Nokia Lumia EOS could hit stores as soon as this month

We’ve been hearing a lot of chatter about Nokia’s upcoming Lumia device called the EOS, but no solid evidence has come our way besides a few rumors about the device sporting an aluminum body, a waterproof nanocoating, and obviously a huge camera sensor and lens that looks to be the main feature of the phone. The latest rumblings is that we’ll see this device in stores sometime later this month.

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In a screenshot taken of one Microsoft Store’s inventory, there’s a Nokia device called the 1020 that’s said to be the 41MP EOS device that we’ve been hearing all about. It shows the handset as being an AT&T exclusive in three colors: black, yellow, and white. Retail price looks to be set at around $600, according to the screenshot.

It’s said that Microsoft Stores will be getting the 1020s on July 22, but will wait a few days before actually putting them on store shelves for purchase. However, this means that you should be able to pick up an EOS as soon as later this month. Considering that Nokia is planning an event for next week, we’d be surprised if we didn’t see an EOS announcement.

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However, if you really want one, you may have to get their early in order to snag a unit. According to this specific screenshot of one Microsoft Store’s inventory, there’s only going to be 70 units total per store on average, split amongst the three color choices.

We’ve already seen the EOS leaked and shown off, so if the device looks anything like what we’ve been seeing, we’ll already know what to expect, so we’re merely just waiting to get our hands on the thing and test out this high-MP camera to see what it’s capable of. Hopefully Nokia will treat us with the new device next week, so stay tuned!

SOURCE: WPCentral


Nokia Lumia EOS could hit stores as soon as this month is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Samsung $8.3bn Q2 2013 profit tipped (but investors still not satisfied)

Samsung predicts 9.5 trillion won ($8.3bn) in operating profit for Q2 2013, a rise of 47-percent year-on-year, but still not enough to placate antsy investors concerned the South Korean company has peaked. Released ahead of full financial results due July 26, Reuters reports, the profit guidance comes alongside word that Samsung’s marketing spend has increased in 2013 significantly. In fact, the company spent more on marketing than it did on R&D, for the first time in at least three years.

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That focus on promotion rather than product development is what has some investors and analysts cautious. In fact, Samsung shares already dropped by more than 3-percent today based on the guidance, which fell short of predictions of profits more in the region of 10.16 trillion won.

Samsung’s mobile business, buoyed by the Galaxy S 4 and its various variants, continues to grow, though shipments for the quarter are expected to rise just 4-percent – to 8-percent – versus Q1 2013. That slowing in demand has led to suggestions that Samsung might be losing its edge in mobile, and it’s unclear to investors whether the division – and the also profitable flash memory arm – will be able to continue to prop up profits overall.

Wearables, along with more low-cost devices to further attack developing markets where Huawei and ZTE are focusing, are seen as being Samsung’s next step. Samsung is believed to be working on a smartwatch potentially called the Samsung GEAR, alongside companion rumors that have arch-rival working on an “iWatch” wearable of its own.

Nonetheless, despite the market pessimism, Samsung’s overall numbers are strong. Based on the estimates for Q2, Samsung should have comfortably exceeded the $6.4bn it made in Q1.

That will have been helped by a supposed 20m shipments of the Galaxy S 4, which Samsung execs in Korea confirmed earlier this week. However, on the flip side, there are suggestions that the company is not doing enough to ensure existing owners of Samsung devices choose the brand again when they upgrade.

Recent research indicated that Sony’s Xperia Z had been the surprise beneficiary of subscribers upgrading from the Galaxy S II, picking another Android device but feeling no great loyalty to Samsung as a brand.


Samsung $8.3bn Q2 2013 profit tipped (but investors still not satisfied) is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

HTC Q2 2013 slumps: June sales crash sees profit fall 83% YoY

HTC saw Q2 2013 profits dive more than 83-percent year-on-year, with net income a mere NT$1.25bn ($42m) after awful June sales saw its fledgling turnaround stumble. The unaudited results make for miserable reading in comparison to Q2 2012′s figures, which were themselves dire in comparison to the year previous.

AT&T HTC One

Back in the same period a year ago, HTC made NT$7.4 in net profit. That, at the time, was seen as a poor showing, given it was a 57-percent loss over Q2 in 2011.

This time around, HTC took NT$70.7bn in the three month period, though saw sales dip. The company had been enjoying a mild turnaround of sorts, with revenues in April and May 2013 each rising, month-on-month, by over 23- and 48-percent respectively.

However, that upward trend buckled in June, with revenues slipping down once more courtesy of an almost 24-percent drop versus May. That, unsurprisingly, is being largely credited to Samsung’s Galaxy S 4, which reached the market after the HTC One but with a considerably larger marketing budget.

HTC is yet to comment on the numbers, nor indeed how the company sees its performance changing over the next quarter. Fast incoming is the HTC One Mini, if the rumor-mill is to be believed, which will supposedly bring features like the UltraPixel camera and unibody casing design to a cheaper price point, courtesy of a smaller display.


