October 24 Time to Launch Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung unveiled the monster-size (5.6 inches!) Galaxy Note II smartphone in late August, but the company has so far been vague about when it’s coming to the U.S. — although the carriers are known.

We’re still not 100% on the timing of the launch, but at least now we know when we’ll know. Samsung just sent out invitations to the press for an event in New York City on Oct. 24. Although the invitation says nothing about what will be on deck, it features a big picture of an S Pen — the Note line’s trademark stylus.

We’ve already had some hands-on time with the Galaxy Note II, and we can say pretty definitively that the stylus pictured belongs to it. It certainly doesn’t match the thicker S Pen that comes with the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet.

The original Galaxy Note was a fine smartphone, although we were a little underwhelmed by the stylus-powered abilities and taken aback by its sheer size (so were various members of the public at large). The Note II looks like a more refined version, but our first impression of it has us worrying about feature creep.

We’ll know soon enough. When it finally comes out, the Samsung Galaxy Note II will come to all four major U.S. carriers: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile as well as US Cellular. We just need to know the date and the price, which should be forthcoming at the event.

Barnes & Noble Nook HD VS. Amazon Kindle Fire HD

Several weeks after Amazon took the wraps off its Kindle Fire HD lineup, Barnes & Noble did the same with two new HD Nook tablets of its own.

The Nook HD joins the Kindle Fire HD and the Google Nexus 7 in the 7-inch tablet game. But which is best? In our hands on with the Nook HD, PCMag found that it might have "the best screen on a 7-inch tablet to date." The Nook HD boasts a 1,440-by-900 display compared to the Kindle Fire HD's 1,280-by-800 screen. But for $199, you get 8GB on the Nook HD and 16GB on the Fire HD. You can bump up to 16GB on the Nook HD for $229 (a 32GB Fire HD is $249).

The Kindle Fire HD is slightly heavier than the Nook HD at 13.9 oz compared to 11.1 oz, but they're virtually identical in size. Both run a customized version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and TI OMAP chips, but the Fire HD sports a 1.2-GHz OMAP 4460 to the Nook HD's 1.3-GHz OMAP 4470.

Both include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support; the Nook HD will connect for free in all Barnes & Noble stores. If you're looking for a camera, the Fire HD has a front-facing one, but you won't find a camera on the Nook HD.

Content will likely be a major consideration. The Kindle HD taps into the Amazon Appstore and its approximately 50,000 apps. The Nook provides access to Nook Apps, which has about 6,000 apps. The Kindle can also access Amazon's video services, but B&N announced that it will soon launch Nook Video, which will serve up similar content.

For more, see the chart above. Also check out PCMag's hands on with the Barnes & Noble Nook HD and the slideshow below, as well as our full review of the Amazon Kindle Fire HD.

 

Top 5 Best Windows 8 Tablets and Tablet PCs

Are you planning to buy a Tablet PC? We have launched this blog dedicated for branded tablets and PCs. We will furnish comprehensive information and latest updates on upcoming various tablets and PCs in this site, which include Windows 8 Tablet PC

Windows 8 tablet PCs are expected to compete with Apple iPad and are expected to offer a lot more features optimized for touch operations. Windows 8 is the latest operating system from Microsoft with dual face, which can run on regular PCs as well as touch based tablet computers. If you are looking for new tablet computers and confused between buying a tablet or PC, wait for few months until some of the cool Windows 8 tablets hit the market. We are gathering forces to review all tablets that will come up later this year.

Samsung Ativ Smart Windows 8 hybrid PC (Aka the Series 5 slate)

Aka the Series 5 Slate is the other name of Samsung Ativ Smart Windows 8 PC, unveiled during IFA 2012 event with ability to transform into a standard laptop. This powerful hybrid machine features 11.6 inches display screen and runs on Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 platform with power engine of Atom-based Clover Trail CPU. Here below is the run down for specification and reviews for Ativ Smart Windows 8 hybrid tablet PC.

Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro Windows 8 hybrid tablet (Series 7 slate)

Samsung rolled up its sleeves with two new Windows 8 hybrid debuts in tablet market. Out of the two Ativ Smart PC pro version is a powerful and stylish tablet (also known as Series 7 slate in US) features 11.6-inches capacitive full Hd display and runs on Windows 8 operating platform with power of Intel’s Core i5 processor and sports dual camera and S Pen technology. Read this post to know specification and reviews for Ative Smart PC pro tablet-laptop from Samsung.

