cellphone news: October 2011

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Motorola Admiral looks ship shape, headed for Sprint in the US

We caught wind of the Motorola Admiral early last month among a group of handsets all headed for US carrier Sprint. Beyond the name this device was effectively an unknown, with no spy shots or spec leaks that we could readily find available.

The device in question has now made its first notable appearance on the interwebs so let's take a look at what it has to offer.

So a the Admiral looks to be a smart, capable, candy bar QWERTY droid, built to withstand the (note: 810G means military spec) bruises and bumps from the environments it may well find itself in as it takes its position in the launch lineup for Sprint's upcoming Direct Connect service alongside the Kyocera DuraMax and DuraCore to name but two other devices.

The Direct Connect service is looking to replace the current push-to-talk service loyal users currently reside on, by offering them up to three times the usable coverage area across the CDMA waves, and Sprint aims to expand their PTT capabilities internationally from early next year.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_admiral_looks_ship_shape_headed_for_sprint_in_the_us-news-3146.php

White iPhone 4s spotted in AT&T's system

While perusing the AT&T customer service system, someone has come across a rather interesting tidbit of information. As you can see on the side, there is mention of a certain iPhone 4s White, along with the current iPhone models.

It has been rumored for a long time that Apple may be announcing two iPhones this year. One would be an upgraded version of the current iPhone 4 and one completely new model, the iPhone 5, if you will.

If you look at the list closely, you will notice that it shows the second page with the last five items on a sixteen item list. What you don't see are the ten items on the previous page. Out of those ten, six are bound to be the iPad 2 models that AT&T sells (16, 32 and 64GB variants in black and white each).

This leaves us four models that are currently unknown. They may be of the iPhone 5 (32 and 64GB versions in black and white each). They may even be the 3G version of the iPod touch that were rumored, although that seems far less likely.

We will have to wait and watch how much of this is true. The only thing about this that seems a bit strange to us is the thought of Apple (or AT&T) selling only the white version of the iPhone 4s without the black.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/white_iphone_4s_spotted_in_at_ts_system-news-3150.php

Apple's iPhone 5 design gets leaked by Case-Mate

It has been widely accepted that the closer a device gets to its official announcement, the more credible the related leaks become. Apple's iPhone 5 is no exception from the rule. We have sneak peak for you, on the design of one of the most anticipated smartphones to launch this year, courtesy of Case-Mate.

As you can see from the picture above, the fifth generation iPhone will differ significantly from its predecessor. The aluminum back of the yet to be announced device hints at a design reference to the first iPhone, which took the world by storm four years ago. We can also expect rounded edges and slimmer profile in the new iPhone 5 - much in line with previous leaks.

There is absolutely no reason to doubt the authenticity of the images by Case-Mate. After all, the company is one of the major producers of mobile phone cases these days. The legitimacy of the shots is further enhanced by the fact that they have been subsequently removed from the company's official website. All we are left with right now, is to get an official announcement by Apple. In the meantime, tell us how you like the design in the comments section.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/apples_iphone_5_design_gets_leaked_by_casemate_-news-3151.php

LG LU6200 live shots emerge, we get to see its HD screen

It was only a few days ago when the first pictures of the LG LU6200 emerged, causing a stir in our geeky hearts. Today, we have live shots of the device for you and, finally, we get to see its HD screen in its full glory.

The AH-IPS LCD display with HD (720 x 1280) resolution, featured in the upcoming LG flagship has already made quite a splash by winning a prestigious award. There is absolutely no doubt that it will be the droid's biggest highlight. As far as the rest of the device's rumored specs go, you can go ahead and check them out here.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_lu6200_live_shots_emerge_we_get_to_see_its_hd_screen-news-3156.php

Android 2.3.7 update brings Google Wallet to Nexus S 4G

The Google Wallet service has finally started rolling out to users of the Nexus S 4G on Sprint's network. However, before you start using it, you will need to update your phone to the latest firmware.

Google has dropped the Android 2.3.7 update, which upgrades your phone's firmware from GRJ90 to GWK74. You may get the notification asking you to update or you can go to Settings > About phone > System updates to see if you have got any update waiting for you.

