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Tuesday 13 November 2012

Google Play closing in on Apple's store with 700K apps, says Bloomberg

By posted Oct 30th 2012 11:52AM Google Play store racks up 700K apps

Amidst all the Nexus excitement from yesterday, Google just hit the 700,000 Android app milestone in its Play Store, according to Bloomberg. That would put it near par with Apple, who announced just last month that its App Store hit that same figure. Like Cupertino's iOS shop, Play (which started off as the Android Market) has been peddling its robot wares since 2008, though the store opened several months after Apple's. Google may have been set to trumpet the new figure during the Nexus launch yesterday as they did last June at I/O, but a certain Sandy may have wrenched that plan -- so, we're still waiting for a formal announcement.


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Samsung's Galaxy S III crosses 30 million sold (Update: More stats!)

The Samsung GALAXY S III achieves 30 million sales in five months

November 4, 2012

Samsung's flagship smartphone continues record-breaking success

SEOUL, Korea - November 4, 2012 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the GALAXY S III has surpassed 30 million global sales in approximately five months since its debut in May.

"The GALAXY S III continues to be a runaway favorite with customers around the world. Meeting this sales milestone in five months sets another record for Samsung, and we are extremely proud and yet motivated to continue to provide our customers with products that they love," said JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. "On behalf of Samsung Mobile, I appreciate millions of customers around the world that have chosen the Samsung GALAXY S III."

Putting this number into perspective, during a similar selling period (150 days), the acclaimed GALAXY S II, launched in 2011, globally sold 10 million devices.

Now upgradable to Android™ 4.1 (Jelly Bean)*, the nature-inspired GALAXY S III is a revolutionary smartphone packed with intelligent features that make everyday life easier. Its expansive 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display lets users view multimedia and web content in brilliant color and clarity; and its camera understands human gestures to make using the phone incredibly natural and intuitive. A powerful hardware ensures blazing-fast performance and seamless multi-tasking.

Committed to providing the best mobile experience for its customers, Samsung continues to work to enrich the GALAXY S III experience. It now allows users to explore their personal style through an expanded collection of new colors that take their inspiration from nature: Amber Brown, Garnet Red, Sapphire Black and Titanium Grey. Samsung also offers continuous software upgrades for the device, enhancing user experiences and allowing a life extraordinary.

* Availability and timing of the Jelly Bean upgrade will vary depending on the country and mobile carrier.
** All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.
*** Android, Google, Android Beam, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude, Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Movies, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads are trademarks of Google Inc.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion in 2011. Employing approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunications Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LED. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world's most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.


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LG Spectrum 2 made official for Verizon, brings Optimus LTE II to the US for $100

VERIZON WIRELESS ADDS FAST, POWERFUL, TRUE HD SPECTRUM 2 BY LG TO 4G LTE LINEUP

Spectrum 2 Offers an Enhanced Wireless Experience, 4G LTE Speeds, True HD Display, Advanced Camera Capabilities and Stylish Design

BASKING RIDGE and ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. – Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics USA today announced the Spectrum™ 2 by LG. Exclusively for Verizon Wireless, the Spectrum 2 by LG will be available online on Oct. 30 at www.verizonwireless.com and will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

The Spectrum 2 by LG creates a unique wireless experience thanks to an ecosystem of features and accessories, allowing customers to avoid cables. The unique battery cover allows wireless charging, and it's included at no additional cost. Contacts, maps and websites can be shared wirelessly using near-field communications (NFC), by tapping two compatible phones together. NFC can also be used with the included reprogrammable LG Tag+ stickers to create special smartphone modes for the office, home or car by tapping the stickers with the Spectrum 2 by LG. SmartShare also makes it possible to wirelessly view pictures and watch videos on a DLNA-enabled device.

The 4.7-inch True HD display will make the Spectrum 2 by LG stand out by enhancing the viewing experience when streaming movies, playing games and browsing the Web. The HD display, paired with Corning® Gorilla® Glass, delivers vivid and accurate colors, crisp, sharp text and clear images. Apps such as viewdini, make it easier than ever to find TV shows and movies that users can enjoy right on their Spectrum 2 by LG. Football fans will also be able to take advantage of the screen combined with 4G LTE speeds to watch live games for an unrivaled viewing experience.

The Spectrum 2 by LG helps to capture precious moments with its 8-megapixel camera and then takes it a step farther with its Advanced Image Editor and Video Wiz features. With these features, customers will have an editing studio in their hands to crop, rotate and add effects to photos and other multimedia documents that they can then share with friends over 4G LTE. The 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera allows customers to video chat with friends and family to easily stay in touch from virtually anywhere. Additional camera features include 1080p HD video recording, Intelligent Panorama Shot and Time Catch Shot to take photos before pressing the shutter button.

