Between 2,000 and 3,000 Foxconn QC workers strike, may delay iPhone 5 availability

iPhone 5s may be delayed for those of you that have been waiting. Between 2,000 and 3,000 Foxconn quality control inspectors went on strike today over management neglect.

With the stress and pressure to manufacture an exorbitant number of iPhone 5s, Foxconn has hit a roadblock that could cause delays in the production of Apple’s popular phone. China Labor Watch sent out an alert on Friday notifying recipients that between 3,000 and 4,000 workers have ceased working and are protesting the reportedly grueling conditions that production workers have been subjected to.

It’s not the first time that Foxconn workers have gone on strike. In January, many workers striked after a string of employee suicides over low wages and desolate working conditions caught the eye of the public.

The production of iPhones was halted today, and it’s not yet known if Foxconn employees have returned to work. But the incident is an indication that Chinese workers do want, and are beginning to demand, improved working conditions and management practices.

The issue, according to the statement by China Labor Watch, purportedly stemmed from altercations between workers and quality control inspectors. After enacting stricter quality control standards, Foxconn workers were not sufficiently trained to learn the new skills necessary to up quality control. “This led to workers turning out products that did not meet standards and ultimately put a tremendous amount of pressure on workers,” the China Labor Watch explains.

Based on the statement, it appears that the standards were raised by both Apple and Foxconn and named “indentations standards of 0.02mm and demands related to scratches on frames and back covers” as among the improvements inspectors were requiring from line workers.

Consequently, the production workers and quality control inspectors began to butt heads, leading to several physical altercations. According to workers, there was a fight between workers and quality control inspectors in “area K” that led to the damage in “inspection room CA,” the injury of some people, and the hospitalization of others. Later, a similar incident occurred in area K, once again leading to quality control inspectors being beaten up. Yesterday, inspectors in area L received physical threats.”

Fed up with physical abuse and threats by fellow Foxconn employees, the inspectors turned to the factory’s management, but the complaints were ultimately ignored. As a result of management turning a blind eye, and coupled with Foxconn taking away its employee’s vacation privileges for this coming holiday season, all day and night shift inspectors brought the production of iPhone 5s to a standstill.

 You can read the China Labor Watch report in its entirety here.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/foxconn-workers-strike-causing-iphone-5-delays/

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Report: Nexus by Google, LG coming end of October

Welcome to the family?

The rumor floodgates are open this week as more information on a possible Google/LG Nexus collab continues to pour out.

The latest news comes from someone "briefed on the matter" and speaking with CNET.

According to the source, LG will release a Nexus of its own based on the Optimus G.

The phone, of which there is no official name, will be announced at the end of October, the source said.

This goes against an earlier report that the phone, potentially called the LG Optimus G Nexus, would see the light of day in November, alongside Android 4.2.

Information overload

According to CNET, the handset will have many of the same specifications as the Optimus G, though it will be modified to fit Google's Nexus program.

Leaked specs from earlier Friday show the device's possible potential, including carrying Android 4.2 and packing a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor.

Memory is said to come in at 2GB while its screen would run a 1280x768 True-HD IPS display.

As for the device's picture-taker, an 8MP camera is reportedly onboard.

Though these specs, and the fact it might come with onboard wireless charging, are impressive the phone also apparently lacks a removable battery and a microSD slot.

It also looks like it will come in 8GB and 16GB iterations only.

Despite these reported shortcomings, the phone would be good news for LG, which has struggled to see a silver lining in its smartphone business.

However, according to CNET's source, LG might not be the only manufacturer being welcomed into the Nexus family, which either spells potential allies or direct competition for the South Korean company.

TechRadar reached out to LG and Google for comment on the various reports and will update this story if and when we receive information from the companies.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/report-nexus-by-google-lg-coming-end-of-october-1102404

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What does Google have in store for the next Nexus?

We rummage through the mill of rumors surrounding Google's next Nexus device. Will it be a phone? A tablet? Who will make it?

If you’re a diehard Android fan, chances are you prefer Google’s pure Android “Nexus” devices. It started with the Nexus One in January 2010 and since then there have been nearly half a dozen Google branded Android devices, each made by different device makers. With the Galaxy Nexus coming up on a year of age and the Nexus 7 a sales success, we’ve been wondering: What does Google have in store for the next Nexus and what manufacturer will it collaborate with? Google could go with HTC, LG, Samsung, or Motorola for the new Nexus device; it could be something unusual we’ve never seen before; it could be a “phablet;” it could be a 10-inch iPad competitor; or it could be just another Android smartphone. It’s time we place our bets.

As we fly toward the end of 2012 amidst a flurry of big tech releases from every direction, speculation is beginning to mount on what Google will release next. You won’t be shocked to hear that the rumor mill is already grinding on this one and it looks like a three horse race. Skipping past the very believable rumor that Google will release a 3G or 4G version of the Nexus 7 very soon, we’ll take a look at what delicious new device will be next in line to claim the Nexus moniker.

