Samsung ATIV Neo S Hits Sprint August 16

Sprint today announced that the Samsung ATIV Neo S smartphone will be available for purchase beginning Friday, August 16. The Neo S, which runs Windows Phone 8, will cost $149.99 after $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year contract. The Neo S has a 4.8-inch 720p HD display, a 1.4GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor with 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and support for microSD cards up to 64GB. It supports Sprint's LTE 4G network and worldwide GSM/HSPA networks for roaming. The device also includes GPS, NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The Neo S has an 8-megapixel main camera and 2-megapixel user-facing camera. The Samsung ATIV Neo S has a removable 2,000mAh battery. It will be sold via all Sprint channels, including retail, online, and via telephone.



Source: Sprint

Windows 8.1 said To Launch On October 18th

Microsoft continues to finalize its Windows 8.1 update, but the company revealed today that it plans to make it available on October 18th. The free update will be listed in the Windows Store for existing Windows 8 users at 7AM ET on October 17th, with boxed copies, new hardware, and a full retail release on October 18th. The final copy of Windows 8, known as Release to Manufacturing (RTM), is expected to be made available to PC makers and partners in the coming weeks. Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans previously revealed that Microsoft plans to update and patch Windows 8.1 in the weeks leading up to the October release.

Galaxy Gear Smartwatch Reportedly Confirmed For Samsung Unpacked Event In September

On September 4, Samsung is set to take the stage in Berlin and unveil the Galaxy Note 3. While that is pretty much 100% confirmed, there have been talks and even patent filings concerning a Samsung smartwatch, which was first referred to as Samsung Gear. According to SamMobile, they have learned from sources that Galaxy Gear (model number SM-V700) is real, and will be launching alongside the Note 3 on September 4 at the Unpacked event. 


Source: SamMobile

BlackBerry To Explore Selling Off The Company

BlackBerry is looking to try something new. The company on Monday announced that it’s forming a committee to explore “strategic alternatives” that “could include, among others, possible joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances, a sale of the company or other possible transactions.” BlackBerry is emphasizing that “there can be no assurance that this exploration process will result in any transaction” and that it “does not currently intend to disclose further developments with respect to this process, unless and until its Board of Directors approves a specific transaction or otherwise concludes the review of strategic alternatives.” Given that we’ve heard reports about BlackBerry going private over the past few days, it’s not surprising that the company trying to explore as many new strategies as it can to keep itself afloat. BlackBerry shares were up more than 6% on the news.

Apple Reportedly Unveiling The Next iPhone On Sept. 10th

Apple will debut its latest iPhone lineup during a special event on September 10th, just a month from today. The report doesn’t specify as to which models will be announced at the event, but if rumors are to be believed, we may see the highly anticipated iPhone 5S as well as a new, low-cost iPhone 5C.

There’s been much speculation as to when exactly Apple will unveil its latest lineup as the company has been unusually quiet about new products over the last year. Many are also wondering whether or not Apple will break its traditional iPhone lineup (introducing a new iPhone and shuffling older models down to lower price points) or if it will in fact produce a cheaper, plastic iPhone to cater to demands for Apple to enter new, lower-cost markets.

We’re excited to see what the company has in store for this event as well as what they've been planning for new product categories. While the report doesn't postulate the appearance of an entirely new product category, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has expressed a deep interest in both wearable technologies, given credibility to the rumored iWatch, as well as the television.

Nexus 7 2013 Factory Images And Binaries Now Live

The factory images for the new Nexus 7 2013 “razor” are now live. The binaries too. We’re looking at Android 4.3, build JSS15J.

Be sure to download the factory images and store them in a safe place, you never know when you might need to flash your device back to stock.

Source: Factory Image, Binaries

Google Reportedly Chooses ASUS To Make Next Generation Nexus 10

According to a new report, Google will be dropping Samsung and picking ASUS to manufacture the next-gen Nexus 10. The site has correctly reported on a few product releases in the past, but today’s report goes against what we heard earlier straight from Google’s own Sundar Pichai. 

Following the launch of the new Nexus 7, Google’s head of Chrome and Android told The Wall Street Journal’s Amir Efrati that a new 10 inch Nexus 10 tablet would be arriving in the near future. He also told Efrati that the device would indeed be once again be manufactured by Samsung. It’s possible he was misquoted, and multiple companies often submit designs for upcoming Nexus devices before Google ultimately decides on a manufacturer.

