Sony Xperia T gets the Android Jelly Bean update

Sony has started rolling out the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update for the Xperia T smartphone. The update is being made available just a day after it appeared on the PTCRB website and was certified and a week after an alpha version was released.

The update version number is 9.1.A.0.489 and brings the usual Jelly Bean features, including Google Now, Project Butter, improved notifications, etc., along with Sony's own changes. The update is currently rolling out in Netherlands but should be out elsewhere shortly. Check to see if the update is available for your Xperia T in your region.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_t_gets_the_android_jelly_bean_update-news-5469.php

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Hooray! We can afford 4G after all!

4G, like space, is the future. YOU MUST WANT IT

A few months ago I wrote a piece asking: 'Can EE make 4G a success in Britain?' – the idea being that by being first to market, the brand created by fusing Orange and T-Mobile would gain the key association with next-generation speeds.

It's certainly made a strong fist of that through a huge marketing campaign; from lighting up Battersea Power Station to myriad adverts throughout Britain's cities the message was certainly prevalent, although some consumers still are only vaguely aware of new thing that offers faster mobile speeds, then baulk when they hear how much it will cost.

When EE announced its 4G prices, hearts collectively sank. Paying £56 a month for 8GB of data? Sure, you can pay the carrier less and have fewer bytes to play with, but if you're not going to do data-sapping activities like streaming movies and playing games on the go, what's the point in having 4G at all?

Consumers still aren't bothered about waiting 4 seconds rather than 2 to load a webpage. They're not going around playing online games yet, and the likes of NetFlix are still services mostly viewed in the home - so paying a huge amount extra at this early stage can be a hard sell. Make it cheap enough to use and people will find use cases.

Cheap at half the price

In the same piece, I also noted that "While we can't expect to pay rock-bottom rates for the faster speeds (it's not free to deploy 4G, obviously);" thankfully, that appears to have been incorrect according to the announcement from Three today.

While it hasn't elaborated on its plans exactly, the news that it won't be charging a premium to use 4G is a massive boost to consumers that wanted to be on next-generation speeds but had that pesky issue of wanting to eat each month as well.

We're not proclaiming that Three's deal is going to be wonderful just yet – there's no mention of what data caps it might impose on 4G connections, where it's currently unlimited on a number of schemes – but it's certainly given prospective 4G users something huge to think about.

Will anyone wander into an EE shop to pick up a 4G phone when it can get the same at Three at a much lower cost, safe in the knowledge they will get the same speeds in a few months without a price hike?

Apples and Oranges/T-Mobiles

It's only fair to point out that we're not comparing like for like here: EE is offering something different to Three with its package. Yes, it is much more expensive as it stands, but users do get things like 'Clone Phone' to save their key data and free movies to stream on the go, as well as cinema tickets and the like from EE. The brand will likely push harder at these 'value add services' in the coming months too to help separate itself further.

But ask most consumers which they'd rather have: a cheaper tariff or loads of freebies, and they'll probably opt for the former each time. They might ask about coverage as Three still struggles with the impression among a section of the public that it only serves a shed in the centre of London, but the network is promising to have 80% of the country covered by the time it spits out the new speeds, which should placate most.

From a consumer perspective, it's almost unbelievable that a move like this has been made – most of us were conditioned to believe that we were just going to have to suck up the high prices for the improved connections, as that was the way it happened a decade ago with 3G, after all.

But given some networks are already offering speeds of up to 85% that of 4G in some cases for '3G prices' it makes sense that it needn't cost more to go up to LTE speeds – so we're glad that someone came out and did it.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/hooray-we-can-afford-4g-after-all-1129075

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Cool new apps: Penultimate, Jam.it, Epic Citadel, Google Play Music, and more

BlackBerry 10 adopters are about to experience the joys of browsing through pages of apps and finding the best options for their new phone and OS. In the mean time, we’ve got the best apps and updates from the week, including Penultimate, Epic Citadel, Jam.it, and more.

