Flexible-screened Samsung Galaxy Note 3 confirmed, but won't bend

Take Note, this phone won't bend

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 already arrived during IFA 2013 earlier this month, but there's a flexible new variant on its way.

A Samsung spokesperson has apparently confirmed that it will be producing a Note 3 complete with flexible display - although the phone itself won't actually bend.

The current Galaxy Note 3 sports a huge 5.7-inch, full HD Super AMOLED display covered in a large amount of glass - and that means there's a lot of screen to damage.

Introducing a flexible display to the Note 3 will provide an almost unbreakable screen - handy as this is a big device which can easily slip out of the hand.

Why no bend?

When we hear the words "flexible display" our minds race to handsets which we can fold, roll and generally manipulate any way we want.

But in reality smartphones are still restricted by the solid components under the hood so you won't be moulding the Galaxy Note 3 into any new shapes.

The flexible-display-toting Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date is pegged for the final quarter of the year, with rumours pointing to a limited production run in October.

• Find out more about the supersized handset in our hands on Samsung Galaxy Note 3 review

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/flexible-screened-samsung-galaxy-note-3-confirmed-but-won-t-bend-1183464

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HTC found to violate Nokia patents by US trade panel judge

In a preliminary ruling for the US International Trade Commission, a judge concluded that HTC infringed two Nokia patents in manufacturing its products. ITC is scheduled to make a final decision on the case on January 23, 2014.

The HTC devices included in Nokia’s lawsuit are from the Taiwanese manufacturer’s 2011 lineup. They include the Amaze 4G, Inspire 4G, Radar 4G, Rezound, Sensation 4G, as well as the Flyer and Jetstream tablets. Nokia has turned toward ITC because it can easier ban the infringing products in the United States.

A Nokia spokesman has issued a statement regarding the judge’s decision: “Nokia is pleased that the initial determination of the ITC confirmed that HTC has infringed two of our patents."

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_found_to_violate_nokia_patents_by_us_trade_panel_judge-news-6847.php

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Low-cost BlackBerry handset codenamed Kopi leaks out

Following the footsteps of the C-series device we saw a couple of days ago, another unannounced, low-cost BlackBerry 10 smartphone has made an unscheduled appearance. Codenamed Kopi, the upcoming smartphone offers a combination of a hardware QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen.

BlackBerry Kopi is hardly a looker (click to enlarge)

The BlackBerry Kopi will reportedly sit below the already budget-friendly Q5 in the troubled manufacturer’s range. The handset is rumored to pack faster chipset than the BlackBerry Q5, as well as removable battery. The BlackBerry Kopi won’t support LTE networks, so we are likely to see it released only in emerging markets.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lowcost_blackberry_handset_codenamed_kopi_leaks_out-news-6846.php

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BlackBerry C-series 'Americano' might combine best of the Z and Q

BlackBerry C-series: specs of the Q5 with no QWERTY in sight? (credit: BBin)

BlackBerry is really not doing so hot, with losses and layoffs in its future, but the latest leak holds that its next scrabbling handhold on the ever-receding cliff face of profitability is a new budget line called the BlackBerry C-series.

The BlackBerry C (code name: "Americano") is said to combine the best existing BlackBerry 10 devices like the Z- and Q-series phones: sleek design with budget specs, respectively.

That will keep the BlackBerry C series looking fresh to consumers while appealing with a lower price point than the high-end Z-series, like the just-announced BlackBerry Z30; or at least, that's reportedly the idea.

If it's true, the Americano will be mucking about in the just-released iPhone 5C's neck of the sea, which may not be the best place to tread water right now.

The leaks keep flowing

News broke today that BlackBerry has agreed to an initial offer that could see it bought and taken private again by a financial holdings company called Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.

But that hasn't stopped leaks of its alleged smartphone plans.

As far as specific specs we've got little to go on where the BlackBerry C is concerned, besides the promise of specs similar to what the chunky, QWERTY-equipped, budget-priced BlackBerry Q5 offers.

