DisplaySearch forecasts up to 5.5 inch screen for Apple iPhone 6

Researcher DisplaySearch has made its forecast for 2014, and expects the next iteration of Apple's smartphone to come to market carrying one of two different sized displays. One is a 4.7 inch screen with resolution of 900 x 1600 resulting in a pixel density of 386. The other is a 5.5 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 which produces a pixel density of 401ppi. The current Apple iPhone 5s has a resolution of 640 x 1136 for a pixel density of 326ppi. DisplaySearch predicts that the iPhone 6 screen will be made of LTPS (low-temperature polysilicon) LCD, which is the same technology used for the iPhone 5s display.

This compares with DisplaySearch's estimate for high end smartphones in 2014. They see top shelf Android and Windows Phone handsets with panels of 5.7 inches and 6.2 inches this year. With a resolution of 1440 x 2560 on both panels, the respective pixel densities are 515ppi and 474ppi. Both screens would also employ the LTPS LCD technology.

According to DisplaySearch, the Apple iWatch will be equipped by Cupertino's first AMOLED screen. DisplaySearch sees the timepiece carrying a 1.3 inch or 1.6 inch flexible AMOLED screen. At the smaller size, the pixel density is 348ppi. At the larger size, the pixel density is reduced to 278ppi. Amid speculation about a 12.9 inch Apple iPad Pro tablet, DisplaySearch sees such a slate carrying a 2732 x 2048 resolution, which equates to a pixel density of 265ppi.

Earlier this year, we passed along a rumor that a 5.7 inch Apple iPhone phablet will be released in May. This is supposedly a completely different line than the Apple iPhone 6, which will be released as expected next September. According to the rumor, the latter device will have a 4.7 inch screen

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Nokia Lumia 520 review, price, specs:

WinBeta said that 30% of Windows Phone-powered market is a Lumia 520. Features of this famous Windows Phone 8 device include a 1GHz dual-core processor and a $199 price tag. WinBeta describes the 520 as the "most affordable Windows Phone with a dual core processor" whose specs would meet the need of the regular user. It has ample storage (8 GB) with a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with 720 at 30 fps second video recording. The Nokia Lumia 520 also has a 1GHz dual core processor and 512MB RAM. Phone Arena notes that it has fast mobile data support (4G). Though the specs of the Nokia Lumia 520 as a budget smartphone is definitely well-below what most devices have, the unit still delivers and is able to satisfy the average user. In a review by GSM Arena, it noted that if you're looking for a handset that covers the basics and then some, meets a low price point but still look classy and has an app store and other benefits of a Windows Phone-device then the 520 definitely gives an edge. Some obvious disadvantage though of the 520 is that its camera lacks flash and has no front-facing camera. It has limited functionality in many ways because of low memory and a limited storage. It also has a smaller LCD display and an inferior imaging package, GSM Arena notes. According to the tech site the handset's wide aperture lens had to go and the battery is of lesser capacity. Because the Lumia 520 only has 512 MB RAM, there are some apps that are just incompatible. Despite everything though, the Lumia 520 shows enormous potential and can definitely be a unit that would deliver, as long as you won't expect a lot from the budget device. The Nokia Lumia 520 is a part of Lumia devices launched by the Microsoft-owned company to capture a good part of the emerging market. The successor of the Lumia 520, the Lumia 525 first launched in Singapore, then India. The 525 launch last December was considered one of the most important launches of Nokia.

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Samsung's first 1080p Windows Phone 8 handset could be the SM-W750V

At the moment, Nokia is the only manufacturer that’s selling Windows Phone handsets with 1080p displays. Of course, Nokia has pretty much remained the only manufacturer that sells WP devices regardless of their features. But Samsung, which leads the smartphone market thanks to Android, might prepare a new WP flagship as well: the SM-W750V.

We first heard about the SM-W750V in December, when we reported that the mysterious device had a 5-inch display. As of today, the SM-W750V is approved by the Bluetooth SIG, which seemingly confirms that what we have here is a phone - one that’s made for North America.

What’s even more interesting is that the





UA profile of SM-W750V is now accessible at Samsung Mobile’s official website, allowing us to see that the handset’s screen is a 1080 x 1920 pixels one. LTE and Internet Explorer are also mentioned - so the device is indeed running Windows Phone.

