Both Sony Xperia Z and Xperia ZL will be available in Canada

It seems that the early info that the Sony Xperia Z and Xperia ZL aren't going be sharing markets was wrong - Sony Mobile's Twitter account posted a message saying that both models will be available in Canada.

Both Android phones were announced at CES and they share a lot of their specs, including screen and chipset. The Xperia Z is thin (7.9mm) and waterproof, but has a larger footprint (139 x 71mm), while the Xperia ZL is not water-proof and is thicker (9.8mm), but it's smaller (131.6 x 69.3).

There are some other differences, you can check our hands-on for the full details.

Anyway, it's a good thing that Sony is letting users choose which model they want. Worldwide launch plans are still not officially announced, so it's not clear if other regions like mainland Europe, the UK and Australia (all of which are slated to get the Xperia Z) will have such a choice.

Source | Via

View the original article here

HTC One X+ now available in the UK – U.S. pre-orders listed at $699

With all the LG Nexus stories bombarding us from every direction is easy to forget there are other new phones to talk about. The recently unveiled HTC One X+ is now available from Expansys UK for £494.99 while Expansys USA is currently taking pre-orders for $699.99. The website does not give any indication as to when the HTC One X+ will be shipping to U.S. customers, but you can always order it from their UK site and simply pay a little extra for shipping if you simply can’t wait.

So what makes the HTC One X+ different than the current HTC One X? The new device features a beefier 1.7 GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3+ processor, LTE, a larger 2,100 mAh battery, 64GB of internal storage and a built-in amplifier which enhances the audio quality of the speaker on the back of the device. The HTC One X+ also ships with Android 4.1 with the latest HTC Sense 4+.

Is the HTC One X+ an LG Nexus killer? Probably not, but if  we were judging the phones purely on looks, the HTC One X+ would probably take home the crown.

View the original article here

HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE available today for $150

Sure, it’s no Galaxy S III, but the HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE is a solid alternative for those who think a 4.8? screened device is too huge for daily use. The 4.0? follow up to the popular Incredible line of devices is available at Verizon stores today for $149.99 after $50 mail-in rebate debit card and new 2-year commitment.
1.2Ghz dual-core Qualcomm S4 processor1GB of RAM4-inch qHD (960×540) Super LCD display (with Corning Gorilla Glass)8GB of internal storage8 megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash, BSI f/2.2, 28mm lens and 1080p HD video recordingVGA front-facing cameraSize: 4.8 x 2.4 x .46 inchesWeight: 132 grams (4.66 ounces)1700 mAh removable batteryWiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n3.5mm headphone jackBeats AudioBluetooth 2.0NFCLTEG-Sensor, Light Sensor, Digital Compass, Proximity SensorAndroid 4.0HTC Sense 4.0
We’re still putting the finishing touches on the Incredible 4G LTE review, and should have the full ready in the next week or so. So far, we’ve found the Incredible 4G LTE to be a solid device with fairly decent battery life, and Sense 4.0 feels smooth and much less intrusive than previous versions. While the Galaxy S III is the must-have Verizon device, those of you who choose the Incredible 4G LTE will not be disappointed in your choice.

View the original article here

Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) source code now available

Source code for Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) has been released. We’re sure many of you will be downloading the new Android 4.1.1_r1 files simply to poke around, but CyanogenMod and countless other Android development groups around the globe will be spending countless hours pouring over every last line of code to see what changes will need to be made to integrate Jelly Bean into their existing code base.
Along with Android 4.1, Google has also released the proprietary binaries for the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Nexus. Code for the “Nexus S and Xoom will follow.”
The CyanogenMod team has already predicted a quick turnaround with Android 4.1; let’s just hope they can keep their word. We’re still trying to decide which new Android 4.1 features we’re most excited about. Google Now definitely got the most buzz at I/O, but we think Project Butter will have more impact on users.
What are your thoughts? Will you be waiting for a full CM10 build for your device? Or will you be lurking on your favorite development forum, flashing dozens of half-baked ROMs as soon as they’re posted?

