Ten Million Unit Sales Mark Achieved By Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung Galaxy S3

(Image Credit: telegraph.co.uk)

The head of Samsung had earlier indicated that sales of the Samsung Galaxy S3 will reach the ten million unit mark by the end of the month but it seems that the milestone was reached by the company earlier than expected. The chief executive of the South Korean company had indicated that sales of the latest flagship smartphone would reach ten million units by the end of the month.

However reports have revealed that the ten million unit mark was reached earlier than expected although no specific sales figures for the Samsung Galaxy S3 were revealed. This means that around 190,000 units of the Samsung Galaxy S3 were sold by the company in the last two months.

The revelation underscores the popularity of the Samsung Galaxy S3 in the market even as Apple has yet to release its next-generation iPhone.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is currently being offered by the four major US-based mobile serviceproviders, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. The demand for the device in the market has resulted to a postponement in the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S3 into the market by Sprint.

However it appears that the device is currently in the middle of a legal battle between Samsung and Apple, which is trying to get an injunction against the sales of the Samsung Galaxy S3 in the US market. The injunction was, however, shelved since the court docket was overloaded.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is currently the most popular Android-powered smartphone in the North American market. It is also outselling the iPhone 4S of Apple over at Verizon and AT&T.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 features a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD screen display and a dual-core processor. The international version of the Samsung flagship smartphone features the Exynos chipset of Samsung while the US version of the device comes with the Snapdragon S4 processor of Qualcomm.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is currently available in two storage option, a 16GB model well as a 32GB model. However Samsung will reportedly release a 64GB model of the device before the end of the year.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has received a number of positive reviews from industry watchers since it offers high-performance hardware and software features. It is also considered as a remarkable high-end smartphone by a number of industry watchers.

Release Of iPhone 5 May Affect Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Sales

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

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Recent reports have revealed that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is already being tested by the South Korean company. This gives an indication that the upcoming successor to the smartphone/tablet hybrid may be nearing its release date.

However if the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will be released within the year, it might put it in a collision course with the upcoming iPhone 5 of Apple. Due to this, a number of industry watchers speculated on how the Samsung device will fare against the next-generation iPhone.

One of the main differences between the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is its screen size. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is expected to feature a 5.5-inch display, which is much bigger compared to the reported 4-inch screen display of the iPhone 5. Basing on a recent entry on a popular benchmark site, a recently tested Samsung device will feature a quad-core 1.6GHz processor. This device is believed to be the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, which would make it faster compared to the recently-released Samsung Galaxy S3 although it remains uncertain if it will be faster compared to the upcoming iPhone 5.

Speculations have also emerged on the possibility that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will still be using the Ice Cream Sandwich Android instead of the much newer Jelly Bean Android OS. Reports have also pointed to the possibility that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will be introduced during the IFA event that is scheduled to be held on August 30, which will give it a few weeks lead in the market over the iPhone 5, which will reportedly be launched sometime in October.

Some speculations have also emerged on the materials that will be used on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with some hinting at the possible use of premium materials while others have pointed to the possible use of plastic for the upcoming device.

It remains uncertain how the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will perform in the market against the iPhone 5 of Apple although some analysts have already hinted at the possible slowdown in the sales of other devices once the next iPhone is released into the market.

August 15 Event Hint At Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet Launch

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

(Image Credit: t3)

Reports on the possible launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet have emerged in recent weeks and an announcement for a Samsung event has resulted to speculations that the device may be launched by the South Korean company soon.

Samsung reportedly sent invitations for an event scheduled on August 15. The event will reportedly see the launch of a new Galaxy device although it did not give any other information on the device that will be launched by the company.

All the details of the supposed launch of the Galaxy device will be revealed during the event. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet was initially announced during the Mobile World Congress near the start of the year. Since the company is still building on the sales of the Samsung Galaxy S3, the upcoming launch may possibly be for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet since the company would not want to take away part of the sales of the recently-release smartphone.

Another clue that points to a possible launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet on August 15 is the fact that the invitation came from the division of the company that handles non-smartphone device launches. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet recently became available for pre-orders through J&R.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet will reportedly feature a 1.4GHz quad-core Exynos processor, 1GB RAM, five-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 1.9MP camera in front. Connectivity options for the device include Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi. The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet will also come with the S Pen stylus and will use the Ice Cream Sandwich Android OS.

