Android 4.4 KitKat will grace other devices soon, but not the Galaxy Nexus

KitKat arriving in style

Update: Unfortunately, Galaxy Nexus owners will not be getting Android 4.4 KitKat.

Google stated as much on a support page, noting that because the phone was released two years ago, it doesn't meet the 18-month window where devices normally receive updates.

There's also word over at Engadget Spanish the phone won't get the upgrade because it carries a chip made by Texas Instruments, a company that no longer produces mobile silicon. Therefore, it wouldn't be able to provide support for the new operating system. Google hasn't confirmed this is the reason behind the decision, but it seems likely.

It's lame to be sure, but then again, it's probably time for you to update your phone after two years anyway.

Original article ...

The brand spankin' new Google Nexus 5 isn't the only device that will receive Android 4.4 KitKat.

Announced today by Google, the Nexus 4, with Play editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, and the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 will also get a piece of Android KitKat "in the coming weeks."

We'll probably even see the sweet new system on budget phones soon afterwards since the OS is compatible with as little as 512MB of RAM.

Google notes on its developer site that, "KitKat streamlines every major component to reduce memory use" for a broader range of devices, meaning the whole OS has been condensed, along with memory used by Google services like Chrome and YouTube. More memory efficient apps can also be created.

That KitKat OS

4.4 KitKat is seeing a lengthy range of improvements; the interface is much cleaner and boasts changes like full-screen album art during music playback to better search options like new voice command options using "OK Google."

According to Gizmodo, the OK Google feature requires heftier hardware like Snapdragon 800 so it's only out on the Nexus 5, but don't count out other Android smartphones yet since many are likely more than capable.

• Now with all the announcements about the Nexus 5 and KitKat out of the way, we have more time to sniff out more next-gen Nexus 10 news.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-4-4-kitkat-will-grace-a-whole-list-of-phones-soon-1195478

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Alleged image of Motorola Moto G leaks out on Twitter

After appearing alongside the Moto X on Motorola’s website the other day, the yet to be announced Moto G showed up yet again. This time, an image of the smartphone, along with some alleged specs made the rounds on Twitter.

Alleged photo of the Moto G (click to enlarge)

Reportedly, the Moto G will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC with 1.5GHz quad-core CPU. The display is said to be a 4.7” 720p unit. An 8MP camera, 8 or 16GB of built-in memory, and an LG-made 1,950mAh battery complete the list of leaked specs.

The Moto G is said to start for free on contract when available.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_image_of_motorola_moto_g_leaks_out_on_twitter-news-7106.php

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Nexus 5 torn down in front of a camera

Here is another Google Nexus 5 leak. In case you aren't tired of seeing the smartphone leaking from pretty much every corner of the universe, here we have yet another set of pictures for you.

This time the Nexus 5 poses in front of a camera with an opened battery cover. You'll get to see the 2,300 mAh battery, the alleged OIS camera, plus the round earpiece.

LG Nexus 5

There are a few high-res photos of the Nexus 5 itself.

LG Nexus 5

We already know everything there is to know about the LG-made Google Nexus 5. You can check its specs here if you think you've missed something.

We expect Nexus 5 to go official any moment now. It's about time really, because we are all getting really tired of this leak marathon.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/google_nexus_5_torn_down_in_front_of_a_camera-news-7102.php

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Forget movies, smartphones are the new box-office winners for Sony

Sony getting smarter on phones

Olympus Has Fallen. This was the movie name-checked in Sony's recent financials, where it announced it has slashed its full-year profit forecast by a whopping 40%.

It's an unfortunate title when you consider that one of the giants of the tech world has once again showed with a plummet in profits how volatile the entertainment and technology space is.

The movie's poor showing at the box office was revealed to be one of the many things that has brought Sony slipping back into the red. This alongside an ailing TV and video camera business unfortunately masked an area where Sony is excelling – mobile phones.

As with LG's recent earnings report, smartphones are big business once more for companies that were primarily known for their television output. They are propping up profits, plastering over the cracks other devices are continuing to add to brands.

This is good news for the phone industry, but more importantly great news for mobile phone users. 2013 has been a golden year for mobile phones.

Mobile redemption

No longer are Samsung and Apple the only ones name-checked when someone asks 'what is the best mobile phone?'. The HTC One, LG G2, Nokia Lumia 1520 and Sony Xperia Z1 are all viable alternatives for the 'best phone' crown.

Sony's redemption in the phone market has come at a great time for the company. Without its recent success in this space, where sales of its phones have grown to 39%, Sony's outlook for 2013 would be, well, even more bleak.

