Mobile Phones News Blog

In what could be a new record, the Samsung Galaxy SIII has received nine million preorders in just 14 days of its announcement, a Korean daily reported quoting an anonymous Samsung official.

Samsung had recently announced the launch of this flagship Galaxy smartphone for 145 countries, excluding India. Although it was being expected that the new device will be highly liked by users globally no one would have ever anticipated the level of interest it has received form fans worldwide.

Notably, Apple’s iPhone 4S received 1 million pre bookings within first 24 hours of being announced.

The Galaxy SIII will come in two variations. One model will carry a quad-core 1.4 GHz Exynos 4 mobile processor while the other variant will carry dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor with LTE for the USA market.

The new Galaxy S III features a 4.8-inch HD Super Amoled display that has PenTile pixel arrangement (two sub pixels per pixel) and has about 306 pixels per inch pixel density. The Galaxy SIII is about 0.35 mm slimmer than the HTC One X and along with the battery, weighs 133 grams. Under the hood, the Galaxy S III runs quad-core Samsung Exynos 4412 mobile processor which is clocked at 1.4 GHz and has dual-core Mali-400 graphics chip. It’s the same graphics muscle as the one found in Galaxy S II.

For imaging, Samsung has fitted a totally new image sensor module with Galaxy SIII’s 8 megapixel camera along with auto focus and LED flash at the back. Of course, it can record full 1080p HD videos at 30 frames per second. At the front lies a 1.9 megapixel camera that is capable of recording 720p HD videos and is amazing to use for video chats.

Samsung has included a new Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) module along with totally new feature called S Beam. Basically, Samsung has blended the Near Field Communication technology with the WiFi Direct feature to create the S Beam. This feature allows users to share a 1 GB movie file in less than three minutes.

The Galaxy S III comes with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the new TouchWiz user interface integrated on top of it. The new version of TouchWiz UI is being dubbed as Nature UX (user experience).

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The last we heard of the Asus Padfone, its release date had been postponed due to the delays associated with the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, which hides inside the smartphone section of the device.

Initially revealed during Mobile World Congress, the Padfone was expected to hit the shelves right at the beginning of May, but Asus hasn’t officially commented on its status since MWC.

Still, anyone interested in the Padfone has got used to waiting, as it was unveiled as a concept some 12 months ago, so a few weeks aren’t going to matter.

In the meantime, Asus has published a promotional video for the smartphone/tablet/laptop hybrid, proving the device is still coming soon. The footage shows the system in action, and confirms most of the main features revealed at the official launch, including the S4 chip.

Perhaps the most intriguing section of the video concerns the battery life. It shows the smartphone next to a little battery indicator displaying 16 hours, which then increases to 63 hours when the phone is slotted inside the tablet, before maxing out at an incredible 102 hours when it’s slotted into the laptop dock.

This will be good news for users who want to exploit the Padfone’s versatility while out and about, as will the chance to use all three devices with one SIM card, and therefore only get one bill.

Other features mentioned include the 4.3-inch scratch-resistant touchscreen, the 8 megapixel camera with an f2.2 aperture for great low-light pictures, and the Android 4.0 operating system.

Oddly, once the video ends after just under two minutes, it plays again, but without the audio track.

The official Asus Padfone page hasn’t changed recently, and the video doesn’t offer anything new on the subject of release, but it does indicate it’s probably not going to be drastically delayed, or worse, that the project has been shelved.

It won’t keep us satisfied for long though. Check out the video below:

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LG has announced a custom user interface (UI ) for its Android 4.0 based Optimus smartphones. The new LG Optimus UI 3.0 will bring in a new set of features and improvements. LG plans to implement the new Optimus UI 3.0 in the upcoming Optimus LTE II and Optimus 4X HD smartphone as well.

LG’s new Optimus UI 3.0 promises to bring new improved set of features along with a novel Quick Memo function. With this new feature, users during emergencies can directly write/scribble text on the phone’s home screen. Not only that, it also lets the user to share the same over social networks, text messages and even emails.

