| Who are all these people buying LG smartphones? Jul 24th 2013, 11:39, by Kate Solomon 
It's financial results season again, a chance for all the tech companies to insist that everything is fine and we're doing just as well as our competitors thank you very much and hope against hope that no one looks too closely at the actual results. LG is busy crowing that it shipped a record number smartphones (12.1 million) between April and June 2013, but it's keeping its dip in profits compared to last year couched in fluffy language. So while the company's net profit of US$139.04m is "down slightly from the same period last year" it also "improved significantly" from the previous quarter. The previous quarter being January to March, the quarter in which nobody really buys anything. Anyway...The mobile division itself has done fairly well out of that 12.1 million smartphone record: operating profit was up compared to last year but down from the first three months of this year because of "weaker demand in the Korean market". It's expecting that the LG G Pro and LG G2 will revive things, as well as pinning its hopes on mass-market phones like the L-Series and F-Series. Over in LG's home entertainment division (TVs, Blu-ray players and their ilk) operating profits of $95.37m were up compared to the first quarter, which LG thinks is down to "stronger sales in developing markets" and "successful new models". Three cheers. But the division's income is down compared to last year's figures because of weak demand and intense competition which in turn meant LG had to opt for lower than average selling prices. It's hoping that investing in bigger screen TVs and Ultra HD and OLED sets will pull it out of the slump. Don't worry though, there's still cash coming in from the Home Appliance and air conditioning sides of things, both sections reported record highs.     |  | Nokia bringing its big and cheap Lumia 625 to Australia next month Jul 24th 2013, 02:58, by Farrha Khan 
Nokia will be bringing its budget-conscious Lumia 625 to Australian shores next month for just $399. Available from August 23, the Lumia 625's 4.7-inch screen makes it Nokia's largest phone. While it will also be packing 4G capabilities, to keep the price low, the specs have taken a hit. The Lumia 625 is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core process with only 512MB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, though this is eaten into by the hefty OS. Luckily, it does also sport an SD card slot. It also has a 2000mAh battery and a 5MP camera that can shoot 1080p at 30fps. Lumia 625 users will have access to Nokia's mapping service, called Here, as well as 7GB storage on SkyDrive and access to its music streaming service, Nokia Music. The phone will either come in black or white, with an orange changeable shell, but if you find these options abhorrent, other colours may be announced before August 23. All about choices Running Windows Phone 8, the Lumia 625's key selling point is that its large screen and 4G capabilities comes with a low price tag. "The Nokia Lumia 625 has our largest ever smartphone screen with 4G internet access and our latest apps," said Steve Lewis, Nokia Australia's managing director. "Our focus remains on offering choice and value for customers, by continuing to deliver new developments and experiences across our smartphone range, at every price point." Aussies will be able to pick up the phone at Allphones, Dick Smith, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman from August 23. Telstra and Optus will be ranging the device from the end of August as well, while Virgin Mobile will have it from September onwards. Vodafone confirmed to TechRadar that it will also be ranging the Lumia 625 from the end of August on its $40 Hero plan with $0 phone repayments.     | | BlackBerry A10's front and less-exciting back appear in Twitter pics Jul 23rd 2013, 21:24, by Michael Rougeau 
The BlackBerry A10 has allegedly popped up in another photo leak, this time with both its front and back sides entering the spotlight. Vietnamese Twitter user Vũ Thạnh (@nvthanh1994) snapped three photos of what he claims is the BlackBerry A10, code named "Aristo." The BlackBerry Z10 successor is rumored to pack a 5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and discrete GPU. It's also said to have eight and 2-megapixel cameras, 16GB of storage, LTE, NFC, microSD, a 2,800 mAh battery and BlackBerry 10.2. Wow, we actually have a lot on this device, don't we? Those specs might not exactly make the BlackBerry A10 a Galaxy S4 or HTC One killer, but it should nevertheless prove the most powerful BB10 phone yet. Home for the holidaysThe BlackBerry A10 is expected to arrive in time for the holidays, possibly as early as November. Today's leak seems to match the last one, which appeared earlier this month on BGR. Shortly after that leak, a full A10 specs sheet for the expected BlackBerry hero leaked as well. 