Archos Arnova 8 G3 Android tablet PC with Jelly Bean upgrade

Archos unveiled its new Archos Arnova 8G3 Android tablet targeted at low budget customers who are game lovers and want to read online contents. The Archos tablet features 8-inches capacitive touchscreen display with superb audio experience for users, performs fairly fast and runs multitasking applications. Go through this post to apprehend with specs, price and reviews for Archos Arnova 8G3 Android tablet PC.

Sony Xperia Tablet S

Sony unveiled its new impressive unique designed tablet – Xperia Tablet S featuring 9.4-inches LED screen, super-slim aluminum body and splash proof screen as well as folded magazine style shape. The device also sports dual cameras, xLoud technology and runs on Android 4.0.3 operating platform. This post covers specs, price and features for Sony XPeria Android Tablet S.

Asus Transformer Book Windows 8 Tablet

Asus declared world’s first Transforming tablet-laptop claimed to be switchable between a tablet and laptop very easily via a keyboard dock. Many models with 11.6”, 13” or 14” Full HD display, dual cameras, multi-touch ability and windows 8 OS with latest Intel Core i7 processor. This post covers specs, price, release and reviews for Asus Transformer Book laptop-tablet.

Android 4.1 Upgrade Starts Going Out to the Samsung Galaxy S III

Samsung had a problem when it introduced its new flagship smartphone in the spring -- just a few weeks after the debut of the Samsung Galaxy S III, Google unveiled Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Since then, the S. Korean Company has been scrambling to get caught up.

Today, Sammy began remedying that. An upgrade to Google's latest operating system version has started going out for this popular model. Currently it's only available in a single country -- Poland -- but that's just the start of a process that will eventually bring the new version to users around the world.

Samsung hasn't laid out a timetable for this, so users will have to be content with the vague comment that the release of Android 4.1 upgrades will "vary by market and wireless carriers' requirements."

In the U.S., the carriers will have final control on when this upgrade is available, as they always test an operating system upgrades extensively before putting it into the hands of users.

What's New

Some of the highlights include Google Now, which tries to be a pro-active digital assistant, informing users of the information they want before they know they need it. This includes traffic and weather information, and much more.

The Notification system has been redesigned to be more interactive, and Google's developers made the user interface faster.

Good for Android

Since Android 4.1 was unveiled in June, only 1.2% of smartphones with Google's OS have installed it. Primarily, this is because of the slow pace at which Android upgrades typically go out -- many devices have only just recently received upgrades to Android 4.0.

The percentage of adoption is sure to go up when a very popular model like the Samsung Galaxy S III gets its version.

What Is NFC and What Can It Do for You

NFC is getting a great deal of attention as it becomes included in more smartphone, laptop, tablet, and other device. It's being hyped as The Next Big Thing that will change how we use our mobile devices: everything from shopping to interacting with your home and unlocking your car. Here's an overview of the current and potential uses of NFC.

NFC in a Nutshell

NFC stands for Near Field Communication, and, as the name implies, it's a set of close-range wireless communication standards. NFC-equipped smartphones and other devices can exchange information with each other with a simple tap or wave.

Remind you of tap-to-pay credit cards or apps like Paypal "bumping" to transfer money? That's because NFC is the technology behind many new mobile payments types such as these.

NFC and RFID (radio frequency identification) are sometimes used interchangeably, but NFC is really a newer version or extension of RFID. RFID waves can have very long ranges (e.g., RFID is the tech that helps highway toll readers read your car's toll pass), while NFC limits the range of communication to within 4 inches. This makes NFC perfect for more secure applications like paying for things or securely logging in at a location.

NFC also allows two-way communication, as opposed to RFID's one-way reading technology. So transferring photos or contacts between devices is a common use of NFC (see the "Android Beam" feature on many new smartphones).

Which Devices Have NFC?