To recap, Samsung SM-W750V is a Windows Phone 8 handset with a 5-inch, 1080 x 1920 pixels display and LTE connectivity, and it might be released in North America. Naturally, we can’t be certain of anything until Samsung makes an official announcement. Perhaps it will happen at MWC 2014 next month? Since it won’t reveal its Galaxy S5 Android flagship there, the company can certainly announce other high-end (albeit less important) devices at the upcoming trade fair.

What do you think, can a new 1080p WP handset from Samsung compete with Nokia's Lumias?

sources: Bluetooth SIG, Samsung via Sammy Today

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite (SM-T110) officially confirmed, User Manual revealed

There’s still no press release to announce it, but the long-rumored Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite is now being confirmed by Samsung. The company’s Polish website revealed the User Manual of the SM-T110 - which is the Wi-Fi version of the new tablet. Moreover, a Polish retailer is already taking orders for the Tab 3 Lite, asking $165 for the Wi-Fi model, and $263 for the 3G one (SM-T111).

The tablet’s features, as listed by the retailer, include: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, a 7-inch display with 600 x 1024 pixels, 2MP rear camera, dual-core 1.2GHz Marvell PXA986 processor with Vivante GC1000 GPU, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal memory, MicroSD card support, and a 3,600 mAh battery.

Apparently, the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite measures 193 x 117 x 9.7 mm and weighs 310 grams, thus being a tad larger and (insignificantly) heavier than last year’s Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, which measures 188 x 111.1 x 9.9 mm.

We’re not sure that the photos presented by the Polish retailer show the newer Tab 3 Lite, as there doesn’t seem to be any difference between the tablet they’re giving us and the old 7-inch Tab 3. In any case, the User Manual confirms that we shouldn’t expect major design changes.

Samsung is probably getting ready to announce the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite and clarify everything in the near future, so we'll report back when official details are available.

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You Won’t Need A TV With Sony’s 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector

Sony wants to replace your UHD TV with their 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector that makes your wall the TV. Yeah, you read right…your wall will be the TV thanks to Sony’s attempt to bring the cinema into your living room. The innovative projector was unveiled at last weeks CES and is designed to look and act like a piece of stylish furniture, even when the device is off. Unlike other living projectors that are bulky and ugly to look at, this one blends into your decor. Just place it against a bare wall and it will shoot an image on the wall directly above where you place it, rather than across the room.

The projector can draw anywhere from 66″ to 147″ at resolutions as high as 4096 x 2160, proving users with a real 4K cinema experience in their own home. It uses an SXRD laser projector to provide such amazing movier-therater quality images. It also has 3D support and Sony’s Triluminous display capabilities. But like many high-end new products, the price tag isn’t what many could afford with price ranging from $30,000 to $40,000. But if you have the wallet for it, you’ll be able to add one to your home later this summer when it’s released.

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Sony Releases New 4K Camcorder

Sony’s new Handycam FDR-AX100 shoots Ultra HD video and less than half the price of their existing FDR-AX1, but just might have better features. While the AX1 goes for $4,500, the AX100 is priced at $2,000, but has a bigger sensor, boasting a 1-inch-type Exmor R CMOS sensor – the same one found in their RX100 and RX10 cameras. It’s larger than the 1/2.3-inch one in the AXI. It’ll also use Class 10 SDXC cards for storage instead of the XQD cards in the AX1, which are a bit more obscure. It’ll also feature Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities that are built into the camcorder so you can transfer footage wireless and even pair it with other NFC-enabled devices.




Other great features on the new Handycam FDR-AX100 include: manual controls for shutter speed, iris and ISO that users can control via tiny dial that sits under the lens barrel. Its image processor is a Bionz X engine (the same as Sony’s Alpha A7 and A7R full-frame mirror less cameras), which is different from the AX1. And in terms of size, the AX100 is smaller, about half the size of the AX1. Some similarities that the AX100 shares with its larger brother include the ability to capture 3840 x 2160 video in XAVC-S format with an MP4 wrapper. But the Ax100 records 4K slower at 30fps or 24fps as opposed to the AX1′s 60fps maximum. Pick one up when they become available this March.

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Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air Review

The iPad Air is perhaps the first full-size tablet that doesn’t require a case to not feel out of place in the hand. No matter what kind of tablet it is, I don’t like holding it and keeping direct contact with the hardware. A case made of cloth or leather is always more comfortable and always feels better, especially for longer periods of use. Not everyone shares the same sentiment; however, the iPad Air is the first slate that I can and do use without a case because it isn’t too uncomfortable to hold.

