Microsoft announces the Surface 2, 1080p display, Tegra 4 processor for $449

Today at a special event in New York, Microsoft has announced its 2^nd generation Windows RT tablet, the Surface 2.

The Surface 2 is the successor of the Surface RT, it has a 10.6-inch 1080p display, it's powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4 ARM-based processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB/64GB of internal storage, 5-megapixel rear facing camera, 3.5-megapixel front-facing camera, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0 port, Dolby Digital sound, improved kickstand (two lock positions) and battery that provides up to 10 hours of video playback.

The Surface 2 will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow, September 24 and will launch on October 22 in 22 markets, including: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The price is set lower than its predecessor (when announced), 32GB version will cost $449, while the 64GB model will set you back $549.

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BlackBerry sold for $4.7 Billion

In the fast paced world of tech things change rapidly and there is no better proof of that than the buyouts of once tech giants. First it was the buyout of Nokia handset division by Microsoft and now it seems the other mobile giant from days of yore BlackBerry has just gone the same route. According to reports BlackBerry has just signed a letter of intent with Fairfax Financial to sell for $4.7 Billion USD.

According to a tweet by Bloomberg TV:

BREAKING: BlackBerry in letter of intent with group led by Fairfax Financial $BBRY

While sad news we all saw this coming from a mile away... I will report more details as they emerge.

Oppo N1 camera smartphone announced, 5.9-inch 1080p display, 1.7GHz quad-core, 13-megapixel rotating camera

Oppo has announced its first camera-centric Android smartphone, the Oppo N1.

The Oppo N1 features a 5.9-inch 1080p IPS display (can be used with gloves and styluses), 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, Adreno 320 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16/32GB internal storage (no microSD slot) O-Touch (a 12 cm2 rear touch panel that lets you to scroll, tap, or snap photos without covering the screen), 3,610mAh battery and run Android 4.2.2 with Oppo's improved (410 design improvements over stock Android, and 37 unique patents) ColorOS UI on top. Oppo has also announced the collaboration with Cyanogen Inc. and will also bring CyanogenMod Edition N1 on the market (no worries N1 will be easily flashed to CyanogenMod using the stock recovery).

The biggest selling point of the N1 is its camera. The Oppo N1 comes with a single, 13-megapixel rotating camera (tested to last through 100,000 rotations) that features a 206° rotation and can securely lock at any angle. N1 is the first Android smartphone equipped with six physical lenses, it uses Sony's 1/3.06" CMOS module, f/2.0 aperture, long exposure (up to 8 seconds), camera will boot in just 0.6 seconds (a simple 120° rotation of the camera will wake a sleeping screen and let you immediately start taking pictures) and dual flash (a normal flash for back facing shots and a diffused softer light for when you flip the camera forward).

Here are some photos taken with the Oppo N1

The Oppo N1 will also come with O-Click that lets you remotely operate the N1 camera even when you're away from the device (up to 50 meters).

It will launch in China in October for CN¥3,498 (around $570) and internationally in December.

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UK supermarket Tesco introduces the Hudl, a 7-inch Android tablet for £119

Today, UK supermarket chain Tesco has launched its own 7-inch Android tablet, the Hudl. Check the specs and hands-on video after the break.

So what's so special about the Hudl? The price! For £119 you will get a 7-inch (1,440x900 pixels resolution and 243 ppi) tablet running stock Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (with Tesco apps preloaded), 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 16GB of internal storage expandable up to 48 GB via microSD card, 3-megapixel camera on the back, 2-megapixel front-facer for video chat, Bluetooth 4.0, micro HDMI port and battery that will provide 9 hours of video playback.

It will be available in black, blue, red and purple color options from Tesco's online and brick-and-mortar stores starting September 30.

iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c Drop Test – Video

Today is an iPhone day as both the flagship iPhone 5s and lower-cost iPhone 5c are available for purchase. So, what's the first test you want to see when a new device is launched? Drop test of course! Can the iPhone 5c plastic survive few drops? Which one is more durable?

Check the video after the break.

What do you say guys?

Sony Xperia Z Ultra – Video Review

Robert from MobileBurn reviews Sony's first Android phablet, the Xperia Z Ultra. Check the video review after the break.

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra features a 6.44-inch Full HD TRILUMINOS display, quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.2 GHz, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, microSD card slot, 8-megapixel camera on the back, 2-megapixel front-facing camera, 3,050 mAh battery, its waterproof and dust-resistant and run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with Sony's UI on top of it.