Many smartphones and new laptops have NFC chips. NFC World has an exhaustive list of all the phones around the world that are NFC-equipped (available now, coming soon, with limited availability, and more categories). Google Nexus variants have NFC, as do several BlackBerries, HTC phones, and others. NFC chips are also embedded in "tags," which are stickers that your device can interact with.

Among the phones without NFC: The recently announced iPhone 5, despite previous rumors. Apparently, Apple thinks its Passbook feature is enough and people don't need NFC.

Devices that supports NFC:

BlackBerry Bold 9790, BlackBerry Bold 9900, BlackBerry Bold 9930, BlackBerry Curve 9350, BlackBerry Curve 9360, BlackBerry Curve 9370, BlackBerry Curve 9380, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Google Nexus 7, Google Nexus S, HTC Desire C, HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE, HTC Evo 4G LTE, HTC Incredible, HTC One X, HTC Ruby, Motorola Droid Razr, Motorola MC75A HF, Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE, Nokia 603, Nokia 700, Nokia 701, Nokia 801T, Nokia 808 Pureview, etc. (Read more here)

What You Can Do With NFC

NFC is most commonly associated with the "mobile wallet"—the idea that your smartphone will replace your cash and credit cards. In one tap or wave of your phone, you can pay for your groceries and redeem offers or coupons. Google Wallet, partnering with MasterCard PayPass, is one example. You can store all major credit and debit cards in Google Wallet and get a "virtual MasterCard" that pays for your purchases in-store wherever those PayPass scanners are or online.

At the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) this week in San Francisco, Intel showed off the interaction between a smartphone and an Ultrabook laptop. The phone, tapped to the laptop, logged into a site and paid for an online purchase—no form-filling required.

Beyond mobile payments, though, there are a world of uses for NFC, including:

● Paying for your parking meter, at least in some cities like San Francisco.

Getting tickets or boarding passes. Some airlines and buses are also experimenting with using NFC for boarding passes

● Opening doors. BMW has NFC-enabled car keys. Companies and universities are looking into or rolling out using NFC-enabled devices as security badges. To gain physical access somewhere, members need only tap their smartphones at the door.

● Downloading information. Advertisers and marketers can use NFC chips in porters and other promotional materials so all you have to do to get more information is tap or wave your phone (easier than QR codes, perhaps).

 

HTC Elation Windows Phone 8 Device Leaked, Includes Quad-Core Processor

HTC has accidentally posted its upcoming Windows Phone 8 device called HTC Elation on its website. HTC Elation will be the flagship Windows Phone 8 device with specs better than HTC One X. It features Quad core processor, 8MP camera, 32 GB Storage, 2000mAh battery, Beats Audio and 4.7inch SLCD display as well.

Update: As many of our readers pointed out, this "may be" a fan concept and not a real device from HTC. Specs and Design are great, I would like to see it as a real device. We have to wait till Wednesday to see actual details of the HTC flagship device.

5-inch HTC DROID Incredible X Specifications Leaked: 480ppi Screen

A new product launch will be held on September 19, 2012 by HTC. News from BGR lists the detailed specifications of HTC Droid Incredible X, which is said to own 5-inch HD screen and with 1080p video recording support. It is equipped with display screen up to 480ppi. In CPU, it adopts dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. Besides, 4G LTE is supported, Sense 5 interface is employed and Scribe stylus is put to use. At the same time, it is with 1.5G RAM and 16GB storage space, of course, microSD card expansion is available. It is expected that it will be released in autumn this year.

 

If you have got one HTC Droid Incredible phone device, you may need the guide to rip DVD to HTC Droid Incredible video on Windows and Mac, go ahead if you need it.

iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, or iPhone 4? Which is Worth Purchasing?

Apple has announced the long-awaited iPhone 5. Boasting an all-new design, with 4G LTE and a larger 4-inch Retina display, Apple is calling it "the biggest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone."

We've stacked up the specs for the iPhone 5 side by side against the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 to help determine which phone is right for you.

The biggest, most attractive feature of the iPhone 5 is its new design. The phone is 20 percent lighter, 18 percent thinner, and 12 percent smaller by volume than the iPhone 4S. At just 0.3 inches thick and 3.95 ounces, it's one of the thinnest, lightest smartphones available. That's a pretty major feat, considering that Apple has also increased the size of the display.