HTC Q2 2013 slumps: June sales crash sees profit fall 83% YoY is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sony my Xperia goes global: “Find my iPhone” for Sony Androids

Sony has begun its global roll-out of “my Xperia“, the company’s mobile security service that offers “Find my iPhone” style remote tracking, locking, and wiping for Xperia Android phones. Trialled as a limited beta back in February, “my Xperia” should begin hitting phones more broadly across the globe “over the next few weeks” Sony says, providing greater peace-of-mind for Xperia owners.

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Like Apple’s service, “my Xperia” has various levels of security and protection. If you’ve lost your phone around the house somewhere, or left it lying on a cafe table perhaps, it’s possible to log into the web interface (at myxperia.sonymobile.com) and remotely trigger the phone to sound an alert. That’ll happen even if your Xperia is in silent mode, with the default being maximum volume.

The web UI also shows mapping data of where the phone last checked in; Sony says that, if it can’t instantly get a fix, it will keep trying and then send users an email when a location has been pinpointed. There’s also the option to override the current PIN or whatever other security is on the Xperia, and reset it to a new 4-digit PIN code remotely.

A message – such as the offer of a reward for safe return, and a contact number – can optionall be flashed up on the display.

Finally, as a last resort, it’s possible to wipe the Xperia altogether, either just the internal memory, or the memory card (if loaded), or both. Sony claims that, once that’s done, the only way to recover any of the files would be a restore from backup.

It’s a potentially valuable service, given the amount of personal data and account access our phones commonly hold, though Sony’s system is not the first time we’ve seen it for Android from a major OEM. HTC Sense Online, the company’s web-based component for Android phones running the Sense skin, went live back in 2010 and also offered remote location, locking, wiping, and other services, including accessing messages and contacts saved on the phone through the desktop browser.

However, HTC axed the online side of Sense in early 2012, after effectively leaving it to languish with little investment and minimal marketing. Also yet to show its hand is Google itself, though the company is undoubtedly looking at remote security for Android.

In the meantime, third-party options are on offer for those not using a Sony Xperia phone. Lookout, for instance, offers an Android app with the same functionality.

VIA AndroidBeat


Sony my Xperia goes global: “Find my iPhone” for Sony Androids is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Kim Dotcom’s Mega launches Android app, vows iOS and Windows apps soon

Mega launches Android app

Kim Dotcom launched his Mega cloud storage platform with much fanfare, but few ways to use it. That’s finally improving now that the Mega Android app is here. The release won’t shock anyone who has used established rivals like Dropbox and Google Drive, but it is reasonably complete with two-way transfers, image previews and automatic camera syncing. It won’t be alone for long, either. Mega says that both iOS and Windows apps are in the last stages of testing, which could give us more of an incentive to try what’s still a very young service.

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Via: Mega, The Next Web

Source: Google Play

Sony’s My Xperia smartphone recovery service launches worldwide

Sony My Xperia

Sony’s My Xperia phone-finding service isn’t just for Nordic climates anymore; following a pilot earlier this year, the recovery tool is now rolling out worldwide. Anyone with a 2012- or 2013-era Xperia phone should get access within the next few weeks. Whatever Sony device is involved, the web-based controls are the same: owners can pinpoint a lost phone’s location, lock it down, sound an alert and wipe its storage. If you just can’t bear to part with your Xperia Z, you’ll want to sign up for My Xperia at the source link.

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Via: Sony Mobile

Source: My Xperia

Sharp – AQUOS PHONE es WX04SH – PHS and 3G compliant compact smartphone for Wilcom

Sharp - AQUOS PHONE es WX04SH - PHS and 3G compliant compact smartphone for Wilcom

Sharp is going to release a AQUOS smartphone “AQUOS PHONE es WX04SH” for Wilcom in mid September.

The compact body that is only 60mm wide has a 4inch LCD screen. 1.5GHz dual core CPU and 2,080mAh battery are built-in. It offers convenient features such as Wi-Fi, a waterproof body, One-seg, infrared data communication, and mobile wallet function.

As it’s compatible with PHS and 3G, you are able to talk on the phone through 3G line even when there is no service for PHS. It has PHS tethering function as well.

White Nexus 4 sells out, no longer available on Google Play

DNP White Nexus 4 no longer available on Google Play

If you’ve been putting off buying a white Nexus 4, be ready to wallow in regret: you’ve missed your chance to get one straight from Google Play. Both the 8GB and 16GB versions are “no longer available for sale,” a little more than a month after the company’s online store started carrying them. A Google spokesperson told us that the alabaster phone has indeed sold out, and that the Play Store won’t carry it again, as it was a limited edition release. All’s not lost, though — T-Mobile still sells the white Nexus 4, but you’ll pay a slight premium for it.

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Via: Android Police

Source: Google Play, T-Mobile

Moto X and the colorful customization of Motorola, a Google company

Motorola will soon (as early as tomorrow) announce the availability of the Moto X, a smartphone whose outward appearance will be able to be custom-ordered through the web. The device’s built-in storage will also have options attached, though not beyond the standard 16, 32, or 64GB options offered with many major smartphone releases in past years. This device will come in a variety of colors – at least 12 of them – as well as a standard set of tones available in-store.