View the original article here

Verizon’s Galaxy S III available July 10th for $199

Verizon has been dancing around this one for almost a month now with shipping dates varying from July 5th to July 12th, but the Galaxy S III was finally sick and tired of it and made them set a July 10th date to settle down and make this thing official.

Don’t expect any surprises with the Verizon version of the Galaxy S III, as Dustin rightly pointed out, one of the amazing features of the Galaxy S III is it’s consistency across the major US carriers.

It won’t come as a huge shock that Verizon will be stowing a little bloat on board for you, but unless you bought the Verizon Galaxy Nexus it shouldn’t be anything more than what you’ve grown accustomed to on previous devices. They call specific attention to the Color app which offers some video sharing features exclusively on Verizon and also the streaming video curator Viewdini that we covered not long ago.

Other than that we have the same Galaxy S III that you are almost unquestionably familiar with by now.

4.8? Super AMOLED HD display1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor2GB RAMAndroid 4.08 megapixel rear camera with zero shutter lag1.9 megapixel front-facing cameraNFCLTES-Voice16/32 GB on-board storage (microSD slot for additional storage)2,100 mAh battery

The 16 GB in Marble White or Cobalt Blue will set you back $199.99 and the 32GB in either color will ring up at $249.99. The 16 GB version will be available both in store and online on the 10th, but the 32 GB will be online only at launch.

I know we have quite a few of the Verizon faithful around here. How many of you are biting on the Galaxy S III?

Update: Sounds like some early pre-orders are starting to ship today, anyone get their shipping notice from Verizon yet?

Show Press Release

PR Newswire

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and DALLAS, July 3, 2012

Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that the 4G LTE-powered Samsung Galaxy S® IIIwill be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com/galaxys3starting July 10.  Galaxy S III customers will have access to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network which is available in 304 markets across the United States.  Verizon Wireless 4G LTE will be in 400 markets covering 260 million people by the end of this year.

Customers can take advantage of 4G LTE-optimized apps like Color to share live video broadcasts of life’s special moments with their Facebook® friends.  Sharing live video with audio is an exclusive feature of the Color app on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.  Customers can broadcast real-time footage of a newborn’s first step with family members who are miles away or share a beautiful view of a vacation spot to make friends at home jealous.  Combining America’s largest 4G LTE network with the Galaxy S III’s 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED™ display creates the perfect duo to watch movies, television shows and other video content with apps like viewdini.  Viewdini brings the power of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network to the screen by streamlining access to videos from a wide range of content providers, including cable operators, websites and other popular video sources.  The viewdini app can be downloaded from Verizon Apps and Google Play.

Additional features:

Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream SandwichMobile Hotspot – Share a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 2 GB RAMShare Shot – Create a temporary photo sharing network with a group of friends who are nearby at the same party or event; photos can be taken by any member of the group and shared with the entire groupS Beam – Share pictures, videos, documents and more by simply touching two Galaxy S III devices’ backs togetherS Voice™ – Featuring natural language recognition, you can control the apps and services used most with words instead of touchPop Up Play – Videos can be played in a small window while customers use the rest of the display to complete other tasks such as typing emails, organizing calendars and updating their social networksEvolved camera capabilities – Burst Shot mode instantly captures 20 continuous shots and Best Photo feature selects the best shot to displayEnhanced camera – 8-megapixel rear camera with zero-lag shutter speed and a 1.9-megapixel front camera so customers can capture pictures and videos of themselves or video chat with family and friendsmicroSD™ card slot for expandable memory

The Samsung Galaxy S III is available in 16 GB and 32 GB models for $199.99 and $249.99 respectively with a new two-year customer agreement.  The 16 GB model will be available in stores and online starting July 10 and the 32 GB model will be available online starting July 10 and will be in stores in the coming weeks. Customers will also have the choice of the Galaxy S III in two colors: Marble White or Pebble Blue.  Customers can visitwww.verizonwireless.com/galaxys3 for more information on the Samsung Galaxy S III for Verizon Wireless.

View the original article here

Meizu flagship renamed to MX 4-core, available June 30

The Meizu MX quad-core has received another official presentation, this time focusing on its renaming to the Meizu MX 4-core during an event in Hong Kong. The device was presented in collaboration with carrier PCCW and will go on sale in its stores starting June 30.

