Samsung Unveils The Galaxy Note 3 And Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition

Samsung has announced a redesigned Galaxy Note 3 with a slimmer design and larger screen. Though the phone's front looks similar to its predecessors, Samsung has made some tweaks to the design, covering the plastic back with an apparent faux-leather finish in three colors, adding a metallic sheen to the plastic sides, and redesigning the S Pen. The screen has grown to 5.7 inches from the Note II's 5.3, and it weighs in at a slightly lighter 168g. It's 8.3mm, about a millimeter thinner than its predecessor, with 3GB of RAM, a 2.3GHz quad-core processor on its LTE model another 3G version will use a 1.9GHz octocore processor and a 13-megapixel rear camera. Samsung has even promised that the phone can shoot 4K video.

Samsung also touts new software and better multitasking, one of the Note's major selling points given its large form factor. A launcher called Air Command is designed to make the S Pen more useful, bringing up a menu of tools that let users organize and act on handwritten notes: one given example is jotting down a number, then using new software to save it in the address book or call it directly.

While we don't have pricing details, the Note is set to launch on September 25th in 149 countries, then worldwide by October. In the US, versions will come to all major carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular are all listed as partners.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2014 Note 10.1 carries Samsung's 8-core Octa chipset clocked at 1.9GHz with a class-leading 3GB of RAM. In terms of appearance, the new Note 10.1 features the same faux-leather rear casing as its smaller Note III sibling. An 8-megapixel camera can be found on the tablet's backside, with your standard 2-megapixel affair up front. The Note 10.1 2014 edition will be offered in three capacities with 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB of storage.

Samsung Announces Galaxy Gear Smartwatch

Samsung has announced the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, the “next evolution” of Galaxy. The device has an on board 1.9 megapixel camera that can take pictures and video memos, a pedometer feature, and security measures that allow you to require the Gear to be nearby when you want to unlock your Samsung phone. More highlights:

• Built-in speaker and microphone for phone conversations
• Super AMOLED 320×320 touch screen
• 4GB storage
• 512MB RAM
• Uses Bluetooth 4.0

The Galaxy Gear will launch globally September 25th for $299.

Moto X Hits Sprint Stores Tomorrow For $199

Sprint will begin carrying the Moto X smartphone beginning tomorrow (Friday, September 6th), the company announced today. The phone will come in either black or white, and it will cost $199 from Sprint.

Improved customization for the Moto X is available via AT&T, but Sprint says that it will support Moto Maker in the coming months.

Sprint says that customers that switch to Sprint (and port their phone number) from another carrier will get the phone for $99.

Google Announces ‘Chrome Apps’ For Windows

Chrome has offered ‘Apps’ bookmarks to web pages for Mac and PC users for a awhile. There is even a Chrome App store.  Today Chrome is getting serious about desktop apps.  In a post on the company’s blog, Google says that improved access to the computer, including USB/Bluetooth, full screen mode, desktop notifications, less ‘chrome’ (Tabs, bookmarks, browser bar, etc) and power off features will make the Chrome apps act more like real apps. So real, in fact, that most people won’t be able to tell the difference.

Today Google is unveiling a new kind of Chrome App, which brings together the speed, security and flexibility of the modern web with the powerful functionality previously only available with software installed on your devices. (Think apps designed for your desktop or laptop, just like the ones for your phone and tablet.) These apps are more powerful than before, and can help you get work done, play games in full-screen and create cool content all from the web. If you’re using Windows or a Chromebook, you can check them out in the “For your desktop” collection in the Chrome Web Store (Mac & Linux coming soon).

Google Unveils Unannounced Nexus Phone In Its KitKat Video

Google announced its upcoming Android 4.4 KitKat software update. In line with the announcement, Google posted a video that shows the unveiling of the KitKat statue at the company’s headquarters.

At about 38-39 seconds into the video, a Google employee is seen taking photos or video recording the statue with an unknown Nexus device.

The backplate seems to be that found on the new Nexus 7, and the camera lens appears to be larger than the current generation LG Nexus 4.


Source: 9to5Google

Apple Announces Its September 10 iPhone Event

Apple has just sent out invites for their September 10th event, scheduled for 10 AM PST, via The Loop. Apple is hosting the event on campus in Cupertino.

