Sony takes fitness technology to scary new levels with 'The Core'

Fitted into your life - and your future

Sony's finally getting on board with the wave of fitness technology – but taking it to an all new level.

The Core is a small chip, able to be worn in a variety of ways, that is tiny enough to slip into the Smartband that Sony is launching to carry it around initially.

Instead of just tracking your daily steps, this new technology will be able to tell you how long you were walking, running, sleeping and travelling.

But on top of that, the new LifeLog application will give information on when you took pictures, where you took them, what music you were listening to and all the other entertainment you consume, meaning you can "watch your lifestyle played back to you on screen," according to Sony Mobile CEO Kuni Suzuki.

This is your future

If you think that's awesome / creepy, get ready for more: the app will use this information to "help inspire your future with ideas and recommendations". This could be as simple as 'listen to this artist that's like that one you listen to all the time', but could get as freaky as 'hey, it's Tuesday at 4PM. I've noticed multiple felines in the area – you like taking pictures of them right?'

Sony is working with developers to create 'new innovation' for an open partnership to spread out the data, as well as launching new hardware that will complement the SmartBand.

Sony clearly has some development to do on this little device, but wants to get it out in the open to show it's active in the area, with Suzuki claiming the brand will give more information in the near future – it probably already knows where you will be.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sony-takes-fitness-technology-to-scary-new-levels-with-the-core--1212848

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Sony announces miniature flagship Xperia Z1 Compact

Sony has just announced the Xperia Z1 Compact at CES 2014. Unlike most mini flagship variants, it features a specs sheet that doesn't compromise, and has almost identical specs to the Xperia Z1 flagship.

The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact images

A closer look at the specs sheet, and you'll see Sony have managed to fit in the same CPU, camera, memory, and internal storage into a size that's truly compact:

• Dimensions: 127 x 64.9 x 9.5 mm, 140g
• Display: 4.3" Triluminous IPS display of 720p resolution, 341ppi
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800; quad-core Krait 400 at 2.2GHz, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB RAM
• OS: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (planned upgrade to 4.4 KitKat shortly after launch)
• Camera: 20.7 MP, Carl Zeiss optics, optical image stabilization, autofocus, LED flash, 2MP front-facing
• Video camera: 1080p @ 30fps video capture with both cameras
• Storage: 16GB built-in, microSD card slot with support of up to 64GB
• Connectivity: NFC, A-GPS+GLONASS, WLAN (2.4/5Ghz) a/b/g/n/ac, microUSB 2.0 (MHL), BlueTooth 4.0 LE
• Battery: 2,300 mAh
• Misc: FM Radio, built-in accelerometer, multi-touch input, proximity sensor
• Colors: Black, White, Pink, Lime, Yellow

The only thing that didn't make the cut is the display resolution, which has been cut down to 720p, and the battery, which has been reduced to 2300 mAh - the same as on the previous Xperia Z flagship.

The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is expected to hit markets next month. For more, be sure to check out our extensive first look at the Xperia Z1 Compact.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_announces_miniature_flagship_xperia_z1_compact-news-7498.php

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Sony Xperia Z1 Compact crams in flagship power with a lower price

Oh, and it also comes in four colours!

Step aside HTC One Mini and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is here... and it's got a spec sheet which will blow your tiny circuit boards.

Following in the footsteps of other cut-down flagships, Sony has mustered up the Xperia Z1 Compact, but as well as borrowing the name from the Japanese firm's high-end handset it also sports several other key elements.

For starters there's the same 2.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 4G support and microSD slot that'll you find in the Sony Xperia Z1.

The screen is, unsurprisingly, smaller at 4.3 inches and the full HD resolution of the Z1 has been downgraded to 1280 x 720 on the Xperia Z1 Compact.

Camera credentials

There's more good news round the back of the handset, as nestled into the rear cover of the Xperia Z1 Compact is Sony's impressive 20.7MP camera with G Lens - consider its Samsung and HTC rivals don't get over 8MP (plus they're both dual-core), and you can see the spec-gulf widening..

As seems to be tradition with Sony's smartphone these days the Xperia Z1 Compact is also dust-resistant and waterproof, plus there's a dedicated shutter button on the side and the almost obligatory ability to use the touchscreen whilst wearing gloves.

The sticking point for the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact could be its price, as it's unlikely to be as cheap as the One Mini or S4 Mini - but we'll have to wait and see on that one.