Accessorize and Protect

* LG Premium Sleeve with Smart Display – provides protection and displays notifications on the screen to show the number of missed calls, text messages, emails and voicemails. Customers can also customize the clock styles that are displayed when the Spectrum 2 by LG is inserted in the sleeve. The Premium sleeve will be available in stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $24.99.

Additional Features:

* Wireless charging capabilities thanks to the unique battery cover included in the box
* 4.7-inch True HD Advanced High Performance (AH) In-Plane-Switching (IPS) display
* Global Ready™ so customers can have voice and data service in more than 220 countries
* Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
* Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Krait 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
* Mobile Hotspot to share a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
* 16 GB of internal storage (formatted capacity is less) with microSD memory card support of up to 32 GB
* QuickMemo™ allows customers to capture screenshots and add their own personalized commentary or drawings with a finger
* Bluetooth® Version 4.0

Pricing and Availability:

The Spectrum 2 by LG will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Oct. 30 for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.


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Samsung ATIV Smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 hit AT&T on November 9th at $800 and $500 prices

Samsung ATIV Smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Available at AT&T Retail Stores Nationwide Nov. 9 on AT&T's 4G LTE Network

For a Limited Time, Buy any Samsung Galaxy Smartphone1 and Receive up to $100 off a Second Connected Samsung Device including the new Samsung ATIV smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. Available Exclusively at AT&T this Holiday Season, New Samsung ATIV smart PC Delivers Windows 8

Dallas, Texas, November 05, 2012

ShareThis

AT&T* and Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile)2, today announced availability of the Samsung ATIV smart PC, a new tablet designed for the new Windows® 8 operating system, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab® 2 10.1, a 4G LTE Android tablet. Both tablets will be available for AT&T customers this holiday season beginning Nov. 9. The Samsung ATIV smart PC will be priced at $799.99 and the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 will be available for $499.99.

AT&T is giving customers more reasons to purchase a Samsung device this holiday season as part of a limited time offer that gives customers up to $100 off the purchase of any connected Samsung device of lesser or equal value, including the new Samsung ATIV smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, when they purchase any Samsung Galaxy smartphone (w/ two-year agreement incl. qualifying voice and data plans).

Samsung ATIV smart PC

Samsung ATIV smart PC combines premium computing power in an elegant tablet form factor while providing AT&T customers the ultimate in productivity and entertainment features. The powerful ATIV smart PC has an 11.6-inch HD PLS display, 64GB of internal storage memory and a microSD card slot to support up to an additional 32GB of memory and the Intel® Atom™ dual-core processor, up to 1.5 GHz. ATIV smart PC comes installed with Windows 8 (which can be upgraded to Windows 8 Pro). It is also backward compatible and supports all existing software and applications that run on older windows OS such as Windows 7, Vista, and XP. ATIV smart PC also comes preloaded with a trial version of Microsoft Office 2010 for a complete PC experience and for productivity while on-the-go.

ATIV is Samsung's brand for Windows 8 products including Smart PCs, tablets and Windows Phone 8 for smartphones. Samsung will continue to announce ATIV products to provide advanced, productive and creative experiences.

"We are excited to offer the Samsung ATIV smart PC in stores nationwide ahead of the holiday shopping season," said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, AT&T Emerging Devices. "Connected by the nation's largest 4G network, this Windows 8 tablet gives customers optimized touch interface, instant live tile updates and PC capabilities."

Samsung Mobile and AT&T are offering the following accessories3 to get the most out of the ATIV smart PC:

* Stand Dock – Dock the ATIV smart PC in the Stand Dock to turn any environment into a personal office. In addition to providing a charge when docked, the Stand Dock is equipped with a built-in USB port and Ethernet (RJ45) port to connect the ATIV smart PC to LAN and various USB peripherals.
* VGA Adapter – Expand your workstation and give presentations with ease with the VGA Adapter (micro HDMI to VGA connectivity). Use the VGA Adapter to connect the ATIV smart PC to external displays, monitors and projectors for second-screen viewing and enhanced productivity.
* Additional accessories will also be available.

Beginning in late November online at www.wireless.att.com, the ATIV smart PC Stand Dock will be available for $49.00 and the VGA adapter will be available for $40.00.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.14 is a 4G LTE Android 4.0 tablet that delivers entertainment and productivity to fit your whole life. Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 offers a 10.1-inch display and premium entertainment options including Media Hub, Smart Remote and AllShare® Play. 3 Features like on-device encryption and VPN access ensure the tablet is secure for business use, while the 7000 mAh battery allows for all-day connectivity. For more information on Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, please visit www.att.com/galaxytab2.

AT&T customers have access to the nation's largest 4G network, covering 285 million people. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. That means AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas.5 With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you may be on a much slower 3G network.

