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Amazon working on colour e-ink reader and 10-inch Kindle Fire?

Feb 212012

Amazon According to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News, Amazon could launch a 6-inch colour e-ink reader later this year. Such a device would be the company’s first to use a colour e-ink display.

The report indicates that E Ink Holdings (EIH) has received an order from Amazon to supply it with three million ePaper modules per month starting in March. This suggests that component production may be ramping up with production of the reader itself to take place sometime later.

A separate report indicates that Amazon is also looking at launching a 10-inch Kindle Fire tablet in Q2. Foxconn has apparently received the manufacturing contract according to Digitimes‘ supply chain sources. A previous rumour had suggested that Amazon would first launch an 8.9-inch version of the Kindle Fire in the Q2 timeframe and only later follow up with a larger 10.1-inch version.

ASUS Transformer TF300T specifications revealed?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 172012

A leak earlier this month revealed another ASUS Transformer Prime tablet, the TF300T. Unfortunately, there were few details to go with the images. Polish site has now obtained a screenshot that sheds light on the specifications of this tablet:

Processor: 1.2GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3
Operating system: Google Android 4.0
Cellular connectivity: None
Other connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
Display: 10.1-inch 1200×800-pixel IPS
Input: Docking keyboard
Memory: 1GB RAM
Storage: 16GB onboard and microSD cards
Rear-facing camera: 8MP
Front-facing camera: 1.2MP
Connectors: micro-HDMI
Dimensions / weight: 180.8 x 263 x 9.9 millimeters / 640 grams

The document also reveals that the upcoming TF700T could come with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor rather than an Nvidia Tegra 3 one.

It remains to be seen if ASUS will announce its latest Transformer tablet at the upcoming Mobile World Congress.

New details and name for upcoming HTC Endeavor?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 172012

The HTC Endeavor was formerly known as the HTC Edge and it now appears to be headed for another name change. PocketNow has learned that it could be launched (likely at Mobile World Congress) as the HTC One X or HTC One^X.

Meanwhile, a second report supports earlier rumours about the HTC Endeavor’s specifications. MoDaCo‘s source confirms that details leaked earlier are correct and adds a few more to complete the picture:

Processor: 1.5GHz quad-core Nvidia AP33 Tegra 3
Operating system: Google Android 4.0 with HTC Sense 4.0
Cellular connectivity: 21Mbps HSDPA
Other connectivity: A-GPS, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
Display: 4.7-inch HD (720 x 1280) S-LCD 2
Input: Capacitive touchscreen
Memory: 1GB RAM
Storage: 32GB internal / No microSD card slot
Rear-facing camera: 8MP with f/2.2 lens, backlit sensor and 1080p video capture
Front-facing camera: 1.3MP capable of 720p video capture
Battery: 1,800mAh
Dimensions: 8.8 millimeters thick with unibody design
Other: Beats Audio, microSIM card, FM radio

MoDaCo adds that the buttons seen on leaked images have been replaced by capacitive ones typical of an Android 4.0 device. The only physical buttons will be the power button and volume rocker. It will also have a dual-colour (green and amber) LED notification rather than a multi-colour one like on the Galaxy Nexus.

The dual-core HTC Ville looks set to be launched as the One S alongside the HTC One X/Endeavor/Edge.

Google Android 5.0 (Jelly Bean) coming in Q2?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 162012

Google Android 4.0 has barely made it onto about 1% of all Android devices that Google may be gearing up to launch the next major version of the mobile OS. Digitimes is reporting that Google could launch Jelly Bean (Android 5.0) sometime in the second quarter (perhaps at Google I/O 2012?). The move could be tied to Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 release and the claim that “Android 4.0 has fallen short of original expectations.”

The report adds that Android 5.0 will feature further optimization for tablet devices. The new version could also make it easier for tablets to support both Android 5.0 and Windows 8 and allow customers to switch between the two without rebooting. Could Google be about to once again split Android into smartphone and tablet versions (as it did with Android 3.0 before reunifying them in Android 4.0)?

Given that most people are still waiting for Android 4.0, a new version (especially with the capabilities listed here), such a launch seems premature. It could end up harming the Android ecosystem more than help it.

