Sony gives a glimpse of the Xperia Z Ultra in a press invite

Sony teased its upcoming phablet, codenamed Togari in a press invite. The previously leaked device is set to break cover at an event in Paris in less than a month, on July 4th, as Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

The invite for the Paris event (click to enlarge)

As you can see in the image above, the press invite reveals one of the device's sides, thus showcasing its slim profile, as well as its power/lock key, volume rocker, and the likely dedicated camera button. Overall, the upcoming phablet appears to carry the same design language as the well-received Sony Xperia Z.

Rumored specs of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra include a 6.44" 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and an 8MP main camera. The phablet is expected to boot Android 4.2 Jelly Bean at launch.

Like the Sony Xperia Z, the upcoming phablet is rumored to be water resistant. The display will reportedly support input from a stylus or a pencil - the hand written note on the invitation also suggests that the feature will be present.

Be sure to tune in on July 4 for the full scoop on the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. In the meantime, we'll keep our eyes open for more details.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_gives_a_glimpse_of_the_xperia_zu_in_a_press_invite-news-6207.php

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Nokia will stop shipping Symbian phones this summer

Nokia will stop shipping Symbian smartphones this summer, thus leaving the revered 808 PureView as its last developed product on the "burning platform." Going forward, the only smartphones manufactured by the Finnish giant will boot Microsoft's Windows Phone OS.

Nokia pointed long development of Symbian devices as one of the reasons to halt their production. According to the manufacturer it takes 22 months to bring a Symbian product to the market, compared to less than a year for a Windows Phone handset.

Of course, there is also the matter of the number of units sold. Nokia moved only 500,000 Symbian smartphones in Q1 this year - significantly less than the 5.6 million Lumia devices sold during the same period.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_will_stop_shipping_symbian_phones_this_summer-news-6206.php

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Goodnight, sweet prince! Nokia set to end Symbian's suffering this summer

The 808 Pureview would be a 'fitting' end for Symbian, Nokia says

Nokia will halt shipments of handsets bearing the self-built Symbian operating system sometime this summer, according to reports on Wednesday.

AllThingsD brings word from sources that the dying embers of the old faithful OS will be soon be extinguished and the remaining handsets will only be sold in emerging markets to deplete stockpiles.

While that might take a little while, there's still a demand for some of the low cost handsets in some parts of the world, where Nokia does good business.

The decision will bring to an end a slow painful death for the OS, which has been considered hugely dated by most observers (barring a section of hardcore Nokia fans) since the iOS and Android platforms took over years ago.

Fitting end

An end for Symbian would, of course, mean that Nokia's fate would be completely bound to that of Windows Phone.

The company has built some high quality handsets bearing Microsoft's mobile operating system, but sales have not reflected the critical acclaim devices like the Lumia 920 have received.

The company stopped short of confirming the reports, but did say the Nokia 808 Pureview handset, the last Symbian handset the company produced, would be a fitting end for the once-beloved system.

"We can't confirm when Symbian shipments come to an end, unfortunately," a Nokia spokesperson said.

"In general, though, regarding Symbian, the last Symbian phone we introduced was the Nokia 808 PureView, and that's fitting. This phone extended the platform's pioneering tradition, and acted as a bridge for the next wave of innovation now seen in our latest models, like the Lumia 925."

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/goodnight-sweet-prince-nokia-set-to-end-symbian-s-suffering-this-summer-1158638

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HTC One Mini gets caught posing for the camera once again

The HTC One Mini has made yet another appearance in front of the camera. This time around, the upcoming mid-range offering got caught next to its bigger brother in a matching color.

The fresh batch of rumored specs for the HTC One Mini fall right in line with previous reports. The upcoming smartphone is said to feature a 4.3" display (likely a 720p unit), and a 1.4GHz dual-core CPU (a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 is widely expected). The camera is tipped to be capable of capturing Zoe share and 1080p videos, though no further details were given this time around. The OS on the leaked device is Sense-d Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

The HTC One Mini will feature the gorgeous aluminum body of its flagship sibling. The Mini however will have a plastic ring around it, as seen in the image above, and no IR remote.

The HTC One Mini is expected to go official at some point in Q3 this year. Given how little is left to our imagination this far, we doubt it will be a long wait.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_mini_gets_caught_posing_for_the_camera_once_again-news-6205.php

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HTC One Mini leak the real deal?