For the moment it remains uncertain if the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 will indeed be launched by the South Korean company on August 15 although clues have pointed to this possibility.

Latest BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet May Be Coming Soon

BlackBerry PlayBook

(Image Credit: http://www.bestbuy.com)

A recent report over at MobileSyrup revealed that the latest version of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will be introduced into the Canadian market by the end of the month. This upcoming model of the tablet offering of Research In Motion will feature 4G LTE connectivity, which has been long-awaited by a number of BlackBerry customers.

The latest BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will reportedly be introduced into the Canadian market by July 31 through Bell as well as other Canada-based mobile service providers. The blog revealed that the price tag of the upcoming device will be at around $550, as indicated through an internal document from Bell.

The internal document also indicated that the upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will feature a seven-inch display screen with a resolution of 1024 by 600, dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, 1GB RAM and an internal storage of 32GB.

The latest model of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will also feature a five megapixel camera at the back that has the capability of recording 1080p videos as well as a three-megapixel camera up front. The device will use the BlackBerry 2.0 OS and will feature HSPA+ and 4G LTE network support.

Despite the demand for 4G LTE connectivity on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, it took a rather long time for it to reach the market. The device was initially announced by RIM during the 2011 Mobile World Congress and Sprint was supposedly the first mobile network provider to include it in its lineup. However, following plans of focusing on LTE connectivity for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet by RIM, the supposed offering of Sprint was cancelled.

However it remains uncertain how the latest model of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will fare in the market that is currently filled with numerous offerings from other device manufacturers. Among the rivals to the new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Google Nexus 7 tablet.  Reports have also emerged in recent months that Apple will also introduce the iPad Mini before the end of the year.

The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet was supposed to be promoted to business users although it has not created much of an impact in the market. Its sluggish performance in the market continued despite a reduction in the price of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet implemented by RIM last September.

RIM will be facing an uphill struggle if it will indeed release the latest BlackBerry PlayBook tablet into a market that offers numerous options for consumers. 

More Devices To Receive Android 4.1 Update

Android 4.1 Update

(Image Credit: http://www. android.com/)

The release of the Android 4.1 update is apparently picking up speed as more devices are expected to receive it soon. Among the devices that are supposedly set to receive the Jelly Bean Android update include the recently-released Samsung Galaxy S3, the HTC One S, the HTC One X and the HTC One XL.

HTC recently confirmed the upcoming release of the Android 4.1 update for a number of its devices.

On the other hand, the evaluation made by Samsung for the Samsung Galaxy S3 hints at the possible release of the update for the device in the near future. The report also indicated that the South Korean company has also started evaluating the Android 4.1 update for the Samsung Galaxy S2, which was released into the market last year.

Aside from the smartphones, the Android 4.1 update is also set to be released to a number of Transformer tablets of Asus. Asus confirmed that the Transformer Pad, Transformer Pad Infinity, and Transformer Pad Prime are set to receive the Jelly Bean Android OS.

An earlier announcement by Samsung revealed that it will be releasing the Android 4.1update for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Samsung Nexus S. Reports have also indicated that the update has already been released to a number of Samsung Galaxy Nexus units although no reports have emerged on Samsung Nexus S units receiving the Android 4.1 update.

For users who may not have the patience to wait for the official release of the Android 4.1 update for their Samsung Galaxy S3 units, they can also risk using a hack for the device although this may result to the voiding of the warranty for the devices. Some of the Android 4.1 ports can be found at the XDA Developers forum.

For the moment no reports were available on the availability of the Android 4.1 update for LG or Motorola devices.

Expanded Release Of iTunes Cloud

iTunes

The iTunes in the Cloud service of Apple was expanded recently as it is now accessible in a number of countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Due to this the iTunes Cloud will allow a number of international users to watch movies using their iDevice or a computer.

The cloud-based support for movies of Apple will also become available in a number of Asia Pacific and Latin American countries. With the availability of the iTunes Cloud, movies that users purchase through iTunes will be able to view them in any iDevice since these are synched automatically into the cloud.

Users will not be limited to videos since they will also be able to access videos, music, books, television shows and applications through the iTunes Cloud. These features were already available for US users although the recent expansion will increase the reach of the iTunes Cloud in the international market.

