Wednesday 27 August 2014

Samsung Galaxy Mega 2 previewed ahead of official announcement

Posted: 27 Aug 2014, 10:27, by Florin T.

Although Samsung has yet to officially announce the Galaxy Mega 2, it looks like some retailers have already started selling the device in Malaysia and Thailand. Thus, it didn’t take long for a preview of the new Galaxy to show up.

Droid Sans (a Thai website) is the one that previewed the Galaxy Mega 2, allowing us to take a better look at the extra-large device. As we reported earlier this month, the Mega 2 is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Galaxy Mega 6.3. Size-wise, the new handset sits between the two older models, sporting a 6-inch display with 720 x 1280 pixels.

Running Android 4.4.4 KitKat, the Mega 2 offers mid-range features, including LTE, a quad-core Exynos 4415 processor clocked at 1.4 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, expandable internal memory, and a 2800 mAh removable battery. It appears that the Mega 2 variant that’s been previewed in Thailand features an 8 MP rear camera, though the Chinese version of the handset may come with a 13 MP shooter. In any case, the camera seems to produce pretty good photos - you can see samples below.

The Galaxy Mega 2 reportedly costs around $425, and it should be available in more markets soon, coming in two color versions: black and white. Well, we’re waiting to get our own hands on the handset for a full review. Until then, feel free to check out the Mega 2 in the slideshow below.

Leaked iPhone 6 User Manual Confirms Specs and Launch Date

Parul Ritvik Sood

on August 27, 2014 at 4:48 pm

Everyone is eagerly waiting for the rumored September 9th launch of the new revamped iPhone 6. As the date creeps closer, the World Wide Web is flooded with rumours and leaks. The most recent buzz was that the screen of Apple’s new monster was creating problems for the company, and this might delay the launch of the product.

Well, Apple enthusiats can breathe easy, one of the most recent leaked images points to the same predicted date: Tuesday, September 9.

The image is leaked by a French website called Nowhereelse.fr, which has a strong record of getting its hands on new Apple devices before its public unveiling. The image leaked is a shot of the front of the device’s quick start manual. The device printed on the front has a set date of Tuesday, September 9.

It doesn’t come as a surprise, since Apple likes to remain consistent to its history. It typically launches its smartphones in September, and last year, the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C reared their heads on the second Tuesday of September (10th Sept. to be precise).

If the image is to be believed, the image on the cover of the guide for the presumed iPhone 6 is different than the current model. The shape of the volume buttons have been changed, as have the Sleep/Wake button on the right. The Lightning connector appears to be centered below the home button, which still includes the Touch ID sensor, as marked on the manual.

However, other leaksters have found reasons to believe that this may not be a legitimate product manual. In the past, Apple has used the original product images on the front of the manual. Also, it is said the font is not in line with Apple’s style.

We will only know on September 9th if the image is authentic. The company is expected to launch two devices, the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch smartphones. Rumors suggests that the name of the large device might be iPhone 6L. Apple is also rumored to include a reversible Lightning cable for the iPhone 6 that allows you to plug it into USB ports from either end. The existing Lightning connector can plug into an iPhone or iPad in any way, but the latest design will bring the flexibility to both ends of the cable.

LG G3 exceeds 10millions sales

LG is enjoying a strong period, at a time when much of the industry is experiencing a slowdown or even struggling to turn a profit.
For the past couple of quarters, LG announced record sales, and analysts believe the Korean group will manage to move a total of 60 million smartphones in 2014. A big part of that success will be owed to the G3, which is slated to become LG’s first device to hit the 10 million sales milestone.
LG announced the achievement in a statement to the Korea Times:

LG has emerged as a new game-changer in a number of fields. LG Electronics’ latest flagship, the G3 smartphone, will exceed the 10 million sales mark for the first time since we entered the smartphone industry.