The pricing of the 32 gig model is HK$3,099 (~US$400) and the 64 GB one is HK$4,099 (~US$530). There's no 16 gig variant in the works. The phone comes in a selection of vivid colors - ivory white, milky lime, lilac purple and misty pink.

 
Meizu MX 4-core live pictures

The device looks almost identical to its dual-core predecessor with the only differences being the removed transparent Chinese logo above the display and the dimmer logo on the back. The 8 MP snapper has been preserved and the same goes for the 4" ASV capacitive touchscreen of the iPhone-esque 640 x 960 pixels resolution.

 
Meizu MX 4-core live pictures

There have been some changes on the software front - the Flyme (fly-me) OS, Meizu's custom skinned Android launcher, is now on top of Android version 4.0. It offers multiple extended applications, like Flyme Message (similar to iMessage for the iPhone), WhatsApp messenger and the like.

Source | Via

View the original article here

Nokia 808 PureView now available for pre-order in the US

 

The Nokia 808 PureView has made the next step towards US availability - just a day after it was announced that the cameraphone monster would be sold stateside through Amazon, it's now available for pre-order.

As promised, the price is set at $699 SIM free. No carrier has stepped up to subsidize the 808 PureView yet, but the penta-band 3G support means the phone should work on both AT&T's and T-Mobile's networks. By the way, only the White color version is listed for now and it's not clear when the Red and Black variants will be available.

The actual shipping of the Nokia 808 PureView will begin on July 8, so it will be a while before US buyers will get to hold the phone in their hands. You can check out our blind test or see how the 808 stacks up against a Canon 5D Mark III to help pass the time.

Source

View the original article here

LG Optimus L5 is now globally available, to cost �189

LG has announced its entry-level Optimus L5 smartphone will be making its international debut this month.

 

Powered by a Qualcomm MSM7225A chipset with a single-core 800MHz Cortex A5 processor, the LG Optimus L5 runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box and comes with 512MB of RAM. At the front, the device features a a 4.0-inch HVGA display and at the back there's a 5.0MP snppaer with LED flash.

Internal storage is limited to 4GB, only 2.5GB of which are user accessible. Fortunately, it comes with a microSD card support of up to 32GB. The Optimus L5 measures at 118.3 x 66.5 x 9.5mm and weighs 125 grams.

The first countries to get the LG Optimus L5 will be Germany, France and the UK followed by the Middle East and the rest of Asia. Then, later this month the smartphone will hit the shelves in North, Central and South America.

Amazon Germany currently lists the device ?189, but we guess the price will fall even further before its release. After all the Optimus L7 goes for just under ?200 in Germany and we doubt LG will position the L5 so close to it.

View the original article here

Atmo available now, bringing real-time multiplayer space combat to Android

We just wrapped up the weekend beta contest for Atmo which saw Neil Lund do some serious damage to the competition ending with more than double the total of his nearest opponent. So congratulations to Neil on his new tablet and thanks to everyone that participated and contributed your feedback.

The good news for everyone is that the game has now officially been released into Google Play and has even already incorporated some of the changes you requested.

For those that didn’t participate in the beta, Atmo is a real-time multiplayer space combat game which centers around a capture the flag style objective. You and your teammate must destroy your opponents capsules to find their flag and then return it to your goal while also defending your own flag and vaporizing your enemies should the vile scum try to make off with your flag.

The 3D graphics are well done and the game runs smoothly on my Galaxy Nexus. The heads up display keeps you aware of where everything is at any given moment which keeps you from getting lost in what is a fairly open world.

I highly recommend starting with the tutorial, it takes all of 45 seconds, but it gives you a quick primer on all the controls and the objects in the game. Quick warning that it puts you directly into a live game once you complete the tutorial, so be ready. And another pro tip, you can just hold down the fire button to maintain a steady stream of lasers heading toward ships, capsules and whatever else may be foolish enough to get in your way.

If you just want to jump in and play that can be done, but if you want your score to track over time then you need to login using your Facebook credentials. In a future update this will be leveraged to help pair you with your Facebook friends that have the game.

