Samsung wins one in Apple patent-infringement case - MobilEgypt

Samsung today won an important ruling against Apple in Germany. The Mannheim Regional Court ruled today that Samsung does not violate a patent Apple holds related to touchscreen functionality in mobile devices. According to the Korea Times, which was first to report on the judgement, the patent in question relates to the way a touchscreen interprets finger inputs. Apple and Samsung have been waging a bitter patent battle all over the world. Neither company had gained an upper hand until last month when a jury in San Jose, Calif., charged Samsung with copying Apple's products. Over the next few months, Samsung could be forced to pay out over $1 billion in damages and might see some of its mobile devices banned from sale. Samsung told the Korea Times in a statement today that it plans to "continue to further develop and introduce products that enhance the lives of German consumers." According to Reuters, the court didn't just stop at Samsung. Motorola, which was also cited in an Apple lawsuit over the touchscreen technology, was likewise found not to violate the iPhone maker's patent. Apple, of course, isn't in danger of running out of claims. The company has several lawsuits against both Samsung and Motorola in courts across the U.S. and Europe. Many of those suits likely won't be resolved for several months. Meanwhile, Apple's competitors are reportedly considering firing more salvos. Earlier this month, reports surfaced, saying Samsung would launch a lawsuit against Apple's iPhone 5 over its use of 4G LTE . The company claims the integration violates patents it holds related to the speedy wireless service.

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Project Austin's Windows 8 app takes notes from Courier - MobilEgypt

A group inside Microsoft's C++ team has developed a digital note-taking application for Windows 8 that is codenamed "Project Austin." The app allows users to add pages to a notebook, delete or move them, use digital ink to write or draw and add photos. Notes created in Austin can be shared with other Windows 8 apps, like e-mail and SkyDrive. Users can choose different types of "paper" and view the pages in a variety of ways, including leafing through them like a real paper book. The Austin team wasn't trying to compete with Microsoft's more robust OneNote digital note-taking app, according to a September 20 post on the Visual C++ team blog about the new app. But they did take "much of the inspiration and code" from Courier, Microsoft's cancelled, dual-screen note-taking tablet. "We believe in the beautiful simplicity of just a pen and a piece of paper, and that's what we tried to recreate with it. Much of the inspiration and code for the Austin app draws from an earlier project code-named Courier," blogged Visual C++ developer Jorge Pereira. Courier was a Microsoft-developed dual- screen tablet that never made it out of incubation. It was shelved before it ever came to market back in 2010. The real reason behind the development of Austin wasn't so much to resurrect Courier as it was to showcase C++ and Visual Studio 2012 features like automatic code vectorization and C++ AMP, its built in parallel-computing technology, Pereira said. "Austin aims to demonstrate with real code the kind of device-optimized, fluid and responsive user experience that can be built with our newest native tools on the Windows8 platform," he wrote. The Austin team is making the majority of its source code available for download via CodePlex. The team also is planning to continue a series of blog posts about how they built Austin. Austin is built mostly on C++, and also uses C++/CX to interface with the Windows Runtime and XAML to display some user interface elements, according to the post. The graphics engine is built on DirectX. Austin's code is structured with common functions grouped in a library, which the team has codenamed "Baja," inspired by modern modularity design principles. There's no word in the post, designated part one of six, about when and if the team plans to make its app available in the Windows Store. If I get more information, I'll add it to this post.

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HTC One X and One XL to Receive Jelly Bean in October - MobilEgypt

Taiwanese mobile phone maker HTC Corporation might begin the delivery of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to its HTC One X and One Xl smartphones as soon as next month, the latest reports on the matter suggest. MoDaCo’s Paul O’Brien suggests that the unlocked flavors of these two devices will get the update in October, and that all other versions, including carrier branded ones, will receive the new software before Christmas. Of course, nothing has been officially confirmed on the matter for the time being, but the rumor might actually pan out, especially with Jelly Bean out on the market for three good months now. No info on when HTC One S will taste Jelly Bean has been provided, yet we can expect it to receive the update soon after One X, HTC Source notes.

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Kanavos Windows Phone Concept Bets Big on Tiles - MobilEgypt

Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform did manage to bring a change to the manner in which users look at mobile phones, making that step away from the crowd, but the OS might still have a lot to evolve before becoming a leader on the market. One of the main features of the platform is its consistency across devices coming from different handset vendors, yet one designer believes that a series of issues can be found here as well. According to Alexandros Stasinopoulos , there are only few Windows Phones that indeed manage to blend the platform into the hardware, and that this is the aspect that handset vendors should take into consideration when designing new smartphones. He also proposes a new approach to Windows Phone, called Kanavos and aimed specifically at bringing the handset and the software running on it together. “Kanavos suggests a bold industrial design through a number of vertical and horizontal contrast color stripes that is visually completed through the recent minimal but strong windows mobile user interface design,” Stasinopoulos explains. “What is shown on the main menu screen does not disrupt any more the design of the device but, instead, the black stripes of the Windows OS meet the ones of the hardware and thus the OS becomes, in a sense, a bridge between the two sides of the device.” The concept design proposes the relocation of the “Windows” button from the center of the lower part of the phone to its left and right sides, a move that would facilitate the access to its functions. Having so many stripes on a mobile phone might not be a feature that all users would like, but the concept certainly seems highly interesting, especially when considering its proposed consistency across hardware and software. Many people have already started to show increased interest in Nokia’s new Windows Phone 8 smartphones, which makes us wonder whether a device resembling Kanavos will prove successful or not. Let us know what you think of it by dropping a comment below.

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Apple’s iPhone 5 Now Available at Three UK - MobilEgypt

Wireless carrier Three UK has made the new Apple iPhone 5 available for purchase on its network starting today, providing users with the possibility to grab either the black or the white flavor of the smartphone. Packing a 4-inch Retina display, the new model is bigger than previous flavors, while also proposing a slight change in design, with the screen being taller but keeping the same width. The iPhone 5 is now available at Three UK for no upfront cost on the carrier’s £44 per month plan, and can be purchased for £79 on the £34 or £36 plans, or for prices ranging from £129 to £189 on the £32 to £30 monthly plans. This offering is available for the 16GB flavor of the new Apple iPhone, while the 32GB and 64GB versions can be purchased for no upfront costs on the £49 and £54 plans, respectively. In addition to the handset , these 24-month contracts also deliver up to 1,000 any network minutes, 5,000 texts, and various amounts of data (unlimited internet is available on the £44, £49 and £54 plans). For those out of the loop, we should note that the new iPhone 5 arrives on shelves with a fast dual-core 1GHz A6 chip packed inside, to deliver better performance than before. Moreover, the handset features an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back, an iSight camera with panorama capabilities and the ability to shoot 1080p videos (full HD resolution). It also includes a front camera to enable video calling. The smartphone arrives on shelves with the new iOS 6 platform, said to be the most advanced mobile OS in the world, as well as with a range of features powered by it. Among them, we can count Siri—Your intelligent assistant, FaceTime video calling and iCloud—Your content on all your devices, along with support for over 700,000 apps in the App Store, as well as the All-new Apple EarPods.

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The rest only 5 hours on the issuance of iPhone 5 - MobilEgypt

Apple's iPhone 5 event starts 

On San Francisco

Wednesday

, September 12th 

at 10AM PT, 1PM ET

We're once again at the tail end of an annual ritual, the iPhone rumor cycle, and we're just hours away from finding out what Apple has been working on for the past year. Will the iPhone 5 look exactly like the leaks, effectively an elongated 4 / 4S with a new mini dock connector? Will it support LTE on every US carrier? Are there any surprises in iOS 6 that Cupertino has been keeping under its hat? Will it even be called the iPhone 5 at all? Everything will be revealed at 10AM PT on Wednesday, September 12th

The event will start on Wednesday, September 12th. Join us at the times below for all the action!

