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with a newer version of Sony's home-baked launcher is under the hood.

Sony's new Android launcher

So, the XDA user who gave us the first live pictures of the D6503 is now giving us some screenshots of Sony's new UI. Some rumors suggest the retail device will be running on Android 4.4 KitKat, but the one we are seeing today seems to be running on an older firmware build with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Still, the screenshots are enough to show us some of the changes coming with Sony's new launcher.

Sony's new Android launcher

You can see the new icons on the Quick Settings page, the option for managing notifications from the Personalization menu and the new themes. If the XDA forum user decide to post even more shots, you bet we'll be adding them as well.

Sony's new Android launcher

Hopefully we'll know everything about the Xperia Z2 and its new launcher in a few weeks when the MWC kicks off.

Thank you, xJokerz94, for the tip!

Source | Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z2_ui_screenshots_leak-news-7607.php

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ZTE Geek could be first Tizen smartphone at MWC 2014

Is it time for Tizen at last?

We've been waiting and waiting for a Tizen phone to emerge and finally we may get one at MWC 2014, but perhaps not from the source we were expecting.

Samsung is a major player in the Tizen project and the Korean firm has been heavily linked with smartphones running the alternative software for a while, but it could be beaten to the punch by Chinese manufacturer ZTE.

On the official Tizen website, details of its presence at MWC 2014 include a mention of a "ZTE Geek demo."

Going Geek

The ZTE Geek launched as a middle of the road Android 4.3 Jelly Bean smartphone in April 2013, but it could be able to make a comeback with an all new OS on board.

Questions are being raised over Tizen's appeal however, after Japanese network NTT DoCoMo opted not to range a Tizen handset due to its small market.

TechRadar will be at the Barcelona show to bring you all the latest mobile news, included developments in the Tizen arena.

• You can already find Tizen in a fridge and in a camera

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/zte-geek-could-be-first-tizen-smartphone-at-mwc-2014-1216787

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Fate of Samsung Galaxy S5 retina scanner still unclear

Here's looking at you...

As the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S5 edges closer, more specs are making their way onto the web. Unfortunately, that eye-scanner that we keep hearing about looks to have been omitted from the upcoming flagship, or has it?

According to industry sources talking to the Korea Herald "the tech giant will go for fingerprint authentication rather than unintuitive user experience of iris recognition".

This is in part due to a necessary redesign of the Galaxy S range, as well a current need to hold the phone to your eye in order to have it accurately scanned.

"Since iris recognition requires a long range camera, the smartphone, if fitted with the camera, needs a completely different design from previous models" said the unnamed source.

Now you see me..?

All is not lost for the eye-scanning tech though, with a tip passed to Phone Arena claiming that the Galaxy S5 will come with a refreshed design and a retina scanner - leaving us scratching our heads as to who is right.

Given that one of the biggest gripes with the Galaxy S4 was that it was so close in design to the Galaxy S3, an all new look for the S5 will be well received, yet Samsung will apparently stick to an all plastic construction.

The same leak also claims that the Galaxy S5 will come with that 2K QHD screen (1440 x 2560 pixels) we keep hearing about, as well as a 2900mAh battery. Could this be the fast-charging power pack that we heard about last week?

A 20MP camera has also been touted, contradicting rumours of a 16MP lens and putting it in the same league as the 20.7MP Sony Xperia Z1. It will record in 4K (like the Note 3) as well as simultaneously snap photos.

Given that all previous leaks have pointed towards a 16MP sensor, we'd advise taking this with a smidgeon of salt, and as far as eye scanners go, your guess is as good as ours.

• Hey, did you hear that Samsung is also refreshing the design of the UI?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/fate-of-samsung-galaxy-s5-retina-scanner-still-unclear-1216762

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Lumia 929 aka Icon caught on video

While Nokia is absurdly holding off announcing the Lumia 929, or Icon, the device has added a new leak to its portfolio. This time by means of a video on YouTube.

The video is low on quality but compensates with usefulness by showing all of the device's sides. The top has the ejectable SIM slot and center-placed headphone jack, then there's the camera lens and dual LED flash on the back.

The front isn't particularly interesting with the usual three capacitive WP buttons below the screen. The device runs on Windows Phone 8 and has a screen resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. The Icon is rumored to feature a quad-core Snapdragon 800 chipset, 20 MP 1/2.5" camera sensor with Carl Zeiss lens and PureView technology, and a screen diagonal of 5".

The Lumia 929 should be Verizon-bound, which we gather from recent leaks on Verizon's website and the carrier logo on the back of the smartphone in the video.

The device has even popped up on sale in China. So where's the announcement? We know we're not the only ones in waiting for a reasonably-sized powerful device from Nokia - the Lumia 1520 phablet is just too big for many.

Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lumia_929_aka_icon_caught_on_video-news-7606.php

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Samsung's new TouchWiz UI leaks as a prettier Google Now

Google Now, but nicer (credit: @evleaks)

It's that time of year where Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours are flying in thick and fast, and further leaks point towards a new user interface (UI) and "multi-hovering" controls.

First up is a screen leak from @evleaks - a usually reliable source of mobile slips - revealing a potentially revamped homescreen with large, Windows Phone-esque tiles with information you'd commonly find in the Google Now.

This isn't the first time we've seen screens along this theme, with the same Twitter leaker revealing some similar shots earlier this year.

It also resembles the design of the Magazine UI found on the new Galaxy Tab Pro tablets - although function appears to be different for the smartphone version.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is expected to be the next flagship device to make its way out of the South Korean firm, and this new TouchWiz UI is tipped to feature on the handset.

Touch is so last year

That's not the only Samsung/Galaxy S5 related leak we have for your though, oh no, there's word from ETNews that the smartphone with take its Air View to the next level with multi-hovering.

A Samsung insider for the Korean publication claims the Galaxy S5 will off enhanced touch-free gestures, allowing users to hover not one, but two fingers above the screen to perform various tasks, with the system also boasting greater accuracy.

We weren't overly impressed with the Air View on the Galaxy S4, so unless Samsung has totally reinvented the system we're not getting particularly excited about this potential feature.

• What else is rumoured for the Samsung Galaxy S5?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-s-new-touchwiz-ui-leaks-as-a-prettier-google-now-1216737

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XOLO Q700S announced with 4.5" display and quad-core processor

XOLO has launched the new Q700S smartphone in India. This budget Android phone has a 4.5-inch, 800x480 resolution IPS display, 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB internal memory with microSD card slot, 8 megapixel rear camera, VGA front camera, 1,800mAh battery and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The phone is 8.9mm thin and has a metallic finish to it.

The XOLO Q700S is priced at INR 9,999 ($162) and will be available in silver and gold.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/xolo_q700s_announced_with_45_display_and_quadcore_processor-news-7605.php

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