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iOS 7 Walkthrough Video

A couple of days ago, Apple have released iOS 7, the latest update to its mobile operating system. Check the walkthrough video and the new features of iOS 7 after the break.

Note to jailbreakers: Stay away from iOS 7 or you will lose your jailbreak!

Android Devices Dominate India With 91% of Market Share While Apple is Not Interested in ” junk part of the market”

 

In a new report that just came out from the Times of India they have confirmed what we thought all along that Android is taking over the world of mobile devices. In this report it states that Android has a whopping 91% of the mobile market in India follow by Windows Phone at a distant second with 5.4% and Apple in third with a meager 2.3%.

While the order of these OS's is not really shocking the sheer amount of Android devices at 91% is and lack of Apple devices at 2.3% is astounding to me. What's the key metric that moves devices in India? Price of course. Android has vendors like Micromax and Karbonn that can produce a quality Android device for cheap (as little as 3000 Rs) in direct comparison to Apple who's new "cheap" iPhone will cost 40,000 Rs India. When the CEO of Apple was interviewed about this exact subject he really seemed unconcerned about the Indian market and others like it.

"There's always a large junk part of the market. We're not in the junk business, I'm not going to lose sleep over that other market, because it's just not who we are."

While Apple has written off this "junk market" other manufacturers like Nokia are attacking it and doing very well for themselves. Nokia introduced the "low end" Windows Phone device the Lumia 520 and now has double Apple's market share in India because of it.

The real question here is how long can Apple afford to ignore large and emerging markets like India and still remain a legitimate global player in the world phone market. My guess is Apple truly doesn't care they have not made an affordable Mac computer to gain market share and they will not make an affordable iPhone either.

Is Microsoft Already Killing Off Nokia Devices?

The Microsoft buyout of the Nokia devices division is not even complete yet and there is already talk that Microsoft is trying to steer the direction of the Nokia product line. More specifically in the tablet and the feature phone area. Both of which could be seen as a direct threat to Microsoft's existing and upcoming products.

According to Russian tech blogger Eldar Murtazin it seems that Microsoft would like Nokia to cancel it's rumored plans for Windows RT tablet and cut back it's line of feature phone Asha devices drastically. It's easy to see why Microsoft would want the tablets to stop with new Surface devices right around the corner however unless Microsoft will be releasing new Windows Phone devices priced starting at 60USD they should simply leave the Asha feature phone devices alone.

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Oppo R819 – Video Review

The R819 (odd, I know) is the newest mid-ranger Dual SIM Android smartphone by Oppo. Check the video review after the break.

The Oppo R819 features a 4.7-inch 720p HD IPS display (1280x720 pixels and 312 ppi), 1.2 GHz MT6589 quad-core processor, PowerVR SGX544 GPU, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 8-megapixel Sony Exmor BSI camera on the back, 2-megapixel front-facing camera and 2,000 mAh battery. What is interesting, while ordering Oppo allows you to choose between stock Android 4.2 and Oppo's own Color ROM. The Oppo R819 is available only in white andretails for $349.

What do you say about the Oppo R819?

BlackBerry Z30 announced, 5-inch 720p Super AMOlED display, 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro – Video

BlackBerry has just announced its "biggest, fastest and most advanced smartphone", the Z30.

Carlo Chiarello, Executive Vice President for Products at BlackBerry said:

"The new BlackBerry Z30 smartphone builds on the solid foundation and engaging user experience of the BlackBerry 10 platform with features like the powerful BlackBerry Hub, its exceptional touchscreen keyboard and industry leading browser. The smartphone rounds out the BlackBerry 10 portfolio and is designed for people looking for a smartphone that excels at communications, messaging and productivity. Having apps like the full Documents To Go suite that comes preinstalled, together with its 5" touch display, the BlackBerry Z30 smartphone gives you a best in class productivity experience on the go."

The Z30 features a 5-inch Super AMOLED display with resolution of 1,280x720 pixels, a 1.7GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, Adreno 320 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card, 8-megapixel camera on the back, 2-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, 2,880mAh battery and run the latest BlackBerry 10.2 OS.

The BlackBerry Z30 roll out from select carriers and retailers around the world will begin next week in the UK and Middle East, all other regions are going to receive it in time for the holiday season. Specific pricing and availability will be announced by BlackBerry partners at the time of their respective launches.