07:00AM - Hawaii
09:00AM - Alaska
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
02:00PM - São Paulo
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
02:00AM - Tokyo (September 13th)
03:00AM - Sydney (September 13th)

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Motorola DEFY MINI Arrives in South Africa at Vodacom - MobilEgypt

The affordable Motorola DEFY MINI has just landed on South African shores and is now available for purchase through major carrier Vodacom. For the time being, customers in South Africa can grab the DEFY MINI for 245 USD (190 EUR) outright, but Motorola mentioned the smartphone would also be available on contract. The rugged smartphone is dust-proof and water-resistant, but the phone also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass coating for extra protection. According to Motorola, the DEFY MINI “ is strong enough to keep up with you and your wildest adventures. And all for a price that won’t break the bank.” Motorola’s smallest device in the DEFY series has already been launched in most regions of the world, in some cases under different names. Software-wise, the DEFY MINI is powered by Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread platform and has been confirmed to stay on this version of the operating system. In addition, the smartphone runs Motorola’s MotoSwitch UI , which is said to be capable of learning user’s favorite songs and the most frequently contacts that the user calls. All the information obtained is then put on the phone’s home screen for quicker and easier access. On the inside, the DEFY MINI is equipped with a low-performance processor clocked at 600 MHz, 512MB of RAM, 512MB of ROM, as well as microSD card slot for memory expansion (up to 32GB). Furthermore, the handset sports a decent 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display that supports 320 x 480 pixels and 262k colors. There’s also a 3-megapixel main camera with LED flash and video recording. “Motorola DEFY MINI is just the right mix of style, value, performance and toughness. It can stand up to whatever your busy life throws at you, keep you connected and organised while allowing you to capture and share your once-in-a-lifetime adventures – all with resilience and style”, said Dorothy Matemba, Motorola sub-Saharan Africa head of marketing.

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Official Google I/O 2012 Conference App Now Available - MobilEgypt

Next week, Google will kick off its yearly developer conference in San Francisco, between June 27th and June 29th. Dubbed Google I/O 2012, this conference is the place to look for when it comes to major announcements from the company, which means that enthusiasts will want to stay on top of it right from the start. To ensure that this is indeed possible, the Internet giant made available for download an Android-based application for the owners of devices powered by its own platform. The official Google I/O 2012 conference app is now available for download through the Google Play Store, offering support for all devices powered by Android 2.2 or newer, while being optimized for use on all sorts of handset and tablet form factors. Through this app, users can have a look at the conference agenda and edit their personal schedule, while also being able to access details on sessions and code labs, along with speaker information, including speaker bios, photos, and Google+ profiles, all straight from the handset . The software comes with a range of other capabilities as well, including: - +1 sessions right from the app - Participate in public #io2012 conversations on Google+ - Guide yourself using the conference map - Get a reminder a few minutes before sessions in your schedule are due to start - View information about companies in the Developer Sandbox - Keep up with announcements from the I/O team during the conference - View your schedule on your Android 3.0+ device's home screen using an app widget - Play back "I/O Live" session video streams on your Android 3.0+ devices - Automatically sync sessions in your schedule to your Android 4.0 device's calendar - Beam session details from your Android 4.0, NFC-enabled device to another using Android Beam Released on June 19th, the application weighs 2.2MB, and is available for download for free for all those interested on keeping an eye on news from Google’s I/O conference this year.

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Motorola DEFY MINI Arrives in Ireland via Vodafone - MobilEgypt

Motorola and Vodafone have teamed up to bring the rugged DEFY MINI Android phone in Ireland. The smartphone is now available for purchase for only 130 EUR (160 USD) on PAYG (pay as you go). Customers who are willing to commit to a long-term contract at Vodafone Ireland can grab the Motorola DEFY MINI for free on BillPay. The dust- and water-resistant DEFY MINI also offers total protection against scratches and scrapes thanks to its Corning Gorilla Glass display coating. Affordability aside, Motorola DEFY MINI features a large capacity 1650 mAh Li-Ion battery, which is rated by the manufacturer for up to 21 days of standby time or up to 10 hours of talk time. The smartphone runs Google’s Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread operating system integrated with the company’s MotoSwitch user interface. Unfortunately, Motorola has recently confirmed the DEFY MINI won’t receive an Ice Cream Sandwich update in the future. This is understandable if we take into consideration the fact that the DEFY MINI is equipped with a low- performance 600 MHz single-core processor, which is complemented by 512MB of RAM. There’s also 512MB of ROM and microSD card slot for memory expansion (up to 32GB). Motorola DEFY MINI sports a 3.2-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen display (320 x 480 pixels), a 3-megapixel rear photo snapper, as well as a VGA front-facing camera for video calls. “Whether you are stood in a muddy field, watching the match in the rain or enjoying a night out with friends, our smartphones accompany us everywhere. Motorola DEFY MINI is ready for whatever life throws your way, providing the perfect mix of style, value, performance and toughness. It can stand up to whatever life throws at you, keeping you connected, organised and entertained wherever you go ,” said Andrew Morley, UK & Ireland general manager, Motorola Mobility UK Ltd.

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Cricket to Offer iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on June 22 - MobilEgypt

US-based carrier Cricket Wireless has just announced the upcoming availability of the iPhone 4 and 4S on its airwaves. Customers will be able to purchase any of the two smartphones beginning June 22, which is two days after Galaxy S III’s launch in the country. According to Cricket, iPhone 4S will be available for $499.99 USD (405 EUR) for the 16GB model, while the iPhone 4 will be available for $399.99 USD (320 EUR). Cricket Wireless is the first prepaid carrier in the United States to offer Apple’s iPhone 4S. Both smartphones will be available with the operator’s $55 USD per-month, all-inclusive unlimited talk, text and data plan. Keep in mind that Cricket Wireless’ unlimited data offering falls within its fair usage policy of 2.3GB per month. It is also worth mentioning that iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 will be available in Cricket brick and mortar stores and select dealers in nearly 60 markets. Apple’s iPhone 4S will be shipped with iOS 5.1 onboard, along with the company’s highly-acclaimed, but pretty controversial, Siri app. The latter is an intelligent assistant that is meant to help users get information or execute various commands by simply using their voice. Obviously, the smartphone offers a set of free cloud services, which are compatible with iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC, and allows users to automatically and wirelessly store their content in iCloud and push it to all their supported devices. “Our customers want the best products available and we are excited to bring iPhone to our pre-paid consumers with an industry leading $55 per-month service plan. Launching iPhone is a major milestone for us and we are proud to offer iPhone customers attractive nationwide coverage, a robust 3G data network and a value-packed, no- contract plan ,” said Doug Hutcheson, president and chief executive officer, Leap Wireless International, Inc.

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Rumored LG LS970 Eclipse is the LG device we've been waiting for - MobilEgypt

Dubbed the next LG "superphone," the rumored LG LS970 is boasting the kind of specs that will whet anyone's appetite. According to BriefMobile, the LS970, or "Eclipse" as its working title is known to be, may be available on Sprint's yet-to-exist 4G LTE nework. Other speculations include that the device will be released in Q4 of this year, and it'll have a 4.67-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1280x768p, a whopping 13-megapixel camera, and a 2,100mAh battery. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Krait processor it's rumored to be equipped with. This Qualcomm CPU will also be paired up with the equally exciting Adreno 320 GPU, so expect blazing fast internal speeds and great graphic rendering. Two other rumors speculate that the LS970 will have NFC-capabilities , and it'll run on Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS--which just puts the most appropriate cherry on top of this delicious device.