And, despite criticism, it shows that at least one of the prongs on CEO Kazuo Hirai's three-pronged approach to the electronics market – mobile, imaging, and gaming – is sharp. But this doesn't mean that he should turn trim this approach into a solitary spike.

Let the games begin

Yes gaming was hit with a loss, because of PS Vita price cuts, but 2014 is certain to be different. The PS4 is launching, along with it better PS Vita functionality.

The PS4 also makes fantastic use of Sony smartphones and offers the 4K functionality that could be key to kickstarting people buying televisions once more, two key things that could finally create the 'one Sony' eco-system the company is currently craving.

Sony is struggling, but its renewed focus in mobile gives it hope. The news that there's a sequel to Olympus Has Fallen, does not.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/forget-movies-smartphones-are-the-new-box-office-winners-for-sony-1195315

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Pink Samsung Galaxy Note 3 goes on sale in the UK

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was announced in three flavors - black, white and pink. The black and white Note 3 are already available globally, while the pink is yet to hit the shelves.

It seems UK is the first market to get the pink Galaxy Note 3. It will be available tomorrow exclusively via Phones 4U. You can get the phablet for free with a 2-year contract on various plans starting at £43. If you need a cheaper contract - you can get the phablet on £40/month deal, but you will have to pay £100 upfront.

If you get the pink Galaxy Note 3 on a 4G tariff, you get a free wireless speaker worth £120. What’s more, anyone upgrading to the new smartphone on a Vodafone 4G ready plan will gets Sky Sports Mobile or Spotify Premium included for no extra charge.

The Phones 4U exclusivity will last until the end of November. After that the pink Galaxy Note 3 will become across the UK.

There is no info on when other markets will be getting the pink edition.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/pink_samsung_galaxy_note_3_goes_on_sale_in_the_uk-news-7101.php

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Nokia seeks to ban import of One smartphones in UK

Nokia has scored an important victory in its legal crusade against HTC. The Patents Court in London has found that the Taiwanese company infringes on one of Nokia's patents. The Finns will now try and leverage on the decision and pursue an import ban of the One smartphones as well as seeking compensation of undisclosed amount.

The Finnish company is displeased with HTC for using its patent for a "modulator, equipment used by phones to transmit data". The Taiwanese manufacturer has argued that the technology in question is found in Qualcomm chips it purchases for its One smartphone, and it's up to the chip maker to negotiate the licenses. That's why HTC feels the court has taken the wrong decition and has expressed its plans to appeal.

It seems the essence of the argument is very similar to the one that occurred in April in the Netherlands. Then, Nokia won a short ban against the HTC One sales over a violation of a patent regarding the use of a proprietary microphone. It turned out that ST Microelectronics, which had signed a deal with Nokia to exclusively manufacture it for its Lumia devices, slipped up and allowed HTC to use it too.

In the end, the ban was lifted from the Hague after it ruled out that HTC was not at fault.

By the look of things, HTC is going to employ the same strategy here to try and lift the ban on the One sales in the UK. The Taiwanese highlighted that Nokia had signed an agreement in the US not to sue Qualcomm over the matter, so going after HTC doesn't make sense.

Nokia expressed its satisfaction with the decision and has released the following statement:

"This is the third court this year to find that HTC infringes Nokia patents, bringing the number of patents found infringed to four," said a spokesman for the European company.

It's not yet known what the outcome of the case would be, but Nokia we are certainly hoping the two companies will find a solution that doesn't involve sales bans. After all limiting the choice for end-users is hardly the point of the patent system.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_wins_patent_case_against_htc_seeks_sales_ban-news-7099.php

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Android 4.4 KitKat could spread the love to budget handsets

KitKat could bring an end to fragmentation

Android has come on leaps and bounds since its launch in 2008, but many users are using old or low powered phones which aren't compatible with more recent versions of the OS. In fact versions as old as Gingerbread are still relatively common.

Android 4.4 KitKat aims to change that according to a new leak from JessicaLessin.com. The leak states that Android KitKat "optimises memory use in every major component" and makes it easier to develop memory efficient applications for entry level devices right down to those with just 512MB of RAM.

So if you're stuck on a phone running Android Gingerbread there may be hope for an update. If this rumour bears fruit it could also revitalise sales of ageing handsets and make lower end Android phones a more attractive proposition as they might be in for an upgrade.

Wear and walk

Android KitKat also appears to be built with wearables in mind, as the same source states that KitKat will support three new types of sensors, specifically a step detector, a step counter and a geomagnetic rotation vector.

The most obvious use for them would be in Google's rumoured smartwatch, but they could also benefit other smartwatches and Google Glass, while even phones could potentially utilise them, as fitness apps such as pedometers would surely be able to make great use of a step counter.