Do note that this update is only available to Nexus S 4G users as the Google Wallet service is available exclusively on Sprint. International users of the Nexus S may find themselves stuck on the same old version 2.3.4 for now.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/android_237_update_brings_google_wallet_to_nexus_s_4g-news-3157.php

Alleged iPhone 5 cases pop up at AT&T stores, thinner and wider

Just days before the official "Let's talk iPhone" event kicks off in Cupertino rumors about the next-gen iDevice are heating up - big time. The latest are the iPhone 5 cases that had popped up in AT&T's inventory database. Well now we have pictures to share of them.

A ninja dressed in AT&T shop assistant clothing has sent these pictures to MacRumors. They show the previously leaked Case-Mate cases for the iPhone 5. Judging by them the next incarnation of the iPhone will be way thinner than the current iPhone 4, the LG Optimus Black and the Samsung Galaxy S II - somewhere along the lines of the iPad and sharing the same design as the slate with similar tapered edges.

And in case you'd like to see what the next iPhone could look like based on these cases, you can check out the video below. It's in German but there are English subtitles so you're covered. There are tons of pictures too.

This iPhone 5 mockup was made using CAD drawings, CNC tools and some aluminum. Now we should stress that if you haven't already guessed it this isn't the next iPhone and it's not some real-life prototype Apple lost in a bar or anything of the sort. It's just a very crafty mockup based on the leaked case designs so far and nothing more.

Still this could turn out to be very close to the real deal but we'll know the answer to that one in just 5 days anyway.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_iphone_5_cases_pop_up_at_at_t_stores_thinner_and_wider-news-3209.php

Samsung Galaxy Note coming to AT&T following FCC approval

The Samsung Galaxy Note looks to be gracing the US of A with its presence following the FCC's recent approval of the device's support for AT&T's 3G bands, news that will no doubt bring a smile to gadget-heads across the nation.

The Note is somewhat of an odd breed of device. Following the rise of mobile phones and the subsequent fall of PDA's. The Note takes the notion of a throwback and adds every modern smart-device garnish it has to offer on top, meaning you get all of the mod-cons you expect from a device such as this, but an underlying sense of nostalgia too, it's truly bizarre.

The Note looks to fill the void between Samsung's 4.3"-endowed Galaxy S II smartphone and the recently announced Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, as the intermediary tab-phone crossover device with its 5.3" SuperAMOLED display.

What's really great about the Note's new FCC approval is that it not only includes support for AT&T's 3G bands but will also be capable of '4G' (read HSPA+) speeds which is no bad thing by any stretch of the imagination.

If you want to learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Note this very second, why not click here where you'll be able to check out our latest hands-on to at least cover the key features of the device preceding our in depth review, just around the corner.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_coming_to_at_t_following_fcc_approval-news-3211.php

HTC Desire S gets Gingerbread 2.3.5 and Sense 3.0

We first met the HTC Desire S at MWC in Barcelona, back in February earlier this year. As the natural successor to the HTC Desire. We saw performance improvements in terms of a better GPU, bigger amounts of RAM and ROM, and faster connectivity, but that aside, the step up wasn't as dramatic as we'd have liked.

Once it launched, the Desire S came running Android Gingerbread 2.3.3 and HTC's Sense 2.1 UI out of the box. The latest development however is that the next update for the Desire S, has started rolling out without so much as a whisper. Users in the UK are reporting that they've noticed the update innocuously popping up on their devices since the last day of September.

As with any ROM update, when you get the all important notification isn't exactly set in stone. The update appears to be coming to users in the UK with stock Desire S ROMs, so carrier specific variations will, as usual take a little longer.

With this update, not only does your S get a boost from Gingerbread 2.3.3 to 2.3.5, but Sense UI moves up to 3.0 which means key updates like the interactive lock screens, new animations, an updated launcher as well as a host of new widgets, the latest version of the Android Market and access to HTC's Watch service. Users are also reporting better GPS performance.

Back in May, at Google I/O, it was said that Android devices, at least from a group of selected manufacturers and carriers, would receive full support for at least 18 months after a device's launch. In this instance, it seems HTC are most certainly making good on that promise. We've had no word on carrier locked ROMs and when the update will spread overseas, but if you notice anything, let us know.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_s_gets_gingerbread_235_and_sense_30-news-3212.php

Bracketron Back-iT for the iPad 2

By now, I am certain that you are all aware of the iPad 2, and how the user can purchase the flexible, fold-able Smart Cover to protect the front. However, what about the back of the precious iPad 2?