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BlackBerry Curve 9320 and Curve 9220 Get Launched in Latin America - MobilEgypt

Research In Motion is in the process of pushing its new BlackBerry Curve 9320 and Curve 9220 smartphones to more markets globally, and Latin America is the latest of them to receive the handsets. The company has just announced the upcoming availability of these phones in Latin America, stressing on the social networking and messaging capabilities that they have to offer to all users. Although it unveiled plans to release these phones on the continent, RIM hasn’t yet provided specific details on launch partners, nor on the specific availability dates and pricing for the two devices. However, it did say that users who purchase these phones would be able to download a selection of apps for free from the BlackBerry App World until October 1st, 2012. These apps are worth US$25 and include Nobex Radio Premium, Color ID, Screen Muncher and Photo Editor Ultimate, among other. Combined with long battery life and an easy to type keyboard for fast messaging, the new BlackBerry handsets can easily prove a great option for socially connected users on this continent, RIM suggests. "The BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones have been very well received by customers in Latin America as the best messaging and social-centric smartphones in the world," said Rick Costanzo, regional managing director for the Americas at Research In Motion. "We have worked closely with our distributors and carrier partners in Latin America to make it attractive and easy for customers to own either of these two new BlackBerry Curve smartphones." The new smartphones arrive on shelves with integrated social networking, as well as with pre-loaded Facebook and Twitter apps. Moreover, they can keep users on top of messaging and news updates through a single application, the Social Feeds 2.0. Not to mention that both of them come with a dedicated BBM key, which was specifically designed to provide users with access to RIM's popular mobile social network in no time. "The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 and BlackBerry Curve 9220 are designed for ease of use and convenience,” says Matthias Glanz, vice president, product management at Research In Motion. “They will be especially attractive to customers in Latin America who are upgrading to a smartphone for the first time, as well as existing Curve customers looking for a step up in speed and functionality.” Other appealing features of these devices include built-in FM radio, a battery that can deliver up to 7 hours of talk time, and the new BlackBerry 7.1 OS with WiFi Hotspot and other capabilities that RIM has designed it with.

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Samsung Mobile PIN Shops Readying for GALAXY S III Launch - MobilEgypt

With only four days left until Galaxy S III sales kick off, Samsung has officially launched special standalone stores, which are meant to offer customers the possibility to fully interact with the company’s latest Android flagship smartphone. They will be called Samsung Mobile PINs and will be the first European locations to sell the Galaxy S III, starting in London from May 29. The South Korean company also confirmed the first two Samsung Mobile PINs will open on May 29 in London at Westfield Shepherd’s Bush and Old Spitalfields Market. However, Samsung plans to launch two additional PINs in the UK at some point this summer, which will be located in Hyde Park and Olympic Park. According to Samsung, “the conceptual idea of the PIN is a moving landmark experience like a pinpoint on a map.” Customers who are willing to pay a visit to such Mobile PINs will meet Samsung’s fully trained staff members who will share their product knowledge and provide demos, and even allow them to try out other smart mobile devices, functions, services, and apps. Design-wise, the Samsung Mobile PIN’s walls are entirely made of glass, which makes it is easier to move to different locations. In fact, the PINs walls are built with “a two-way customized mirrored glass.” Visitors will also have the pleasure to take part in various events surrounding the Mobile PIN, such as the Galaxy Studio event. Hands-on sessions for Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note will also offer customers the opportunity to learn more about the features of these smartphones. Drawing competitions using the Galaxy Note will also be opened to all visitors. “We welcome everyone to this dynamic and energetic place to fully experience and enjoy all the core features of Samsung mobile products,” said Younghee Lee, Samsung’s senior vice president and head of Global Marketing at Mobile Communications Business.

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New Samsung Galaxy Note II Concept Phone Emerges - MobilEgypt

In early May, Samsung unveiled to the world its latest flagship Android- based device, the Galaxy S III, with a quad-core application processor packs inside, and with a large 4.8- inch touchscreen display on the front. The handset builds on the success of last year’s Galaxy S II, which was also used as base for the building of another high-end handset from Samsung, namely Galaxy Note. Following tradition, a new Galaxy Note model might arrive on shelves with specs that would remind of Galaxy S III, and one concept phone that steps down this road has just made an appearance online. We’re referring here to the Galaxy Note II concept device from Bob Freking (via Concept-phones ), which shows design elements familiar to Samsung’s new Android phone. Basically, Galaxy Note II was thought as a larger version of Galaxy S III and is featuring a 5.5-inch front panel now, up from the 5.3-inch touchscreen display on the original Note. Of course, this is a 1080p HD AMOLED screen, and is complemented by a quad-core Exynos 1.8 GHz application processor, capable of providing users with better performance levels. The same TouchWiz UI from Galaxy S III would be present on this device, though it would have to feature some tweaks to make it compatible with the S Pen technology that Samsung’s Galaxy Note devices arrive with. If we were to let us dream higher, we would even say that Galaxy Note II is meant to bring along upgraded S Pen technology, and that other specs of the device would also be enhanced to make it even more appealing than the original. Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphone was quite successful, and a follower would certainly attract people on its side, although it would be aimed only at a niche market. However, if packed with high-end specs such as those attached to this concept phone, it could easily win the heart of more users.

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Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY Not Getting Android 4.0 ICS - MobilEgypt

Bad news for Xperia PLAY owners as Sony Mobile changed its mind and will not deploy an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade, as previously promised. Although the Japanese company confirmed earlier this year that most of 2011 Xperia smartphones would be upgraded to Android 4.0, it appears that Xperia PLAY has been pulled from the list of ICS-upgradable devices. As KnowYourMobile points out, Sony Mobile published a list of 2011 Xperia phones that will receive the hotly anticipated Android 4.0 ICS update by the end of the year. Unfortunately, Xperia PLAY is not on that list, which includes the following models: Xperia arc, Xperia arc S, Xperia neo and neo V, Xperia mini and mini pro, Xperia pro, Xperia active, Xperia ray and Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman. Sony has yet to offer an explanation for not taking into consideration Xperia PLAY’s upgrade to Android 4.0. Also, we think it’s unlikely that the company may have made a mistake and inadvertently skipped the Xperia PLAY from the list. We don’t have any other details that could shed some light on the reasons that made Sony Mobile change its mind. Even though Xperia PLAY already got a beta Android 4.0 ICS ROM , so owners can experiment with the new features and provide the much- needed feedback, it looks like Sony has suddenly pulled the plug on the whole project. This may have something to do with the latest reports of games crashing on Xperia PLAY while running Ice Cream Sandwich. Unlike other 2011 Xperia smartphone, Xperia PLAY comes with a PSP-like gamepad controller, which seems to be a hard to overcome obstacle in implementing Google’s latest Ice Cream Sandwich platform. On a side note, Sony Mobile already rolled out Android 4.0 ICS updates for Xperia arc S, Xperia neo V and Xperia ray, but owners are complaining of slow performance and various bugs, which is prove to Sony’s poor execution in bringing the ICS to these handsets.

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Nokia N8 Getting Belle FP1 and FP2 Updates Soon, Includes Minor CPU Overclock - MobilEgypt

It looks like Belle FP1 and FP2 major updates will come to Nokia N8 as well. For the time being, Nokia 808 PureView is the only smartphone that comes with Belle FP1 out of the box. However, the update is expected to be pushed to all Nokia N8 units pretty soon. During the official launch of Nokia 808 PureView and Lumia 900 in Italy, the company’s Product Manager Mattia Fiorin told Nokialino that FP1 would soon be available for the N8. According to Nokia’s official, FP1 will bring the latest Nokia Browser 8.2 , along with a new version of Social app. Moreover, it is said that the update will be specially tailored to match Nokia N8’s requirements, which means it will be smaller than the standard FP1. That’s because Nokia N8’s 680 MHz ARM 11 CPU’s processing power has already been stretched out to its limits and would not cope well with the full version of FP1. In fact, it appears that the Finnish company plans to make a minor overclock to the smartphone’s processor in order to successfully enable all the FP1 features without losing on the performance and stability side. We’re not sure what this “minimal overclock” would mean for N8’s CPU, but if it does make the smartphone run faster with FP1 on-board, then that’s good news for Nokia N8 owners. Obviously, this is not the first time that Nokia does this overclocking trick. Nokia 701 and 700 received a bump in speed when their CPUs where overclocked from 1GHz to 1.3 GHz. There’s more to it as Nokia’s Mattia Fiorin also confirmed that the N8 will also receive the upcoming FP2 update, which has yet to be officially announced. On a side note, a new firmware update for Nokia N8 has just been spotted in Spain at Navifrim. Software version 111.30.610 will soon be pushed to N8 units, though we don’t have any changelog available for the moment.