Welcome back to the app hunt, BlackBerry users! With the introduction of BlackBerry 10, and two new handsets that house the OS, BlackBerry users are all about the apps now. BlackBerry World was filled to the brim with over 70,000 app available at launch, the biggest offering for a OS launch that we’ve seen. Featured in the launch are most of the big names that one would expect, including Skype, Facebook, Amazon Kindle, Angry Birds, and more. While BlackBerry 10′s early adopters pick through the plethora of available apps, the rest of the mobile world are searching for new options and updates to favorites. Here’s the best ones we found from the week of January 26 – February 2, 2013. 

Updates

Penultimate (iOS)

 

Evernote’s acquired handwriting app got its first update since the not-so-hostile takeover. The first priority on Evernote’s agenda was, of course, to integrate Penultimate with Evernote itself. Handwritten notes are also now searchable, assuming you have halfway decent handwriting. Perhaps the biggest change for this app, though, is that it’s now free. If you ever wanted to try your hand at taking notes by hand without the pen and pad, now’s as good a time as ever. 

Facebook (iOS)

Facebook is no fool; It knows what’s popular and what its users want. So when it announced that Vine would be defriended by the social networking service, it was done with a backup plan in mind. Facebook conveniently updated its own app with the ability to upload video from your phone. You can also now leave voice messages via the messages tab, in case you’re not one for typing. Finally, there’s an added ability to access Facebook’s Code Generator authorization system, allowing you to authenticate your identity on a new device.

Google Play Music (Android)

Looking to improve your music listening experience? Google Play Music’s latest update is heavy on bug fixes, but they are all welcome ones. The biggest one comes for Samsung Galaxy S3 users, who will no longer have their device frozen by trying to run this app. Feature additions include the ability to listen to music in larger mixes, shuffle a playlist, artist, or album. There’s also a previous button in the app, allowing easier navigation, and a pinning progress bar so you can track your pining as it happens. 

New Apps

Jam.it (iOS)

While its name is something you might yell at someone who you want to be quiet, this app is all about making noise. Collaborate with friends and other users to create music together. Build your own tracks, then share them via social networks and allow others to download and modify them. Keep passing the beats around until the sound is perfected. You can listen to the sounds of the crowd and rate them, bumping them up to the chart. See if you and your friends can create a pop hit.

Foursquare for Business (Android/iOS) 

Own a business where people check in on Foursquare? Instead of just watching folks come in and out of the door, now you can interact with customers online. Foursquare for Business allows the people behind the counter to post status updates for their store, view recent check ins, and manage all of their data on the go. This marks the first time businesses could access this information without logging in through the website. About time – it’s 2013 after all.

AppLock Pro (Android)

This app is for all of those people out there with friends that are not to be trusted. If you find yourself lending out your phone a lot, or have certain apps you’d rather not be opened without your permission, AppLock Pro will be welcome on your phone. When setting your standard lock screen, AppLock Pro allows you to keep certain apps on lockdown. This should buy you enough time to find some more trustworthy friends.

New Games

Half-Inch Heist (iOS)

The villain in this game is named Dr. Puss. Are you sold on it yet? Just in case you need to know more, Half-Inch Heist is a game that requires quick reactions and a keen sense of awareness. Work through every 8-bit stylized level with speed and endurance in your battle against the evil Dr. Puss. You’ll have to be quick, but you’ll need some stamina to keep up as each level gets harder and more challenging.

Epic Citadel (Android)

Experience the power of the Unreal Engine on your Android device. Epic Citadel does its best to live up to the “Epic” part of its name by offering gorgeous graphics that are essentially unmatched on the platform. While this game is really just an interactive demo for the Unreal Engine, Epic Citadel will impress and make you excited for the possibilities that it promises. You might enter thinking a game with no game elements is lame, but the visuals will be a pretty decent distraction.

