LG G2 Pro camera confirmed to have OIS and 4K video capture

LG released another bit of information on the upcoming G2 Pro phablet. After confirming the device’s name and release last Sunday, LG spilled the beans on the camera of the Optimus G Pro’s successor.

The LG G2 Pro will feature a 13MP camera with improved optical image stabilization (OIS+) and 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) video recording. The front-facing camera of the device will be a 2.1MP unit.

Furthermore, the phablet’s camera will feature slow-motion video capture, as well as the capability to capture multiple photos in burst mode. In short, when available, the handset promises to improve on the already stellar camera experience of the LG G2.

The LG G2 Pro is likely to break cover during MWC in Barcelona at the end of this month. Alleged photos of the phablet reveal that it will feature similar design to the G2 smartphone.

Source (in Korean)

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g2_pro_camera_confirmed_to_have_ois_and_4k_video_capture-news-7730.php

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Samsung schedules an Unpacked event for February 24

Samsung announced the time and date of its next Unpacked event. The Korean giant’s next major mobile product announcement will take place this month, on February 24 in Barcelona, right at the MWC kickoff.

The invitations contain more than a subtle hint that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will break cover during the event. They have the number 5 on display which is as clear a suggestion as it gets in our book.

A potential appearance of the Samsung Galaxy S5 during the Mobile World Congress guarantees it a great deal of spotlight. Samsung was relatively quiet during last year’s MWC and did not announce any flagship products.

Rumored specs of the Samsung Galaxy S5 include a 2K display and 16MP f/2.2 camera. The smartphone is tipped to launch with a revamped TouchWiz user interface sitting on top of Android 4.4 KitKat.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_schedules_an_unpacked_event_for_february_24_in_barcelona-news-7729.php

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Samsung Galaxy S5 looks set for a MWC 2014 reveal

The next Galaxy phone is due soon

Samsung has sent out invitations to an event on the opening day of MWC 2014, heavily suggesting we are in for the Galaxy S5's unveiling.

The company's invites advised attendees to prepare of its "new flagship product" at the February 24 event. The number five scribbled on all but confirms it's time for the next Galaxy phone to show its face.

Samsung has a history of debuting its flagship products at Unpacked events, and this one appears no different. Of course, nothing is confirmed till Sammy sings the S5's name, but it's unlikely we'll see something like the Note 4 headline this Barcelona brouhaha.

More to follow...

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s5-launch-looks-set-for-february-24-1221273

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Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 goes on pre-order in the US

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 appeared for pre-order in the United States. Office Depot has the 64GB version of the über-tablet ready to claim, with official availability set for next Thursday, February 13.

Unsurprisingly, the high-end Android slate doesn’t come cheap with a price tag of $849.99. Still, the tablet is considerably more affordable than in the United Kingdom, where Samsung charges £649 ($1076; €788) for a Wi-Fi version.

Home Depot hasn’t specified the chipset model of the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 it sells. The slate is listed to have a quad-core CPU, so we reckon it is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 version which is on offer (the Note Pro 12.2 with Exynos SoC has an octa-core CPU).

You can find out more about Samsung’s flagship Android tablet in our hands-on.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_pro_122_goes_on_preorder_in_the_united_states-news-7728.php

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Samsung's SM-W750V is a WP device headed to Verizon

It's no secret that Nokia has been dominating the Windows Phone game as of late. There have been rumors of Samsung introducing a WP handset however, and it looks like those rumors have gained more weight.

Evleaks has reported on their twitter account that a Samsung handset, codenamed “Huron” with the model number SM-W750V, will be headed to Verizon.

Not much is known about the device, except that it will be packing a 4.3” display and it will be running Windows Phone 8.1. Evleaks also mentioned that the Huron will look similar to the newer crop of Galaxy devices that are currently on the market.

Samsung SM-W750V will be a Windows Phone on Verizon. Codenamed Huron, it looks very similar to a late model Galaxy S.

— @evleaks (@evleaks) February 3, 2014

The screen size of the Huron is interesting. 4.3” is considered pocket-friendly by today's smartphone standards. Will this be a mid-range, run-of-the mill Windows Phone device? Or will Samsung try to create a WP handset that has both portability and power? We'll know for sure once the device is officially announced.

Are you excited to see Samsung release another WP device?

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_smw750v_is_a_wp_device_headed_to_verizon-news-7727.php

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Samsung's next flagship said to be a Galaxy S-like Windows Phone

Samsung's last Windows Phone handset was the Ativ S

Samsung has a new phone in the works, and the rumor that it's a Windows Phone handset has just been corroborated by one more source.