Speaking of updates, the Door 6 team has quite a few plans for Atmo beyond what is available today. They will soon be bringing in a ranking system which will also introduce a leveling mechanic and achievement rewards. For those of you with friends carrying an iOS device the game will also launch on their App Store soon and will allow you to play with them as well.

Further down the line they will be adding numerous ship customization options which will vary from improving aspects of your ship’s performance to introducing additional weaponry like autonomous drones. Long term they also want to expand from the capture the flag concept and open the world up for exploration.

They are looking at the ship upgrades as one potential monetization source for the game with in-app purchases if players don’t want to wait to earn the upgrades in game. They may also introduce a paid version of the game which would bring with it some special ships or power ups.

Atmo is available for free in Google Play right now so go ahead and download it below to get in on the action and let us know what you think.

View the original article here

Sony Xperia ion available on AT&T, June 24 for $99

I might have misfired with my prediction that Sony’s little Facebook experiment would be the ion. A matter of days later, we have confirmation that the ion will make its promised Q2 2012 release date on AT&T by the skin of its teeth.

The ion will be the first Sony sans Ericsson smartphone to launch in the US, and it’s a very respectable handset, especially considering the price at launch will be just $99.

The specs are somewhat middle of the road by now, but I’d put it at the front of the mid-range devices. The one hangup there is that it will be running Android 2.3.7 at launch with no specific date for an Android 4.0 update.

It’s been awhile, but we did get some hands on time when they first announced the ion at CES. I came away quite impressed with the hardware. The camera in particular is very well done and can go from standby to shooting an image in just seconds. You can watch our test of that feature below.

The PlayStation Certification is worth noting as well since it may finally start paying dividends for users this year, with Sony seeming to have found some renewed interest in the program.

By the time this launches on June 24, you’ll be able to head into an AT&T store and try it out side-by-side with the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III. While I personally would lean toward one of those options, I can certainly see this doing well with folks that want to save $100 on a new phone.

EXPERIENCE HD ENTERTAINMENT EVERYWHERE WITH XPERIA™ ION FROM SONY, AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT AT&T JUNE 24

Sony’s First 4G LTE Smartphone Ideal for Creating and Showcasing Premium
Entertainment with Video, Photo, Gaming and Music

DALLAS, June 14, 2012 – Entertainment fans longing for a better mobile HD experience will soon have an all-new 4G LTE Android smartphone to covet as the Xperia ion from Sony arrives exclusively in all AT&T* channels June 24. The new Xperia ion builds on Sony’s reputation as an innovator and leader in imaging and entertainment and costs just $99.99 with a two-year agreement.

AT&T customers have access to the nation’s largest 4G network, covering more than 260 million people. As 4G LTE expands, AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you’re on a much slower 3G network.

Sony’s first 4G LTE smartphone comes with a 4.6-inch HD Reality display (1280 x 720), as well as the ability to view HD content on the big screen via HDMI. The HDMI connection also opens the Xperia ion’s TV launcher, a customizable home screen carousel of application shortcuts. You can navigate the TV launcher and the rest of the Xperia ion’s menus at your convenience using your TV’s remote control.***

Shutterbugs will love the Xperia ion’s 12-megapixel Fast Capture camera and quick launch feature to seize life’s unexpected moments. With its dedicated camera button, the Xperia ion swiftly goes from standby to first camera shot in just 1.5 seconds and then from shot-to-shot in less than a second, ensuring you don’t miss a moment. Xperia ion boasts all-around HD video recording, so whether capturing memories or video chatting, you can be sure to have high-quality video on the go using either your rear or front-facing cameras.
Xperia ion is complemented by SmartTags****, which let you do things you normally do on your phone, but more quickly and easily, with just one tap. Using near field communication technology, SmartTags let you store device preferences for a variety of locations and situations – like opening and controlling volume on the music player if you head out for a run, turning on GPS and Bluetooth in the car or turning on your alarm and silencing your ringer at night.

