Nexus 7 is now available for purchase from the Google Play Store in India

The ASUS made Nexus 7 slate has officially made its way to the Google Play Store in India. Users can currently order the 16GB version of the tablet from the freshly popped up “devices” section of the market for everything Google.

The 7″ tablet is priced at Rs. 15,999, which is a smidge below $300. It will ship to users by April 5.

Despite the fact that the Nexus 7 has been around for quite some time now, its official arrival in India is still a rather big deal. It marks the first time when consumers in the vast Indian market can purchase a device directly from Google.

Xperia ZL up for pre-order in US, contract free from $720

The Sony Xperia ZL is up for pre-order in the US from Sony's own retail store. The device comes in two unlocked options - an HSPA version that's up for $720 contract-free and a 4G-enabled $760 one. The latter works on LTE bands 2, 4, 5 and 17, so it should, in theory, be usable on AT&T's network. The 4G variant should begin shipping to users starting April 8.

If you're all about the speedier network access then it's more prudent to spend the extra 40 bucks for the 4G variant, but if HSPA speeds suit your data needs then $720 could be the better option. Either way the pricing is steep.

Sony says that the ZL will become available for purchase through other retail stores soon.

The Xperia ZL is the non-water resistant sibling to the Xperia Z. It manages to pack a 1080p 5" screen, 13 MP camera and Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset into a smaller footprint, so if IP certification isn't a must for you, the ZL could be the better choice.

Source | Via

Snapdragon 600 to power 70% of the first Galaxy S4 batch

Latest reports suggest Samsung will use Snapdragon 600 chips in 70% of the first Galaxy S4 batch. This was already confirmed by the leaked list showing the availability of the two Galaxy S4 versions around the globe.

In case you need a refresh, the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be sold in two flavors - the Exynos 5 Octa-powered I9500 and the Snapdragon 600-powered I9505. The "octa" units are reserved for Asia and Africa and few European countries that don't have wide LTE availability just yet.

According to the reports coming from Samsung's homeland, the company is having issues with the Exynos 5 Octa production and there was no chance for it to meet the tremendous demand of the flagship. So the Snapdragon 600 switch was necessary, and the reach of the I9505 model was expanded beyond the US borders to most of the developed markets.

We already met the Snapdragon 600-powered Galaxy S4 and it turned out to be the fastest phone currently available, so no one should worry about the performance of the device. It's a beast that easily outruns the competition. And we are yet to see how those four 1.6GHz Cortex-A15 cores within the Exynos 5 Octa chipset are doing compared to the four 1.9GHz Krait 300.

Samsung has already announced the Exynos 5 Octa chipset will enter mass production in Q2 this year, which probably suggest the octa-core Galaxy S4 will get wider availability in June or July.

Source | Via

Samsung Galaxy Note III rumored to launch in US with 5.9" display

Samsung Galaxy Note III, the potential successor of the popular Galaxy Note II phablet was said to come out with a whopping 5.9" display. Now, an executive from one of the main parts suppliers for the company has confirmed the screen size.

According to a report from Korea Times, the next generation Galaxy Note will launch in the United States as confirmed by the local suppliers. The report also claims that the South Korean manufacturer will be showing off its Galaxy Note III concept to the US carrier AT&T in the coming days.

Samsung Galaxy Note III is also rumored to sport the latest OLED technology for the display, which is expected to offer a full HD resolution.

The successor of the Galaxy Note II is expected to be launched by the end of August, falling in line with the IFA 2013, but Samsung might chose to skip the show and hold its own Unpacked event in the US as it did for the Galaxy S4.

Source | Via

Exynos 5210 chipset in the works, to power the Galaxy S4 mini

Samsung has unveiled only two Exynos 5 chipsets so far – the 5250 Dual in the Nexus 10 and the 5410 Octa in some variants of the Galaxy S4 – but there seems to be a third one in development, the Exynos 5210. To spice things up, there’s a rumor going around that this will be the chipset used in the Galaxy S4 mini.