But the serial tipster with the Twitter account @evleaks has also added some new details, including the claim that the new Samsung phone is for Verizon.

On top of that, it's even got a code name now: "Huron." So we can stop referring to it as the Samsung SM-W750V.

Finally - and this may be the most tantalizing tidbit - the Samsung "Huron" apparently "looks very similar to a late model Galaxy S."

Smile, Huron candid camera

From what's known so far it seems the Samsung Huron may be a high end 5-inch 1080p Windows Phone smartphone.

Strangely, "Huron" was also the name of an old Intel processor, though that may be nothing more than a coincidence.

The Samsung SM-W750V first popped up in December, when the device's model number appeared on an India website's shipping manifesto.

Granted, that was pretty thin; but in January it appeared again, and this time with more specs and firmer ground to stand on.

Opposite day

Samsung has been focused on Android for some time, while Nokia has enjoyed being king of the Windows Phone scene.

But it's not like these are wholly unexplored waters for Samsung - its last Windows Phone handset was the Ativ S, after all.

Conversely, Nokia was rumored recently to be working on an Android phone. It's truly a crazy world.

• The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the company's latest flagship - don't miss TechRadar's review!

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-s-next-flagship-said-to-be-a-galaxy-s-like-windows-phone-1221212

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HTC M8 'looks strikingly like' the HTC One

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

The HTC One was one of the slickest looking handsets to ever grace the smartphone world and so why not stick with the design?

In an off handed remark consummate technology leaker EvLeaks said over Twitter "[s]o, yeah, the M8 looks strikingly like the M7. It's too bad they already named another phone One S."

There were no new photos to support Evleaks biting remark, but it seems the HTC One successor will look nearly identically. Despite a bit likening the phone's new design to the difference between the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S, it could be great for the HTC One 2 to feature the same machined-aluminum design.

Previously leaked images of the HTC M8 revealed a metal back panel featuring a curious second hole above the camera. Early reports suggest that this extra gap in the case would be used for the camera's secondary focusing sensor or potentially a new fingerprint scanner as seen on the HTC One Max.

Buttoning up for launch

In a bigger change to the handset, the HTC M8 will be the company's first handset to slide its navigation buttons onto the screen.

HTC Source caught an early glimpse of the HTC M8's onscreen buttons thanks to an anonymous tip. From the early look we can see the new navigation bar will match the current arrangement and style of Android 4.4 KitKat.

More importantly, this move will help etch off some unneeded bezel and make more space for the device's rumored 5-inch display. The M8 is HTC's next big flagship gambit and as such it will feature some hot specs including a 1080p screen, 2.26GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, and 3GBs of RAM.

We're all set to gander at the HTC M8 for MWC 2014 or its newly rumored late March reveal in New York, so stay tuned to this space until then.

• The HTC M8 will run into some stiff competition this March, check out the guns on the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-m8-looks-strikingly-like-the-htc-one-1221203

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iPhone 6 and Galaxy S5 'reported' to take screen resolution to the next level

Does the new iPhone have to have a massive screen?

The Samsung Galaxy S5 and iPhone 6 are two of the most anticipated mobile launches of 2014, which is why all and sundry are keen to get the specs out to the masses - and an analyst firm with previous form reckons the next wave will have super high-res screens.

A letter from KDB Daewoo Securities (who got early wind of the iPad Mini, according to Oled-display.net, which spotted the note to investors), shows alleged details regarding screen size, processor, and other key information for both new devices.

The note claims that Apple is set to release two iPhones this year in Q2 or Q3, one with a 4.7 or 4.8-inch display and the other with a much larger 5.5-inch screen - which jives with reports of an 'iPhablet' in June and the new iPhone 6 later in the year.

The iPhone 6 and iPhablet are set to come with a 1920 x 1080, 440ppi screen and a 2272 x 1280, 510ppi screen respectively.

Inside is set to feature Apple's A8 64-bit processor as well as 2GB RAM. iOS 7.2 also comes on the devices, which seems unlikely given that Apple's yearly product releases tend to be accompanied with a whole new iOS iteration.

But what about the S5?

According to that same letter, the Samsung Galaxy S5 will reportedly sport a 5.2 or 5.25-inch WQHD AMOLED screen with the 2560 x 1440 display, giving a whopping 560ppi.

It will also run Android 4.4 KitKat (no surprises there) on either a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 805 CPU or 64-bit 2GHz octa-core Exynos chip.