The source further suggests that these sensors might also be used to help Google map out indoor locations and improve walking directions.

With Android KitKat likely to be unveiled very soon it wont be long until we know just how true all this is.

• Have a break, have some more KitKat rumours.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-4-4-kitkat-could-spread-the-love-to-budget-handsets-1195232

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Nexus 5 hands-on video leaks, again

This is getting embarrassing – the Nexus 5 has leaked all over the place, even gone on preorder, and yet Google still hasn't officially announced it. Well, you might not be getting the official info on the Nexus 5 yet, but here's a lengthy hands-on video in case there was something about the phone that wasn’t known yet.

The About screen on the device reports it as the Nexus 5 running Android Key Lime Pie, which means it was probably running old software. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 800 chipset and has around 12GB user-available storage, which means 16GB total storage.

The video shows off some of the apps – Chrome, Camera, Calendar, YouTube, Keep, Google Earth, but doesn’t, for example, show the new Hangouts that is supposed to come out soon.

Come on Google, just announce the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat already.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_3_exynos_version_benchmark_results_are_in-news-7098.php

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Active mini all but confirmed

Is this the rugged S4 Active mini? Do we even want an Active mini?

Mini smartphone models seem to be all the rage, and with FCC and Chinese equivalent filings joining benchmark entries, a Galaxy S4 Active mini model looks to be on the way.

Chinese FCC equivalent Tenaa has a filing for a device called the "Samsung GT-I8580", giving us some pictures that look just like the S4 Active, but a little smaller.

Add to this the fact that the spec list on Tenaa matches up with an FCC filing of a device also called Samsung GT-I8580, and we can't help but start to believe its another tangible mini outing from Samsung.

Meanwhile, GFXBench also has a 3D Graphics performance entry for the Samsung GT-I8580, sporting the same spec list.

Watering down the Active

According to the spec lists, the Active mini will come sporting a slightly smaller 4.65-inch display with a resolution of 480 x 800, making it only slightly smaller than the original S4 Active, but with a heavy downgrade display sharpness.

Most of the "mini" aspects of the device most likely refer to the general spec downgrades, as internally, it will be powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM, a drop from the original's quad-core processor with 2GB or RAM.

The rear camera will sit at 5MP and the smartphone will run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It will also come with the same physical keys setup as the original S4 Active, and the same water- and dust-resistant features.

As Samsung already has a Galaxy S4 mini out in the wild, an S4 Active mini isn't a far stretch for the company.

But while FCC filings can generally be trusted, we'll be taking at least the spec details with a grain of salt – still, we'll be keeping our ears to the ground for more news about the so-called Samsung GT-I8580.

Via: TheDroidGuy

• Here's 10 things you should know about the original Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-active-mini-all-but-confirmed-1195181

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Facebook now has 1.19 billion monthly active users, mobile use is skyrocketing

Facebook is mobilizing

China, India and Facebook. If you go by the numbers, Facebook (again) has enough monthly active users to be the world's third largest country.

In reporting its Q3 2013 financials, the company boasted its monthly active users hit 1.19 billion as of September 30. That's an 18% increase year-on-year. Last quarter, Facebook notched up 1.15 billion monthly users.

So yeah, the social network has been very populous for awhile now.

More importantly for the "mobile first" company, Facebook marked staggering mobile numbers. According to CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the company's earnings call, 48% of people who use Facebook on a daily basic access it entirely on mobile. In fact, web usage numbers declined last quarter for the first time, albeit only slightly.

Mobile, baby

Monthly active users on mobile number 874 million strong, a huge leap of 45% from the same time last year. On average there were 507 million mobile daily active users scrolling through News Feeds and posting statuses during the quarter.

And if you don't think ads are here to stay or that they won't grow on mobile, think again. Zuckerberg said 49% of its $2.02 billion (about £1.2b, AU$2.12b) revenue came from the platform. This was the company's first two billion dollar quarter, by the way.

Zuckerberg wouldn't bit on answering when we'd see video ads in our feeds, but said the way video on Instagram plays "been very positive so far." Facebook is taking its time rolling out auto-play ads, he said, as the company wants it to be "a positive thing" for users.

• Facebook to buy BlackBerry? It could happen, and make sense.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/facebook-now-has-1-19-billion-monthly-active-users-mobile-use-is-skyrocketing-1195063

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Google Nexus 5 spotted out of the box

With the Nexus 5's release looming, this photo seems legit

Google's Nexus 5 was spotted out of its box today, hours before the new Android flagship is expected to go trick-or-treating officially with an announcement tomorrow morning.

