Samsung Galaxy S4 mini benchmark scorecard surfaces

We all know that, Samsung is working on a "mini" variant of its Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone. Images of the Galaxy S4 mini have been leaked few times and now, we got yet another benchmark results of the device.

Interestingly enough, the new result points to a Qualcomm chipset, rather than the Exynos 5 we heard of earlier. Either one of the two rumors is fake, Samsung had a sudden change of heart or there will be two different versions (like on the regular Galaxy S4).

Anyway, the new benchmark scorecard confirms that the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini will sport a 960 x 540 pixel display. The chipset is listed to sport a 1.7GHz dual-core Krait processor and an Adreno 305 GPU.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini will run on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out of box and will have a wide range of connectivity options that include Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11n.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_mini_benchmark_scores_surface-news-6065.php

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Active spotted in benchmark scores

We have heard before of the ruggedized version of the Galaxy S4 - the Galaxy S4 Active - that Samsung is reportedly working on. Now, some more details about the hardware of the device have surfaced, in the form of benchmark results.

The Galaxy S4 Active, or the SGH-I537 for AT&T, was found in the GFXBench results database. Unlike the standard Galaxy S4, which runs on the Samsung Exynos 5 Octa internationally and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 in the US, the S4 Active is running on a MSM8960, which is a Snapdragon S4 Plus part, found on last year's Galaxy S III (US variants). It's a dual-core chip and is clocked at 1.9GHz, which is rather high for this processor that until now was only found running at 1.7GHz.

Other than this, we know that the S4 Active, at least the one in benchmarks was running on Android 4.2.2 and has a 1920 x 1080 resolution display.

It does seem that if you want a more rugged version of the S4 you will have to compromise on the performance front. Hopefully, Samsung won't be making any more compromises on the specification front with the Active.

Source • Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_active_spotted_in_benchmark_scores-news-6064.php

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HTC One to get Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update in 2-3 weeks

The HTC One, the Taiwanese flagship smartphone was launched back in March with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on board, and it looks like the company might soon roll out the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update for the smartphone as well.

According to a tweet from an HTC Developer, the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update for the HTC One smartphone could be rolled out as soon as two or three weeks from now. However, there is no official word on the potential software update, so take it with a pinch of salt.

@LlabTooFeR I'll be getting my new HTC One later today. I'm moving for the first time from iPhone 4. When will 4.2.2 be available :(Fri May 17 03:37:15 via web Gidiyorsun
GidiyorsunPro

@GidiyorsunPro 2-3 weeks I think.Fri May 17 07:15:37 via Windows 8 LlabTooFeR
LlabTooFeR

The Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update for HTC One is expected to bring some new features to the smartphone that include lock screen widgets, stock gesture enhanced keyboard, quick settings option and many more such features.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_to_get_android_42_jelly_bean_update_in_23_weeks-news-6063.php

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Lenovo K900 now available in China, priced at $536

The Lenovo K900 was unveiled at CES 2013 and the phablet has been the talk of the town for its impressive build and hardware specifications. The good news is that the device is now available in China and the 5.5-inch phablet will be up for grabs across the globe this summer.

The phablet sports a 5.5-inch display with a 1080 x 1920p resolution with a pixel density of 400ppi. Lenovo K900 is powered by the latest Intel Atom Clover Trail+ processor clocked at 2 GHz, alongside 2 GB of RAM. Furthermore, the device comes with a 13 megapixel Sony Exmor BSI rear camera and a 2 megapixel front-facing shooter.

Lenovo K900 is priced at RMB 3,299 (about $536) and the phablet will soon be available in other international markets.

Meanwhile, we've already gotten our hands dirty with the Lenovo K900. Check out our first impressions and the benchmark results of the phablet here.

Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_k900_now_available_in_china_priced_at_536-news-6062.php

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HTC deals with shortages, ramps up One production

HTC, having put its legal troubles and component shortages behind it, is ready to double up its production of the HTC one this month, in anticipation of what it hopes to be a "high-end sales" period during the coming months.

The HTC One, which was unveiled on February 19, hopes to turn the tide of falling HTC stock prices, which saw a 37% annual decrease due to less than stellar sales of its former flagships, among those the HTC Butterfly.

The Butterfly has seen a 50% sales increase in Japan after having its on-contract price cut to zero two weeks ago. Here's hoping that HTC will be able to right the ship for a strong summer sales quarter.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_pumps_up_production_on_the_htc_one-news-6061.php

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HTC One production doubling to meet demand

HTC One might not be the lonliest number with increased production

Though being so popular it's impossible to keep up with the demand would normally be seen as a good problem to have, that's not the case for HTC.