That's right. For the first time since the original iPhone, Apple has bumped the display up from 3.5 inches to 4 inches. The resolution has been boosted too, up to 1,136-by-640 pixels, which makes for the same 326 pixel-per-inch Retina display as the iPhone 4 and 4S. Color has been improved as well, with color saturation that's 44 percent greater than before. That additional screen size allows for added app functionality, and Apple claims that old apps will look and work just the same as new ones.

Arguably the greatest new feature is support for 4G LTE. This is the first LTE phone that Apple has released, and it will be able to tap into the super-fast new networks from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon (provided you live in an LTE coverage area). The iPhone 5 also includes support for a number of other networks all around the world. And dual-band 802.11n wireless connectivity should accelerate your Wi-Fi experience as well.

The iPhone 5 is powered by Apple's powerful new A6 chip, which Apple claims is up to twice as fast as the A5 processor found in the iPhone 4S. It's also less power hungry, and Apple claims you can get up to eight hours of 3G talk time, eight hours of 4G LTE Internet use, or 10 hours of video playback on the iPhone 5. We recorded nine hours and 22 minutes of 3G talk time on the Verizon model of the iPhone 4S, so the number we see this time around will likely be even higher.

And for the first time in many years, Apple has upgraded its standard Apple Earphones to new Apple EarPods. Designed with fit and comfort in mind, the EarPods are futuristic-looking little earbuds with a built-in remote and mic. They've been engineered to minimize sound loss and maximize sound output using a number of strategically placed vents. Needless to say, these are likely to be a major win over those tinny Apple Earphones of yesteryear.

That's not the only improvement made for sound. The iPhone 5 has three microphones—one on the front, one on the back, and one on the bottom—which should make for clearer audio. And new noise-canceling technology reduces background noise even further.

Improvements have been made to the camera as well. It's still an 8-megapixel sensor, but now it's 40 percent faster, with better low-light performance and improved noise reduction. The phone's gyroscope, processor, and camera app also work together to create seamless, high-res panoramas up to 28 megapixels. And the front-facing camera has been given an update to 720p for HD FaceTime Calls.

Also new is the Lightning connector, which is smaller, more durable, and reversible than the previous 30-pin connector. There's an adapter for all your old 30-pin devices, so don't worry too much, but this one does look like it'll make it even easier to connect.

Siri has been upgraded, along with a plethora of new features in iOS 6. iOS 6 will also be coming to the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on Sept. 19, but Siri is only available on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5.

So is the new iPhone 5 worth it? You'll have to check back for our review before we can make that call, but right now, it looks like if you're willing to drop at least $200, the iPhone 5 will offer some major upgrades over the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4.

If you're looking for a new, entry-level smartphone, and don't want to spend a lot of money, it's hard to beat a free iPhone 4. Still, an extra $100 or two isn't all that much extra to spend over the life of a two-year contract, considering most contracts cost around $100 per month. So if I were shopping around for a new iPhone (and I think I just might be), I'd put my money on the iPhone 5.

 

Overview on New Apple Products: iPhone 5, iPod Touch and iPod Nano

iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 is real and nearly ready to ship and we got a bit of hands-on time with it today. The new phone is just a bit longer than the current iPhone 4S and far speedier. Maps and photos flew by and the various apps popped up in a few seconds.

It's not as earth-shatteringly different than the iPhone 4S, to be sure. While the real benchmarks and games aren't quite available yet, folks who haven't used the 4S will notice a bump.

The screen is the real draw here and I'm really interested to see how it improves the experience in real-world conditions. Obviously you're getting just a bit more real estate and the Lightning connector allows for far more room for battery and processor. Again, it's far too early to tell right now, but if you're looking for something in the sweet spot between monsters like the Samsung Galaxy S III and the arguably bordering-on-too-small (at this point) iPhone 4, this may be a good compromise.

Build quality is quite nice and the solid aluminum is quite unique and quite solid. Hopefully this will reduce some damage if it falls on a hard surface.

The iPhone 5 will be available in both black and white at the same price points as the previous generation: $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB version and $399 for the 64GB variant.

