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Latest Gear Live Videos
Verizon announces a trio of Droid smartphones: Ultra, Maxx, and Mini
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,
Verizon, in partnership with Motorola, has revealed the new line of Droid smartphones: Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini.
Both the Ultra and the Maxx have 720p displays on 5-inch non-PenTile displays. The only visibly distinct difference between the ULTRA and the MAXX is that the latter is a bit thicker due the bigger battery, hence the name. The Droid Maxx boasts an insane 48 hours of battery life. Remarkably, the Ultra is razor thin--as thin as the original famed RAZR flip phone. Meanwhile, the Droid Mini features a 720p 4.3-inch display with comparable features for smartphones of that size. All are using this techy kevlar designed back plate. The Droid Ultra will cost $199, Droid MAXX $299, and the Droid Mini will be $99, all with two-year contracts with Big Red. Here's a full list of them for all you spec lovers.
Click to continue reading Verizon announces a trio of Droid smartphones: Ultra, Maxx, and Mini
Read More 
| Droid Does
Gallery: Verizon announces a trio of Droid smartphones: Ultra, Maxx, and Mini
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Back the Ubuntu Edge dual-booting Linux-Android smartphone on IndieGogo
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,
Makers of Ubuntu, Canonical has launched a $32,000,000 Indiegogo campaign for a dual-boot capable smartphone that would feature Ubuntu Linux OS and Google's Android.
Dubbed Ubuntu Edge, the phone will be able to boot into PC mode when docked, with a monitor featuring the full-fledged Ubuntu desktop OS. 128GB of onboard storage is also in the mix, something that the next iPhone is also purported to have. Other key specs include a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass 720p display, instead of the Corning Gorilla Glass used in many smartphones today. Early backers can now opt for the day-one price of $600 and then, after initial sale goes public, the price will jump to $830 when the devices launches in May 2014. Here's the full run down of the Ubuntu Edge specs and a video preview:
Click to continue reading Back the Ubuntu Edge dual-booting Linux-Android smartphone on IndieGogo
Read More | Indiegogo
Gallery: Back the Ubuntu Edge dual-booting Linux-Android smartphone on IndieGogo
Google’s Motorola Moto X event set for August 1 in NYC
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Google, Handhelds,
Motorola fans, mark your calendars for August 1st, as that's the date set for the Moto X event in New York city. Some details of the device have leaked, such as the "always listening" mode for Google Now, snapping the phone to activate the camera, and giving customers customization options of the design of the smartphone like colors on the sides and rear. There is some speculation that the device will be budget-friendly, costing around $199 off-contract and available on all major US carriers. Perhaps the idea is to take on the highly-rumored technicolored low cost iPhone. Motorola is looking for a winner this time around, as previously the subsidiary of Google has posted a quarterly loss $342 million on the top of massive $12.5 billion acquisition. Curiosity here at Gear Live if the Moto X will run Google's latest and greatest Android software as they are hosting thier OS Android and Chrome event on the 24th of July.
Gallery: Google’s Motorola Moto X event set for August 1 in NYC
Microsoft doubles down on anti-iPad ad campaign amidst major Surface RT failure [Video]
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Microsoft,
Microsoft's 900 million write off on the Surface RT hasn't prevented them from continuing its advertising campaign efforts by bashing Apple's iPad and propping thier device as the the better alternative. Microsoft recently slashed the price of the Surface RT by $150 in hopes of getting them off store shelves and into customer's hands. The Surface tablet has been suffering from poor sales as it dove into the highly competitive tablet computer arena. The question is will these continued commitment efforts work? Check out the video ad. Does Microsoft make its case?
Gallery: Microsoft doubles down on anti-iPad ad campaign amidst major Surface RT failure [Video]
iPad mini with Retina display could ship this fall with LG panel
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,
Recently there have been reports that Apple may not release the next iPad mini with a Retina display due to yield issues with the panels, and that customers would need to wait until 2014 before the smaller Apple tablet brought the high resolution goodness. However, today DigiTimes is changing its tune, reporting that LG has solved the issue, and will be shipping Retina display panels for the iPad mini later this year:
The sources also added that LG is reportedly making new headway in producing Retina panel technology for use in the next-generation iPad mini, and expects to ship about 2-3 million units a month in preparation for Apple's expected October release date.
