Google Chrome and Android Event Scheduled for July 24

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Google, Software,

Google is hosting an Android and Chrome event next Wednesday, July 24 hosted by OS honcho Sundar Pichar. Very little is being revealed right now, but the timing is rather interesting in light of the Google I/O event in May and Apple's WWDC event in June. But sure enough, Android will get some much needed attention this time around as it's upgraded to 4.3 (or straight to version 5.0.) Hopefully, it will get some legit support for Bluetooth 4.0 along with the expected new features and UI tweaks. The event kicks off at 12PM EST (that's 9:00 AM for you folks in the west coast.) It will also be live-streamed on YouTube. Stay tuned here at Gear Live as we analyze, synthesize, and slice up the Key Lime Pie.

Sony Xperia i1 Honami smartphone specs leak

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,

Sony is working on an impressive smartphone in the Xperia i1 (codename: Honami,) with specs starting to leak. ePrice reports that the Xperia i1 boasts an incredible 20.7 megapixel ExmorRS camera with Sony Bionz image processing. That, in and of itself, though not quite Lumia 1020 territory, is pretty beast. Add to that a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series processor and 5-inch 1080p display, and you've got yourself something worthy of being the next Sony flagship smartphone. We'll find out more at IFA in September, where Sony will undoubtedly show off its new wares.

Read More | ePrice

Apple set to start iPhone 5S production this month

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,

AllThingsD is reporting that Apple is set to ramp up production of the iPhone 5S at the end of July, which coincides with a recent report from Peter Misek. Misek says that Apple likely started a small production run of the iPhone 5S last month in preparation for the full meal deal later this month.

Similar to other iPhone releases, it's been reported that iPhone 5S will be constrained in the supply chain initially, likely due to low yields on the new fingerprint sensor feature that is rumored to launch on the device.

AllThingsD also believes that the lower-cost mid-range iPhone is also already in production:

Interestingly, Misek says that iPhone production ramp up will follow one that’s already under way for Apple’s long-rumored lower-cost iPhone, a device he figures the company will price somewhere between $300 and $400 — without a subsidy. He estimates production plans at 25 million to 30 million units, split pretty much evenly across the 5s and its new lower-cost sibling. And he says the new entry probably won’t be competitive with the truly low-end handsets popular in emerging markets.

It's mid-summer, y'all, and the iPhone rumor mill is chugging along at full power.

Read More | AllThingsD

Nokia Lumia 1020 now available for pre-order on AT&T

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft,

We gave you the rundown on the Nokia Lumia 1020 a few days ago, and for those of you who took a look at the 41-megapixel-camera-toting smartphone and just had to have one, you'll be pleased to know that pre-order for the 1020 are now live. The device costs $299 with two-year contract, and will be released on July 23rd.

Moto X phone will always be listening for voice commands

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Google, Rumors, Videos,

Looks like Google's goals for the Majel project is coming to full fruition with a Star Trek-like Always Listening mode on the upcoming Moto X smartphone. In a leaked video from Canadian wireless carrier, Rogers, we see that the passive voice command feature added allows Google Now use without the user having to press a button in order to prompt a request--all you have to do is say "Ok Google Now," to get the phone to listen up and do your bidding. Yep, just like Google Glass. In the video, the Moto X has an additional buttonless feature that allows a user to open the phone's camera with two flicks of the wrist. Additionally, we see that you can tap anywhere on the screen to snap a photo instead of just a specific UI button. The Moto X is expected to go on sale this summer. Check out the video after the break.

Click to continue reading Moto X phone will always be listening for voice commands

Read More | Ausoroid

In move to expand spectrum, AT&T acquires Leap Wireless

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Wireless / WiFi,

AT&T just announced that it had come to an agreement with Leap Wireless, operator of the Cricket pre-paid mobile brand, to acquire the company for $15 per share in a cash deal. The purchase includes all Leap Wireless assets, which brings all 5 million Leap subscribers into the fold at AT&T. Aside from giving AT&T more spectrum and more customers, it also increases its retail store footprint. Full release after the break.

Click to continue reading In move to expand spectrum, AT&T acquires Leap Wireless

BlackBerry A10 with 5-inch display leaked

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,

Looks like Blackberry is hard at work on its next flagship smartphone, the BlackBerry A10 (codename Aristo.) An image of the device, leaked to BGR, portrays the A10 as a 5-inch upgrade from the current Z10, featuring sleeker curves and running upgraded software, BlackBerry 7.2. We're looking at a 1280 x 720 Super AMOLED display, and sports an unspecified dual-core processor. While that's just about the extent of what we know about the device, we're sure that we'll be hearing more about it in short order.

What do you think? Will the BlackBerry A10 help bring BlackBerry back to relevance? Is it a device you are looking forward to hearing more about? Or is it too little, too late?

Read More | BGR

Nokia Lumia 1020 launches on July 26th on AT&T for $299

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft,

Nokia, Microsoft, and AT&T have finally officially lifted the veil off of the Nokia Lumia 1020 Windows Phone. The standout feature of this smartphone is its 41 megapixel PureView camera, which is being called "the largest back side illuminated sensor available on a smartphone." Of course, a fantastic camera a great smartphone does not make, and the Lumia 1020 does sports a few other impressive touches. The display is a 4.5-inch 1280 x 768 AMOLED PureMotion HD+ panel covered by Gorilla Glass 3, and it sports "super sensitive touch" which allows you to use the phone even while wearing gloves.

The Lumia 1020 includes a wrist strap that you can optionally attach to it, and Nokia will also be selling a Camera Grip that makes the device easier to use as a camera. You can get one exclusively from AT&T on July 26th for $299 with two-year contract. If you wanna be sure you'll have one on day one, be sure to get your pre-order in on July 16th. We'll be getting our hands on the Nokia Lumia 1020 shortly, and we'll give you the full rundown on what's likely to be an amazing camera, along with our full review.

Apple releases iOS 7 beta 3 build 11A4414e, full changelog

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

Apple has just released iOS 7 beta 3, which can be found in the Developer Portal right now. iOS 7 beta 3 build 11A4414e works with supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models, and is available as an over-the-air update to users already running a previous iOS 7 beta on their devices. We've already found a few tweaked settings and UI improvements, including a larger lock screen status bar, Weather app font improvements, and more transparent home screen folders. If you're already running iOS 7, you can update over-the-air by going into Settings > General > Software Update. Or you can go and grab the necessary download at http://developer.apple.com. Apple originally showed off iOS 7, and released its first beta, at WWDC 2013. We've got the full  beta 3 changelog for you after the break.

Click to continue reading Apple releases iOS 7 beta 3 build 11A4414e, full changelog

Rumored plastic budget iPhone put together on video

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Rumors, Videos,

There has been numerous reports that Apple has a budget-friendly version of the iPhone in the works. It would come in an array of different color pallets with a high-grade polycarbonate rear shell, similar to the housing found on the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Techdy was able to get one of the purported rear shells that are being manufactured, and they put a video together to give us an idea of how this new iPhone might look.

It will have a 4” screen, like the iPhone 5, and interestingly, the budget iPhone actually has a shape that’s similar to Apple’s original iPod. When we hold the budget iPhone in our hands, the plastic chassis does not feel cheap at all. Unlike the plastic build quality of the Samsung Galaxy phones, the plastic material used on the budget iPhone feels more sturdy.

And guess what, we were able to fit the display assembly into the new budget iPhone’s rear shell. The display assembly just seemed to fit perfectly inside of the rear shell.

Check out the video after the jump.

Click to continue reading Rumored plastic budget iPhone put together on video

Read More | Techdy