LG Confirms Its G Pro 2 Flagship Phablet, Yet Another Phone That’s Mostly Screen

LG G Pro 2

Say hello to the G Pro 2, LG’s new flagship smartphone — leaked aplenty up to now but officially confirmed today by the mobile maker. The Android 4.4 KitKat powered 4G quad-core device packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.26 GHz processor, 3GB of memory and a 13MP rear camera with an optical image stabilization feature to support better snapping.

It’s (yet) another high end smartphone that’s practically all screen, with LG inflating the size of the pane vs last year’s model — bumping it up from the 5.5 inches of the Optimus G Pro to a 5.9 inch full HD pane.

That screen is clasped on two sides by an extra slim bezel of just 3.3mm, with LG touting “an industry-leading screen-to-frame ratio of 77.2 percent”, showing how marginal form factor design parameters have become if makers are shouting about squeezing more screen onto the slab.

Definitions of how large a screen a smartphone must have to qualify for ‘phablet’ status vary — and are likely themselves moving goal posts as more and more smartphones get bigger — but according to Juniper Research at least 5.6 inches are required. By that definition LG has upgraded the G Pro from big smartphone to proper phablet with today’s sequel.

(The G Pro 2 is not close to the biggest phablet on the market. Sony, for instance, outted a 6.4 inch whopper last year — with its Xperia Z Ultra – a phone so big the company also makes a Bluetooth companion accessory for, y’know, actually making/receiving calls.)

Aside from its big screen — which does not feature a bend, as LG’s recent curvacious foray, the LG G Flex, does — the G Pro 2 sports the same rear key controls the company stuck on last year’s G2.  A key placement that’s either wildcard genius or the worst idea in smartphone design history, depending on your view. Just don’t press the phone down on a table and hope it stays powered on.

The most notable other addition to LG’s new flagship is an unlocking feature called Knock Code, that lets users devise their own sequence of touchscreen taps (aka a ‘knock pattern’) to unlock the device. Which is presumably another reason for LG to beef up the screen size — so users have enough space to get a-knockin’. (Another feature that makes use of the big pane is a dual-browser mode.)

LG says anything from two to eight taps can be used to form this knock pattern, on any portion of the screen. And it reckons the tech supports 86,367 ‘knock’ combinations.

With Apple adding its biometric TouchID system to its flagship iPhone 5s home key, so users can unlock their phone with their fingerprint, rival smartphone makers are clearly stretching themselves to come up with security differentiators of their own.

Elsewhere, the LG G Pro 2 lavishes care and attention on the camera and photo smarts of the device, with anti-shake functionality and larger and more sensitive sensors front and rear.

Other image capture features include 4K ultra HD video recording; an 120fps HD video recording feature that supports slow-motion editing; a ‘magic focus’ feature to select the depth of focus after a photo is taken — a la Lytro, presumably; improved flash for more natural shots/selfies; an up to 20 continuous shots burst mode; and a gallery collage feature for uploading multiple shots.

It’s not clear which markets outside LG’s stamping ground of South Korea the LG G Pro 2 will land in as yet, with LG saying global availability has not yet been determined. It will be showing off the handset at the Mobile World Congress tradeshow in Barcelona — where TC will be on hand to get hands on.

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Digitimes: HP Looks At $250 Devices

Digitimes: HP Looks At $250 DevicesHP did involve themselves in the world of smartphones before, where their Windows Mobile devices (yes, you read that right – Windows Mobile and not Windows Phone, going to show how long ago that was) did make some waves in the mobile market back then. Having said that, HP might very well be looking at entering the mobile device market game again, where the folks over at DigiTimes have reported that they could very well offer highly affordable devices at approximately $250 a pop – without any contract, of course. this comes right off the heels of word that HP is about to launch a $200 phablet in due time, so perhaps these might be “siblings” of each other?

(more…)

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  • Digitimes: HP Looks At $250 Devices original content from Ubergizmo.

        



    Samsung Wants To Make ‘Fonblet’ A Thing

    Samsung Wants To Make Fonblet A Thing

    There was a time when a clear line existed between a tablet and a smartphone, but that line has long been erased, courtesy of a phenomenon commonly known as the “phablet.” The phablet is basically a device that has a large screen, larger than a conventional smartphone and smaller than a conventional 7 inch tablet. Quite a lot of people out there don’t like the term phablet, and if that makes you cringe, Samsung’s got something even more cringe-worthy for you. The company has been trying to make “fonblet” a thing, what we refer to as a phablet, it referred to as a fonblet today at its Analyst Day in South Korea.

    The term fonblet has been used by Samsung CEO JK Shin multiple times today during his presentation, a few slides have been leaked online as well detailing the company’s use of this new word. Samsung’s description of a fonblet is a device that has a large display, is portable and has handwriting support. Such devices used to be called PDAs in the past, but apparently that moniker just doesn’t cut it anymore. Many online news outlets have picked up this new word but the consensus seems be that Samsung should just stop trying to make fonblet a thing. What do you think?

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  • Samsung Wants To Make ‘Fonblet’ A Thing original content from Ubergizmo.