This one will stay in the wild rumours category until more information comes to light…

Nokia to launch entry-level Windows Phone Lumia 610 at MWC?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 162012

Nokia Rumours in the past have hinted at an entry-level Nokia Lumia 600 series device (such as the Lumia 601 and a Series 3 device). TechRadar has now learned that Nokia could unveil the Nokia 610 at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (along with new Asha devices). Details are slim but it is likely to be powered by Windows Phone Tango, a new version optimized for lower-end devices.

Windows Phone Tango is an update that is expected to focus on supporting slower processors, lower resolution displays, support for up to 120 languages

With the Nokia Lumia 710 selling for about $250 without a contract, the Nokia Lumia 610 could be the first Windows Phone device to fall under the $200 threshold. Lower-end Android devices may soon be facing a new competitor.

RIM to launch BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 on February 21st?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 152012

While a number of past rumours have suggested that Research In Motion would launch its much anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 on February 17^th, users may have to wait a bit longer if the latest rumour turns out to be true. According to N4BB‘s sources, RIM will release the update on February 21^th.

For its part, RIM has only officially confirmed a release sometime in February. The update will add features such as native email, calendar, contacts and an improved BlackBerry Bridge. According to the report, one notable omission will be BBM which will not be ready in time. This should not be news as RIM itself announced that BBM would not be included back in October.

Images of RIM BlackBerry 10 operating system?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 142012

A leaked ad agency document has revealed images of what BlackBerry 10 could look like. It looks like the user experience has been influenced by both Android and Windows Phone.

Rumoured BlackBerry OS 10

The new images reveal that BlackBerry 10 will feature homescreen widgets capable of displaying live data. The icon tray has also been revamped with a folder icon that shows the apps it contains.

NVIDIA to unveil quad-core smartphones at MWC?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 132012

NVIDIA’s invitation for a Mobile World Congress press event suggests that the chipmaker could announce a quad-core smartphone (or perhaps more than one). It promises “quad-core firsts.” With the Tegra 3 already in the ASUS Transformer Prime, smartphones are a logical guess for that next first.

NVIDIA MWC 2012 press invitation

Both HTC and LG are rumoured to be bringing quad-core smartphones (the HTC Edge/Endeavor and LG X3 respectively) to MWC. Will one or both partner up with NVIDIA for the announcement?

Note: For what it’s worth, I don’t think the phone in the invitation is the one that will be unveiled…

Microsoft to open store in Toronto in late 2012?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 102012

Microsoft could open its first international “Microsoft store” in Canada later this year. The Verge reports that this store would open in Toronto shortly before the holidays. It could also be joined by one other international store in an undisclosed country.

Aside from its first international stores, Microsoft is planning to open four new stores in the U.S. in the coming months. This is part of the company’s plans to open 75 new stores over the next two years.

Much like Apple stores, Microsoft stores carry a variety of Microsoft products including Windows Phone handsets.

Samsung to unveil Galaxy S III on March 22nd?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 062012

Samsung could unveil the Samsung Galaxy S III on March 22^nd. French site FrAndroid is reporting that the manufacturer will hold a press event in France on this date. It remains to be seen if this will be a local event or part of a larger one. If the former, it’s unlikely that it would be the Galaxy S III announcement though. Unfortunately, the invitation reveals little.

Samsung March 2012 press event

Past rumours suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S III will be powered by a quad-core Exynos processor and Google Android 4.0 with the TouchWiz UI. It will also come with LTE connectivity, a Super AMOLED Plus 720p display and 2GB RAM. It could be as thin as 7 millimeters.

Read more: FrAndroid (in French) [Google translation] (Source: The Verge)

7mm-thick quad-core Samsung Galaxy S III to launch in May?

Posted by Jerome 1 Response »

Feb 062012

Samsung A report by Korean Electronic Times News sheds new light on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S III. Citing unnamed sources, it provides not only a possible launch date but new details about the device itself.

The report begins by indicating that the Samsung Galaxy S III will launch in May (a bit later than earlier rumours suggested). It does not indicate where the launch will take place although Samsung’s home country of South Korea is likely with other markets to follow.

The report adds that the Samsung Galaxy S III will be among the thinnest smartphones. It could be as thin as 7 millimeters (a sizeable reduction over the Galaxy S II’s 8.5 millimeters) although there may be bump around the camera module as it will be the same as the Galaxy S II’s. Supporting other reports, it also has it coming with Android 4.0, a quad-core processor, a Super AMOLED Plus display, an 8MP rear-facing camera, and a front-facing 2MP camera.

