Hasta La Gadget!

Amazon is currently testing prototype smartphones, with mass production potentially starting late in 2012 or early next year, with a screen size of 4-5 inches according to insiders. The online retailer is working with component suppliers on the hardware, sources at those suppliers confirmed to the WSJ, echoing reports last week that a smaller version of the Kindle Fire tablet was in the pipeline.

Exact specifications of the Amazon phone are unclear, and it’s unclear if the company has settled on a hardware design. A screen size falling in the range of 4- to 5-inches would put it up against the Galaxy S III and One X in terms of size, though if Amazon follows its strategy with the 7-inch Kindle Fire tablet, it might price the smartphone significantly cheaper.

That’s because Amazon views hardware as a means to an end, rather than the end-goal itself, using dedicated devices like the Kindle line-up to sell more content such as ebooks, music, video and apps. A Kindle phone could effectively be subsidized by the prospect of future content sales, therefore, undercutting Samsung, Apple, and other rivals.

How that would work with traditional carrier subsidies remains to be seen. Amazon has existing relationships with some carriers, who provide the 3G connectivity in the cellularly-enabled Kindle ereaders, but prefers to keep their names behind the scenes and emphasize the “free data” aspect of the deal.

The retailer could decide to offer the Amazon smartphone SIM-free and unlocked, following Google’s attempts to do the same and bypass carriers with the original Nexus One, or it could use the heft of its Amazon Wireless cellphone arm to negotiate exclusive tariff packages with one or more carriers.

Amazon smartphone 4-5 inches and already in testing tip manufacturers is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

As is often the case, once you make your first unannounced, unexpected appearance, more are likely soon to follow — and that’s what’s happening with Sony’s forthcoming slab, the codenamed ST26i. Unlike last time we saw it in most of its glory, though, now it’s only showing up in full text mode, revealing what could be its official moniker once it finally launches. According to a leaked doc acquired by the folks from Xperia Blog, Sony’s purported 4-inch handset could snatch up the Xperia J nametag after making the transition from the more subtle and discrete ST26i title. Unfortunately, no other fruitful details were revealed in the process, but something tells us now it’s only a matter of time before this ICS-filled Xperia J gets past its rumor phase and becomes something more concrete.

Filed under: Cellphones

Sony’s upcoming ST26i smartphone could hit the market under Xperia J name originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Having already unveiled an entire set of HD, LCD televisions back at last year’s CES, the next obvious step for Philips would be to work its way up the entertainment ladder and take the wraps off of its flagship 9 series. Fortunately for us (and you), though, a recently leaked document’s giving us an early peek of what we can expect from the manufacturer as it tries to re-invade living rooms all over the globe. According to the revealing docs, Philips will be adding the 9707 and 9607 Smart TVs to its 9 series repertoire, offering viewers a choice between a relatively large 46-inch or a more colossal 60-incher — both reportedly “very thin.” Additionally, the intelligent couple’s said to be loaded with 3D Max features, a 1200Hz Perfect Motion Rate system, and both are expected to be powered by the outfit’s Perfect Pixel HD processing technology. Needless to say, given its Smart TV status, it’s safe to say it’ll come with the usual WiFi capabilities as well as a number of apps to pick from. If curiosity is taking over you, such exposing documents can be found at the source below in PDF form.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

Philips’ unannounced 9 series flagship TVs get exposed by leaked document originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google is likely to pay $22.5m to settle its privacy argument with the FTC, the largest such fine ever imposed, but a drop in the ocean for the search giant. The penalty – which amounts to $16,000 per violation per day – is over Google’s decision to ignore Safari browser users’ privacy settings around cookies, and will be officially announced soon according to the WSJ‘s sources; however, it also highlights the comparative limitations of such fines, with Google on average making $22.5m in the space of five hours last year.

That disparity between what the US Federal Trade Commission can levy and what might represent a legitimate threat to Google’s bank balance has prompted frustration from privacy activists. With the $22.5m figure such a small portion of the company’s yearly profit, it is hoped that it will instead serve to highlight the flippant attitude Google took to users’ privacy preferences.

At fault was how Google circumnavigated Safari preferences to block tracking, taking advantage of a loophole in the system that allowed the company to track users between sites. Subsequent investigation discovered Internet Explorer users were also being affected.

Back in March, Google admitted it had done wrong, but argued that it had not intended to track web users in that way. “We used known Safari functionality to provide features that signed-in Google users had enabled. We created a temporary communication link between Safari browsers and Google’s servers, so that we could ascertain whether Safari users were also signed into Google, and had opted for personalized ads and other content” the company said in a statement.

“However, the Safari browser contained functionality that then enabled other Google advertising cookies to be set on the browser” Google continued. “We will of course cooperate with any officials who have questions. But it’s important to remember that we didn’t anticipate this would happen, and we have been removing these advertising cookies from Safari browsers.”

According to the sources, the proposed settlement was thrashed out over the past few weeks, though it still awaits approval by FTC commissioners. That could see it modified before being publicly revealed.

Google faces measly $22.5m fine in Safari privacy gaffe is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

There’s nothing easier to photoshop than a phone display, but a Nokiapoweruser reader claims to have RDA screenshots leaking five (count ’em) different upcoming Nokia smartphones. The reputed models shown — without any other proof — are the Nokia 510, Nokia Belle 805 and Lumias 920, 950 and 1001. These are on top of another we already saw from the same type of source, the Nokia 910, giving us a Bizarro world view of Nokia’s entire possible WP8 lineup, before the company has even issued a peep. We’d love to ruminate about potential specs and pecking order, but since we’re talking about an entirely abstract slate of phones, go ahead and invent your own.

[Image credit: Nokiapoweruser]

A bevy of Nokias allegedly leak into a developer app: ‘Lumia 1001’ tops theoretical new lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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