Topic: Mobile - Engadget

By Myriam Joire posted Jun 18th 2013 8:00PM 0

Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MDP benchmarks: prepare for ludicrous speed Mobile

Today we had a chance to play with Qualcomm's latest dev tablet (MDP) which packs the company's mighty Snapdragon 800 SoC (MSM8974). The device is slightly larger than last year's MDP and features a 11.6-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel display, 2GB of LPDDR3 RAM, 32GB of built-in flash storage (with microSD expansion) and a 12 megapixel AF rear camera with flash (2MP in front). All of this is crammed into a light (xxlbs) and slim (xx inches) chassis that's powered by a 3400mAh Li-ion battery and includes a bevvy of radios (LTE, WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4 LE, GPS, NFC) and sensors (including pressure and humidity).

We put the Snapdragon 800-equipped MDP through its paces by running our usual suite of benchmarks (plus a few more). The results? Prepare for ludicrous speed.

Nicole Lee contributed to this report.

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By Richard Lawler posted Jun 18th 2013 7:27PM 0

Dish doesn't submit another bid to buy Sprint, will 'consider its options' Mobile

The latest move in the standoff between Softbank, Sprint, Dish Network and Clearwire has been made, as Dish stated today it will not submit another bid for Sprint. This comes after Sprint sued to stop Dish from buying Clearwire, which the satellite company called an attempt to deflect attention from its own unfair dealings. If you'll recall, Dish Network jumped in with a $25.5 billion offer to buy Sprint, but after Japanese carrier Softbank improved its proposal slightly, Sprint put Dish on a deadline to respond. That time limit expired today, and Dish is choosing to consider its options on Sprint, while focusing on completing the Clearwire deal.

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By Brad Molen posted Jun 18th 2013 1:03PM 0

BlackBerry Q10 officially available at AT&T on June 21st Mobile

The pre-order process for the BlackBerry Q10 is already well underway, but AT&T has kept quiet on its official retail and online availability until now. The company has now confirmed to us that the QWERTY-laden device will be ready for public consumption -- both online and in corporate locations -- starting June 21st for $200. If you didn't get your pre-order in but still want to get it hot off the shelves, keep an eye out for it this weekend. Official statement below.

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By Myriam Joire posted Jun 18th 2013 11:00AM 0

Rounds updates video chat app, lets users browse the web together (video) Mobile

Rounds is doing the rounds (natch!) this morning with a significant update to its video calling and instant messaging app. The company teamed up with Channel.me to add co-browsing to an already broad list of features. Users can now browse the web together during a video chat and see / control the same page at the same time. In terms of security, the experience mimics two people surfing the web in the same location (usernames are visible but passwords are hidden. for example). While users can enter any URL, the app also includes an icon grid of compatible sites, such as Google (for search), Wikipedia, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, Amazon and eBay -- to name a few. As a refresher, Rounds lets friends watch YouTube videos and play games together during a video chat and even apply filters and scribble over each-others live video streams. It also supports instant messaging and photo sharing and ties it all together with Facebook Login. The app is available for most Android and iOS devices but is optimized to run on phones. Hit the break for the promo video and obligatory PR.

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By Brad Molen posted Jun 18th 2013 10:45AM 0

Engadget Giveaway: win one of two ChromeBook Pixels, courtesy of Gogo! Alt

The ChromeBook Pixel is a stunningly beautiful piece of machinery. With costs ranging from $1,300 to $1,500, however, it means you're shelling out even more than most standard ultrabooks and laptops. It also comes with 12 free Gogo passes and a full terabyte of Google Drive storage to sweeten the deal, fortunately, but who wants to buy a computer of any kind when you can win one instead? Gogo's hooking two lucky readers up with a 64GB LTE Chromebook Pixel (this particular model is valued at $1,500), so this is one giveaway you'll definitely want to sign up for. You can grab up to three entries: you get two just for showing up, and the third is yours if you Like Gogo on Facebook. Head to the widget below and take a chance!