Table Top Racing (iOS)

Ever sat down and watched a race and thought, “This would be so much better if they shrunk down all the cars and made them drive around household obstacles”? If you answered yes to that extremely specific question, then check out Table Top Racing. From the creators of the WipeOut franchise that was so beloved by PlayStation owners, Table Top Racing features multiplayer races with unique tracks and car upgrades that will have you burning rubber in unconventional places.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apps-worth-downloading-2-3-2013/

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ASUS Padfone Jelly Bean update seeding next week

If you’re one of the original adopters of the ASUS Padfone phone-in-tablet, good news awaits as we’ve just heard that the Jelly Bean update for the device is coming next week.

Some highlights of the new update include improved Instant Dictionary capabilities, better camera picture previews, improved clipboard, and an updated File Manager.

Hopefully, this means the recently-released Padfone 2 will receive the update as well - sooner rather than later, given their stellar sales this quarter.

Thanks, Gustav, for sending this in!

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_padfone_jelly_bean_update_seeding_next_week-news-5468.php

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Ofcom likely to free more 2G/3G airwaves for 4G use

Vodafone and Three could get 4G services out of the gate sooner than expected

Ofcom is expected to approve proposals from Vodafone and Three in the UK, which would allow them to use existing spectrum to offer 4G LTE services.

The networks want to follow EE's lead and convert some of the airwaves it is licensed to use for 2G and 3G services into super-fast 4G mobile internet.

The government's communications regulator is now holding a public consultation on the proposals until March 29, with a decision expected shortly thereafter.

A positive outcome would be a massive boost for the networks, who're desperately attempting to minimise the damage done by EE's lengthy headstart on the competition.

Mobile liberation

"This will meet a long-standing objective to liberalize all mobile licenses so that there are no regulatory barriers to the deployment of the latest available mobile technology," Ofcom said in a stamtent on Friday, indicating that a positive outcome is on the cards.

If Ofcom does indeed approve the plans, it would enable Vodafone and Three to launch 4G contracts, perhaps before spectrum becomes available before the long-running auction saga comes to a close.

Seven companies are currently vying for the radio airwaves required to run 4G services in the UK. The bidding process is expected to continue for the next couple of weeks.

A quick resolution is vital for EE's rivals, given that the network was able to roll-out 4G connectivity to nine more UK cities, last week, bringing the total to 27.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/ofcom-likely-to-free-more-2g-3g-airwaves-for-4g-use-1129045

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Weekly mobile news recap: Winners and losers of Super Bowl week

The Ravens and 49ers meet in the Super Bowl this weekend to determine who is the best team in the league, which means there has to be a winner and a loser. In this week’s mobile news recap, we’ll take a look at some of the winners and losers in different areas of the mobile world.

This weekend is all about one thing: The Super Bowl. The Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers show down in the final football game of the 2012 season to determine which team will be crowned champion. It’s three hours of pure intensity and human drama, which provides just enough of a distraction to make us forget about the PED stories, Ray Lewis’ legal issues, and the backward thinking 49ers locker room. While it looks like everyone involved in Super Bowl XLVII is losing at press week, the official winners and losers will be decided on the field. Since mobile companies will be taking part in the real draw of the big game – the commercials - we figure it’s best to take a look at the winners and losers of the past week in mobile. Let’s be honest, you’ll be spending as much time looking at your phone as you will at the TV screen during the game, so you might as well know what’s going on in mobile news from the week of January 26-February 3, 2013.

Apps

Winner: Temple Run 2

There are always new apps coming out. So often, in fact, it’s hard to keep up with all of them. So while new apps are on their way and some of our favorites keep getting better, it’s pretty easy to pick a winner when an app racks up 50 million downloads in just two weeks. Temple Run 2, the cleverly titled sequel to Temple Run, ran into the record books by becoming the fastest growing mobile game ever. Perhaps this is why those birds in that other game are so angry.

Loser: Facebook

The inevitable increase of mobile devices means more and more people are starting to frequent their favorite websites on the go. So it’s a no-brainer that Facebook’s mobile visitor base has increased significantly. The company saw the mobile-only users jump by over 30 million in the 4th quarter. Despite this, Facebook is losing money. Net income is down 79 percent and investors are moving on. Maybe if it didn’t take you forever to fix broken features on those popular apps of yours, things would be better, Facebook.

