Posts Tagged ‘refresh’

BlackBerry May Be Dabbling In Phablets With A 5-Inch Z10 Refresh

z10-5

BlackBerry’s wryly jovial CEO Thorsten Heins spent quite a bit of time talking up the new mid-range Q5 at this morning’s BlackBerry Live keynote address, but the folks in Waterloo may be working on a follow-up smartphone that’s staggeringly different from the one we saw today.

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According to a report from KnowYourMobile, the struggling Canadian company is working an all-touch BlackBerry smartphone with a 5-inch display. KnowYourMobile’s Richard Goodwin goes on to note that the device is currently in testing being tested at by unnamed Canadian wireless carrier, and the anonymous tester providing the info pointed out that the device would make its official debut within the next few months.

For what it’s worth, Jefferies’ analyst Peter Misek foretold of a 5-inch BlackBerry 10 device last month, but his track record with this sort of thing isn’t exactly sterling. It should go without saying that you should be taking all of this with a mighty big grain of salt, but it’s an intriguing notion to consider.

I mean, let’s assume for a moment that this report is accurate and that such a device really is being worked on behind closed doors — it’d be quite a bold move on BlackBerry’s part. It’s not hard to see that a considerable chunk of people have embraced large form factor smartphones, and it’s possible that BlackBerry wants to cash in on that consumer fervor. Then again, this whole thing is just loaded with question marks that could trip BlackBerry up as it works to reverse its fortunes.

By embracing so many form factors so quickly, BlackBerry runs the risk of alienating users who have perhaps prematurely pulled the trigger on an earlier model. It doesn’t help that there’s plenty of competition in the hefty smartphone space, either. Samsung is leading that particular pack with Android-powered devices like the Galaxy Note II, but rivals like LG and Sony are working to give the Korean juggernaut some competition. Couple that with persistent rumors that Apple is working on a larger smartphone of its very own and BlackBerry’s 5-inch follow-up may wind up facing the same issues with standing out as the company’s current hardware crop does.

The Q5 is a device that needed to exist — after all, a huge chunk of BlackBerry’s userbase can be found in developing markets where relatively few people could comfortably shell out the money necessary for an up-market device like the Z10 or Q10. If all goes according to plan, the Q5 may be the phone that helps BlackBerry maintain its strongholds across the globe. But a 5-inch BlackBerry? Heins and company will have to make an awfully strong argument for if it wants the world to give it a shot.

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Google Will Refresh Nexus 7 Tablet This Summer, May Drop Price To $149, Says Reuters

nexus 7

Google will refresh its Nexus 7 tablet this summer, launching a new version powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor around July, according to Reuters – which is about a year after it launched the original Nexus 7. The news agency said two unnamed sources also told it Google is aiming to ship between six and eight million of the tablets in the second half of the year.

Google has not released official sales figures for its $ 199 to $ 249 slate, which is made by Asus, but an analyst estimate pegged sales for 2012 at between 4.5 million and 4.8 million, suggesting Mountain View is hoping to grow Nexus 7 sales significantly this year – even by as much as almost double.

According to Reuters’ sources, the forthcoming version of the Nexus 7 will get some hardware improvements, with a higher screen resolution and a thinner bezel design both being mentioned. It will also use Qualcomm’s chipset in place of Nvidia’s Tegra 3 which was used in the original Nexus 7s. Qualcomm’s chip was chosen over Nvidia’s for “power reasons”, according to one of the sources. The slate will continue to be co-branded with Asus.

If Google is hoping to significantly ramp up Nexus 7 sales it’s possible it will drop the price to encourage adoption but Reuters’ sources said pricing is “yet to be determined and Google’s plans are fluid”. One option is for Google to retain the $ 199 entry level price. Another is to price the slate even lower, at $ 149, according to one of the sources. The old model would be discontinued. A key factor that could determine how Google ultimately decides to price the Nexus 7 is if Apple launches new iPads this year.

Reuters goes on to quote Fubon Securities analyst Arthur Liao noting that a ”zero-margin strategy” plays to Google’s core business strengths — underlining the reasons for Google to push the Nexus 7 price lower. “Ninety-seven percent of Google’s revenue comes from advertisement, so it needs to sell more mobile devices in order to reach more consumers,” he told the news agency.

Last fall Amazon refreshed its Kindle Fire line-up of tablets, including dropping the price of the old model to $ 159. So a $ 149 Nexus 7 would undercut Amazon’s cheapest slate — at least, for now. Last month Amazon was rumoured to be working on building a $ 99 tablet – a rumour the company denied, telling TechCrunch:  “We are already at the lowest price points possible for that hardware.”

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Technology Refresh 1/9/2013 – 1/16/2013

This week we discus our favorite thing at CES, The Pebble is finally a reality, Activity Trackers, our favorite 4k TV, our favorite Windows 8 tablet/laptop, …
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Refresh Roundup: week of February 4th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of February 4th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is simply pleading for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with upkeep refreshes, bug solutions, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so numerous of them are drifting around that it’s easy for a substantial piece to get lost in the mix. To make sure they do not escape without notice, we have actually collected every possible update, hack, and various other various tomfoolery we might find throughout the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your gadget, please give us a shout at pointers at engadget dawt com and let us understand. Enjoy!