Sony has confirmed that the Xperia Z1 Compact release date is set for February and the handset will be available globally.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sony-xperia-z1-compact-crams-in-flagship-power-with-a-lower-price-1211883

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Catch the Sony CES 2014 livestream right here

CES 2014 is almost upon us, and as usual, many of the major players are set to hold their press conferences early. This year, there are hints of a mini version of their Sony Xperia Z1 flagship - dubbed the Xperia Z1S. You can see firsthand if that's the case, as well as all other expected Sony announcements right here via livestream:
Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/catch_the_sony_ces_2014_livestream_right_here-news-7492.php

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Samsung unveils Pro lines of Galaxy Note and Tab tablets

The theme of Samsung's 2014 CES presentation was tablets – the company unveiled a total of four new tablets from two new lines, the Pro versions of the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab tablets. Their sizes range from 8.4" to 12.2", breaking past the current barrier of 10.1" tablets.

All four tablets feature flagship specs that are very similar between themselves and the high-end Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 edition) tablet. Note that these tablets have Wi-Fi only versions along with a 3G/4G version (depending on the chipset). Also, all of them feature Samsung's new faux leather backs, which are pretty cool.

By the way, we also have hands-on impressions of all of them, get more details here.

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 is an upsized Note 10.1. It features a 12.2" Super Clear LCD of WQXGA resolution (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) with support for finger touch and the S Pen stylus. The tablet features the characteristic S Pen features, including the Pen Window multitasking option.

A new Multi Window split-screen option is available allowing you to work with up to four apps simultaneously. The multitasking is powered by either a Snapdragon 800 chipset or an Exynos 5 Octa. The tablet runs Android 4.4 KitKat and has 3GB RAM.

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 official images

Samsung went further and enabled interconnectivity with your PC too – with RemotePC you can control your computer from the Note Pro 12.2 or control the tablet through the computer. If you use the tablet, the Universal BT Keyboard and the S Action Mouse will come in handy. Other accessories include the USB LAN hub and the Book Covers.

The goodies don't stop here – you get Cisco WebEx Meetings for conferencing and Samsung e-Meetings for collaboration. The Ultimate User Content Gift Package, which Samsung values at $700, features pre-paid subscriptions for services and apps, including the Sketchbook Pro app, Dropbox and Bitcasa, Hancom Office, Evernote, other apps and a subscription for a number of news sites.

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 hardware is as expected – 3G for the Exynos model, Cat. 4 LTE for the Snapdragon model, 8MP camera with 1080p @ 60fps video capture (30fps for Exynos) and a bigger 9,500mAh battery. Storage is either 32GB or 64GB, but you get a microSD card slot too.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro comes in three sizes – 12.2", 10.1" and 8.4". The flagship 12.2" model is almost identical to the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 tablet, with the only difference being the lack of the S Pen stylus.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 official images

It has the same 12.2" WQXGA screen, same Snapdragon 800 or Exynos 5 Octa chipset with 3GB storage, Android 4.4 KitKat, 8MP camera with 1080p @ 60fps video capture, same 32GB/64GB storage with microSD card slot, even the same 9,500mAh battery.

Better still, the 12.2" model will get the Ultimate User Content Gift Package too.

The Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1" has a 10.1" Super Clear LCD with 2,560 x 1,600 resolution. It's smaller and lighter than the 12.2" obviously, but the only other differences in specs are 2GB RAM, 16/32GB storage (the microSD card slot is still available) and a slightly smaller battery (8,220mAh, same as Galaxy Note 10.1 2014).

>
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 official photos

Surprisingly, the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 keeps the high 2,560 x 1,600 resolution for its smaller Super Clear LCD screen. The chipset options were cut down, but luckily it was the Exynos 5 Octa chipset that was cut – the Snapdragon 800 with LTE connectivity is the better choice anyway.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 official images

The Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 also has a smaller battery – 4,800mAh – but other than that its specs are identical to the 10.1" model.

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro tablets will be available globally in the first three months of this year, but the company wasn’t any more specific. There's no mention of price either.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_unveils_pro_lines_of_galaxy_note_and_tab_tablets-news-7501.php

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Asus feels the 'Om,' unveiles Zenfone line of smartphones

Be one with your ZenFone

Asus is out with a trio of new mobiles, all part of the company's ZenFone line. Yes, we're in for more products that phonetically spell "phone" with an "F."

The ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 are a family of smartphones coming in - you guessed it - 4-, 5- and 6-inch display sizes.

All machines run Android 4.3, though an upgrade to Android 4.4 should arrive later on. Each will be available in a variety of shades, and all store 1GB of RAM.

The similarities continue on with microSD (all have it) and Intel processors.

ZenFone home

The smallest of the lot, the ZenFone 4 will retail for $99. It has a 800 x 480 resolution in its display, seemingly sufficient for its 5MP rear and 0.3MP front cameras.