OS

Winner: BlackBerry 10

Not sure if you guys heard, but BlackBerry released its new operating system – BlackBerry 10 – and some new devices to run it on this week. It might seem like a no-brainer to give the win to the new guy, especially with expectations so low, but we think BlackBerry really earned this one. In true eccentric athlete-like fashion, the company formally known as Research in Motion even renamed itself to signify how serious it is about its new dedication to its mobile product. The Z10 and the Q10 both seem like winners, and the OS has been pretty well received. Welcome back, BlackBerry.

Loser: iOS 6.1

Never one to miss out on a chance to mooch off of someone else’s news cycle, Apple decided to launch the first major update for iOS since iOS 6 was released. Over 300 million users are using the sixth version of Apple’s mobile operating system, but if you’re going to try to get them excited while a competitor owns the spotlight, go big with it. Siri can now order you movie tickets? Great, we can’t wait for it to hear us wrong and get us tickets to whatever version of the Step Up series is in theaters now.

Tablet Market

Winner: Android

The IDC released its latest reports about the tablet market, and its findings aren’t all that shocking. Apple is still dominating, Android is gaining, and those trends are likely to continue. Our winner by default are Android tablets because the internal competition between the biggest players in that market is more interesting than the big picture. Amazon made devices once were the kings of the Android population, but Google’s critical hit with the Nexus 7 has cut into the lead. Now Acer has announced its attempt to take on the biggest players in Android tablets, things could get really interesting.

Loser: Apple

By default, the loser of this report has to be Apple. Yeah, it only lost market share because it absolutely owned the market for the longest time, and statistically it’s continuing to do so. But its share of the pie is shrinking. If Asia is any example, people might be getting sick of Apple. Then again, workers in Asia see under the hood of Apple products. Perhaps they don’t like what they see. 

New Device

Winner: 128GB iPad 4

Alright, we just declared Apple the loser in the tablet market. Are you ready for a contradictory statement? Apple’s supposed 128GB iPad 4 is the winner of the new tablet conversation this week. Why? Because it’s capitalizing on the fact that tablets are becoming used more and more for tasks computers would usually be used for. It’ll have a bigger price tag, sure, but Apple users are used to paying top dollar for their devices. If everything goes according to Apple’s plan, you can pay for that 128GB iPad with someone else’s money.  

Loser: 64GB (but not really) Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet

A bigger hard drive scored Apple a win in this column, so the company that does the exact opposite has to take the loss here. Step up to the plate and disappoint some people, Microsoft! The computing giant confirmed rumors that its Surface Pro tablet will ship with almost two-thirds of its internal storage already in use. The 64GB Surface Pro with 23GB of actually usable storage ships for $900, though we suggest when you go to pay for the device, you offer one-third of your total.

Law Breakers

Winner: Apps that break the rules

Everybody loves a rebel. They break the rules and they do what some of us would like to do but are too afraid to. When we see rule breakers we like stick it to the man and come out on top, it’s hard not to celebrate a little. That’s why apps that break the rules are the winners of this category. The popular new Vine app got away with something that 500px couldn’t: Featuring porn. The guys behind Vine claim it was an accident, and it very well may have, but the app is still around to tell its story, no matter how explicit it may be. Speaking of 500px, it’s back in the App Store. Meanwhile, the popular messaging service Whatsapp is having the legality of one of its features questioned. Keep fighting the power.

Loser: Jailbreakers

A time honored past time for mobile users died this pass week: Jailbreaking your phone is now illegal under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. The reasons for the decision vary, most of them being uninformed and unengaged lawmakers, but it’s on the books now. Of course, no one’s really sure how anyone plans on enforcing this law. But we’re sure the first time it is enforced, we’ll be hearing an awful lot about it.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/weekly-mobile-news-recap-winners-and-losers-of-super-bowl-week/

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