Hasta La Gadget!

It feels like forever since Microsoft announced Windows Phone 8 back in June, but the mobile OS is finally here and with it comes the inaugural volley of compatible handsets. The first one to cross our desks is the global, unlocked version of HTC’s Windows Phone 8X, a device we first saw in September. Unlike other current flagships, this phone breaks the bigger-is-better trend by providing a full set of high-end specs in a relatively compact package — combining a 4.3-inch 720p Super LCD 2 display, Qualcomm dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor and NFC in a sleek and colorful package. Does the 8X have what it takes to carry the Windows Phone 8 torch? Is this a bona fide flagship despite its reduced footprint? Has HTC designed a better handset than its existing Android superphone, the One X? Find out in our review after the break.

Continue reading HTC 8X review: Windows Phone 8’s compact flagship

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, HTC

HTC 8X review: Windows Phone 8’s compact flagship originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Earlier this month, the user profiles for a new Sony smartphone, codenamed Odin, were leaked, revealing three models running Android 4.1. Now the folks over at Concept Phones have what seems to be the first picture of the upcoming smartphone, as well as a handful of specs. The Xperia C650X ‘Odin’ is suspected to be Sony’s next flagship.

Following on the heels of HTC‘s recently announced J Butterfly phablet, the image shows what is claimed to be Sony’s upcoming 5-inch response. Reportedly, it has a 441ppi 1920×1080 full HD resolution, 2GB of RAM, an Adreno 320 GPU, and a Qualcomm 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor. As Concept Phones noted, the display seems to extend to the edges of the phone.

Over at Android Police, they pulled quite a bit of Photoshop history from the image’s EXIF data, causing speculation that this uncomfirmed image may be nothing more than a well-crafted fake. While the photo itself is showing off an Xperia-branded smartphone, take the claim that it’s the real deal with a grain of salt. So far, the only claim that it’s the C650X comes from tipster Jsus.

The information in the leaked user profiles revealed models C6502, C6503, and C6506. The model numbers could represent various carriers or different regions, although typically the numbers represent different regions. Whether this is the real thing or a quality fake stands to be seen, but don’t get your hopes up quite yet.

[via Concept Phones]

Sony’s possible flagship 5-inch 1080p Odin smartphone leaked is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

You’ve heard it before: the more things change the more they stay the same. It wasn’t that long ago that we reviewed LG’s flagship Optimus 4X HD, the world’s first quad-core HSPA+ handset. Despite representing the company’s best engineering and design effort to date, it wasn’t quite able to match the competition’s global offerings — Samsung’s mighty Galaxy S III and HTC’s lovely One X. Today, just a few months later, quad-core LTE superphones are the state of the art. Samsung’s selling the global Galaxy Note II, HTC’s just announced the One X+ and LG’s betting everything on the Optimus G — the first handset to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro together with an LTE radio.

The Optimus G is a pivotal device for the Korean manufacturer, especially in the US, where rival Samsung is massively popular and LG’s success has been hampered by a series of forgettable products (hello, Intuition) and a lackluster track record for software updates. It’s so critical that LG even invited us to spend some quality time with the Optimus G at the launch event in Seoul last month. In the US, LG’s partnering with Sprint and AT&T and there’s strong evidence that Google’s upcoming Nexus will be based on the Optimus G. So, does the company’s latest powerhouse measure up to the competition? How different are the US versions from the Korean model? Does LG finally have a winning formula with the Optimus G? Find out in our review after the break.

Continue reading LG Optimus G review: a quad-core powerhouse with Nexus aspirations

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, LG

LG Optimus G review: a quad-core powerhouse with Nexus aspirations originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 10:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

At a San Francisco launch event GoPro has just revealed the next addition to its line of action cameras, the Hero3. The Hero3 claims specs that are 30 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than its predecessor, with a resolution that’s up to 4x higher and it has WiFi included. The top of the line Black Edition (pictured above) is capable of capturing video at up to 4K res — if you’re willing to drop the framerate down to 15fps — however thanks to a processor it says is 2x faster, it has also doubled frame rates at lower resolutions. That means 1080p60, 1440p48 and 720p120 modes are supported for your super slow and still-HD capture needs. The Silver Edition maxes out at 11MP stills and 1080p30 video, while the White Edition drops down to 5MP stills. All three versions include WiFi (no BacPac necessary for remote control via the just-released-on-iOS app) however the Black edition includes a remote that can control up to 50 cameras at once with a 600ft range and is waterproof to 10 feet deep. It will also be available as a $79 accessory for the lesser versions.

As far as pricing, the Black Edition is $399, the Silver is $299 and the White $199. Pre-orders are scheduled to start at 12:01AM PT (3:01AM ET), and there’s a handy counter on the GoPro site if you otherwise might forget. The variety of models and ubiquitous WiFi may help fight off competition at the pricing low end like the new ContourROAM2, among others. Naturally we were in the house and will have hands-on pics and impressions soon, check the gallery for pics of the box and detailed specs.

Update: Our hands-on is live! Check out how tiny the Hero3 really is right here.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading GoPro’s new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors starting at $199

Filed under: Cameras

GoPro’s new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors starting at $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  GoPro (Twitter), GoPro (Facebook), GoPro.com  | Email this | Comments

The Contour+2 may well be the best digital action camcorder on the market (though Sony and GoPro would beg to differ), but the company knows not everyone wants a $400 shooter to capture their epic runs this ski season. Thus, Contour has introduced the ROAM2, a $199 model that records 1080p 30fps and 720p 60fps video on its included 4GB microSD card. Like the original Roam, it can capture clips up to one meter underwater without an external case, has a 270-degree rotating lens and a laser level to line up your shots. This new Roam, however, sports improved image quality and an aluminum skin of four colors: black, red and blue will be widely available, and green models can be had exclusively from Amazon through the end of the year (other retailers will carry it in 2013). Want one? Best Buy and other retailers will start selling them on October 21st.

Continue reading ContourROAM2 debuts in red, blue, green and black garb, shoots 1080p video for $199 on October 21

Filed under: Cameras

ContourROAM2 debuts in red, blue, green and black garb, shoots 1080p video for $199 on October 21 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Contour  | Email this | Comments