A new Samsung Nexus

By far, the most boring rumor currently circulating is that Samsung will be manufacturing a new Nexus device. This is based on leaked specs on the GT-I9260 device which suggest an updated Galaxy Nexus with a better CPU (1.5GHz Cortex-A9 dual-core), a microSD card slot, and a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD display with a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels — or a screen fairly similar to the last Galaxy Nexus. This potential device would have an 8-megapixel camera and run Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The presence of that microSD card slot would seem to suggest this won’t be the new Nexus, but you never know.

The fact that this has been so widely leaked and it looks like a minor update suggests to us that it won’t be the next Nexus device. The Nexus line has always been used by Google to promote a new version of Android as well. Since the Nexus 7 already heralded the release of Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), we’re skeptical that Google would spend its energy working on another Jelly Bean device, unless it’s merely a Galaxy Nexus update.

HTC 5-inch phablet

This is more like it. A rumor you can really get your teeth into and chew around. An anonymous tip to GSM Arena suggests that the long-rumored HTC 5-inch phablet, the Droid Incredible X or One X5, will actually be the Google Nexus 5. Internally, this rumored device supposedly includes a Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset, a 1080p display (a first!), 12-megapixel camera, 2,500mAh battery, 64GB of internal memory for storage, and support for LTE.

To us, this phone sounds like competition for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but is the phablet (phone+tablet) a form factor that Google wants to get involved with? After the 7-inch Nexus 7, it seems plausible.

LG Optimus G variant

The new LG Optimus G signals a fresh assault on the premium Android smartphone market for LG. Just imagine a new Nexus smartphone based on LG’s flagship. We could be looking at a quad-core Qualcomm S4 processor, 4.7-inch 720p True HD IPS Plus display, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal file storage, a 13-megapixel camera, NFC, LTE, and Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).

An Optimus Gexus would be a tempting package capable of taking on all-comers, including the iPhone 5. Google hasn’t worked with LG on a Nexus device yet, but that fact could lend credence to the rumor. As the force behind Android, it’s important Google doesn’t favor one device manufacturer over another, so having already worked with HTC and Samsung, LG could be next in line.

We are seeing quite a bit of buzz about LG and the next Nexus from Android and Me. It reports that the new Nexus has already leaked and will be announced within the next 30 days. The sources are anonymous so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Why not Motorola?

When Google acquired Motorola Mobility, there were expectations from many quarters that the partnership would bear hardware fruit. It seems as though concerns about slighting other Android partners have kept Google from working with Motorola on a Nexus device and that doesn’t look likely to change in the near future.

Patrick Brady, Google’s Director of Android Partner Engineering, spoke to CNET back in June and told them, “It was important for us when we acquired Motorola to stress to our partners that we weren’t buying Motorola to get in the hardware business and compete directly with them. We acquired Motorola to help the ecosystem in terms of patents and intellectual property.”

What about Android updates?

If you’re excited about the prospect of Android 5 — which might be codenamed named “Key Lime Pie” — you might be jumping the gun. Android 4.2 has been spotted on server logs so it’s obviously being tested. For all we know, it could be what will ship on the next Nexus. Jelly Bean was just a point release and it had a good range of improvements and new features though, so we can expect the same from the next version.

Of course, there might not be a new version. According to Chitika Insights, Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) only reached 1.47 percent of Android devices by the end of August. Will Google want to push yet another version of the platform out so soon?

When will we find out?

If Google is planning a new Nexus phone, a release before the holiday season would make a lot of sense. At least an updated Nexus smartphone seems likely, but there could be more. Google has launched a Nexus device section in its Google Play store, which indicates that more devices are to come. Andy Rubin is also set to speak at AllThingsD: Dive Into Mobile at the end of the month, so there could be some news there. We think Google will set up an event for the next Nexus release, though, so until we hear news of one, we wouldn’t advise holding your breath.

Post a comment and let us know what you expect to see, or what you’d like to see, from Google next in the Nexus line-up.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/what-does-google-have-in-store-for-the-next-nexus/

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Japanese company to produce new 5-inch smartphone screens

Harbinger of the future?

The 5-inch screen may become the industry standard for smartphones in 2013.

Though Sharp is already manufacturing 5-inch 1080p LCD screens, the company could have a bit of competition from Japan Display Inc. (JDI).

Starting this month, JDI plans to begin full-scale production of its own 1080p LCD screens, with a 443 PPI ratio identical to that of the screens Sharp's shipping out.

JDI's production is part of a joint-venture between the company, Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi, with the latter three contributing manufacturing expertise in crafting the full-HD (1920 x 1080) phone-fronts.