In order to snap photos, the memo suggests Samsung is also set to unleash its 16MP camera on the rear with a 3.2MP effort on the front, while a 3,200mAh battery will keep things running, although that doesn't play nice with previous reports of a 2,900mAh battery.

Whilst some of these specs do sound like they could hold some truth, we're still a little bit unsure. KDB Daewoo Securities isn't a source we're overly familiar with, although supposedly breaking news about the original iPad Mini shows decent form.

Either way, we're sat here sipping at our mug of salt from the fishy farm just in case.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-6-and-galaxy-s5-reported-to-take-screen-resolution-to-the-next-level-1221158

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EE and Three join forces in new £1B LTE deal

Three has been taking its time bringing 4G connectivity to its network. In its recent partnership with EE - the first 4G carrier in the UK - the two companies are looking to invest a combined 1 billion pounds into strengthening their combined 4G network presence.

EE, which is the largest carrier in the UK and the result of the T-Mobile and Orange merger in 2010, invested £1.4B into bringing 4G to the UK before any of the other carriers. It was able to do so a full year ahead of the next competitor.

The recent deal looks to benefit both carriers, as EE hopes to reach an impressive 70% 4G coverage throughout the UK by the month's end, while Three hopes to have 4G coverage in 50 major UK cities by the end of the year, and a whopping 98% network coverage by the end of 2015.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/ee_and_three_combine_forces_in_new__pound1b_lte_deal-news-7726.php

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This is what the HTC M8 virtual buttons look like

We've already heard that the successor to the HTC One - the M8 or Two - will have on-screen navigation buttons (instead of capacitive ones under the screen) and thanks to an anonymous email we may be seeing what they'll look like.

The image below shows the proposed three button configuration - the home and app switcher buttons match the current Sense design, the back button doesn't.

This could turn out just a well-made concept, not to mention that if the M8 launches with KitKat the on-screen buttons background should be transparent.

Speaking of the launch date the M8 is rumored to drop in New York this March.

Source (in Chinese, requires login) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/this_is_what_the_htc_m8_nav_buttons_look_like-news-7725.php

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Apple wants to know how you're feeling as it eyes mood-sensing iPhone tech

"Hmm, you're looking rather 'jubilant' today, user"

Apple's got a plan to get personal. One of Cupertino's latest patents suggests it's looking to deliver content based on users' moods.

The patent, titled, "Inferring user mood based on user and group characteristic data", outlines a mood scanner that will determine your emotion and respond accordingly.

The aim is to deliver content "that is selected, at least in part, based on the inferred mood," with the patent specifically referencing advertising in several places.

Can I borrow a feeling?

The system would track what you're doing on your phone, looking at "recently consumed content" in order to target adverts that you're more likely to tap on.

In between NSA surveillance scares and fears of potential data intrusion from the Internet of Things, Apple's latest idea probably isn't best timed.

However, the patent was filed on January 23 so don't expect to see anything come to fruition any time soon. But Apple clearly has its eye on the next stage of personalising data and technology.

• The iPhone 5S doesn't care what mood you're in, but is it a decent handset?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-wants-to-know-how-you-re-feeling-as-it-eyes-mood-sensing-iphone-tech-1220998

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Hang on – will it actually be called the HTC One 2?

Shrunken version on the way too?

Has a New Caledonian certification site just ruined HTC's forthcoming surprise? Unlikely, but at least we'll probably get a mini version.

There has been plenty of confusion over what HTC will call the sequel to the One – and the New Caledonia Office of Posts and Telecommunications website has posted something that has the web convinced it will be a fairly obvious name.

The site is listing the 'HTC One 2' and 'HTC One 2 Dual Sim' among all the other HTC phones ever made, prompting belief that this outlet has been privy to important information about the new phone.

• HTC One 2 / M8 - everything you'd want to know, and then some

While it seems certain that a dual SIM version will appear to accommodate demand in other territories, the name is likely nothing more than a placeholder, as such things can change right up until the last minute with flagships such as this – and as we recently heard, March is looking good for the first time we'll actually see it.

Mini marvel

In terms of matching last year's efforts, HTC is going to give the One 2 a little brother, according to noted tipster @evleaks.

The info is sparse, stating only that "0P6B:HTC M8::0P8B:M8 mini", but the M8 moniker (the internal code for the HTC One 2 device) combined with the item number shows that Evleaks reckons he knows that a mini version is forthcoming.