Products purchased through iTunes will be stored into iCloud although the quota of the online storage system will not be affected. This will allow users to store a good amount of entertainment into the online storage system.

Television shows and movies can be streamed from the cloud directly or users can watch offline after downloading them into their devices. No other details were available on the iTunes Cloud.

Possible Fourth Quarter Launch Of iPhone 5

iPhone 5

A fourth quarter launch of the iPhone 5 is possible basing on what the chief financial officer of Verizon said during the quarterly conference of the mobile service provider.

Fran Shammo, CFO of Verizon, reportedly confirmed that the next iPhone, which is widely referred to as the iPhone 5, will be launched by Apple in the fourth quarter of the year. The upcoming device is expected to come with a bigger screen display, new design, and 4G LTE support.

Numerous reports have emerged in connection to the iPhone 5 although it has yet to be officially announced by Apple. Recent reports have even indicated that a number of cases for the next-generation iPhone have already been posted on China-based retail sites although these came with a note that the design of the cases may not be compatible with the design of the iPhone 5.

Releasing the iPhone 5 prior to the holiday shopping season will prove to be a gold mine for Apple along with its mobile partners as shown through the iPhone 4S, which was released into the market before the start of the holiday season. With the addition of 4G LTE connectivity on the next iPhone, the smartphone will join a host of Android-powered and Windows Phone-powered devices that are already offering this rather fast connectivity option.

The iPhone of Apple has proven to be a good seller for mobile service providers with Verizon selling around 2.7 million units for the quarter, according to Shammo. Most of the sales were for the iPhone 4S although it also included a number of iPhone 4 units.

Earlier reports have also indicated that the production of the iPhone 5 has already increased and will reach its full production level by September.

With the upcoming release of the iPhone 5, a number of industry watchers are expecting Apple to continue its dominance in the mobile device market.

Android 4.1 Update Set To Be Released To HTC Devices

Android 4.1 Update

(Image Credit: http://www. android.com/)

With the recent release of the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 OS through the Google Nexus 7 tablet, it appears that the Android 4.1 update is about to be released to a number of Android-powered devices.

The Android 4.1 update is reportedly set to be released to the HTC One S and the HTC One XL although it was officially announce in Australia for the moment. According to the update list of Telstra, an Australian mobile service provider, the Android 4.1 update is set to be released to the two HTC smartphones.

The mobile service provider indicated that HTC is currently working on the update although no specific release date was revealed. The Android 4.1 update will reportedly be passed on to Telstra for evaluation.

For the moment no other details were released on the availability of the Jelly BeanAndroid OS update for other Android-powered devices. No other mobile service provider has released any statements on the release of the updates for their respective device offerings.

HTC had initially revealed that it was set to release the Android 4.1 update to a number of their devices during the recent I/O conference of Google. The company is reportedly evaluating the software to finalize its plans for the update and is asking users of its devices to simply wait for further announcements on the specific release dates of the Android 4.1 update.

With the announcement of the Android 4.1 update by Telstra, it appears that the Jelly Bean Android is slowly being released even as the Android 4.0 update has yet to be released to most Android-powered devices.

A recent announcement by Google also revealed that it will be releasing the Android 4.1 update to a number of Nexus devices although the specific release dates has yet to be announced by the online search giant.

Google Nexus 7 Tablet Achieves Early Success Prior To Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

(Image Credit: http://technostall.com)

With the early success of the Google Nexus 7 tablet in the market, some industry watchers have speculated on whether the supposed Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will be able to perform well in the market.

A number of reports have emerged on the possibility that the South Korean company will release a successor to its popular smartphone/tablet hybrid by October. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is anticipated to go up against the reported iPad mini of Apple although it will feature a much bigger display at 5.5 inches.

The reported Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is expected to feature the Jelly Bean Android OS, the quad-core Exynos chipset, thirteen-megapixel camera, and a much better build.

The SamsungGalaxy Note 2 is expected to be a rather costly Android-powered device basing on the price of the Samsung Galaxy S3, which has an unlocked price tag of $800. However prices in the US market are normally subsidized by mobile service providers, which require a two-year service contract for the discounted prices.