We'll know far more about these phones when we get to really use them later this month but until then I can report that this is a solid and interesting improvement to a solid and interesting phone. Is it a blockbuster launch? Probably not, but it is an interstitial launch that allows Apple to update the screen size and dock connector while still hiding some tricks up its sleeve.

iPod Touch

Apple's long-neglected iPod Touch just got a considerable upgrade with a new design, improved camera, and 4-inch Retina display. Not unlike the iPhone 5, the new model also supports iOS 6 and has a 5-megapixel camera and A5 Dual-Core chip.

The Touch is a considerable improvement over the old model but takes more design cues from the original Touches and iPhone 3G instead of the new iPhone 5. The back panel is curved, not chamfered, but the bottom is almost identical to the iPhone 5.

Games and apps were far snappier (and better-looking) on this new model and at $299 it could be a go-to device for folks not looking to spend big bucks on an upgrade this iteration. While the iPhone 5 is, at best, a minor upgrade, the Touch has been given plenty of oomph and is now far more compelling as a general purpose information manager and media player.

The iPod Touch costs $299 for the 32GB version and $399 for the 64GB version. They will be available in October and up for pre-order on September 14.

iPod Nano

Meet the new Nano: It's definitely not the same as the old Nano. This upgraded model is more akin to the original Nano design with a longer screen and physical home button. The device is far smaller than you’d expect, and it’s mostly glass and aluminum with a bit of plastic to hold it together.

The UI is very similar to the old Nano's stripped-down iOS except that functionality appears in little icons arrayed on the screen. The standard functions are still there – music player, FM radio, sports apps – but this one also plays back video and photos.

The Nano is, to be clear, the runt of the iPod/iPhone litter. It's quite inexpensive, and the screen is far less interesting than anything else in the line. It's great for casual use, and parents may consider it now as a good option for kids. While I still like the previous Nano for its size, this upgrade adds a bit more of the media features we’ve come to expect from iPods.

The Nano will be available in October for $149. It has a 16GB capacity.

 

Read more information:

Apple iPhone 5 Official Unveiled with All-new Design, Bigger Screen, 4G LTE and Enhanced Camera

Those Changes from iPhone 4S to iPhone 5

More than iPhone 5: iPod Nano 7 & iPod Touch 5

Those Changes from iPhone 4S to iPhone 5

Without doubt, the official release of Apple iPhone 5 has boiled the blood of electronic lovers. And right after the release lots of people are wondering what changes there are in the newest iPhone 5 which they have been looking forward to for one year. Besides the 4-inch screen, what are the other changes from iPhone 4S to iPhone 5?

Display

0.5 inch is added to iPhone 5 screen size, and the resolution is improved from 960 x 640 to 1136 x 640, resolution density remains to be 326ppi. In addition, iPhone 5 adopts LG In-Cell plane so the touch flexibility and clearness will be improved greatly.

Processor

iPhone 5 employs A6 processor. Apple officially claims that the performance of A6 CPU and GPU will be 2X better than the previous A5 processor that is included in iPhone 4S.

Camera

In photography, the front-facing camera of iPhone 5 is improved from 300 thousand pixels to 1.2 million pixels so as to allow 720p video recording. The main camera remains to be 8 million pixels.

4G LTE

Meeting up with the expectation, iPhone 5 covers LTE 4G network. The embedded SIM card has been changed from Micro SIM to Nano SIM.

For a detailed comparison between iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, you can refer to the following contrast chart.

September 12 Apple Event: What Can Expect from iPhone 5 and iOS 6

Apple is making an announcement on Wednesday, and, yes, it's kind of a big deal. On Wednesday morning at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco at 10 a.m. PT, CEO Tim Cook will take the stage, in all likelihood, to introduce the next iPhone. This event is arguably Apple's biggest of the year because it focuses on Apple's most important and profitable product, which is generally updated once per year.

Invitations were sent out last week, bearing a number 5, and the phrase "It's almost here." This has led many of us to conclude that the device to follow the iPhone 4S will be called iPhone 5 (which, duh). But that's not all we know about the device. For the famously secretive Apple, this new iPhone is probably one of the worst-kept Apple secrets ever. So, based on a number of leaks and reports, here’s what we can very likely expect on Wednesday.