A 1.2GHz Intel Atom Z2520 processor sits inside, along with a 1,170mAh battery. It will be available in black, white, red, blue and yellow.

The ZenFone 5 is a $149 offering featuring an Atom Z2580 processor clocked at 2GHz. There's an 8MP snapper on the back, which includes a backside-illumination sensor with a wide-aperture f/2.0 lens. A 2MP camera occupies the front real estate.

It will be sold in black, white, red and gold.

Finally, the ZenFone 6 will retail for $199, and the 6-inch display is backed by a 13MP camera and 2MP front-facer. It's been stocked with a 2GHz Atom Z5280 as well. Look for it in black, white, red and gold.

None were given release dates, but we'll have our hands on reviews soon enough.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/asus-feels-the-om-unveiles-zenfone-line-of-smartphones-1212762

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Watch the Samsung CES 2014 press conference live here

Samsung is about to start its press event at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The global market leader is expected to unveil a bunch of new products among different categories and you can watch all the action live here.

Among several products, Samsung will be unveiling the Galaxy Note Pro along with a new Galaxy Tab Pro line up, which includes 8.4-inch, 10.1-inch and 12.2-inch tablets.

The press event is scheduled to begin at 2 PM PST (10 PM GMT), and you can watch the things unfold right here, without having to leave your favourite site.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/watch_the_samsung_ces_2014_press_conference_live_here-news-7497.php

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Asus announces the US-only PadFone X for AT&T

The PadFone X is a combo of a 5-inch FullHD smartphone and a 9-inch FullHD tablet. As is customary for the Padfone lineup, when you dock the smartphone on the back of the tablet, it not only makes use of the bigger screen, but also of the large battery embedded into the tablet body. Without the smartphone however, the tablet body is not operational on its own.

The smartphone/tablet duo runs Android KitKat 4.4 and has a brushed metal frame, a soft-touch back cover and dual front speakers although it's not currently clear whether these speakers are on the smartphone or on the smartphone body.

The ASUS PadFone X supports LTE-Advanced (with Carrier Aggregation), Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and HD Voice, which are yet to be made available on AT&T's network.

Availability and pricing should be announced soon. We expect more details to come from the ASUS CES 2014 press conference, which is currently underway.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_announces_the_usonly_padfone_x_for_at_t-news-7502.php

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Asus Padfone mini is a 4-inch phone and 7-inch tablet in one

Is it a fad? Is it a pone?

ASUS sure does love its detachable hybrids, doesn't it? This time, for CES 2014, the vendor has pulled the curtain back on the Padfone mini. Is it a hybrid tablet or a hybrid smartphone? It's both.

More specifically, the Padfone mini is a 0.44-inch thin, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (with KitKat on the way) handset with a 4-inch, 800 x 480 IPS+ LED touch screen. If you're in the mood for an Android tablet, then you can place the phone into the back of a tablet station rocking a 1280 x 800 IPS+ LED touch panel.

A 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2650 chip powers the 4.09-ounce Padfone mini – and by extension its tablet dock – with some help from 1GB of RAM. As for storage, the phone is limited to a mere 8GB onboard, but that's expandable by up to 64GB via microSD card.

Powering all this, plus the phone's 8MP (with f/2.0 aperture and backside illumination) and 2MP shooters, is an 1170mAh battery. The tablet dock gets its very own juice to the tune of 2100mAh – both are non-removable polymer batteries.

Bummer alert: While the Padfone mini supports dual SIMs (ideally one for data and the other for phone), there's no LTE to be found – just 4G HSPA+. But ASUS hopes to make up for that with its brand new ZenUI for Android.

That's so Zen, man

Exclusive to ASUS Android devices, ZenUI is a custom Android skin that is said to offer simplified icons and menus. Also on offer are special color themes to match the shell of your PadFone (which comes in black, white, red, blue and yellow).

More important are features like What's Next and enhancements ASUS has made to existing Android apps and tools. What's Next presents users with event data and more to help keep busy users on track. As for improvements, ASUS focused on email, web browsing and image sharing.

First up is email: Now, users can read messages by thread to keep better track of conversations. For the web browser, ASUS added a Smart Reader Mode that adjusts background tone make it easier on the eyes. Finally, ASUS Collage is said to allow users to create photo stories to share with friends. (Instagram, anyone?)

The PadFone mini will cost $249 (about £151, AU$277), but ASUS has yet to mention availability. We'll try to clear that up once we get our hands on this weird little bugger on the CES 2014 show floor.