In comparison, the Google Nexus 7 tablet has a price tag of around $200, which would make it much cheaper compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Despite its low price tag, the Google Nexus 7 tablet features a seven-inch IPS display, the Jelly Bean Android OS, and an eight hour video playback due to its rather large battery. Although the Google Nexus 7 tablet does not offer connectivity options, consumers who own smartphones may opt to purchase it due to its low price and high-end features, which may have an effect on the market of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 may not easily penetrate the US market if it will be offered at an unlocked price tag of $800 since the Google Nexus 7 tablet offers full compatibility to the Google Play Store. However the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 may have a better chance in the international market although the Google device already has a good following in the market.

The notable features of the Google Nexus 7 tablet coupled with its reasonable price tag has resulted to strong sales for the device even as the supply is currently struggling to meet the demand for the device. This will be a big obstacle for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to deal with when it will finally enter the market, although it also has to deal with the supposed iPad mini, which is expected to be released before the end of the year.

Release of 64GB Samsung Galaxy S3 Set Within The Year

Samsung Galaxy S3

(Image Credit: telegraph.co.uk)

As the Samsung Galaxy S3 continues to remain popular in the smartphone market, a new model with a much bigger storage space, a 64GB Samsung Galaxy S3,  is set to be released by the South Korean company in the later part of the year.

Samsung recently allayed concerns on the possibility that it will not be offering the device in a much bigger storage option after it revealed that the new model of the smartphone will be released within the year. However it appears that the 64GB Samsung Galaxy S3 may be initially released into the international market, which would leave out US consumers for the moment.

According to the company, the 64GB Samsung Galaxy S3 will have staggered release dates although it did not specify the release dates themselves and which markets it will be released into. Prior to the announcement that a 64GB Samsung Galaxy S3 will be released by the company, its market share has already increased with the release of the 16GB as well as the 32GB models of the smartphone. With the upcoming release of the 64GB Samsung Galaxy S3, the market share of the company is expected to increase further.

Analysts recently revealed that around fifty million smartphone units were sold by Samsung for the second quarter of the year due to the demand for its latest flagship smartphone.

JK Shin, the telecommunications head of Samsung, revealed last month that sales of the Galaxy S3 are expected to reach ten million for the month of July. But Shin did not specify if it were actual consumer sales or simply deliveries to its retailers.

Following its introduction into the European market, the Galaxy S3 was made available through four major US-based mobile service providers. The smartphone has a price tag of around $200 and $250 for the 16GB and 32GB models respectively through AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. On the other hand, T-Mobile is offering the device at $280 and $330 for the 16GB and the 32GB models respectively. The price of the 64GB Samsung Galaxy S3 may be higher due to its bigger storage space.

However it remains uncertain how the 64GB Samsung Galaxy S3 will perform in the market particularly with the possible release of the iPhone 5 in the later part of the year.

Retailer Lists Supposed iPhone 5 Cases

iPhone 5

Although no official statements were released by Apple on the supposed iPhone 5, cases are reportedly already available for the device.

A number of cases for the iPhone 5 have started to emerge on TVC-Mall, which is based in Shenzhen, China. The cases are supposedly designed for the next-generation iPhone of Apple. The cases also feature a cut-out for the smaller dock connector of the iPhone 5.

However it should be noted that a notice was also posted that since the iPhone 5 has not yet been introduced by Apple, there are no guarantees that the products are designed for it. Customers are advised to contact customer service representatives for any questions that they may have on the supposed case for the iPhone 5.

It can be recalled that prior to the release of the iPhone 4S, a number of cases also emerged which were supposedly designed for the unreleased device. The cases had some features that were not found on the device including a reported curved back and mute switch.

A number of case manufacturers reportedly lost a good amount of money after they manufactured cases basing on unconfirmed reports on the design of the device. Some of the cases were designed for a slimmer and wider iPhone, which did not materialize. However some were able to create solid sales from early buyers even as a number of manufacturers had to wait for a number of weeks or months before they were able to cash in since they waited for the official release of the device.

Since the iPhone 4S was introduced and made available in the market last October, some industry watchers are anticipating a fall release of the upcoming iPhone 5.

It remains to be seen if these supposed cases for the iPhone 5 will be usable once the device is finally released into the market.

Huge Number of Windows 8 Ultrabooks Set To Be Released

Windows 8

It appears that the time of the touchscreen laptop is on hand as the head of Intel revealed that a huge number of Windows 8 Ultrabooks are set to be released in the future.