Yet another A10 leak, also from Vietnam, appeared around the same time, this one a video. The exact form factor of the A10 has yet to completely take shape, as few have held it in their hands, but we're certainly liking the look of it. Expect to see more and more of the A10 as the summer comes to a close.     | | Sprint's BlackBerry Q10 and Ativ S Neo tipped for August Jul 23rd 2013, 19:37, by Michael Rougeau 
Samsung's Ativ S Neo and the BlackBerry Q10 will launch on Sprint next month, according to what looks like an internal communication from the carrier. Much anticipated Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10 handsets, respectively, the Ativ S Neo will release on August 16, with Q10 pre-orders shipping out a couple weeks later on August 30. Those who don't pre-order the QWERTY-equipped Q10 will reportedly be able to pick it up a month later on Sept. 13. The screenshot with this info comes by way of Engadget, which today claimed to have received the Sprint communication from an anonymous source. A Sprint spokesperson would neither confirm nor refute its authenticity with TechRadar, reminding us the carrier does not comment on rumors and promising that "exact availability dates for both smartphones will be shared closer to their availability dates." You are the one, NeoThe Ativ S Neo previously had an expected release window no smaller than "this summer," and it appears Sprint will keep that promise with an August 16 release date. The Windows Phone device sports a 1.4GHz dual-core, 1GB of RAM, microSD, a 2000mAh removable battery and a 4.8-inch HD display. Notably Samsung's latest Windows Phone 8 handset also features Ativ Beam near-field communication (NFC), allowing it to communicate directly with other WP8s and even some Android devices. It's being offered for $150 (£97.70, AU$162.02) after a $50 rebate and two-year contract. Ooh, clickyThe BlackBerry Q10, on the other hand, arrives somewhat late on Sprint, as it's already been released on a number of carriers in various countries around the world. Still, Sprint users high on nostalgia for the days of Blackberries with physical, clicky keys will be glad to know they'll finally have their messiah next month. In addition to that lovely QWERTY, the Q10 features a 3.1-inch Super AMOLED HD touch screen, Snapdragon S4 processor and 8-megapixel rear camera, plus 4G, NFC, 2GB of memory, 16GB of internal storage and a 2100mAh battery. The BlackBerry Q10 was offered on other carriers for $199.99 (£129.62, AU$214.95) and presumably Sprint will be the same. - Your choice of BlackBerry 10 devices is limited, but Windows Phone 8 is a different story - good thing TechRadar ranked the best Windows Phone 8 phones!
    | | Holy Honami, Sony! Xperia Z successor reportedly outed once again Jul 23rd 2013, 19:29, by Chris Smith -470-75.jpg)
Sony's heavily-rumoured new flagship mobile device, believed to be codenamed Honami, has reportedly made another public appearance in an array of leaked snapshots. The device, which could arrive named the Xperia 1i, has been tipped as a 20-megapixel smartphone to sit alongside the larger, recently launched Sony Xperia Z Ultra phablet. If these new snaps prove to be credible, the Honami (or 1i, or whatever) will arrive looking an awful lot like the current iteration, with a few notable exceptions. Indeed, the snaps showcase an extremely slim device, with clearly defined square edges and that signature, premium Sony design language. However, it does look as though Sony is throwing a glass backplate into the mix this time around. Meanwhile the bottom of the device sports an exposed speaker perforations, meaning it's less unlikely to arrive with the same waterproof and dustproof certifications as the Xperia Z. 
20-megapixel snapper?The latest pics of the device, which came via the Gadget Helpline website, seem to back up what previous leaks have already suggested: Despite the likelihood of a very large sensor size, Homani won't pack a protruding camera module, a la the Nokia Lumia 1020. Previous leaks have suggested there'll be a 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chip, Qualcomm Adreno 330 graphics, 2GB of memory, 16GB of storage, microSD, LTE and NFC support. It almost goes without saying that the purported a 5-inch display will be full HD, while a 2-megapixel front camera, and a 3,000 mAh battery may sound out the spec sheet.     | | HTC could soon make room at the table for HTC One Max, mystery Zara device Jul 23rd 2013, 17:44, by JR Bookwalter 
HTC isn't letting a recent string of so-so circumstances get it down, reportedly preparing a One-branded phablet and some kind of device with a plastic case called "Zara" for launch in the coming months. Unwired View reported this week that HTC has not one, but two new devices rumored to debut by the end of the third quarter, including the company's first real stab at a phablet in the style of the Samsung Galaxy Note. According to a report from China Times, an oversized handset codenamed "T6" could arrive in September with a 5.9-inch Full HD display, Android 4.3, 2GB RAM and the option of either 32GB or 64GB of storage. The device is expected to carry the HTC One Max name, and is said to feature a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor powered by a beefy 3200mAh battery inside its metal frame. Only Zara knowsDespite all that is rumored about the so-called HTC One Max, a second device also pegged for release later this year is the mysterious HTC Zara. Making its debut on the rumor circuit, the HTC Zara is expected to arrive with a plastic shell instead of the highly touted metal being used for recent One handsets, presumably in a cost-saving move. Unfortunately, aside from the name and plastic casing, little else is known about the Zara, including what kind of device it might actually be. Both devices are expected to fall under HTC's new "emerging devices" shingle, a new unit headed up by the company's president of North America, Mike Woodward. - Get a look at another big-screen smartphone in our Nokia Lumia 625 hands-on review!
