Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch said to 'work with phones,' but phone in calls

Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch said to 'work with phones,' but phone in calls

Sammy, hold all of my call

Those smartphone-on-a-watch rumors are thought to be phony, as the unconfirmed smartwatch from Samsung only "works with phones," according to a new report today.

That would make the Samsung Galaxy Gear a companion gadget used in conjunction with existing an smartphone and not able to make calls on its own, according to The Verge.

Instead, Bluetooth and NFC could enable this Samsung smartwatch make the wrist-to-handset connection.

Pebble and Sony's forthcoming Smartwatch 2 work much the same way, as they too lack an independent SIM card and cellular radio.

IFA had a Samsung Galaxy Gear

The Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch is expected to debut within the next couple of months, with speculation pointing to IFA 2013 in a few weeks.

Right before this German technology conference begins, Samsung is holding an 'Unpacked' event on Sept. 4, asking invitees to "take note," according to T3.

"Take note" references the expected Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phablet unveiling.

But the company could also debut its smartwatch just in case it fears that Apple will pull a "one more thing" announcement of the iWatch a few days later on Sept. 10.

Every inch of the smartphone market

Samsung's smartwatch may not make calls by itself, but that's okay. The company has plenty of smartphones, including four previously unknown devices that appear in a shipping manifest dug up by a blog dedicated to the manufacturer, SamMobile.

Samsung is literally flooding every inch of the smartphone market, with the list pointing to 4-inch, 4.5-inch, 5-inch, and 5.2-inch devices under the respective model numbers SM-G730A, SM-G3815, SM-G9105, and SM-G7102.

The 4-inch version will have a WVGA (800 x 480) resolution, and the 4.5-inch model will sport a qHD (540 x 960) resolution, according to the blog.

If all of these devices end up being surprise announcements at IFA 2013, Samsung's press conference may need to eschew "one more thing" in favor of "five more things."


Source : techradar[dot]com

Nixed messages: Moto X won't have custom engraving at launch

Nixed messages: Moto X won't have custom engraving at launch

Will stay message-free for now

Had dreams of inscribing a special message on your Moto X?

You'll have to put those on hold, at least if you were planning on ordering the new handset at launch. According to Computerworld and PCWorld's JR Raphael, custom engraving won't be available for the spanking new device when it starts rolling later this week.

Raphael posted the news on his Google+ profile, explaining that printing quality during beta testing wasn't up to par, causing Motorola to hold off until it could work out the kinks. A spokesperson said the option would be available soon, he wrote.

We've asked Motorola for confirmation of Raphael's report, and we'll update with more information as it becomes available.

More blips!

Here's one message you won't have issues deciphering: Read more blips!


Source : techradar[dot]com

HTC One Google Edition to update to Android 4.3, leapfrogging 4.2.2

HTC One Google Edition to update to Android 4.3, leapfrogging 4.2.2

It's all just Jelly Beans in the end

The better-late-than-never Verizon HTC One is releasing this month with Android 4.2.2, making many owners of the phone's premium Developer Edition upset that they're stuck with Android 4.1.2.

"How is it possible that the Verizon One will launch with 4.2.2 when us Dev Edition buyers are still stuck on 4.1!? Frustrating!" tweeted one of those irritated owners, Joshua Wein.

Turns out, HTC President Jason Mackenzie was listening and actually responded with some good news for Wein and all HTC One Google Edition owners. It'll have stock Android 4.3: Jelly Bean soon.

"We definitely care and want you to have great experience. [4.]2.2 is minor update so decided to go straight to 4.3," tweeted Mackenzie.

Giving extra reason for skipping Android 4.2.2, he added "because 4.3 is so close. And 2.2 offered limited customer benefit."

HTC One 4.3 update release date

HTC One Google Developer Edition owners are missing out on features like Photosphere, Daydream screensavers, Swype-like gesture typing, and multiple user profiles.

However, these features will soon be joined by the benefits of Android 4.3 including Bluetooth low energy support, restricted profiles, and autocomplete on dialpad.

The wait won't be too long, either.

"Our plan/target (since certification is necessary) is that all US skus will be updated before September end," announced Mackenzie on Twitter.

"Our target is before Sept end. I am pushing this one and hope it can be earlier. But sometimes unknowns can arise."

