Firefox OS shown off on ZTE handset

Mozilla unveils its mobile operating system

Mozilla has finally taken the wraps off of Firefox OS, debuting the operating system in a YouTube video.

Last week saw a leak of Firefox OS Marketplace which gave a us a glimpse into just what to expect from the mobile operating system, but this new video, which has popped up on the Firefox channel, offers up much more in the way of detail.

The demo of the OS is on a unnamed ZTE phone and we get to see what dialling a person looks like, how games will feature on the system and also how the browser and camera will work.

The video has already garnered a number of comments on YouTube, with a few people picking up on the operating system's apparent lag. Given that this is a very early dev build Firefox OS, we don't think there should be a worry about a little bit of stutter.

Mozilla has built Firefox OS on HTML5, which it hopes will bring a lighter OS to the market with faster browsing capabilities and this early look certainly shows this off.

Firefox OS won't be available until 2013, with Brazil the first place to get a phone powered by the operating system.

Both ZTE and Alcatel have confirmed that they will be creating handsets with Firefox OS inside.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/firefox-os-shown-off-on-zte-handset-1095993

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Will new iPods join the iPhone at Apple’s September 12 event?

Apple may reveal a range of new iPods at its event on September 12, and given the amount if iPhone leaks, they could be the only surprise.

Apple’s talk about “doubling down” on secrecy appears to have been bluster, as a steady stream of leaks over the past few months have built an almost complete picture of what many believe to be the next iPhone.

There’s so much information out there, that its big reveal on September 12 could be less exciting than Apple events of old. Provided that is, the leaks really do relate to the new iPhone, and aren’t part of an elaborate smokescreen to obfuscate the true new device.

If that’s the case, then Tim Cook and his team will have done an impressive job of fooling us all, but if it’s not, then will the event hold any surprises at all?

Leaving aside the prospect of an iPad Mini, what about the iPod range? 9to5mac.com suggests a new Nano and Shuffle could join the new iPhone at the Yerba Buena Center this week, along with the possibility of a third — potentially new — iPod model too.

The report says the new Nano and Shuffle will come in various colors, and that one — presumably the Nano — will come with a choice of memory capacities, while the other will only have one option. Nothing is known about the mystery third device.

Apple’s last Nano refresh was in October 2011, but the current seventh-generation Nano is almost identical to the sixth-generation device, with the differences between them almost solely software-based and applicable to the older 2010 model too. Apple doesn’t even list the seventh-gen Nano as a device on its own site, preferring to stick with the sixth-generation Nano introduced in 2010.

The Nano is perfectly placed for an update then, and as Apple combined the iPhone and iPod launch for its October event last year, it’s not a stretch to see them doing the same this year.

The good thing is, we’ve not seen or heard very much about any new iPods — bar a version of the Nano sporting a camera at the beginning of the year –  so even if the iPhone looks familiar when it makes its debut, at least they’ll be a surprise.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/will-new-ipods-be-the-surprise-at-apples-september-12-event/

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Xiaomi starts Mi-Two production on September 22

Xiaomi beat LG to the punch by announcing the first quad-core Krait-powered phone (though the Optimus G should have the distinction of shipping first). The Xiaomi Mi-Two will go into production on September 22, revealed the company's co-founder.

Also, the Mi-Two will be coming in a 32GB version along with the originally announced 16GB version (there's a microSD card slot too). The rest of the specs include a Qualcomm APQ8064 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 4.3" IPS LCD with 720p resolution (342ppi) and a 2000mAh standard battery (and optional 3000mAh).

The Xiaomi Mi-Two will start shipping in mid to late October at RMB 1,999 ($315, €225) for the 16GB version. It's still unclear how much the 32GB model will cost, though.

Considering the Mi-1S, a slight update of the original Xiaomi phone sold 200,000 units in 30 minutes, we're wondering if Xiaomi shouldn't have started production of the Mi-Two already.

Source (in Chinese)

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_starts_production_on_mitwo_on_september_22-news-4780.php

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Samsung Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update on its way as 'near perfect' firmware leaked

Jelly Bean delivery is getting closer

A new version of the Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean update for the Samsung Galaxy S3 has appeared online, raising hopes that the final version may be pushed to customers sooner rather than later.

Picked up by the Sam Mobile site, version I9300XXDLI5 of the Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean firmware is said to be the most stable of the leaked versions to date, and is apparently "very much near perfect".

If this is the case, then Samsung may be able to roll out the upgrade to all Galaxy S3 customers in the coming weeks, which will be a pleasingly short turnaround, especially when you consider how long it took manufacturers to sort out Ice Cream Sandwich.