    | | Meet the Droid Mini, Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx and 48-hour battery life Jul 23rd 2013, 15:56, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
U.S. carrier Verizon outed a threesome of next-gen Motorola Droids today during an over-before-it-began press event in New York City. The new family of phones includes (unsurprisingly) the Droid Mini, Droid Ultra and Droid Maxx. It's important to note that we should see the phones land in international variants, dropping "Droid" along the way, and we'll bring you details on those announcements when available. But back to Big Red, the Droids were heavily leaked in the days leading up to today's reveal, but now Verzion and bedfellow Motorola have brought the follow ups for its "most popular" line to the fore. Each offers its own little something, though the similarities between the Ultra and Maxx are more striking. However, Verizon claims the Maxx's 3,500mAh battery can last up to 48 hours, a ridiculously long time in this day and age. 
What's in a Droid?The Ultra and Maxx are for all intents and purposes replacing the Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD. Both phones are said to come with a CPU speed that's boosted by 24 percent, while the GPU speed is up by 100 percent. The increases are due to a new Motorola X8 SoC, a chip that's Moto made. Lumped within this "eight-core" chip are four GPU processors, two processors for running apps, one for contextual computing, and one devoted solely to language processing. All three devices have come with a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor and 2GB of RAM. With the Ultra, users will get a 7.18mm phone that's home to a 5-inch, 1280 x 720 screen. The Kevlar back is back, and it's also molded into the 8.5mm thin Maxx and Mini. Verizon's painted the Ultra racecar red, while the other two are a more subdued black. If you're not feeling fuego, the Ultra is available in black as well. The Mini houses a 4.3-inch, edge-to-edge display. It and the Ultra are available with 16GB while the Maxx tops out at 32GB in storage. None have microSD support. Curious about the OS? Try Android 4.2.2 on for size. 
Droid-y featuresMoto's stuck a 10MP camera in the back of all three and a 2MP on the front. Ho-hum, but there's also a camera function called Quick Capture that lets owners take a 10MP snap by shaking their phone twice, then tapping anywhere on the screen to take a picture. With Droid Zap, users can share a pic with a nearby Droid by swiping up on the photo, and a swipe downward will let them receive one. There's also an always-on Google Now functionality baked into each phone, meaning you can shout "OK Google Now" and utter commands without ever touching your device. If you misplace your Droid, you can holler, "Find my Droid," and your phone will start ringing if it's within earshot. Importantly, the phone learns what the sound of your voice so it can pick it up in a room full of chatter, though some more rigorous real world testing is needed to see if this is the real deal. In further keeping with their futuristic name, the new Droids come with Touchless Controls and Active Display that lets users stay hands free yet still make calls, send texts, get directions, play music, set a reminder and preview notifications without having to unlock the device or without draining extra battery. Are these features we could see in the Moto X? Sounds mighty likely. The Droids are up for pre-order right now and will become available Aug. 20. Pricing for the machines runs $99 (about £64, AU$107) for the Mini, $199 (about £129, AU$215) for the Ultra and $299 (about £194, AU$323) for the Maxx. A two-year contract is of course part of the package.     | | SanDisk's Wireless Flash Drive hopes to solve mobile storage issues Jul 23rd 2013, 09:45, by John McCann 
In today's world of unibody design, some smartphones and tablets are missing out on expandable storage options. But SanDisk thinks it has the answer. SanDisk is well known for its SD and microSD cards, but the firm is looking to do something a bit different with its new device - the Connect Wireless Flash Drive. The Wireless Flash Drive connects to your handset via Wi-Fi and allows you to wirelessly steam media to your smartphone with the help of an app. You can also save data from your device to the drive. USB, but not as you know itAs well as that, it works as a conventional USB stick, so you can plug it into your computer to transfer files on and off the drive - although it's technically a microSD card slotted into the stick. A key feature of the Wireless Flash Drive is the ability to stream three separate HD videos at the same time to different devices, which would be great for families trying to keep kids quiet on a long trip. In total, eight devices can be connected to the drive at any one time. The four hours of streaming provided by the battery isn't quite so stellar, but if you're just using it to save photos taken on your phone, we've been assured it'll last much longer. Is the price right?We were a little disappointed to find out that it doesn't support larger microSD cards (we'd have liked to stick our 64GB card into it), but you can use other manufacturer's 16GB and 32GB offerings as well as the bundled SanDisk one. If you fancy picking up a Connect Wireless Flash Drive you'll need to fork out £41.90 for the 16GB version, or £49.90 for the 32GB, which feels a little on the steep side to us. Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10 users are out of luck though - the application required for use is only Android and iOS compatible for now.   | |
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