Linux dev tools were committed to Free-electrons.com for a smdk5210 development kit. The model number also appears in anAOSP port on GitHub where “Exynos 5210” is mentioned by name.

The Samsung Exynos naming scheme marks the generation with the first digit and the number of cores with the second.

So the Exynos 5210 is in the same generation as the two Cortex-A15 based chipsets and is a dual-core model. Note that the Exynos 5 Octa is marked 5410, but uses ARM’s big.LITTLE architecture and has four Cortex-A15s and four Cortex-A7s with only one group of four works at the same time.

It’s unclear if the 5210 will be a big.LITTLE with four physical CPU cores that work as a dual-core processor (switching between a fast dual-core and an energy efficient one) or just pack to A15s like the 5250. The GPU is also unknown, for this generation Samsung has used both Mali and PowerVR, so it’s anyone’s guess.

Naturally, the rumor mill linked the Exynos 5210 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini. So far we know that it will have a 4.3” qHD Super AMOLED screen and run Android 4.2.2 on a dual-core 1.6GHz processor – the same clockspeed as the Cortex-A15s in the I9500 Galaxy S4, the A7s run at 1.2GHz.

Keep in mind that there will be an LTE version of the Galaxy S4 mini, which might switch to Snapdragon, like the I9505 Galaxy S4.

Source | Via

There are now over 50,000 apps available for Windows 8 and Windows 8 RT in the Microsoft Store

Microsoft has reached an important milestone – the Windows Store now touts more than 50,000 apps available for Windows 8 and Windows 8 RT.

The achievement was reached yesterday, according to the MetroStore Scanner, which at the time of writing counts 50,341 apps.

In the month of March alone, the statistic reads for around 279 daily apps on average pushed to the Store, making it one of the most successful months in the history of the store. The most active month yet has been last November though, when around 468 newborn apps were submitted to the Windows Store every day.

Last week Microsoft launched a new program for developers offering them $100 per every submitted app in the Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 stores. Developers can snag a total of $2000, as the $100 are given for as much as 10 apps per OS. Furthermore, Microsoft is luring app creators with higher revenue split (80%/20%), a whole 10% more than what Apple and Google offer.

Source | Via

Galaxy S4 mini appears on official website, LTE version confimed

The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini will have four different versions, according to info spotted by Twitter userst7761. He found the I9190 model number on Samsung’s support page, along with three other I919X devices.

One is the I9192, the dual-SIM version that was promised by the initial leak. The other point to an LTE version, the I9195, and a China version, the I9198. This is judging by the final digit of the model number, Samsung’s naming scheme is fairly consistent here (though there are exceptions).

Anyway, the only other info we have on the Galaxy S4 mini is that it will have a 4.3” Super AMOLED screen of qHD resolution (540 x 960 pixels, 256ppi) and it will run Android 4.2.2 on a 1.6GHz dual-core processor.

The official announcement of the Galaxy S4 mini is should happen around June or July this year. The info on Samsung’s support page identifying the I9190 seems to have been taken down now, but we’ll be on the lookout for more info.

Source | Via (in Italian)

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Apple introduces two-step verification for Apple ID

Apple has introduced a new two-step verification process for accounts that use the Apple ID. This will help protect your account from being accessed from a new device by an unauthorized person.

What this does is whenever you or someone else tries to access your Apple ID from a new device, along with the usual username and password, the device will also ask for a verification key. This verification key will be sent to one of the devices that you have registered. You will then have to enter the verification key into the new device to complete the log in process. This way, if someone gets access to your Apple ID, they won’t be able to log in until they also get access to the verification key.

Apple lets you choose one of your iOS devices as the default device to which the verification key is sent every time. You also get a recovery key, which can be used in case you forget the password or lose the default device.

Following the recent security fiasco with the Apple ID, where a bunch of hackers remotely wiped a technology journalist’s MacBook after getting access to his Apple ID, it is imperative that one takes as many precautions as possible and enabling this two-step verification process is the first thing you need to do if you have an Apple ID.

To enable the two-step verification, click here and then log in with your Apple ID. Then click on Password and Security, answer the questions and then you will get the option to setup two-step verification for your Apple ID.