Apple releases iOS 7 and iTunes 11.1

Apple has just released iOS 7 and iTunes 11.1 to the public.

iTunes 11.1 brings iOS 7 compatibility, iTunes radio, Genius Shuffle and Podcast Stations

Full changelog:

• iTunes Radio. iTunes Radio is a great new way to discover music. Choose from over 250 stations or start a new one from your favorite artist or song. Enjoy iTunes Radio ad-free once you subscribe to iTunes Match.
• Genius Shuffle. Introducing a magical new way to experience your music library. Choose Genius Shuffle and iTunes instantly plays songs that go great together. Click it again to hear something new—enjoying your music has never been this easy.
• Podcast Stations. You can now create custom stations of your favorite podcasts that update automatically with new episodes. Your stations, subscriptions, and current play position sync over iCloud to the Podcasts app.
• Sync with iOS 7. You can now use iTunes to sync your favorite music, movies, and more to devices with iOS 7. In addition, iTunes now makes it even easier to quickly organize and sync apps to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

iTunes 11.1 is available to download from Apple's website or just simply launch iTunes on your computer and go to Check for Updates.

iOS 7 is completely redesigned compared to previous iOS versions and adds more than 200 new features including: Control Center, AirDrop, iTunes Radio and more.

If you want to upgrade your device to iOS 7 there are two ways, over-the-air update from your device (go to Settings -> General -> Software Update) and via iTunes (plug in your iDevice and click "Check for Update").

iOS 7 is available for iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini and iPod touch 5^th gen.

Important: If your iDevice is jailbroken and you want to preserve your jailbreak just don't update to iOS 7 or you will lose your jailbreak!

LG G2 vs. Samsung Galaxy S4 – Video comparison

We saw the full video review of the latest smartphone by LG and comparison against the HTC One, but how the LG G2 stacks up against the Samsung Galaxy S4? Check the video comparison after the break.

What do you say guys, which one would you choose?

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Jolla Devices are now Officially Android App Compatible

Finnish mobile start up company Jolla has promised to start shipping out their first production units by the end of 2013 which means in the few months all those who pre ordered will receive their devices. We have seen slight redesign in their device since it's unveiling this summer however nothing more was said about this Sailfish/MeeGo based OS ability to run Android apps till now. Jolla just sent out a press release stating that "Sailfish OS has achieved a major milestone whereby the OS is now compatible with the Android^TM ecosystem, in terms of application and hardware compatibility."

In my opinion this means that the Sailfish OS has the greatest likelihood of coming out the new open source OS race the leader and that Jolla will thrive not only in Finland but other parts of the world too.

Full press release below:

Sailfish OS achieves compatibility with Android ecosystem

 HELSINKI – September 16, 2013. Sailfish OS has achieved a major milestone whereby the OS is now compatible with the Android^TM ecosystem, in terms of application and hardware compatibility. 

 Android applications run directly on Sailfish OS without any modifications

 Users enjoying the unique gesture-based and modern Sailfish OS user experience will be able to take full advantage of the Android application ecosystem available through various app stores globally. Jolla will co-operate with leading global app stores to ensure users can seamlessly download Android apps just as they would do on any Android device.

 “For example, highly popular apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp and Spotify run directly on Sailfish OS. Also Chinese WeChat – already with over 400 million users – runs on Sailfish OS,” says Jolla CEO Tomi Pienimäki.

 Sailfish OS runs on common Android hardware

 Jolla has made a major breakthrough in Android hardware compatibility by developing Sailfish OS to run on common hardware produced for Android, particularly smartphones and tablets. Vendors interested to utilize Sailfish OS are now able to develop phones and tablets based on many different chipset and hardware configurations. This new level of compatibility will enable device vendors who use Sailfish OS to fully utilize the existing Android hardware ecosystem.

 Jolla believes that this breakthrough offers growth opportunities of significant scale for Sailfish OS globally, especially in China. “We believe Sailfish with Android compatibility is a highly relevant mobile operating system option for major mobile companies in Europe and in Asia. We are already in discussions with several major Asian vendors regarding this opportunity,” says Tomi Pienimäki.

 Next production batch will be opened for pre-orders this week

 The last weeks have been very dynamic in the mobile industry and after the Microsoft-Nokia announcement the strategic position of Jolla and Sailfish OS has strengthened significantly.

