Microsoft unveils third Windows Phone 8 update with large display support

Microsoft has finally announced the much-anticipated third update for Windows Phone 8. The company also mentions that the new update will be rolled out in the coming weeks and will be counting for some months depending on the carrier and phone models. However, the company has not detailed anything about region-specific rollouts of the latest third Windows Phone update.

The new update, previously thoughts to be called the Windows Phone GDR3 update, brings some of the most awaited features to the Windows Phone platform that includes support for bigger display (5-inch and 6-inch displays) that will now house six Live Tiles instead of four, as found in previous version; support for higher resolution (full-HD or 1080p) displays, which paves the way for yet to be released Windows Phone devices (like rumoured Nokia Lumia 1520); support for more powerful processors, like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, and improvements in Internet sharing, which now adds a pairing feature for a Windows Phone 8 device and Windows 8.1 PC or tablet over Bluetooth for sharing cellular data via W-Fi hotspot.

The third Windows Phone 8 update also adds more ‘Mobile Accessibility’ features for Windows Phone 8 devices, including a suite of apps like screen reader, meant for the convenience of blind and visually impaired users, allowing them to manage calls, contacts, texts, emails and also hear notification like calendar, alarm, events and low-battery warnings.

The latest update for the Windows Phone 8 platform brings a new Driving Mode feature that will limit notifications for calls, texts and emails on the phone’s lock screen while driving. This feature can also be set for automatic replies to contacts for calls and texts while driving.

There are some minor changes added to the third WP8 update that include custom ringtones for messages, emails, voicemails, reminders and contacts; new rotation lock option to keep the device’s screen in place while using it; new storage management feature that will allow users to free up space on the phone and manage temporary files; app switcher to close background apps; enhancements in connection quality for Bluetooth-attached accessories and finally a user will be prompted to set Wi-Fi during phone startup process.

Darren Laybourn, Corporate Vice President, Windows Phone further adds in a blog post, "When we sat down to plan our latest official update to Windows Phone 8, we had three main engineering goals in mind - enable incredible new Windows Phone devices, enhance the platform with new capabilities for current users and partners and improve overall quality." 

Nexus 5 leaked again, reveals build, more Android 4.4 KitKat features

A bunch of new images and a walkthrough video reportedly showing the alleged Nexus 5 smartphone running the new iteration of Google’s mobile operating system have surfaced on the Internet.

The new leaked live images reveals some of the new features of the Android 4.4 KitKat which include transparent notification and navigation bar; Google photos and Hangouts replacing the conventional messaging and gallery apps respectively; a new camera launch icon is now seen sitting on the left corner of the display on the lockscreen; ability to add more homescreen panes; new wallpapers; Google Now to activate by saying ‘Ok Google’ from the homescreen and new boot animation reportedly borrowed from the Play Editions of Galaxy S4 and HTC One.

The latest leaked images were posted on TuttoAndroid and were first reported by Android Police.

Further a new walkthrough video featuring the alleged prototype of the Nexus 5 has also surfaced. The video has been posted by gn5 and shows some of the preloaded apps that were seen on previous versions of Android like Live wallpapers, Chrome, YouTube, calendar, among others. It is also showcases the build of the Nexus 5, however, it is definitely an early build, or prototype, as there is no branding visible.

While the video also shows the storage of the device which has 16GB out of which only 12GB is user-accessible and the smartphone’s about section that reveals Nexus 5 running Key Lime Pie. The leak is accompanied with the speculation that the Nexus 5 will feature a rubberized back, just like the prototype version shown. The video has been shooting with the phone supporting the French language and could be deciphered.

As previously reported, Google is expected to unveil the next Nexus smartphone and Android 4.4 KitKat, the new iteration of Google’s mobile operating system on October 15, as per a recent report. 

Karbonn A16 and Karbonn A99 budget Android smartphones available online

Karbonn Mobiles has introduced two new budget smartphone for the Indian for the Indian market, the Karbonn A16 and Karbonn A99. Both the handsets have been listed at ecommerce site, Saholic. The Karbonn A16 is available for Rs. 5,990, while the Karbonn A99 comes for Rs. 6,190. The ecommerce site clearly mentions that both the handsets will be delivered next week i.e. October 17.

Both the handsets interestingly come with identical specifications; the only difference is that the Karbonn A99 packs a 1400mAh battery while the Karbonn A16 includes a 1350mAh battery. Both the Karbonn A16 and A99 are dual-SIM devices with support for GSM+GSM.