The Google translation is difficult to follow but Samsung could, as it has done with the Galaxy S II, release different variants, including ones supporting improved cameras, 3D (something we already heard) and pen-technology.

For its part, Samsung has only confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy S III will not be unveiled at Mobile World Congress but will get its own event later.

Read more: ETNews (in Korean) [Google translation] (Source: BGR)

PC vendors to reenter smartphone market with Windows Phone 8?

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 052012

PC vendors may be Microsoft’s newest Windows Phone ally. According to a Digitimes report, companies including Acer, Hewlett-Packard and Dell could return to the smartphone market with the next major version of Windows Phone (codenamed Apollo). The close relationship between Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 (details leaked this week about a number of common elements) could make it easier for these companies to develop new WP8-based smartphones.

The report adds that one or more current Windows Phone manufacturers HTC, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics could reduce or stop supporting Windows Phone due to low sales. They may also be looking for an arrangement similar to the one Microsoft has with Nokia which includes development funding.

The report also outlines a roadmap for Windows Phone in 2012. Mango will be upgraded to Tango in the March or April time frame. Tango 2 will then follow in mid-year with Windows Phone 8 to arrive by year’s end. Most WP8-based smartphones would then follow in the first half of 2013. Similar rumours first surfaced last October.

Rumour: ASUS TF300T to be next generation Eee Pad Transformer

Posted by Jerome No Responses »

Feb 032012

The next generation of ASUS Transformer tablets appears to have been revealed in a couple of pictures. The model number ‘TF300T’ was found on a QuieTek certification document by Taiwanese site NCCC along with pictures that show a tablet very similar to the Transformer Prime.

Rumoured ASUS Transformer TF300T

The model number suggests that this model could be a lower-end model than the upcoming Transformer TF700T. Unfortunately, there are no details on specifications to go along with the pictures.

Read more: NCCC (in Chinese) [Google translation] (Source: Engadget)

Rumour: Windows Phone 8 details revealed

Posted by Jerome Comments Off

Feb 022012

Two separate reports today appear to have shed quite a bit of light on Windows Phone 8 (codename Apollo), the next major release of Windows Phone. PocketNow claims to have obtained a video in which senior vice president and Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore reveals a number of new features in Windows 8. WinSuperSite‘s Paul Thurrott followed that with a report of his own. Between the two, there is quite a list of exciting new features to watch for.

Windows Phone 8 will support a much broader range of specifications. Multi-core processors, four screen resolutions, removable microSD card support, NFC support for both contactless payments and device-to-device sharing are all in the works.

Windows Phone 8 will be based on the Windows 8 kernel. Not only will it share common UI elements with Windows 8, but other key areas such as networking stacks and security will overlap. This will allow developers to reuse more of their code between PC and mobile versions of their apps. The addition of native code support could also make it easier to port Android and iOS apps over to Windows Phone.

A new dedicated companion application will likely replace the desktop Zune client. Is ActiveSync about to make a comeback?

A lot of software will also be enhanced. Internet Explorer 10 Mobile could have a server-side compression feature that would reduce the amount of data sent (much like Opera Mini does). Skype will be revamped and could offer behaviour almost identical to regular, non-VoIP telephony. The camera app will also be more flexible, supporting OEM skinning and third-party viewfinders.

A new feature called DataSmart will not only report on your data usage but also actively look to better manage connectivity by giving Wi-Fi connections precedence.

Additional corporate focus will come in the form of native BitLocker encryption, additional Exchange ActiveSync policies and System Center configuration settings and more support for “line-of-business” applications.

There is a lot of promise here…

Apple to unveil iPhone 5 at WWDC in June?

Posted by Jerome Comments Off

Feb 022012

Apple Apple may be returning to its more traditional summer iPhone launch schedule with the upcoming iPhone 5. Citing the the Chinese-language Commercial Times, Digitimes is today reporting that Apple will unveil the iPhone 5 at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) event in June.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 4S at a fall event but most other iPhone models were unveiled at WWDC events.

The report has little more to add except to indicate that the iPhone 5 will use glass to glass (G/G) touch panel technology.

The latest rumours suggest the iPhone 5 will sport a larger display and a symmetrical body rather than the rumoured teardrop design.

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