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Posts tagged launch
Watch the full HTC One launch event here. Bonus: coverage roundup
0Yesterday was a enormous day for HTC (and for bloggers covering the event, we might add). The Taiwanese introduced the HTC One to an eagerly looking ahead to world audience, with simultaneous launch events in London and New York. whilst small technical issues affected HTC’s vision of concomitant events, the launch of the new HTC One was overall a success. if you’re curious to see the unveiling of the One for yourself, HTC just published the recording of the London event, presided by the company’s CEO himself, Mr. Peter Chou.
Want to learn more about the HTC One? We’ve positioned together all our coverage in one convenient list:
HTC One cost and availability
HTC One specs and features
HTC One hands-on – first look!
HTC picture gallery
HTC Sense 5
HTC One design
HTC One accessories
On the similarities between the One and the iPhone
HTC One vs HTC Droid DNA
HTC One vs HTC One X+
HTC One vs Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Android Authority
#seolinksdiv h3{ color:#000000; } #seolinksdiv ul li a{ color:#000000; } recommended reading Gadget related Resources.
LG Display has started to ramp up production of new displays, using in-cell technology that, coincidentally I’m sure, sound like terrific matches the rumored iPhone 5 that just can be announced at the rumored September 12 Apple event. Reuters scored comments from Han Sang-beom, chief executive of LG Display, which he gave journalists on Wednesday but which were embargoed until Thursday morning (?!). “We just began mass production and we don’t be expecting any disruption in supplies. ”
Reuters also, again, backs up the September 12 event date iMore first reported to come back in July, and reaffirms a 4-inch screen for the next iPhone with in-cell technology.
Rumor: LG to launch smartphone with always-on voice commands in 2014
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A new report says that next year LG will launch a smartphone that will come with support for always-on voice commands.
GottaBeMobile apparently spoke with three different sources familiar with the matter who revealed that the always-on voice-based feature would let users control their device by issuing commands beyond what’s already available Apple’s Siri or Google’s Google Now, and actually navigate the operating system:
In one example, users can speak a voice command to tell Google Maps to pan around and switch views. Users can also tell Google Maps to zoom in or out. This is different from existing voice solutions, which are based mainly for searching, launching apps, and dictating. The navigation of the Android OS by voice will be a new user experience for some people.
GottaBeMobile
The feature can’t be confirmed at this time, but it’s not like we don’t expect future devices to pack such powers.
After all, the Moto X has been confirmed to offer advanced smart features described as contextual awareness. It’s not clear how that would work, but it’s obvious that LG will certainly not be the only company trying to offer more to customers looking for more advanced handsets.
Furthermore, Google also unveiled a sort-of always-on voice-based Chrome-specific search features for its desktop Google Search, a feature that could further be expanded in the future.
Finally, we’re going to remind you that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 flagship processor, due to arrive later this year and power a variety of flagship devices, will have always-on voice support.
The LG Optimus G2 is already rumored to use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU, although it’s too early to tell whether the handset will indeed have always-on capabilities. However, it makes sense to assume that only high-end devices sporting such processors (or their successors) would come with advanced always-on voice commands support.
Are you looking forward to see such features in future handsets?
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Google readying launch of new music streaming service after signing deals with Sony and Universal Music
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by J
Earlier this year, it was reported that Google was readying its very own music streaming service to take on the likes of Spotify and Internet radio service Pandora. A later report added just a bit more info, but we still haven’t really been able to get official confirmation from Google on the subject. Fortunately, it looks like we will soon, as a new report on The Verge has it that the big G plans to launch a new music streaming service tomorrow, at this year’s Google I/O developer’s conference.
The Verge‘s report is based on information coming from music industry sources, who also say that Google has already secured separate music licensing deals with both Sony and Universal Music. The licensing deals reportedly apply for both Google Play and YouTube, which are slated to let users sign up for separate music subscription services. What this means is that Google actually plans on launching multiple music subscription services, and not just for Google Play, but for YouTube, the popular online video streaming site, as well.
It’s worth noting that as of this time’s writing, Google has already signed music licensing deals with the three biggest music labels in the world, which are Sony, Universal Music, and Warner Music. The keys are now in place, basically, and all that’s left is for Google to turn the ignition and get the whole thing started. It’s like a party that’s just waiting to happen now. And as the report from The Verge — as well as a number of other sources including Bloomberg and the WSJ — now states, that party will happen tomorrow at Google I/O.