Five is the new four

With companies like HTC reportedly working on new 5-inch phablets, and others phones like LG's Intuition and Samsung's Galaxy Note 2 in production, the shift to bigger screens is already happening.

That said, both Sharp and JDI's new HD screens will have a drastically better pixel density than anything currently on the market, or soon shipping.

For comparison, the Galaxy Note 2's Super AMOLED screen provides just 267 PPI, while other potential competitor screens, like that in the iPhone 5 (326 PPI) and the Galaxy S3 (306 PPI), are both smaller and less sharp.

The new screens will also have a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and be a razor-thin 1.4 millimeters (.05 inches) thick.

JDI will have the screens on display for the first time at FPD International 2012 in Yokohama, Japan starting on Oct. 31.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/japanese-company-to-produce-new-5-inch-smartphone-screens-1102379

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Starbucks accepting Square payments beginning early November

With Starbucks having invested $25 million into mobile payment start-up Square, the coffee chain will begin accepting Square payments in the beginning of November.

Starbucks first announced their partnership with Square last month, and now the retailer has unveiled that its mobile payment integration with the point-of-sale solution will be available as early as November. 

Starbucks made an investment of $25 million back in August and agreed to a partnership that would establish Square as the payment service of choice for smartphone touting customers. Square will begin processing all of Starbuck’s credit card-based payments and users can make purchases using their phones through a digital Starbucks Card. Square’s in-app directory will also offer a list of the nearest Starbucks shops among the 7,000 locations throughout the U.S.

“Starbucks and Square share a passion for constantly improving the customer experience,” Square founder and CEO, Jack Dorsey said in a statement. “This partnership gives millions of Starbucks customers a quick, seamless payment experience and introduces them to hundreds of thousands of small businesses in the Square directory.”

Along with new details regarding its Square partnership, Starbucks has also revealed its iOS app’s integration with Passbook. For iOS 6 users, this couldn’t have come at a better time, and Square’s payment system at Starbucks locations will work hand in hand with the shop’s Passbook app. Now when you approach a Starbucks location (you must have Starbucks’ iOS app downloaded and have added your Starbucks Card to Passbook), a Passbook notification will appear on the lock screen of your iPhone. You can then select the Starbucks Card and swipe your phone to make the purchase, and even enjoy loyalty rewards on occasion. 

The integration isn’t quite as beneficial for Android users, though you’ll now be able to pay for your coffee through Square’s Android app at any of the participating Starbucks locations.

Starbucks will later integrate Square’s GPS-based point of sale system, which should make purchases a breeze and speed up the lines especially during coffee rush hours. When this happens, you’ll be able to select the items that you’d wish to purchase from Starbucks within Square’s app and simply say your name to the cashier to confirm the payment. For those of you worried about identity theft or misuse, the cashier will be presented with an image of your face from the profile photo you upload onto Square.

Since January 2011, when Starbucks first launched its mobile payment app, the company has hosted over 70 million transactions, and its partnership with Square has been a mutually beneficial one for both companies. Starbucks says that the partnership “will significantly expand Square’s scale and accelerate the benefits to businesses on the Square platform, especially small businesses, while reducing Starbucks payment processing costs.”

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/starbucks-square-payment-starts-in-november/

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Angry Birds continues to explore space with Star Wars tease

Everyone loves Angry Birds. Everyone loves Star Wars. Would would happen if the two came together? From the looks of it, we're going to find out very soon.

Having not claimed enough hearts and minds with the lovable and addictive Angry Birds series on its own, Rovio is setting its sights on Star Wars fans. They may have panned Angry Birds Space as “not the game they were looking for,” but there is no Jedi mind trick stronger than shamelessly slapping Star Wars branding on things. From the looks of a teaser image tweeted from the official @AngryBirds account earlier today, that’s exactly what is happening.

Almost immediately following the tweet, an official Angry Birds tumblr page–confirmed on Twitter–appeared. The first and only post sported an animated version of the previous teaser with a less-than-cryptic message attached. Below the image was the text, “Times Square, New York, October 8th, 10am EST,” accompanied by, “HINT: Head to Toys R Us at 8am EST!”

Considering apps and games get digital releases that don’t require physical attendance to experience, it’s likely that this partnership between Rovio and LucasArts will be some sort of board game or collectable toy. A tie-in game wouldn’t be shocking of course. Considering the popularity of Angry Birds titles without grabbing at the audience of other popular series’, it’d be a hit no matter what.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/angry-birds-continues-to-explore-space-with-star-wars-tease/

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Asus Padfone 2 specs leak ahead of Oct. 16 unveil

Why not make another?

Asus will officially unveil the Padfone 2 Oct. 16, but folks over at EEEPC.it apparently got ahold of some leaked specs for the three-in-one device ahead of time.