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Refresh Roundup: week of February 4th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of February 4th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

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Refresh Roundup: week of January 28th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of January 28th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with upkeep refreshes, bug repairs, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s simple for a substantial chunk to obtain lost in the mix. To see to it they don’t escape without notice, we’ve collected every possible update, hack, and other various tomfoolery we could discover throughout the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please provide us a shout at pointers at engadget dawt com and let us understand. Enjoy!

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Refresh Roundup: week of January 14th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of January 14th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just pleading for an update. From time to time, these mobile gadgets are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything between, and so numerous of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable portion to obtain lost in the mix. To ensure they do not escape without notice, we’ve collected every feasible update, hack, and other various tomfoolery we could discover during the last week and crammed them into one beneficial roundup. If you find something offered for your device, please provide us a shout at pointers at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Authorities Android updates

  • Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE: A minor update is available for Sprint’s QWERTY slider that’s stated to enhance total gadget security. [ Android Police ]
  • Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro: This rugged smartphone for AT&T is now qualified for an upgrade to Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Grain). Users will additionally find the additions of Swype and Songs Hub in this develop. [ Phandroid ]
  • LG Lucid: Verizon has actually announced an update for this smartphone that brings better quality of voice calls and installs Flash Player. The recently updated file manager app now brings the capacity to manage files in the cloud, and the software likewise sets up Verizon Remote Diagnostics for fixing functions. [ Droid Life ]
  • Galaxy Nexus: Google has actually published the Android 4.2.1 update for the Sprint variation of the Galaxy Nexus to its servers. [ Android Police ]
  • Samsung Galaxy S III: Owners of unsubsidized Galaxy S III handsets throughout Australia are stating than an update to Android 4.1.2– complete with Multi-Window enhancements– is now available for download and installment through Samsung Kies. [ Android Central ]
  • ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T: An update is now available for the Transformer Pad Infinity that brings greater compatibility with microSD cards and reduces lag when playing songs in the background. The software also fixes bugs in the camera and Film Studio apps. [ Android Police ]
  • Samsung Galaxy Keep in mind II: Verizon has actually pushed out a fix to this smartphone that’s made to resolve Exynos protection vulnerabilities. [ SlashGear ]
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7: Verizon has actually announced an update for this tablet that reduces electrical consumption while charging the gadget in a “power off” state. [ Android Authorities ]
  • Sprint Flash: Sprint has launched an update for this ZTE-manufactured smartphone that brings enhancements to the camera, includes timing inclinations for the LED notice and resolves concerns connected to Swype. [ Android Authorities ]
  • Samsung Epic 4G Touch: An update is now available for Sprint’s version of the Galaxy S II that brings protection fixes together with the Sprint Links Optimizer. [ Android Authorities ]
  • Rogers: The Canadian carrier has revealed that its Jelly Grain updates for the Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy Note, RAZR HD and Xperia T have been pushed to February. [ MobileSyrup ]

Informal Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery

  • Motorola Droid RAZR / RAZR Maxx: A root exploit has been released for the main Jelly Bean OTA software build, meant for these two non-HD smartphones for Verizon. [ Talk Android ]
  • Motorola Atrix 4G: Motorola is requesting saturate examination participants for a pending update to this AT&T smartphone. [ Android Central ]
  • Sony Xperia Z: Sony has actually announced that it’ll launch an Android 4.2 update to the Xperia Z soon after the smartphone’s arrival. [ Android Central ]
  • Motorola Atrix 2: A pre-release Jelly Bean update has actually worked its method into the wild for this smartphone on AT&T. Curiously, Motorola has actually previously stated that the Atrix 2 would never ever see an update past Ice Cream Sandwich. [ Android Area ]

Various other platforms

  • HTC 8X: AT&T has actually released its first update for this Windows Phone mobile. Understood informally as the Portico release, it features an option to keep WiFi connections alive and enables individuals to decline call while responding with a text. [ WinSource ]
  • Nokia Lumia 810: An OTA update is now readily available for this Windows Phone on T-Mobile that brings fixes to Bluetooth functionality and is stated to improve general gadget security. [ T-Mobile ]

Refreshes we covered this week

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Flipboard refresh supports Android 4.2′s Daydream mode

Flipboard on a Nexus 10

Flipboard readers on Android have a bit more reason to commemorate beyond just the current addition of tablet support. A quick update this weekend lets the curated information reader hook into Android 4.2′s Daydream mode: information covers could become part of a screensaver that instantly updates with the best stories while on WiFi. It’s a straightforward tweak, however it may help Android individuals catch stories they would miss out on while their mobile devices sit still. Struck the source link if you’re not already on Flipboard’s latest page.

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Refresh Roundup: week of December 24th, 2012

Refresh Roundup week of December 24th, 2012

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of December 24th, 2012

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Refresh Roundup: week of December 17th, 2012

Refresh Roundup week of December 17th, 2012

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just asking for an update. From time to time, these mobile gadgets are blessed with upkeep refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything between, and so numerous of them are floating around that it’s simple for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they do not escape without notice, we’ve collected every feasible update, hack, and other various tomfoolery we might discover throughout the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you discover something offered for your device, please offer us a shout at suggestions at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of December 17th, 2012Filed under: Cellphones,

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