Paying a premium for the HTC One Google Edition smartphone does have its perks... eventually.

  • Read our review of the Nexus 7 tablet, which launched Android 4.3

Source : techradar[dot]com

Nokia Bandit to steal a march on rivals with 6-inch Windows Phone handset?

Nokia Bandit to steal a march on rivals with 6-inch Windows Phone handset?

Nokia's rumoured 6-inch handset sounds phabulous

There's been plenty of talk about a Nokia Windows Phone phablet in recent months, but things just got a little more serious thanks to some reportedly leaked specs that surfaced on Monday.

According to The Verge, the Finnish manufacturer plans to launch the 6-inch handset, currently codenamed 'Bandit' later this year, in an already release-heavy 2013 for the company.

The report claims the device will have a full HD 1080p display, which will enable an extra column of Windows Phone live tiles on the home screen.

On top of that, Nokia may look to include a 20-megapixel camera (which a Lumia 925-like 'hump' on the rear) and a Qualcomm quad-core processor.

1080p wave

According to the report, it'll be the first of a wave of 1080p Windows Phone devices, with Microsoft currently making adjustments to the OS to facilitate the changing of the guard.

The Verge claimed the 'Bandit' will feature a polycarbonate body and will retain a thin and light build.

Late last week, Nokia seemed to confirm a phablet is indeed on the way when Chris Weber, Nokia's executive VP of sales and marketing, took a thinly veiled dig at Samsung on Twitter.

He wrote: "Samsung take note, next generation Lumia coming soon," he tweeted. Not so cryptic.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Report pegs Apple supplier with shipping two iPhone models this fall

Report pegs Apple supplier with shipping two iPhone models this fall

Apple's golden child may get a little brother (credit: AllThingsD)

If it feels like you've been hearing about the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C so much recently that it feels like the devices are already available, you're not the only one.

The good news is, with Apple's supposed Sept. 10 unveiling event just a few weeks away, it sounds like both phones will become a reality.

According to the Wall Street Journal, sources have revealed the Cupertino company has tasked its supplier, Hon Hai Precision, with delivering two different iPhones next month.

It's a bit of a change in the way Apple's done things in the past, but with the battle between iOS and Android, and Apple, Samsung, Sony, HTC and Google all vying for a cut of that smartphone userbase, a change just might do Apple good.

Two is better than one

Apple has traditionally stuck with just the one model of iPhone per year since the device launched, while competitors have recently opted to double-, triple-, or even quadruple-down with mobile phones.

Samsung has already released the Galaxy S4, S4 Mini, S4 Active, S4 Zoom and has the Galaxy Mega dropping before the end of the month.

The same could be said for HTC and Sony, which have each delivered standard versions of flagship phones (HTC One, Xperia Z) and variants designed to capture more of the market (HTC One Mini, Xperia L).

Apple's rumored plans have been poorly guarded, with both the flagship iPhone 5S and budget-friendly iPhone 5C making waves for months.

While other manufacturers have seemingly been pumping out phone after phone after phone, Apple has been content to stick with its annual releases, though that slow pace has drawn some concerned looks from Apple's board.

Still, while Samsung is reportedly readying its Galaxy Gear smartwatch for a September debut, Apple's focus on phones rather than hybrid devices may actually give the company a bit of a focused edge.

Gilded age

Of course, adding a second iPhone to the slate isn't the only way Apple is believed to be dramatically adjusting its smartphone strategy.

AllThingsD is reporting the golden iPhone 5S is going to make its grand debut during Apple's September event, which will give the device a new color scheme for the first time since white was added to the mix with the iPhone 3G.

There is plenty of support for this fabled device, including how the design will actually look, and that the golden hue will resemble a champagne color more than the mineral.

The side and rear of the iPhone 5S will sport a golden frame, while the front will remain the now standard white, with the top and bottom edges of the rear also featuring white highlights.

According to the site's report, gold is being added for multiple reasons, with its ease in anodizing and the recent uptick in gold jewelery sales in China among the leading factors.

Even if adding a new color scheme and a budget model aren't terribly innovative decisions, Apple is banking on these small differences to help boost slowing smartphone sales.


Source : techradar[dot]com

It's free
index