Android 4.2.1 for Nexus 4 and slates 7 and 10 now available

The Android 4.2 (still Jelly Bean) was released for the (ASUS-made) Nexus 7 slate back-to-back with the new LG Nexus 4 smartphone and Samsung Nexus 10 tablet two weeks ago. Soon after the users noticed December was missing from the Contacts app.

Well, the Google developers have finally squashed this bug (among others) with the Android 4.2.1 release. Available for all three devices, the update is already seeding globally.

The new 4.2.1 OTA update weighs just 1.1MB and makes December reappear in the Contacts app and fixes the Bluetooth issues lots of users were experiencing.

If you didn’t get the notification yet, you should just go and check for updates manually – it should be there waiting for you.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/android_421_for_nexus_4_and_slates_7_and_10_now_available-news-5132.php

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Europe to miss out on 5-inch HTC Deluxe

Fingers crossed we don't miss out

The recently rumoured HTC Deluxe may be about to shun Europe, as reports suggest the 5-inch smartphone won't be gracing us with its presence.

A spokesperson at HTC Germany has 'confirmed' on its Facebook page that the Deluxe, which boasts a full HD display, quad-core processor and 8MP camera, isn't set for a European tour.

Roughly translated, the post by HTC Dach reads: "The Deluxe will unfortunately not come to Europe."

It's not a myth

The HTC Deluxe already exists under different guises elsewhere in the world, which would make you think Europe had a pretty good chance of seeing it, considering it's currently in two major regions.

Over in the States it's known as the HTC Droid DNA while in Asia, where it was initially launched, it goes by the rather lovely name of the HTC J Butterfly.

Here in the UK we're yet to get any official confirmation on the HTC Deluxe's position, with a spokesperson for the Taiwanese firm telling us: "I'm afraid we're not able to comment on rumoured devices" – sad times.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/europe-to-miss-out-on-5-inch-htc-deluxe-1115629

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Samsung Ativ S could be delayed until 2013

Come out, come out, wherever you are

It seems that the Samsung Ativ S is experiencing more issues, as reports suggest it has been further delayed.

The latest reports come via Sam Mobile, which suggests that in Europe at least we may have to hold out until early next year to get our hands on the Ativ S.

We were supposed to see Samsung's first Windows Phone 8 device land in stores sometime during mid-November, but that has come and gone, with the Ativ S release date now completely up in the air.

Still no sign

We reported last month that the Samsung Ativ S had been delayed, and rumours suggested it would arrive during the first week of December.

Samsung even told us "the launch of Samsung Ativ S in the UK is scheduled in December" – but we're not holding out a huge amount of hope.

UK online retailer Expansys recently told us that it now expects the Ativ S to arrive on December 13, but it has previously been told earlier dates by suppliers which have not come to fruition, so we'll keep an eye on the situation.

From our hands on Samsung Ativ S review, the handset looks to be one of the best phones to run the new Windows Phone 8 software, but the delay in getting it out to customers will surely only hinder the Korean's firm presence on this OS.

We're waiting to hear something official from Samsung regarding these latest reports, and we'll update this article if it gets back to us.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-ativ-s-could-be-delayed-until-2013-1115607

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Apollo Plus could be Microsoft’s first Windows Phone 8 update

Microsoft is said to be working on the first update to its Windows Phone 8 software. Codename Apollo Plus, the update will bring several features that just missed out on being included in the initial release, and we should learn more early next year.

The first update to Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system is already in the works, according to sources speaking to The Verge, who say it’s currently known as Apollo Plus. Those of you who have been following Windows Phone 8 will know it was codenamed Apollo prior to launch, suggesting the update will enhance rather than drastically change the OS when it arrives.

It will include several features which Microsoft never had time to complete before Windows Phone 8 went on sale, primarily VPN support for eager business users, plus various bug fixes and other improvements. The article notes that with Apollo Plus, Wi-Fi connections will be allowed to remain active, and device audio settings will be tweaked too.

This fits in with Microsoft’s approach to Windows Phone 7, which after being released in October 2010, received its first major update in March 2011. Codenamed NoDo, it also contained features which should have been included in the first version, most notably copy and paste. Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, a more complete upgrade package, wasn’t fully revealed until later in the year.

The NoDo update was discussed during Mobile World Congress 2011, where Microsoft and Nokia formally announced their partnership, and Apollo Plus is expected to be on the agenda at Mobile World Congress 2013. A key difference between NoDo and Apollo Plus will be its delivery method, as to apply NoDo, owners had to use Zune or Windows Phone Connector software; however with Windows Phone 8, over-the-air updates are possible too.

Apollo Plus isn’t the only Windows Phone update on the horizon, as we’re still waiting for news on Windows Phone 7.8, which will bring the new Start screen and several other, as yet unconfirmed features to older devices unable to run Windows Phone 8. Although it has been officially announced, Microsoft has remained quiet concerning its release date. A rumor has placed it as being November 28 though.