Customers purchasing tablets from AT&T have more options in choosing the plan that's right for them and their mobile devices. With new AT&T Mobile Share plans, new and existing customers can share a single bucket of data across smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices. AT&T Mobile Share allows customers to build a plan to fit their devices and usage. For as low as $10 per month, customers can connect the Samsung 4G LTE tablets with AT&T's new Mobile Share plans. Customers can select one of the new shared data plans or choose one of AT&T's existing individual or family plans. 6

Beginning Nov. 9, Samsung ATIV smart PC and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 will be available in AT&T company-owned retail stores nationwide and online at www.wireless.att.com.

For more information on AT&T, please visit www.att.com.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

1 Samsung Galaxy promotion requires two-year smartphone agreement including qualifying voice and data plan.

2Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012. Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide according to Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q2 2012.

3ATIV smart PC accessories sold separately.

4Samsung, Galaxy Tab, and AllShare are registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.

54G speeds not available everywhere. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network. 4G when used in connection with the ATIV Smart PC refers to the fact that the device can operate on AT&T's 4G network.

6Smartphone required. Up to ten devices per plan. Additional monthly charge per device. $15 per GB for add'l data. Unlimited talk and text for phones only. Activation fee may apply. Additional deposits and other restrictions may apply. Access to corporate email, intranet sites and apps available for $15/mo. per device.


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Refresh Roundup: week of October 29th, 2012

Reception and call quality 9.2 Display 8.3 Battery life 6.1 Camera 6.7 Ease of use 7.8 Design and form factor 9.5 Portability (size / weight) 9.2 Media support 7.6 Durability 8.2 Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) 5.6

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Wikipad sees last-minute delay for new bundle and 'refinement'

The Wikipad team has been relentlessly working with our manufacturers and partners to perfect the Wikipad bundle to ensure our first product is the best tablet and entertainment experience at launch. There is a last minute opportunity to enhance the Wikipad bundle as well as a minor refinement needed to ensure our first customers are completely satisfied with the Wikipad.

We have informed our retail partners about this delay. For those who pre-ordered the Wikipad at GameStop through today October 31st, we will deliver the refined and upgraded bundles as well as a special bonus gift with the pre-order.

We are very eager to deliver the Wikipad experience and are passionate about excellence. We apologize for this delay and want you to know that we are committed to bringing you the very best, high-end gaming tablet possible.

We are in the final stage and will be announcing the new date soon.


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The Engadget Interview: ARM's Lead Mobile Strategist James Bruce (video)

Reception and call quality 9.2 Display 9.5 Battery life 7.7 Camera 8.8 Ease of use 8.8 Design and form factor 8.3 Portability (size / weight) 9 Media support 9.2 Durability 8.2 Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) 8.7

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Monday 12 November 2012

Google Now slips in a pedometer, reminds us we need to get out more

Reception and call quality 8.2 Display 9.4 Battery life 6.7 Camera 7.5 Ease of use 8.9 Design and form factor 8.8 Portability (size / weight) 8.7 Media support 8.9 Durability 8.1 Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) 8.7

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Sony rolls out update to Xperia T and TX for Miracast mirroring, extra-long standby

Reception and call quality 10 Display 10 Battery life 8 Camera 10 Ease of use 9 Design and form factor 9 Portability (size / weight) 10 Media support 10 Durability 9 Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) 9

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Sony Xperia TL review: the company's second US flagship is much improved, but still imperfect

By posted Nov 2nd 2012 9:00AM Sony Xperia TL review the company's second US flagship is muchimproved, but not quite perfect

As Sony's second stab at the US mobile market, the Xperia TL arrives with a major corporate synergistic push: a 007 movie franchise tie-in. But an awkward distinction as the official Bond phone and a smattering of pre-loaded "Skyfall" multimedia content alone won't drive consumer adoption; the specs and pricing will. Following in the footsteps of the company's first stateside flagship, the Ion, this AT&T 4G LTE exclusive is priced aggressively at $99 on two-year contract, packing a 4.6-inch HD Reality display (1,280 x 720) powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine, a dual-core Snapdragon S4 clocked at 1.5GHz, 16GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD), 1GB RAM, NFC, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, as well as an integrated 1,850mAh battery.

With Ice Cream Sandwich running the show and a planned upgrade to Jelly Bean in the works, it has all the makings of a current-gen high-end offering. So will the Xperia TL help Sony build much-needed buzz for its mobile division here in the states? Can a sub-$100 price tag effectively lure consumers away from the bigger, faster and flashier Android phones AT&T has to offer? Or is this mainly one for Sony loyalists? Find out after the break as we put the TL through its paces.