Paul Otellini, the CEO of Intel, revealed in a recent conference call that Intel was able to achieve its mid-year goal for the Ultrabook and the company was satisfied with the performance of this market category. Although this statement is not consistent with analysts’ reports that revealed a poor second quarter for the device, the reports did not consider the second generation Ultrabooks that featured the Ivy Bridge processors.

The end of the second quarter is normally slow for laptops even as the second half of the year is typically good for devices.

In the same conference call, Otellini also revealed that over forty Windows 8 Ultrabooks with touchscreen capabilities are already being developed. These upcoming Windows 8 Ultrabooks will be using the Ivy Bridge processor of the company.

With at least forty Windows 8 Ultrabooks, the total number of Ultrabooks using the Ivy Bridge processor that will be released will go over the 140 mark. A number of these products are also expected to be a tablet that can be converted for use as a laptop. Otellini also indicated that systems priced at around $699 may be released by fall.

The release of the Windows 8 Ultrabooks with touchscreen capabilities will bring the touch-based user experience enjoyed by tablet owners into the laptop.

Even as the Windows 8 Ultrabook has yet to be released into the market, a number of Ultrabooks have already made an appearance in a number of retail outlets including Best Buy and Walmart. The HP Envy Ultrabook is already offered through Best Buy while Walmart is already offering a $648 Acer Aspire Ultrabook.

Instagram App For Google Nexus 7 Tablet Released

Instagram for Google Nexus 7

The Instagram app for the Android OS was updated recently to allow it to support the Jelly Bean Android OS that comes with the Google Nexus 7 tablet.

Although the Google Nexus 7 tablet does not feature a camera at the back, the latest update has allowed the Instagram app to support the device. The images can be recorded through the camera in front of the device or users can also upload images into the storage of the tablet before uploading them into the servers of Instagram.

In addition to the support for the latest product offering of the online search giant by the Instagram app, Flickr sharing support was also added by Instagram. With Flickr sharing support Yahoo users will be able to share images into the photo sharing service of Yahoo by simply adding their accounts through the sharing settings of the Instagram app. The settings are located on the main setting page of the Instagram app.

The reasonable $200 price tag of the Google Nexus 7 tablet has allowed the device to become among the more popular Android-powered tablets for the moment. The Google Nexus 7 tablet features the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 OS, which is the most recent version of the Google mobile OS. It features a seven-inch screen display, quad-core Tegra 3 processor, and a 1.2MP camera in front. The updated Instagram app will allow users of the application to share images that they record using the device.

Display Issue On Google Nexus 7 Tablet Emerges

Google Nexus 7 Tablet

(Image Credit: http://pcmag.com)

Some things are too good to be true and it appears that this is true for the Google Nexus 7tablet, which started deliveries to consumers recently.

As Android enthusiasts start to get the hang of using the tablet featuring the latest version of the Android OS, the Jelly Bean Android 4.1, some owners of the Google Nexus 7 tablet have reportedly found some issues with the screen of the device. An image was posted by Faux123 on Twitter that show some light coming through the side of the tablet. The posted image was initially found by Pocketnow.

Another issue that was discovered by one user of the Google Nexus 7 tablet was a creaky bezel. However jam10238, an XDA user, fixed the issue instead of sending it back for repairs. The user simply opened the portion between the plastic and the leather using a flat screwdriver. After opening the case of the Google Nexus 7 tablet, the user tightened the Phillips screws found at the back of the screen and dealt with the creaking sounds on the device. Although the issue was resolved, the user indicated that owners of the Google Nexus 7 tablet should do this at their own risk.

Similar creaking sounds were also noted by other users of the device and they solved the problem in a similar fashion. Since the back cover was not intended to be opened, users may have to do this at their own risk.

However it appears that the issue may be limited to a small number of users of the Google Nexus 7 tablet.

It is recommended that users who experience the issue should send the Google Nexus 7 tablet to Asus through a return merchandize authorization or RMA. However since the RMA website of Asus is only for the Eee PCs, notebooks, PDAs and LCD Displays, users will have to bring their units to the nearest Asus service center.