Sony Entertainment on the Go
Taking your music and videos with you everywhere just got easier than ever thanks to the Sony Entertainment Network (SEN). Sony Music Unlimited puts a global catalog of more than12 million songs at your fingertips, and Sony Video Unlimited makes sure there is never a dull moment with the latest Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows from all major studios available for you to rent or buy.

For the Xperia ion, both Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited are available for download from the Google Play store. AT&T customers who buy the Xperia ion will get to try the premium service level of Music Unlimited free for thirty days. The Xperia ion is also ready for advanced gaming as it is PlayStation® Certified. The hardware is optimized to deliver an exceptional gaming experience and users will have future access to PlayStation titles as the catalog is developed. With so much entertainment to be enjoyed, the Xperia ion comes with plenty of internal memory, with the option to add up to 32GB external (microSD™) memory.

For more information, customers can visit http://www.att.com/aboutus.

Key Specs:

4.6? (measured diagonally) 720p HD Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine for unbeatable HD viewingHD imaging excellence from Sony: 12MP camera with Exmor R™ for Mobile camera sensor, 1080p HD video recording, 1 MP 720p HD front-facing cameraEasy multi-screen connectivity with HDMI and DLNA®1.5Ghz dual core processor16GB internal memory with microSD™ expansion slot supports up to 32GBPlayStation Certified for high quality mobile gaming

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not
by AT&T Inc.
**Data rates apply.
***Compatible with Bravia Sync enabled devices. Limited functionality supported on most HDMI enabled TV’s.
****SmartTags sold separately.

Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where
available. Deployment ongoing. Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at
att.com/network.

Limited-time offer. Sony Xperia ion requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo) and min monthly data plan ($20/mo). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req’d. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to
$325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges/line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, fees and charges for other gov’t assessments. These are not taxes or gov’t req’d charges. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services
from AT&T. Downloadable content may be subject to additional charges.

View the original article here

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II Android 4.0.3 update now available

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Verizon unveils Share Everything plans, available June 28th

Shared data plans will soon be a reality, if you happen to be a Verizon Wireless customer. Verizon has finally officially unveiled their shared data plans, set for a June 28th availability date. Verizon’s new Share Everything plans will give each plan an unlimited amount of data and texts, with fees increasing with the amount of data you need to get through the month. When pricing a data plan, customers will be presented with the following two-step process:

Smartphone: $40 per monthBasic/Feature phone: $30 per monthJetpacks/Notebooks/Netbooks/USB hotspots: $20 per monthTablets: $10 per month1GB: $50 per month2GB: $60 per month4GB: $70 per month6GB: $80 per month8GB: $90 per month10GB: $100 per month

Once you’ve made selections, simply add your fees together to come up with your monthly bill. For example, a two smartphone plus one tablet plan at 4GB of monthly data would be $160 per month ($40 for each smartphone, $10 for the tablet, and $70 for 4GB of shared data). All smartphones and tablets on the plan will feature the hotspot functionality at no additional charge, so long as you stay below your allotted data threshold.

The resulting prices are generally less than they would be under the current plan structure, generally falling around $10-20 per month cheaper, though the savings are potentially much greater on the high end. A plan with 5 smartphones would be about $340 per month in the old world, and comes in at around $300 for 10GB of data, or a bit less if you need less data.

I for one am looking forward to shared data plans, as they have the potential to save customers lots of money on their monthly bills. With AT&T and other carriers rumored to be working on plans of their own, shared data is likely here to stay.

View the original article here

LG Optimus 4X HD now available in Germany, to hit UK in mid-July

After leaving the factories yesterday the LG Optimus 4X HD is already available for purchase in Europe. Germany is the only country to have received it so far, though.

The white version of the quad-core LG Optimus 4X HD is currently retailing for ?505 over at Amazon.de and doesn't require any commitment. That's a pretty attractive price given the package you are getting and even more so considering that it will drop a bit when availability extends. Sadly, if you are after the black version of the Optimus 4X, you are in no luck, as that one isn't on sale just yet.

UK residents don't get any good news today either, as Clove UK confirmed the device will only be hitting Britain in mid to late July. LG has provided the time frame for the northern European countries, while the rest of Europe is still in the dark regarding when to expect the next LG flagship.

Source | Via

View the original article here