For those who love showing off the beauty of Apple’s biggest iOS product but still want a keyboard, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air is the best piece of hardware you can buy. It provides the security of a Smart Cover for that gorgeous display with an excellent full-size keyboard. Snap the cover on for travel. Slip it off and snap the iPad into the magnetic slit for typing. Easy peasy.
Just like Logitech’s keyboard cases, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover comes with a slew of iOS-specific functions like activating the home button, locking, activating Siri, media and volume controls, and multitasking. The keyboard itself is spacious, though not as good as the Ultrathin Keyboard Folio’s. The difference is slight but highly noticeable: the Cover has smaller, more tightly packed keys, and they don’t stand out as much so typing produces less feedback. The Folio’s keyboard is definitely the better of the two; the Cover is a fairly close second.



Like all of today’s mobile keyboards, the battery life on the Keyboard Cover is exceptional. It’s rated for three months of continuous use (for two hours of use a day), and in my testing I haven’t found anything to the contrary. Since I began testing the Keyboard Cover over a month ago I haven’t needed to charge it once.
The reason the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover stands out from the iPad Air keyboard cases is because it’s a no-compromise accessory. It does everything right. It’s safe to travel with and won’t accidentally activate the iPad due to a weak magnet that activates the iPad in a bag. The full keyboard doesn’t have any keys moved to weird places or bunch keys together for secondary functions. It feels great to hold and carry thanks to an aluminum outside cover which matches the iPad very well, even though the aluminum is a darker shade that’s more grey than silver.
For $100, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is a pricey but excellent iPad keyboard. It provides everything that a keyboard cover should, and at the level of quality that iPad owners have come to expect from Apple’s tablet.

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Kodak PixPro Smart Lens SL10 and SL25 take on Sony QX, arrive this spring

Kodak took the wraps off it competitors to Sony's QX cameras last week, the Kodak SL10 and SL25. Both are small cameras designed to snap onto Android smartphones and the iPhone, offering features that likely extend beyond the smartphone's camera offering and brings wireless control via an accompanying app. The models are very similar to the Sony QX10 and QX100, which went on sale back in September 2013.

Perhaps the biggest draw for the SL10 and the SL25 is the high optical zoom rates, offering the ability to zoom in on objects without the degradation that comes with digital zoom -- the only offering provided by most smartphones out there. The names of each model hint at their respective zoom rates; the SL10 offers a 10x optical zoom rate, and the SL25 offers a 25x optical zoom, with both of them being wireless and controllable via a mobile app.

The SL10 features a 28 - 280mm wide-angle lens, providing a pretty wide field of view for capturing images at a close distance. The SL25 is similar, but instead offers a 24mm wide-angle lens, taking things up a notch. Beyond that, both models are largely the same, offering 1080p high-definition video recording and optical image stabilization, another perk not found on the majority of current smartphones. There's a microSD slot for storing images.

The SL10, obviously, is the cheapest of the two, being priced at $199 USD, while the SL25 is a bit higher at $299 USD. There are no hard date for when these two models -- both of which appear larger in size than competing Sony offerings -- will be hitting shelves, digital or otherwise, but Kodak says it'll be available for purchase some time this Spring.

SOURCE: Kodak

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Google announces Play Edition Moto G

Google is adding a new device to its roster of Play Edition smartphones today: Motorola's Moto G. The phone is selling for as low as $179 unlocked and will work on AT&T and T-Mobile. The Moto G's low price makes it the most affordable smartphone in the Play Store — something that's hasn't existed among Play Edition devices before — giving Google a much more accessible lineup of devices.
Unlike other non-Google phones that end up in the Play Store however, there really isn't much of a change here: the Moto G was already running a nearly stock version of Android and only sold off contract. Buying a Google Play edition model may result in owners getting faster updates to new version of Android though, and that's at least one big reason to buy direct from Google.

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Huawei announces dual-SIM B199 with 5.5" screen

Huawei announced the B199 dual-SIM Android smartphone as a successor to the A199, which debuted last April. Just like its predecessor the B199 has dual-SIM support with CDMA/GSM dual stand-by.

What's interesting is that the B199 packs a large 3,000 mAh battery that can be used to charge other devices (with a dedicated cable). The price of the B199 will be CNY1,999 or around $330.