With the new Optimus UI 3.0, the first visible change comes to the lock screen which will now let users to swipe in any direction to unlock the device. LG has gone a step ahead with the usual Pattern Lock. The new Pattern Lock system in the Optimus UI 3.0 allows user to set a custom app that automatically opens once the phone screen is unlocked.

Also included is a user voice driven feature called Voice Shutter that takes images only based on user’s voice commands. For imaging, LG has introduced something like pre-burst mode that lets user to choose the best shot from the multiple images clicked just before the shutter is depressed.

LG has tried to follow a simpler organisation approach by clubbing the main apps in a way that user finds it easy to access. Not only that, users will now get more personalisation option as they can set the images as icons or shortcut images. These images can be chosen from gallery and Icon Customiser app needs to be used for setting an image over the original icon logo.

LG Optimus UI 3.0 finally tries to level up with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI and HTC’s Sense UI. However, we wait to see the Optimus series smartphones with Optimus UI 3.0 hitting markets to make a call whether this UI nails it or not.

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New research has found that global sales of mobile phones have declined for the first time since 2009.

A report from analysts Gartner has shown that worldwide sales have declined by 2% year-on-year to 419.1m units in the first quarter of 2012.

According to Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner, the decline is due in part to a slowdown in demand across the Asia/Pacific markets and also a relative lack of key handset launches in the first quarter.

However the report did hold some positive news, particularly for Samsung who became the world’s top mobile phone vendor, displacing Nokia who have held the top spot since 1998. Additionally, major uplifts are expected in the remainder of the year with the launch of the Apple iPhone 5 and strong home market expectations for Huawei, ZTE and Lenovo.

RIM did not fare so well in the survey, with its global market share declining to just 2.4%. However, the report highlighted that the forthcoming BB10 OS may lead to a turnaround in the fortunes of the Canadian manufacturer.

According to the research, the smartphone market does on the whole continue to grow with sales up by 44.7% year-on-year. Apple and Samsung dominate this sector with a combined share of almost 50%.

Google will bring five devices including smartphones and tablets which will be based on its next Android 5.0 Jellybean operating system, according to a media report.

Notably, as The Mobile Indian has also reported earlier, Google is likely to showcase the Android Jellybean operating system next month. Now it has been reported that the Google has teamed up with five different manufacturers to bring five Nexus devices including smartphones and tablets based on this operating system.

Nexus phones are designed to offer pure Android experience to the users and are marketed as a Google phones. Currently there are three Nexus smartphones are available.

It has been reported that many companies were upset that only Samsung (for the last two versions) and HTC (for the first Nexus) got the first build of Android version putting others at a disadvantageous position.

According to a report, Google plans a portfolio of devices with Nexus branding which it will also sell through its own online channel. Google recently started selling Galaxy Nexus Prime in the USA through its Android Store (Google Play).

Google plans to expand this to other parts of the world including Europe and Asia, sources were quoted as saying by the Wall Street Journal.

The move to work with five manufacturers for the Nexus device seems to stem from two concerns – one is to allay fears of manufacturers who are apprehensive of Google’s Motorola acquisition, thinking that Motorola will get the first hand access to Android before anyone else.

The second is to create a more standardised Android experience right from the time a new version is available.

The new move will also mean that Android Jellybean based devices will reach to market faster compared to so much time taken by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Infact, Android 4.0 is still not the mainstream operating system even after eight months of its launch.

Only a handful of devices are currently shipping with Android 4.0 and only a few of the top end devices have gotten upgraded to ICS, that too only from few mainstream players like Samsung, HTC and Sony.

While ASUS plans to introduce the famous Padfone, the company has already starting working on its successor. ASUS Padfone is a unique combination of a smartphone that can be docked on a tablet, which can use the smartphone’s mobile connection. AndroidTabletBlog got two slides from an ASUS presentation that clearly points at Padfone 2 plans in progress.