According to the leak, the Padfone 2’s packing a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, which duplicates the chip specs found inside the original Padfone.

However, this time around the smartphone/tablet/notebook might run a Snapdragon S4 Pro version, according to a report on Digital Trends.

Two times the charm

The Padfone 2, which uses the smartphone component to power the other devices it becomes, will host 2GB of RAM, a 13MP camera and a 2,140mAh battery.

The last detail is based off an eBay listing for an Asus A68 battery pack, and although A68 is reportedly the model number for the Padfone 2, the battery's validity is still questionable.

As for the display, it looks as if this time around Asus is endowing the smartphone component with a 4.7-inch, 1280 x 720 resolution display, bumping up the original's dimensions of 4.3 inches and 540 x 960.

There’s also word of cellular data at GSM 1900/850 MHz and WCDMA 2100 MHz, while it'll also support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC.

We won't know for a few weeks just what Asus is going to throw at us (the original Padfone was enough of a curveball), but TechRadar will bring all the latest out of the company's simultaneous Milan/Taipei event to light.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/asus-padfone-2-specs-leak-ahead-of-oct-16-unveil-1102354

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More info on LG Nexus leaks, including wireless charging

LG's Nexus will supposedly resemble the Galaxy Nexus

Rumors have popped up recently that LG will be launching its very own Nexus device, possibly called the LG Optimus G Nexus (though maybe not).

On Thursday, unnamed sources claimed that the new LG Nexus would launch alongside a new version of Google's Jelly Bean OS, Android 4.2.

Then, on Friday, even more details emerged - in addition to a supposed hands-on report with the unannounced LG Nexus device, a slew of specs have reportedly arrived at MoDaCo via "various sources."

The LG Nexus phone, or whatever it ends up being called, will pack a punch, but in some areas it'll fall woefully short, according to these latest sources.

The good

According to Thursday's rumors, Google will be loosening its grip on the Nexus branding, allowing any phone maker to take its stab at creating a Nexus device as long as it lives up to Google's standards.

LG's Nexus phone will reportedly be a spiritual successor of sorts to the LG Optimus G, though it'll look more like Samsung's Galaxy Nexus.

According to the most recent rumors, the LG Nexus device will run Android 4.2 out of the box and sport a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor, a hefty 2GB of memory, a 1280x768 True-HD IPS display, and an 8-megapixel rear camera.

In addition, the LG Nexus will reportedly have onboard wireless charging, a welcome feature that's been hyped up recently due to its inclusion in Nokia's Lumia 920.

The bad, and the ugly

On the other hand, according to Friday's report LG's new Nexus phone will suffer from a few drawbacks that might have Android fans wondering what the Korean phone maker is thinking.

For one thing, the LG Nexus will reportedly not come with a microSD slot.

To make that worse, its storage capacity will be capped at 16GB, at least to start, with an 8GB model available as well, according to the rumors.

It would be one thing if there were larger versions available, but to limit the storage to 16GB and then not allow for expansion seems somewhat daft.

Finally, the report also claimed that the LG Nexus's battery will not be removable.

It remains to be seen whether any of these claims actually turn out to be true. TechRadar has reached out to LG to comment on the rumors, but the company has yet to respond.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/more-info-on-lg-nexus-leaks-including-wireless-charging-1102346

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Will the Padfone 2 use Qualcomm’s quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chip?

A spec for the Padfone 2 has been leaked, indicating it may use a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chip, but the leak's accuracy is questionable.

Asus is set to officially launch the Padfone 2 on October 16, during a simultaneous event in Milan, Italy and Taipei, Taiwan. Besides a set of benchmark figures, little is known about the final spec of Asus’ follow-up to the unusual Padfone, however a few leaks this week have added a little color to the picture.

The most recent comes from a Japanese site, which spotted a spec list for the Padfone 2 on the NCC’s website — that’s Japan’s communications regulator — which stated the Padfone 2’s model number as A68, and that it would come with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC.

This joins a leaked image of the Padfone 2’s packaging, which backs up the A68 model number (the original Padfone’s model number is A66, by the way), and that it will be powered by a 1.5Ghz, Qualcomm 8064 Snapdragon processor.

A quad-core Snapdragon chip was featured in the early benchmark figures, so it’s great to see it listed again, as the exciting Qualcomm APQ8064 is the company’s first foray into the world of quad-core chips, and is set to make its debut in the LG Optimus G very soon.

Questionable sources

If this is correct, then the Padfone 2 is shaping up to be the second device to use the incredibly powerful processor, which given the phone section is the “heart” of the Padfone’s phone/tablet/laptop setup, it needs all the help it can get.

The spec list, which concentrates on the smartphone, continues with a 13-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, a 1.2-megapixel forward facing camera, LTE connectivity and a 4.7-inch, high definition touchscreen. It’s here where the validity of the leaked picture is called into question, as the screen is described as being both a Super AMOLED panel and a Super IPS LCD, both of which are completely different technologies.