The image of the powered-off Nexus 5 sitting next to its recognizable blue retail box appeared in a Photobucket album, though it's since been deleted.

When it emerged from its box Google and LG's Nexus 5 reportedly saw its shadow, which we believe means there are at least three months of winter ahead.

The Nexus 5 will likely be the first handset to ship with Android 4.4: KitKat, the newest edition of Google's mobile OS. It's been the subject of countless leaks, but we're expecting all that to end tomorrow.

More blips!

Get out of your box and read more of TechRadar's blips.

• Dell promises there is no cat pee in its laptops
• Cop tickets driver for wearing Google Glass, cue the great debate
• 'Moto G' makes Motorola site appearance before being pulled

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-nexus-5-spotted-out-of-the-box-1195061

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Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 specs may as powerful as the tablet is large

Slightly larger than this, believe it or not

You know what they say about large tablets... large specs. That's exactly what we are thinking now that the Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 is rumored to boast some of the most powerful tablet hardware available.

The 12-inch tablet has found enough room to pack in a speedy quad-core 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor and a healthy 3GB of RAM, reported Chinese-language benchmarking site AnTuTu.

The unconfirmed Galaxy Note 12.2 is said to also include an 8 megapixel camera in the rear and 2 megapixel camera in the front.

The total storage on the benchmarked device is said to be 32GB, though that could be just one of many configurations Samsung is planning.

The larger-than-normal Galaxy Note 12.2 is said to have a screen resolution of 2560 x1600, which is the same as the newly released Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition.

Android 4.3 on board?

The reported Galaxy Note 12.2 tests indicated that the device is running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, which is currently the latest version of Google's mobile operating system.

That out-of-the-box OS may be a little dated by the time Samsung launches its biggest tablet yet. Google is expected to announce the next version, Android 4.4 KitKat, tomorrow along with the Nexus 5.

Of course, for all that benchmarks are worth, none of the tentative data can tell us when the South Korean company plans to release the Galaxy Note 12.2.

The good news for display-deprived tablet lovers is that it seems to be only a matter of time before Samsung releases this 12-inch mega tablet to the world.

• Want a matching mega-sized phone? Check out our Galaxy Note 3 review

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-note-12-2-specs-may-as-powerful-as-it-is-large-1195049

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Nokia gunning for HTC One UK sales ban after major patent victory

One and done?

HTC is facing the prospect of a UK sales ban on flagship handsets like the HTC One after losing another round of its ongoing global patent war with Nokia.

The Finnish manufacturer says it will seek an import ban on the devices, including the HTC One, HTC One SV and HTC Wildfire, following the High Court ruling on Wednesday.

Nokia is chasing compensation as well as the sales injunction after the court ruled HTC had infringed on a patent (EP 0 998 024) governing the transmission of voice and text data over mobile networks.

It is now up to the court to decide the scale of HTC's punishment, with the Taiwanese manufacturer vowing to "immediately" appeal against the verdict.

Significant

Nokia, which has filed suit against HTC in over 50 countries called the victory "a significant development in our dispute with HTC.

The soon-to-be Microsoft-owned company believes the verdict also relates to the HTC One Mini, the HTC Desire X and the Windows Phone-packing HTC 8S and 8X as they also use same chip.

A spokesperson for HTC said: "Naturally HTC is disappointed by the decision that the UK court has reached in this case and we will be seeking to appeal the finding immediately."

Any ban would be a giant blow for HTC as it struggles to challenge Samsung at the top of the Android tree, despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews bestowed upon the HTC One.

• Speaking of positive reviews, did you know the HTC One sits proudly at the summit of our 20 best mobile phones in the world today chart?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/nokia-gunning-for-htc-one-uk-sales-ban-after-major-patent-victory-1195017

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Amazon phone may arrive in 2014 with 3D gesture and eye tracking

Eye see you

There's been plenty of buzz around a possible Amazon phone, and just when we thought the rumours had run out, they pull us back in.

The latest word, according to AppleInsider, is that the phone will use 3D gesture and eye-tracking control for input and will arrive in the second quarter of 2014.

The phone will apparently have six camera modules, four of which will be VGAs, one on each of the device's four corners. These will be the ones that detect 3D gesture and eye tracking.

There will also be a 13-megapixel camera on the rear and a 12-megapixel front-facer, while the phone is said to have a 4.7-inch touch display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor.

This all comes from people "familiar with the company's plans," but AppleInsider states that the same sources have been on the money with their information in the past.

No TV box for 2013

The Amazon phone isn't all we're hearing about though. AllthingsD is reporting that Amazon's adventure into our living rooms is facing delays, with the rumoured Amazon TV box apparently not touching down until, most likely, spring 2014.