This is probably the mentality that led Bracketron to develop the Back-iT. It is a “low-profile, precision-cut polycarbonate back that securely holds and protects your iPad 2 from scratches and scuffs”. It comes in the same colors of the previously mentioned Smart Covers, which are all pastel and include a “soft-touch design for superior grip for interacting and carrying your iPad 2″.

Yes, I used a lot of quotes here, but let me give you one of my own: “If you use the Back-iT with a Smart Cover on your iPad 2, it will be a beautiful bright color on either side. It is truly up to you if you want to make them match.”

You should be able to purchase the Back-iT from the official Bracketron site here for an MSRP of $29.99 in pastel colors of gray, blue, pink, green, and orange. While you are there, you might want to check out Bracketron’s Style-iT, a stylus and pen that also come in the same pastel colors. I highly suggest a color that matches.

Source:http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20110928/bracketron-backit-ipad-2/

PURE Contour is one fine iPod/iPhone dock

After years of seeing PURE products at CES and electronics shows, I finally got one to try out with the Contour. The PURE Contour is an iPod/iPhone dock, but it is quite extraordinary.

I’m not certain if its rounded shape has anything to do with its high quality sound, but it has full range 3.5 inch speakers and dual bass ports for 36W RMS of sound that really shook the floor. It has an iPod dock that is retractable, as well as an FM radio.

The Contour can also connect via Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection so you can hook up to Internet radio stations and podcasts. It also allows for streaming music directly from a PC or Mac. Also included are composite, component and S-Video out for connection to the television.

The remote for the Contour allows the user full control over this iPhone/iPod dock, but there are also touch-sensitive controls on the unit itself. Other features include some alarms and timers, 40 FM presets, unlimited internet favorites, and a Stereo headphone socket. Another feature is that it is powered by the Lounge service to register your radio, organize your favorites, and even listen online.

All of this does cost, but I would have to say that the Pure Contour is one of the finest iPod/iPhone docks that I have listened to. I am not certain when it will be available, and the lowest price that I can find for it was on Amazon for about $310.00. You can find out more information on the official site.

Source:http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20110929/pure-contour-fine-ipodiphone-dock/

Eton Mobius for the iPhone 4

Eton has a lot of solar-powered products such as emergency gadgets like the Raptor and the Scorpion. Their most recent product, the Mobius, takes a page from the Mophie Juice Pack playbook as it is a portable charger specifically designed for the iPhone 4.

The Juice Pack is a battery that doubles as an iPhone case, and the Mobius is essentially the same thing, but solar-powered. According to the official Press Release, one hour of sun on the solar cells is sufficient enough for 25 minutes of talk time, 20 minutes of internet use, 35 minutes of video playback, and two hours of audio playback.

In addition the 1800 mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery pack, this extra battery power will be held until the user needs it. All it takes is a flip of a switch, and some extra juice gets squeezed to an iPhone 4. The unit also has a micro USB port which can also charge the unit with the included micro-USB cable, and it will even sync with iTunes.

I am not certain how durable the solar cells are, and I don’t want to drop it to find out. The rest of the case is hard yet light metal, and the unit weighs about 3.4 ounces.

You should be able to get the Eton Mobius for the iPhone 4 on Amazon now for $82.34.

Source:http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20110930/eton-mobius-iphone-4/

iKurv iPod/iPhone dock from Speakal

It is difficult to review the iKurv from Speakal without comparing it to the PURE Contour iPod/iPhone dock that I reviewed the other day.

The iKurv certainly has the most odd of shapes. The arch with the speakers on each side can create 20 watts of great sound, and the sight of the blue light makes it look very beautiful.

In addition to the iPod/iPhone, you can connect your TV, Gaming Console, or MP3 to it as well. I will have to say that when I put my iPhone in the dock, the sound was very loud, and that was at the lowest level. I used the included 3.5mm headphone jack and plugged in my Droid X phone, and I found the sound was quite lower. I guess it is truly optimized for the iPod/iPhone.

