Hasta La Gadget!

LG is tipped to be developing a webOS-based smart TV, using the open source platform in favor of Google TV, after concerns about the Android-base OS’ momentum. The deal has seen LG dispatch engineers and prototype hardware to HP’s Sunnyvale Gram facility, webOS Nation‘s source claims, with the goal of showcasing the first models at CES 2013 in January.

Although both LG and HP apparently signed an agreement some time ago – back in June, in fact – to collaborate on the project, there are still some wrinkles yet to be ironed out. Most obvious (and likely to actively frustrate users) is boot time, with Open webOS taking some time to load up; tablet and phone users might be willing to suffer such a delay, but those settling down on the couch are probably not.

To address that, LG’s L9 motherboards – which use a dualcore processor, and are found at the heart of existing LG smart TVs – have been sent over to HP’s engineers for testing and trialling software tweaks. What could end up being the solution, it’s said, is a TV that only shuts off the display when put into standby, with the processor actually remaining on in the background for a subsequent instant-resume.

Hardware isn’t the only challenge, however. Open webOS would replace LG’s NetCast platform, and needs smart TV-focused apps to cater for that challenge. Netflix is one cited example, with a player apparently being build in Enyo (the platform’s application framework), as well as other web-connected widgets and apps for YouTube, Pandora, and other services.

As for why LG is pushing ahead with Open webOS rather than sticking with Google TV as it previously announced, it’s a complex one. The Korean company is apparently uncomfortable with Google’s demands for using its platform, and turned off by its slow adoption overall; meanwhile, the ever-present specter of Apple and the longstanding chatter of an Apple smart TV has pressured LG into taking precautionary steps of its own.

Those steps will need to be shared with HP/Gram, of course, but with the $1.2bn acquisition of Palm still yet to produce tangible benefits to pacify shareholders, Open webOS poses more potential for tinkering and modification.

LG Open webOS smart TV planned for CES 2013 as Google TV sidelined is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’re just moments away from the start of Apple‘s special event where it’s heavily-rumored that the company will announce the iPad mini, along with some other goodies as well. However, the rumors and leaks have yet to slow up, as we’ve just feasted our own eye balls on a video that shows the iPad mini in all its miniature glory.

Posted up by ETrade Supply, the video shows the iPad mini next to the regular 9.7-inch iPad, which definitely gives us a solid size comparison between the two devices. The person in the video guides us through the exterior of the iPad mini, but sadly, we don’t get to see the device power on despite what the title of video implies.

On the top of the iPad mini there’s the power/standby button on the right, with a 3.5mm headphone jack on the opposite end. On the right side of the device you’ll find the volume buttons, as well as the ringer/silent switch. The left side has nothing, and the bottom has the Lightning connector and speakers. And of course, on the back we have the rear-facing camera.

What’s probably the biggest surprise according to the video is the device he is holding doesn’t appear to have a front-facing camera. We’re not sure if its just a prototype that the person has in his hands, but we’re seriously hoping the real thing has a front-facing camera. In either case, we’ll know shortly what Apple has in stock for the iPad mini. Stay tuned into our Apple hub for the latest news!

[via Cult of Mac]

iPad mini gets last-minute fondle before main event is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple has confirmed that it will be livestreaming its special iPad mini event via its website, though you’ll need an Apple device in order to actually watch it. The livestreamed video will kick off at 10AM PT (1PM ET), though according to the site it will only be available to those running Safari either on OS X or iOS, or with an Apple TV.

If you’re looking to watch on a Mac, you’ll need Safari 4 or later and to be running OS X v10.6 or above. On an iOS device such as an iPhone or iPad, however, you’ll need iOS 4.2 or later. Apple TV access demands either a second- or third-generation box, running software 5.0.2 or later.

Streaming events is a rare decision for Apple, which normally waits until after the show has been completed to post a full, edited video of the whole thing. It’s unclear whether this will be the status quo moving forward, or another one-off.

Believed to be on the agenda today is the new iPad mini, with a 7.85-inch display, and a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display. It’s also expected to feature an updated Mac mini and iMac, as well as new software.

Apple iPad mini event to be livestreamed (but only if you’re an Apple user) is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Earlier this month, the user profiles for a new Sony smartphone, codenamed Odin, were leaked, revealing three models running Android 4.1. Now the folks over at Concept Phones have what seems to be the first picture of the upcoming smartphone, as well as a handful of specs. The Xperia C650X ‘Odin’ is suspected to be Sony’s next flagship.

Following on the heels of HTC‘s recently announced J Butterfly phablet, the image shows what is claimed to be Sony’s upcoming 5-inch response. Reportedly, it has a 441ppi 1920×1080 full HD resolution, 2GB of RAM, an Adreno 320 GPU, and a Qualcomm 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor. As Concept Phones noted, the display seems to extend to the edges of the phone.

Over at Android Police, they pulled quite a bit of Photoshop history from the image’s EXIF data, causing speculation that this uncomfirmed image may be nothing more than a well-crafted fake. While the photo itself is showing off an Xperia-branded smartphone, take the claim that it’s the real deal with a grain of salt. So far, the only claim that it’s the C650X comes from tipster Jsus.

The information in the leaked user profiles revealed models C6502, C6503, and C6506. The model numbers could represent various carriers or different regions, although typically the numbers represent different regions. Whether this is the real thing or a quality fake stands to be seen, but don’t get your hopes up quite yet.

[via Concept Phones]

Sony’s possible flagship 5-inch 1080p Odin smartphone leaked is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’re just a day away from Apple‘s event tomorrow where it’s rumored the company will announce the iPad mini. Anticipation is obviously building, but the rumors haven’t yet ceased. Over the weekend, photos of supposed Lightning connectors for the iPad mini and for the 10-inch iPad leaked out, revealing that not only will the iPad mini receive Lightning, but a possible iPad 3 refresh with Lightning may be in the cards as well.

A photo of the iPad mini Lightning connector shows both the front and back of the component, and reveals that the component’s connection to the logic board goes off towards the left, which could mean that the iPad mini’s logic board might be located on the left side of the device. That information alone isn’t too exciting, but it tips to some impressive design work that allows heat to disperse better when holding the device with your right hand.

That kind of layout is also similar to the third-generation iPad, which has the logic board sitting to the left of the device’s battery. And speaking of the third-gen iPad, another photo was leaked that shows a Lightning connector different from the iPad mini version, which could mean that the 10-inch iPad will see a Lightning refresh at tomorrow’s event.

However, the source that provided the photos claims that the component won’t be used in a refreshed third-generation iPad, but they didn’t explain their claim any further. So, at this point, we’re not really sure what the second Lightning connector would be used for other than the larger 10-inch model. We’ll simply have to wait and see what Apple has in store tomorrow. Stay tuned!

[via BGR]

Leaked photos reveal iPad Lightning connector refresh is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.