• Here's your one stop shop for all CES 2014 news and features

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/asus-padfone-mini-is-a-4-inch-phone-and-7-inch-tablet-in-one-1212498

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Asus livestreams its Search for the incredible CES event

The Asus event at CES will be starting soon and you can watch it here when it does. That will be at 12PM PST (that's 8PM GMT).

Before that happens though, let's take a quick peek at the rumor mill to see what to expect. The teasers from Asus asked "What's your number?" with the numbers 4, 5 and 6 featured in the video, those are presumably screen sizes. A Windows 8.1 tablet, the VivoTab Note 8, is a likely candidate too.

Anyway, here's the stream:

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_livestreams_its_search_for_the_incredible_from_ces_2014-news-7495.php

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Microsoft claims Windows Phone dominance over iPhone in 24 countries

The Lumia 520 is proving a key player in the smartphone wars

The budget market seems to be helping Nokia's new overlords in the smartphone wars

Microsoft has told TechRadar that it's seeing real penetration for its Windows Phone platform, claiming some impressive stats for its OS.

Christopher Flores, director of communications for Microsoft, told us that the brand was attacking 'both ends' of the smartphone market and would continue to do so should, as expected, the deal to purchase Nokia go through.

He showed statistics claiming that Windows Phone devices now have second place in 14 markets around the world, and are outselling Apple's iPhone in 24 markets too, making it the fastest selling smartphone platform globally.

Flores declined to give specific regions for these stats, although did intimate that they were in emerging nations, where the cost of the iPhone is prohibitively high for a lot of consumers.

Bella Lumia

It's also got a strong movement in Italy, where Windows Phone-powered devices are outselling iPhones, with heavy carrier subsidies making the Microsoft platform an attractive proposition, a situation mirrored in Spain where WP handsets are close to usurping Apple's second place in that market too.

However, Android's stranglehold in these areas remains untouched, despite the growth of Windows Phone, with handsets undercutting the cheap Lumia 520 providing stiff competition.

Flores also refused to admit that Microsoft would channel more time and funds into the budget handset range, despite this being the firm's main growth driver for Windows Phone, stating that the Redmond brand wanted to continue to offer consumer choice.

Microsoft has promised to elaborate on these statistics in the near future, so we'll be updating this story with more information as we get it.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/microsoft-claims-windows-phone-dominance-over-iphone-in-24-countries-1212737

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AT&T to offer Sponsored Data and HD Voice

AT&T just announced that it will be offering two new services today, Sponsored Data and HD Voice. Sponsored data allows companies to pay for the data used on the products and services that they offer on mobile devices. Users will know when a company is paying for the data being used when a "sponsored" symbol on their device's status bar pops up.

Ralph de la Vega, CEO and president of AT&T mobility had this to say: "Customers just look for the Sponsored Data Icon and they know the data related to that particular application or video is provided as a part of their monthly service. That's what makes this a win-win for customers and businesses."

So, for example, if a service like Pandora, Netflix, or Grooveshark wanted to give their users more incentive to use it, then it would sponsor the data costs of watching videos or listening to music off of network data. This may propel people into being more inclined to use an application, or pay a nominal monthly fee, if they know that their data is carte blanche.

AT&T made it very clear that the performance between sponsored data and the user's regular data would be identical. It also doesn't make sense for AT&T to cap data, as they are getting paid either way.

However, it is worth considering the marketplace ramifications of this new feature. By allowing companies to front the cost for precious web megabytes, that means app developers with deeper pockets will have the upper hand over the little guys.

Part of the enchantment of mobile app development was that anyone who develops a good app could make money. However, with sponsored application costs, it's likely that the major developers with more money to spend will push the little guys out of the picture.

As for the second service that AT&T will offer, HD Voice, there really isn't much information to go on, except that it is in development and will be offered on handsets in late 2014.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/at_t_to_offer_sponsored_data_and_hd_voice-news-7500.php

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Huawei Ascend Mate 2 4G keeps the size, ups the speed at CES

Huawei's 4G phone ascends into Vegas

Huawei has gone official with its Ascend Mate 2 4G at CES 2014, giving last year's model a lesson in LTE speed.

The new phone comes with 4G LTE built in and the refreshed model has been given a number of more visible upgrades too, including a slimmer design that comes in at 9.5mm thick and – 0.4mm thinner than its predecessor.

That 720p IPS display is still the familiar 6.1 inches though, keeping this still very much in "phablet" territory.

Yes mate!

The new 1.6GHz quad-core processor should also make things a bit more zippy. We were pretty let down with the performance of the first Ascend Mate.

On the back is a 13-megapixel camera for 1080p video while a 5-megapixel camera can be found on the front. It'll be Android Jelly Bean 4.3 on this one, no KitKat love for now.