Vodafone Australia Android 4.1 Update Postponed

Android 4.1 Update

(Image Credit: http://www. android.com/)

It appears that the Android 4.1 update has been postponed by Vodafone Australia due to a snafu in connection to emergency calling.

Since the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 OS is not compliant with the emergency phone call standards of Australia, the release of the Android 4.1 update has been postponed by the Australian mobile service provider. This first Android 4.1 update for Android-powered devices was set to be released Samsung Nexus S.

A blog post by the Vodafone Australia revealed that the update for the latest version of the Android OS will be postponed although it cannot offer any other details in connection to the delay. The mobile service provider also indicated that if there are any changes in the Android 4.1 update, it will inform its customers through the blog.

The release of software updates for smartphones are often delayed and is not limited to the Android OS. Evaluations made by mobile service providers as well the process of approval are normally the reason for such delays. The approval process is normally quite thorough even if it only involves software updates.

The issue on emergency calls, which has affected the release of the Android 4.1 update, is normally affected by software updates.

The Samsung Nexus S was supposed to be the first device to receive the Android 4.1 update prior to announcement of the delay although Vodafone Australia customers are asked to check the blog from time-to-time for any changes on the release schedule of the software update.

Verizon To Offer LG Optimus Vu

LG Optimus Vu

(Image Credit: http://www.fonearena.com)

The device lineup of Verizon is set to receive another entry as the LG Optimus Vu is expected to be offered through the US-based mobile service provider.

The LG Optimus Vu is a five-inch smartphone/tablet hybrid similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note although it was not given much regard by a number of industry watchers probably because of its rather large appearance compared to the South Korean device.  Despite this design oversight, the features and the performance of the device are still considered notable enough for a number of industry watchers.

The device will use the Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 OS out-of-the-box. The LG Optimus Vu will come with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, and an internal storage of 32GB. Its five-inch screen display has a resolution of 1024 x 768 and an aspect ratio of 4:3, making it easier to view web pages and read documents.

The LG Optimus Vu also features a 1.3MP front camera, an 8MP rear camera, and near field communication or NFC technology.

The phablet or phone / tablet hybrid is currently available through AT&T as well as T-Mobile. The LG Optimus Vu is wider and shorter compared to the Galaxy Note with a length of 5.5inches and width of 3.5 inches. In comparison the Samsung Galaxy Note has a length and width of 5.78 inches and 3.27 inches respectively.

The LG Optimus Vu also offers a bigger internal storage compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note although its screen resolution is lower compared to the Samsung device. The LG device also offers more stylus-optimized applications.

The release date and pricing of the LG Optimus Vu of Verizon has yet to be announced by the mobile service provider.

Seven-Inch Nook Tablet Offers Better Display

Barnes & Noble

The market for smaller tablets may yet to receive another entry following the introduction of the Google Nexus 7 tablet. Reports have hinted that a new seven-inch Nook tablet may be offered by Barnes & Noble soon.

In addition to the Google Nexus 7 tablet, speculations have increased on the possible appearance of the iPad mini before the end of the year as well as another model of the Amazon Kindle Fire. The supposed new seven-inch Nook tablet will reportedly feature a new screen technology that the company has developed on collaboration with another company.

Some industry watchers have speculated that the upcoming new seven-inch Nook tablet may feature a hybrid display that has the features of an LCD and e-ink screen display.

Among the possible screen display technology that the new seven-inch Nook tablet will feature is the mirasol display of Qualcomm. These displays will utilize microscopic mirrors instead of a backlight. The mirrors will reflect any available ambient light, displaying colors and making reading outside easier. The power usage of the display technology is also comparatively lower compared to LCD display. They also have the capability of showing videos.

The technology has been under development by Qualcomm for a number of years already and it may be available for use by the middle of the year, which make it a possible candidate for use on the new seven-inch Nook tablet.

However the new seven-inch Nook tablet may not be the first device to use the mirasol technology of Qualcomm since the Kyobo e-reader is using this particular screen display technology following its release into the market. However this South Korean device did not make much impact in the market.

Microsoft Surface Tablet Listed On Amazon Germany

Microsoft Surface Tablet

(Image Credit: http://pcworld.com)

A 32GB model of the Microsoft Surface tablet was listed on the Amazon Germany recently along with the four other models that were reported earlier.