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RIM Updating the BlackBerry App World Ahead of BlackBerry 10 - MobilEgypt

Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion is gearing up for the release of a new major flavor of its mobile operating system, namely the BlackBerry 10 platform, and it is also making changes to some of the services that will be available for it. The BlackBerry App World, the one place where those who use RIM’s smartphones can find and download apps and games, is suffering some modifications as well. According to the latest reports on the matter, RIM has already sent out notice to developers to inform them on these changes, yet an official public announcement hasn’t been made yet. Some of the main changes that the app portal will suffer include the addition of a new Music Creation category, along with some new categories for children, and the removal of the Beta section. Apparently, the News cat in the BlackBerry App World has been expanded to include magazines and Blogs as well, and it has been rebranded to News and Magazines. The Reference and eBooks & Education was split into two sections, one being Education & Reference, while the other is Books. The Shopping section is now called Lifestyle, while Maps & Navigation has become Navigation and Travel and, obviously, includes the Travel category as well. The Music Creation section was added to Music and Audio as a subcategory, and there are also two Children’s Categories, namely Children’s Games in the Games Channel, and Children’s Books in the Books category. As mentioned above, another major change involves the Beta category, which is being discontinued. All apps in this category will be moved to relevant sections. What RIM hasn’t explained is how it will handle the beta testing of applications. The vendor already announced that it planned on removing sideloading of applications from its PlayBook tablet, and it might apply the same approach to the BlackBerry 10 OS as well. Only developers will be able to install applications from unofficial sources, which means that the Beta Zone might soon be shut down. Hopefully, the company will provide clarification on the matter soon, so stay tuned for more on this.

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Bell Canada Rolls Out Android 4.0.3 ICS for HTC Sensation and HTC Raider - MobilEgypt

Although an earlier Bell Canada internal document leaked online mentioned HTC Sensation and HTC Raider were slated for an Ice Cream Sandwich update in June, the carrier has just released the hotly anticipated upgrade. The carrier announced via Twitter that Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was at the time available for download for HTC Sensation 4G and HTC Raider 4G: “More Ice Cream Sandwich goodness! Android 4.0 is now ready for the HTC Sensation 4G and Raider 4G LTE superphones.” However, a screenshot published by the folks over at MobileSyrup reveals that this is in fact Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich. The update is about 310MB in size and can be installed OTA (over the air). Those who have yet to be notified on the update can manually check for it by going to Settings / About phone / System software update / Check now. Aside from bringing the phone's software to version Android 4.0.3, the update also upgrades HTC Sense user interface to version 3.6. It also comes with Face Unlock feature, which integrates face recognition device unlock capability. In addition, it adds Android Beam ability, allowing for fast and easy sharing of content. Data control management has been included as well, along with enhanced cloud-based connectivity, improved usability and voice tools enhancements. Good news for Virgin Mobile Canada customers as the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update is now available for HTC Sensation owners as well. On a side note, Bell Canada also plans to release the Ice Cream Sandwich update for a few more Android devices. For example, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is scheduled to receive the upgrade by the end of this month. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE is slated for an Android 4.0 ICS update in June. Last but not least, LG Optimus LTE owners should receive their promised Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade sometime in July.

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Best Android ICS smartphones (roundup) - MobilEgypt

In my view, smartphones are all about the future and the best handsets are usually the ones with the wildest, slickest mobile technology. Sure, cutting-edge wireless computing rarely comes cheap especially phones running Google's latest and greatest version of Android software, Ice Cream Sandwich. Still it's good to have a dream, and right now I'm fantasizing big time about the best phones money can buy. As ICS handsets actually begin to hit the market, my once wistful wishing is slowly becoming reality. Here's a group of my favorite top-notch devices so you can live the ICS dream too. HTC Evo 4G LTE (Sprint), May 9, 2012 Many said that no phone on earth could outdo the legendary Evo 4G, let alone a sequel. The new HTC Evo 4G LTE proves that the doubters were wrong, at least mostly. With killer good looks, a massive 4.7-inch screen, fast dual-core power, and Android ICS paired to HTC's revamped Sense 4 UI this Evo has almost everything. If and when Sprint's 4G LTE service shows up, we may have a real winner on our hands.Read the full review of the HTC Evo 4G LTE. Samsung Galaxy S III (Unlocked), May 3, 2012 Ok I know, the Samsung Galaxy S III isn't officially out yet but I couldn't make a short list of ultra-hot ICS handsets without including sammy's flagship Android for 2012. Rumors are that the advanced device may arrive on American shores en mass as early as June, certainly by sometime this summer. The phone boasts an even bigger screen (4.8-inches) than the Evo 4G LTE and it's an AMOLED display as well (1,280x720 pixels). Also, not only does the Galaxy S III have Android ICS, the smartphone's software is driven by the latest Samsung quad-core Exynos processor. Read our hands on with the Samsung Galaxy S III. HTC One X , May 1, 2012 Want to know what the best Android phone on is? You're looking at it. The HTC One X for Ma Bell is essentially the inspiration for Sprint's new Evo 4G LTE and a dual-core clone of the international HTC One X (quad-core Tegra 3). But don't let its lower core-count fool you, the U.S. One X is plenty fast, also comes with a lovely 4.7-inch screen, Read our full review of the HTC One X. HTC One S (T-Mobile), April 18, 2012 Super slim and carved from a single block of anodized aluminum, the HTC One S for T- Mobile is a true smartphone vision. Also easy on the eyes is its gorgeous 4.3-inch Super AMOLED screen (960x540 pixels) that paints movies and pictures in stunningly vibrant colors and dark blacks. Of course Android ICS is on board along with HTC's Sense 4 interface plus a connection to T-Mobile's quick 4G HSPA + data network. Also, like all the other phones in HTC's One line the One V has a fast and feature-packed 8MP camera. Read our full review of the HTC One S. Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Verizon), December 14, 2011 It's hard to talk Ice Cream Sandwich without mentioning the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. This phone is by no means new but it was the flagship Android ICS device and offers a mostly pure taste of Google's fresh OS. Plus, until the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx gets an ICS upgrade, it's the sweetest Verizon Android option around. Also, while the Sprint version supports the Google Wallet mobile payment system, the Verizon model is 4G LTE capable now which personally matters more to me. Sprint's GNex sadly is still waiting for the carrier's promise of LTE in the future. Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Verizon).

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What Google can do with Motorola - MobilEgypt