Even if this is true, there's little chance that we'll see the HTC One 2 Mini for a few months yet, as the Taiwanese firm won't want to launch both at the same time when it can get increased coverage by staggering the launches.

The rumours of a new HTC device are reaching a nice boiling point at the moment though, which means we're surely only weeks away from getting our first look at what could be one of 2014's phones of the year.

From Twitter, PhoneArena

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/hang-on-will-it-actually-be-called-the-htc-one-2--1220988

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Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 gets an LTE version

The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 was announced late last year but only now we find out that the mid-range 5.25" Android phone has an LTE version. That version carries the model number SM-G7105 (model numbers for LTE-enabled devices end in 5).

The device is not official yet, but its user manual (PDF) and its SAR information have been uploaded to the Samsung site. The SAR search tool returns two devices – G7105 and G7105L – but the L model hasn’t been tested yet (it's probably a carrier-specific version).

Skimming through the user manual, nothing seems to have changed in terms of specs but then there's no info on the chipset (which likely has changed). We're waiting for the official specs to go up to confirm if there have been changes to the quad-core chipset.

The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 also comes in the G7102 version, which is a dual-SIM model, but that's a 3G-only device.

Source 1 (PDF) • Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_grand_2_has_an_lte_version_too-news-7724.php

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Nokia X (Normandy) joining Asha lineup in March

Nokia X or Normandy is getting even closer to release. Аccording to a Senior Executive over at Nokia India, the device will be launched in March as a member of the Asha lineup.

The specs seem to mirror those of the Lumia 520 save for the OS being Android instead of Windows Phone. There will be a 4" WVGA (480 x 800) screen, 5 MP camera, dual-core 1.2 GHz chipset, 512 MB RAM and 4 GB of expandable storage - pretty much what we've known so far.

There would be an optional dual-SIM version as well. Currently we've seen what the device might look like, what it could do in HTML-based benchmark BrowserMark 2 and even got some details of the Vietnamese availability.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_x_normandy_joining_asha_lineup_in_march-news-7723.php

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HTC M2 (One successor) to launch in March

HTC has been hard at work designing the HTC One successor and judging by the number of leaks we've seen recently, it's close to complete. Now well-known leakster @evleaks suggests the HTC M8 (or perhaps One 2 or One+) will be unveiled in March. That puts it close to the alleged Galaxy S5 launch timeframe.

Starting to look like a late March, NYC launch for HTC M8.

— @evleaks (@evleaks) February 2, 2014

The HTC M8 was already certified, a user agent profile confirmed a 1080p screen, a French government site unveiled the unlikely name HTC One 2 and a dual-SIM version (just like the current One has). We've even seen a couple of hardware shots.

The rumors on the specs for the HTC One sequel are somewhat inconsistent, but the general consensus seems to be a 4.9-5 inch 1080p screen Snapdragon 800 chipset and an UltraPixel camera (6-8MP resolution).

We'll find out the true specs in March if the rumor is true. If you'll remember, HTC was going to beat Samsung to market with the 2013 generation, but manufacturing issues caused delays. If the One had launched on schedule, it might have grabbed a more significant market share.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_m2_one_successor_to_launch_in_march-news-7722.php

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Windows Phone 8.1 screenshot surfaces

A leaked screenshot of Windows Phone 8.1 has surfaced showing what looks to be a panel for quick settings. Obtained by TheWinCentral, the screenshot aligns nicely with the previously leaked snap from evleaks, which showed on-screen navigation buttons.

If the screenshot is to be believed, a quick drawer panel will be available when you swipe down from the top of the screen. It takes about half of the display and holds two volume rockers for ringer and notifications plus media and apps. There's also a shortcut for silent mode and settings in addition to quick music controls.

It's possible for the screenshot to be photoshopped, so we won't hold our breath too much on it.

Nevertheless, the notification area still hasn't leaked. Quite possibly, it won't be too much different from the style guidelines of the quick settings drawer that we see on the left.

Finally, we shouldn't forget that Microsoft is also working on its own virtual personal assistant for Windows Phone. It's believed to be called Cortana and will be deeply integrated into the OS experience just iOS and Android do with Siri and Google Now.

Check out a quick video of a beta version of Cortana in action.

The new features are part of the Windows Phone "Blue" update, also known as Windows Phone 8.1. Its announcement is expected to come at Microsoft's Build 2014 conference. It kicks off April 2 and end on April 4, so if announced there, the update would probably be available towards the fall of 2014.

Source • Source (2)

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/possible_windows_phone_81_screenshot_surfaces-news-7721.php

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