I was not surprised that it comes with a wireless remote. Not only does it control the play/pause and other track related to audio, but the user can adjust the ambient light as well.

If you are interested in the iKurv, you can get it on the Speakal web site for an introductory price of $79.99, but it is only available in Black. You should also click here for more information.

Source:http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20110930/ikurv-ipodiphone-dock-speakal/

Adidas Adizero f50 football boot is smarter than you think it is

We have smart TVs, smart fridges, smartphones, and now in the world of athletics, smart boots. Football boots to be specific, as adidas, the sponsor of some of the more illustrious names in world football like Lionel Messi, has rolled out the miCoach-powered adizero f50 intelligent football boot. The 2011 model will deliver smart technology to the field of play, where it transforms the boot into the the supreme digital training tool. How does it do that? Well, you are able to track and upload performance data such as speed, maximum speed, number of sprints, distance, distance at high intensity levels and time, where all these details will be able to be analyzed by a computer software.

Data transfer is done wirelessly where it is made possible thanks to the f50′s cavity in the outsole unit that holds the revolutionary miCoach SPEED_CELL as well as enough on-board memory to stash away all the important performance data for future analysis. I wonder how this is going to affect the average man-on-the-street, but athletes who compete at the highest level will probably have far more use for it than your weekly football team.

Source:http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20111002/adidas-adizero-f50-football-boot-smarter/

LG Optimus Slider to hit Virgin Mobile USA

If you’re one of the minority who subscribes to Virgin Mobile USA, then you might be interested to know that the carrier has yet another QWERTY keyboard smartphone that runs on the Android operating system coming your way – in the form of the LG Optimus Slider. Yes sir, this smartphone with a slide-out keyboard would make it perfect for those who absolutely loathe virtual keyboards even until today, simply because it is far easier to type with a physical keyboard, and the kind of tactile feedback that you receive makes it all the more satisfying.

It doesn’t matter if you are a heavy social networker or just have tons of emails and text messages to sift through each day – the LG Optimus Slider will make short work of any messages that you intend to write out. It will arrive Stateside from October 17th onwards for $199.99 a pop at online sources, while those who prefer brick-and-mortar stores can look forward to the handset in Best Buy and RadioShack on October 31st (hello, Halloween!), with Sprint and Target stores to follow in November.

Just in case the LG Optimus Slider looks extremely familiar to you, this is actually the second generation of the popular LG Optimus V that rolled out earlier this year, and has remained one of the most popular smartphones on Virgin Mobile USA. What are some of the hardware specifications that the LG Optimus Slider will bring to the table? Well, we are looking at a decent 3.2″ touchscreen display (which might seem to be a bit too small these days), the slide out QWERTY keyboard, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 3.2-megapixel camera, a microSD memory card slot, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity.

Pre-installed apps include Virgin Mobile Live 2.0 for your social networking needs, while you can also access the Virgin Mobile branded music stream that is hosted by DJ Abbey Braden. Anyone interested so far?

Source:http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20111002/lg-optimus-slider-hit-virgin-mobile-usa/

Saturday, October 1, 2011

BlackBerry Bold 9900 review: Business reimagined

A brand new OS, more speed, a facelift and a high-res touchscreen, the latest of the Bold messengers is listening for the roar of the crowd. There's no going back to the old rational and composed self - give it danger, thrills and excitement. The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 is stronger, faster, better. No ordinary messenger, it's the bearer of good news.

BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 official pictures

Although on a second thought, a snappy 1.2GHz processor, the new BlackBerry OS 7.0 with Liquid graphics and a super crisp VGA touchscreen are no good news for the competition. Nor is HD video, dual-band Wi-Fi and NFC support. And all that comes on top of the standard BlackBerry package. The solid build quality and corporate grade email and data security go without saying. The sharp precision of the trackpad and a responsive capacitive touchscreen balance each other in a device that's convincingly comfortable to handle. Add a standard-setting QWERTY keyboard, and you have a phone which puts you in charge.