The rest of the specs are a quad-core processor clocked at 1.6 GHz (this time on a Snapdragon chipset and not the home-made K3V2 CPU), 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of expandable storage, 5.5" 720p display, 13 MP back and 5 MP front-facing cameras.

The back cover of the Huawei B199 is metal-clad. The smartphone should begin selling in China on January 20 but there's no word on global availability.

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Xperia Z1 frame bending for no reason, claim users

Sony might be getting into the business of bendable smartphones before Samsung or LG, it seems, as a bunch of users are reporting that the metal frame of the flagship Xperia Z1 handset has allegedly bent for no reason, leaving their phone in the state that can be observed in the pictures below. The circumstances vary, but the common theme seems to be heat (from leaving it on the wireless charging dock to using it in the African sun).


Now, there's no way to confirm whether the "bent" effect wasn't also a result from sitting on the phone while in your back pocket, which happens too many times when out on the town, than people care to admit, but it's an interesting phenomenon to observe nonetheless.


We've had no such problems after perusing our office unit for a couple of weeks already in various conditions, and have been thorough fans of the premium feel that the metal and glass design leaves in the eye (and hand) of the beholder. Have you experienced something similar to the situations below with your own Xperia Z1 unit?

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The Jump Combines A Power Cable And A Battery In One Device

Your smartphone dying just as you need to use it is one of the most annoying common problems we have here in the First World. And there are lots of solutions, but few of them are as elegant as the Jump.
Jumper Cables
The Jump combines two common smartphone accessories: The charging cable and the backup battery. The charging cable part is actually fairly straightforward, really; you just uncoil the cable, plug one end into your phone, and the other end into a USB port. It’s not really revolutionary in that regard, but while your phone is being charged, you can also charge up the battery inside the Jump… ensuring that you’ve always got power handy. Just plug in your phone and you’ll start sucking up electrons.
A Battery Backing You Up

Probably the key factor for most people is the fact that the Jump is not a brick; in fact, it weighs less than two AA batteries. That said, part of the reason batteries are so heavy is because they need that heft to store power, so there is a slight tradeoff in that the Jump will not fully charge your phone; currently it’ll fill an iPhone to one third. And, aesthetically speaking, it looks good and is inherently neat, with the ends of the cables clipping onto the sides, and the nineteen-inch cable supports data transfer on top of everything else.
More Power!



Mostly the Jump will appeal to people who have too much stuff in their bag already; lightening the load with any sort of efficiency is always welcome. And it’s a smart idea that you can probably expect to see more of as smartphones become more efficient and we as a species become more forgetful. If you want one, it’s currently on Kickstarter; getting one for yourself will cost $40, with extras being $35.

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Soloshot 2 Is The Even Better Robotic Cameraman

We all wish we had our own cameraman sometimes. Whether we’re doing an insane stunt, or just want to be sure we’re in the shot, it’s hard to frame a static shot perfectly to capture the action. Hence, the invention of the Soloshot, which was successful enough that the robot cameraman just got an upgrade.
You’re Filmed
Essentially, the Soloshot is a motorized tripod head. You mark yourself with a tag, included in the package, and then you can get up to 2,000 feet from the Soloshot and still be the center of attention. The servos in the unit simply adjust the camera, at up to eighty degrees per second, and track you as you move across the frame. Neat idea, but what’s new for the Soloshot?
Get Vertical
Quite a few things, actually. The Soloshot 2 has vertical tracking, making it a lot more usable right off the bat. It’s also got a camera controller accessory dock, which will allow automatic zooming and other stunts. And, perhaps most usefully, you’ve got the ability to network Soloshots and tags; have one Soloshot follow one tag, have a dozen follow one tag, or anything in between. Essentially, you’ll have a fully robotic production crew in a Pelican case. Oh, and, needless to say, it’s water-tight up to twenty feet and shock-resistant. You can’t hit it with a hammer, but it can take any necessary abuse.
RoboCamera



There are a lot of “extreme sports” tools out there to help you film your crazy stunts and wipeouts, but this looks to be one that allows you a lot more creative freedom. Especially now that the Soloshot 2 has vertical tracking and can be networked with other units, it’s likely a real problem-solver if you’re filming extreme sports, or anything that requires a lot of tracking. It’s currently available for preorder for $400.