However the page listing of the Microsoft Surface tablet did not include the release dates and the possible price tags of the devices. Instead users are given the option to sign up for an email notification when the devices will become available. The four units listed on the site are consistent with the models that were introduced by Microsoft. They were also consistent with the spec sheets that are available on the Microsoft Surface tablet site.

The Windows 8 Pro Microsoft Surface tablets come in two storage options, 64GB and 128GB. These devices feature the Ivy Bridge Core 15 processors of Intel along with a full version of the Microsoft Windows 8 OS. The price tag of these devices is expected to be similar to that of the Ultrabook, which is considered its main competition in the market.

The German site of Amazon also revealed a 32GB model of the Microsoft Surface tablet, which was not included in the launch of the device by the software giant. These devices are expected to feature similar specs as the other models and the same processor although no price tags were posted on the site.

The site also posted the two Microsoft Surface RT models that feature quad-core processors from Nvidia. These devices come in two storage options, 32GB and 64GB. The RT models of the Microsoft Surface tablets are expected to feature a slimmer and lighter design as well as a version of the Windows 8 OS that is optimized for use on tablet devices.

Release of Google Nexus 7 Affects Amazon Kindle Fire Projection

Amazon Kindle Fire

(Image Credit: amazon.com)

It appears that the release of the Google Nexus 7 tablet has already started to affect the Amazon Kindle Fire, that is, in terms of the sales projected by an analyst.

Kevin Kopelman, an analyst from Cowen, reduced the projected revenue of Amazon along with the sales of the Amazon Kindle and Amazon Kindle Fire since the earlier projected sales of the devices were not quite realistic. The reduction in the projection comes prior to the introduction of the Amazon Kindle Fire 2.

The Amazon Kindle Fire became popular mainly due to its rather cheap price tag of around $200. The success of the device resulted to the entry of a number of similarly-priced devices into the market, one of which is the Google Nexus 7 tablet, which has the same selling price.

In addition to the Google Nexus 7 tablet, the Amazon Kindle Fire will have to deal with the upcoming iPad Mini of Apple, which is expected to be released before the end of the year.

The projected sales of the Amazon Kindle Fire were reduced by Kopelman from around 14 million to around 12 million for the year. Four million units of the device were sold by the company last year despite being launched in the later part of the year. The projected growth of the Amazon Kindle e-reader was also reduced to around three percent from an initial projected growth of thirty percent since the projections were not realistic.

The focus on the Amazon Kindle Fire by the retail giant also affected the sales of the Amazon Kindle e-reader, which was removed by target from its stores last May. However Kopelman indicated that sales of the Amazon devices are projected to reach around 16.3 million for the year, which is higher compared to 15.9 million units last year.

Some industry watchers had already expected the sales of the Amazon Kindle Fire to be affected by the release of the Google Nexus 7 tablet, which was supposedly made to compete directly with the product offering of Amazon.

Samsung Galaxy Note Officially Offered By T-Mobile

Samsung Galaxy Note

(Image Credit: amazon.com)

T-Mobile subscribers will soon have the opportunity to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note following the announcement of the mobile service provider that it will be offering the smartphone/tablet hybrid in a few weeks time.

The mobile service provider made the confirmation through its official Twitter account recently although the specific release date of the Samsung Galaxy Note has yet to be announced.

The Samsung Galaxy Note with its huge 5.3-inch display was initially offered through AT&T near the start of the year. T-Mobile has not yet revealed the possible price tag for this surprisingly popular phablet.

The Samsung Galaxy Note was initially available with the Gingerbread Android OS although the latest models will feature the Ice Cream Sandwich Android that will offer a number of new features for users of Android-powered devices. The smartphone/tablet hybrid has a slim design similar to the Samsung Galaxy S2, a dual-core Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, an 8MP camera rear-facing camera and 2MP camera in front.

The Samsung Galaxy Note will also come with some T-Mobile apps. These apps include CamScanner, TripIt, Square, Dropbox, LinkedIn and Evernote.

Even as the Samsung Galaxy Note becomes a new entry into the T-Mobile device lineup, a number of reports have hinted at the possibility that the Samsung Galaxy Note will be unveiled during the upcoming IFA event that will be held in Europe. The upcoming device will feature the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 OS and a bigger screen display measuring 5.5 inches. It will reportedly feature a quad-core Exynos chip, which is also used on the Samsung Galaxy S3.