Despite a clear design nod towards the arc S, the Xperia TL is, for all intents and purposes, an evolution of the Ion; a second chance at getting its US flagship status right. Fans of the Sony Ericcson-made arc S will find that this device is more spiritual successor than next of kin, as the TL still carries on that curved body legacy, but at 129.4 x 67.3 x 9.35mm (5.1 x 2.6 x 0.4 inches) it's more than half a millimeter thicker. Contrast those dimensions with the Ion and you have two handsets, separated by a generational leap, that measure and weigh nearly the same all around -- though the TL is a hair lighter at 139 grams (4.8 ounces). Stacked side by side, it doesn't initially appear that way, thus is the deception made possible by the TL's scooped back.

Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

While we're on the topic of the TL's posterior, it merits mentioning that this particular facet lays claim to the entirety of Sony's industrial design finesse. Overall, it has an appealing, muted quality about it, with a matte finish that's divided by seams for the two non-removable caps, a covered port for micro-SIM and micro-USB ports on the upper left, and a circular cutout for NFC contact just beneath the 13.1-megapixel camera. Regarding that camera, it's the same Exmor R sensor Sony found in the Ion (though here the module gets a slight resolution uptick) and is housed within a gently protruding bump. And in a genius move by the company's designers, it's also somewhat recessed so you won't have to worry about smudging the lens with grease. Lastly, the prominent Xperia logo is situated just above the speaker at the device's base.

We have a minor gripe with the way Sony chose to arrange the hardware keys and ports here. It may just be an issue for right-handed people, but the buttons for power, volume and camera all lie on the lower half of the phone's right edge and are buried in the palm. Again, it's a small issue that's mostly remedied by switching to the opposite hand -- lefties, you're at an advantage.

Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

Head-on, the Xperia TL is rather plain; its edges are interrupted only by a raised 3.5mm headphone jack on top and a sloped chin down below. Otherwise, the only visual standouts are corporate logos flanking the scratch-resistant 4.6-inch screen, including the AT&T globe at the bottom and Sony's own branding, which sits beneath the earpiece and to the side of a 720p camera.

Despite its $99 on-contract pricing, the TL offers up a higher-resolution screen than similarly priced competitors. This is Sony's latest flagship, after all, and like the Ion before it, it boasts a 1,280 x 720 HD Reality TFT LCD display. In practice, we've found the panel produces bright colors, but is lacking in contrast. Next to the 720p screen used on the Droid RAZR HD, the difference is obvious. The TL's screen just seems pale, a fact not helped by the poor viewing angles and tremendous washout, evident from a slight 15-degree angle. We tested the handset outdoors and even in overcast conditions, you'll still have to bump brightness to near-maximum levels for clear visibility. Further, after a few days of testing we decided to disable the setting for environmental dimming, as that just left the screen too dim for most situations.

Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

Sony's moved on from the "HD Everywhere" mantra of the Xperia Ion, and is now emphasizing sharing via NFC instead -- even going so far as to include one SmartTag in the box. That said, the handset hasn't shed its predecessor's built-in media connectivity, given that an MHL connection with any compatible TV will trigger the same app carousel and ability to mirror content. Again, there's no option to wirelessly stream your library of movies, TV shows or music, so you'll need to have the appropriate cable handy.

Nestled within the Xperia TL's box is one very sleek-looking SmartTag. If you'll remember, Sony announced these NFC accessories way back in January at CES and now, nearly a year later, they're ready for mass consumption. Since Hurricane Sandy impeded our access to the tag bundled with our review unit, we went ahead and ordered a pack from the company's online store. For $20, you get four of these attractive and distinctly hued tags that are compatible with any NFC-equipped smartphone. Used in conjunction with this official Bond phone and, well, we're sure you know where this is headed. Hover the TL just above any SmartTag and the phone's SmartConnect apps springs to attention instantly loading the James Bond theme via Walkman or Google Play Music, in addition to directing the browser to the 007 website. You can, of course, set device actions that are handset-specific, so multiple users can enjoy the use of these tags and delete events as necessary.

Sony Xperia TL review the company's second US flagship is much improved, but still imperfect

The SmartConnect interface is pretty straightforward and even the least tech savvy of users should have no problem configuring events. Simply fire up the app and you'll be prompted to create a new event, associate it with a specified device (e.g. SmartTag or headphones), set an (optional) trigger time and, finally, any initial or closing action(s) like placing a call, opening an application or sending a text. There are also presets for different profiles, such as Home which enables WiFi, Car for active Bluetooth and Navigation, as well as an Office setting that launches your Calendar -- all of which can be reconfigured to your liking.

Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

You'd think, at this point, that a late fall launch for an Android handset would guarantee it ships with Jelly Bean out of the box. You'd think that, and you'd be wrong. Regardless, we won't ride Sony too hard for unleashing the Xperia TL into the marketplace running the 4.0.4 build of Ice Cream Sandwich. The company's done loyalists well by being as transparent as possible about Xperia software upgrades and then actually delivering them (for the most part). So we have no doubt the TL will one day see Android 4.2 -- we're just not sure when. Unfortunately, the company's playing coy and won't commit to a hard release date.