 

New iPhone

• Slightly larger screen. In a world of smartphones with 5-inch screens, the iPhone's 3.5-inch display can seem small. It's been reported that we'll get at least a 4-inch iPhone display that's slightly taller, but not much wider. The result may mean an extra row of apps on the home screen, and an overall larger area to view apps, ebooks, web content and videos.

• Thinner. The new iPhone could be thinner than ever mostly due to new display technology that combines the glass and the touch layer into one unit.

• Better battery life. One of the things Apple could do with that extra space created by taller phone? Put in a slightly larger, more powerful battery. That's long been an Apple priority, and because of the next item on this list, a necessity for this year's new model.

• LTE networking. This has been an assumption since early this year when Apple introduced 4G LTE as an option on the latest iPad. True, LTE is far more complicated to build for because of the variety of frequencies. But late Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the new iPhone would be LTE-capable and available worldwide, though, according to the report and those usual "people familiar with the matter," it "isn't likely to work with all carriers' LTE networks in all countries, the people said, though it wasn't clear which would be left out."

• Smaller dock connector. It's been rumored since February that Apple is replacing its aging 30-pin connector on the bottom of the phone with a sleeker 9-pin model. This will make room for other components — perhaps 4G radios — but unfortunately require adapters for older docks and accessories. Apple is reportedly planning to roll out the new 9-pin model across all iOS devices.

 

iOS 6

• Details. We heard about many new features of the updated software at WWDC in June. Now that Apple has had time to fine-tune the software and get feedback from developers, we’ll hear more concrete details about the new stuff, from Apple's Maps and navigation, to Siri improvements, Facebook integration, to the tweaks to Safari, Photos and Mail, and more.

• YouTube alternative. Apple will no longer feature YouTube as a default application on all iOS devices, Apple already acknowledged last month. Expect to hear more about what the YouTube video-watching experience on iOS will be like from now on.

• More about Passbook. This is Apple's new application that aims to duplicate the part of your wallet that holds everything except cash and credit cards: tickets, boarding passes, gift cards, reward cards, coupons, and travel reservations. Details about participating companies have been dribbling out, but we should get solid details regarding which airlines, hotels, stadiums, amusement parks, coupon-issuers and others that are officially on board with Passbook.

• App Store redesign. There's going to be a new look and new design for the mobile App Store. Emphasis will be placed on app recommendations through Apple's genius function, and will look a lot more like Chomp, which Apple bought earlier this year.

• Changes to search. This is a longshot, but since Apple's been busy excising its default apps list with anything Google-related, it wouldn't be a stretch to think Apple might move away from Google as the default search in the mobile Safari browser. It would be silly to remove Google outright, but Apple could easily make Google just one of many options for users to select for search, including Siri, Bing and other third-party sources.

4G LTE Support Is Included in Apple iPhone 5?

With Apple holding a special event this week, where the company is likely to unveil the sixth-generation iPhone, the rumor mill is in overdrive regarding this highly-speculated smartphone, with the most recent report pegging the handset with 4G LTE connectivity.

While this is not the first whispering that the iPhone 5 will run on the high-speed network, with Verizon stating earlier this year that all future smartphones will offer 4G LTE support, this most-recent report comes from a source familiar with the matter at the Wall Street Journal.

According to the article, the next iPhone will support 4G LTE networks worldwide, though it won't be available on every carrier. The Apple smartphone will work on the fastest wireless networks around the world, including in the U.S., Europe and Asia, however it isn't likely to operate with all carriers' LTE networks. It isn't clear at this time which countries will be left out.

There have been numerous rumors that the iPhone 5 would have this very speedy form of cellular-wireless networking, and with a large number of Apple's competitors offering LTE-enabled handsets, the company may be looking to gain a customer base by adopting the high-speed connectivity in its devices. The Cupertino-based company already took a plunge into the 4G pool earlier this year, with the release of the third-generation iPad, which supported AT&T and Verizon's networks. Yet, the coverage didn't work internationally, resulting in complaints from numerous countries, including Australia and across Europe.

More about the iPhone 5

Said to sport a larger screen and a smaller Dock Connector, the sixth-generation iPhone is speculated to pack a 1440 mAh battery, which is just slightly larger than the 1430 mAh one in the current iPhone 4S. If reports of 4G LTE hold true, Apple may need to bump up the battery capacity to provide enough power for these new features.

