Sony updates the Xperia Z to Android 4.2.2 with an OTA update

Being hardly a coincidence, minutes before its Sony Xperia ZU launch event, Sony launched Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean over-the-air update for the Xperia Z.

The update is now available for the LTE version of the Xperia Z (C6603) in Spain and Ukraine. Carriers in Austria, Czech Republic and the Netherlands have also approved the Android 4.2.2 update for the smartphone and are now seeding it complete with their own customizations.

The new 10.3.A.0423 firmware comes bundled with a new kernel version 3.4.0 and both bring the usual set of minor bug fixes and performance optimizations as well as a bunch of new features.

Follow the second source link below (labeled "download") to manually download the latest firmware and kernel files in case the update isn't yet available for your region. Make sure to read the instructions carefully before proceeding.

Source | Source (download) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_updates_the_xperia_z_to_android_422_with_an_ota_update-news-6269.php

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The end for plastic? Samsung teams with carbon fibre specialist

Samsung has been criticised for using plastic in phones like the S4

Samsung has announced a new materials partnership, which could signal a desire to move away from its reliance on plastic for Galaxy smartphones and tablets.

Following widepsread criticism of the build quality of recent handsets, the company has alligned with the SGL Group, which specialises in the much tougher carbon fibre material.

The 50/50 partnership, which will be known as Samsung SGL Carbon Composite Materials, will provide tech for use in the company's consumer electronics products, according to a press release on Monday.

"The cooperation is expected to provide a stable long-term supply of carbon fiber materials for Samsung and promote its use in various Samsung products and applications such as consumer electronics, medical devices and engineering applications," the release read.

Leading player

Samsung said the partnership is aimed at making the company a leading player in creating carbon fibre products, a sure sign that it plans to leave the plastic devices behind.

"Lightweight materials have become an important factor not only in industrial applications but also the consumer end markets such as digital media," Yoosung Chung, President & CEO of Samsung Petrochemical said.

"This partnership will position Samsung as a leading player in the development and application of carbon fiber-based products," he added.

The company had previously defended the use of plastic in devices like the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4, saying it allowed the company to produce the handsets faster and more efficiently.

However, the aluminium HTC One smartphone, along with the existing iPhone 5 device, left Samsung trailing in the wake of its rivals in terms of premium build quality. Is that about to change?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/the-end-may-be-near-for-plastic-as-samsung-teams-with-carbon-fibre-specialist-1161335

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Want a smaller-looking head? Grab Huawei's MediaPad 7 Vogue phablet

The Vogue 7 is both phone and tablet

Chinese manufacturer Huawei has today unleashed a new Android tablet device which, if you're unfazed by the prospect of funny looks and giggles, will also function perfectly well as a smartphone.

The MediaPad 7 Vogue tablet is, as the name suggests, a 7-inch rival to the Samsung Galaxy Note series and runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean beneath the version 1.5 of the company's own Emotion UI.

It packs a quad-core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, which can be boosted through the microSD card slot.

However, thanks to the built-in mobile receiver, it "provides the perfect mix of functions from a tablet, smartphone and entertainment center in one stylish and portable device," the company said.

Middle of the road

The display is a relatively low-res 1024 x 600, while everything is supported by a 4100mAh battery pack, which Huawei claims is good for playback of four HD movies back-to-back.

In terms of cameras there's a VGA webcam for video calling and a 3-megapixel camera you probably won't want to rely on for capturing precious memories.

The device will launch on home soil later this month, with international releases promised thereafter.

There's no official news on price or release date on western territories just yet, but we would expect this to sit around, if not beneath, the price points of the Nexus 7s and Kindle Fires of the world.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/want-a-smaller-looking-head-grab-huawei-s-new-mediapad-7-vogue-phablet-1161331

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LG's August event could see more than just the Optimus G2

An earlier leak shows what looks like the Optimus G2 at rest (credit: @evleaks)

LG is poised to unveil its LG Optimus G successor, the Optimus G2, at a special event on August 7, but a new report says that's not all that will be revealed.

The South Korean phone maker will also show off two other devices, according to TechTastic - an Optimus L9 2 (model number LG-D600) and something called the LG-D500.

The site claims a source tipped it off to the impending announcement of those two unannounced devices, and it's also got specs on hand for both.

It looks like the L9 2 is a mid-range successor to the Optimus L9, while the LG D500 is even lower on the spectrum.

Middle children

Neither unannounced new LG handset is a flagship like the Optimus G2, TechTastic claims.

The LG Optimus L9 2 is a mid-range device with a 4.7-inch 720p display, 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 8-megapixel camera, NFC and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

The D500 on the other hand is a low-end device with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, Adreno 302 GPU, 540 x 960 display, NFC, a 5-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 4.0, and Android 4.1.2.

Neither comes close to the Optimus G2's specs, in particular the next-gen Snapdragon 800 SoC that's been confirmed for the new handset.

