Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2 may skip straight to Android 4.3

Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2 may skip straight to Android 4.3

If anyone's looking to hire a hand model...

Android 4.3 is inevitably headed our way, but while the HTC One might have just been injected with Android 4.2.2, the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Note 2 might have to hold out a bit longer before they see an update.

But don't worry, it's coming. At least that's what a so-claimed insider speaking to Temefy reckons, saying that the 4.3 Jelly Bean update is well underway. And right now the plan is for the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 to leap over 4.2.2 to get there.

The report goes on to tell us that the next update for the two handsets will arrive in November or December this year, making it very likely that 4.3 is on the cards.

Delayed droid

Finally, we're told that the Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 2 will all be upgradeable to the next major Android overhaul - ie 5.0 Key Lime Pie. However, the release across the devices will be somewhat staggered.

About a month ago we heard that Android 4.2.2 for these devices was to be delayed beyond its expected June/July release date, so we're hardly gobsmacked.

It's all just rumours right now but it does a fair amount of sense if 4.3 is imminent. After all, what's the point of getting 4.2.2 if the next best thing is just around the corner?


Source : techradar[dot]com

EE CEO: UK's passion for technology 'is just incredible'

EE CEO: UK's passion for technology 'is just incredible'

You stay passionate, United Kingdom

While many of us are still waiting for 4G to become available on our network, in our area or just get a bit cheaper, the UK's only carrier to currently offer the service has found that Britain is riding the wave of technology like never before.

TechRadar spoke to EE CEO, Olaf Swantee, to discuss just how switched on, engaged and excited the nation is when it comes to technology.

When asked if it was easy to get staff and the population as a whole energised about the 4G rollout Swantee explained: "It was amazing how quickly people were moving forward, it was really quite exciting, and they continue to do that."

Better than Germany

"The passion in Britain is just incredible, and when you compare that to other markets, for example Germany, it's harder over there," he said.

"In Germany you plan, it takes a long time, but when it motors it motors like a train.

"In the UK you have to kind of get the whole thing moving but then 'boof', everyone suddenly starts moving. That's good, and that's nice."

Infrastructure "unbelievably poor"

It hasn't exactly been plain sailing for the folks over at EE though, with Swantee revealing that the infrastructure they had to work with really wasn't up to much compared with other countries.

"In the UK the digital infrastructure - similar to others such as the airport, rail and energy infrastructures - is really quite poor.

"Especially is you compare them to somewhere like Switzerland, the difference is really quite unbelievable.

"In the UK people use more mobile stuff than in other markets, they are on the internet more than any other European market, they commute more and yet the digital infrastructure was way behind."

Better for Britain

However this meant EE had the space to innovate, unlike some other countries where the technology has already surpassed what we have in the UK,

"I think that in the UK, where the networks weren't as good compared to other markets, it was ideal to innovate with the network.

"If you start innovating with the networks in Korean or Japan it's harder because the network is actually pretty good.

"It's hard to innovate, but I'd say it's more fun and in the long run I think it's a more sustainable business model. If you are able to innovate and show differentiation many of your customers will stay with you."

Britain challenging the world

While the UK may be lagging behind in terms of its 4G service, Swantee believes it's getting to the point where it can start challenging global firms and push them to deliver the latest technology.

"We're working with the ecosystem to drive the latest technology. For the first time I've seen a mobile network operator who is pushing the boundaries of the other firms in the industry.

"We [EE] are pushing device manufacturers, asking where's your device at 150Mbps? We need CAT 4 devices. Qualcomm what are your plans? What are you doing, where is your chipset?

"The same with transmission suppliers, BT, Virgin and others. Microwave suppliers, where are you going beyond 1GB? We may need it in two years, one year, three years, I don't know, but we're working on it now."

So it seems that Britain is climbing its way to the top of the technology tree and if we all keep the passion that Swantee has described then, to borrow a phrase from one of EE's subsidiaries, the future's bright for tech in the UK.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Is this our first glimpse of HP's return to the smartphone game?

Is this our first glimpse of HP's return to the smartphone game?

Can HP make a return?

