Hasta La Gadget!

It’s phablet day across the world as tipsters pointing toward three new elephant-sized smartphone devices leak a Nokia Lumia Juggernaut (code-name), an 8.5-inch Huawei un-named unit, and the Samsung Galaxy Note III. The Samsung unit is what we’d vote Most Likely to Succeed – or in this case Most Likely to Exist – in 2013 as each time a new Samsung Galaxy Note (non-tablet-sized) has been released thus far, it’s gotten bigger than the last iteration. After that we’ve got to put our skeptic goggles on tight for all the salt that’s flying our way.

Samsung Galaxy Note III

For information on the Samsung Galaxy Note III (or Samsung Galaxy Note 3, if you will), you’ll want to head back to the detail post where it was first tipped less than 24 hours before the post you’re in right this minute. There you’ll find the next-generation Note bringing a new aesthetic to the Samsung family, evolving beyond the Galaxy S III feel we’ve been working with for the majority of 2012, as well as a much more massive display.

The current Samsung Galaxy S II works with a 5.5-inch display and we’ve seen more than a few out in the wild thus far – 6.3-inches of whopping Android Samsung goodness can’t be that far off.

Verdict: Quite Likely!

Huawei 8.5-inch Prototype

Next is the most likely to exist on a small scale, that being what could be considered a hearty joke coming from the likes of publisher / analyst Eldar Murtazin. You’re seeing this beast above as he holds it portrait-style while the screen remains in landscape. The display doesn’t actually appear to be 8.5-inches as he tips, instead the entire device looking more likely to be coming in at 8.5-inches diagonally beyond the display. We’ll see if this unnamed device ever comes to the mass market. NOTE: the image you see on the display can also be seen separately with a fancy model standing beside Murtazin – this leads us to believe that the device’s display is real, at least!

Verdict: Probably appearing next at Mobile World Congress!

UPDATE: This phone is more than likely the Huawei Ascend Mate mentioned earlier this month by Huawei’s CEO per Android Community. That’d be a 6.1-inch display with 1080p resolution – fits the image we’re seeing here, wouldn’t you say? Note that the image used on Android Community is a placeholder, not the Ascend Mate itself.

Nokia Lumia Juggernaut Semaphore

Finally there’s the Nokia Lumia Juggernaut Semaphore – the word semaphore relating to computer science, a term which represents (basically) control over multiple processes or a multi-user environment. Basically Nokia is saying that this massive beast is going to be really, really good at handling all of your tasks, as a good Windows Phone 8 device should! Unfortunately this device is more likely a prototype device being disguised as something brand new: compared to the device used by Joe Belfiore at Windows Phone summit earlier this year, this device’s similarities are uncanny.

Verdict: Prototype!

In other words: don’t expect this device to be released to the market at all – it’s not even really all that new! One of the images above comes via WMPowerUser from @coolRaffy, attending what appears to be a Nokia Beta Labs event in Helsinki, Finland.

Check these 3 phablets coming in 2013 from Samsung, Nokia, and Huawei is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Surprising a few of us, Nokia yesterday revealed a brand new Windows Phone 8 device, the 3.8-inch Lumia 620, in an explosion of colors. As its naming convention goes, and at just $249 contract-free, this is the cheapest device running Microsoft’s newly christened mobile OS so far. But with a WVGA screen, and only a 5-megapixel camera, is there enough bang for your buck, however? We’d argue yes — and we’re looking forward to see how the final model fares early next year. Our first impressions, a hands-on video and a tour of all seven color options are right after the break.

Continue reading Nokia Lumia 620 hands-on: $249 for Windows Phone 8 (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia

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Nokia just announced plans to launch a TD-SCDMA version of its Lumia 920 Windows Phone 8 flagship. The handset, designated Lumia 920T, will be available on China Mobile by the end of the year for RMB 4599 (about $739) in a choice of four colors (black, white, yellow and red). It’s the first Windows Phone to support the country’s TD-SCDMA standard and the first Windows Phone 8 device available in China.

Spec-wise, the Lumia 920T is almost identical to its western sibling. Other than packing a different radio, it features the same 4.5-inch 1280×768-pixel PureMotion HD+ display, optically image-stabilized 8.7-megapixel f/2.0 Carl Zeiss autofocus camera, and 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor (plus 1GB RAM). There’s no word on storage capacity, but the handset presumably matches the original with 32GB on board.

The Lumia 920T integrates with local Internet services such as Sina, Sohu, Tencent, Baidu and Renren and provides access to both the Chinese Marketplace (50,000 apps) and Mobile Market (China Mobile’s app store). It also offers NFC deals on location-based service Jiepang (in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou). Furthermore, Nokia and Air China are making wireless chargers available in VIP lounges at Beijing airport. Hit the break for the full PR.

Continue reading Nokia Lumia 920T for China Mobile brings TD-SCDMA to Windows Phone

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia

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If Ballistic cases are the gauge for how the industry is swinging, it’s good news for Nokia and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8, because their newest and most hardcore unit is headed to all the heroes – including the Lumia 920. Included with the standard fare – that being the iPhone 5 first, then a Samsung device (the Galaxy S III here near the end of 2012), it’s the Nokia Lumia 920 that’s up for protection next. And this “Every1″ case is a doozy, too.

What you’re going to see with this case – and case series – is slim protection that’s made to be both rugged and usable by anyone and everyone. This case has built-in Active Latches Suspension Springs to keep the device suspended with a 1mm air gap all around. Built-in port covers keep your device dirt resistant from start to finish, too.

You’ve got a built-in screen protector and there’s a second model also coming with kickstand and easy on-the-go viewing. You’ve got four layers of protection to keep this beast of a case swaddling your smartphone with nothing less than the best protection Ballistic has ever delivered. Adam Stubin, VP of Business Development, Ballistic, has made it clear that they’re pretty pumped up about the whole situation:

“We looked at the best features of our previous series’ and thought ‘why not combine them all? The Every1 Case is exactly that…a protective case that satisfies everyone’s needs.” – Stubin

You’re going to be able to pick this case up for $50 in not just a variety of shapes based on the smartphone you’ve got on-hand, but a variety of colors as well. The Nokia Lumia device owners out there amongst you will know instantly what it means to need color options, that’s for certain – stay bright!

This case will be out for the iPhone 4/5, Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy Express, and Nokia Lumia 820/920 immediately if not soon at your favorite online (and offline) retailers – color power!

Ballistic Every1 case goes top-class for Galaxy S III, iPhone 5, and Lumia 920 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Developers are working on games… but the current selection is very limited

Yahoo! China has the barometer on just how the recently released Nokia Lumia 920 is faring worldwide, as well as the lesser endowed sibling, the Lumia 820 – where they reported that more than 2.5 million units of the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 have been either sold, pre-ordered or booked. This particular report arrived after Nokia launched the new Windows Phone 8-powered Lumia range officially in Hong Kong. In fact, it took just minutes before the Lumia device was sold out on Amazon China – could it be due to the lack of anticipated supply, or is it just overwhelming demand? Are you also going to jump aboard the Lumia bandwagon in the US as it has already arrived? If you are in two minds about whether to pick up the Lumia 920 or not, perhaps after reading our rather in-depth review, you might be able to come to a decision between the head, the heart, and of course, the wallet.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Samsung demonstrates how they stress test their phones in new video, Windows Phone 7.8 Launch Happening This Wednesday?,