It should be noted that it was just earlier this week that DigiTimes reported that the Retina iPad mini wouldn't be seen until 2014. To backtrack on that report this quickly would imply that they got news to the contrary. In addition to the iPad mini news, DigiTimes is also still reporting that the fifth-generation iPad will be streamlined with thinner side bezels, lighter, and ship with a faster processor this fall.
Read More | DigiTimes
Gallery: iPad mini with Retina display could ship this fall with LG panel
Purported leaked Next Generation Nexus 7 launch date is nigh [Video]
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Google, Handhelds, Rumors, Videos,
The alleged next-generation Nexus 7 tablet showed up in the retail inventory at OfficeMax with a SKU placeholder that points toward a starting price point of $229 for the 16GB storage capacity, and $269 for the 32GB version. The sale of the device is said to coincide with Google's Chrome and Android event scheduled for the 24th of July. The new Nexus 7 is rumored to have an astonishing 4GB of RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, 5 megapixel rear camera, and 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera. There's also some speculation of a 1080p display, all which is yet to be confirmed. Check out the video of the purported next generation Nexus 7 tablet below.
Click to continue reading Purported leaked Next Generation Nexus 7 launch date is nigh [Video]
Read More | Androidcentral
Gallery: Purported leaked Next Generation Nexus 7 launch date is nigh [Video]
Alleged leaked photos of the iPhone 5S back plate surface
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
Alleged leaked photos have surfaced from Chinese website EXpreview of the iPhone 5S. Although it will supposedly have the same processor, it will include an upgraded PowerVR SGX 554MP4 graphic chip. Also, included in the upgraded specs is a 12 megapixel camera, dual LED flash, 2 GB of RAM, and support for NFC and 4G LTE Advanced networks. Rumors are pointing toward a fingerprint scanner from AuthenTech, and a display featuring IGZO technology from Sharp. Previous reports have also pointed to a slightly larger battery as well. Take it all with a grain of salt until Apple officially makes the announcement, but as we've seen over the past few years, new iPhone start leaking in the summer, and they are more often than not exactly what we see Apple reveal.
Read More | EXPreview
Gallery: Alleged leaked photos of the iPhone 5S back plate surface
Sony Xperia i1 Honami smartphone specs leak
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
Sony is working on an impressive smartphone in the Xperia i1 (codename: Honami,) with specs starting to leak. ePrice reports that the Xperia i1 boasts an incredible 20.7 megapixel ExmorRS camera with Sony Bionz image processing. That, in and of itself, though not quite Lumia 1020 territory, is pretty beast. Add to that a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series processor and 5-inch 1080p display, and you've got yourself something worthy of being the next Sony flagship smartphone. We'll find out more at IFA in September, where Sony will undoubtedly show off its new wares.
Read More | ePrice
Gallery: Sony Xperia i1 Honami smartphone specs leak
Apple set to start iPhone 5S production this month
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
AllThingsD is reporting that Apple is set to ramp up production of the iPhone 5S at the end of July, which coincides with a recent report from Peter Misek. Misek says that Apple likely started a small production run of the iPhone 5S last month in preparation for the full meal deal later this month.
Similar to other iPhone releases, it's been reported that iPhone 5S will be constrained in the supply chain initially, likely due to low yields on the new fingerprint sensor feature that is rumored to launch on the device.
AllThingsD also believes that the lower-cost mid-range iPhone is also already in production:
Interestingly, Misek says that iPhone production ramp up will follow one that’s already under way for Apple’s long-rumored lower-cost iPhone, a device he figures the company will price somewhere between $300 and $400 — without a subsidy. He estimates production plans at 25 million to 30 million units, split pretty much evenly across the 5s and its new lower-cost sibling. And he says the new entry probably won’t be competitive with the truly low-end handsets popular in emerging markets.
It's mid-summer, y'all, and the iPhone rumor mill is chugging along at full power.
Read More | AllThingsD
Gallery: Apple set to start iPhone 5S production this month
Nokia Lumia 1020 now available for pre-order on AT&T
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft,
We gave you the rundown on the Nokia Lumia 1020 a few days ago, and for those of you who took a look at the 41-megapixel-camera-toting smartphone and just had to have one, you'll be pleased to know that pre-order for the 1020 are now live. The device costs $299 with two-year contract, and will be released on July 23rd.