All eyes will be on Google, as it takes a sudden plunge into the hardware business, courtesy of Motorola. The $12.5 billion deal, which closed today, netted Google a healthy stockpile of patents for legal defense and offense, along with a historic technology brand and a multibillion- dollar handset and TV set-top box business. It's pretty obvious what Google will do with the patents, given the increasingly litigious environment in which the technology world finds itself. Motorola's last few years of losses also bring a clear tax benefit to Google in the near term. But what is less clear is just how the company will proceed with the actual business of Motorola. "There are so many different things they can do, and I don't think Google quite knows yet," said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Gartner. Google and Motorola declined to make an executive available to comment on their plans. Well, that's where CNET comes in. The following are some of the options available to Google, as well as their likelihood and implications. An independent Motorola This is a certainty for now, but it could fade as time goes on and plans change. For now, expect Google to keep Motorola running as an independent business. The company wants to tread lightly and stick to its promise of staying neutral. The best way to do this is to run the company at arm's length. Not that Google and CEO Larry Page don't want to leave their mark on the newly bought company. Page installed "longtime googler" Dennis Woodside as its new chief executive, as well as several executives from an array of different companies, from Amazon to Visa. These executives, including Woodside and fellow former googler and marketing lead Gary Briggs, will get Motorola e-mail addresses, not Google ones, so the brand will remain alive from top to bottom. Analysts, however, warn that there is little business advantage to running Motorola independently. Google can't give Motorola early access to Android, since it would anger its handset partners. But the business by itself isn't so great. The company was losing money before it was scooped up, having posted a wider first- quarter loss in its last report as an independent company. That's despite a successful flagship phone at Verizon Wireless, with the Droid Razr. If left alone, it's tough to see the company doing much better, given its already prominent position at Verizon. The other carriers have largely given up on Motorola, but perhaps the new executive team can turn things around. Still, even in the best conditions, the margins are much lower than its own core advertising business. Showcase for Android Google could also use Motorola as a way to ensure that there is a healthy supply of stock Android experience devices in the market. Android is getting fragmented, with every handset maker opting to customize their phones with skins or other unique features, all in an effort to stand out in the market. It's highly likely that Google could go this route. "(Motorola) gives them the vehicle to deliver the Android experience that they see fit," Gartenberg said, adding that Motorola could be used as a showcase for stock Android software without trying to dominate the market. Still, that's a tough line for Google to walk, and the other handset vendors will likely scrutinize how these products come to market. When Android is made available to everyone will be the key. Google is reportedly planning to grant early access to the latest releases of its platform to multiple vendor partners, creating multiple "Nexus" devices at once. That would do a lot to assuage industry concerns. Vertical integration Google could take it a step further, working with Motorola directly to build its own flagship Android phone with the latest release. The company could take the Apple route, creating a full end-to-end product with Google hardware and software. Google could finally have a line of product over which it has complete control. Previously, it had to rely on the designs and manufacturing chops of its vendor partners. It has that expertise in-house with Motorola. This is an unlikely scenario, as it would put Google directly in competition with a phone that has software advantages over its products. "If they become a competitor, the other guys will walk," said Matthew Thornton, an analyst at Avian Securities. "They will flee very quickly." Despite Android's dominance now, it isn't the only game in town. Windows Phone flopped early for most of the vendors, but that's largely because they were focused on Android. Thornton said Windows Phone could thrive, if a company like Samsung put its full weight behind the operating system. A slightly more plausible vertical-integration scenario would be with Motorola's set-top business. The little-mentioned business was actually the more consistently performing unit of the two. The company actually unveiled a new interface that makes it better to search for TV programs without searching. It's not a great leap to see Google TV and the set-top box business getting integrated. Still, that could also face its own obstacles, since the cable and telecommunications companies purchase the boxes, and it's unclear whether they want Google's capabilities in those boxes (rather than their own services). Shed the business Google could also throw its hands up and just get rid of the business. There's a 50-50 chance that this could happen. "It's a silly place to be in," Thorton said. "You know they're nervous, despite what you tell them." The best way to ease their concern: sell the business, and keep the patents. Thornton said he wouldn't be surprised, if the company wasn't already entertaining discussions with potential acquirers. Despite Motorola's struggles to get back atop the smartphone perch, the business still has value. Its brand would be a boon to an Asian vendor looking to break into the U.S. market in a big way. In particular, the company has strong ties to Verizon, which continues to back it with major marketing support. The set-top box business could be sold in a separate deal to another set-top box maker or venture capital fund. That's highly likely, despite the potential of a Google TV-Motorola box combination. Google could take its time with a sale, though. Motorola's past years of losses mean that Google can apply those net operating losses to its own profits for a tax gain. The company would likely prefer to use that tax benefit before moving forward with any deal. There has been a growing camp of believers who feel that Google should -- and will -- sell the business. "Ultimately, I don't think Google wants to go the hardware route," Thornton said.

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U.S. Cellular first carrier to curate Amazon Appstore for subscribers - MobilEgypt

Regional wireless provider U.S. Cellular has become the first carrier to offer its customers a list of curated apps from the Amazon Appstore. Announced today, these Android users will find a new menu greeting them when they launch the Amazon application. Tapping the menu will result in a list of titles that have been handpicked by the carrier to provide a "practical and fun" experience. U.S. Cellular indicates that the selected apps will span multiple categories (games, business tools, social media,etc.) and will be regularly updated. While pre-installing the Amazon Appstore isn't new in itself, I've yet to see a service provider deliver a list of curated titles. Today's announcement is but the latest from U.S. Cellular which showcase the carrier's desire to impress its customers. This, along with other services such as Battery Swap and Rewards Program is why J.D. Power and Associates has chosen it as Customer Service Champion two years running. Frankly the bigger players in this space could learn a thing or two from U.S. Cellular. The Amazon Appstore, on a bit of a roll lately , was recently found to be more profitable for Android developers than the Google Play Store. I can imagine that this added carrier endorsement will help convince users to spend an extra buck or two on the latest apps. Would you give extra consideration to an app if your carrier recommended it? It's clear that U.S. Cellular certainly thinks so.

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Virgin Mobile Debuts New $40 Monthly Unlimited Talk and Text Plan in US - MobilEgypt

The no- contract US- based carrier Virgin Mobile has just announced the immediate availability of its new $40 payLo monthly plan that promises to rock your world. Beginning today, customers who prefer monthly plans over long-term contracts can check out Virgin Mobile’s new offering, aimed at those who would rather use their phones for talking and messaging, and less for mobile browsing. Traditional customers can be sure that Virgin Mobile’s new $40 monthly pre-paid plan will meet their requirements and then some. The new payLo plans offers subscribers unlimited talk and text plan, which means unlimited voice minutes and messages (text, picture, email and/or IM). In addition, customers will also get about 50MB of mobile data, which can be used occasionally to browse the Internet. According to Virgin Mobile, the $40 monthly plan is an excellent choice when combined with some of the carrier’s affordable feature phones, such as the Samsung M575, which is available for only $49.99. The M575 comes with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, allowing for faster and more accurate texting. Furthermore, the slider sports a decent 2.4-inch display, a 2-megapixel rear photo snapper with camcorder, as well as Bluetooth, easy access to the Web and Virgin Mobile Navigator. There is no mention on the phone’s storage amount, but Virgin Mobile confirms the Samsung M575 supports microSD cards that allows for memory expansion. Last but not least, it is worth mentioning that payLo by Virgin Mobile does not require activation fees and long-term contracts. Those who choose one of the carrier’s plans can add to a monthly balance with payLo or Virgin Mobile Top-Up cards, or with a credit/debit card or PayPal account online. “Even with the huge increase in data usage, there are still millions of people who mainly talk and text, and they deserve reliable service and phones. Half of our current payLo customers are primarily talking and texting, and now we’re providing to them unlimited value that suits their needs,” said Mark Lederman, director, payLo.

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Samsung Galaxy S III (SCH-I535) Spotted at Bluetooth SIG, Possibly Coming to Verizon - MobilEgypt

A certain Samsung Galaxy S III (SCH-I535) has just been approved by Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) organization. Although the smartphone is said to come with CDMA support, unless we see some bands listed, we can’t be sure that the Galaxy S III will be launched at Verizon Wireless. According to the documents filed at Bluetooth SIG , Samsung SCH-I535 is aimed at the North American market, though Verizon is not the only CDMA carrier in the region. Obviously, the smartphone is integrated with Bluetooth version 4.0 technology, allowing for wireless connection to optional, compatible hands-free accessories such as Bluetooth technology enabled headsets and car kits. Lately, we’ve seen multiple Galaxy S III variants being approved at either Bluetooth SIG or FCC (Federal Communications Commission), though this is the first time the SCH- I535 makes headlines. We’re expecting the Galaxy S III to come to the United States with a huge 4.8-inch Super AMOLED (PenTile) capacitive touchscreen display that supports HD (720 x 1280 pixels) resolution, and features Corning Gorilla Glass 2 coating for extra protection. Unfortunately, instead of being one of the smartphone’ strong points, the display has been reason for ruckus among Samsung fans who were expecting the company to drop PenTile mobile displays for good. All in all, the Galaxy S III will be powered by the latest Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system integrated with TouchWiz 4.0 UI. Moreover, the smartphone comes packed with several unique applications and services, which are meant to improve user’s experience with the phone. Some of the apps announced by Samsung include S- Voice, S-Beam, Direct Call, Smart Stay and AllShare. Hardware-wise, it will be interesting to see what kind of SoC (system on a chip) the Galaxy S III will boast in North America. It’s likely there will be more than one version of the smartphone, so we expect the device to come with or without LTE support.

