Saturday 29 December 2012

Apple's Tim Cook earns almost 99% less in 2012

By on 05:40

Tim Cook, in his first year as CEO of Apple after the late Steve Jobs, earned $1.4 million in salary this year, along with $2.8 million in bonuses. This is significantly less than his 2011 earnings of $378 million.
According to Reuters, Cook's actual salary went up by some $900,000, but this year he did not receive any Apple stock, which accounts for the large disparity. In 2011, Cook received some $376.2 million in long-term stock awards.
Almost all of Cook's stock bonuses will be awarded in two large chunks, the first of which will vest in 2016, the second in 2021. This will act as an impetus for Cook to perform well as head of Apple in the meanwhile, as the value of the bonuses will depend on how high the stock is in 2016 and 2021.

Amazon cuts prices on 8X and Lumia 920 even further

By on 05:39

Amazon has gotten pretty aggressive with the price cuts for Windows Phone 8 handsets. About a month ago, they cut the price of two WP8 flagships, the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC Windows Phone 8X, and now they've cut them again.
The Nokia Lumia 920 is now $40 with a two-year contract from AT&T (used to be $60), if you get it through the Amazon Wireless portal. Both the black and white versions are available. The Lumia 820 is free with two-year contract at Amazon Wireless too, has been for over a month.

Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean is now available for HTC One S

By on 05:36

HTC One S owners around the world have a good reason to smile today. Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean is now seeding to the Taiwanese company's likable mid-ranger.


The OS update is currently available for the international version of the smartphone. Users with carrier-branded devices will have to be a bit more patient.

Samsung officially announces Galaxy Note Premium Suite

By on 05:34

The latest generation of Samsung devices is already enjoying the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. Samsung is working hard to update the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note for quite some time and as it seems the Note update is just around the corner.

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Nokia sells its HQ in Finland, to stay there on a lease

By on 08:29

Nokia's financials aren't what you'd call great lately, and as a result the company is selling its headquarters building in Espoo, Finland for €170 million.

Samsung Galaxy S III outsells Apple iPhone 5 in the UK

By on 08:28

For a seventh consecutive month, the Samsung Galaxy S III is the most popular smartphone in the United Kingdom. The data compiled by uSwitch is based on live searches, pre-orders, as well as postpaid sales.

Jelly Bean and ICS continue their growth at Gingerbread's expense

By on 08:08

The Android distribution statistics for November just arrived, showing an over two-fold increase in the Jelly Bean market share.
Version 4.1 Jelly Bean is now on 5.9% of the Android devices from 2.7% last month, while the recently released 4.2 Jelly Bean already powers 0.8% of the droids out tehre. Undoubtedly, the release of the new Nexus devices has to do something with it, butthe release of JB updates from Samsung and HTC has also helped a bit.

Apple iPhone 5 hits 55 more countries this month

By on 08:06

Apple is expanding the iPhone 5 availability to 55 new countries this month. On December 7 the Apple's thinnest and lightest is coming to the Samsung's homeland - South Korea.
A week later, on December 14, the iPhone 5 will land in 33 more markets. Those include Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

Saturday 3 November 2012

Windows Phone Italy's Facebook page reveals WP7.8 features

By on 22:52

The big Microsoft event came and went and there wasn’t even a word about Windows Phone 7.8. Joe Belfiore and co didn’t even announce a date when the update will be released, but it will probably be a while after WP8 hits the shelves (which is already happening).

Apple announces iPad 4th generation with an A6X chipset

By on 11:03

Everyone expected today’s Apple event to be all about the iPad mini, but it turned out that the Cupertino-based company had a surprise for us. Apple unveiled the fourth generation of its iPad iOS-running tablet.

Apple Q3 report: iPhone sales down, but profit still strong

By on 10:59

Apple has just posted its report for the third quarter of the year and things are looking healthy for the Cupertino-based company. The revenue was $36 billion and the net profit stood at $8.2 billion, both of those comparing very favorably to the numbers from the same period of last year ($28.3 billion and $6.6 billion).

LG Nexus 4 goes on pre-order early, specs and pricing confirmed

By on 10:58

Mr. Nexus 4, you're early. Carphone Warehouse just couldn’t wait until next week and decided to put the next Google purebred droid on pre-order right now, complete with specs, price and delivery date.