        



    Swype 1.6 For Android Brings Small Keyboards To Phablets

    Swype 1.6 For Android Brings Small Keyboards To Phablets

    We know it’s hard to believe, but there are still people out there who own a smartphone with a touchscreen that can’t get a handle of its on-screen keyboard. That’s why applications like Swype are so important as it allows those who have trouble typing on touchscreen devices actually feel like they can hold a real conversation without the other person thinking they had a stroke due to the amount of typos they’ve sent along in their message. Today, Swype just got a little better as the application now supports phablets. (more…)

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  • Swype 1.6 For Android Brings Small Keyboards To Phablets original content from Ubergizmo.

        



    Dear Samsung: A ‘Fonblet’ Is Not a Thing

    Dear Samsung: A 'Fonblet' Is Not a Thing

    During its Analyst Day today in Seoul, Samsung has been trying to coin a new term. Brace yourselves, because if you thought ‘phablet’ was bad, then the ‘fonblet’ is something else entirely.

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    Google Nexus 5 Concept Makes You Wish It Were Already Released

    Apple has finally announced the iPad Air (aka iPad 5) and the iPad Mini retina, and as expected, the blogosphere is completely abuzz about it.

    I think it’s exciting news, but ever since I made the switch from iOS to Android, I find myself anticipating what Google comes up with more than Apple. (No offense to any Apple fanboys and fangirls, it’s just a personal preference.)

    Google has been mum about the next version of their smartphone, which people are dubbing as the Nexus 5, but rumors are already flying about the device, and some people say it’s going to be a phablet, which is a cross between a tablet and a phone.

    google nexus 5 concept 1 620x478magnify

    Jumping on the bandwagon is designer Jo Enaje with her concept design for the next-generation Nexus. She envisions the next Nexus as having thinner screen edges compared to its predecessor and having more colors available in its line. It reminds me of Apple’s iPhone 5C somewhat with all the colors, and personally, I don’t think colorful is Google’s style but I could be wrong.

    google nexus 5 concept 2 620x478magnify

    As you can see, Jo keeps the bezels to a minimum, making the design as fuss-free and simplistic as possible, just as Google has done with its Nexus smartphones in the past. The designs are just a mock-up, of course, but already it’s getting a lot of people excited (including yours truly), especially since the rumored announcement date for the actual device is this October 30th.

    google nexus 5 concept 3 620x478magnify

    Concept aside, the Nexus 5′s purported service manual was leaked earlier this month, which specifies its UMTS/GSM/CDMA/LTE compatibility. Its wide range of connectivity features mean that it’s best to take out a contract that offers 3G, 4G, or high-speed Wi-Fi, but they don’t have to be pricey plans, since telcos are always offering deals to entice you to switch networks.

    Other alleged specs include a 4.95-inch 1080p display, an 8MP rear camera, a 1.3MP front camera,wireless charging, Slimport connectivity, a microSIM slot, NFC, and Bluetooth 3.0.

    What do you think about Jo’s concept for the Nexus 5?

    [via Android Headlines]

    Third Windows Phone 8 Update Announced

    Windows Phone 8 UpdateMicrosoft announced on Monday the third update to its Windows Phone 8 mobile platform featuring updates including support for a larger Start screen at a higher resolution. Microsoft also included support for a faster processor, a driving mode, accessibility features and a few more.

    The update creates the ability for Windows Phone 8 to support larger 5 and 6 inch mobile devices which some are calling “phablets”. Microsoft did not use the word phablet or refer to any larger devices being released however the main image on the release post from Microsoft had “phablet” in the file name. This would handle 1080p HD resolution and allows for as many as six Live Tiles across the screen. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Nokia come out with a larger device with the updated OS from Microsoft after Microsoft’s recent purchase of Nokia’s handset division.

    An update for a faster processor will support the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, and a new Driving Mode will limit distractions and even send automatic replies to tell those trying to contact you that you are driving. The Phone 8 update also includes a set of accessibility features, improved hotspot WiFi sharing, increased ringtone configuration, a rotation lock (something Android and iOS have had for a long time), storage management improvements, the ability to manually close an app quickly, and better Bluetooth.

    The update will be rolling out to Windows Phone 8 over the next several months according to Microsoft, and if you are supporting apps for Windows Phone 8 you can get the Windows Phone preview for developers starting today.

    HTC One Max: Shiny Aluminum, 5.9-Inch Screen and a Fingerprint Scanner

    HTC One Max: Shiny Aluminum, 5.9-Inch Screen and a Fingerprint Scanner

    HTC’s zapped its flagship One design with its embiggening rays, and scaled the One Max up to gigantic proportions. At 5.9-inches, it’s in that scary land where it’s either a really large phone, or a phablet. We’re not quite sure HTC knows what it is either.

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    Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Review: Biggerer and Betterer

    Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Review: Biggerer and Betterer

    Samsung’s Galaxy Note series has been the most popular BIG phone since it was first released a couple of years ago. The Galaxy Note 2 made some major improvements over the original in terms of speed and utility, and while the Galaxy Mega was a giant step backwards, the Galaxy Note 3 looks to leapfrog them both. And, generally, it does.

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    Samsung Plans Bendable Plastic OLED Display for a New Galaxy Note III

    Samsung Plans Bendable Plastic OLED Display for a New Galaxy Note III

    Samsung may well be the first company to actually deliver on the endless promise that flexible displays are on the way, with a limited edition Galaxy Note III with a plastic OLED screen said to be in production.

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