LG Optimus G Pro for AT&T goes official

AT&T has just announced it will be launching the LG Optimus G Pro flagship on May 10. It will be an AT&T exclusive smartphone and will go on pre-order on May 3.

AT&T's Optimus G Pro is almost identical with its international sibling. It has a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS display and is powered by the Snapdragon 600 platform with a 1.7GHz quad-core Krait 300 processor, Adreno 320 graphics and 2GB of RAM.

LG Optimus G Pro for AT&T

The rest of the Optimus G Pro include a 13MP rear and a 2.1MP front camera capable of 1080p dual video recording, 32 gigs internal storage expandable via a microSD card slot, and a 3140 mAh battery.

The connectivity package of the Optimus G Pro is quite feature-rich - there is LTE support for the AT&T's network, HSPA support, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS, FM radio and even an infra-red port to turn your Optimus G Pro into a universal remote control.

AT&T's Optimus G Pro runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, skinned with LG's proprietary UI with various useful features, apps and services. You can check our review to learn more about those.

You can get the Optimus G Pro with a two-year AT&T contract for $200. There is also an option to return your old phone (up to three-years old) and receive $100+ credit.

There is an LG press event tonight in New York. We'll be attending it and we'll bring you some hands-on impressions of the Optimus G Pro. Even though we've met with the international handset a while ago, we haven't seen the black version of the device yet. It looks like we'll finally right this wrong later today.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_optimus_g_pro_for_at_t_goes_official-news-5955.php

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Apple takes a gamble on delays to overhaul iOS 7

Ive alive - he's not messin' abaaaht

Apple's iOS 7 could be 'delayed' as the company gives Sir Jonathan Ive time and space to completely overhaul the mobile OS.

People 'with knowledge of the matter' told Bloomberg that while Apple is still aiming to reveal iOS 7 at WWDC 2013 and launch it with the new iPhone in September, it has set internal deadlines later than for previous versions.

What's more, workers from the Mac team have been drafted in to help finish work on iOS 7 in time for a WWDC 2013 preview.

Flat pack

We've already heard that Ive has been hard at work clearing all the skeuomorphism out of the software (all the app icons and design elements that take their cues from real-world objects, like the bookshelves in iBooks and the notepaper in Notes).

Bloomberg's chatty sources added that Ive is also looking at major changes to the email and calendar apps, and fostering new working relationships between the soft- and hardware divisions at Apple. Synergy!

The new design direction is said to be flat as a pancake, meaning clean lines, vectors, gloss-free colours and an altogether more Windows Phone-esque look.

Delays are one thing but Apple can hardly afford another iOS disaster like iOS Maps, which launched alongside iOS 6 to the disdain of every iPhone user in the world. Hence why Ive is reportedly 'methodically reviewing new designs' himself.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-takes-a-gamble-on-delays-to-overhaul-ios-7-1148313

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Android 4.3 running on several devices already, server logs show

When Google I/O is underway, there’s usually some new Android version waiting to be unveiled. Despite all the murmurs about Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, this I/O might bring just 4.3 Jelly Bean.

The version number first showed up in logs of the Android Police website and now Android Authority is reporting its server logs show visits from Android 4.3 devices. They seem to run newer builds than the JWR23B that visited AP (note: the first letter of the build number matches the first letter of the codename).

But more interesting is the list of device names that run version 4.3. There’s the Nexus 4 phone, the older Galaxy Nexus, the two Google tablets, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. Then there are two surprising entries - a yet to be announced Huawei U8819 and a rather low-end Pantech Breakout (listed as ADR8995).

The Breakout packs a single-core 1GHz processor and just 512MB of RAM. If that’s enough oomph for Android 4.3 then the news should be good as far as the eligibility for upgrades of old devices is concerned (it would fall to the manufacturer).

It’s interesting that the Pantech reported it’s running Android 4.3.1 Key Lime Pie so there is a chance the new version of the OS will get a new name, but it could just be an eager dev putting in the wrong name in the build.

Google I/O starts in two weeks, but the two-day keynote has been cut down to a single day, which potentially means no groundbreaking changes (and no 5.0).

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/android_43_running_on_several_devices_shows_up_in_server_logs_-news-5954.php

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HTC Watch closes in six EU countries on May 31

HTC Watch video service was launched back in May 2011 with the HTC Sensation smartphone. It offers various Hollywood movies for rent and download. As it seems though it didn't gather enough interest and HTC will be limiting its availability.

HTC confirmed it will close the HTC Watch service on May 15 in six EU countries - Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. The users from these countries will still be able to download their existing purchases.

Later, on May 31, HTC will completely shut down the Watch service and the users from those six EU countries will no longer be able to access it. We suppose in those two weeks they must download what they have purchased, or lose it altogether.

In a press release HTC says:

"As we continue to deliver new content for HTC Watch, we’ve made the decision to focus our efforts on markets with the highest engagement."

We are yet to see if HTC plans to limit the Watch availability any further.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_watch_closes_in_six_eu_countries_on_may_31-news-5953.php

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HTC M4 render claims to show HTC One mini, seems pretty dubious

Although it looks similar, it may not be real (credit: PhoneArena)

An image claiming to show a handset going by the code name HTC M4 has popped up online, but after a little bit of digging we're not convinced.