Every rumor should be viewed with skepticism, but when blatant errors like this are on display, one has to treat it as being entirely fabricated. Shame, as the possibility of that Snapdragon S4 Pro chip was very tempting indeed. On the subject of questionable sources, Digitimes.com also says the Padfone 2 will use a Qualcomm quad-core processor, and that Google Android 4.1 will be used instead of Android 4.0 as originally expected.

So, we’ll keep hoping for both the quad-core Snapdragon and Android 4.1, and wait for all to be revealed on October 16.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/padfone-2-could-use-qualcomms-snapdragon-s4-pro-chip/

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Motorola wins patent case against Microsoft in Germany

The regional court in Mannhein ruled that Motorola did not infringe on Microsoft's patented technology that allows applications to work across different handsets without requiring developers to write separate code.

This marks a notable victory for Motorola, considering the (now Google-owned) company has lost three previous cases against Microsoft in Germany.

Germany has garnered a reputation as a battleground for global patent wars, due largely to its cheap and quick court process compared to other countries.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_wins_patent_case_against_microsoft_in_germany-news-4910.php

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Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX price drops to $50 on contract

Amazon Wireless has a killer deal for droid lovers who want huge battery life and don't mind slightly aged hardware and software - they are offering the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX for just $50 (with a 2-year Verizon contract, of course).

Both Verizon's and Motorola's sites still list the phone at $200, while Best Buy has it at $150. For comparison, a non-MAXX Droid RAZR (with 16GB of built-in storage instead of 32GB) goes for $30 ($100 on Verizon's site).

What you might want to look at is the new RAZR M - it doesn’t have such a big battery ("only" 2000mAh) or as much storage, but it's a very compact phone with two Krait cores and is going for only$40 at the moment.

We tried various other but we couldn’t find any that comes close to the Amazon Wireless offer, but if you spot one leave a comment - our other users will appreciate it.

Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_droid_razr_maxx_price_drops_to_50_on_contract-news-4909.php

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Court backs Motorola in Microsoft patent case

Another patent dispute settled by the courts

A German court has ruled that Motorola hasn't ripped off a major Microsoft radio patent, scoring one for Google in the great tech patent war.

The patent in question relates to radio interfaces, formally known as "Method and radio interface layer comprising a set of application programming interfaces (APIs)".

Microsoft alleged that the way Motorola's Android handsets accessed contacts infringed on the patent, but the German courts disagreed.

Wheels and deals

Motorola is one of the few Android manufacturers not to have cut a licensing deal with Microsoft.

Microsoft makes a fair amount of cash from Android-makers, taking a cut from most handsets sold.

This isn't something Google is particularly pumped about, and it is keen to keep Motorola, a company it paid billions of dollars for, off that list.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/court-backs-motorola-in-microsoft-patent-case-1102257

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Sony Xperia Tablet S sales suspended over water damage fears

Better keep that tea away

Sony has had to stop selling the Xperia Tablet S because gaps between the screen and the case make it vulnerable to water damage.

That's a pretty big problem for a tablet that is supposed to be splash-proof and has already shipped over 100,000 units.

The problem comes down to a manufacturing flaw with Sony placing the blame on the Chinese factory that puts the tablets together.

Splash canyon

The tablet went on sale in September, so Sony has promised to replace or repair any tablets that have already been bought.

We're yet to spend some serious time with the Xperia Tablet S but our first impressions weren't bad; we're talking to Sony to try and find out more about the situation.

The company hasn't said when it expects to see the tablet back on the market yet though, so if the Xperia Tablet takes your fancy, you could be in for a bit of a wait.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sony-xperia-tablet-s-sales-suspended-over-water-damage-fears-1102184

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Microsoft announces a pair of events to celebrate the arrival of Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and its Surface tablets

Microsoft will be holding two events this month, one on October 25 for Windows 8's arrival, and the other on October 29 for Windows Phone 8.

Microsoft wants October to be its month, and has scheduled two different events to formally introduce three major new products: Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and the Microsoft Surface tablets.

The first event, to be held in New York, has been set for October 25, the day before the Windows 8 hits the shelves; where we’ll not only see a final demonstration of the desktop software, hear about the company’s new Surface tablets, and perhaps more on Xbox Music too.

Rather than being the usual one or two hour presentation, Microsoft’s event runs from 10am to 3pm, and will include a “Microsoft Surface Reception.” Although we’ve already seen the Surface, there hasn’t been any mention of how much it will cost, so that’s likely to be one of the big stories of the day. There’s also a chance we’ll see other Surface tablets introduced, although not necessarily put on sale.