Key features:

Enhanced email and data security
2.8" 16M-color TFT touchscreen of VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
QWERTY keyboard
Quad-band GSM support and quad-band 3G with HSDPA
Dual-band Wi-Fi b/g/n connectivity
NFC capabilities
GPS receiver and BlackBerry maps preloaded, digital compass
5 megapixel fixed-focus camera, LED flash
HD video, 720p@30fps
1.2GHz QC8655 processor
768MB RAM
8GB of inbuilt storage
BlackBerry OS v7
Trackpad
microSD card slot (up to 16GB)
DivX and XviD video support
Office document editor
3.5 mm audio jack
Smart dialing
Compact body and solid build quality

Main disadvantages:

BlackBerry Internet Service account is a must to enjoy all phone features
Fixed focus camera of outdated and unintuitive interface
No video-call camera
No Flash support
Non-hot-swappable memory card
No FM radio
No haptic feedback

To begin with, the Bold Touch 9900 is bigger than the preceding 9700 Bold series. It's actually more of a return to the BlackBerry 9900 styling, with a larger screen and body. And since this is a touch phone we're talking about, the increased display real estate is welcome. Especially considering that the main competition recently had a major boost in resolution. With BlackBerry and Eseries now on par at VGA, the Bold Touch 9900 gets ahead of the Nokia E6 with 2.8" against 2.44" of screen diagonal.

BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 live photos

So much for size. We're eager to see about speed and performance too. RIM did get creative with the finish too this time, but did they cross any kind of line? Our traditional hardware checkup is coming up. Has the Bold Touch 9900 got what it takes to do well? Follow us on the next page as we unbox and inspect the design, display and controls.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_bold_touch_9900-review-645.php

iPhone 4S launching on October 21 with BBM?

According to a Greek website an iPhone will be announced in early October and released to the major markets around the world on October 21. The site claims this will be the iPhone 4S with the same size display, 8 MP camera with 1080p video recording, a dual-core 1GHz A5 processor inside and a second antenna on the top.

The rest of the specs are pretty much identical to the current iPhone 4. The site claims to have a "100% reliable source", but we wouldn't rush to bet our salaries on it if we were you.

We also received another tip, claiming that the next iPhone will feature BlackBerry's Messenger service. According to the tipster, BlackBerry will be getting a lot of cash in return for their messaging service. Once again there's no confirmation of any kind to those rumors, so it might all end up to be science fiction.

Now, we are not quite sure what to make of those rumors. The iPhone 4S seems likely as Al Gore himself says there will be more than one iPhone announced next month, JP Morgan confirms that, and AT&T has listed a white iPhone 4S. But what about the iMessage service that will come with iOS 5 - is Apple just going to put it side by side with BlackBerry Messenger?

The Apple iPhone event is, supposedly, coming on October 4th so we should find out the truth soon.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_4s_launching_on_october_21_with_bbm-news-3168.php

LG SU880 Optimus EX with Tegra 2 SoC and NOVA screen unveiled

LG has just officially unveiled its Korea-bound Optimus EX smartphone. We first met with the Android-running handset last week, when we got an official photo and detailed specs ahead of teh launch, so there are no surprises now.

The LG Optimus EX runs on Gingerbread and relies on a Tegra 2 chipset with a 1.2 GHz dual-core CPU and 1GB of RAM to do the math. The 4" WVGA screen on top will be of the NOVA variety, which promises one of the highest brightness levels on the market.

At the back there's a 5 megapixel camera that does 1080p video recording, while on the front is a VGA camera for video-chatting. The included storage is relatively modest at 8GB, but the microSD slot lets you expand that as much as you like.

The LG SU880 Optimus EX will be available to South Korea's SK Telecom customers, but the release timeframe or pricing haven't been mentioned. LG also hasn't mentioned if they plan on bringing a version of the smartphone to Europe or US.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_su880_optimus_ex_unveiled_heads_for_korea_with_tegra_2_soc_and_nova_screen-news-3186.php

Officially confirmed: iPhone 5 comes on October 4th

That's that then - the invitations have been sent and it has been officially confirmed that we are just a week away from seeing the next iPhone. The announcement will take place next Tuesday in a rather unusual place - the Apple campus in Cupertino.

Normally those things happen in other venues in San Francisco, but this time Apple will be inviting journalists to its home. There's an outside chance that this is done so they can make LTE demonstrations, without depending on the (still rather spotty) LTE coverage. Still, most rumors suggest that the iPhone 5 won't have an LTE radio so we wouldn't bet our houses on that.