Finally, there's now double the storage with 16GB to play with and a microSD slot for when you use all of that up. All in all, not too shabby.

No word on pricing or availability just yet, but you'll be the first to know when we hear more.

• CES 2014: it's all going on

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/huawei-ascend-mate-2-4g-keeps-the-size-ups-the-speed-at-ces-1212705

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Huawei Ascend Mate 2 4G goes official

After several leaks the Huawei Ascend Mate 2 4G is now official. The phablet keeps the 6.1" 720p screen, but updates the chipset with more processing power and faster connectivity.

The Ascend Mate 2 4G features a Snapdragon chipset with four CPU cores clocked at 1.6GHz (we're hearing Cortex-A7) and 2GB RAM. The phablet will run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with the custom Emotion UI 2.0 from Huawei.

The camera was upgraded to a 13MP shooter (f/2.0, 28mm lens, Sony sensor) with 1080p video recording. There's an impressive 5MP, f/2.4 front-facing camera with 1.4µm pixels (that's UltraPixel size). The storage has been doubled to 16GB (with a microSD card for more).

Speaking of upgrades, the connectivity goes from the 3G of the original to Cat. 4 LTE, which does up to 150Mbps downlink. The beefy 4,050mAh battery is still here and this time it even has the option to charge other phones.

Huawei has actually managed to slim down the Ascend Mate 2 4G, which is now 9.5mm thick (down from 9.9mm) and bezels are a bit thinner, the device now measures. It weighs virtually the same too (202g, up from 198g).

Here's the first promo video for the Ascend Mate 2 4G:

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_mate2_4g_goes_official-news-7499.php

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LG G Flex coming to the US on AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint

The LG G Flex is certainly an attention-grabbing device but US users couldn’t get it – until now. LG has partnered with three US carriers to bring the unique phablet to a new market.

The three carriers are AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint and they'll be releasing the G Flex some time in Q1. The Vice President of Sprint, David Owens, came on stage to share that he's been using the phablet recently and said it drew tons of attention.

Unfortunately, Owens forgot to mention the price of the LG G Flex, saying only that it will support Sprint's LTE Network, Spark, offering no more details about the launch.

Now we're waiting for the three carriers to announce the pre-order. For now, you can just sign up to be notified for updates.

The rest of LG's event focused on TVs and home appliances, you can watch a replay of the event here.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g_flex_coming_to_the_us_on_at_t_tmobile_and_sprint-news-7494.php

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First wireless controller for iPad and iPhone unveiled, on sale now

Steelseries Stratus arrives right now

It's fair to say that the iOS 7 controllers for various Apple devices have failed to set the world alight so far, but Steelseries is hoping that its Stratus Wireless Gaming controller will change all that.

The first wireless controller for iOS 7, the Stratus will be familiar to anyone who has picked up a console controller - and offers the requisite set of buttons, sticks, pads and triggers.

As you would expect from an Apple-friendly device, it's AirPlay enabled and will play (probably) nicely with iPad, iPhone and iPods capable of running the latest OS.

Gaming landscape

The company insists that this changes the gaming landscape, but you'll obviously first have to find a stand or handy part of your anatomy that enables you to keep both mitts on a controller and keep the screen of your device visible.

if you can cross that particular bridge then you can see if the controller really does solve the old 'gaming's better with buttons' quandry that has plagued mobile phone and tablet gaming from the off.

There's a dedicated pairing button, a quoted battery life of ten hours and you can connect up to four devices.

Price-wise, it's set at $99 - which equates to around £60 or AU$110 with a release date of right this instant.

• This is a peripheral best suited to a tablet in a dock - so how about checking out the iPad Air review?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/first-wireless-controller-for-ipad-and-iphone-unveiled-on-sale-now-1212651

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LG press conference from CES streaming live now

Check out all the latest announcements from LG as they happen live from CES 2014.

LG has kept a tight leash on what it has planned for this year, and they just catch the competition off-guard with some surprise announcements.

Live streaming video by Ustream
Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_press_conference_from_ces_streaming_live_now-news-7493.php

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Alcatel One Touch Idol X+ arrives with eight cores of power

It may have many cores, but is it any good?

Alcatel may not be the biggest name in mobile, but with the One Touch Idol X+ it may have one of the undercover hits of CES 2014.

Building on the One Touch Idol X, which garnered a respectable 4-star rating in our in-depth review, the Idol X+ looks to kick things up a notch.

Take a look at the Idol X+ spec sheet and it certainly appears to be an impressive offering on paper with a 5-inch full HD display - on par with the Galaxy S4 and Xperia Z1 - 2GHz octo-core (yes, eight cores) processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage and 13.1MP camera wrapped up in a body which is thinner than the HTC One and Nokia Lumia 925 at 7.9mm.