Ten million units may not seem like a huge performance, at least when you compare it with behemoths like the Galaxy S series or the iPhone. But for LG it’s a real achievement and a confirmation that the road it started on two years ago with the Optimus 4X HD was the right one.
The G3 officially launched in July. LG didn’t say when it expects to reach the 10 million milestone.
What made the G3 success story possible? First and foremost, the device itself. Reviewers have almost universally praised it, and users seem to love it as well. Another big factor may be the strong strategic collaboration between the various LG affiliates that make the G3’s components. It’s not only the smartphone-making unit that’s thriving – LG Display (displays), LG Innotek (components), and LG Chem (batteries) have reported good performances as well.
LG says it’s going to further accelerate its efforts in the second part of the year. The company recently revealed the G3 Stylus, the budget L Bello and L Fino, and is planning to launch a second Android Wear smartwatch called G Watch R at IFA next week.

Source:Korea Times

Xiaomi Plans to Set Up Shop in Bangalore to Make India

Xiaomi Plans to Set Up Shop in Bangalore to Make India-Specific Phones

Happy Nagashetti

on August 27, 2014 at 5:14 pm

After seeing tremendous market potential for itself in the neighboring land, Chinese smartphone maker, Xiaomi is planning an R&D center in India. The company has seen phenomenal opening of its innings in India with its one of kind phones falling short of supply for the massive demand.

The R&D center will primarily focus on customizing the devices for the Indian consumers. The company said that they intend to have a team of engineers, designers and product managers who will build features that are specific to the needs of the Indian population.

The company is still a beginner in the smartphone game by market standards, but it was confident of its audacious product. The company took on the climb and has made it onto the list of the most appreciated products in the market. Its mid-segment priced products are capable of taking on the flagships. The company has made its mark in the markets of Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines and is now planning to wreak havoc in the markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico.

Xiaomi claims the specific hardware requirements for Indian market caused the low supply of the Mi3

One of the major reasons cited for the R&D center is the heterogeneous network requirements of India. This country has different hardware and antenna calibrations which require physical calibration in the devices meant for the country. It was this reason that the phones meant for markets of China and Taiwan couldn’t be directed to India thereby leading to a shortage of products.

Apart from this, the company is planning on setting up its own consumer call centre to answer the queries of the consumers. Currently, the consumer support has been outsourced, and even the company runs on a bare minimum workforce in India under Head of Operations, Manu Jain.

This development shows the seriousness of the Indian market, in Xiaomi’s scheme of things. The company plans to prioritize both India and China as just catering to these two markets would be immensely profitable considering the massive population. The company will release its LTE enabled MI4 in India probably by December end. So if you want to have the full Xiaomi experience, there might be a job waiting for you in Xiaomi’s upcoming Banglore facility.

Xiaomi Mi3 sales temporarily discontinued in India

Dhruv Bhutani on August 27, 2014 – 4:56 pm

Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, took the Indian market by storm when it introduced the Mi3 here at an astonishingly low price point. The highly specced handset has become a much sought after device and was being sold exclusively through Flipkart via a unique flash sale model. However, it looks like the run might be over and Xiaomi might have discontinued the Mi3 for the Indian market.

Manu Jain, Head at Xiaomi India had this to say, “Over next few weeks, we will focus on Redmi 1S, and Mi 3 wont be available. We will take the final call after few weeks, once we have more visibility / data points.”

Xiaomi intends to focus on the newly launched Redmi 1S which is also a very good offering at a compelling price point of Rs. 5,999. Combining a Snapdragon 400 processor and quality construction, the phone competes with the likes of the Moto G. While most certainly a great handset in its own right, it doesn’t quite replace the Mi3. What prompted the company to suspend sales remains a mystery given how popular it has proven to be. Perhaps the supply constraints and expansion into additional markets might be at play. All said and done, for the time being, it seems that the only way you’ll get your hands on the phone is through black market channels. Xiaomi will introduce the Mi4 in India early next year.

Xiaomi plans R&D centre in India, Bangalore may host local centre for ‘Apple of China’