There’s one important bit of information missing from all of today’s reports on the upcoming Google music streaming service, and that is information on pricing. But we’re sure that if Google does officially announce it at Google I/O, then we will get the info soon enough. And we’ll be sure to let you know about it right away. For now, keep following our Google I/O coverage for more.
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Xiaomi Red Rice rumored to launch this October at $130
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by J
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is rumored to be launching the 0 Xiaomi Red Rice this October — their biggest-screened and cheapest device yet.
Xiaomi made waves in China (and beyond) for its Apple-like cult following and its tight integration of services in its MIUI-based handsets. It helps that the price is very competitive, at about 0 to 0 for its flagship handsets, which have premium features comparable to flagships from other brands. This time, Xiaomi is rumored to have an even bigger smartphone up its sleeve, the Xiaomi Red Rice.
Xiaomi’s Red Rice is aimed at the budget market, with a price set at 799 yuan (about 0), which is cheaper than the recently-announced budget-friendly Xiaomi Mi2A. The Red Rice will also be the company’s biggest handset so far, in terms of screen size, at 4.7 inches diagonal.
Here are the Xiaomi Red Rice specs, as cited by Chinese technology site IT168:
- Dual-core processor running at 1.2 GHz, claimed to be a Leadercore LC1810
- 4.7 inch 720p display (1280×720 pixels)
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB internal storage (no word whether it will support microSD)
- 8 megapixel main camera
- 2 megapixel front camera
- 2,000 mAh battery
- MIUI v5
A popular feature in emerging markets, the Red Rice will also come with dual-SIM with dual-standby support. The smartphone will support both TD-SCDMA and GSM networks, which means it will support high-speed data from China Mobile. The choice of processors might be for cost considerations, although the phone was earlier rumored to come with a quad-core Mediatek MT6589 SoC.
The Red Rice is supposedly set for release this October, in time for the launch of the upcoming Mi3. While there’s no word whether Xiaomi will officially launch in the U.S. and similar markets anytime in the future, the brand is experimenting with Taiwan and Hong Kong releases.
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Lime Barbados adds a touch of class to their BlackBerry 10 launch – Hand delivers BlackBerry Z10′s
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For Lime, the launch of the BlackBerry Z10 has been pretty spectacular. The company kicked things off in Jamaica with a live launch held on Facebook and right now, they’re running a contest for their customers offering them a chance to see Alicia Keys live in concert. Aside from all of that though, they’ve been bringing a touch of class to the mix as noted on their Facebook page. Customers who have preordered a BlackBerry Z10 are getting their device hand delivered to them complete with some BlackBerry branding on car the lovely ladies show up in. Needless to say, it looks BlackBerry advertising in the Barbados and surrounding areas is going strong. Thanks, Mario!
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RSS Copyright © Hottest Mobile Phone News & Reviews | PhoneInferno [Lime Barbados adds a touch of class to their BlackBerry 10 launch - Hand delivers BlackBerry Z10's], All Right Reserved. 2013. Powered by Readers From RSS 2 Blog Hottest Mobile Phone News & Reviews | PhoneInferno Recommended ReadingYouTube tipped to launch paid channel subscriptions0
We’ve been hearing a lot of different reports and rumors lately regarding what Google could have planned for YouTube. Obviously YouTube isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, but they might as well improve it and capitalize on the billions of viewers, right? Today we’re hearing YouTube will announce paid channel subscriptions soon, possibly sometime this week.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of paid content on YouTube, and that isn’t just for videos either. There’s been multiple reports last month that they might launch a paid music streaming channel, which could be deeply integrated into Google Music and Android, and that’s just one of many rumors. According to the New York Times, YouTube’s subscription option is real, and actually coming soon. While we don’t have the details, certain limited video makers will be able to charge a monthly subscription for viewers to enjoy their content. While this is great for revenue, the free aspect is one of the best parts of YouTube if you ask us. This isn’t for everyone though, and will probably be limited. News organizations, and extremely popular channels that make their own unique content like sxephil and the Philip Defranco Show could take part, and not just anyone. We could also see this being the bigger picture and paid music streaming will simply be one aspect of this. Reports suggest channels will start at .99 per month. Would you join a video subscription service on YouTube if it had quality content? Maybe for the right price if they offer a cheaper mobile-only subscription? We’re hearing there could be nearly 50 already in the works with Google. [via SlashGear] Read the rest here:
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RSS Copyright © Hottest Mobile Phone News & Reviews | PhoneInferno [YouTube tipped to launch paid channel subscriptions], All Right Reserved. 2013. Powered by Readers From RSS 2 Blog Rumor: Google X Phone launch set for August with AT&T, ‘creepy’ predictive intelligence included055 days
by J
Google X Phone Render A new set of rumors on the Google X Phone has hit the web, revealing other details for the handset although they still remain unconfirmed for now. Before we look at today’s crazy-but-interesting X Phone rumor du jour, we’ll remind you to take the information with the appropriate amount of skepticism, as we’re yet to see an official Google X Phone announcement. That said, we’ll also remind you that high-ranking Google execs including Eric Schmidt and Larry Page appeared to be quite excited when talking about handsets set to come in the future from Motorola, so it would make plenty of sense for this X Phone device to be one of them. Android and Me received a bunch of new tips on the upcoming X Phone, from a trusted source, with today’s report offering up new juicy details. The launchThe Google X Phone is said to launch in the first week of August, with AT&T getting a three-month exclusivity deal. After that, the phone should hit other carriers in November. The question is, what will Google receive for allowing AT&T to be the exclusive launch partner in the U.S.? Android and Me speculates that “AT&T might have allowed Google to ship the first “X Phone” as an unlocked device in return for the short exclusivity deal. International launch details aren’t mentioned at this time, but we’d expect such a phone to be launched in other markets in addition to the U.S. this year. The “creepy” featuresThe interesting part about today’s Google X Phone rumor concerns certain features Google may have in mind for this phone. The handset is said to have an “always on listening mode” that will let the user shout voice commands to it. The publication reminds us that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 comes with an always-on Voice Activation feature, but that’s Qualcomm’s high-end CPU that may not actually be found inside the X Phone – after all, previous rumors did say that the device will be budget friendly, and it won’t necessarily offer high-end features. Since we’re talking about high-end specs, we’ll remind you that earlier this week, a different report revealed a purported AnTuTu benchmark result for the X Phone running Android 5.0.1 that places it in the mid-range category, by 2013 standards. More interestingly, the Google X Phone will feature a “predictive intelligence” feature that will be able to recognize your intentions from the moment you pick up your handset. Depending on how you hold it, the phone may know you want to take a picture and launch an appropriate app or that you want to see the time and/or notifications and display them to you when looking at the screen. Finally, the phone will be “always connected” to the Google Chrome browser, which would make sense considering that the Android and Chrome divisions are now lead by the same person, Sundar Pichai. The customizationsWhile there won’t be any hardware customization in this X Phone version, as rumors presented by the same online publication suggested in the past, it looks like users will still be able to customize the color and material of the X Phone’s case. Customers will be able to choose from plastic, metal, carbon fiber and wood for the case, and select from a variety of colors to produce “thousands of custom combinations.” ConclusionNo matter how wild, these X Phone rumors are interesting, but they’re still rumors until proven otherwise. We’ll have to wait and see whether the handset gets official at Google I/O, or whether it would be announced later this summer, but whatever the case is, we’re surely going to see more rumors appear. And yes, we will note that this new X Phone report coincidently hit the web just as the Galaxy S4 is about to be launched, at least in some markets, by some carriers. Recommended ReadingApple’s botched MobileMe launch and the failure of fear-based management0
MobileMe launched in 2008 as a replacement for .Mac and ended up being replaced itself just three short years later by iCloud. So terrible was its launch, so tarnished was was the perception of its service, that Steve Jobs reportedly walked the halls of Apple with a flame-thrower, dressing down the troops and handing over responsibility for the service to his fixer, Eddy Cue. But was MobileMe’s failings the fault of the engineers, or of the managers in charge of the project? Former member of the MobileMe team, Erin Caton believes the latter:
Steve Jobs is no longer with us, but the culture he created at Apple remains very much alive. Troubled launches with Siri and with iOS 6 Maps show that not all lessons may have been launched from MobileMe, and if Caton is right, might also show at least part of the reason why. Read the rest of her post for her full take on the events surrounding the MobileMe launch. Source: Erin Caton
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