Once Windows 8 has been welcomed, Microsoft’s high and mighty will be jetting off to San Francisco to prepare for Windows Phone 8’s arrival at another event, this time planned for October 29.

Windows Phone 8 was shown off back in June, and was followed by a flurry of hardware announcements from Nokia, HTC and Samsung. Except none provided a release date, probably because Microsoft hadn’t provided one for the software.

The event invites us to “meet Windows Phone 8,” so we can expect that elusive final release date, even more details on the OS and its features, and hopefully, a date for the Windows Phone 7.8 update for existing Windows Phones too. Whether any hardware partners will be there to announce the street date of their products remains to be seen.

As both Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 have already been announced and thoroughly examined, it’s not too much of a stretch to expect a few surprises from Microsoft during these two events. What will they be? We’ll find out during the final week of October.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/microsoft-to-hold-new-windows-release-events/

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Xperia Tablet S sales suspended due to manufacturing issues

Sony made a tough decision to suspend the Xperia Tablet S sales because of a manufacturing issue resulting in gaps between the screen and the panel. This causes problems with the splash resistance and the Tablet S will get soaked eventually.

So, instead of waiting the users to start with the complaints, Sony is pulling back all shipped slates for repairs. The users who already bought one are able to return it and get it fixed for free.

The Tablet S has been on the market for only a few weeks, so it didn’t sell that many units. Sony managed to ship about 100 000 slates to retailers, and estimates that the recall costs shouldn't have an impact on its bottom line.

According to Sony this inconvenience won’t affect the sales notably. Still there is no information when the new Tablet S stock will go on sale again.

It's good to know Sony is taking doing the right thing and taking care of customers who have been wronged.

Source • Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_tablet_s_sales_frozen_due_to_water_resistance_failure-news-4908.php

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Android 'has won the war of the operating systems'

Eagle eyes up the next generation of affordable and mobile computing

One of the leading experts on mobile phones in emerging markets has suggested that Google's Android operating system has already won the war of the operating systems.

Jana co-founder and CEO Nathan Eagle, speaking at Google's ThinkMobile conference with TechRadar in attendance, explained that Android was perfectly aligned to become a dominant force, and not just in phones.

This is down to the plethora of affordable smartphones that are set to sweep through emerging and developing markets in places like Africa.

Winning

"I would say that Android has already won the battle of the operating systems," said Eagle.

"That's not necessarily because it's the best, just that it's given away for free and you are starting to see the rise of these [$50 phones] from China."

Eagle's presentation "Engaging the next billion" suggested that 2013 would see Android overtake Windows, with predictions that 1.3 billion will be using Microsoft's OS and 1.5 billion Android.

It's clear that mobile technology is a huge boon to countries without the telecomms infrastructure of many developed markets.

And the rise and rise of the smartphone – enabling things like internet access, GPS and, not to forget, phone calls – means that mobile platforms are increasingly powerful.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/android-has-won-the-war-of-the-operating-systems-1102159

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Report of LG-made Nexus phone point to an Optimus G-based droid

So, the rumor mill has been abuzz that the LG Optimus G (the Snapdragon S4 Pro powerhouse) will be used as base for the next Google Nexus Phone. A tipster has contacted AndroidAndMe to give it a first hand account of what the LG-made Nexus is like.

It reportedly looks about the same as the current Galaxy Nexus phone and is about the same size. There's a silver band running around the perimeter of the phone, similar to that of the iPhone 3G and a Nexus logo on the back similar to the Nexus 7 (with the "x" styled to look like the four-colored Nexus logo).

The tipster also claims the LG Nexus is running Android 4.2 Key Lime Pie, which at the moment is hard to distinguish from 4.1. There are more transition effects and everything runs smoothly (on this hardware how could it not) but the new OS still doesn’t consolidate the messaging department of Android.

AndroidAndMe was also sent an 8MP photo with the appropriate EXIF data, though they couldn’t share it "due to the nature of the photo". Still, the photo points to the LG Optimus Nexus (or whatever they call it) using the 8MP version of the Optimus G camera (as opposed to the 13MP one).

All that is far from confirmed but the rumor mill is really insistent that LG will be making the next Nexus phone. We also heard that "Nexus" phones might be built by multiple makers, so the LG Nexus might not be the next Nexus phone, just one of a generation of Nexus phones.

Still, the whole thing is rather iffy. First of all, we've seen photos from a Samsung I9260 which is supposed to be the Galaxy Nexus 2 (though that isn't a problem if multiple companies are making Nexus phones). And it was a Sony phone, the Xperia S, that was accepted into the AOSP project, making it a likely candidate to become a Nexus phone.

Then there's the Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset - Nexus phones don't have a strong history of using top of the line components (even the Nexus 7 uses the Tegra 3 version with the lowest clock speed). Nexus devices seem to focus on accessible price ($200 for the Nexus 7, $350 for the Galaxy Nexus) and delivering a pure Android experience, leaving the high-end stuff to the OEM's flagships.