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LG Tab-Book 2 review

 

LG announced an updated Tab-Book, the Tab-Book 2 at CES, we were on hand to have a lengthy play at the company's stand to see what all the fuss is about.
First announced at CES 2013, this year's model is lighter and more powerful and comes with a new feature called Reader mode that dims the screen to let you read documents, books, and the web, without burning your eyes.
Designed to be a tablet with a slide out keyboard, the device is slightly cumbersome and complicated considering what it offers. The idea is that you press a button on the left hand side of the screen and "hey presto" the keyboard ejects itself out of nowhere like a bond villain would out of a DB7.
The hinge mechanism on the back works but looks all too easy to break, while the whole thing felt a little over balanced when we started to type. We weren't able to do any "lap typing" but we can't see this working too well without a solid perch to rest it on.

That said if you do have a desk, coffee table, or some other solid ground the keys are nicely laid out and because of the 11.6-inch screen not too tightly packed.
There is no trackpad, although you can add a mouse, or because this is Windows 8.1, just use the screen to control the mouse - there even seemed to be a transparent trackpad on screen to help you further. 
Surprisingly that keyboard doesn't had a huge amount to the overall thickness of the device - it's 16.7mm thick - but that combined with the break in the frame that you have to deal with isn't unnoticeable either.
In terms of the rest of the laptop come tablet, the HD IPS display is nice and bright and the Intel Core i5 processor enough to get most tasks done on the road although we didn't really have time to give it a proper test with anything other than a handful of pre-installed apps like Office. 

As for that Reader mode, again activated by another button this time on the right of the screen, it's all a bit strange.
It seems to have little effect other than making the screen dimmer and a little more opaque and yellow, although we could see in a dark room it might be helpful, but then why can't automatic brightness do that for you?
The LG Tab-Book 2 looks to be a bit confused as it tries to be a tablet and a laptop at the same time but comes away being a poor version of both. Had it been a tablet with a bolt-on keyboard or just a cheap and easy to use laptop it might have worked, but as it stands it's neither.
A full review might change our minds, but at the moment we left the stand in Las Vegas feeling confused. Too many compromises seems to have left the Tab-Book 2 muddled to say the least.

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LG Chromebase review

Laptops, LG, Desktop PCs, Chrome OS, CES2014, LG Chromebase

We've seen plenty of Chromebook laptops now from different manufacturers teaming up with Google, but LG has announced the first desktop PC powered by Chrome OS at CES and Pocket-lint paid a visit to the company's stand to check it out.
Called the LG Chromebase, it is a desktop computer with a 21.5-inch widescreen Full HD IPS display at 1,920-by-1,080-pixel resolution.
On the spec sheet side of things it features an Intel Celeron CPU processor, 2GB of memory, 16GB of iSSD, and a 1.3MP HD front-facing webcam with 720p HD capability.

That's not exactly a powerhouse of excitement, but then this is Chrome OS and that means you aren't really doing much aside from surfing and using web apps.
Around the back of the rather shiny white or black monitor-com-computer you'll find a HDMI-in port, three USB 2.0, one USB 3.0, and LAN, while bundled accessories range from keyboard and mouse to a cable organiser.
The keyboard and mouse are incredibly clunky and very retro looking in their design and we can just imagine some Shoreditch hipster wannabe thinking it's the best thing in the world ever.

All that said and done, like the Chromebooks that have gone before it, the Chromebase does exactly what it sets out to do, giving you a simple and effective way of using Google's services on a desktop without letting the Mac or Windows Operating systems, and the need to download software or apps, get in the way.

First impressions

In our play on the show stand the experience was pain free and simple. As we've said above the keyboard was a bit on the bulky and basic side, but it works.
LG has yet to set a price for the Chromebase, but we suspect, or at least hope, that it's cheap as chips. If you are happy to sit at a desk rather than with something on your lap - you'll get a bigger screen that way - and really like surfing the web, this should do the trick.
Just remember that the bigger screen size and desktop casing doesn't make it any more powerful than the web browser already on your regular computer.

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HP Slate 6 Voice Tab, quad-core, dual SIM, HD phone could cost only $200

HP has been the subject of rumour for over a month now, with talk of it unveiling a 6-inch phone soon. Now a picture has leaked of what's claimed to be the HP Slate 6 Voice Tab.