However, the most exciting part about the event is the number of smartphones that will be announced. We received information from at least two reputable sources that more than one iPhone will be revealed, but if the invitation is to serve as a clue, it's only going to be one.

The first three icons describe the date, time and location of the event, so we assume that the number of missed calls on the last one indicates that we won't be getting both an iPhone 5 and an iPhone 4S.

Update: Interestingly, BGR.com has evidence that AT&T has issued a vacation blackout order to its employees for the middle of October, which naturally leads us to believe that the next iPhone will launch somewhere around that time.

Anyway, the event is now less than 7 days away so the end of this seemingly endless guessing game is near.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/officially_confirmed_iphone_5_comes_on_october_4th-news-3188.php

Huawei-Discovery Expedition is here to redefine the ruggedness

The rugged phones are not something common nowadays but it's good to have them around. Despite the average user will need one not more than once or twice in the lifetime of the phone, there are people out there that spend most of their days in hostile environments or even adventures.

Huawei and Discovery Communications acknowledge the needs of this sort of people and are stepping up with their own Discovery Expedition rugged phone (that's Discovery's lifestyle brand). The Discovery Expedition phone is water-resistant, dust and shock proof. It has all the extra specs a traveler may need too - GPS, digital compass and a torch. Unfortunately, this is everything Huawei and Discovery gave us as official information.

Huawei-Discovery Expedition phone official picture

Luckily, Techblog.gr managed to get their hands on an Expedition phone and published some nice live pictures. There you can see the phone is equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack, a microUSB port (the flashlight is between them), a camera and panels painted in two colors - orange and black.

Huawei-Discovery Expedition phone live pictures

The Huawei's Discovery Expedition phone is expected by the end of the year and will be released worldwide. This should help Huawei's own brand gather more popularity outside Asia.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_discovery_expedition_is_here_to_redefine_the_ruggedness-news-3189.php

Samsung Galaxy Note hands-on: First look

The Samsung Galaxy Note is a player in a game of numbers - and it's drawing higher numbers than the competition. Starting with the 5.3" 1280x800 pixels SuperAMOLED screen on the outside and all the way to the beefed up Exynos chipset inside with two 1.4GHz cores, the Galaxy Note has +1 on all its specs.

Samsung Galaxy Note

This is hardly where the numbers end, here are a few more - 285ppi for the screen, 9.65mm thick, 8MP still camera, 1080p video camera, 2,500 mAh battery. It's either a Galaxy S II on steroids or a smaller Galaxy Tab 7.7. Whichever way you look at it, the Galaxy Note is an impressive piece of kit.

On top of that (or rather, on the bottom) we have the S Pen, an active stylus, which can be used to jot down notes, control the S Planner organizer and more. The stylus slides into the body, which means it's always around when you need it.

Samsung Galaxy Note Hands On
Samsung Galaxy Note visits our office

We haven’t had enough time with the Note - it literally arrived in our office a couple of hours ago - but enough for a quick hands-on. These are our initial impressions of the hardware and the camera. We've thrown in a bonus user interface video, so enjoy.

This test unit was kindly provided by CT MIAMI, a Samsung distributor for Latin America. The Galaxy Note will be available at CT MIAMI for wholesale customers on October 24 for $699.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note-review-648.php

Huawei Honor gets some hands-on photos and video

But just the other day, Huawei unveiled the Honor, their latest Android device, with a spec sheet that places it amongst stiff competition including the likes of the Xperia arc S for example in the upper echelons of their portfolio.

We saw shots of the Honor, tie straightened and trousers pressed in the official press photography, looking as Huawei intended, but now the team over at Techblog.gr have managed to snag some real-life, more light-of-day honest angles.

Not only that, they in fact they had time to shoot a video giving a general overview of the Honor's software/hardware setup too, neat.

Huawei Honor, hands on in Greek

In case you missed the last post, the Honor should be hitting shelves in December for around €300, so what do you get for your dosh?