Then there's LG's track record of updating their phones - it's less than stellar. Come to think of it, having a Nexus phone might actually be good for LG, helping them push out updates faster and countering their "slow to update" image.

Still, nothing is certain until the fat lady sings (or a major tech event passes and LG doesn’t announce an Optimus Nexus).

Note: the image above is just a rough mockup we made in Photoshop based on the description.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/report_of_lgmade_nexus_phone_point_to_an_optimus_gbased_droid-news-4907.php

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Samsung reports record profits thanks to Galaxy S3

So long and thanks for all the S3s

Good times over at Samsung HQ where record profits for the company have just been confirmed; its mobile phone business raked in 93% more for the three months ending in September 2012 than a year ago.

The dazzling company figures come in at 8.10 trillion won operating profit (that's around £4.5 billion, AU$7.1 billion, US$7.3 billion), comfortably beating analysts' estimates.

That ridiculous bank balance is largely thanks to the Samsung Galaxy S3, launched in May, and Samsung Galaxy Note which both had a strong quarters.

It comes as no great surprise that the Galaxy S3 raked in so much cash; it hit 20 million sales in under 100 days with Europe leading the S3 way by scooping up 6 million of them.

Trouble ahead

It's not all champagne and diamond necklaces for the company though; other areas of the business are struggling as the effects of reduced orders for chips and screen displays are felt.

One big customer, at least, is cutting back: Apple. The two companies are slowly but surely severing ties after a year's worth of vicious patent battles and sniping adverts around the world.

Another Apple-effect that Samsung will have to account for in the future is the $1 billion court payout that it is currently appealing against. But hey, what's $1 billion when you have another $6.3 billion burning a hole in your bank vault?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-reports-record-profits-thanks-to-galaxy-s3-1102145

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Sony suspends sales of new Xperia Tablet S, not as splash-proof as first thought

The sales literature for Sony's Xperia Tablet S device describes it as "splash-proof", but barely a month after launch the company has had to suspend sales after gaps were found between the case and the screen.

Sony has been forced to suspend sales of its new Xperia Tablet S device after the discovery of gaps between the case and the screen, which could potentially let in water.

The tablet, marketed as “splash-proof”, is evidently not as splash-proof as first thought, with the Japanese company citing a manufacturing flaw at one of its Chinese plants as the cause of the design fault.

Sony spokesperson Noriko Shoji told Reuters that it was impossible to say when it would resume sales of the tablet. For anyone that has already bought the device, the company said it will repair it for free, though with only 100,000 units shipped so far, the recall is unlikely to prove costly for Sony – in financial terms, at least. However, for a company that prides itself on the quality and design of its products, the development will definitely come as an embarrassment to the electronics firm.

Interestingly, in an in-depth review of the new Xperia Tablet S posted on this site only yesterday, DT’s mobile expert Jeffrey Van Camp cited a number of manufacturing issues which let the tablet down, highlighting a sub-standard design which has ultimately led to its recall.

The Android-powered tablet, which has only been in stores a month, features a Tegra 3 processor, 9.4-inch screen, up to 64GB of storage and an 8-megapixel rear camera.

Its splash-proof feature is, according to Sony’s own website, a clear selling point of the device. A page (pdf) for the tablet on the company’s online store compares it with Apple’s big-selling iPad. Among the 16 comparison points listed is “splash-proof”. For the iPad it says simply “unpublished”.

Following a tough few years, Sony is currently making big changes to its internal structure in a bid to re-establish itself as a leading player in the electronics market. While news of today’s recall will not be considered a major issue, it is of course another headache it could well do without.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/sony-suspends-sales-of-xperia-tablet-s/

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4G frenzy, tempting tablets and your next PC

EE is nearly ready. And now the others are going to be slightly less far behind

Wheeeeeee! Wheeeeee! That's the sound data makes when it's whooshing across a 4G network - or at least, that's what our chums across the Atlantic tell us, because of course the UK doesn't actually have 4G yet.

But it will, and it's coming sooner than we feared: thanks to a network peace treaty the 4G spectrum auction's being brought forward and the main networks will all be offering 4G next summer, not next Christmas.

We know what you're thinking: what about EE, whose 1800MHz network is ready to go right now? We've got news on that front too: EE's 4G goes live on the 30th of October, although initially it'll be limited to 16 cities. You might need a new phone too: EE's network works with the iPhone 5, HTC One XL, Huawei Ascend P1 LTE and the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE, as well as the incoming Samsung Galaxy Note 2 LTE.

EE's list might get a new entry on 17 October: the long rumoured iPad mini has gone into production, with an expected reveal date two weeks from now. There's a nanoSIM tray so it's 3G-capable at least, but given that the iPhone 5 does 4G it'd be a bit odd if the iPad mini didn't.