Source

First Samsung Galaxy S4 mini live photos appear

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 now official, it's time for the rest of the new generation Galaxy devices to start making an appearance. It turns out the first one to break ground is the Galaxy S4 mini.

SamMobile has got hold of some live photos of the smartphone, which reveals a design quite similar to the Samsung Galaxy S4. The photos below confirm that the S4 mini will even feature the back cover design of its bigger brother.

The Galaxy S4 mini (GT-I9190) will be available in a dual-SIM version as well (probably carrying the Galaxy S4 mini duos moniker and GT-I9192 model number).

    
Samsung Galaxy S4 mini live photos

Despite its name and resemblance to Samsung's flagship, the Galaxy S4 mini allegedly won't pack a monster of a CPU, but rather a 1.6GHz dual-core CPU and a 4.3" Super AMOLED display of qHD resolution (960x540 pixels, 256ppi).

It's slightly bigger than the ongoing Galaxy S III mini, which features a 4" display of WVGA resolution. Unfortunately, the S4 mini's CPU type isn't known at this point, but what's known from the photos above is that the smartphone will run what's currently the latest version of Android -4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

According to the source the Galaxy S4 mini is expected to make its debut in June or July this year.

Source

RUMOR: The next iPhone will likely be a marginal update

Sources from the Apple supply chain are at it again. This time the rumors circulate around the end of May arrival of components, which would point to an arrival of the next iPhone in the the third quarter of this year.

According to said sources the next iPhone will allegedly be a marginal upgrade of the iPhone 5 (perhaps called the iPhone 5S). The next-gen iPhone should come with an improved processor, perhaps a higher-megapixel camera with new module or even a redesigned flash ("Smart Flash") with white and yellow LEDs in order to improve color reproduction.

Foxconn Electronics chairman Terry Guo has noted that he expects company performance to start picking up after April or May, which could coincide with the beginning of the production of the latest iPhone.

According to the sources if the components supply goes smoothly the next-gen iDevice could be delivered to retail channels in 1 to 2 weeks time, which would mean a realistic Q3 launch (Apple needs to gather up stock as the production rate is far lower than initial demand).

Finally reports are mentioning a cheaper, plastic-made iPhone too, but as we are getting the "cheaper iPhone" each year we take those rumors with an extra pinch of salt. Besides, every time the new iPhone comes out last-year's model gets discounted, technically making it the "cheaper iPhone".

Source | Via

Heins: Android and WP are not mobile computing platforms

BlackBerry CEO, Thorsten Heins, in an interview with Computerworld, said that Android and Windows Phone as not sharing his vision of a "mobile computing future" where mobile devices could be used for the same tasks as computers.

He also added that Android and Windows Phone "are not mobile computing platforms" but didn't specify in what regard exactly.

Heins said BlackBerry "really thought hard about" building BB services for Windows Phone and Android but rejected the idea for the aforementioned reasons.He didn't say anything about iOS, however.

When asked if BlackBerry will build a BlackBerry 10 OS tablet device Mr Heins noted "We are running a few projects" on "how we can take it to the next stage and not just be another tablet". He added "If I build a tablet, I will not build it for the hardware purpose... I will do this around a service".

Source | Via

Sony Xperia Z gets an update, fixes sudden-death issue

Sony is now seeding the first update for the Xperia Z (C6603) flagship. Its build number is 10.1.A.1.434, the Android version stays 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and the Kernel seems to be the same - 3.4.0.

Even though there is no official change log for this unexpected update, rumors have it the new release addresses the sudden-death issue plaguing random Xperia Z (C6603) units. So, while it doesn't add any extra functionality, the update might save quite a lot of trouble for many Xperia Z owners out there.

Sony is releasing the update in stages both via the PC Companion app and over-the-air. You should check both for the update and if it isn't available for you already, it should pop up in a few days.

If you are of the impatient kind, you can follow the source link to download the update and proceed to flash it manually but, since doing so will void your warranty, you better make sure you know what you are doing.

