Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve got mixed news for those who were wondering just where Sony’s Jelly Bean updates were headed. The good? Sony has narrowed down its upgrade schedule for the Xperia T, Xperia TX and Xperia V to the middle of 2013’s first quarter, or roughly February. Just about every other reasonably capable 2012 model is also getting an upgrade once Sony has narrowed down the timetable, ranging from the Xperia S through to the Xperia ion and Xperia go. Brace yourself for the dark side of the news, however: not a single 2011 Xperia phone will make the Jelly Bean leap, no matter how quick or recent it might be. The company was “not able to guarantee” the experience the devices would have with the newer OS, we’re told. While we know that some older phones would have been borderline at best, that cutoff won’t be pleasant for anyone whose Xperia Arc S is already out of the Android upgrade loop after less than a year.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony

Sony to start Xperia upgrades to Jelly Bean by mid-Q1, rules out all 2011 phones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lytro isn’t done extending the usefulness of its light field camera just because we have manual controls. Another update due by the end of the year will take advantage of that focus-independent sensor to allow a parallax-based 3D effect in photos: invoke a ‘full’ focus in reviewing shots and you can start poking around the scene in a limited way without having ever touched a dual-sensor camera. Appropriately, we’re also getting support for examining photos on 3D monitors and TVs that emphasize the added depth. The promised features come hand-in-hand with Lytro’s immediate availability in Hong Kong, where 8GB blue and gray cameras are selling for $3,888 HKD ($502 US) and the 16GB red model goes for $4,688 HKD ($605). Check out our Chinese crew’s eyes-on look at the parallax effect in a video after the break.

Continue reading Lytro camera getting parallax effect and 3D display support, lands in Hong Kong (video)

Filed under: Cameras

Lytro camera getting parallax effect and 3D display support, lands in Hong Kong (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android developers need as much tender loving care for their interfaces as the users, don’t they? Google thinks so, as it just reworked Google Play’s Developer Console to offer a more direct, faster loading design. Along with scaling elegantly to let app writers see and manage many releases at a glance, the makeover gives developers a much more refined historical breakdown of app ratings. Creators can filter the star count through Android versions, carriers, countries, language, updates and even specific devices — if you’re convinced adding Kyocera Echo support was the ticket to improved ratings, you might have a chance to prove it. For anyone who isn’t that determined to keep everyone happy, there’s still a simplified publishing process and automatic translations for app descriptions in the store. Developers comfortable with a few limits on APK bundles can try the new console in a rough but mostly ready state ahead of its wider launch in the near future.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Google

Google revamps Developer Console for Google Play, eases tracking Android app ratings over time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re thinking about picking up the brand new quad-core powerhouse by the name of LG Optimus G in the near future, you’re in for a treat – LG has just released their update schedule for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and the G is up for upgrade! Unfortunately for you if you’re picking up the device inside the USA, you won’t necessarily see the upgrade so soon as the Korean version which will be grabbing 4.1 in December. Here in the USA we’re more than likely still going to have to wait several more months while a lovely collection of LG devices overseas see their tasty treats delivered inside 2012.

In addition to the Optimus G, the Optimus LTE II will also be getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean inside December 2012. The Optimus Vu and Optimus Vu II will be grabbing Android 4.1 Jelly Bean inside the first quarter of 2013. These devices have been on the market only a very short while, with the first Vu being here in the USA as the LG Intuition on Verizon’s 4G LTE network.

The Jelly Bean upgrade will more than likely hit each of the devices that have been mentioned here in due time inside the USA. It doesn’t mean they’ll be here soon, and it’s not a definite guarantee just because the international version of the phones we’re seeing here have it, but it’s certainly a good sign. WIth the Optimus G right around the corner here in the USA we’re more than pumped up that it’s nearly ready for an upgrade right out of the gate!

Stay tuned for more LG Optimus G news from us very, very soon here on SlashGear, reviews are also right around the corner. Be sure to let us know if you’ve got any questions or concerns about the device so we can give you as full a review as you could possibly desire!

[via Android Community]

LG Jelly Bean upgrade schedule hits Optimus G early is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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We’re almost there. Just a few more days until the big reveal. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still a few final Windows 8 secrets to be disclosed. Two of those are the price and the packaging, which online retailer Newegg has just let slip. There are four packages listed: Windows 8 Professional Upgrade ($69), Windows 8 Pro Pack ($69, product key card only), Windows 8 OEM ($99) and Windows 8 Professional ($139), with the latter two being available in both 32- and 64-bit versions (for the same price). If you go into the product page, however, we can see that the original price for the upgrade and product key card only versions is listed as “$199” suggesting that this might either be a launch offer, or subject to change. Don’t forget though, there’s still the chance to upgrade for an even lower price, for those who qualify. You can officially reserve your copy of Pro from today for $69.99 at all the main retailers, but if you can hold back on that impulse purchase for just a little longer, you’ll be able to upgrade to Pro online for $39 (until January 31st). Follow the source for details.

Filed under: Internet, Software, Microsoft

Windows 8 packaging and pricing revealed: standard OEM $99, Pro Pack $139, pre-order from today originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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