The Honor runs Gingerbread 2.3.4 out the box and that sits atop a wealth of hardware. For starters there's a 1.4GHz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 3G/HSPA connectivity, 4GB internal storage (expandable via microSD up to 32GB, naturally), Wi-Fi, DLNA, GPS, Bluetooth 2.1, an FM Radio and of course a microUSB port, which covers the body of this device.

Imaging looks promising with an 8MP shooter on the back accompanied by an LED flash, capable of 720p HD video with autofocus and even an HDR mode. Add to that an LED flash and a 2MP front facer and all thats left to mention then is the 4-inch display. Battery life should be hot too as the Honor comes with a 1900mAh powerplant.

Is the Honor the right device for you? Or has it arrived at a somewhat inopportune time, thoughts in the comments, we'd love to hear what you think.

Source (in Greek):http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_gets_some_handson_photos_and_video-news-3192.php

Sony Ericsson Xperia ray review: Ray of light

Honey, I shrunk the Xperia arc. No, that's a different story. And yes, we like the Sony Ericsson minis. But that's not how the real story of the Sony Ericsson Xperia ray goes.

They did things to the Xperia arc. They took out its beating heart and carved a new phone out of it. But this isn't a scary story, it has a happy ending. It feels the Ray was always living inside the Xperia arc, waiting to be released. Like a seed that will grow a new plant.

That's how we imagine the Sony Ericsson Xperia ray was born. They cracked the rock open to get to the gem.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray Preview
Sony Ericsson Xperia ray official photos

The Xperia ray had to shed off layers of armor but lost none of the courage. It's got all the exciting ingredients of the Xperia arc. The sharp BRAVIA engine display is there and so is the 8MP camera, complete with 720p video recording. And the ray is impressively thin too. It is one of the most compact members of the Xperia family, and one of the handsomest phones we've seen.

Sure, the arc is slimmer but it's a massive handset. The mini is tiny but too chubby at 16mm. If you want a really slim and compact droid, the Sony Ericsson Xperia ray is one of the few that fit the bill.

The screen takes much credit for the phone's good looks. The BRAVIA engine unit has the impressive pixel density of 300ppi. We had a close look at the advantages of the BRAVIA engine and the improvements are tangible.

The screen isn't the only thing to borrow from the wealth of Sony experience. The 8MP camera packs an Exmor R sensor, which boasts improved low-light performance. It also captures 720p video with continuous autofocus - on paper, you get the same camera as in the Xperia arc.

Before we go on with the Sony Ericsson Xperia ray's story, you should get to know the protagonist better. Here's the list of all the virtues and the vices as we saw them:

Key features

Quad-band GSM /GPRS/EDGE support
3G with 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 5.76 Mbps HSUPA
3.3" 16M-color capacitive LED-backlit LCD touchscreen of FWVGA resolution (480 x 854 pixels) on Sony Mobile BRAVIA engine
Android OS v2.3 Gingerbread
1 GHz Scorpion CPU, Adreno 205 GPU, Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 chipset
512 MB RAM
8 MP autofocus camera, LED light, geotagging
720p video @ 30fps, continuous autofocus
Front facing VGA camera, video calls
Wi-Fi b/g/n and DLNA
GPS with A-GPS
microSD slot (32GB supported, 4GB card included)
Accelerometer and proximity sensor
Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
Stereo FM radio with RDS
microUSB port (charging) and stereo Bluetooth v2.1
Voice dialing
Adobe Flash 10.2 support
Slim design at 9.4mm thickness
Large 1500mAh Li-ion battery

Main disadvantages

Screen viewing angles could have been better
No smart dialing
Loudspeaker has below average performance
No DivX/XviD support
Non hot-swappable memory card
No HDMI port (the arc and the Neo have one)

The ray is powered by the 1GHz processor with 512MB RAM and Adreno 205 graphics, courtesy of the Qualcomm MSM8255 chipset that is prevalent in the Xperia line. It's no match for dual-core, but if it's good enough for the gaming-centered Xperia Play, the ray shouldn’t have any issues with speed.

Sony Ericsson Xperia ray live shots

So, the hardware on the inside is pretty familiar and so is the software. But the slender, eye-catching body is the big deal so we'll focus on that first. We'll also rummage through the retail box, so follow us on the next page.

Source:http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_xperia_ray-review-649.php