Other specifications of the two budget smartphones include 4-inch WVGA (480x800 pixels) display, dual-core 1.3GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of inbuilt storage further expandable upto 32GB with microSD card, a 5-meagpixel camera, and a VGA front-facing camera. Both the handsets, the Karbonn A16 and Karbonn A99 are operated on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box.

Some preloaded apps included on both devices are UC Browser, Opera Min, Kingsoft Office, Karbonn Live, WhatsApp and Flipboard.

Prior to this, Karbonn rolled out the Smart A51 budget device for Rs. 3,499. The Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich-based Karbonn Smart A51 features a 3.5-inch TFT LCD display with 320x480 pixel resolution. It is powered by a 1GHz processor, though chipset has not been specified in the listing and includes 256MB of RAM. It is a dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) device with dual standby time. There is a 3.2-meagpixel rear camera accompanied by an LED flash while there is a VGA front-facing camera. It runs on a 1.100mAh battery, though standby time and talktime have not been detailed.

Nexus 5 image leaked

The much anticipated successor to the Nexus 4 has made another appearance on the Internet. The latest leaked image comes courtesy Spigen, a case-maker that has posted an image of the expected Nexus 5, revealing the rear panel.

Spigen has posted the image to its Google+ feed and noted, “There will you be when the revolution begins?” accompanied by the #nexus5, #android and #google hashtags that suggests that case-maker wants more people to talk the upcoming Nexus smartphone.

The leaked image shows the rear camera with large sensor accompanied by an LED flash. The rear panel’s design appears to be identical to that of the Nexus 7 (2013) tablet. The image has a tagline which said, “Nexus 5 revolution is ready.” Unfortunately, the case-maker has not revealed any details about the availability of the alleged Nexus 5.

Earlier this month, the rumoured Nexus 5’s battery, pricing and storage details were leaked. The report claimed that the 16GB Nexus 5 model will supposedly be priced at $299 (Rs. 18,500 approximately), while the 32GB Nexus 5 might be expected to be priced at $399 (Rs. 24,500 approximately).

Additionally the report claimed that the next Nexus smartphone would come in two different battery sizes for 16GB and 32GB storage models. As per the report, the 16GB is said to include a 230mAh battery while the 32GB model is expected to pack a 3000mAh battery.

We had already reported that the rumoured Nexus 5 will come with 16GB and 32GB storage onboard, as the company has shifted to larger inbuilt storage on the device.

Rumoured specifications of the Nexus 5 include a 4.95-inch full-HD (1080p) IPS LCD display. Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz, 2GB of RAM, 8-megapixel rear camera with OIS and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. The alleged Nexus 4 successor has also been expected to include a host of sensors like ambient light, proximity, pressure as well as accelerometer, compass, notification LED and gyroscope.

Prior to this, a report suggested the successor to the Nexus 4 would be unveiled later this month, while it would be start shipping in the last week of this month. 

Sony Xperia Z1 f with 4.3-inch display, 20.7-megapixel camera launched

Sony has finally taken the wraps off its latest smartphone, the Xperia Z1 f which is a mini-variant of the flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z1.

The device has been introduced under Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo's winter smartphone line-up, and is expected to be released in late December 2013. No pricing details for the newly introduced Xperia Z1 f have been revealed by Sony and NTT DoCoMo.

The Sony Xperia Z1 f (SO-02F) features a 4.3-inch TRILUMINOS HD (720x1280) display with X-Reality for Mobiles. It is powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8974 processor along with 2GB of RAM, much like its elder sibling. The Xperia Z1 f runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean out of the box and is manufactured by a single aluminium frame with tampered glass on back and front panel. It comes with 16GB of inbuilt storage which is further expandable up to 64GB with the help of microSD card.

The highlight of the Xperia Z1 f is again the 20.7-megapixel Exmor RS sensor alongside BIONZ image processor engine and pulsed LED flash, as seen in Xperia Z1. It also includes a 2.2-megapixel front-facing camera. Connectivity options on the device include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS/ GLONASS and NFC. The Xperia Z1 f packs a 2300mAh battery with STAMINA mode and is waterproof and dust-proof smartphone, like other high-end Xperia smartphones.

The Xperia Z1 f will be available in multiple colours, Black, Lime, Pink and White, as rumoured earlier.