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TELUS Refreshes “OS Upgrade Schedule,” Promises ICS for Galaxy S II on June 12 - MobilEgypt

Canadian carrier TELUS has updated its software upgrade schedule once again, but this time we have more details on certain devices. For example, the operator says it is going to upgrade the Samsung Galaxy S II X to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on June 12. Although the release date is subject to change, at least we’re certain the update will come next month. Furthermore, the Galaxy Note is also mentioned in TELUS scheduler for software upgrade. According to the carrier, the smartphone will receive its Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update sometime in late June. We suspect that TELUS and Samsung plan to update the Galaxy S II first, soon followed by Galaxy Note. Two Galaxy Tab tablets will also get their Android 4.0 ICS updates in late July, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and Galaxy Tab 10.1, though we don’t have an exact release date for either. Apparently, TELUS and Sony Mobile plan to provide Xperia ray owners the possibility to upgrade their devices to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich beginning late June. In addition, LG Optimus LTE will also get the Ice Cream Sandwich update sometime in mid-July. The official document has also confirmed Android 2.3 Gingerbread is currently available for LG Optimus Black, while Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi has just gotten the highly anticipated Android 4.0 ICS update. In addition, HTC Amaze 4G has been confirmed for an Ice Cream Sandwich update on May 28, so we should expect it to arrive in about a week. Nokia Lumia 800 and LG Optimus 7 Windows Phone devices are expected to receive software updates as well, though the carrier does not unveil any details for the moment. The former will get it in early June, while the latter will receive it on June 6. Last but not least, BlackBerry Bole 9790 is slated for a 7.1 OS update in early June. Stay tuned for more info on the matter.

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HTC Amaze 4G Orders Postponed at T-Mobile USA Due to “an Unforeseen Issue” - MobilEgypt

Since HTC and Apple have been battling in court, each had the upper hand at some point. This time it’s Apple who managed to stop sales of HTC’s products in the United States. Although the Taiwanese handset manufacturer has built a tremendous hype around the HTC EVO 4G LTE, which was supposed to be released via Sprint on May 18, Apple obtained an exclusion order for the smartphone. This means that until the problem is resolved in court, or settled between Apple and HTC, customers won’t receive their pre-ordered EVO 4G LTE units. AT&T customers will soon be in the same position as HTC One X shipments are stuck at US Customs as well. Today, the folks over at TmoNews got word that at least one other HTC product might be affected by this exclusion order issued by ITC. It appears that customers who order the HTC Amaze 4G via T-Mobile USA’s online store are getting strange messages in return, which somewhat confirms that the carrier does not have the smartphone anymore and no clue on when it might be back in stock. Instead, customers who order the HTC Amaze 4G are recommended to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G as a replacement, though no further explanation is offered. Below you are presented with an excerpt of the letter sent to all customers who order the HTC Amaze 4G via T-Mobile USA’s online store: “Thank you for your recent order. We wanted to let you know that your order for the HTC Amaze has been delayed due to an unforeseen issue with receiving the product from the manufacturer. At this time, we do not have an estimate as to when the product will be available. Because we don’t know when the product will be available, we recommend that you choose an alternate device.” For the time being, this only affects the US, so Android fans living in Canada are still able to purchase any of the above mentioned devices, though there’s no telling for how long. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.

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Samsung Galaxy S III S Voice APK leaked online - MobilEgypt

If you find yourself with nothing better to do this weekend, then you might have a bit of fun playing around with Samsung's soon-to-be- released S Voice application on your rooted Android 4.0 smartphone. The APK has now made its way into the wild, and we couldn't help but take it for a spin on our Nexus S. First off, while we can't vouch for the security of the file, we can confirm that it's indeed functional. Secondly, while some of the S Voice features work just fine -- such as search or contact queries -- other requests such as navigation repeatedly caused the app to crash. In other words, if you're expecting this app to behave as it should on the Galaxy S III, you might be in for a disappointment. If you're merely looking to poke around with the S Voice functionality, however, the download seems quite worthwhile. At this point, we're most curious to know whether non- Samsung owners have similar luck. If you're willing to give 'er a go, let us know your experience in the comments below. Update: We've also now tested the leaked APK on our Galaxy Nexus, and are happy to report that S Voice works quite flawlessly. As always, your mileage may vary. Via : Talk Android Source : xda-developers

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Microsoft exec says Windows Phone outselling iPhone in China - MobilEgypt

Going by Microsoft's Greater China COO Michel van der Bel, the launch of Windows Phone in China is off to an auspicious start -- enough to give Apple the shakes. He claims that devices like the Nokia Lumia 800c have helped Windows Phone reach seven percent of the Chinese market, or just enough to get past the six points of the iPhone. We're waiting on hard data before we take van der Bel's word: the top smartphone makers worldwide aren't depending much or at all on Windows Phone, and the iPhone has a thriving gray market in China that masks some of its real numbers. Having said this, we've seen signs of Windows Phone enjoying a bit of a surge even in an iOS- and Android-loving Europe, so we'll be watching to see if there's an uptick in the number of buyers saying ni hao to Microsoft in the near future. Via : CNET Source : Emerce (translated)

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China to Google: Android must remain open - MobilEgypt

In giving the thumbs-up to Google's acquisition of Motorola, regulators in China stipulated that Google must make Android free and open for five years, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed with CNET today. The stipulation would seem to be designed to keep Google from denying Motorola's handset competitors access to the mobile operating system, or from giving Motorola an advantage of some sort -- such as integration between its handsets and Android that's tighter than connections between rival phones and the OS. From the beginning, Google has taken an open approach with Android, making it free and available to any hardware manufacturer -- a strategy that's helped to quickly make Android the No. 1 mobile OS globally. "Many hardware partners have contributed to Android's success and we look forward to continuing our work with all of them on an equal basis to deliver outstanding user experiences," Google CEO Larry Page said during a conference call last August, at the time the intended acquisition was announced. "We built Android as an open-source platform and it will stay that way." Still, despite the offering of such olive branches, and despite Android's great success as an open OS, Motorola rivals may well have been nervous. "Any way (Google) tries to couch this, there's no doubt Motorola is the most favored player," Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg told CNET's Roger Cheng in August. "If I'm a third-party vendor, I have some real concerns here." That's in part because it could have at least crossed Google's mind to integrate its software and services more tightly with the Motorola hardware, following Apple's end-to-end approach with its own hardware and services. Apple uses the sale of its iPhones and iPads to drive sales of iTunes, the App store, iCloud, and other offerings. Google, of course, has its own services -- Google Drive, Google+, and so on -- and a Google-focused Android device could further push subscribers to them. Ultimately, it's these services that are the money-makers for Google. Fragmentation of Android is another concern, and a dominant, tightly integrated Android handset might help to address that. What, then, would rival phone makers do? There aren't many alternatives to Android. Windows Phone might become a more attractive option, but then, Microsoft has a cozy relationship with Nokia, so it could be deja vu all over again. Here's what CNET's Maggie Reardon had to say back in August, in a discussion of the merger's possible impact on consumers: What is likely to happen is that HTC, LG, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung will remain Android partners, but they may have to find new ways to differentiate their products from Motorola's more Google- centric hardware. This may mean that HTC offers more advancements for its Sense software, which rides on top of the Android software. And Samsung may develop more TouchWiz customizations. For consumers this could either be a good thing or a bad thing. If executed well, it will offer consumers more variety in device capabilities as well as look and feel. But if it's not executed well, it could just mean more fragmentation in the Android ecosystem. Reardon also wrote that the merger would probably lead to more-advanced devices from Google, a good thing for consumers. With the stipulation from China's regulators (which was reported earlier today by several media outlets), all this may have become moot. And if Google is to be believed, it may not have been an issue anyway. A company representative told CNET today that Google's "stance since we agreed to acquire Motorola has not changed and we look forward to closing the deal." So, had it crossed Google's mind to tie Android tightly to Motorola handsets? We might have to wait five years to find out. And who knows what the landscape will look like then?

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LG Optimus LTE II Goes on Sale in South Korea - MobilEgypt

World's first Android phone to feature 2GB of RAM, the LG Optimus LTE II has just gone live in South Korea. The smartphone is now available for purchase through all three main carriers. Although the handset has been made available only in South Korea, LG confirmed the Optimus LTE II will be launched worldwide, but more details on that will be unveiled in the following weeks. With 2GB of RAM, LG Optimus LTE II offers an optimal multitasking at running large applications. In addition, the smartphone boasts an incredible 4.7-inch True HD IPS capacitive touchscreen display that supports HD (1280 x 720 pixels) resolution and is capable of emitting 550 nits. The device is powered by a dual core Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, which is complemented by an Adreno 225 graphics processing unit and 2GB of RAM. Furthermore, the Optimus LTE II embeds 16GB of internal memory, which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. Another strong point of the smartphone is the high-capacity 2,150 mAh Li-Ion battery, which is rated by the manufacturer for up to 250 hours of standby time or up to 10 hours of talk time. LG also confirmed the Optimus LTE II runs Google's Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system with the new Optimus UI 3.0 on top. The latter offers users a slew of convenient features such as face recognition unlocking, widget size control and easy-to-organize folder management. It is also worth mentioning the smartphone comes with support for wireless charging, which means it can be recharged by placing it on a wireless battery charging pad. “The Optimus LTE II is the most powerful smartphone technology currently available in Korea. With a faster LTE network, the barrier for downloading and running very large applications is no longer a significant one for many customers, which is why LG saw a need for more RAM on high- end smartphones,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company.