The invite reaffirms expectations that Apple will launch two new models of iPhone for the first time, dubbed the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C. As indicated by the numerous case leaks over the last few months, the iPhone 5C is expected to be available in a variety of colors. The invite seems to back this up, showing many different colored dots and uses the strapline “This should brighten everyone’s day”, which is another inference to different colors.

Apple will announce the official launch dates for these new devices at the event. Apple’s behaviour in the previous years would suggest that the new iPhones will be available to buy on the 20th September, two weeks after their announcement. On Friday, we reported that Verizon is blocking employee vacations between the 18th and the 22nd of September, a very good indicator that new iPhones will be released in this timeframe.

Android 4.4 To Be Named "KitKat"

Google’s SVP of Android, Sundar Pichai just announced over 1 billion Android activation's and the name of the next Android operating system on Twitter. Android 4.4 will be named after the Nestlé KitKat bar. A giant “chocolate” Android statue has also appeared alongside the previous Android mascots on Google’s campus.

As far as the changes in Android 4.4, Google says they are trying to “make an amazing Android experience available for everybody,” but so far there’s no indication of what that actually means.

To celebrate, Nestle and Google have teamed up to giveaway a Nexus 7 and Google Play Store credits in specially-marked Kit Kat bars.

Samsung Galaxy Gear Live Photos Leak

The Samsung Galaxy Gear unit found itself in the hands of Venturebeat who got to spend some time with the smartwatch and spilled some beans about it along the way.

What you see above is a snapshot of a Galaxy Gear promo video, as the media wasn't allowed to take photos of the actual prototype it had. Anyway, the display of the Galaxy Gear is 3" in size and is of the OLED variety. The screen is square, but sadly its resolution wasn't disclosed.

The prototype Galaxy Gear itself is colored in dark gray and black and sports built-in speakers in the strap. Naturally, there'll be more colors on the way, but they weren't detailed. On the top side, there's also a 4MP camera, which is used to record health data as well as taking pictures. There's a special piece of software which recognizes if the food is fat or contains grains.

The Samsung Galaxy Gear is going to be able to receive voice commands through the S Voice app. Thanks to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the smartwatch is able to connect to other smartphones, too. This allows it to sync call logs giving you the option to initiate a call from the watch to a Samsung smartphone. Wi-Fi connectivity also means social media integration with Twitter and Facebook.

Venturebeat reports the Galaxy Gear's battery is going to be good for up to 10 hours. The battery capacity wasn't disclosed, but from the photos you can clearly see that the Gear is going to be quite big.

Verizon Agress To Buy Vodafone’s 45% Stake In Verizon Wireless

Verizon Communications announced that it has agreed to buy the 45% of Verizon Wireless that it does not already own from Vodafone Group for $130 billion. Verizon will pay Vodafone primarily in cash and stocks. The deal was agreed upon by the management teams over the weekend and approved by the boards of directors at both firms today. Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and CEO, said, "This transaction will enhance value across platforms and allow Verizon to operate more efficiently, so we can continue to focus on producing more seamless and integrated products and solutions for our customers. We believe full ownership will provide increased opportunities in the enterprise and consumer wireline markets." Once complete, Verizon will have full control over Verizon Wireless and its assets. Vodafone will use the funds gained through the divestiture to fortify its European and other worldwide business ventures. The deal will be subject to regulatory and shareholder approval and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014.


Source: Verizon Wireless

Microsoft Acquires Nokia For $7.2B

Microsoft announced yesterday that it has reached an agreement to acquire the Devices and Services division of Nokia for approx. $7.2 billion. Microsoft will also gain the Lumia and Asha brands, as well as Nokia's patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm. Nokia will continue to exist as a separate company, focusing on networks via its NSN division, mapping via its HERE division, and and Advanced Technologies division. Nokia will retain its brand and patents, but license them to Microsoft. Microsoft has recently moved to refocus itself on devices and services. This move advances that goal for the mobile division and Windows Phone. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop will move to Microsoft. Nokia has worked closely with Microsoft on Windows Phone devices since 2011, when the company ditched its troubled Symbian platform. Competing mobile OS makers Apple and BlackBerry have always made their own hardware. Google purchased Motorola in 2012 to shore up its Android strategy. The Microsoft-Nokia deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014 an is subject to shareholders and regulatory approval.


Source: Nokia