We've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: the Xperia TL is the device the Ion should have been when it was released six months ago. It's got a contemporary dual-core S4 processor and runs on Ice Cream Sandwich (not the penultimate version of Android, but still). But we can't help shake that feeling of déjà vu; that this is another handset behind the times. Sure, other high-end smartphones outfitted with the same CPU setup exist, but they differentiate by offering either an extra GB of RAM, greater battery life, unparalleled optics, higher resolution, near-stock Android or Jelly Bean, even. Here, all we get is the addition of James Bond "Skyfall"-related multimedia content (pre-set as the default wallpaper, ringtone and notification sound) and one SmartTag included in the box. Is that enough to make the TL stand apart? If you're shaking your head, you've already answered the question.

DNP Sony Xperia TL review the company's second US flagship is muchimproved, but not quite perfect

With that aside, Sony's lightly skinned take on ICS is pleasant, unobtrusive and offers up a mostly consistent experience with just a few tweaks. For starters, the company's augmented the way users can customize the handset. Typically, a long-press on any of the home screens would trigger a dialog box in the middle of the screen, but on the TL, a transparent pane appears up top with two circular icons on either side: one for wallpapers and themes, the other for widgets. Sony's also baked quick settings access into the drop-down notification tray, letting users easily toggle data, notification sounds, Bluetooth and WiFi.

Building upon the trend the company started with the Xperia Tablet S, this Sony-made smartphone also features three of the company's core media apps: Album, Movies and Walkman. The apps function much like they sound, with Album offering up a slew of editing options that encompasses a variety of color, FX, crop and filter options, in addition to map view for geo-tagged shots. Meanwhile, Walkman gussies up the intuitive MP3-playing experience with a visualizer option, SensMe for categorizing tracks according to theme and an equalizer for sound adjustments. Of the three applications, Movies is the most bare-boned, containing nothing more than four pre-installed Bond clips. Additionally, you get an Xperia link baked into settings, allowing you to tether the TL's network connection to other Xperia tablets or VAIO PCs and small "floating" apps for calculator, notes, voice memos and timer, accessible via the task manager, which hover above open applications.

Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

It's not a Nexus (although we hope to see the day), so you know there's bound to be bloatware galore. Excluding common apps like Calendar, Clock, Messaging and Calculator, you'll find 26 third-party applications -- 10 of which belong to AT&T -- that cannot be uninstalled, merely disabled. That means unless you root your device, these apps will live on behind the scenes, hogging up your allotted 16GB of internal storage. At the very least, you have the ability to clear them out of your app drawer.

Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

Much to our delight, the TL is quick, fluid and, best of all, dependable. In all of our time with the handset, we never once encountered a force close, frozen app or evidence of lag. The dual-core S4 inside just flies, handling a multitude of tasks with ease. As you'd expect, navigation through the five home screens and access to the app drawer are effected without a hitch. Applications load quickly, while games like Need for Speed Shift run smoothly without a drop in framerate.

In practice, then, the TL appears to be on par with similarly-specced handsets, but how does it fare in synthetic benchmarks? In the interest of a fair fight, we pitted it against two other devices with S4 chips: AT&T's Galaxy S III and One X variants. As you can see from the table below, all three handsets equipped with that MSM8960 processor pull nearly identical scores, with the TL notching a clear victory in AnTuTu and CF-Bench. Though we mentioned the TL's sole gigabyte of RAM as a con earlier, you can see here that having double the memory doesn't necessarily give the GS III a competitive edge. In fact, that extra helping of RAM barely gives the GS III an edge in Quadrant testing.


Sony Xperia TLGalaxy S III (AT&T)HTC One X (AT&T)GLBenchmark Egypt Offscreen (fps)SunSpider: lower scores are better

The Xperia TL's short battery life is by far its biggest drawback. With moderate use, we were able to eke out nearly a full working day of use from the non-removable 1,850mAh battery. And that was with fastidious attention to the charge level. Put under the duress of our formal rundown test -- that's with Twitter set to sync at 15 minutes, one push email account active, brightness set to 50 percent and radios for WiFi and GPS enabled -- the device notched just under six hours, which is similar to what we found with the TL's European counterpart, the T. It's a disappointing showing given the more robust battery life of its S4-based rivals. If you purchase this, then, be sure to have a charger handy at all times.


Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

As we've highlighted in prior reviews, AT&T's 4G LTE network is no longer the spring chicken it once was. That is to say, awe-inspiring speeds in the upper 20 Mbps to 30 Mbps range are increasingly the exception, though they do still occur from time-to-time. We did, however, record a max of 31 Mbps / 11 Mbps over the course of our testing. In general, though, we recorded downlink speeds that ranged between 12 Mbps to 16 Mbps, while uploads hovered around 5 Mbps to 10 Mbps. Clearly, LTE adoption amongst AT&T's subscriber base is becoming more and more predominant.


Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

If you've ever used the Ion's camera, you'll know what to expect from the TL. Many things are the same: that same fast capture functionality, accessible via the dedicated dual detent hardware key, along with the company's Exmor R sensor. Still, Sony chose to increase the resolution to 13.1 from 12 megapixels. In practice, though, that minor spec bump doesn't have an overwhelming impact on image quality. Unless you're possessed of a keen eye and a deep understanding of optics, it's unlikely to make much difference to the average consumer.

The interface is also similar this second time around, with options to customize the UI using assorted menu icons. By default, the camera is set to Auto mode, but by toggling it to Normal, you can select from among the usual array of scene modes. The same goes for the standard resolution setting, as the TL will capture images in a 4:3 aspect ratio at 13 megapixels. For 16:9 widescreen shots, you'll have to step down to 10 megapixels. There are also options to configure capture method (onscreen button, dedicated key or touch), quick launch, geotagging, focus (touch, face detection, multi auto and single auto), exposure, ISO, white balance and image stabilization.

We'd have liked to test the TL's camera in a variety of settings, but our unit arrived just before Hurricane Sandy did and, as this editor is based in New York, that translated into less-than-ideal weather conditions (to put it mildly). Without abundant sunlight, we were left to conduct our photo tour under mostly grey, overcast skies. And, as our corresponding gallery will attest, this Xperia handles that particular environment admirably.

That's not to say we didn't encounter certain circumstances where the overall shot was just too dark and lacking clarity -- we did -- but, on the whole, the TL's sensor (set to auto) was able to adjust for the variety of scenes accordingly, culminating in crisp shots with a great depth of field and natural color reproduction. The same, however, cannot be said for images taken in patchy sunlight. Within that particular setting, we noticed a conspicuous oversaturation that was especially evident in the bumped-up hues of the blue sky and surrounding buildings. Further, the TL seems to manage white balance inconsistently, as multiple captures of the same scene result in wildly different color temperatures. Note that this is without Sony's Mobile BRAVIA Engine turned on. Enable that feature from within settings and the color enhancement only increases. Low-light shots, on the other hand, were a mixed bag. The TL seemed to handle diminished ambient lighting best when set to auto, as opposed to the available night scene modes. Left in that latter mode, our resulting images seemed both oversaturated and softly focused.

Shots taken at full zoom were incredibly grainy, but we found that pulling back to about 50 percent yielded acceptable images with a tolerable level of noise. Of particular note is the panorama setting, which delivered seamlessly stitched shots that were a breeze to take.

On the other hand, 1080p video did not fare as well as static images. Sure, the recorded audio comes across clear and distinct, especially given that we were in the midst of an NYPD chopper, but playback is marred by the constantly shifting focus and shaky image stabilization. It's not entirely terrible, but it's also not ideal.


Sony Xperia TL review a solid sophomore effort that lacks wow factor

It took Sony half a year to get the Xperia Ion from its CES reveal to retail shelves. By the time it arrived, it was outdated, not least because it shipped with Android Gingerbread. Does the TL suffer the same fate? Not quite, considering this Xperia made its public debut just two months ago, and was announced with ICS. So, we have to commend Sony for at least getting it out to market in a timely fashion -- the lack of Jelly Bean notwithstanding.

When you review its specs on paper -- 720p display, 1.5GHz dual-core S4, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage and 13.1-megapixel rear camera -- the TL would seem to be a high-end phone, a device fit to compete against the Galaxy S III and One X on AT&T's lineup. But where Samsung's handset crams in a multitude of sharing functions and HTC's sports a gorgeous screen and innovative unibody design, the Xperia TL falls a bit short. With a display prone to washout, a derivative chassis and middling battery life, the TL fails to meet the expectations we'd have for phones in this class.

Which is probably why Sony's gunning for budget-minded consumers with $99 on-contract pricing, putting it on even ground with the One X, Ion and Atrix HD. Positioned that way, the Xperia TL reads as a pale alternative to its S4 cousin, the One X. That's not to say it isn't a decent option for subscribers shopping on a shoestring -- it is. Yet, for all its pluses, the TL just can't hold a candle to the superior battery life and gorgeous Super LCD display on HTC's equally priced device. Ultimately, the choice is yours: shell out a $100 premium for the bragging rights of a luxury Android experience (i.e., the GS III or Optimus G) or think wisely with your wallet when choosing between this economy-plus Xperia and the less-fresh One X.