Then again, this is all a guessing game until Apple reveals the device, but as Sept. 12 nears, it's only a matter of days until the mystery curtain is drawn on the iPhone 5.

iPhone 5 VS. iPhone 4S

At this point, there have been enough leaks that it's a safe bet that the next-generation iPhone is going to have a larger screen than its predecessor. A new set of pictures show how much bigger.

Numerous unconfirmed reports have indicated that Apple's next smartphone will be its first with a 4.0-inch display, after using a 3.5-inch one on all previous versions. Images leaking out of China, where the iPhone 5 is going to be produced, apparently show the front panel for this device next to one from an iPhone 4S.

 

If accurate, the images indicate that the next-gen iPhone will be marginally larger than its predecessor, but not dramatically so. This is because the bezels at the top and bottom of the handset have been reduced in size.

 

The display will reportedly use in-cell technology, and is getting a change in resolution, not just size: 1136 x 640 pixels, up from 940 x 640.

 

It is assumed that Apple is making this change because of competitive pressure from devices running the rival Android OS. Many of these have displays much larger than the iPhone 4S -- the very popular Samsung Galaxy S III has a 4.8-inch screen.

 

More iPhone 5 Details

This smartphone is supposedly going to be Apple's first with 4G LTE, giving it a considerably faster wireless connection to the Internet but raising questions about its battery life.

 

It is certainly going to launch running iOS 6, and it may do so on an Apple A6 processor. Other rumors speak of a slimmer design, which includes a smaller Dock Connector. The rear-facing camera may be upgraded from 8 MP to 12 MP.

 

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5 on Sept. 12, and launch it a few days later, in Sept. 21. If the company follows its previous practices, the new version will sell for what the previous one does now.

WP8 HTC Accord Photo Leaked: Possibly Adopts 1.5GHz Dual-core Processor

Three Windows Phone 8 devices are said to release from HTC this year. A HTC Accord phone image is leaked on the internet currently. It has been confirmed that this picture comes from HTC ROM. This is a phone model image of the new device. It is drawn from the image that the phone is running on Windows Phone 7 system. It is said that a pink edition HTC Accord will be provided, which is with the meaning that HTC is trying to offer more active color for Windows Phone 8.

 

Previously we have talked about the configuration details of this phone, but there is news that Accord will employ 1.5GHz dual-core MSM8960 chip which is adopted by American edition Samsung Galaxy S III. It is equipped with 4.3-inch 720p Super LCD 2, 8-million-pixel camera, 1080p HD video recording support, microSD card expansion support and NFC technology. Samsung has released its first Windows Phone 8 device. We are looking forward to the release of the next two devices.

YouTube to Stream London Summer Paralympics Live

Watch out NBC, your delayed screening of the 2012 London Summer Games has just been one-upped by YouTube.

YouTube announced last Friday that it will be streaming the upcoming Paralympic Games live, bringing coverage not otherwise available to viewers in the U.S. and Canada. Though the Paralympic Games will be shown on TV in several countries, International Paralympic Committee’s YouTube channel will be the only option for North American viewers, who will also be privy to live commentary during more than 500 hours of live play.

 

 

In addition to the live coverage, more than 1000 hours of replays, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage will be available to viewers around the world.

 

The Paralympics kicked off in London Wednesday and run through Sept. 9. If you missed the opening ceremonies, you can catch up on YouTube.

 

The U.S. Olympic Committee is making additional content available on its channel, TeamUSA.

 

One event not to miss is the men's 100 meter sprint on Sept. 6, in which South Africa's Oscar Pistorius — known as the "Blade Runner" — will compete. Pistorius made history during the London Summer Games, as the first athlete ever to compete with synthetic limbs.

Sony IFA 2012: The Official Release of Xperia Tablet S Priced at $400

Finally, Sony has released the Xperia Tablet S in 2012 IFA. Just as the rumors described, it adopts Tegra 3 processor, runs on Android 4.0 OS and is with 64GB memory space. It looks like a folded magazine in appearance. The device thickness is between 0.35 to 0.47 inches, and the weight reduces from 1.31 pounds to 1.26 pounds.