Source | Via

RUMOR: The next iPhone will likely be a marginal update

Sources from the Apple supply chain are at it again. This time the rumors circulate around the end of May arrival of components, which would point to an arrival of the next iPhone in the the third quarter of this year.

According to said sources the next iPhone will allegedly be a marginal upgrade of the iPhone 5 (perhaps called the iPhone 5S). The next-gen iPhone should come with an improved processor, perhaps a higher-megapixel camera with new module or even a redesigned flash ("Smart Flash") with white and yellow LEDs in order to improve color reproduction.

Foxconn Electronics chairman Terry Guo has noted that he expects company performance to start picking up after April or May, which could coincide with the beginning of the production of the latest iPhone.

According to the sources if the components supply goes smoothly the next-gen iDevice could be delivered to retail channels in 1 to 2 weeks time, which would mean a realistic Q3 launch (Apple needs to gather up stock as the production rate is far lower than initial demand).

Finally reports are mentioning a cheaper, plastic-made iPhone too, but as we are getting the "cheaper iPhone" each year we take those rumors with an extra pinch of salt. Besides, every time the new iPhone comes out last-year's model gets discounted, technically making it the "cheaper iPhone".

Source | Via

BlackBerry Q10 pre-orders start in UK and US, launches in late April

Various UK retailers have started taking pre-orders for the upcomingBlackBerry Q10 smartphone. The QWERTY-featuring and BB10 OS powered Q10 pre-orders start at £530 and go a bit higher depending on where you do your shopping.

According to one of the retailers the phone will ship around April 22, while the listings of the others' say just late April.

We also found some US online stores are already taking pre-order as well, but the price there is a bit higher than we anticipated - $880. We are pretty sure the BlackBerry Q10 won't cost that much (previous rumors pointed at a $600-$620 price point for the SIM-free), but the pricing will only become clear after the official US launch date is announced.

We want to remind you BlackBerry is releasing the Z10 flagship tomorrow in the USA. Today the company also announced its BB10 OS application store has passed the 100,000 titles mark.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3

Galaxy S4 to help Samsung double its market share lead

Samsung is looking to take an even larger lead over the competition this year, thanks largely to its new Galaxy S4 flagship.

In 2011, just two short years ago, Nokia was the top dog in terms of phones sold, holding some 30% of the market. Then Samsung, which rides the Android wave better than anyone else, took center, rising to 29% in just one year, with most of that market share being taken straight from Nokia.

Market research firm IHS iSuppli has predicted that Samsung will double its lead in 2013 - in other words it will lead the next largest OEM by 11 percent points rather than 5. Although it did not care to predict exactly how much of the market Samsung will control in 2013, it did say that thanks to its "massive worldwide rollout through almost every operator, the lifestyle focus of the S4 will help drive Samsung’s market share sharply in 2013."

Given how well the Samsung Galaxy S4 looked in our preview, it's not hard to envision another great year for Samsung.

Source

Nokia rolls out Camera Extras and Cinemagraph apps for WP7

Nokia has just launched two new camera apps for the first generation Lumia devices.The new apps are Camera Extras and Cinemagraph and are available for Lumia WP7-running 510, 610, 710, 800 and 900.

Both camera apps were previously only available on Windows Phone 8-powered Lumias. The Camera Extras offers Smart Shoot, Action Shot, Panorama and self-shot feature, while the Cinemagraph shoots a few seconds short video and transforms in into an animated picture (gif).

You can find both apps in the Windows Phone 7 marketplace right now. You can also hit the source link below and scan the bar codes.

Source

Here's the Samsung Galaxy S4 versions breakdown by countries

Samsung announced the Galaxy S4 with an Exynos 5 Octa chipset, but what the presenters didn’t say during the announcement is that a lot of countries will be getting the Snapdragon 600 version instead. And it’s not just North America either.

SamMobile has compiled a list that shows which country gets which model. The I9500 is the non-LTE Exynos model while the I9505 is the 4G-enabled Snapdragon model. It's worth pointing out that some lucky countries are getting both.