With these reports, the Samsung Galaxy Note may be released by T-Mobile prior to the launch of the next-generation model of the device, which may also be offered by T-Mobile.

Latest Leaked iPhone 5 Images

iPhone 5

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It appears that the upcoming iPhone 5 may not have much of a different appearance compared to the current model basing on leaked images that were posted recently by a blog based in Taiwan.

The images posted on Apple.pro showed a front view of the case for the iPhone 5 which shows a space that may be for a home button, which a consistent feature on the iPhone. It also shows the hole that was used for the camera meant for the FaceTime video-calling feature was moved to the center of the device.

The supposed leaked image of the iPhone 5 case is consistent with earlier leaks since it shows that the size and the design is somewhat different compared to the current model. The bigger display on the reported iPhone 5 will give it a screen ratio of 16:9 when the device is turned to its side.

The screen display of the upcoming iPhone 5 is expected to have a diagonal measurement of around four inches. The current model of the device has a screen size of 3.5 inches. The leaked images also hint at the possibility that the upcoming device will have a white-colored model.

An earlier leaked image showed the rear view of the iPhone 5 case, which also showed its longer shape along with a smaller dock connector. The dock connector will reportedly give the device more space for the components inside the device. The space may be used for a bigger battery or additional components that may enhance the performance of the device. However this new dock connector on the upcoming iPhone 5 may also mean that the current dock connectors and cables are practically useless.

A recent report has indicated that production of the iPhone 5 has already started and a number of cases were reportedly posted on the online retail site based in China. The next-generation iPhone is anticipated to make its debut by September or in October.

Android 4.0 Update Scheduled For More HTC Devices

Android 4.0 Update

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The Android 4.0 update is set to be released for the HTC EVO 3D as well as the EVO Design 4G based on a recent announcement by Sprint.

The mobile service provider indicated that users of the two devices will receive a notification for the Android 4.0 update which will prompt them to download the update. Once the update is downloaded and installed into the smartphones, the users will be able to use the features of the Ice Cream Sandwich Android.

Even as the specific release dates for the Android 4.0 update were not revealed by the mobile service provider, it is expected to become available by the start of August. The specific release dates will be made available by the mobile service provider soon.

The Android 4.0 update will offer a better user interface along with a new camera application that offers a number of effects such as posterize, vintage, depth of field, and vignette.

Once the smartphones will receives the Android 4.0 update, web browser of the smartphone will sync the Google Chrome bookmarks as well as offer a new tabs layout. The People application will also be integrated into Google+ to facilitate browsing the photos of contacts in high resolution.

The other features offered with the Android 4.0 update include a new Gmail app that allows searching for emails even without a data connection, better keyboard, and an integration of Google+ for video chats and hangouts. The update will also bring the Face Unlock feature that facilitates unlocking of the device through facial recognition.

Even as Google has yet to release the Android 4.0 update to all Android-powered devices, the latest version of the OS was introduced recently. The Jelly Bean Android 4.1 OS debuted on the Google Nexus 7 tablet and was recently made available for the Galaxy Nexus and will be released to the Motorola Xoom and the Samsung Nexus S soon.

Production Of iPhone 5 May Have Started Already

iPhone 5

A blog based in Japan reportedly indicated that the iPhone 5 has already entered production and is expected to be released into to market in the next few months.

Macotakara indicated that the listing of cases for the iPhone 5 on Alibaba.com of China may give credence to its claims that Apple has already started to produce the next-generation iPhone.

The upcoming iPhone 5 will reportedly feature a back made of aluminum and glass. Glass is being used in areas where aluminum is not being used on the upcoming device.

However this claim is not consistent with earlier reports that pointed at an all-aluminumback for the iPhone 5 similar to the iPad. In comparison, the current model of the iPhone, the iPhone 4S, features a front and back covered with glass.

The upcoming iPhone 5 will reportedly feature a bigger display screen featuring the Retina Display similar to the current version of the iPad. The Retina Display on the upcoming model of the iPhone will also come with an aspect ratio of 16:9. In comparison, the previous versions of the iPhone feature a 3.5-inch screen display that has an aspect ratio of 3:2.

Reports have also indicated that some resellers on Taobao are already accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 5 even as the device has yet to be officially announced by Apple.