Not all good news

There isn't a microSD slot so you won't be able to build on the 16GB (or 32GB) of internal storage, 4G connectivity is sadly absent and the One Touch Idol X+ comes running Android 4.2 which isn't the latest version of Jelly Bean (that's 4.3), let alone the latest version of Google's platform - Android 4.4 KitKat.

Historically Alcatel's handsets have been a bit of a let down in the interface and performance areas, with sluggish navigation and childish icons detracting from the overall experience.

We hope the One Touch Idol X+ is able to overcome these software flaws and provide a truly fluid experience which makes the most of the powerful innards.

In terms of an Alcatel One Touch Idol X+ release date and price we're still in the dark, but we'll update this article as soon as we hear anything.

• Check out the hottest new tech, live from the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/alcatel-one-touch-idol-x-arrives-with-eight-cores-of-power-1212508

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T-Mobile buys spectrum worth $3.3B from Verizon

T-Mobile has expressed its desire to acquire the 700MHz A-Block low-band spectrum from Verizon. The carrier offers $2.365 billion in cash as well as $950 million worth of its own spectrum in northern California and Atlanta. This brings the total worth of the deal to $3.315 billion.

Over 158 million people use the low-band 700MHz spectrum in large US markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Detroit. T-Mobile says it'll start rolling out services and compatible handsets on this A-Block spectrum as early as the Q4 2014.

T-Mobile CEO and President John Legere says the acquisition is a "great opportunity to secure low-band spectrum in many of the top markets in America."

The deal has first to go through the FCC and the Department of Defence before T-Mobile gets hold of the low-spectrum band.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_buys_700mhz_ablock_spectrum_from_verizon-news-7490.php

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Alcatel unveils Android phone, phablet and two tablets

Alcatel loves CES – each year the company brings several new devices to the expo and this year is no exception. A phone, a phablet and two tablets were unveiled at the trade show, all of them Android-powered.

Alcatel One Touch POP C9

The Alcatel One Touch POP C9 is a 5.5" phablet with entry-level (for the category) specs. The IPS display has qHD resolution (200ppi pixel density) and the phablet is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz processor (likely on a MediaTek chipset) running Android 4.2. There's 1GB of RAM and 4GB of built-in storage, with an option to add up to 32GB more via a microSD card.

The POP C9 has an 8MP/HD video camera on the back and a 2MP front-facing camera. On the connectivity side, there's 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

The battery is disappointingly small though, it has only 2,500mAh capacity. According to official numbers that's enough for 8 hours of talk time on 2G networks and just 4 hours on 3G networks.

The Alcatel One Touch POP C9 will be available in a variety of bright colors: Bluish Black, Cherry Red, Full White, Hot Pink or Fresh Turquoise. There will be a choice of flip covers too.

Alcatel One Touch POP7 and POP8

The One Touch POP7 and POP8 are two Android-powered tablets with 7 and 8 inch screens accordingly. Both are entry-level devices, with the POP8 having the better specs.

It has an 8" IPS display with 1,280 x 800 resolution and is powered by a MediaTek MT8382 chipset (quad-core Cortex-A7 @ 1.3GHz, 1GB RAM, Mali-400 GPU). The tablet features a microSD card slot and two cameras, 2MP and 0.3MP.

The connectivity is well covered by 3G (rare in the entry-level field), Wi-Fi, GPS and an optional IR blaster.

The Alcatel One Touch POP7 has a 7" TFT screen with 1,024 x 600 pixel resolution. It has the same camera, storage and connectivity setup (down to the optional IR), but the chipset has been downgraded to a MediaTek MT8312 (dual-core Cortex-A7 @ 1.3GHz, 1GB RAM, Mali-400 GPU).

The POP7 weighs 285g and will come out at the end of February, while the POP8 will be out some time in March. Both tablets will have optional flip covers similar to the POP C9 phablet.

Alcatel One Touch Idol X+

Unlike the other devices, the One Touch Idol X+ is not exactly new (it was announced for China earlier) and is higher end. It's a 5" phone with a sharp 1080p IPS LCD screen and MediaTek octa-core MT6592 chipset (4x Cortex-A7 @ 1.5GHz, 2GB RAM, PowerVR SGX544 GPU).

It also packs a 13MP / 1080p camera on the back and a 2.1MP camera on the front, 16GB of expandable storage and quality sound hardware with 24bit/192kHz audio playback.

The phone is only 7.9mm thick. The Idol X+ has a brushed metal frame with "0 bezel and borderless, 2.4 mm edge-to-edge design". The battery has 2,500mAh capacity, which seems quite low for the screen resolution and 8 CPU cores.