Here’s the list plus known prices so far. Note that it's incomplete and may not be 100% accurate.

North America

• I9505 - Canada
• I9505 - United States, $580

Africa

• I9500 – Algeria
• I9500 – Egypt
• I9500 – Kenya
• I9500 – Lybia
• I9500 – Marocco
• I9500 – Nigeria

Asia / Middle East

• I9500 – Afghanistan
• I9500 – Bangladesh
• I9500 – China
• I9500 / I9505 – Hong Kong
• I9500 – India
• I9500 – Indonesia
• I9500 – Iran
• I9500 – Iraq
• I9500 – Kazakhstan
• I9500 / I9505 – Korea
• I9500 / I9505 – Malaysia
• I9500 – Nepal
• I9500 – Pakistan
• I9500 / I9505 – Philippines
• I9500 – Russia, 30,000 rubles ($970), April 26 launch
• I9500 / I9505 – Saudi Arabia
• I9505 – Singapore
• I9500 – Sri Lanka
• I9500 – Taiwan
• I9500 – Thailand
• I9500 – Turkey
• I9500 / I9505 – United Arab Emirates
• I9500 – Uzbekistan
• I9500 – Vietnam

Australia

• I9505 – Australia

Europe

• I9505 – Austria
• I9505 – Baltic
• I9505 – Belgium / Luxemburg
• I9505 – Bosnia and Herzegovina
• I9505 – Bulgaria
• I9505 – Cyprus
• I9505 – Czech Republic
• I9500 / I9505 – France
• I9500 / I9505 – Germany, €650
• I9505 – Greece
• I9500 / I9505 – Italy, €700
• I9505 – Macedonia
• I9505 - Nordic Countries
• I9500 / I9505 – Poland
• I9500 / I9505 – Romania, 3,000 Lei ($878) for I9500
• I9500 – Russia
• I9505 – Portugal
• I9505 – Slovakia
• I9505 – Slovenia
• I9505 – Spain
• I9505 - Sweden, starting at SEK 220 / $34 a month
• I9505 – Switzerland
• I9505 – The Netherlands
• I9500 / I9505 – United Kingdom, £530, April 26 launch
• I9500 – Ukraine

Source

Some Sony Xperia Z handsets reportedly suffering sudden death

A number of Sony Xperia Z users have reported their devices suffering from sudden death. Apparently, Sony's flagship has been shutting down for no apparent reason with subsequent efforts to bring it back to life proving unsuccessful, save for a hard reset in a few cases.

There is no particular reason for the occurrence. Some users have blamed low battery for the issue, but others have had their Xperia Z expire with plenty of charge left in its battery.

Sony has acknowledged the issue and promised that a fix is in the works. It will be delivered to the users via an upcoming software update.

Via

The iPhone passcode can still be bypassed after the iOS 6.1.3 update

It was just yesterday Apple released the iOS 6.1.3 update to address the lockscreen passcode bypass issue. Unfortunately, there is another work-around that will still give you access to the Phone app without entering the pass code.

To make this work though, all you need is a SIM ejecting tool or a paperclip. The good news is you can make your iPhone immune to this workaround by simply disabling voice dial in your passcode lock settings screen.

Here is how it’s done:

Let the countdown to iOS 6.1.4 begin, then.

Source

Jelly Bean update for Optimus 4X HD, Optimus L7 comes this month

LG has confirmed via its official German blog that it's planning to release a Jelly Bean update for its last year high-end and mid-range offerings - the Optimus 4X HD and Optimus L7.

More specifically, LG says it'll push Android 4.1.2 only to the unlocked versions of the devices. Presumably, those purchased under carrier subsidizing will have to wait for their carrier to approve of the update.

The Jelly Bean update will bring the UI optimizations of Project Butter and will make Google Now available. Newly added features include faster NFC transmission through Android Beam 2.0, Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS), as well as expandable notifications.

LG says the update will roll out by the end of March. Users will be able to update via LG's Mobile Support-Tool. You can find more detailed instructions on how to check and install the update by visiting the source link below.

Source (in German) | Via