Hasta La Gadget!

I was digging around on the Wi-Fi Alliance website checking out the latest certified devices today when I came across an interesting batch of small displays from LG, all with Wi-Fi support built in.

It appears that a wide variety of LG’s small LED-backlit LCD televisions, ranging in size from 22″ to 29″ will offer Wi-Fi in the upcoming model year. While I’m not certain of the use for the wireless connectivity, I’d bet it’s to provide access to LG’s Smart TV or other digital services through these more compact displays. Up until now, LG’s internet-connected displays have been designed for the living room, but this new feature could put streaming video, images and other digital media in your bedroom, den, kitchen or other location where a large display doesn’t make sense. Sure, you could always buy an add-on box like a Roku or Apple TV for those locations, but having the feature built into the set should keep the cost lower for consumers.

The exact details on these sets have yet to be revealed by LG, but I’d bet they’ll turn up at CES 2013 in a couple of weeks.

Top dog at RIM Thorsten Heins heavily implied that video chat would be added to BBM when BlackBerry 10 showed up, and now possible confirmation of the feature has come from what are thought to be leaked presentation slides. Originating on CrackBerry’s forums, the images have been taken down on various sites, leading us to believe they’re legit and that strongly worded requests have led to their removal. Not only do they suggest BBM video chat is coming to BB10, but also the ability to screen share during these video calls. Another slide details a new task manager for the OS called “BlackBerry Remember,” which can sync with Outlook and — based on its description and what was uncovered in the gold SDK — may include Evernote integration. We’ve contacted RIM for comment and will update you with any response, but until then, take a look at the slide above and the pair hidden after the break to assess for yourself whether they’re the real deal.

Update: Here’s RIM’s statement, which doesn’t really come as much of a surprise:

“We understand that there is a lot of excitement for BlackBerry 10. We will launch the platform on January 30th and until then we won’t comment on speculation.”

Continue reading ‘Leaked’ BlackBerry 10 info shows video chat and screen sharing in BBM, new task manager

Filed under: Mobile, RIM

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Via: All About Phones

Source: CrackBerry (1), (2)

There appears to be a whole new double-down in the BlackBerry 10 universe this week with a leaked image of what’s being called the BlackBerry X10. This device sits in a photo near the BlackBerry Z10 all-touch smartphone as well as the BlackBerry Dev Alpha C smartphone given to 1,500 developers earlier this year. This photo is fairly clear, but of course completely unofficial and unconfirmed by RIM.

What we’re seeing here is a device that’s extremely similar in styling to the HTC device revealed in 2011 that went by the name ChaCha – have a peek at our HTC ChaCha review from June of 2011 to have a peek. We’ve also got a photo of the ChaCha below – look similar to you? Both devices are said to be working with full QWERTY physical keyboard action as well as a full touchscreen interface – this being great for the new workings of BlackBerry 10.

It’s not everyday that we see a leak so substantial as the one we’re seeing today in a single photo – and what with previous leaks of the other two devices we’re seeing here, substantiation is a near-fix. This should very well be the image that allows you to see the imminent future of the BlackBerry 10 platform, at least at the start. Both QWERTY and full-touch are onboard and it’s about to get wild!

You’ll be able to see the full experience starting on the 30th of January when we head to the official BlackBerry 10 event. This event will have us getting hands-on time with the final market build of the software as well as our first official glimpses as the first wave of BlackBerry 10 hardware from RIM. Stick with SlashGear for all your up-to-the-second hands-on in-person coverage from here until then – and beyond!

[via Mobile Syrup]

BlackBerry X10 QWERTY touch smartphone leaked in single white-case photo is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Huawei’s star of CES 2013, the Ascend Mate “phablet” has been given a pre-show reveal, with none other than the company’s own devices chief whipping out the 6.1-inch oversized smartphone at a Huawei store in China. Tipped for imminent reveal, the Ascend Mate is expected to pair its bigger-than-a-Note-II display with a 1.8GHz HiSilicon K3V3 quadcore processor, with Huawei unsurprisingly opting for a sizable battery too: 4,000 mAh is what’s expected.

Exec Richard Yu didn’t detail the exact specifications, according to the Sina Weibo report, but it’s certainly enough to take the sting out of Huawei’s big reveal in a couple of weeks time. The Ascend Mate is believed to measure a reasonably-waifish 9.9mm thick – slightly more than the 9.4mm Note II, but impressive nonetheless.

According to Yu’s comments on the Chinese site, the Ascend Mate will use a low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) display, running at 1080p Full HD resolution for an impressively Retina-busting pixel-density of 361ppi. 2013 is shaping up to be the year of the Full HD phone, with devices like the DROID DNA paving the way for a Full HD push from Samsung and others.

Huawei has made its name with low-cost devices, and the Android-powered Ascend Mate is shaping up to be competitively priced, too: under 3,000 yuan, in fact, or around $481. We’ll know all the details when we head to CES 2013 in just a couple of weeks time.

[via Engadget]

Huawei Ascend Mate previewed: 6.1″ Full HD phablet takes on Note II is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Windows Phone 7.8 (build 8858.12560) was leaked on Navifirm last night, making the upgrade available to Lumia 510, Lumia 800, and Lumia 900 users. This gives users quite a jump on the eventual official update, which isn’t slated to begin rolling out until “early 2013,” according to Microsoft. The update brings with it an ensemble of new features.

So far, those who have flashed their devices are reporting all the features we expected and hoped for, including resizable Live Tiles, a new boot screen, additional Accent colors, new Xbox, Office, and Store icons, Bluetooth sharing, two dozen lock screen backgrounds, and the ability to make Google your default search engine in Internet Explorer. 

On November 28, Microsoft made this statement regarding the 7.8 upgrade. “We know you’re eager to get the Windows Phone 7.8 update, and we want you to know that we’re working closely with our hardware and carrier partners to get it tested, approved, and rolled out to as many devices as possible in early 2013. As we work to quickly get this in the hands of our loyal users, we’re also striving to deliver a high-quality release and ensure a smooth transition for our widely expanded services.”

Users who have taken the plunge so far are stating good things, with few experiencing any issues or unexpected happenings. If you’re planning to upgrade your Lumia 510, 800, or 900 to Windows Phone 7.8, make sure you backup your data first. After you’re finished updating, don’t forget to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

[via My Nokia Blog]

Windows Phone 7.8 leaked for Lumia 510, 800, and 900 is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.