We should expect to hear more about Apollo Plus during MWC 2013, which begins on February 25.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apollo-plus-could-be-microsofts-first-windows-phone-8-update/

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Lenovo P770 droid phone packs a 3,500mAh battery

So far Motorola has been the only one that can provide huge batteries in smartphones, but Lenovo is about to challenge it with the P770. It's an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean droid with a massive 3,500mAh battery (200mAh more than the RAZR MAXX HD).

The Lenovo P770 measures 133 x 67 x 11.9mm and weighs 161g (not quite as slender as Motorola DROID MAXX HD's 131.9 x 67.9 x 9.3mm, 157g). It has a 4.5" qHD IPS screen and is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 processor with 1GB of RAM.

The P770 is rated at just over 29 hours of continuous talk time and nearly a month of standby. The phone features three power-saving modes: long standby, normal and custom. It also automatically calibrates battery readings to display accurate battery percentages.

It's not quite clear from Lenovo's site if the battery is user-replaceable or not (the Motorola RAZR HD MAXX has a non-replaceable battery).

Anyway, the Lenovo P770 also features a 5MP camera with LED flash, VGA front-facing camera, two microphones for noise reduction and a customized Android 4.1.

These specs don't sound too exciting, but the P770 is priced CNY 1,699 ($273, €210) in China (it's available now) and you get an 8GB microSD card in the box. For now the phone is available only in China and Lenovo hasn’t announced plans to make it available worldwide.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_p770_droid_phone_packs_a_3500mah_battery-news-5131.php

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LG Optimus G2 rumored to be coming in late 2013 with Android 5.0 and 1080p

The rumors have already started regarding the follow-up to LG's just-released Optimus G flagship smartphone. Named the Optimus G2, the phone could have a 5-inch, 1080p display and the next version of Google Android installed.

The LG Optimus G has hardly had a chance to take off its coat and put its feet up, having started its international release schedule in late September, but rumors of its replacement have already started to gather. A Korean website has said LG is already planning the Optimus G2, and that it will be out during the second half of 2013, when it will do battle with Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and Apple’s next iPhone.

When the Optimus G was announced, it was one of the first to use Qualcomm’s quad-core Snapdragon processor, plus it has a massive 4.7-inch, 720p touchscreen and a 13-megapixel camera. This combination certainly gained Google’s attention, and LG used the Optimus G as the basis for the Nexus 4, its first all-Google smartphone.

With a specification like this, it’s not immediately obvious where the improvements will come for its sequel, but don’t worry, if the rumors are true then the G2 is going to be even more exciting. Remember when LG announced it was busily producing 5-inch displays with 1080p resolutions? Well, it appears the G2 will be one of the first LG devices to use one.

LG’s Full HD panels will measure 5-inches in size and boast a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, with a pixel density of 441ppi. If that sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve recently seen the Droid DNA announced with just such a screen, and it seems like every other major manufacturer is working on them too.

Again, a Qualcomm chip will power LG’s flagship phone, and judging by the estimation it’ll have a 2GHz clock speed, it could be a next-generation S4 Pro inside. Other technical features include 4G LTE connectivity and 2GB of RAM. Finally, the operating system will be Google Android, but version 5.0 or Key Lime Pie. As is traditional, the next major revision of Android will probably be launched during Google I/O next summer, so a late 2013 release makes sense for the Optimus G2.

If LG sticks to the same schedule as the Optimus G, we should see an announcement in late August next year.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/rumored-lg-optimus-g2-could-have-1080p-screen-and-android-5-0/

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HTC One X Android 4.1 Jelly Bean rollout goes global

Check now for your update

Last month we heard that the HTC One X and One S handsets were about to get the jump to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Well those in Singapore and Taiwan did indeed get the update, while others elsewhere were forced to wait.

But now it's reached HTC One X handsets globally. So good news if you've been twiddling your thumbs, wondering where it is.

The bad news? That version of the operating system has been overtaken by Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Well you can't have everything.

Bean there, done that

HTC One X owners in the UK, Russia, India, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and other areas should be able to download the update over-the-air now. And it should come to other regions imminently, according to a source at HTC.

If you haven't yet seen an alert, head to Settings > Software Updates > Check Now. You should get a 1.6MB file, and then a whopping 364.54MB Android update.

So what does the update bring to your phone? The user interface is faster, with speedier switches of orientation from portrait to landscape. You'll also be able to switch between apps faster. Face Unlock is more accurate than in previous versions, and you can swipe from the camera viewfinder to see your photos for review.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean also brings Google's improved voice search, and Google Now, which provides you with information as and when you need it, based on your location, appointments and schedules.

Via SlashGear

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-one-x-android-4-1-jelly-bean-rollout-goes-global-1115541

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