There's no official info on the pricing and availability of the world-wide model of the Alcatel One Touch Idol X+, but the one in China will go on sale in the middle of this month at $330.

Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/alcatel_unveils_android_phone_phablet_and_two_tablets-news-7489.php

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Samsung Galaxy S5 rumored to use Sharp's 2K display

According to a report by Chinese website Tencent, Samsung has decided not to use a Super AMOLED HD display panel for its Galaxy S5 flagship smartphone. Traditionally, ever since the first Galaxy S smartphone, Samsung has always preferred its own AMOLED displays for its flagships.

However, according to the report based on unconfirmed information, the Galaxy S5 will be an exception, as Samsung has chosen Sharp to provide a 5.25" 2K Ultra HD LTPS display panel. It's going to pack an exceptional pixel density of 560 pixels per inch.

The reason behind Samsung's decision resides in one of its subsidiaries, which has run into production issues with the 2K Ultra HD AMOLED displays. As a result of them, the company can't keep up the production and won't be able to make enough of them to meet the expected Galaxy S5 demand.

Choosing Sharp will also allow Samsung to free up its display factories for the upcoming flexible line-up of AMOLED displays, which it hopes will reach large market availability by 2015. Additionally, if Sharp really turns out to be the manufacturer of Galaxy S5's displays, this will be beneficial to Samsung, which owns 3% stake in the company back in March.

The report confirms earlier evidence of the Galaxy S5's 2K UHD display, which popped up in a leaked benchmark of the device. Other rumors suggest the Galaxy S5 will be launched (or at least shown) as early as Q1 of next year, have a 16 MP snapper with the ISOCELL tech, perhaps without optical image stabilization and possibly with some elements resistance in tow. That is hard to take in all at once, we know.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s5_rumored_to_use_sharps_2k_display-news-7488.php

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Qualcomm unveils flashy new camera tech before CES

Your Facebook photos can only get better

Qualcomm will undoubtedly show off its latest and greatest advancements in its Snapdragon technology this week, but it has jumped the CES gun by releasing videos highlighting the camera capabilities of the Snapdragon 805.

There are three technologies to speak of helping to make the most of the quad-core 2.5GHz CPU; Chroma Flash, Touch to track and OptiZoom.

Chroma Flash allows the camera to take two images almost simultaneously before combining them. The aim is to reduce the glare from flash photography, producing a more natural looking image.

The technology seems familiar, as it is similar to the way that HDR photography works, capturing an image at different exposures.

Its time for 3D again... again!

Touch to track works as you might expect. First the user selects an object for the camera to focus on, and the Snapdragon 805 allows the camera to keep it in focus no matter where the object moves to.

It also doubles up in video recording mode, allowing you to set a line on screen for the object to cross. Once the object has crossed that line, video recording is engaged.

Finally, OptiZoom works using the 'Touch to track' technology. Selecting an object allows you to control the level of zoom, with the Snapdragon 805 zooming in and out as the object moves further away or closer to the lens.

We already knew that the 805 supports up to four cameras, including the ability to have stereoscopic 3D, so keep your eyes peeled here to find out what else Qualcomm has to offer at CES 2014.

• Here's what else we know about the Snapdragon 805.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/qualcomm-unveils-flashy-new-camera-tech-before-ces-1212413

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Sony Xperia Z1S press render points to imminent announcement

The famous @evleaks just can't stop delivering juicy pieces of info ahead of the upcoming CES expo. He just gave us a scoop of four Galaxy tablets that are about to go official and now he helps us look behind the curtain at Sony's.

The Xperia Z1S, also known as Z1 mini, is the compact version of the Z1 flagship. We already saw Xperia Z1S official pictures, camera samples, live photos and UI screenshots. It even passed through USA's FCC. The last time we actually saw the Z1S, was its official Japanese version - the Z1F, which is already available for purchase.

Anyway, in addition to the official T-Mobile render, @evleaks also confirms the specs - a 4.3" 720p display, Snapdragon 800 chipset, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, a 20MP rear camera, a 2,300 mAh battery and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

The compact smartphone is expected to go official at Sony's CES press event in a few hours. We'll be there to cover it for you, so stay tuned. T-Mobile is also holding a press event on January 8, where it should confirm it will be carrying the Xperia Z1S.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z1s_official_tmobile_picture_leaks-news-7487.php

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Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro leak ahead of release

The rumors for an upcoming 12.2-inch Samsung Galaxy Note have been around for quite some time, but it is just now we get to see the real deal. Apparently the slate will be going official at CES in a few hours since its massive banner is already on the streets of Las Vegas for everyone to see.