Samsung Galaxy Note II pricing on T-Mobile and AT&T revealed

By on 10:52

The Samsung Galaxy Note II has been priced by AT&T and T-Mobile in the US and we also got availability info.
The phone will set back AT&T users $299.99 on a two-year commitment and the device will come with LTE on tap. T-Mobile is offering the device in Marble White and Titanium Grey but slightly overpriced at $369.99, and that's including a $50 mail-in rebate.

Xperia E and E Dual leak, marked as Sony's new entry-level droids

By on 10:29

Sony is preparing to refresh its entry-level Android line-up, as Indonesian site Postel has leaked the Xperia E and Xperia E Dual model names.

Friday 2 November 2012

Official render of Xperia Odin surfaces, looks like previous leak

By on 11:25

Sony's alleged next flagship droid has leaked anew this time with an official photo. The Sony Xperia C650X Odin official photo is a render, which looks pretty close to the Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 and slightly resembles a Motorola RAZR with its beveled edges and use of metal in the frame.
The render is very close to the previous live picture we saw of the Xperia Odin.

Sony Xperia Odin render (click for larger image)

Apple issues iOS 6.0.1 update, fixes mainly iPhone 5 issues

By on 11:21

Today Apple released a minor update for its iOS 6 mobile platform. This is the first OTA update to come since iOS 6 was seeded to users and it comes to fix an issue with horizontal lines over the keyboard of the iPhone 5, camera flash issues, Wi-Fi reliability and more.
The update is available over the air and through iTunes as we speak. We installed it, but we are yet to sport any major differences in the user experience. Drop us a line in the comments section if you've noticed anything worth mentioning.

Samsung sells 3 million Galaxy Note II units in just over a month

By on 11:08

Samsung have once again outdone themselves, this time with the Galaxy Note II. The 5.5-inch phablet is now ticking in 3 million pockets worldwide, just 37 days after the September launch.


"The rapid Galaxy Note 2 sales have a meaning of not just creating a new category of smartphone, but also of popularizing the category." – says Samsung.

Thursday 1 November 2012

Samsung Galaxy Premier live picture appears on Twitter

By on 11:05

A live picture of the Samsung Galaxy Premier has popped up on Twitter courtesy of @evleaks. The device follows the design scheme of the Samsung Galaxy S III mini although the sensors above the display are on the right of the speaker, instead of on the left.
The Samsung Galaxy Premier is rumored to feature a 4.65" Super AMOLED Plus of 720 x 1280 pixel resolution but Sammobile has recovered a PDF file that points to a WVGA screen.

Click for larger image

LG outs Q3 financial results, reports a profitable quarter

By on 11:03

LG has posted its financial report for Q3 2012 and the news are mostly positive. The company has been described its performance as "solid" and while it didn't report huge profit at least it's in the black.
The overall net profit is reported at 157 billion Korean won ($138.57 million), which is $1.8 million lower than in Q2, but is still great news for LG.

Apple introduces 7.9-inch iPad mini, coming on November 2

By on 11:01

The Apple iPad mini rumors have been around for ages, but the slate finally went official. Apple has just introduced the latest iOS slate – the 7.9-inch iPad mini.

Nokia Lumia 510 goes official, brings WP7.5 and a 4-inch screen

By on 10:57

It's time for the Nokia Lumia 510 to get out of hiding and step into the light - it's an entry-level Windows Phone smartphone, which has some pretty decent specs. Starting with a 4" WVGA TFT screen, the Lumia 510 takes the lead on the Lumia 610, which has a 3.7" screen.

Tuesday 30 October 2012

iPhone 5 production slows down due to stricter quality control

By on 09:47

Apple is experiencing a slowdown in the iPhone 5 production as the company is trying to enforce a tighter control over the manufacturing process. The company is working with Foxconn to lower down the number of devices shipped with nicks and scratches.

Sony C6603 'Yuga' camera sample leaks, hints at a 13MP sensor

By on 09:44

The Sony Yuga had its display and quad-core Krait internals leaked in the not so distant past, and now its camera draws our attention thanks to a leaked Picasa sample photo.