The below photo, sent to Phone Arena by a tipster, is poor quality but clearly shows an HP handset at least 6-inches in size. The tipster claims this Slate 6 will have a quad-core processor, 1280 x 720 resolution display, feature dual SIM network support, run Android, and will cost around $200.

An HP Slate 6 Voice Tab has already appeared on Bluetooth certification and graphics benchmark databases so it's likely this is coming soon. And with lots of manufacturers offering larger budget handsets, or at least rumoured to be doing so, this seems a likely offering from HP.

The above photo is of the HP headquarters, as the photo from the Tipster was such poor quality. See for yourself.

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Moto X vs Nexus 5: What’s the difference?

Motorola has launched the Moto X into the UK, bringing with it the same specs as the US version launched last year.

We had a lot of love for the Moto X handset when we reviewed it in August 2013, so here we are putting it up against the Nexus 5, another handset from the mid-range we are big fans of, to see how it compares and what the differences are.

Nexus 5 has a bigger and better display

The Moto X sports a 4.7-inch display compared to the 5-inch screen found on the Nexus 5 so you'll get a slightly bigger option with the Nexus.

There is also a difference in resolution, with the Moto X featuring a 1280 x 720 display compared to the 1920 x 1080 resolution found on the Nexus 5. 

This will mean you will get a sharper and crisper image on the Nexus 5 as it packs in more pixels with a pixel density of 445ppi compared to the Moto X’s 312ppi.

Moto X is smaller, but thicker than the Nexus 5

As you would expect given the display is smaller, Moto X is a smaller device than the Nexus 5. However, although both hit the scales at 130g, the Moto X is thicker than the Nexus 5. 

The Moto X measures 129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4mm compared to the Nexus 5, which comes in at 137.84 x 69.17 x 8.59mm.

Nexus 5 is more powerful 

The Moto X comes with a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM compared to the Nexus 5, which sports a 2.3GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM.

We found the performance of the Moto X to be "buttery smooth" in our tests so we don't think you will be disappointed, but the Nexus 5 will be faster at performing more difficult tasks.

The Moto X has a 2,200mAh battery compared to the Nexus 5 that comes with a 2,300mAh battery. Therefore there isn't likely to be much variation in terms of how long they last with such a slight difference.

Moto X has a better camera

For those who are smartphone snappers, you might find the Moto X is a better bet with a 10-megapixel rear camera and 2.1-megapixel front camera.

The Nexus 5 comes with an 8-megapixel rear-facing OIS camera and a 1.3-megapixel front camera. 

We thought the camera performance left a little to be desired when we had the Nexus 5 in for review, and when it came to the Moto X, we liked the Quick Capture function, but we weren't overly impressed with the low-light shots

Conclusion 

As both the Moto X and the Nexus 5 run on Android 4.4 KitKat, there is little difference when it comes to user interface. Both models also feature the same connectivity options with the usual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on board.

The Moto X does come with a slightly smaller display and a lower resolution than the Nexus 5, but it makes up for it in the camera department. 

The Nexus 5 gains points over the Moto X in terms of processor and battery but we were impressed with both devices when we reviewed them so we don't think you'll be disappointed with either device. The Motorola phone is more expensive though, coming in at £380 SIM free for the 16GB edition, in relation to the Nexus 5 at £330 for the 32GB model.

When Moto Maker customisation arrives in the UK though, it could make for a deal breaker. The chance to own a wooden-backed phone might be worth the extra cash.

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Sony Xperia T2 Ultra and Ultra dual official with 6-inch displays

This week the folks at Sony have revealed two new large-display-toting smartphones, both of them with rather similar specifications and an aim for international release. Both the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra and the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra dual work with 6-inch displays with 720p resolution and TRILUMINOUS technology alongside the company's own Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for mobile. They've got 1.1-megapixel cameras up front, 13-megapixel cameras around the back, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core 1.4GHz processor inside with 1GB of RAM.
Inside you'll also find 8GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot for 32GB more. There's a 3000mah battery in both units with Battery STAMINA mode for additional battery power. You'll find Sony's "one-touch" ecosystem rolling with these machines with NFC, with Sony assuring users that 132 devices (at least) will work right out of the box.The dual version works with two SIM card slots for international travel while both machines work with displays that extend to within 2.5mm of their edges. This is a new defining of the term "edge-to-edge", with a body "no wider than a standard credit card" and 73.6% of the front of the phone being display space.