While Samsung made the original Nexus 10, it might make sense for Google to stick with ASUS the maker of the new Nexus 7 if the next generation Nexus 10 is to follow the design aesthetics of the new Nexus 7.

Android Device Manager Is Now Live

Have you ever lost your phone in between the couch cushions or forgot it in a restaurant? Or maybe searching for your phone before you rush out the door is part of your morning routine? Let the new Android Device Manager help you out! It's one of a few simple features you can use to keep your device and the data you store inside safe and secure.

Locate and ring your misplaced device 
If you ended up dropping your phone between those couch cushions, Android Device Manager lets you quickly ring your phone at maximum volume so you can find it, even if it's been silenced. And in the event that your phone or tablet is out of earshot (say, at that restaurant you left it at last night), you can locate it on a map in real time.

Protecting your personal information and data
While losing your phone can be stressful, Android Device Manager can help you keep your data from ending up in the wrong hands. If your phone can’t be recovered, or has been stolen, you can quickly and securely erase all of the data on your device.

Availability and getting started 
This service is now available on devices running Android 2.2 or above; to use it, you also will need to be signed into your Google Account. There will also be an Android app to allow you to easily find and manage your devices. To activate Android device Manager simply go to menu>settings>security>device administrators> and check the box behind Android Device Manager to activate.

Google has also announced as of today the availability of Android Device Manager website you can access it at www.android.com/devicemanager.

LG G2 Officially Announced

LG says that the G2 is designed for humans and that LG put long research into developing it so that it would be best for humans. That was part of what went into the design choices that they made such as the rear power button and volume rocker. They also found that a 5.2-inch display size was the largest size that an average human could comfortably hold. That’s also enhanced with the ultra-thin bezels that LG has incorporated. The G2 is also optimized for next-gen LTE-Advanced networks by using the Snapdragon 800.

The G2 boasts some of the most powerful specs that we've seen to date. It also has some interesting little features and tweaks around it. Let’s take a look at the specs list:

• 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display with dedicated graphic RAM
• 16GB/32GB storage
• 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization
• 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera
• 3,000mAh battery
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
• 24 bit/192kHz Hi-Fi playback
• 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9mm
• Black and white color options

LG has also included some new features in its UI:

• Answer Me — Automatically answers the call after lowering the ringtone when the phone is raised to one’s ear.
• Plug & Pop — Recommends options or related features to choose from when the earphone or USB cable is detected.
• Text Link — Allows information embedded in text messages to be selected and easily saved in a memo or calendar and searched on a map or the internet.
• QuickRemote — Not only can LG G2 be used to remotely control popular home entertainment devices, it can also learn from conventional remotes and be customized to operate multiple devices with flexible layouts and keys.
• Slide Aside — Enables easier multitasking by simply “sliding” open apps off to the side using a three-finger swipe.
• Guest Mode — Protects owner’s privacy by displaying only pre-selected apps when guests access the phone with a secondary unlock pattern.

Meet the HTC Fetch, A Bluetooth-Enabled Tag

The HTC Fetch, a little Bluetooth-enabled tag that just went up for preorder on the site of UK-based retailer Clove.

So, how does this gizmo work? The gizmo, which looks just like a key fob that you can put it your wallet, or attach to your bag or keys, connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Whenever the tag, along with the item to which it’s attached, goes beyond 15 meters from your phone, the tag emits a loud alert, that should, in theory, tell you that you were about to lose your stuff.

If you happen to be in a loud environment or if you don’t hear the alarm for some other reason, you can consult the last GPS location of the Fetch on Google Maps. The gizmo takes these coordinates from the smartphone, meaning that it doesn't contain a GPS module itself, and that you have to use the GPS on your phone for this function to work.

If you simply misplaced your keys around the house, you can use a smartphone app to activate the alarm manually, which sounds like a brilliant functionality that many people would love.

The Fetch also features a button with which you can activate the camera shutter on your phone, turning it into a simple remote control. For power, the small device uses a CR2032 battery, that is said to be enough for six months of operation.

The HTC Fetch BL A100 device can be pre-ordered now from Clove for the rather reasonable price of £30 ($38). Not all details are known yet, but we’ll sure bring them to you as soon as we have them.