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Samsung Galaxy S III Spotted at FCC En-Route to T- Mobile USA - MobilEgypt

With only two weeks left until Galaxy S III is expected to hit shelves in Europe, the smartphone has been spotted at Bluetooth SIG and FCC (Federal Communication Commission), which indicates that a North American launch is closer than we might think. We reported yesterday on two Galaxy S III variants that popped up at Bluetooth SIG, possibly heading to AT&T and T-Mobile. They are known as Samsung SGH-I747 and SGH-T999, respectively. Today, T-Mobile's variant has been spotted at FCC with the 1700 MHz AWS band, along with HSPA+ support for 850 MHz and 1900 MHz WCDMA bands. It has also been confirmed that the smartphone will be launched in Canada as SGH-T999V, though we're not yet sure which carriers will pick up this model. Although Samsung failed to unveil details on the Galaxy S III exact availability in North America, it did mention the smarpthone will be available through multiple carriers “this summer.” There's a high chance that T-Mobile's Galaxy S III will be the closest to the international version in terms of hardware configuration. Even if the European variant will be shipped with Samsung's Exynos 4212 Quad SoC, we expect AT&T's model to come with LTE support. That means Samsung will have to replace its own chipset with Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 solution, which embeds LTE support. However, Samsung's Exynos chipset sports a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, the S4 packs “only” a 1.5 GHz dual core CPU. Anyway, these details have yet to be confirmed by Samsung within the next few weeks, along with the smartphone's release date. Samsung Galaxy S III will be available for purchase in two color options: Marble White and Pebble Blue. Three models will be launched this year, each with a different amount of storage: 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter. Via

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RIM Debuts BlackBerry Bold 9900 in Russia - MobilEgypt

Research In Motion (RIM) has just announced the immediate availability of BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone in Russia. Customers can now purchase the handset through RIM authorised carrier partners Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) and Vimpelcom. Although the Bold 9900 has been launched on the market for quite some time, for whatever reasons RIM decided to delay the release of the smartphone in Russia until today. The Bold 9900 will be shipped with BlackBerry 7 operating system out of the box, but it will probably receive an OS 7.1 update in the following months. BlackBerry 7 platform offers users an improved Internet browsing experience thanks to the new BlackBerry browser, which combines enhanced performance of the WebKit browser engine, along with powerful hardware improvements of the Bold 9900. According to RIM, the Bold 9900 is the first BlackBerry smartphone to be shipped with support for NFC (Near Field Communications) capability, allowing users to make mobile payments, pair accessories or read SmartPoster tags. Hardware-wise, BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the most powerful smartphone released by RIM. The smartphone is equipped with a 1.2 GHz single core QC 8655 processor, 768MB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory, which can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. In addition, the handset sports a decent 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display that supports 640 x 480 pixels resolution. There's also a 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and HD (720p) video recording. “We’re excited to launch the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone in Russia together with our partners MTS and Vimpelcom. The Bold 9900 features the new BlackBerry 7 operating system and provides users with an outstanding communications, web browsing and multimedia experience. IT managers will also benefit from the renowned enterprise-grade features of the BlackBerry solution,” said Paul Lucier, Managing Director for Russia at Research In Motion.

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Motorola Updates Android 4.0 ICS Roadmap, Rollout Begins in Q2 - MobilEgypt

Motorola Mobility has just refreshed its Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich plans with new information that might suggest the company is still struggling to release the long awaited update. Although it's not the only handset maker that has yet yet to update even a single smartphone to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the fact that Motorola continues to delay the release of upgrade doesn't look good. This is not the first time that Motorola promises to deploy the Android 4.0 ICS for some its devices, but the company failed to deliver and pushed back the the update again and again. Today, Motorola posted new details on the upcoming ICS update for all its devices, smartphones and tablets, and the things are looking bad. For example, the DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX which were scheduled for an “early Q2” Android 4.0 ICS upgrade, are now expected to receive the update in the second quarter of the year. Initially slated for an Android 4.0 ICS upgrade in Q3 2012, Motorola PHOTON 4G's update has been pushed back to Q4. The same goes for Motorola XOOM Family Edition, which was originally scheduled for a Q2 ICS rollout, but now it has been postponed for the third quarter of the year. Owners of Motorola DROID 3 will be disappointed to learn that the company decided to keep the smartphone to Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which means it will never get an official ICS upgrade unless Motorola changes its mind. Both Xyboard tablets have been confirmed for an Ice Cream Sandwich update in Q3 2012, while the international XOOM Wi-Fi and the US 4G version should get their updates this quarter. There are some good news as well. Motorola confirms for the first time that DROID BIONIC will receive the ICS update in “early Q3 2012.” Lots of new and old phones have also been confirmed to remain on Gingerbread, such a Motorola DEFY MINI, DEFY+, MOTOLUXE and others. For the full list of changes check out Motorola's original threa

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RIM, Motorola try compromise in Apple nano-SIM battle - MobilEgypt

Some of the most prominent mobile companies in the world are currently working on a new standard for SIM cards. The only issue is, they can't come to an agreement. But three of those firms yesterday tried to get one step closer to an accord. According to The Verge, citing sources, RIM, Nokia, and Motorola yesterday unveiled a new concept design for the nano-SIM standard . The card itself looks similar to its elders, featuring a rectangular design with a notched corner. However, like other nano-SIM design concepts, the latest from RIM, Nokia, and Motorola is extremely small, potentially paving the way for new design concepts, and the opportunity for more storage, despite less real estate on the card's face. The new design is an important one. Apple, which has its own nano-SIM concept, couldn't come to terms with the mobile companies over the design of the standard. At a meeting back in March at the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Apple brought one design concept to the table, while its competitors brought another. The original concept from Nokia, Motorola, and RIM, feature a dramatically different design that Apple took issue with. The other companies, meanwhile, didn't want to give Apple the standard straight away, potentially creating a scenario where both concepts could be used in the mobile space -- an unacceptable issue for many. So, rather than vote on the standards, ETSI announced that it had delayed the vote to decide which concept would be the new standard , pending "broad industry consensus." According to The Verge, which obtained the new design concept plans from Motorola, Nokia, and RIM, the companies have tried to compromise with Apple by bringing to its design "80 percent" of what Apple wanted. The remaining 20 percent is made up of those features the mobile companies were after. Whether Apple will accept the proposal remains to be seen. However, the companies will be meeting with each other between May 31 and June 1 in Japan to once again discuss the nano-SIM standard. Although a vote could be held that day to determine what will become the standard, it's not a definite.

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Sprint aggressively promotes iPhone 4S unlimited plan - MobilEgypt

Sprint today is shouting its unlimited iPhone 4S data plan from the rooftops, hoping to attract Verizon customers who are hopping mad at losing their unlimited data . Starting today, you can trade in your current non-Sprint iPhone for the carrier's own model, and get at least $100 off when you sign a contract. Of course, the limited-time offer also gets you Sprint's promise of capless data access for the device, and that's what Sprint hopes will be the real draw for fed-up Verizon subscribers. Plan rates and conditions change all the time, but throughout the turmoil, carriers typically protect grandfathered plans until the customer voluntarily upgrades to a new phone or rate. Now Verizon is reportedly planning to force a move to tiered pricing plans.