In addition to that, the G2 is rumored to feature a 5-inch 1080p display, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB of memory, a 13-megapixel camera and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

• We think the LG Optimus G2 will compete mainly with the Galaxy S4, but with an announcement on August 7 it could also head off news of Samsung's Galaxy Note 3.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/lg-s-august-event-to-see-more-than-just-the-optimus-g2-1161315

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Latest leaked Apple iPhone 5S photos focus on new chip

iPhone 5S may include a processor from a new manufacturer (credit: MacRumors)

A lot of the iPhone 5S talk these past few weeks has focused primarily on the supposed dual-LED camera flash being spotted in leaked photos.

While there have been a few shots of the possible insides and casing of the new Apple handset, there's still been little confirmation about what hardware the latest iteration of the iPhone will be rocking.

On Monday that changed, when MacRumors got its hands on some leaked shots of the inner-workings of what could be the iPhone 5S.

Even though there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of information to glean from just a few images, the new processor is in clear focus, giving us an idea of just what kind of chip will be powering the next iPhone.

Lucky number seven

Earlier leaked images from the site didn't provide a clear look at the potential processor beyond a "1243" code, which indicated the prototype build was from October 2012.

These latest shots provide a better look at the chip inside, and indicate the iPhone 5S may indeed be packing an ARM A7 processor.

The etched codes on the border of the new chip read "APL0698," which falls in line with the A6's "APL0598" designation, and the A6X's "APL5598" (found in the new iPad) branding.

Additionally, it's possible to see the "1239" marking for the 1GB of DRAM, suggesting that portion of the chip was crafted in September 2012, with the completed prototype phone reportedly being put together in December 2012.

This isn't the first time we've heard reports about an iPhone coming with an A7 processor, but it is the first time we've heard such tales about the iPhone 5S rather than the iPhone 6.

However, since the prototype model's chip doesn't have the same tiered numbering as the A6X processor, it's certainly within reason to speculate the iPhone 5S will be the recipient of the next ARM chip upgrade.

Win some, lose Samsung

In May, we first heard reports Samsung would no longer be responsible for the manufacturing of Apple's processors, with TSMC ready to step in and take over.

The new chip spotted in these leaked photos may provide some truth to those rumors, as new markings for the manufacturer don't fall in line with previous Samsung etchings.

The "K1A0062" tag is a mysterious one, as Samsung's codes typically begin with an "N," but it's not exactly clear to which company the "K" belongs.

It's entirely possible TSMC could be prepped to take over production for Apple's chips, but that would go against the previous belief the Taiwanese manufacturer wouldn't step in until 2014.

Whatever Apple's true plans, we likely won't learn more until later this year, but at least now we've got some more potential details on the iPhone 5S beyond its new camera.

• How does iOS 7 stack up against the competition? Check out our comparison for a look at how Apple's latest operating system performs.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/latest-leaked-apple-iphone-5s-photos-focus-on-new-chip-1161288

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Apple iOS 7 beta 2 now seeding to developers and beta users

The offical changelog of the latest release of Apple's upcoming iOS doesn't say much about what has changed under the hood.

Visually, we didn't spot anything different but performance-wise iOS 7 definitely feels snappier now. Still, we noticed the occasional persisitent bugs here and there.

Feature-wise, the new release brings along the redesigned Voice Memos app and the new, more human-like voice for Siri in English.

Perhaps the biggest change though is that the iPad (and iPad mini) developers and beta users will be able to join in on the iOS 7 fun now starting with this release.

Unfortunately, we don't have it installed on an iPad (yet), but we managed to snap a few screenshots off an iPhone 5. You can see how the Voice Memos app looks now.

If you find any other changes, please mention them in the comments below.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ios_7_beta_2_now_seeding_to_developers-news-6267.php

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Sony Xperia ZU images show how big it is, using a pencil as a stylus

A tipster just dropped off two images of the Sony Xperia ZU (codename Togari) in our inbox. One is an official-looking promo image that shows someone using a pencil to operate the ZU, while the second image is a photo that reveals just how big Sony's upcoming phablet is.

When we first heard the pencil as a stylus rumor, we thought it was a little crazy, but most leaks so far have mentioned it. We'll have to wait and see what it offers in terms of accuracy and pressure sensitivity.

Sony Xperia ZU images

The second image is quite interesting too – it shows the Xperia ZU next to the current flagship, the Xperia ZR (4.55" screen) and the Samsung Galaxy S4 (5" screen) and it dwarfs both. Rumors put the ZU's screen at 6.44".

There's the flap in the upper right corner of the device but the photo is too dark to tell much else.

Anyway, screenshots that leaked earlier show a redesigned UI that makes good use of the extra screen real estate. The software is supposedly Android 4.2.2 running on top of a Snapdragon 800 chipset (like the rumored Xperia Z refresh) and there's even talk of an IP58 certification. These are, of course, unofficial rumors.

Sony has scheduled a press event for tomorrow when the Xperia ZU is expected to be officially unveiled. We'll be covering the event, so stick around for more answers.

Thanks to our anonymous tipster!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_zu_images_show_how_big_it_is_using_a_pencil_as_a_stylus-news-6266.php

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