Besides that the only morsel is that the initial BlackBerry C-series device will reportedly have a full-sized 4.2-inch 720 x 1280 touchscreen, no QWERTY, and 4G LTE compatibility.

The phone is said to be in testing stages currently.

Inevitable comparisons

Word of the BlackBerry C-series fits perfectly with the company's recent admission that it will back off from the consumer market soon and release just four new phones in the future, instead of the previously planned six.

Of those four unannounced devices, two are high-end offerings and two are entry-level phones, like what the BlackBerry C is being described as.

Comparisons with the iPhone 5C will be inevitable (imagine if they call it the BB C5?), but the "budget" iPhone has reportedly done pretty well for itself since its launch alongside the iPhone 5S this past weekend.

Combined sales for both new iPhones hit 9 million in just three days, though Apple isn't detailing the exact split and TechRadar's digging indicates tentatively that the higher-end iPhone 5S is in fact in greater demand.

• BlackBerry could really be sold - the company actually found a suitor and agreed to an initial offer that would take it private.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blackberry-c-series-americano-might-combine-best-of-the-z-and-q-1183330

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BlackBerry gets $4.7 billion buyout offer from Fairfax group

BlackBerry hasn't had a great run in the recent times and the company has been losing ground rather quickly. The last few quarters have been rough for the once dominant Canadian tech company, and depleting market share has resulted in its Board of Directors deciding to sell the company.

Ever since then, the company's board has been pushing for a quick sale before the end of the year, and it looks like the firm has struck a deal with a consortium led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. The deal totals some $4.8 billion with each share valued at $9.

BlackBerry, the company known for manufacturing smartphones for professionals has given the group a time frame of six weeks to conduct due diligence and if things go alright, the final agreement is expected to be signed on November 4.

In the meantime, BlackBerry will continue to look for alternative offers, but according to the intent agreement, Fairfax group will have all the rights to match the offers if any.

The Fairfax group, which currently owns a 10% stake in the company, has several partners who have opted to remain anonymous until the diligence is completed. Fairfax CEO Prem Watsa said that there are no strategic players or other technology firms in the consortium.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_gets_47_billion_offer_from_fairfax_group-news-6845.php

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BlackBerry actually finds a suitor, investment firm extends buyout offer

BlackBerry gets bought

BlackBerry is becoming a private company again after signing a letter of intent agreement to be bought out by a group led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, it was announced today.

The deal is worth approximately $4.7 billion (about £2.93b, AU$4.98b) at $9 per share (about £6, AU$10) in cash for all of the shares that Fairfax doesn't already own.

"We believe this transaction will open an exciting new private chapter for BlackBerry, its customers, carriers and employees," said Fairfax Chairman and CEO Prem Watsa.

He said BlackBerry would continue "a long-term strategy in a private company with a focus on delivering superior and secure enterprise solutions to BlackBerry customers around the world."

Where to go from here?

BlackBerry has certainly had a violate month.

• Read the 11 moments that defined BlackBerry's rise and fall

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blackberry-to-be-acquired-by-fairfax-financial-holdings-in-buy-out-1183296

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Oppo N1 official camera samples emerge

Oppo turned a few heads today at its unveiling in China of the new Oppo N1, where it introduced a 13MP camera capable of rotating 206-degrees from front to back.

This means that your front-facing images should theoretically be just as good as your rear-facing ones - it is one and the same camera after all.

The images are processed by Oppo's new Pure Image algorithm, which they claim offers realistic and vivid image quality, as well as better white balance, exposure and focus. The lens itself is made up of six physical lenses of f/2.0 aperture. There's also a dual LED flash in the back, one each for normal light and diffused light, and an unprecedented 8 second long exposure time.

While we don't want to get too into analyzing images published officially by the manufacturer for obvious reasons, we must say that while the colors seem accurate, the dynamic range could use some work - particularly in the flower images, where some highlights and more than a few shadows are clipped.

We can't wait to get our hands on a unit to see how it performs in our own tests. Meanwhile, be sure to check out our dedicated hands-on of the Oppo N1 - we have our own camera samples, but at very poor lighting conditions.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_n1_official_camera_samples_emerge-news-6844.php

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