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Google Play carrier billing goes live for impulse buyers on Verizon

By posted Oct 31st 2012 2:04PM Google Play carrier billing goes live for impulse buyers on Verizon

Google gave the broadest of targets when it said Google Play carrier billing would reach Verizon in the "coming weeks" -- those last two words are often hints from companies that we shouldn't hold our breath. Call us surprised, then, when Google quietly takes the option live two weeks later. At least one Droid-Life reader has discovered that it's now possible to load as many as $25 in purchases per month on an existing Big Red smartphone bill and pay through just the one channel. The move puts all four major US carriers on the same page, and gives Verizon subscribers an incentive to splurge on apps and movies for that new Droid RAZR HD... so long as they remember to deal with the financial fallout afterwards.


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Google explains how its Android 4.2 malware scanner guards the side door

Ease of use 9.3 Speed 9.8 Configurability 9.7 Ecosystem (apps, drivers, etc.) 9.4 Openness 9.7

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Kobo Arc tablet hits the FCC, just in time for stocking-stuffing

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Sunday 11 November 2012

Motorola reveals Atrix HD Developer Edition, highlights unlockable bootloader

Reception and call quality 8 Display 8.7 Battery life 5.3 Camera 6.7 Ease of use 8 Design and form factor 8.7 Portability (size / weight) 7.3 Media support 9.3 Durability 8.7 Ecosystem (apps, accessories, etc.) 8

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iZettle launches on EE, aims to let UK merchants dabble in plastic

iZettle launches with EE in Britain helping tradespeople secure up to £283m in lost customer payments

Up to £283m currently owed to plumbers, electricians and builders by late or non-paying customers

iZettle mini chip-card reader with free mobile payment app turns businesses' smartphones and tablets into credit and debit card readers

EE named as exclusive UK iZettle launch partner, with the device initially available in 297 of its retail stores

STOCKHOLM & LONDON – 7 November 2012 – From tomorrow, iZettle mini chip-card readers, that turn smartphones and tablets into mobile payments terminals, can be purchased exclusively in 297 newly designed EE stores across the country and from EE's telesales channel. The social payment company's new device and free app could help small businesses secure millions of pounds they are owed by customers. For example, the UK's plumbers, electricians and builders alone are currently owed up to £283 million by late or non-paying customers, according to an EE survey of 1,029 tradespeople1.

iZettle's mobile payments card readers, which can be used with iPhones, iPads, and more than a dozen 2.1 and higher Android smartphones and tablets including the Samsung Galaxy range, cost £20 in EE stores and come with a £20 voucher that can be used towards iZettle transaction fees. With iZettle merchants can accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club payments. There are no lengthy sign up processes, no set up fees, no monthly fees and no minimum spend. iZettle merchants are simply charged 2.75% of each payment.

"The beauty of iZettle is that it's simple to use, totally secure and takes seconds for a transaction," said Jacob de Geer, CEO and co-founder of iZettle, which is used by more than 75,000 small businesses and individuals in six countries. "Whether you are a cabbie, florist, tradesperson or a courier, iZettle gives you the flexibility to operate in both cash and cards. The possibilities are endless because hundreds of thousands of small business can now take plastic. We are very excited about our full commercial launch in the UK and the positive results of our Beta test with 4,000 users over the past six months."

Research revealed today by EE, which has just launched its new superfast 4G and fibre brand in the UK, shows that small electrician, plumbing and building firms alone are currently owed up to £5,000 each by late or non-paying customers – equivalent to £283m. To compound the late and non-payment issue, tradespeople are investing an average of 36 days every year chasing overdue customer bills. Even based on minimum wage rates, that means the time spent chasing customers for payment costs tradespeople up to £125 million a year2.

Accepting card payments could easily boost revenue and cash flow, but 45% of small firms have been previously put off due to the cost of accepting cards. However, 71% claim they would accept credit or debit cards if there was a low cost, low hassle way of doing so. iZettle meets this need with an effortless sign-up and stress-free system that has one of the lowest cost and complexity profiles on the market. While according to consumers, there is also a pent-up demand with eight in ten (82%) saying they would like the option to pay tradespeople by card.

"Small businesses are crucial to the UK economy and to driving recovery and growth amongst the local communities where they operate. MasterCard has helped iZettle enter the UK market as we know that enabling small businesses to accept card payments will stimulate more business by addressing the restriction of customers paying only with cash. We have a five-year partnership with EE which focuses on innovation, and are delighted that our introduction to iZettle has resulted in EE becoming the first distribution partner in the UK", said Marion King, President of MasterCard UK and Ireland.

Gerry McQuade, Chief Marketing Officer at EE said: "iZettle is a revolution for small businesses and consumers across the nation. The aim of our new superfast EE brand is to make businesses' digital lives easier and ultimately more profitable through technology. Businesses and consumers are on the cusp of mobile payment transformation and we are delighted to bring iZettle to market, enhancing our mobile payment portfolio."