The news that HP may make a return to the smartphone business is refusing to die down and we now have a render to cast our eyes over, although its origins are unclear.

HP hasn't exactly shied away from a potential return to the phone sphere, with the firm's CEO revealing it was working on a smartphone last year. That was followed by similar comments from another exec in February and a senior director earlier this month.

PhoneArena has now got hold of a render which claims to show HP's Android smartphone, but the tipster who passed it over didn't present any information on the device.

In terms of design the handset in the picture appears to borrow its shape from the iPhone 5, while the centralised notification light below the screen is reminiscent of the Nexus 4.

HP smartphone LEAK
Credit: Phone Arena

Dock me

No clues were given as to how the tipster came about the render, or how well connected they are so we're taking this leak with a sizable pinch of salt for now.

Another hint that HP is working on mobile solutions has come via a patent application picked up by Patently Apple, which documents an ultrabook with a dock for a mobile phone built into it.

Credit: Patently Apple

This phone, however, is said to be powered by Windows and not Android allowing it to seamlessly integrate with the computer, suggesting HP may develop handsets to run on Windows Phone as well as Google's offering.

We'll have to wait and see if these ideas really do come to fruition, but we're intrigued as to what HP may be able to offer the already crowed mobile market.


Source : techradar[dot]com

BlackBerry A10 specs appear in leaked top secret document

BlackBerry A10 specs appear in leaked top secret document

BlackBerry might as well just come clean now (credit: CrackBerry)

Reports surrounding the next installment in the BlackBerry 10 ecosystem have been doing the rounds recently and the latest leak appears to spill the beans on pretty much every aspect of the BlackBerry A10.

Posted rather nonchalantly by a member of CrackBerry's forum the screengrab in question appears to have been taken from confidential documentation from within the Canadian firm - with the BlackBerry A10 details dated May 23 2013.

According to this particular leak, the A10 will rock up sporting the 5-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution and dual-core processor which previous reports have alluded to.

We do get a bit more information on both aspects with this latest revelation though, with the info suggesting the processor will be clocked at 1.7GHz and users will also be greeted with a quad-core GPU and 2GB of RAM.

More of the same

It also suggests BlackBerry will plump for OLED screen technology on the A10, although its touted 295ppi would be lower than both the Z10 and Q10 devices.

Other specs the leak supposedly reveals for the BlackBerry A10 include a rear 8MP camera with flash, front 2MP camera, 16GB of internal storage, microSD slot, micro USB and HDMI ports, NFC, DLNA, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n and 4G connectivity - so pretty much identical to the two current top phones in BlackBerry's line up.

There's good news for battery fans however with the screenshot suggesting the BlackBerry A10 will pack a 2800mAh power pack into its frame, which will hopefully provide some decent battery life.

The BlackBerry A10 may also signal the next update for the BB10 operating system, with the listing claiming the handset will arrive with version 10.2 of the software - we're currently on 10.1.

We haven't seen any clear indication of when the BlackBerry A10 may touch down, but November has been bandied about so keep your eyes peeled.


Source : techradar[dot]com

HTC One Max: 6-inch Note 3 Competitor?

HTC One

There was a time that a 4-inch phone seemed rather large, yet now we live in an age where 5-inch is the norm and 5.5 – 7-inch phones aren’t exactly unheard of. With that in mind, we bring a bit of new gossip surrounding HTC One Max, a rumored variant of the HTC One which is said to feature a 6-inch 1080p display.

According to the rumor mill, not only will the phone have a massive display, it will also have a beefy 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB of RAM. Additionally, it is expected to have up to 64GB storage and a 3,200 mAh battery.

What’s even more interesting is that the HTC One Max is rumored for a release in September, which puts it directly up against the anticipated timeframe for the Galaxy Note 3. If HTC is planning on directly competing with the Note 3, does that mean HTC will include some form of stylus or even go with an approach similar to the Z Ultra? It’s hard to say, though it certainly wouldn’t surprise us.

Either way, interesting times are ahead. What do you think, would you consider an HTC-made “Note” alternative or not? Share your thoughts below.



Source : mobilemag[dot]com

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