There are a number of possible reasons for the delay, but the favourite going around right now is that Amazon doesn't believe its effort is distinguished enough from its competitors right now.

The Amazon TV was believed to be arriving towards the end of this year but time is quickly running out. Still, we'd rather wait and see a stronger contender that really gives Apple TV and Roku a run for their money.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/amazon-phone-may-arrive-in-2014-with-3d-gesture-and-eye-tracking-1194983

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Intel's holdout against making ARM chips comes to an end

Unable to break through with its own mobile Atom chipset, it seems that Intel finally raised the white flag and has decided to begin manufacturing 64-bit ARM chips of its own.

The ARM architecture's supremacy in the mobile market has been a result of the varied and competitive core licensing terms provided by ARM Holdings. This has allowed a variety of manufacturers - including Samsung, Apple, Nvidia and many more - to use ARM's core designs to create integrated SoC's of their own. In 2010 alone, an incredible 95% of smartphones shipped with ARM-based CPU's.

It was obviously in Intel's best interest to stop resisting the adaptation of ARM in the mobile realm, and its decision to enter into the fray against other semiconductor foundries (most notably Samsung and TSMC) brings up some interesting permutations.

First, will Intel's historic rival chipset manufacturers like Nvidia and Qualcomm be willing to do business with it over rival foundries? Second, what sort of advantages will Intel's 64-bit architecture offer?

This also opens up some interesting possibilities for Apple, who would love to be able to break ties with Samsung as the primary supplier of the ARM-based Ax SoC found in its iPhone smartphones and Apple tablets (including the upcoming A8 chip). It's a process that's been hinted at in the past, and estimated to take as long as a year and a half and cost Apple between $1 - 3 billion.

Intel's potential ability to make high quality 64-bit ARM CPU's may be enough to entice Apple into taking the plunge, and perhaps even get an exclusivity agreement in the meantime.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/intels_holdout_against_making_arm_chips_comes_to_an_end-news-7097.php

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ZTE unveils a trio of Blade Q smartphones

ZTE has announced three affordable smartphones for the European market, which it hopes will help it grow its market share on the Old Continent.

The three new additions to the ZTE lineup are the 4.0" WVGA Blade Q Mini, the 4.5" FWVGA Blade Q and the 5.0" FWVGA Blade Q Maxi.

All three phones share similar internals. They are all powered by the MT6572 chipset with a dual-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 processor, Mali-400 graphics and 1GB of RAM. The trio also comes with 5MP rear cameras capable of 720p video recording, VGA front snappers, 4GB expandable internal storage, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean in charge of operations.

ZTE Blade Q Mini • ZTE Blade Q • ZTE Blade Q Maxi

The connectivity options for Blade Q Mini, Blade Q and Blade Q Maxi are also identical - you get 3G with HSPA support, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi b/g/n, GPS and FM radio.

ZTE Blade Q Mini, being the smallest of the trio, has a 4.0" TFT display with 480x800px resolution. It comes with the smallest battery too - a 1500 mAh unit.

The ZTE Blade Q has a 4.5" TFT screen with 480x854px resolution and 1,800 mAh battery.

Finally, the ZTE Blade Q Maxi packs a 5.0" TFT display with 480x854px resolution and has the biggest 2,000 mAh battery inside.

The pricing and availability of ZTE Blade Q Mini, Blade Q and Blade Q Maxi is yet to be detailed.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_unveils_blade_q_mini_blade_q_and_blade_q_maxi_budget_trio-news-7096.php

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Google Nexus 5 aces BaseMark X gaming benchmark

If all the rumors and teasers are to be trusted, Google will be announcing the LG-made Nexus 5 this Friday. The flagship has leaked numerous times revealing all there is to know about its design, specs and even pricing.

We've already seen official pictures of the Nexus 5 and we know it will come with a 4.95" 1080p IPS display and Snapdragon 800 chipset. What we didn't know is how the Nexus 5 will be performing on benchmarks with its new Android 4.4 KitKat, previously rumored as Key Lime Pie.

Well, it seems nobody is trying to keep the gadget under wraps anymore. Someone subjected the Nexus 5 to the BaseMark X test and the results came out very promising.

LG Nexus 5 scores compared to LG G2 and LG Nexus 4

BaseMark X is a cross-platform benchmark, which aims to test how good a device is for gaming. As it turns out the LG Nexus 5 scores 8% higher than its LG G2 sibling running on pretty much the same internals but with Android 4.2.2 in charge of operations. The Nexus 5 is also twice as fast as its Nexus 4 predecessor, but that is to be expected.

