Windows Phone 8 touches down in the UK

Time to get your WP8 on

Two Windows Phone 8 handsets have officially gone on sale in the UK today, with the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC 8X hitting the shelves.

The Lumia 920 is exclusively available on the new 4G EE network for now, while the Windows Phone 8X can be picked up on tariffs from a number of networks.

You'll need to shell out some serious money if you want to lay your hands on the Nokia Lumia 920, with EE's two-year tariffs starting at £36 per month and the cheapest option giving you just 500MB of data and requiring you to shell out £129.99 up front.

Pricey

If you want more data a month, 1GB will set you back £41 with an outlay of £49.99, while EE's recommend tariff gives you 3GB for an upfront cost of just £19.99, but it's £46 per month.

Meanwhile the HTC Windows Phone 8X can be picked up at O2 for free on a £32 per month two year deal, giving you 600 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB of data.

If you fancy getting your mitts on the HTC 8S, Nokia Lumia 820 or Samsung Ativ S then you'll need to hold on for a week or two, as these handsets will be available later this month.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/windows-phone-8-touches-down-in-the-uk-1109638

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Samsung sells 3 million Galaxy Note II units in just over a month

Samsung have once again outdone themselves, this time with the Galaxy Note II. The 5.5-inch phablet is now ticking in 3 million pockets worldwide, just 37 days after the September launch.

"The rapid Galaxy Note 2 sales have a meaning of not just creating a new category of smartphone, but also of popularizing the category." – says Samsung.

While the number is not as impressive Galaxy S III and far from Apple’s iPhone 5 sales, it’s still a milestone for the company and for any device in this class. The first Galaxy Note managed to sell just 2 million units four months after its premiere (way more than the initial expectations), so the Note II is a sound success indeed.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_sells_3_million_galaxy_note_ii_units_in_just_over_a_month-news-5038.php

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Android distribution unveils marginal Jelly Bean and ICS growth

Android distribution numbers for October are in and Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean are still short of the reach Google might have hoped for.

At merely 2.7%, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean usage has jumped just 0.9% compared to September, 2012. The OS debuted exactly 6 months ago, and despite Samsung and HTC's best efforts to update their high-end devices, Jelly Bean is still to get proper traction.

Ice Cream Sandwich distribution is also on the rise clocking in at 25.8%, almost 2 points up from last month. With most manufacturers having completed their scheduled ICS updates, we don't expect this number to continue to climb. Especially with the majority shifting their attention to Jelly Bean.

Finally, Gingerbread is continuing to drop from 55.8% in September to 53.9% in October. With most devices comprising this number being low-end droids that would never see an update in their life, this number isn't likely to plummet anytime soon.

For more details and data, click on the source link below.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/android_distribution_unveils_marginal_jelly_bean_and_ics_growth-news-5035.php

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HTC Opera UL could be the first Facebook phone

Don't get your hopes up just yet though

The HTC Opera UL will be the first official Facebook smartphone, so says a "very reliable source".

According to Pocket-Lint, an unnamed insider spilled the beans on social network's first handset, claiming that it was indeed in development and that we'd already got the first glimpse of it in a benchmark test.

It's claimed the HTC Opera GL is the name for the handset which is being developed specifically for Facebook, although little else is known about it at this time.

Delays

The benchmark result which the informant refers to reveals the Opera UL sports a 1.4GHz processor, 720x1280 HD display and comes running Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.

The source did reveal the Opera UL has been subject to delays, it's not clear what the reason is behind this, or indeed how long the handset has been pushed back.

There have been many, many rumours about a potential Facebook phone, none of which have come to fruition, so we're taking this latest news with a heavy dosage of salt.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-opera-ul-could-be-the-first-facebook-phone-1109585

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HTC Windows Phone 8X UK sales start

The HTC Windows Phone 8X signature device is up for sale in the UK on both Unlocked Mobiles and Clove. Off contract, it's priced £398.98 and £399.98 respectively, inclusive of VAT.