HTC Windows Phone 8X to launch on Nov 2, 8S on Nov 15

By on 09:43

HTC's Windows Phone 8X and 8S devices have been priced in the UK and the more interesting of the two has even gone as far as pre-order stage on AT&T in the US. We've heard about a beginning of November release but it's only now that we get specific dates on the duo market availability.

Japanese court rejects Samsung's case against Apple

By on 09:41

Samsung had filed a case in Japan back in September asking to block the sales of all the iPhones. According to Samsung, the iPhone 4 and the 4S were infringing on their patents regarding the technology used in the downloading of apps and the airplane mode.

Samsung reportedly working on a 1080p sAMOLED screen and phone

By on 09:39

The first 1080p smartphones are a reality and regardless whether you consider 400+ ppi pixel density as great or as an overkill, the next generation of Android flagships will most probably feature FullHD screens.

Monday 29 October 2012

Google sends out invites for an Android event on October 29

By on 09:48

Google has just sent out invites to the media for an Android event to be held on October 29. The event will be in New York at 10:00 AM and will be streamed live on YouTube.

HTC J butterfly announced in Japan with 5-inch, 1080p display

By on 09:46

We have been hearing rumors of an HTC phone with a large 1080p display for a while now and it has finally come true. HTC has unveiled the HTC J butterfly in Japan and it is the first production smartphone to have a 1080p display.

Pricing and availability of the ASUS Padfone 2 detailed

By on 09:43

Now that the ASUS Padfone 2 is finally official, it's time to get a detailed idea of the device's pricing and availability. As we already told you, the smartphone is initially going to be available in 32GB and 64GB variations, with a 16GB coming out later (we assume by Christmas).

Photos of Nokia Lumia 920 version for China Mobile leak

By on 09:41

It looks like Nokia is about land its flagship on the carrier with the largest subscriber base in the world. Images of Nokia 920T for China Mobile have leaked out, showing us a TD-SCDMA version of the Nokia Lumia 920.
 

Android 4.1.2 update now seeding to Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus

By on 09:39

Following the footsteps of the Google Nexus 7, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S got their own treatment of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. The 15.1MB update is currently seeding to GSM/HSPA versions of both smartphones over the air.

Saturday 13 October 2012

Motorola DROID RAZR HD duo will hit Verizon on October 18

By on 20:18

Verizon Wireless announced that the Motorola DROID RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD duo will land on its shelves on October 18. The DROID RAZR HD will be priced at $199.99, while the 3300mAh sporting RAZR MAXX HD will set potential users back with $299.99.

Sunday 7 October 2012

BlackBerry 10 beta 3 released, shows revamped UI

By on 02:29

At a special event yesterday RIM unveiled the BlackBerry 10 beta 3 running on the company's new test device, the Dev Alpha B.
The UI look and feel of this latest BlackBerry 10 build is what RIM will be putting on its final BB10 devices in early 2013. And according to those, who've tried it, it really has the potential to grab people's attention.

HTC One X+ makes an appearance in an O2 UK brochure

By on 02:23

The previously rumored HTC One X+ seems to be right around the corner, folks. The upcoming smartphone has made an appearance in a brochure for UK's wireless carrier O2.

AT&T to get US dibs on Lumia 920 and 820 in November

By on 02:14

AT&T will be the US carrier to go to this holiday season if you are after Nokia's latest Windows Phone 8 smartphones.
With AT&T the Nokia Lumia 920 will be available in various colors including cyan, yellow, red, white and black. As far as we know, the cyan color was not part of the originally announced range of colors for the Lumia 920 so perhaps it will be exclusive to AT&T.

Microsoft to hold a Windows Phone 8 event on October 29

By on 02:13

With its Windows 8 and Surface tablet launch event detailed, Microsoft has spilled the beans on its Windows Phone 8 launch event as well.
Taking place in San Francisco on October 29 at 10:00 AM, the event will give us the long-awaited details on Windows Phone 8. Microsoft has been very secretive of the latest iteration of its mobile OS, so it's going to be quite an event.

Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX price drops to $50 on contract

By on 02:11

Amazon Wireless has a killer deal for droid lovers who want huge battery life and don't mind slightly aged hardware and software - they are offering the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX for just $50 (with a 2-year Verizon contract, of course).
Both Verizon's and Motorola's sites still list the phone at $200, while Best Buy has it at $150. For comparison, a non-MAXX Droid RAZR (with 16GB of built-in storage instead of 32GB) goes for $30($100 on Verizon's site).
What you might want to look at is the new RAZR M - it doesn’t have such a big battery ("only" 2000mAh) or as much storage, but it's a very compact phone with two Krait cores and is going for only$40 at the moment.

Galaxy Note II firmware update brings split-screen multitasking

By on 02:08

Samsung has released a firmware update for the Galaxy Note II, which enables the much anticipated split-screen multitasking feature.
Multi-View enhances the multitasking capabilities of the Galaxy Note II, allowing you to run two apps on the screen simultaneously. Mind you, not all Android apps are supported, but unlike the Galaxy Note 10.1, where only Samsung apps could be brought up to the screen, Multi-Window supports Google apps as well (Gmail, YouTube, Chrome and Talk).

Xperia Tablet S sales suspended due to manufacturing issues

By on 02:06

Sony made a tough decision to suspend the Xperia Tablet S sales because of a manufacturing issue resulting in gaps between the screen and the panel. This causes problems with the splash resistance and the Tablet S will get soaked eventually.

Samsung outs Q3 2012 earning guidance, expects another record

By on 02:04

Today Samsung announced its earning guidance for Q3 2012 and expects yet another record breaking quarter (fourth in a row). According to the preliminary report, the company is expecting an achieve an operating profit of $7.28 billion.

Thursday 4 October 2012

HTC Windows Phone 8X Three UK PAYG pricing set at £350

By on 06:31

Shortly after the HTC Windows Phone 8X announcement we learned that the SIM-free version of the device might cost a rather hefty £399. It turns out that wasn't entirely accurate as Three UK, will be selling the smartphone off-contract for the easier to swallow £350 ($564 / €436).

T-Mobile branded LG Optimus L9 press shot emerges

By on 06:30

With its more powerful relative's availability confirmed in the United States, LG's mid-range Optimus L9 has emerged in a press image, sporting T-Mobile US livery. Both LG and T-Mobile are yet to officially announce availability of the handset.

Nokia Lumia 510 pictured, pricing and specs confirmed

By on 06:29

We first heard about the Lumia 510 last month, in a leak that revealed that the low-end smartphone would sport a 4-inch display, have 4 GB of internal memory, and run on just 256 MB of RAM.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Apple apologizes for Maps fiasco, suggest you try the competition

By on 06:33

In an unprecedented move, Apple's CEO Tim Cook published a letter on the company's website, admitting that Apple's new maps service isn't up to par with the competition.

Samsung ATIV S is up for pre-order, can be yours for €549

By on 06:30

After the pricing of HTC's Windows Phone 8 smartphones, the 8X and 8S, and Nokia's Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 were revealed, now it's time to see how much Samsung is going to ask for its ATIV S.

Garnet Red Galaxy S III lands in UK, costs £429

By on 06:23

If you're a UK resident and want to get a flashier Galaxy S III but can't be bothered with tedious long-lasting contracts you could get the Garnet Red version in UK now for £429.99.


The Samsung Galaxy S III Garnet Red international availability was announced in August alongside the Amber Brown, Sapphire Black and Titanium Grey variants. Originally an AT&T exclusive it's now available on UK shores as well.

Samsung adds iPhone 5 to its patents infringement case

By on 06:21

Samsung had already made it clear that they intend to add the iPhone 5 to their patent infringement case against Apple as soon as the product launches. Sticking to that claim, Samsung has done exactly as promised, and the new iPhone 5 now joins the previous iPhones, iPad and iPod touch in Samsung's case.

Latest Android figures show poor growth for Jelly Bean and ICS

By on 02:08

The latest Android distribution figures are in and things don't look a lot better for Jelly Bean and Ice Cream Sandwich over last month.

Sony Xperia T European march continues, it's about to hit US shores too

By on 02:07

The Sony Xperia T is continuing its roll-out to retailers across rest of Europe and after becoming available in the UK a few days ago. Reports are coming in of the device being available in Slovakia, where it's offered by carrier Telekom on a contract with prices starting from €229.