Xperia Tablet S also follows the former IR transmitter design which makes it as a universal remote control. Other configuration aspects include full-size SD card slot, 1280 x 800 resolution IPS screen which enables you to watch video on Sony Tablet S perfectly, 6000mAh battery capacity which can support 10-hour standby.

Xperia is said to run on ICS operating system, but Sony has promised to provide Android 4.1 Jelly Bean upgrade so as to optimize all custom applications as soon as possible. There are some special built-in applications in this tablet, for example, the "Watch Now" app allows users getting access to live TV broadcast, and the "check into" option allows real-time sharing on Facebook or Twitter. In addition, Guest Mode has been added to this tablet which allows creating user-defined configuration files and banning certain applications. Of course, Music and Video Unlimited wireless services are included in this tablet PC, so that user can purchase the abundant movie and music files. The last issue, Sony Xperia Tablet S provides 5GB PlayMemories space.

Sony has begun the reservation for Xperia Tablet S and it will be officially listed from September 7. The specific prices are as follows: $400 for 16GB, $500 for 32GB, $600 for 64GB.

Apple iPad, HP Ultrabook laptops make Christmas 2012 layaway list at Walmart

Walmart brought back layaway -- paying for a big-ticket item over a series of payments before you can receive it -- last Christmas as the economy still struggled to emerge from recession. The company announced yesterday that it is offering the service to its customers this year again, with some hot computing products on the list of eligible purchases.

On that list, Walmart includes the iPad (though apparently not iPhone, which were also on last year's list) and HP Ultrabook-based laptops. The retailer says it worked with Apple and HP to make sure that it has enough products available to meet demand. Walmart has also tweaked the details of its layaway program for Christmas 2012.

The open fee -- which is kept if you ultimately can't pay for the item or refunded as a Walmart gift card when the item is fully paid off -- has been increased from $5 to $15. However, the number of days you can pay for an item has increased from 60 to 90 days.

Walmart layaway begins on September 16, though customers liking the company on Facebook after August 28 can start layaways on September 14. The tactic proved so successful last year that the company had trailers outside many locations housing layaway items that were being paid off. This year, expect many of those trailers to once again be stacked full of iPads.

Source from: zdnet.com

Sony New Tablet Xperia S Pictures Leaked

Finally, there is official news coming from Sony on the brand-new tablet Xperia S. It looks like Tablet S in appearance, but the design details make it more elegant. This tablet adopts 9.4-inch screen, with 1280 x800 resolutions. Besides, it will be with 1.4GHz Tegra 3 dual-core processor as well as 1GB RAM. The keyboard protective sleeve which is almost the same with Surface will be applied to it. Simultaneously, according to related news this tablet is compatible with home theater system, so as to allow audio and video seamless playback.

 

At the same time, three models including 16GB, 32GB and 64GB will be provided. The tablet will use aluminum as material and the thinnest place is only 8.8mm. As to the camera, it will be equipped with 8-million-pixel rear camera and 1.3-million-pixel front-facing camera. It is assumed that the 16GB edition will be priced at about $500 while the 64GB edition will be priced at around $751.

 

 

 

Nokia Will Launch Windows Phone 8 Handsets "Arrow" and "Phi" on Sep. 5

Nokia is planning to unveil two new Windows Phone 8 devices at a joint event with Microsoft on September 5th. Sources familiar with the two companies' plans have revealed that Nokia is working on an "Arrow" Windows Phone 8 device that is set to be announced alongside a "Phi" handset. Both the devices are said to be part of Nokia's Lumia range, with the Arrow and Phi codenames serving as temporary monikers.

AT&T will stock Nokia's Phi handset initially as an exclusive hero device, expected to feature a large curved glass display as the successor to the Lumia 800 and Lumia 900, complete with the typical polycarbonate body. The Arrow Windows Phone 8 handset is said to be a mid-range one that will be available on AT&T and T-Mobile in the US. An almost identical variant, codenamed Atlas, will also be available on the Verizon network — but its announcement is likely to come later. A prototype device and parts for Nokia's Windows Phone 8 devices have leaked to the internet in recent weeks, but Microsoft and Nokia will unveil the final design of both handsets next month.

 

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