The device was on track to go on sale on November 2 so it's nice to see there weren't any delays.

The unlocked Windows Phone 8X's will work on all UK networks, except EE's LTE. As a refresher, it features a 4.3" 720p display with an impressive 342 ppi, an two wide-angle cameras, Windows Phone 8, dual-core Krait processor and more.

We've already had a taste of the WP 8X and you're welcome to check out our hands-on.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_windows_phone_8x_uk_sales_start-news-5036.php

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Hands On: Amazon wants you to trust it with your photos

Amazon's cloud storage service for photos isn't just for Kindle HD users anymore. The company made its Cloud Drive Photos app available for most Android devices today. Signing in with your Amazon account will net you 5GB of free space for your pictures.

Android phone and tablet users have yet another option for cloud-based storage, though this time it’s specifically for photos. Amazon has made its Cloud Drive Photos app, which is already integrated into the Kindle Fire HD, available on most Android devices. This app looks like a service that will serve constant photo-snappers quite well.

The app initially asks for users to sign in using an Amazon account. You’re going to want to sign up for an account if you don’t already have one, because this app is completely useless if you don’t. The point of a cloud drive service is to save space, not take it up. Once you’re signed in, you’ll be greeted with the app’s home screen, or the “Cloud” tab. This simply explains to you how to access your drive online and add content from your computer that can then be viewed on your phone or tablet.

There is a second tab atop the display in this app called “Photos.” This is where you will actually be able to see the photo content that is currently saved on your device. Your camera roll, screen captures, Draw Something drawings, Instagram images, and all other photographic data is displayed. These are displayed by category, which can then be explored to see what each album holds. Pressing and holding on an album or an individual picture will allow you to manage the selection, prompting you to either remove it from the device or upload it to the cloud. These are very contrary choices, so make sure you select the one you want. The app also doesn’t appear to automatically sync and there is no option to do so in the settings, so you’ll have to manually update your sync after every snapshot, making this app annoyingly out of date compared to options from Google+ and others. 

All users of Amazon’s Cloud Drive Photos get 5GB of free storage. That can be upgraded to 20GB of space for $10 a year. Everything you upload is accessible right from your Amazon account, making it easy to manage from your phone or your computer. The app isn’t exactly feature rich, but it does the job it claims. An auto-sync feature would be nice, but it looks like we’ll have to wait until the next update to see if it’s there.

you can download the Amazon Cloud Drive Photos app on the Google Play store or Amazon’s Appstore.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/hands-on-amazon-wants-you-to-trust-it-with-your-photos/

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Moshi unveils iPad mini VersaCover origami case

Looking for accessories to go with your brand new iPad mini? Moshi's VersaCover origami case doubles as a screen protector and an iPad stand.

Congratulations! You’ve braved the Apple line once again and got your hands on the new iPad mini. Now you want to know how to keep the Retina display safe from scratches and dust. Consider Moshi’s VersaCover origami case, an architecturally inspired cover that builds upon Apple’s Smart Cover design. Like its predecessor for the original iPad, you’ll be able to flip, fold, and tuck the VersaCover into various shapes so while it’s not protecting your iPad’s screen, it can function as an iPad stand.

The secret is between the edges of the cover, which contain little magnets to help the ridges connect and stay sturdy when folded. You can use the folds to position your iPad to stand upright or landscape are various angles. The cover itself is also made of microfibers and will support the iPad mini’s auto-wake/sleep feature for a swift access to the menu. Unfortunately, pricing is pretty steep in comparison to the original iPad version. The VersaCover for iPad mini will retail for $55 with a shipment date scheduled by the end of the year, while the original version retails for $60. Moshi’s VersaCover will be available in four color options: Aloe Green, Denim Blue, Sakura Pink, and Velvet Grey. We’re digging the pastel color scheme which makes for a soft introduction to the holiday season.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/moshi-unveils-ipad-mini-versacover-origami-case/

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