 “Due to extremely positive feedback and increased demand in the past weeks, we are offering another pre-order opportunity for our second production batch later this week through jolla.com. This will be targeted to Finnish customers who want to express their passion for the Finnish mobile industry,” Pienimäki concludes.

 About Jolla

Jolla Ltd., headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, is developing mobile devices and open Sailfish OS based on the heritage of MeeGo project. In addition to its R&D sites in Helsinki and Tampere, Jolla has offices in Hong Kong.

 Please see jolla.com/pressfor further press and media materials.

Jolla media contact:press@jolla.com

Nokia 108, ultra-affordable camera phone, announced

Today, Nokia has announced its newest ultra-affordable camera phone, the Nokia 108.

Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia said:

"We continue to connect millions of people, including those for whom mobile phone ownership was previously out of reach.

There remains a huge segment of the global population that has yet to own a camera phone. For the next billion people and beyond, we aim to bring new mobile experiences to ever-lower price points, and the Nokia 108 and Nokia 108 Dual SIM are great examples of this commitment."

The Nokia 108 features a 1.8-inch TFT display, microSD card support (up to 32GB), VGA camera on the back, FM radio, Mp3 player, Bluetooth 3.0 with SLAM, measures 110.4x47x13.5 mm, weighs 70.2g and 950mAh battery that provides up to 31 days standby (25 days' standby for the dual SIM variant), up to 13.8 hrs talk time and up to 45 hrs music playback time.

It will available as single SIM and dual SIM variant in red, black and white (yellow and cyan coming at a later date) in the fourth quarter of 2013 for $29 before taxes and subsidies.

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HTC One max pictures confirm fingerprint scanner

Today another round of photos leaked the net showing the upcoming HTC One max.

HTC One max is expected to feature a 5.9-inch full HD display, according to the latest leak it will be powered by a Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 (4x1.7GHz) instead of 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, microSD card support, BoomSound front speakers, 3,300 mAh battery and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out of the box.

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Moto X vs. Nokia Lumia 1020 – Video Comparison

Andrew over at Mobile Burn compares the Motorola Moto X and the latest and greatest from Nokia, the Lumia 1020.

Which one do you prefer, the "freedom" of Android or the "monster" camera and Windows Phone 8?

LG G2 vs. HTC One – Video Comparison

Pocketnow compares LG's latest Android flagship smartphone, the G2, against the HTC One. Which one will come on top? Check the comparison video after the break.

Which one would you choose? Would you replace your "old" HTC One with the LG G2?

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Motorola Moto X factory in Texas – Video Tour

The Motorola Moto X is the first smartphone designed and assembled in the USA. The factory that assembles the Moto X is owned by Flextronics (used to be a Nokia factory) and is located in Fort Worth, Texas.

Check the video tour (after the break) of the facility and what Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Google's Chairman Eric Schmidt and Motorola's CEO Dennis Woodside said at the tour event.

Nokia Lumia 1520 (Beastie) for AT&T leaked

We already heard some rumors and saw real photos of the upcoming Windows Phone 8 Nokia phablet, the Lumia 1520, and now a photo of the AT&T variant (codenamed Beastie) leaked the net.

The Nokia Lumia 1520 will feature a 6-inch Full HD display, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card slot, 20-megapixel camera on the back and will run Windows Phone 8 GDR3 with Bittersweet Shimmer.

The only noticeable change compared to the international (Bandit) version is the pin connector for wireless charging is positioned at the bottom instead of the top.

Fact: Lumia Devices Made by Microsoft Could Still be Branded as Nokias

Ever since Microsoft announced that it will be buying out Nokia's handset division there has been questions on why Microsoft didn't pay extra to use the Nokia brand name on it's Lumia devices. While Nokia hasn't been a top tier player in the mobile sales space recently it doesn't mean that the Nokia name stopped carrying weight. Now it seems that Microsoft may be reconsidering it's non Nokia branding stand.

This is according to an interview done with Chris Weber Nokia’s EVP for Sales and Marketing by Nokia's official blog Nokia Conversations.

NC: How about the Nokia brand on the phones. Having it printed on there? A lot of readers care about that.

CW: In factual terms, Microsoft intends to buy the right to use the Nokia brand on its phones for ten years.

There's a commitment now that this will happen for the Asha and feature phones business going forward.

