Hasta La Gadget!

The LG G2 is LG’s flagship smartphone of 2013 and while the handset is pretty decently specced, with a great display and awesome camera, it seems that it isn’t quite getting the love it should, at least according to reports. If the reports are to be believed, it seems that LG has only managed to sell 2 million LG G2 units to date, which is only a fraction of what they had originally intended to sell for 2013. LG had initially planned to sell 10 million units of the LG G2 but according to a report from DigiTimes, the company has only managed a fifth of those sales to date, and the reason isn’t because it’s a bad phone, but rather because it is due to the Nexus 5.

The Nexus 5 is Google’s latest Nexus device which is based on specs somewhat similar to the LG G2. It isn’t as powerful as the LG G2 or sport the same camera, but it is very decent, not to mention its asking price makes it a very attractive alternative to the LG G2 or any other smartphone available in the market today. So far apart from camera issues, the Nexus 5 has been met with generally positive reviews, giving customers little reason to go with the LG G2 unless the camera was their priority. In any case if the rumors are to be believed, LG could be working on a successor to the G2 in the form of the G3 which could debut as early as MWC 2014.

Nexus 5 Reportedly To Blame For LG G2′s Poor Sales original content from Ubergizmo.

Data caps have increased over the years, namely due to more people adopting smartphones, as well as apps these days connecting us more than ever, thus caps need to be increased, naturally. However for the less tech savvy, they might not know which app is consuming the most data and could find from time to time that their data is being eaten away faster than they would like, which sometimes could lead to bill shocks. Well the good news is that the CTIA has decided to do something about it by launching a website called Know My App.

The website basically shows how much data some apps can consume, and compares it against some of the data plans provided by the carriers in the US. They also teach consumers to switch to WiFi services whenever available, and how to adjust app settings to prevent it from consuming more data than it should. Like we said this information is probably more suited to the less tech savvy, but for those still grandfathering unlimited data plans or for those who know their way around a smartphone, well we suppose this information is probably known, but some of it might be useful anyway. For those who know someone who might have gotten a smartphone for the first time, like an elderly relative, Know My App could be a good place to start.

CTIA Launches Know My App Website That Details Potentially Data Hungry Apps original content from Ubergizmo.

In the past we have seen Alcatel release smartphones although they might not necessarily be the name one thinks of when it comes to smartphones. However recently we have seen leaks of Alcatel’s alleged upcoming Idol X+ handset and the good news is that the handset is now official and even comes with an companion accessory known as the BOOMBand. As far as specs are concerned, the newly announced Alcatel Idol X+ device will sport a 5” Full HD 1080p display. It will also pack 2GB of RAM, a 2GHz MediaTek MT6592 octa-core processor, 16GB of onboard storage, a 13MP rear-facing camera, a 2,500mAh battery, and will measure 7.9mm thin with a bezel 1.9mm thin.

It sounds like a pretty decent device and is expected to be made available in the Chinese market come 15^th January 2014 for around $330. As far as the BOOMBand is concerned, it’s not exactly a smartwatch but it is a wearable Bluetooth device that Alcatel states will be able to track for activity as well as to ensure that you do not leave your phone behind, presumably by alerting the user once they are out of Bluetooth range. We’re not sure if Alcatel has plans to eventually bring the Idol X+ handset to other countries, but perhaps we might learn more in the future.

Alcatel’s Idol X+ And BOOMBand Announced In China original content from Ubergizmo.

It has almost been a couple of months since Google finally released Android 4.4 KitKat to the public, however it will take quite some time before distribution stats show KitKat taking the lead. A number of major devices, ones that dominated the market in 2013, are yet to be updated to Android 4.4. So one can imagine how long it would take for low-end devices to receive the update. Most low end devices might not be compatible with the new update at all, but those who own a Sony Xperia Tipo are in luck. An unofficial CyanogenMod 11 custom ROM with KitKat goodness baked in has been released for this smartphone.

The Sony Xperia Tipo is a bonafide low end device. Announced in mid-2012, it has a 3.2 inch display and an 800 MHz Cortex A5 processor. Even with its relatively modest specifications, its able to run this unofficial Android 4.4 KitKat custom ROM. It should be kept in mind though that not everything in functional in this ROM. The camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and even GSM don’t work so forget about using it as your daily driver for now. Though it shouldn’t take long though for the developer to iron out these issues and make this ROM fully stable. Those interested in flashing this custom ROM on their Sony Xperia Tipo can follow the instructions given by the developer here.

Sony Xperia Tipo Android 4.4 Unofficial Custom ROM Released original content from Ubergizmo.

It has only been a couple of months since LG launched its 2013 flagship smartphone, the LG G2. The device has received rave reviews, its design, specifications and superb camera performance have all been praised. While it may seem too soon for rumors about a successor to start circulating, the first LG G3 rumors have already started making the rounds. The latest rumor coming in from Korea claims that LG G3 will have a fingerprint scanner much like the iPhone 5S and the HTC One Max.

An Anonymous LG official is cited in the local media report as saying that the company recently made the decision to include a fingerprint scanner in the upcoming G3 smartphone, and that it is “conducting a series of tests for the product.” It is also claimed that this smartphone will be designed to sync with the Korean manufacturer’s G-Arch smartwatch and its upcoming fitness wristband. Other rumored specifications of the G3 include a 2,560×1,440 pixel resolution display, a 16 megapixel rear camera and an octacore processor made by LG. It hasn’t been said when LG intends to release this device, but it is believed that the launch might take place earlier than anticipated due to “disappointing” sales of the LG G2. Perhaps the launch might take place at the Mobile World Congress 2014 in February, but for now, take all of this with a grain of salt.

LG G3 Fingerprint Scanner Rumored original content from Ubergizmo.