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Motorola DEFY MINI Goes Live in Australia via Optus - MobilEgypt

The smallest smartphone in the DEFY family has just landed in Australia. Motorola DEFY MINI is now available for purchase for $199 AUD on pre-paid via Dick Smith and Optus retailers. Customers who prefer to make their purchases from Kmart or Target will be able to grab the DEFY MINI beginning May 22 for the same no- term price. Although it has been tagged as a rugged Android phone, the DEFY MINI is aimed at the entry level market, which is why it’s available for such a low price. However, for a budget-friendly, Motorola DEFY MINI is quite alright, especially that it is shipped with Android 2.3 Gingerbread on board. According to Motorola, the smartphone is dust- and water- resistant, so “whether it's a downpour or a spilt drink, a sandy beach or a pocket full of coins, MOTOROLA DEFY MINI is ready for whatever life throws your way.” To make things even more interesting for Android fans, the phone’s 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display (320 x 480 pixels) features Corning Gorilla Glass coating. In addition, it provides access to more than 450,000 Google Play apps and games. The handset comes packed with re-sizeable widgets and other innovative features, such as Social Graph and Activity Graph. Another strong point of the smartphone is the high-capacity 1650 mAh Li-Ion battery, which is rated by the manufacturer for up to 500 hours of standby time or up to 10 hours of talk time. Motorola DEFY MINI is equipped with a low-performance 600 MHz single-core processor, which is complemented by 512MB and 512MB of ROM. The internal memory can be expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. On the back, the handset sports a 3- megapixel photo snapper with LED flash and video recording, while in the front, there’s a secondary VGA camera for video calls.

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Samsung Debuts Galaxy S III Pre- Booking in India - MobilEgypt

Samsung’s Galaxy S III is getting ready to make an official appearance on shelves in India, though specific info on the handset’s arrival is still a mystery. However, it appears that users can already pre-book the smartphone to receive it as soon as it is made officially available in the country. Samsung has posted on its website a page that enables users to do so, without unveiling the necessary details on the handset’s release date or on the price tag it will feature when launched. To reserve one Galaxy S III unit, have to pay Rs. 2,000 (around $37/ 29 Euro). They will receive a coupon that can be redeemed when purchasing the device. Users who would like to take advantage of this opportunity should head over to this page on Samsung’s website to pre-book one unit. Galaxy S III has created a lot of hype event before being officially announced, and it managed to stir waters after its official unveiling as well. Samsung and its partners have already started the pre-order period for the mobile phone, and quite successfully, we might add. A recent report suggests that over 9 million Galaxy S III units have been already reserved all around the world, already making the device Samsung’s fastest selling smartphone. Running under Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, Samsung’s Galaxy S III sports a large 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED touchscreen display, while being powered by a quad-core application processor. The handset arrives on shelves with 1GB of RAM and with three options of internal memory, namely 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Moreover, it can accommodate microSD memory cards of up to 64GB. The smartphone also comes with an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back, with LED flash and HD video recording capabilities, as well as with a 1.9MP camera on the front, for making video calls.

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Microsoft Reminds You: Windows Phone 7.5 Required for Marketplace Access - MobilEgypt

Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace will soon offer applications and upgrades only to devices that have already been upgraded to the latest flavor of the company’s mobile platform, Windows Phone 7.5. The Redmond-based software giant announced the move back in April, and it is currently gearing up to make the changes to the app portal. It did not offer a specific date for when these modifications will enter into effect, but this will happen very soon. In fact, the company’s Mazhar Mohammed posted on the Windows Team Blog that users should consider performing an upgrade to the Windows Phone 7.5 platform version as soon as possible. Through performing the upgrade, users make sure that they will continue to benefit from access to the Marketplace, both on the web and on the phone, to download and install new applications and games, or to upgrade existing software. “We’re now doing the final work needed to turn on this new requirement, so I thought it would be a good time for another friendly reminder,” Mazhar Mohammed notes. Previously, he explained that the requirement is connected to Microsoft’s efforts to improve the Windows Phone Marketplace. “But the key takeaway is that if you like apps and games, you’ll soon need Windows Phone 7.5 installed to continue using Marketplace. Most of you already do,” he notes. Users who haven’t installed the new Windows Phone 7.5 platform on their devices need to head over to this article on Microsoft’s support website to learn more on the matter. Details on what the new platform brings along, as well as on what the process involves and on the issues that might appear during the upgrade are provided on this support page. The Marketplace improvements that Microsoft is preparing might also have something to do with the upcoming release of a new major flavor of its mobile operating system, namely Windows Phone 8 (codenamed Apollo) .

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Sony Announces Xperia Accessories Range from CaseMate, Muvit, Copter and More - MobilEgypt

In an attempt to sweeten the wait for the hotly anticipated Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for Xperia phones, Sony announced it had teamed up with several accessory brands to help consumers personalize their handsets. The Japanese handset maker inked partnerships with several well-known accessory brands, which are meant to offer Xperia phones owners the possibility to customize their devices as they see fit. Starting mid-May, new accessories for Xperia phones will be launched on the market by the following brands: CaseMate, AGF, Incipio, Krusell, Dicota, Copter, Muvit, Roxfit, Orbyx and Shinnorie. According to Sony, these partnerships were a necessity as the company wanted to give customers the option to truly personalize their Xperia phones. Moreover, Sony claims that the accessory brands picked for these agreements are perfectly capable to deliver products that will give Xperia phones that extra cool individual look. “We know that when you look to buy a new smartphone, the quality and choice of accessory on offer is important. So, we’re keen to ensure that our consumers get the very best selection of cases and shells for their favorite smartphone ,” a Sony spokesperson said. However, these might not be the only brands that Sony teams up with, as the company says that the companies mentioned earlier are only the first to respond positively to its “new partnership program with case and accessory manufacturers.” Unfortunately, Sony’s initiative had not been well received by Xperia phone users who are still complaining the Japanese handset maker is still struggling to deliver the Ice Cream Sandwich update. In fact, Sony Mobile has big problems as the latest Android 4.0 ICS update for Xperia arc S, Xperia neo V and Xperia ray is a disaster. Sony fans who own any of the three smartphones and upgraded to ICS have been complaining about bad performance after the update, but Sony has yet to respond to these complaints.

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LG LS970 'superphone' showsup again, flaunts its removablebattery and NFC chip - MobilEgypt

It's only been a few days since we first heard the rumors about an upcoming, Sprint-bound LG quad- core slab, and now that same LS970 "superphone" is back for more action. Thanks to yet another snap acquired by the folks over at BriefMobile, we can now spot a couple extra details on the device, including its previously unknown NFC capabilities. Contrary to earlier beliefs, the alleged LG Eclipse also seems to offer a removable battery, which is likely to make some power users very content. Something tells us this isn't the last we're going to see of this super handset, though, so we'll keep you in the loop if any more noteworthy findings appear. Source : BriefMobile

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Sony helps you 'personalize' your Xperia further, announces case maker partnerships - MobilEgypt

Despite there being so many smartphones nowadays, finding cases for certain handsets can be tricky -- unless you're toting the likes of an iPhone or the latest Android flagship device, that is. Keeping that in mind, Sony has good news for Xperia owners, as it's officially announced a partnership program to bring more case options for its phones to market. According to Sony, 10 companies are currently onboard, including the likes of Case-Mate and Incipio , and some will be announcing what'll be on offer before the month's out. There's no word regarding designs or prices just yet, but here's hoping that Case-Mate brings its cuddly Creature cases into the fray -- especially the Waddler . Source : Sony Xperia Product Blog

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Samsung's GalaxyS III reportedlynotches ninemillion pre-ordersworldwide - MobilEgypt

Wondering how the launch of Samsung's Galaxy S III is going? According to the Korea Economic Daily , an unnamed Samsung executive revealed that the followup to its previous fastest selling phone has already racked up nine million pre-orders around the world. That would put it nearly halfway to the 20 million Galaxy S II's Samsung reported shipped back in February, and all without even officially moving a unit in the US yet. It's not that we're jealous of the rest of the world's abilities to lay their cash down for some quad-core Exynos action while we wait to hear about the likely (still awesome) dual-core LTE-equipped US carrier variants due this summer , but yes -- we're jealous the rest of the world already has the option of choosing Samsung's latest flagship phone. Once they do start shipping (assuming there's no delays in customs ) there should be plenty to go around however, as Reuters' translation also indicates the company's factory is already cranking out five million units every month. Via : Reuters Source : Korea Economic Daily

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