The current ASUS Padfone consists of a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display bearing smartphone and a 10.1 inch touchscreen bearing tablet. The smartphone is actually referred to as the Padfone; while the tablet is referred to as the Padfone station since it docks the former. Both devices come with Android 4.0 ICS and the Padfone will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 mobile processor. However, due to the dearth of S4 units, the phone’s availability has been delayed by a couple of weeks.

The leaked presentation slides indicate that ASUS will also introduce Padfone 2 and, that this will be a new product line from the company. Padfone 2 will come with 4G LTE support and will also bring along a host of ASUS’ services, dubbed Happiness 2.0. These services include ASUS cloud integration, audio technology, greater mobility and an improved design. Naturally, the new devices will come with Android 5.0 software.

While the concept of docking a powerful smartphone at the back of the tablet does seem interesting, the hefty price tag certainly makes everyone think twice.

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While ASUS plans to introduce the famous Padfone, the company has already starting working on its successor. ASUS Padfone is a unique combination of a smartphone that can be docked on a tablet, which can use the smartphone’s mobile connection. AndroidTabletBlog got two slides from an ASUS presentation that clearly points at Padfone 2 plans in progress.

The current ASUS Padfone consists of a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display bearing smartphone and a 10.1 inch touchscreen bearing tablet. The smartphone is actually referred to as the Padfone; while the tablet is referred to as the Padfone station since it docks the former. Both devices come with Android 4.0 ICS and the Padfone will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 mobile processor. However, due to the dearth of S4 units, the phone’s availability has been delayed by a couple of weeks.

The leaked presentation slides indicate that ASUS will also introduce Padfone 2 and, that this will be a new product line from the company. Padfone 2 will come with 4G LTE support and will also bring along a host of ASUS’ services, dubbed Happiness 2.0. These services include ASUS cloud integration, audio technology, greater mobility and an improved design. Naturally, the new devices will come with Android 5.0 software.

While the concept of docking a powerful smartphone at the back of the tablet does seem interesting, the hefty price tag certainly makes everyone think twice.

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At its recent BlackBerry World conference RIM indicated that it was moving away from the traditional BlackBerry form factor and looking to build handsets featuring large touchscreens. CEO Thorsten Heins did say that the Canadian manufacturer was not going to abandon the physical keypad entirely but that the initial slew of BB10 Os devices will be full-touchscreen handsets.

Many BlackBerry fans may have been dismayed to hear that the company is pulling away from their much loved QWERTY keypads but RIM still has something to offer them in the shape of the Curve 9320.

Key Features

• BlackBerry OS 7.1
• 512 MB ROM, 512 MB RAM
• microSD, up to 32 GB
• 320 x 240 pixels, 2.44 inches display, 164 ppi
• Touch-sensitive optical trackpad
• Physical QWERTY keypad
• 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash, geo-tagging and image stabilization
• Stereo FM radio
• Li-Ion 1450 mAh battery

Hardware and Design

With a small screen and physical keypad the Curve 9320 looks every inch a typical BlackBerry, and it’s certainly a design which is well suited to the user. Typing on the keypad is easy thanks to an excellent bit of design which sees the curved buttons slightly flattened on top, something that ensures that your fingers don’t slide off them when using the keypad. BlackBerry has always been know for its focus on emailing prowess and the Curve 9320’s keypad shows that RIM has years of expertise in creating tactile user experience.

In the absence of a touchscreen, navigating the phone’s functions is achieved by means of an optical trackpad. The touch sensitive control has featured on several recent BlackBerry handsets such as the Bold 9790 and 9900 and has become a welcome addition to the typical BlackBerry form, one which has often been much more practical than using a touchscreen on a small display. A dedicated BlackBerry Messenger button has been added to the side of the device which makes the most of a feature very popular amongst BlackBerry customers.