"Xperia T2 Ultra will lead the category through its combination of advanced display and camera technologies, it will bring large-screen entertainment in an amazingly portable form factor and it will do it all whilst providing incredible value for money.

Its large HD display will deliver big screen entertainment on the go whilst the efficiency of the design will allow it to remain the worlds most portable large screen smartphone." - Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications

These device will be released with "mid-range price points", but Sony has not yet made clear when or where they'll be released. We're guessing an international launch is first up, followed by a smaller - if any - launch in the USA.

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Apple relaunching 8GB iPhone 4 in India to boost sales

Apple is said to be re-releasing the iPhone 4 in India, specifically the 8GB model, according to The Economic Times. The move comes as a result to boost sales in the Indian market, which Apple has been losing to cheaper rivals running Android and Windows Phone 8

The iPhone 4 was a popular model for Apple because of its relatively lower price compared to the newer iPhones in India. Apple and the iPhone in particular are aspirational brands in India and as such are on everyone's wishlist but the high price of the unlocked models means most people either go for the older cheaper models or some rival brand, of which there is no shortage.

With the iPhone 4 being discontinued last year after the launch of the iPhone 5c and the 5s, Apple lost one of its key sellers in the Indian market, along with its customers as well. With the relaunch of the iPhone 4, Apple is trying to gain back some of these customers.

According to the source, the iPhone 4 8GB will be priced in India at around INR 15,000 ($244) through buy back schemes and EMI options. The phone is expected to go on sale as early as next week.

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Sony Xperia E1 official with 100dB speaker

nside the Sony Xperia E1 you'll find one massively powerful speaker - that's the headliner item in this device, while everything else pales, ever so slightly. Of course as Sony doesn't want to be caught with a phone that only does one thing, you'll also find powers like "shake-to-shuffle" for music and Sony's newest "WALKMAN" app - as well as a 30 day pass for Sony's Entertainment Network music streaming service. There's a 4-inch display up front, too.
This machine isn't meant to go to war with the Xperia Z1 or even the Xperia Z from last year. Instead, with a 4-inch WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) display and 1.2Ghz processor, you’ll be hitting for the mid-tier. With a price-point tipped at well below their average for mid-tier devices. This device will be released with "fast data speeds" with Cat 14 HSPA+ for international data as well as basic speeds here in the USA.This device works with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. You'll find no microSD card slot here for expansion, but you'll be listening to everything in the cloud anyway, right? Inside is also dual-SIM compatibility for international chat as well. Here with availability in white, black, and purple, we'll more than likely see this launch happen internationally first, then in a smaller way in the USA, if at all.
We'll be checking this device out at Mobile World Congress 2014 without a doubt. There we'll see a whole new batch of devices from Sony and the rest of the most major smartphone manufacturers, with an international tip up first. Stick around as we see the smartphone universe transform once again, straight from Barcelona!

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Sony announces big and small smartphones for emerging markets

Sony has a diverse line of smartphones that it sells around the world, everything from the 4.3-inch Xperia Z1 Compact to the massive 6.4-inch Xperia Z Ultra. Today, the company is announcing two new smartphones targeted at emerging markets: the 6-inch Xperia T2 Ultra and the 4-inch Xperia E1.


The T2 Ultra, which comes in both single- and dual-SIM flavors, has a 6-inch, 720p display, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 1GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, support for LTE networks, and a large 3,000mAh battery. It's thin (7.6mm) and light (6.1oz) and is more or less a toned down version of the Z Ultra. Sony notes that the T2 Ultra's display extends to within 2.5mm of the edges of the phone, providing a thin bezel and a body that's no wider than a standard credit card, despite the large size of the display. The company calls it the "world's most portable 6-inch smartphone," which doesn't make it sound too portable to us.





At the opposite end of the spectrum lies the Xperia E1 (also available in single- or dual-SIM versions), which has a 4-inch, 480 x 800 pixel display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor with 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage. The E1 does not have LTE support, but it does work on HSPA+ networks. Sony touts the performance of E1's 100db external speaker, which is said to be loud enough to drown out the sound of a passing motorcycle.

Sony likely won't release the T2 Ultra or the E1 in the US, but the company says they will be coming to China, the Middle East, Africa and Asia in the near future. Exact pricing information for the phones has not yet been released, though Sony says the T2 Ultra and E2 will both have "mid-range" price points.

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