On smartphones, it's more complicated and we'll be seeking to create a unified brand across Lumia and other Windows based devices. But we're still a long way from when that decision has to be made.

While this is not a hard commitment by Microsoft to keep the Nokia name on Lumia devices it is a softening of their previous statement that Lumia devices would not carry Lumia branding. If Microsoft does opt to put the Nokia name on it's Lumia devices it will benefit them greatly and help ensure brand loyalty to their product. They only downside is that Nokia (what is left of it) is allowed to starting selling Nokia brand smartphones in 2016 again and this may confuse some consumers if Nokia would choose to do so. However since all of the mobile brain trust is going to Microsoft I don't see them doing that and simply choosing to reinvent themselves as a company once again.

Apple officially announces iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S

Today Apple officially announced the much rumored budget friendly iPhone 5C and the high-end iPhone 5S.

The iPhone 5C is made of hard-coated polycarbonate, features a 4-inch Retina display and A6 processor (same as the iPhone 5), slightly larger battery, 8-megapixel iSight camera with BSI, hybrid IR filter and 5-element lens, new Facetime HD camera (1.9-micron pixel size, BSI and FaceTime audio) and supports more LTE bands than any other smartphone in the world.

It will be available in blue, white, pink, yellow and green for $99 for the 16GB and $199 for the 32GB version with a new 2-year contract.

The iPhone 5S is made of high-grade aluminum, its powered by a A7 chip and it's "world's first and only smartphone" with a 64-bit chip, it's twice as fast in speed and graphics (40 times faster CPU and 56x faster GPU than the original iPhone) and runs OpenGL|ES 3.0.There is also a new part called M7, that works alongside the A7 that continuously measures motion data (accelerometer, gyroscope and compass).  It comes with improved battery that will provide up to 250 hours of standby, 10 hours 3G talk time, 10 hours of LTE and browsing, 10 hours of video playback and 40 hours of music playback.

There is also new iSight camera, it has a 5-element Apple designed lens with f/2.2 aperture, a new flash called True Tone (double LED) that solves the problem of clashing color temperatures (there are over 1,000 unique variations), auto image stabilization new burst mode - 10 frames per second, and Slo-Mo feature that captures HD video at 720p at 120 fps.

The iPhone 5S is equipped with a fingerprint (Touch ID) sensor built right into the home button (made of sapphire), it's 170 microns thin, senses 500 ppi, scans your sub-epidermal skin layers and 360-degree readability. You can simply touch your home button to unlock your phone but you can also make iTunes purchases by using your finger to authenticate, it can be set easily and can read multiple fingerprints.

The iPhone 5S will be available in space grey, silver and gold color options. It will be up for pre-order starting September 13 and will hit the stores in US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and the UK on September 20. What about the price? It remains the same, 16GB for $199, 32GB will cost $299, while the 64GB is priced at $399. Apple promises that by December 2013 the iPhone 5S will be available in more than 100 countries.

Apple has announced that iOS 7 will be available starting September 18 and will be compatible with iPhone 4 and newer, iPad 2 and newer, iPad mini, and 5th-gen iPod touch. Also Keynote, Pages, Numbers, iPhoto and iMovie apps will be free for new devices (iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S).

iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C First Look – Hands-on Videos

Apple has unveiled two new iPhones, the iPhone 5C, cheaper version of the iPhone 5 and faster and improved iPhone 5S. Check the first look videos of both handsets after the break.

What do you say about the new iPhones? Will you buy a new iPhone 5C or 5S?

LG G2 coming on Sprint in time for the holidays, pre-orders start October 11

Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T has already announced the pricing and release dates of the LG G2 and today Sprint shared some info regarding availability and pricing of LG’s latest Android flagship.

David Owens, vice president-Product Management and Logistics at Sprint said:

"Continuing to raise the bar in Android innovation, we are thrilled to team up again with LG to bring another top-of-the-line device to our customers. LG G2 brings everything together in a device with a comfortable, functional, convenient and beautiful design. With the multitude of Android apps available for download, LG G2 and Sprint’s new Unlimited Guarantee plans make an ideal pair for today’s multimedia, multitasking lifestyles."

The LG G2 will be up for pre-order beginning October 11 for $199.99 with a new 2-year agreement and will ship "in time for the holidays."  As a compensation for the late launch, all customers who will pre-order the handset will receive a free Quick Window case worth $49.99.