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By James Trew posted Jun 18th 2013 10:30AM 0

Huawei Ascend P6 hands-on (video) Mobile

Well, we can't say that we didn't know it was coming, despite only getting officially announced this afternoon in London. Either way, Huawei's Ascend P6 is here, and we got some hands-on time with it. As one leak suggested, the P6 comes with a 4.7-inch LCD display (1,280 x 720), a quad-core K3V2 processor, 2GB of RAM and just 8GB internal storage (there is thankfully a microSD card slot). Camera-wise, reports of a 5-megapixel shooter on the front were on the money, while the rear camera is a shade above that at eight megapixels. The front-facing cam isn't the only talking point, either. At just 6.18mm thick, the Ascend P6 is potentially the slimmest phone out there (for now), but is a trim waist and the promise of improved selfies enough? We spent some hands-on time with it to find out.

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By Daniel Cooper posted Jun 18th 2013 9:15AM 0

Huawei Ascend P6 announced: 6.18mm thickness, 4.7-inch 720p display Mobile

We knew it was in the works given the sheer quantity of leaks but, with a small sigh of relief, Huawei's Ascend P6 is now official. At the company's London launch, the handset has been revealed with a 6.18mm-thick, all-metal body that weighs in at 120 grams -- only 8 grams more than the iPhone 5, which, for the sake of context, has a thickness of 7.6mm. The 4.7-inch device comes with a 1,280 x 720 in-cell LCD display, 1.5GHz quad-core CPU and 2GB RAM. While users may be dismayed to read that the P6 has a small 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot will let you add up to 32GB more for your media perusal. The phone's primary camera is an 8-megapixel, F/2.0 BSI lens with a 4cm macro, but the vain amongst you shouldn't worry as there's a 5-megapixel shooter up front. The build of Android 4.2.2 will be skinned with Huawei's customary Emotion UI, while AV fans amongst you will be happy to see the handset boasting Dolby Digital Plus sound. A 2,000mAh battery and GSM/UMTS/HSPA+ radios round out the spec sheet, and the handset will be launching in China from June and western Europe from July, with 19 countries covered by the end of that month. A total of 100 nations will have the Ascend P6 by the end of the year, and an LTE version is due sometime in the fourth quarter. You'll be able to pick it up in black, white or pink colors from places like EE, Three, Vodafone, O2, Orange and the Carphone Warehouse in the UK. Most Europeans will have to set aside €449 ($601) for the smartphone; we're still waiting on pricing details for the UK and other countries.

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By Brad Molen posted Jun 18th 2013 9:09AM 0

T-Mobile to offer Sony Xperia Z as a US exclusive in the 'coming weeks' Mobile

Interested in grabbing a Sony Xperia Z here in the US? If so, we hope you like T-Mobile. The UnCarrier announced this morning that it will not only be carrying the flagship device, it will be doing so exclusively (it's been available unlocked, but T-Mo will be the only network to officially carry it). The water-resistant phone will initially be available in both black and purple finish, though the latter color will only be offered for a limited time. No word on pricing or pre-order opportunities yet, but we'll keep our eyes peeled for more info as it comes out. Check out the press release below the break, or head to T-Mo's Xperia Z product page where you'll be greeted with a place to sign up for email alerts.

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By Daniel Cooper posted Jun 18th 2013 8:57AM 0

TCL launches 5-inch 1080p Idol X (S950) smartphone with 6.99mm thickness, ultra-thin bezel Mobile

In a world obsessed with body image, we knew it wouldn't be long before our smartphones would start embarking on fad diets. The latest to show off its lack of curves is TCL's China-centric Idol X (S950), which can squeeze into a 6.99mm-thin pair of jeans. Just like the Alcatel version we saw at MWC, this handset comes with a 1080p display, which is bordered by an equally svelte 1.7mm bezel. Internals-wise, Android 4.2 is running on a quad-core, 1.5GHz MediaTek MT6589T chip, 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. On the imagine front, the phone has a hefty 13.1-megapixel primary camera and a two-megapixel front-facing lens. Despite those heavyweight specs, the unit is marked up for a reasonably cheap 1,699 yuan -- $280 to you and me.

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By Mat Smith posted Jun 18th 2013 8:18AM 0

Samsung to livestream its Galaxy and ATIV 'premiere' event Mobile

We have a few ideas about what Samsung's going to show off at its London event, but there's still some mysteries, like that Galaxy NX camera and what it has planned for its Windows-based ATIV range. We'll be there to fill you in on all the details, but Samsung promises that you'll also be able to watch along on its YouTube channel. If that sounds like your cup of tea (it's a London event, so we won't apologize), bookmark the link below.