Smoother, faster and fixes

Android 4.1 offers up a smoother, faster browsing experience thanks to 'Project Butter', and this is noticeable in I9300XXDLI5, with a slicker user interface appearing alongside a number of fixes including the maps compass and direction arrow.

The developer community are witnessing almost daily leaks of the Android Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy S3, as it's thought Samsung is letting versions slip out to aid its testing of the new platform.

There's still no official word from Samsung on a possible Galaxy S3 Android Jelly Bean release date, but with the latest firmware looking promising, fingers crossed we've not got too long to wait.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s3-jelly-bean-update-on-its-way-as-near-perfect-firmware-leaked-1095954

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Nokia Lumia 920 could arrive as 4G exclusive in UK

Lumia 920 could be 4G exclusive for EE

Network partnership Everything Everywhere is reportedly in talks with Nokia over the LTE enabled Lumia 920, with the view of ranging the handset exclusively in the UK.

According to Financial Times sources, the Orange and T-Mobile mother ship is currently negotiating a deal with the Finnish manufacturer, ahead of the launch of its 4G network later this year – the first to become available in Britain.

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has confirmed that the Lumia 920 will be able to work on the 4G frequency Everything Everywhere plans to launch – although he didn't comment on any possible deal between the two.

Questions answered tomorrow?

Interestingly enough Everything Everywhere has organised a press conference tomorrow morning, Tuesday 11, in London, where TechRadar will be in attendance to see it announce "exciting information on our new brand and the latest innovation in network technology."

We pressed Everything Everywhere on information surrounding this event and the today's latest rumours, but the network promptly got back to us with a spokesperson telling us: "we're not commenting on rumours."

TechRadar managed to check out the Nokia Lumia 920 in New York last week, and you can find out what we thought of the flagship Windows Phone 8 handset in our hands on Nokia Lumia 920 review.

Technorati claim code: G2P3RQRFE3SY

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/nokia-lumia-920-could-arrive-as-4g-exclusive-in-uk-1095942

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LG Escape for US AT&T press photo and specs leak

The LG Escape just made its first public appearance via a tweet, which shares not only this press shot, but also some of the key specs of the device.

The LG Escape (model name P870 and codename Kun) is meant for the US carrier AT&T and will make good use of the carrier's quickly developing LTE network.

As regards the other specs, the LG Escape supposedly packs a 4.3-inch IPS LCD screen with qHD resoolution, a 1.2Ghz dual-core chipset, a duo of a 5MP back camera and a 1.3MP front camera, NFC connectivity and a 2150mAh battery. The smartphone makes use of Android Ice Cream Sandwich as its OS of choice.

So far nothing surprising. In fact, we found quite a lot of similarities to the recently announced international LG Optimus L9, which we had a chance to meet in first person at this year's IFA. You will decide for yourselves, but the resemblance is uncanny.

Source | Via
Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_escape_for_us_at_t_press_photo_leaks_sounds_like_the_l9-news-4779.php

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Impossible iPhone 5 concept we all want, ‘Rubberband Electronics’

"Rubberband Electronics" are this year's must-have (but undeniably impossible) dream feature of the upcoming iPhone.

In mere days, Apple will reveal the long-awaited iPhone 5 and put a stop to the endlessly entertaining guesswork leading up to its launch. So far we’ve had the obvious predictions like a bigger screen, longer battery life, and support for LTE. There’s also been talk of the iPhone losing its number system altogether. Similar to the new iPad, it would make sense for the next Apple smartphone to simply be named the new iPhone.

But this video by Aatma Studio shows us what the Cupertino company could do if it really wanted to push the limits of technology (and space and time). It imagines what would happen if Apple were able to thwart the basic rules of physics and uncover the hidden secrets of magic realism. The mock-up video (via AllThingsD) includes some admittedly awesome features that could potentially be built into the next iPhone like wireless charging (if Nokia can do it…), fingerprint scanning worthy of the CIA, and a Siri message center that would actually be useful. Around the minute mark, however, the video drops all pretence of being rooted in reality and teases us with a feature that would single handedly put Apple at the forefront of mobile devices forever. We won’t spoil it for you, but we will tell you it’s called “Rubberband Electronics” and it will never, ever happen. Never. 

If you need to be comforted after seeing your dreams crushed, we’ve made a list that tackles some more realistic features Apple should introduce in the next iPhone to stay relevant and competitive in the marketplace. And, more importantly, to make the world want to spend some hard-eraned cash on it. 

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/impossible-iphone-5-concept-rubberband-electronics/

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