Meanwhile, Sony unveiled its flagship, the Xperia Z1 at IFA in Berlin and launched the device in India recently.

Rumoured Nokia Lumia 1520 leaks again, pictured alongside Apple iPhone 4S

Images of Nokia’s much-anticipated phablet, the Lumia 1520 have once again surfaced online.

WMPowereuser has posted a couple of images of alleged Nokia Lumia 1520 once again confirming that the upcoming phablet would offer extra columns and rows for apps, very much in-line with previous reports.

The leaked images show the alleged Nokia Lumia 1520 pictured alongside the Apple’s iPhone 4S and a Lumia sibling. The leaked image did not reveal any details about the yet to be officially announced Lumia 1520 phone expect indicating its expected size.

Additionally, the site suggest that the alleged Lumia 1520 will borrow the rear panel features of the Nokia Lumia 925 to accommodate the camera and also to sport the 6 element OIS (optical image stabilizer) lens assembly.

Rumoured specifications of Nokia Lumia 1520 include a 6-inch full-HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage, a nano-SIM and a microSD card slot. The device has also been expected to ship with a 20-megapixel rear camera.

Meanwhile, Nokia is expected to unveil six new devices at its October 22 event, due to hold at Nokia World in Abu Dhabi, according to a recent report.

The report further suggested that Nokia might unveil the long-rumoured Lumia 1520 phablet along with company’s first Windows RT tablet, the Lumia 2520.

Other Nokia devices expected to be unveiled at Nokia World include the Lumia 525, which is said to be the successor to the Lumia 520; Nokia Asha 502, the successor to the popular Asha 501 and treasure Tag, likely to work with Bluetooth 4.0 and Bluetooth low energy standards. 

Samsung Galaxy Round curved display smartphone

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd on Wednesday launched the world’s first samrtphone with a curved display, a variant of the Galaxy Note which moves the Asia giant a step closer to achieving wearable devices with flexible – even unbreakable – screens.

Curved displays are on the frontlines of Samsung’s innovation war with rivals such as Apple Inc and LG Electronics Inc, as the South Korean firm seeks to exits lead in the slowing market for high-end smartphones.

“It’s a step forward for having unbreakable gadgets and flexible devices eventually. But for now, the new phone is more of a symbolic product, “said Hana DAetoo Securities analyst Nam Dae-jong, adding that Samsung did not yet have capacity for large-scale production of curved touch-screen for the new Galaxy Round.

The Galaxy Round is Samsung’s attempt to gauge consumer appetite for curved phones although its lack of other eye-catching features means it is likely to be a hit, he said. “I don’t think it’ll be massively compelling enough for gadget buyers as the curved display doesn’t come with my unique features,” he said.

The Galaxy Round’s 5.7-inch (14.4-centimeter) display has a slight horizontal curve and weighs less than the Galaxy Note 3, allowing a more comfortable grip than other flat-screen models on the market, Samsung said in a statement.

Its key features include a tilt function which allows users to check information such as missed calla and battery life, even when the home screen is off. Users can also scroll through media files by pressing the screen’s right or left, the company said. The phone initially would be available only in South Korea and no decision had been made about releasing it in other market.

Design Challenges

Curved displays open up possibilities for blended designs that could eventually transform the high-end smartphone market, where growth has slowed amid competition from low-end producers.

Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch released last month has a flat screen, but the company is hoping to have the technology to make more attractive and wearable devices in what is shaping as a key battleground for consumer electronics companies.

Technology firms have yet to figure out how to cheap mass produce the parts and come up with display panels that can be thin and heat-resistant. Batteries also have to take new forms to support flexible screens that can be rolled out, attached to uneven surfaces or even stretched. The battery in the Galaxy Round is not curved, Samsung said.

Competition is heating up with Samsung’s cross-town rival LG Electronics planning to introduce a samrtphone with a vertically curved display in the first week of November, a source familiar with the matter said this week.

Its components affiliate, LG Chem Ltd, said on Tuesday it had started commercial production of a curved battery for use I the device.

The firm also said it has developed a battery in cable form, suitable for wearable devices, and expected to start commercial production within the next couples of years.

Technology analysts and media reports say Apple is working on a smartwatch, potentially with a curved screen, but there has been no word from the California-based company about its plans.

Samsung’s new curved-screen phone, available through South Korea’s biggest mobile carrier SK Telecom Co Ltd, costs 1.089 million won.