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Completing the design of the handset is a smooth backplate surrounded by a rubber edging which makes the otherwise slippery device a little easier to grip. At 12.7mm this is no super-slim handset but the chunky build gives it a sturdy feel.

The traditional BlackBerry form factor is not built around a large, dazzling display, instead focussing on the practical elements such as typing. In keeping with this the Curve 9320 has a 2.44-inch, 320×240 pixel display which is less than half the size of those featured on the bigger smartphones on the market such as the HTC One X. With a pixel density of 164 the screen is never going to be anything amazing and some of the icons do look a little blocky, but overall the display is bright and clear even if browsing webpages can be uncomfortable on such a small screen. Also worth noting is the onscreen cursor which is controlled by the optical trackpad – dragging a tiny arrow across a screen may seem very old fashioned but we found it to be a surprisingly refreshing change from  prodding at a large touchscreen.

800MHz certainly isn’t high-spec when it comes to processor speeds but the BB7 operating system on Curve 9320 isn’t all that demanding and allows the device to run smoothly. Performance is actually better than other phones featuring 800MHz CPUs such as the Samsung Galaxy Ace, and the BlackBerry Curve 9320 could even be said to outpace the 1GHz HTC One V in the way it handles its operating system. RIM can’t be faulted for getting a decent performance out of the Curve 9320 and the fact that a slower processor is included no doubt keeps the device’s price down. Along with the aforementioned handling of the software platform, you also get a microSD card slot that can support up to 32GB, which is useful since the device only has 512MB of internal memory.

Software and Multimedia

When RIM showed off its brand new operating system at BlackBerry World it also announced that it would not be compatible with older devices, including the Curve 9320. The new OS is built from the ground up and existing BlackBerry devices won’t be getting an upgrade since they don’t have the hardware that the new software requires to run. Nevertheless, BB7 is a good operating system and doesn’t warrant any disappointment in terms of functionality offered, even though there won’t be any of the flashy new features demonstrated at BlackBerry World.

At the time BB7 was introduced it was a good upgrade to the BlackBerry operating system and it continues to offer a decent set of features to the user. Additions to previous BlackBerry OS iterations included an FM Radio and an auto suggest feature which brought up search results from Bing as you enter queries, similar to the way Google’s ‘Instant Search’ function works.

As well as BB7 this device has several features that suggest it is aimed at the youth market. RIM has certainly managed to shift focus away from the business users it traditionally courted, largely due to the adoption of the devices by teenagers who loved the free BlackBerry Messenger service. That service has been highlighted here with the aforementioned dedicated button on the side of the handset and the Curve 9320 comes with Facebook and Twitter apps pre-installed. Additionally, BlackBerry’s Social feed app features, proving an effective way to monitor social networking updates by collating them together in one place.

Younger users hoping to employ the Curve 9320 primarily as a social networking tool will be more than happy with the 3.2 megapixel camera included as it’s more than capable for taking quick snaps of your friends. High quality images may prove difficult given its limited spec, but the camera does have several presets (such  as ‘Party’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Beach’) which will alter settings to produce the best images for the conditions.

However, the camera does have some downsides. With the amount of internal storage being so meagre,  only around fifty pictures can be stored before having to transfer them off the phone. Also, the video camera (which is included as an entirely separate feature to the photo camera) needs a microSD card to be installed before footage can be captured.

Performance & Verdict

To the most ardent tech lover, buying a BlackBerry at the moment may seem unwise since RIM have made it known that it is building a whole new OS which won’t be available for older devices. However, there are many who have always loved the BlackBerry for what it is – an excellent platform for emailing, texting and composing social network messages.

To this end, the Curve 9320 does the job very, very well. RIM has years of experience creating devices of this kind, gradually evolving the design in small ways, such as adding the optical trackpad. The expertise that has gone into the physical keypad on this device is second to none and shows that, despite its new approach to handset design, RIM still knows how to make a functional and ergonomic phone.