In fact, the Nexus 5 ranked as the second best gaming device in Rightware's database, only beaten by the iPhone 5s (which only has about a third of its resolution).

Anyway, it seems the new Android version and Google's own optimizations matter and the Nexus 5 may have an edge over its competitors unit they get their own Android 4.4 updates.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/google_nexus_5_gets_first_benchmark_score-news-7095.php

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Xolo Q900 is a quad-core smartphone for €155

Xolo Q900, the company's latest quad-core smartphone, has launched in India. It comes with a 4.7-inch 720 display and is powered by the MT6589 chipset with four ARM Cortex-A7 cores clocked at 1.2GHz, PowerVR SGX544 graphics and 1GB of RAM.

The Xolo Q900 has 4GB of internal storage expandable via a microSD slot. There is an 8MP rear camera capable of 1080p video recording plus a 2MP front snapper. As is usually the case with Xolo phones, the Q900 is dual-SIM-enabled and supports 3G with HSPA. Finally, it comes with a 1,800 mAh battery that should be enough for 10 hours of 3G calls, at least on paper.

XOLO Q900

Xolo Q900 runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean version.

The smartphone is now available in India for INR 12,900 which translates to just €155.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/xolo_launches_q900_with_47inch_display_quadcore_processor-news-7094.php

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5 million Samsung Galaxy Note 3s sold in the first month

Analysts expect the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to take up the slack now that the Galaxy S4 has passed 40 million sales and demand is weakening. According to Korean publication Hankooki (quoting the president of Samsung Mobile), the Note 3 phablet is off to a good start, having sold 5 million units in one month.

For comparison, the original Galaxy Note took 5 months to just ship 5 million units (not the same as sales). Of course, that was quite an achievement, too, given that back then phablets were an unproven concept.

The successor, the Galaxy Note II, sold 3 million units in its first month of availability and took another month to make it to the 5 million mark. Combined, Note and Note II have sold over 38 million units to date.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 sold 10 million units in the first month, which makes the Note 3's sale numbers all the more impressive – the S4 has a much wider target audience as phablets are still somewhat of a niche market.

Source (in Korean) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/5_million_samsung_galaxy_note_3s_sold_in_the_first_month-news-7093.php

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App updates tease arrival of Android 4.4 KitKat and Nexus 5?

...or is it? We hope so!

With numerous Google apps all being updated, it seems there is something brewing over at Mountain View, something that could give us a bit of a break.

Nearly all of the Google suite of apps are gaining updates, with that number currently sitting at 16, an increase from the original 12 that were spotted.

This could signal the imminent arrival of Android 4.4 KitKat, the OS update that we are heavily expecting to launch alongside the LG-built Google Nexus 5, and perhaps the new Nexus 10 tablet.

App updates usually pass by unnoticed, but when 16 updates are all being spotted at once, there's definitely something fishy going on.

Updated on 29 Oct 2013? But when will we get them?

Is this apocalyptic news?

These updates have also not rolled out to devices, and there are no change logs (just an updated date in the Play Store), so what is Google waiting for?

The easiest and most obvious answer here is Android 4.4 KitKat. We're all starting to get excited, as November 1 is a date that has been touted, and that is the day after tomorrow.

We'd bet all our savings on this launching alongside at least one Nexus device: the Nexus 5.

• What do we know about the Nexus 5?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/app-updates-tease-arrival-of-android-4-4-kitkat-and-nexus-5--1194879

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Dual-SIM HTC One Max crops up in Vietnam

Before the HTC One Max was officially unveiled, there were a few leaks showing a dual-SIM version. It showed up in Vietnam, although it was supposedly a unit headed for the Chinese market. It cost 21.6 million dong ($1,015), up from 17.9 million dong ($840) for the single-SIM version.

The specifications look exactly the same – 5.9" 1080p screen, Snapdragon 600 chipset, 4MP UltraPixel camera without OIS, 16/32GB built-in storage with microSD card slot and 3,300mAh Li-Po sealed battery.

HTC One Max dual-SIM

Except, of course, for the second SIM slot that's positioned symmetrically opposite the first SIM slot. The labels indicate that the first SIM is 3G-enabled, while the second SIM is 2G-only. The One Max has 4G LTE too and presumably that's SIM1-only as well.

There's no info on when – of if at all – the dual-SIM HTC One Max will make its way to the international market.

Source (in Vietnamese)

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/dualsim_htc_one_max_crops_up_in_vietnam-news-7091.php

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Apple concedes that the battery life is dodgy on some iPhone 5Ses

Not perfect after all

If you've noticed that your iPhone 5S battery is quick to drain and slow to charge, you could be the owner of one of "a very limited number" of handsets that has a battery defect.