"We are delighted to be working with iZettle as they continue to expand into new markets, launching in Britain today. American Express is committed to adding value for small merchants, helping them grow their business. We see iZettle as a smart and convenient way for small businesses to further enable commerce by accepting card payments," said Werner Decker, Senior Vice President, Merchant Services Europe at American Express.

iZettle is designed for small business and tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians, builders, taxi drivers, housekeepers or market stallholders. It is estimated that there may be more than three million people running businesses in the UK who would benefit from the flexibility iZettle offers, with two thirds (66%) of small firms currently owning a smartphone3.


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Hisense jumps into 4K TVs with the XT880, promises Android 4.0 and a sane size

HISENSE UNVEILS CUTTING EDGE XT880 4K UHD 3D Smart TV

New XT880 delivers stunning 2160p resolution on virtually edge-to-edge 50", 58", 65" panels; offers facial recognition, voice and gesture control, apps and more.

Suwanee, Georgia, November 6, 2012 - Hisense USA today unveiled its top-of-the-line 3D Smart TV, the XT880, with native 2160p Ultra High Definition (UHD) resolution for stunning picture quality and beautifully realistic, natural motion.

Combining an ARM dual-core microprocessor with the latest Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS, the elegant XT880 series of 50", 58", and 65" televisions offers the ultimate entertainment experience. In addition to the standard 3D and Smart TV capabilities powering 3D movies, live TV, streamed content, web browsing and search, social networking, games and apps, the WiFi-enabled XT880 features a detachable camera that supports facial recognition, gesture control and services such as Skype calling. The ergonomically designed remote control also features a built-in microphone to enable voice control.

"The XT880 series brings together all of the latest features available on high-end televisions today," said JoAnne Foist, Director of Marketing at Hisense USA. "With automatic backlight control, contrast enhancement and the XT880's best-in-class video processing and scaling features, the XT880 represents the pinnacle of Hisense's R&D strengths and bold design language."

The XT880 series of UHD televisions will be shown at the CES 2013 Hisense booth, #7243.

See www.hisense-usa.com for more details.


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ZTE Flash may bring its 12MP camera to Sprint on November 11th with LG Mach following suit

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Amazon brings Cloud Drive Photos app to Android, keeps your shots safe

Amazon Cloud Drive Photos App Now Available on Android Phones and Tablets


Amazon Cloud Drive customers can now save and enjoy free storage of thousands of photos anywhere from their Android phones and tablets

Never worry about having stranded or lost photos again – Cloud Drive easily and securely stores customers' photos in the Amazon Cloud

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2012-- (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Amazon.com, Inc. today announced the launch of Cloud Drive Photos for Android app, making it even easier to upload, store, share and enjoy photos from Android phones and tablets. Android phone and tablet users can download the free Cloud Drive Photos for Android app to take advantage of Cloud Drive's 5 GB of free storage, and have thousands of their photos at their fingertips in the Amazon Cloud. Users can purchase additional storage for as little as $10 a year for 20 GB. The Cloud Drive Photos for Android app is available in the Amazon Appstore or from Google Play, and you can learn more about the app at www.amazon.com/androidclouddrive.

"Customers rely on their mobile devices more and more to capture the memories that matter to them," said Russell Dicker, Director of Cloud Drive. They are taking photos at birthday parties, soccer games, and kids' recitals every day on their Android phones and tablets. The Cloud Drive Photos for Android app makes it simple to save these memories into Cloud Drive and have them automatically available on your Kindle Fire or Android Phone or Tablet."

It's easy to save your photos from your Android device to Cloud Drive. Simply press and hold on a photo album on your Android phone, and select "Upload to Cloud Drive" to save existing photos from your device to the Cloud. Amazon Cloud Drive uses the same reliable and fast data storage infrastructure used by Amazon to run its own global network of web sites.

Android Cloud Drive features include:

All Your Photos, Wherever You Go: Save your entire photo collection in Cloud Drive and your photos will be available to enjoy on your Kindle Fire, Android Phones and tablets, or with any web browser.
Share Photos Through Your Favorite Apps: You can select photos directly from your Cloud Drive and share them through Facebook, email and many other apps.
Save to the Cloud: It's simple to save photos to your Cloud Drive – simply press and hold on a photo or album and select "Upload to Cloud Drive" to save directly to the Amazon Cloud from your device.
Beautiful Photo Display: Your photos are displayed in a horizontal mosaic or vertical grid view, optimized for the screen size of your Android device.
Cloud Drive is already integrated into Kindle Fire HD, making it seamless to upload, store and enjoy your entire photo library. With Kindle Fire HD's high-resolution screen, photos come alive in stunning high-definition, and the mosaic view arranges personal photos beautifully. Customers can also use their Kindle Fire to view their favorite photos on their TV using HDMI out, which enables you to connect an HDMI cable from your Kindle Fire to any device that has an HDMI port.

To learn more about Amazon Cloud Drive, visit www.amazon.com/clouddrive.


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