The picture popped up on PhoneArena apparently showing the M4 handset - thought to be a cut down version of the flagship HTC One with almost identical looks.

According to the leak, which comes via perennial tech warbler @evleaks, the HTC M4 will sport a 4.3-inch 720p display, dual-core processor, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, 1700mAh battery and come running Android Jelly Bean 4.2.

The plot thickens

While it's not hard to believe that HTC could be working on a One Mini in light of the success of the Galaxy S3 mini and assumed Galaxy S4 mini which will probably grace us in the next few months, we're sceptical about this particular leak.

Having contacted PhoneArena about the image TechRadar was told "It's made by an artist, based on a leaked photo" - a photo which the site was unable to provide.

That said @evleaks has a strong track record when it comes to rumours, and PhoneArena is a well-established site, which does give the article additional credibility.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-m4-render-claims-to-show-htc-one-mini-seems-pretty-dubious-1148252

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iPhone 5S to be allegedly announced on June 20

We all know that the upgraded iPhone 5 is just around the corner and a leaked internal document from a Japanese carrier reveals that the next generation iPhone will be announced on June 20 and will be available in the stores by July.

The leaked document also suggests that the iPhone 5S (as it is referred to in the document) will run on the upcoming iOS 7 operating system and that the camera on the back has been upgraded to 13 megapixels from the 8 megapixel unit on the iPhone 5.

The Apple iPhone 5S is rumored to have a 2 megapixel front shooter with the ability to record full HD videos. The device is also said to have dual-shot functionality in camera, currently seen on LG and Samsung phones but a first for an iPhone.

The reliability and the accuracy of the document are in question, so we suggest you take this information with a pinch of salt.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_5s_to_be_allegedly_announced_on_june_20-news-5951.php

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Intel's refreshed Atom chip will revitalise Windows 8 tablets

The chip Windows 8 tablets deserve

Intel is set to introduce its next-generation Atom processor, which will be the first redesign of the chip since it launched five years ago.

May 6 is the day Intel is expected to announce the refresh, which will be targeting a range of products from low powered tablets to smartphones and PCs.

The 22-nanometer Atom will follow Intel's mainstream Core processors with a speedy graphics chip and superior design.

We have important intel to share

It's big news for Windows 8 tablets which currently struggle a little under the current Atom when it comes to multitasking. And the good news is that it will allegedly won't be any less generous when it comes to battery.

The Silvermont micro-architecture of the new Atom will produce Merrifield processors for smartphones and Bay Trail processors for tablets.

We also know that Intel is looking at Android for powering low-cost notebooks in the future, with upcoming laptops from the likes of Asus expected to run Android on Intel chips.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/intel-s-refreshed-atom-chip-will-revitalise-windows-8-tablets-1148219

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HTC M4 surfaces, looks like a mid-range variant of the HTC One

It seems HTC is planning on releasing a younger sibling to the critically acclaimed HTC One. The HTC M4 as it is called for now (the One was called M7 at one point) looks very similar to the HTC One but will have downgraded specifications and a lower price tag to go with them.

The M4 design looks very similar to the One's but it's difficult to tell right now if HTC will be using the premium aluminum for the body or will settle for similar looking plastic. Unless the bands on the back are for just show, it does seem, though, that HTC will be using aluminum for the construction once again.

On the front you can see the dual stereo speaker above and below the display and a key arrangement similar to the HTC One. On the side is the micro SIM slot in the same location as on the One. On the back, the camera flash has been relocated above the lens and a large Beats Audio logo replaces the text on the One.

Software also looks similar to the One, with HTC's Blinkfeed placed prominently on the homescreen.

As for the specifications of the device, the M4 is said to have a 4.3-inch, 720p display, dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory and a 1,700mAh battery. Interestingly, the M4 will also feature an UltraPixel camera, although the specifications are unknown at this point, which makes it hard to tell if it will be the same unit as on the One or a different one.

The phone is expected to ship near the end of the second quarter with LTE support and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. If you wanted the HTC One for its design but thought it was a bit out of the reach because of the price, then this should serve as the next best alternative.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_m4_surfaces_looks_like_a_midrange_variant_of_the_htc_one-news-5952.php

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 currently has three guises, and one's got a flexible display!

To flex or not to flex, that is the question

It looks like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 design is still up in the air as reports suggest the Korean firm is mulling a trio of options.

SamMobile says that "sources familiar with the matter" (hmm...) claim Samsung is toying with a Galaxy S4 look-a-like, a totally redesigned option and a flexible display variant of the Galaxy Note 3.

While SamMobile's track record is better than most when it comes to rumours, it's already admitted that the image it posted yesterday claiming to be Note 3 is actually a fake - so let's not get too carried away.

Bend and flex

We've heard various suggestions that flexible displays could find their way into smartphones this year, so learning that Samsung could be exploring this option isn't overly surprising - although we reckon we're still a year or two off flexi handsets hitting the market.

The unknown sources didn't provide us with any other nuggets of information so we're still in the dark over the Note 3's screen size, specification and potential release date.

We'll be keeping an eye out for the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 at IFA 2013 in Berlin this September, as that's currently the favourite for a Note 3 launch.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-note-3-currently-has-three-guises-and-one-s-got-a-flexible-display--1148208

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