In addition to the new Galaxy Note Pro, the banner also reveals a brand new Galaxy Tab Pro lineup including three devices - 8.4, 10.1 and 12.2-inch tablets.

Thanks to @evleaks, we get to see a glimpse into the specs of the four slates plus an official render of the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4

Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4

According to the notorious tipster all four slates will feature WQXGA (2560x1600px) displays, 8MP rear and 2MP front snappers, and will run either on Snapdragon 800 chipset (for the LTE models) or Exynos 5 Octa (for the Wi-Fi/3G flavors). Android 4.4 KitKat with the latest TouchWiz UI will be in charge of operations on all Galaxy Pro devices.

The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 will offer 3GB of RAM, 32/64GB internal storage and massive 9,500mAh batteries. The Note slate, naturally, will come with an integrated S-Pen and all compatible S-Pen apps and services.

The smaller Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 and 8.4 pack 2GB of RAM, 16/32GB storage and 8,220mAh and 4,800mAh batteries respectively.

All four Galaxy tablets will be announced at Samsung's CES press conference in a few hours.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_pro_and_tab_pro_leak_ahead_of_release-news-7485.php

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Hands on: Lenovo Vibe Z review

Before I even begin: No, US, UK and AU readers, you cannot have this. Not yet, at least. (A bit more on that later.) This is the Lenovo Vibe Z, the Chinese ThinkPad maker's latest flagship Android phone, it's first LTE smartphone ever and probably one of the biggest teases of CES 2014.

Why? For one, just look at the thing. Housing a 5.5-inch, 1920 x 1080 IPS touch screen, this hyper thin (0.31 inches) handset weighs just 5.12 ounces. For a phone that borders on phablet, it feels as if a 4-inch phone in weight. This is partly why Lenovo went with a polycarbonate plastic shell (in either a silver or "titanium" black textured finish) rather than metal, a Lenovo representative told me on the show floor.

And two: Check out what's inside. The Vibe Z runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip and 2GB of RAM. However, this handset comes with just 16GB of storage, which could pose a problem, given the 5MP camera up front and the 13MP shooter (complete with f1.8 aperture lens and dual LED flash) around back.

The ultimate selfie snapper?

What? I couldn't resist

Lenovo has made full use of the Vibe Z's two megapixel-rich cameras, with a suite of features that were put to good use in my own time with the device. For one, the 84-degree wide angle lens in front captures more in the frame than most lenses, making the all-important selfie even easier.

Features like photo filters, an array of scene modes and the tons of settings on offer are fun to play around with and should make for interesting shares. Speaking of which, the Vibe Z cameras' Beautify tool allowed me to give myself and a Lenovo representative "facelifts" and other subtle tweaks. Your friends on Facebook won't know the difference.

You know sqaure cameras mean business

Given the look, feel and layout of Lenovo's new smartphone camera software, it's clear that camera tech will be more important than ever in the ongoing mobile wars. With its rich (if sometimes gimmicky) feature set and richer cameras, the Vibe Z seems on the right track.

Look, ma', just one hand!

Cool cameras aside, upon picking up the Vibe Z, I immediately noticed two things. One, this is an incredibly light and thin phone for its 5.5-inch screen size. And two, this phone is just too big for my tiny, pasty hands. Luckily for the Vibe Z, Lenovo thought ahead.

It's the little things, like my hands

I struggled to reach the lock button atop the phone with one hand. Lenovo made it so the volume rocker unlocks the phone, too. I had trouble reaching my thumb across the other side of the screen. Lenovo added a Smart Dialer that shifts the number pad buttons in the direction you tilt the phone for easier one-handed dialing. (Also, Smart Call allows you the answer the phone by just holding it to your ear.)

The point is that Lenovo knows just how big it's flagship phone is, and it's working to make it easier to operate the Vibe Z more like the phone that it is and less like the tablet that it isn't. Other handset makers are trying, but I've seen nothing this clever.

Designed to fit into the skinniest of jeans

Early verdict

Like I said, the Lenovo Vibe Z is one of biggest teases of CES 2014, namely because there are no signs of the thing hitting US, UK or AU soil anytime soon. Lenovo will launch the phone this February in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines for $549 (about £334, AU$611).

It's a real shame, too, because this phone could potentially bring the heat whatever the Samsung Galaxy S5 turns out to be this year. A Lenovo representative tells us that the company is working on entering these markets, but obstacles like carrier partnerships and regulatory approvals are holding things back. Well, hurry up already, carriers and regulatory bodies – you're keeping us from a potentially awesome phone.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/lenovo-vibe-z-review-1207683/review

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