Apple has conceded that some of the new iPhones have a problem with their batteries, although it's not saying how many are affected beyond "a very limited number".

The company's spokeswoman, Teresa Brewer, told the NYT, "We recently discovered a manufacturing issue affecting a very limited number of iPhone 5S devices that could cause the battery to take longer to charge or result in reduced battery life."

Circle back

Apple is "reaching out" (contacting) those with affected phones to provide replacement handsets.

In our full TechRadar iPhone 5S review, we deemed the battery to be a little better than that of the iPhone 5's - specifically when it comes to standby life. However, actually using the handset still gulps that juice down like a hyperactive toddler on a hot day.

There's good news for non-defective iPhone 5S handsets though: "The iPhone 5S charges phenomenally quickly." Phenomenally.

• This all begs the question: why are mobile phone batteries still so crap?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-concedes-that-the-battery-life-is-dodgy-on-some-iphone-5ses-1194863

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Apple admits a battery issue in a small number of iPhone 5s units

Earlier this month while going through our battery test of the iPhone 5s, we noted that on some occasions, the smartphone suffered from quick battery drain. Today, in a statement to The New York Times, Apple has acknowledged that a small number of iPhone 5s devices are indeed affected by such an issue.

According to spokesperson from Apple, a manufacturing issue sits at the heart of the problem. It has affected a “very limited number” (Apple has implied to The New York Times that there are a few thousand devices affected) of iPhone 5s devices and has caused their battery to take longer to charge, or have reduced endurance.

Apple has begun reaching out to users whose phones were affected. They will be given a replacement device.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_acknowledges_a_battery_issue_in_a_small_number_of_iphone_5s_units-news-7089.php

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'Moto G' makes Motorola site appearance before being pulled

Spotted! (credit: Droid Life)

First the Nexus 5, now this - seems companies can't keep quiet on their own websites when it comes to unannounced products these days.

Motorola looks to have spilled the beans as a listing for something called the Moto G appeared on its website earlier today. Engadget and Droid Life both made the spot, but the reference has since been removed. A moto-g.com link went to nowhere.

Recent reports have pointed to a budget phone known as the Moto DVX coming from the Google-owned company, and Motorola recently trademarked "Moto G." The trademark covered both phones and accessories, so the G in question could be the new name for the budget DVX or another item all together.

With a recent price drop of the Moto X in the US, all signs are pointing to a Motorola announcement of some sort coming down soon.

More blips!

Read our blips before they're gone! Just kidding - we won't pull these news nuggets.

• Oops, GTA V Online stimulus packs still not ready due to 'tweaks and fixes'
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• How much is Twitter worth? New IPO details give us a clue

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/-moto-g-makes-motorola-website-appearance-before-being-pulled-1194747

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Samsung details Premium Suite updates for the US

Today Samsung US detailed the availability of the so-called Premium Suite updates for its former flagships. It will bring Android 4.3, Galaxy Gear smartwatch support, better Easy mode and Multi Windows multi-tasking plus new camera features and KNOX support.

The first devices to get this update are Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S III. The update will become available in the next few weeks, though specific availability will vary depending on carrier and devices.

The update will also be hitting the Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Mega 6.3, though the time frame for that is the coming months, rather than weeks.

There is no info on the Galaxy S4 Active though. We guess its update should arrive soon after the Galaxy S4 new firmware rolls out.

There are already leaked official Android 4.3 firmwares for the AT&T's Galaxy smartphones, including the Galaxy S4 Active, so those Premium Suites should really be just around the corner.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_details_premium_suite_updates_for_the_us-news-7073.php

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£10,000 giveaway: WIN! A year's Sky subscription, Sigma DSLR, Sony home theatre and more

Future is giving away £10,000 worth of tech prizes

TechRadar's parent company Future is giving away a massive stash of tech worth £10,000 in our biggest ever prize draw.

The prize pool includes a year's Sky+HD subscription, £2,000 Sigma D-SLR camera, Sony BDV-N590W home theatre system, a JVC GCXA1 Action Camera, Pure Jongo S3 and lots more gadgets besides. There's even a mountain bike and Garmin Edge 810 Bike Computer!

There are 45 prizes which will all go to one lucky winner.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply text the code TRR to 87474 (texts cost £1 plus standard rates of approx. 10-12p).

Find out more at greatgadgetgiveaway.com

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/win-a-year-s-sky-sigma-d-slr-sony-home-theatre-and-more-in-our-10-000-giveaway-1178619

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China Mobile teases LTE network ahead of iPhone 5s launch

China Mobile has posted a teaser page of its upcoming 4G LTE network. The most popular carrier in China will also start offering the Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C to complement the launch of its high-speed mobile network.