HTC One Mini ... or is it? (credit: Engadget)

We know there's an HTC One Mini really in the works, thanks to a report from Bloomberg yesterday.

But today, Engadget claims a "trusted" source has given them an image of the HTC One Mini along with specs of the soon to be announced phone.

The image is blurry at best and possibly photoshopped, but so far this is all we have, and for now, we'll take it.

If it's the real deal, the slimmed down 4.3-inch screen version of the popular HTC One could become the next big hit.

The rest of the leak

The handset bears the similar metallic body of the HTC One and reportedly has Beats Audio branded on the back.

The Mini is running a "Sensed-up version of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean" with Blinkfeed built and boasts a 1.4GHz dual-core, which may just be Snapdragon 400 from Qualcomm -similar to the less popular HTC First.

No word on when the UltraPixel camera was leaked, but the source claims the rear camera can shoot full HD video with Zoe share capture.

Of course, until the actual HTC One Mini is announced this all could very well be speculation. Though if true, these specs might change before its release later this summer.

• Will the HTC One be coming to Verizon?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-one-mini-leak-the-real-deal--1158618

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Is an ad-free ITV player app worth four quid a month to you?

Now without commercial interruption for paying customers

ITV has launched a subscription-based model for its ITV Player app for iOS devices, allowing users to skirt commercial interruption for the first time.

The £3.99 a month premium subscription will provide a substitute for the revenue the broadcaster makes from commercials on its catch-up service.

It gives users who complain about the ads (i.e. most of us) the chance to put-up-or-shut-up by handing over their monthly dues to enjoy Corrie and Emmerdale. without the Go Compare man ruining it.

Naturally, the scheme only applies to the catch up offerings on ITV1, 2, 3 and 4, and CITV and not to the live simulcasts also offered through the service.

Pay your money, take your choice

Users will be given the option to sign up for an ITV Player Premium subscription next time they update the app, but can continue enjoying catch-up content and live telly for free if they don't opt in.

Steven Power, Product Manager for ITV Player on Mobile, said: "As ITV Player on mobile devices continues to grow – over 7 million downloads on iOS to date – it is important we deliver innovative business models and adapt the product to the evolving market. I'm genuinely excited that we're the first commercial broadcaster to offer viewers the choice to watch content with or without advertising."

There's no news yet on whether ITV plans to roll the functionality out to the Android app or web-based player.

• Speaking of paid access, whatever happened to that plan to offer access to archive content for a fee?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/is-an-ad-free-itv-player-app-worth-four-quid-a-month-to-you--1158616

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'Mario for iPhone? Not on my watch,' says Nintendo chief Iwata

Don't expect to see this guy on a smartphone screen any time soon

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has reaffirmed his staunch unwillingness to offer the company's most popular games on smartphone or tablet devices.

The gaming giant has continually resisted the clamour from fans (and even shareholders) for classic franchises like Mario and Zelda to arrive on iOS and Android platforms, despite the ongoing slump in console sales and ensuing financial losses.

However, Iwata said launching Super Mario Bros. and co. for the iPhone or iPad would only be a short-term money-spinner for Nintendo, while abstaining could ensure the company is still standing in 20 years.

He told the Wall Street Journal: "If I was only concerned about managing Nintendo for this year and next year - and not about what the company would be like in 10 or 20 years - then I'd probably say that my point of view is nonsense.

"But if we think 20 years down the line, we may look back at the decision not to supply Nintendo games to smartphones and think that is the reason why the company is still here."

Ploughing on

Instead the company will continue ploughing on with its attempts to engage gamers with its own handheld gaming device, the Nintendo 3DS and, of course, the struggling Nintendo Wii U console.

Both devices can expect an influx of top-level games throughout 2013, but whether they'll be enough to increase the uptake remains to be seen.

Nintendo announced Mario Kart 8 and Super Mario 3D World at E3, this week, but developers are hardly clamouring to make games for the consoles. EA, for example, appears to have walked away from the Wii U completely.

Do you agree with Iwata's stubborn stance or should Nintendo cash in while the going's good? Let us know in the comments section below.

• Still buying what Nintendo's selling? Check out the new line-up of games waiting in the wings

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/-mario-for-iphone-not-on-my-watch-says-nintendo-chief-iwata-1158611

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