Hasta La Gadget!

Android fragmentation, what Android fragmentation? Oh, there it is. Sony and LG are surprising few but disappointing plenty with confirmation that several devices apiece won’t be getting new versions of the OS. For Sony, it’s the Xperia arc S and Xperia mini pro which have reached the end of the update line, with no chance of an official Jelly Bean release. However, the news is arguably even worse for some LG users, who still aren’t even on Ice Cream Sandwich.

LG Canada has admitted that neither the Optimus 2X nor the Optimus Black will be upgraded from Gingerbread. Both handsets were expected to receive Ice Cream Sandwich – the Optimus 2X in Q2 initially, with the Optimus Black said to receive an update in Q3 – but, in Canada at least, it appears that’s not the case.

“The Optimus Black will not be receiving the ICS upgrade” LG Canada said in a statement last week on Twitter. “The original upgrade announcement was a general statement issued from HQ.” A similar message was tweeted about the Optimus 2X the day earlier.

Sony, meanwhile, used Facebook to deliver the bad news. UK product manager John Cooper revealed that neither then arc S nor the mini pro would be eligible for Jelly Bean, though gave no specific reasons for that decision. However, he did rub it in somewhat with the promise that Sony is “always developing new phones and making sure they get the latest updates.”

The disappointment may not end there, though. Sony says it’s “currently reviewing which handsets are the best for the Jelly Bean update” from its 2012 Xperia line-up, opening up the possibility that some of the more recent flagships might not move beyond Ice Cream Sandwich.

[via GSMArena and via BestBoyz]

Sony and LG ditch phones in Jelly Bean and ICS upgrade cycle is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Kodak might be cleared to sell its patents, but it’s likely no fan of the companies lined up to make a deal. The Wall Street Journal‘s best friends, “people familiar with the matter,” assert that Apple and Google are part of separate coalitions hoping to buy the 1,100 patents up for grabs. Apple’s camp supposedly includes Microsoft and controversial patent holder Intellectual Ventures; Google’s team reads more like an Android Justice League, with HTC, LG, Samsung and “patent risk solutions” provider RPX all playing a part. Real or not, there’s still much that’s up in the air. Kodak’s not talking, and even the touted insiders warn both of new challengers and allegiances that could be in flux over the next few days. If there’s meat on this rumor bone, however, it could make the August 8th auction another patent war spectacle rather than a mere ticket back to solvency for Kodak. Break out the popcorn.

[Image credit: Pittaya Sroilong, Flickr]

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras

WSJ: Apple, Google reportedly in rival groups to buy Kodak patents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s not long now that LG Nitro HD smartphone owners will have to wait for the next generation in Android software, that being version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Of course this is not the newest version of Android, version 4.1 Jelly Bean, but it’ll certainly bring on a selection of upgrades that will boost users love for the hardware. This update includes updates to common actions and brings on a brand new typeface optimized for the HD display the the Nitro HD comes packed with.

This upgrade also includes LG’s newest user interface: “Optimus 3.0″. This software utilizes the greatness of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and keeps the device unique with LG’s own take on looks and usability. You’ll be able to swipe anywhere on the screen to unlock, you’ve got the ability to use your own photos as icons and shortcut images, and your menu will have a brand new “Download” category for easier organization.

You can take a peek at our own in-depth review of the LG Nitro HD from back when it originally launched, and keep an eye out for the update which will, again, begin on the 31st of July. Check out how you’re going to be activating this download via LG’s instructions page and note that you will need to download drivers and software on your PC to make this all work.

We’ve reached out to LG and AT&T to see how Mac users will be able to get the update – at the moment it appears that only Windows machines will be able to help you upgrade at the moment. Check out the LG Nitro timeline below for more news bits surrounding this device!

LG Nitro HD ICS upgrade date July 31 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Despite the sweltering heat waves, our spirits are high at Engadget, and for good reason: it’s time for our summer edition of the smartphone buyer’s guide. Here, you’ll find our top recommendations for the best smartphones across several US carriers, along with the best QWERTY and budget alternatives. In many ways, it’s now easier than ever to find a world-class smartphone, but unless you’ve developed a strong brand preference, choosing one is likely more difficult than ever before. It’s no secret that the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III have firmly cemented themselves as the premier smartphones of the day, but if you’re torn between the two, we’ll reveal our preference in this latest installment.

Summertime also brought a bit of a shock, as Microsoft revealed that Windows Phone 8 apps won’t be compatible with the current generation of Windows Phone hardware. For this reason, we’ve excluded all Windows Phone handsets from consideration in the latest buyer’s guide. While the future of Microsoft’s mobile platform looks incredibly bright, a purchase now would guarantee obsolescence in the short-term. Instead, all prospective Windows Phone purchasers must wait for the next generation of handsets to become available — you’ll regret it otherwise.

Naturally, there is no shortage of rumors surrounding the next Apple iPhone, and given the handset’s current lack of LTE connectivity, the iPhone 4S is certainly showing its age. While cautious purchasers may choose to bide their time, the iPhone remains top-notch in many other respects, and its arrival at a number of prepaid carriers brought a breath of fresh air to an otherwise stagnant environment.

If you’re curious to see how it all unfolded — and we know you are — join us after the break, where we round up the very best smartphones of the season.

Continue reading Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: summer 2012 edition

Filed under: Cellphones

Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: summer 2012 edition originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’re excited about all these financial results, so we’ll just keep them coming. LG has managed a healthy profit overall for the second quarter, up 46% compared to the same period last year, but its cellphone business took a hit. That caused an overall decline in revenues too compared to last year, down by 10.6% to $11.16 billion. LG’s cellphone business may not be looking good, but its home entertainment section is looking better than ever.

LG sold 13.1 million phones worldwide in the second quarter, with 44% of those being smartphones, up from 36% last quarter thanks to strong LTE handset deployment. Revenues were down 27.5% year-on-year at $2.01 billion, resulting in a loss of $49.48 million for that section of the company. LG notes that it plans to rollout further LTE-enabled phones in the second half of the year across the United States and Europe that should bolster its smartphone numbers.

The other part of LG that helped offset the loss in the cellphone division was Home Appliances. Revenues increased to $2.50 billion, resulting in a third fold increase in profit to $143.23 million. That’s all thanks to a diversified product range and improved cost efficiency, and things should should continue to improve for the division despite the weak demand in developed markets.

[via Engadget]

LG sells 13.1m phones in Q2 ’12, 44% were smartphones is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.