There's so much interest in the company's new flagship phone, the HTC One, the Taiwanese manufacturer can't quite keep the supply chains up and running.

The HTC One had a delayed launch to allow for more of the smartphones to be pushed off the assembly lines, which cost HTC quite a bit of money, and led to a release closer to the rival Samsung Galaxy S4.

Coupled with the bad break HTC caught with its Facebook phone, the HTC First, which is fending off rumors of discontinuation, it's no wonder the company will be doubling down on its efforts to produce as many HTC Ones as possible in the coming months.

One just isn't enough

According to a new report from Focus Taiwan, the month-to-month production of the HTC One is increasing sharply to accommodate the surging demand.

HTC will not only bump up manufacturing in May two-fold from April's numbers, but will also jack up the number of smartphones being created in June as well.

"Our capacity is expected to rise significantly starting from mid-May," Jack Tong, president of HTC North Asia, said in the report.

"We are optimistic about our high-end sales during April and June."

While the initial delay was caused by a shortage in the custom camera components created for the HTC One, it now appears HTC will stop at nothing to make sure enough of the phones are made available to wanting customers.

The stellar device is one of the few to garner a five-star rating from our reviewers, so it's no wonder the 4.7-inch Android beast has been desired by so many consumers.

Still, the wait means more potential buyers could be swayed into purchasing Galaxy S4s, or even the iPhone 5, rather than waiting for more of the device we called "the best phone on the market."

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-one-production-doubling-to-meet-demand-1152351

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iOS 6 review

Updated: Our iOS 6 review has been overhauled to include the iOS 6.1 software updates.

On the surface, it might not look like much has changed with iOS 6 and the subsequent minor iOS 6.1 updates. However, Apple has added a number of new features over iOS 5, along with continuing in its mission to eradicate Google from the system by default. Apple's YouTube app has gone (Google has since released its own on to the App Store) and Maps now runs with Apple power rather than Google juice.

Elsewhere, the OS is more social (Facebook now joining Twitter in being baked in), Siri's been improved, and countless tweaks (some fairly major from a usability standpoint) are in evidence in the likes of Mail, Safari, Phone and the iOS stores.

Oh, and Apple finally added a clock app to the iPad, which resulted in a legal spat with the Swiss railway network service. It seems not only Samsung is in the photocopying business.

iOS 6 ditches support entirely for the original iPad, but is nonetheless compatible with a surprisingly wide range of devices; iPhones back to the 3GS are supported, as are both the fourth- and fifth-generation iPod touch.

However, the older the kit, the less of iOS 6 you actually get. Some of the big features - Siri, turn-by-turn navigation, panoramic photos and FaceTime over 3G - aren't available for the iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4.

The iPhone 3GS doesn't even get Safari's offline Reading List feature, and Siri's not available for the iPad 2.

So is it worth the upgrade? We've installed iOS 6 (and iOS 6.1) across multiple iOS devices to find out. Our test kit is an iPhone 4, an iPhone 4S, an iPod touch (fourth-generation), an iPhone 5, an iPad 2, and a new iPad (courtesy of Vodafone).

There are more new features than you'd think, even when you don't get all the new features.

The iOS 6 interface

A common criticism of iOS is that Apple never radically updates it. Tech pundits in particular often use words like 'tired' and 'dated' to describe the operating system, suggesting it would be better if you could weld Android-like widgets to it, or if every home screen icon was more akin to a hyperactive child begging for attention, as per Live Tiles on Windows 8.

iOS 6 is typically Apple in being purely iterative. You get the familiar grid of icons on each home screen, and the screens can be swiped between.

Double-clicking the Home button reveals the multitasking tray, which also houses media controls, the rotation lock and an AirPlay button. Swipe left from the first home screen and you access Spotlight, Apple's system-wide search.

So far, so iOS 5, and that level of familiarity will either be warming or maddening, depending on your persuasion. Regardless, it's definitely very usable, even if configuration options on offer are few in number and rapid-sorting settings are non-existent.

However, there have been some small adjustments. The status bar now changes colour on a per-app basis, in an attempt to blend in. This is more visually appealing but muddies the water when it comes to alerts that were once made in part through a change in colour of said status bar.

Better amendments are the new audio controls on the Lock screen and Spotlight search results now displaying the name of an app's containing folder. Apple's penchant for cropping text labels remains frustrating, though, and is increasingly common throughout the OS.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/ios-6-1096515/review

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