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What you’re seeing above and below are visualizations mocked up by SlashGear based on the color ring surrounding the Motorola logo reboot shown this week for the very first time. This new logo comes attached with the note “a Google company”, the first time said logo had a modification since well before the group was acquired by the creators of the mobile operating system Android.

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The Moto X will also feature Android inside, working with at least version 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with a yet-unseen level of customizations from Motorola. As this is the first device to have been developed entirely under the umbrella of time that is the company’s tie-in with Google, it’s likely we’ll see a bit more “pure” version of Android with each new phone, the Moto X included.

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That said, the head of Motorola put in place by Google at their acquisition, Dennis Woodside, made it clear once again that they’d be sticking to their New Motorola plan, in so many words, laid out back in September of 2012 at the launch of the DROID RAZR HD and DROID RAZR M. Though one of the three pillars spoken of back then wasn’t mentioned here (that being high battery life), the other two are a lock: 4G LTE data speed and Android.

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“If you want the best Android device, you should be looking at a Motorola device.” – Dennis Woodside for Motorola

In a chat here in 2013 at the 2013 D11 conference, Woodside described a collection of abilities the Moto X has in store for the public, outlining features such as the device’s camera “firing up” when the smartphone is removed from a user’s pocket, and top-notch management of “ultra-low power sensors” such as a device’s gyroscope and accelerometer.

“Imagine when in the car, the device will know it is going 60mph and it is going to act differently so you can interact with it safely. Those are the kinds of things we’re doing with fundamental technology.

Motorola has always been good at managing ultra-low power sensors, such as the gyroscope and the accelerometer, and keeping those on all the time so the device knows different use states. The [Moto X] knows when it is in my pocket, it knows when I take it out of my pocket. ” – Dennis Woodside for Motorola

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Just this afternoon, two Verizon-bound Motorola smartphones appeared at the FCC, this quite often a good sign that said devices will be launching soon. It’s been suggested that while one of these machines will be the Moto X indeed, the other will be a larger machine called DROID Ultra.

Three of the colors you’re seeing here above and below appeared in a factory floor photo leaked earlier today, each of the units looking to be rather smooth, likely made of a soft (yet undoubtedly strong, per Motorola’s rugged recent history) plastic made to feel comfortable in the palm.

The rather patriotic full-page advertisement you’re seeing below came on the 2nd of this month, appearing in newspapers across the nation today (one day before the 4th of July). This message suggests that while the USA celebrates its Independence Day, Motorola will be joining in on the fun with independence from the fairly limited choices available with the competition.

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Click for full-sized JPG image

According to sources speaking with ABC News’ Joanna Stern, customization of Moto X will include more than just a choice of backside covers. This machine is also suggested to be working with a custom engraving of said colorful phone back, a second custom color for the trim of the phone, and a built-in wallpaper as uploaded by the future owner of the device.

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It’s been tipped – and all but confirmed by the size of the leaked images from this and previous weeks – that this device will be delivered with the following:

• 4.7-inch 720p display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Processor (dual-core)
• 2GB RAM
• 16, 32, 64GB RAM
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with lightly skinned Motorola UI

Though it’s not been confirmed by Google (certainly not until the device itself is out on the market, at least), it wouldn’t be a massive surprise to find this machine appearing on the Google Play store sooner than later. As devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and the HTC One find themselves being delivered by Google with a pure Vanilla (no manufacturer customizations) version of Android aboard, it’d be a shame if the OEM owned by the software creator weren’t to bring on another “Google Play edition”, as it were – complete with customization abilities, of course.

As for the date of the actual reveal – if not entirely on July 4th (there more likely another teaser) – It’s been suggested by “This Week in Google” publisher Leo Laporte that a July 10th event will be held by Motorola for the Moto X – see #204 at 40:40 – stay tuned for more! Thanks for the tip, Garmon!

This device will be a bit of a rebirth of efforts for Motorola, and perhaps one rather necessary, as the smartphone creator hasn’t done exceedingly well in the market over the past several cycles. Watch this week and into the summer as Google brings on a colorful, customizable future for the company with the the big M, signed for quality with an X.


Moto X and the colorful customization of Motorola, a Google company is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Nokia Lumia 1020 for AT&T possibly spied with Pro Cam app

Nokia Lumia 1020 for AT&T reportedly spied with Pro Cam app

Wondering what the Nokia EOS (aka Lumia 1020) will look like in US trim? This may be your first glimpse: @evleaks has posted a press image of the device in its AT&T form. If accurate, it represents our first proper view of the flagship Windows Phone’s front side, and it suggests that we’re looking at a subtle evolution of the Lumia 920 from this angle. Look closely at the software, however. There’s a previously unknown Nokia Pro Cam app, which hints that Lumia 1020 owners will get more than just a tweaked version of the Smart Camera app on the Lumia 925. Presumably, this would include extra controls to tame the camera’s 41 million pixels. There’s no launch details or other tidbits included with the as yet unconfirmed image, although there’s a real chance that we’ll see a lot more around July 11th.

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Source: @evleaks (Twitter)