According to the teaser, the rollout of the LTE network will take place from November 9 to November 10. While the LTE network is being prepared for showtime, China Mobile is readying its retail outlets for the iPhone launch by hanging promo posters.

Apple has done the necessary work to ensure the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are capable of running on the China Mobile TD-LTE network.

As you can see from the photo above, the Apple iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S are prominently marketed to be available at the carrier's store. Interestingly, according to rumors before the launch of the new iPhones, they had to hit the carrier along with the rest of China on September 20. We guess the delay of the 4G network launch got in the way of that.

As UnwiredView reports, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is taking longer than expected to issue 4G licenses. China Mobile seems pretty certain that it's going to get its license for a 4G network in the beginning of November. Only time will tell, but things are looking bright for those looking to go 4G in China.

Source • Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_new_note_3_camera_app_gets_ported_to_galaxy_s4-news-7072.php

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Nexus 5 goes on sale prematurely in the Netherlands

Silly Nexus 5, you're not supposed to be out yet. Yet it is – Dutch online retailer Belsimpel has put up the yet-unannounced Google phone on sale already. The SIM-free is a hefty €460 but then Nexus devices are usually quite expensive when you don't get them from the Play Store.

The phone is also available on contract with Tele2 for €36 a month, Hi HS Student Medium for €35 a month and T-Mobile for €47 a month. That's for a 2-year contract with a free device with 16GB storage.

Both Black and White versions are available and the site promises to deliver the phone in 2-4 days. Keep in mind that this may have been posted prematurely so the Nexus 5 might not actually ship next week, but the prices should be accurate.

The site also lists the Nexus 5 specs in case there were any uncertainties left – 131 x 86 x 9 mm body, 5" 1080p screen, Snapdragon 800 running Android 4.4, 8MP / 1080p main camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, 2,300mAh battery with wireless charging.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Source (in Dutch)

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nexus_5_goes_on_sale_prematurely_in_the_netherlands-news-7071.php

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Nokia Lumia 1020 price slashed by a third in China

Nokia Lumia 1020 seems to be struggling to make a significant impact on the Chinese market. The first hints that its start was less than impressive was the fact that the phone didn't make it among the most popular WP handsets in the last two months.

China is the world's biggest smartphone market for mobile phones and the Lumia 1020 premiered there on the insanely price of CNY5,999 - the equivalent of $1000 or €715. Now, two months later though you can buy the Nokia Lumia 1020 online for 3,999 Yuan or €475. This means the price has dropped down by a third and is now much more reasonable.

The Lumia 1020 was launched exclusively on AT&T in July, while the rest of the world got it in late August or early September.

The on-contract US price has already dropped twice from $299 down to just $99. The UK carriers are offering the phone for free if you sign a two-year contract with at least £37 monthly tariff. The unlocked and SIM-free retail price in Europe is still relatively high though - a bit over €600.

So, if you want to buy the Lumia 1020 maybe waiting a couple of weeks would be the more sensible thing to do. Judging by those first markets to get the smartphone, a price cut is probably just around the corner. Even more so, considering that the Lumia 1520 is coming in a few weeks.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_1020_price_slashed_in_china-news-7069.php

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Active mini version in the works

The water-resistant Galaxy S4 Active released this summer ended up being a hit from Samsung, so much so that the Korean manufacturer is planning on releasing a mini version to follow in its footsteps.

Much like the Galaxy S4 mini, the Active mini (identified by its GT-I8580 model name) is set to feature not only smaller dimensions than its counterpart, but also less potent hardware. With the S4 mini this was restricted to less RAM, internal storage, screen resolution, a dual-core 1.7GHz CPU and more. However, with the Active mini it's set to be even more of a downgrade.

According to found GFXBench benchmark entries for the GT-I8580, the device is set to run on a dual-core 1.2 GHz CPU with a not very mini 4.65-inch screen of the not very impressive 800 x 480 pixel resolution. There will also be an Adreno 305 GPU and 1GB of RAM, coupled with a 5MP shooter and meager 0.3MP front-facer.

All of these specs are a far cry from the S4 Active, and if you exclude the similar design language with water and dust resistance, the Active mini has very little going for it.

But Samsung has always been quick to capitalize on emerging trends, and the success of the S4 Active and its redesigned body with IP67 dust and water resistance has been quite significant. The Koreans are hoping that even more people will jump on the Active bandwagon if a more aggressively priced version was on offer, even if the specs aren't exactly flagship-worthy.

Source (Chinese) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_active_mini_version_in_the_works-news-7070.php

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