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By Jon Fingas posted Jun 18th 2013 4:23AM 0

LG Optimus G Pro tops 1 million sales in South Korea Mobile

LG doesn't lead the sales charts quite like Samsung, but it does have something to crow about today: it just racked up its millionth Optimus G Pro sale in South Korea. The supersized phone reached the milestone three months quicker than LG's previous record-holder, the Optimus LTE, and sold at an average rate of 8,000 units per day. About the only thing dampening the company's enthusiasm is the context -- Samsung topped a million domestic Galaxy Note II sales three months after launch, or roughly one month faster than LG. We don't have comparable international figures, either. Nonetheless, it's clear that LG has had little trouble drawing interest on its home turf.

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By Mariella Moon posted Jun 18th 2013 1:37AM 0

AT&T's Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 arrives June 21st for $399, $199 with phone Mobile

Less than a month after the LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 sauntered past the FCC, AT&T has announced that it'll start selling the device on June 21st. Originally released in the US as a WiFi-only affair, the 8-inch slate will set you back $399 with a two-year contract. However, should you also be in the market for a new smartphone, you can snag the tablet for only $199 if you buy it and bundle the plan with a Samsung Galaxy S 4, S 4 Active or Galaxy Note 2. The S-Pen-toting device is equipped with a 1,280 x 800 display, a 1.6GHz quad-core processor and Android 4.1. These details barely scratch the surface though, so we encourage you to exercise that pointer finger and check out our review to help you decide if this baby is worth your money.

[Thanks, Wesley Chronic]

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By Jon Fingas posted Jun 18th 2013 12:00AM 0

Dragon Mobile Assistant 4 for Android adds driving mode, voice notifications Mobile

For Nuance, it's not enough that Dragon Mobile Assistant spares Android users from pecking at the keyboard -- with the app's new 4.0 upgrade, those users can sometimes avoid contact altogether. Dragon Mobile Assistant can now detect when you're in a moving car and automatically invoke a Driver Mode that relies solely on voice recognition and feedback, keeping your focus on the road. Accordingly, the upgrade builds in spoken notifications for inbound calls, messages, upcoming meetings and Facebook updates. There's also voice-aware email and customizable wake up commands. All told, 4.0 is a big boost for Android fans who see touchscreens as old hat; if you do, you can grab the update shortly (if not already) through Google Play.

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By Jon Fingas posted Jun 17th 2013 9:52PM 0

GEAK unveils Eye and Mars smartphones with 13MP cameras, budget prices Mobile

GEAK may be focusing its attention on wearable tech like the Ring and Watch, but it still has a pair of new offerings for those who like old-fashioned smartphones: meet the 5-inch Eye and 5.8-inch Mars. Both are tailored to photo junkies with 13MP, backside-illuminated rear cameras as well as strong front cameras that shoot at 8MP (Eye) and 2MP (Mars). Differences between the handsets revolve mostly around performance and screen size. The Eye keeps things modest with a 720p IPS display, a quad-core MediaTek MT6589, HSPA+ data, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Spring for the extra-large Mars and you'll upgrade to a 1080p IPS LCD, a Snapdragon 600 and 2GB of RAM. Either way, you won't be paying a lot for the imaging prowess -- when pre-orders start on June 25th, GEAK will ask ¥1,999 ($326) off-contract for the Eye and ¥2,999 ($490) for the Mars. Just don't expect either to leave China when there's no word of international plans.

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By Jon Fingas posted Jun 17th 2013 5:45PM 0

Sprint launches LTE in 22 new cities, unveils plans for 13 more Mobile

Sprint's LTE cells have been popping up a lot lately, and today they're spreading like the blazes -- the carrier just flicked the (official) switch on its faster network in 22 new cities. The focus is primarily on southern locales like Baton Rouge, Miami, New Orleans and Tampa, although the expansion includes cooler climates like Lansing, Napa and Raleigh. The company is also teasing future rollouts for 13 more cities in Michigan, Texas and Washington state. If you want to know whether or not you'll see the coveted 4G symbol this summer, Sprint has the full details after the break.

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