Moving towards Windows 8

With the iPad mini almost here, we're already thinking about the iPad 4 - and we've been looking at the iPhone 5 to see whether it offers any clues. Of course it does: you're going to need a different dock, it'll have a thinner screen, it'll have proper 4G and we think it might even have a different form factor. One thing will remain the same, however: lots of people are waiting for Apple to fail.

As TechRadar's own Gary Marshall says, "If the iPad 4 merely turns out to be a better version of what we've already got, expect a chorus of disappointment and disapproval."

Blackberry season

BlackBerry's in the coming-soon department too: while it rolled out an update to the PlayBook OS this week, that isn't the OS every BlackBerry fan is waiting for.

The good news is that BlackBerry OS 10 is nearly finished, and that it has a "slick interface" and plenty of "features that are exciting"; the bad is that instead of the predicted late-2012 launch, it's not going to be out until early 2013.

With just weeks to go before Windows 8 ships, many PC owners will be thinking about upgrading - and Jeremy Laird says that if they don't consider AMD PCs, they're great big ninnies. He didn't put it quite like that, but he did make a strong argument in AMD's favour: while AMD's processors can't quite match Intel's ones in sheer horsepower, "raw performance is gradually becoming less critical. It's now just one part of a broader package and in that context, AMD is much, much more competitive."

Windows 8 coverage

Windows 8 review
50 Windows 8 tips, tricks and secrets
Windows 8 on ARM: Steven Sinofsky speaks
Windows 8 tablets: what you need to know
Making sense of the Windows 8 versions
All our Windows 8 content

The word "competitive" is being used about Ultrabooks too, and if you're thinking you've heard that before you're right: Ultrabooks were supposed to be cheap and thin, but to date manufacturers have concentrated only on thin.

According to DigiTimes, though, PC manufacturers are gearing up to launch much cheaper Ultrabooks early next year. Essentially we'll end up with two kinds of Ultrabook: premium ones with Lithium Polymer batteries, SSDs, touchscreens and aluminium or carbon fibre unibody construction and $1,000-ish price tags, and cheaper $699 ones with hard disks, normal screens, traditional batteries and plastic or plastic-hybrid bodies.

If the OEMs need a new name for this exciting new sub-category, we've got it covered: why not call them "laptops"?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/4g-frenzy-tempting-tablets-and-your-next-pc-1101939

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Samsung outs Q3 2012 earning guidance, expects another record

Today Samsung announced its earning guidance for Q3 2012 and expects yet another record breaking quarter (fourth in a row). According to the preliminary report, the company is expecting an achieve an operating profit of $7.28 billion.

In fact, this is more than double the operating profit Samsung got in Q3 2011 and considerably more than the last quarter's $5.86 billion. Consolidated sales are estimated to be around $46 billion.

In the full Q3 2012 financial report, which is expected to be released before October 26, everything will be broken down by departments, so that we can see how big of a role the mobile department has played. One thing is certain, Samsung is on a roll and it doesn't plan on stopping soon.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_outs_earning_guidance_for_q3_2012_expects_another_record-news-4906.php

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LG Optimus G Nexus gets hands-on report

Will the Nexus version have more rounded corners?

Yesterday we brought you news that the LG Optimus G Nexus would be launching next month, alongside an overhaul of the Optimus branding.

Well here's the first hands-on report of the Optimus G Nexus. The person who claims to have one doesn't work for Google, but says he has one of the test devices that was handed out last week.

"Like a Galaxy Nexus"

"The phone looks surprisingly like the Galaxy Nexus and does not have sharp corners like the LG Optimus we already know," he writes. "It has a silver'ring like the iPhone 3G around the outer edge of the screen which seemed to be similar to the Galaxy Nexus in size but was much better in brightness.

"I couldn't have said if it was larger in the few minutes that I had the phone. Also, it has Nexus written on the back like the Nexus 7 except there is a colour element to it. The 'X' is in four colours. There was also the LG logo on the back.

"Android 4.2 in its current state looked exactly like the 4.1.1 we love. There were no tabs on that build version for home-screens as you suggested from your other tipster. What I was amazed by is how fluid everything seemed to be from exiting apps, switching etc.

"It seems like they've increased the number of transitions and their types. It still had the hodge-podge mess of multiple communications tools: Messenger, GTalk, Voice and SMS."

It's also said to come in two versions, one with a 13-megapixel camera, the other with an 8-megapixel.

We can't verify these specs, so take them with a pinch of salt for now.

Google is said to be opening up the Optimus program to anyone who wants to make devices for it. As long as they meet Google's standards, that is.

Via Android and Me

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/lg-optimus-g-nexus-gets-hands-on-report-1102107

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