April 18, 2012

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.1 update released


The BlackBerry PlayBook has officially received an OS update which will bring the tablet's OS version up to 2.0.1. The update is administered OTA and contains browser enhancements, improved support for Android apps, and an optimized Video Chat, PIM, and BlackBerry Bridge app. For those who owns the PlayBook head over here for instructions on how to update your tablet to the latest available software.

UK: Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S II in the UK gets the Android 4.0 ICS update


Samsung has officially started rolling out the Android 4.0 ICS update to the those unlocked Galaxy S IIs in the UK. So for those who paid for the phone without any contracts from a carrier, you better get your computers running, install Samsung Kies (latest version) and then get the USB cable. Like your other friends who has already enjoyed their Android 4.0 update on their SGS IIs (those who got their phones via a carrier), you should already be enjoying the benefits of Android 4.0. Apparently, the update ain't gonna be OTA so yeah! Start updating!

Google Chrome for Mac updated to 18.0.1025.163


Google has released an update to the Google Chrome for Mac. The update solely fixes the issue with fonts when using the browser. So for those who are using Google Chrome on their Macs update your browsers now. Get the update manually from here. This update will bring the version of Chrome on Macs up to 18.0.1025.163.

USA: Sprint to launch the Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE on April 22nd for $199.99


Sprint is poised to launch the Samsung Galaxy Nexus with 4G LTE connectivity come April 22nd for $199.99. Seems like Sprint is really getting giving it all out when it comes to their 4G LTE offerings here with the Galaxy Nexus. Of course, the price of the device with Sprint will come with a 2-year contract and pre-orders have already started. Sprint said on their official press release that those who pre-ordered the device will be getting their Galaxy Nexus 2 days early, April 20th. So, For those who wants to get the device, head over to Sprint.

April 17, 2012

PHIL: Globe to launch the Nokia Lumia 800 come April 18th


Globe will officially launch the Nokia Lumia 800 come April 18th, confirmed by Techie. Pre-orders of the device was already started when Globe officially announced the device. You can pre-order the Lumia 800 over at Globe Telecom's website. The Philippine carrier will be offering the Windows Phone powered device for Php 1,499/month with Globe's UnliData plan 990. Cheers!

April 16, 2012

Samsung to announce the "next Galaxy" on May 3rd in London

Click to view full size
So, Samsung has finally given us something official when we talk about "the Galaxy". The Korean-giant has officially sent out invites to a Samsung Mobile Unpacked event in London, UK. Base on history, whenever Sammy holds an Unpacked event they will always introduce a Galaxy device. The invite is still a bit quiet though, aside from the fact that it explicitly says that the event will happen on May 3rd in London, but aside from that, nothing else. I am putting my money on the Samsung Galaxy S III that has been leaked, rumored, and rendered for months now. Until then, we will have to see what Samsung has for the world. May 3, mark you calendars.

April 14, 2012

Nokia Lumia 900 now gets an update that fixes memory management bug


The Nokia Lumia 900 became available in the US via AT&T in April 8th together with the HTC Titan II. But after it became available people who bought the device complained about the phone's connectivity with the carrier. The issue cuts off any data transfer with the carrier leaving the user of the Lumia 900 no internet connection. But thankfully, Nokia now has a fix for that. In fairness to the Finnish company, this is a quick response. So for those who own a Lumia 900 get your software update by heading over here.

The Panasonic Eluga launched in Germany coming to the UK in April 24th


Panasonic's first smartphone, the Eluga, is now available in Germany. The smartphone was introduced to the world at MWC 2012 and finally has become available, at least, in Germany. The United Kingdom should be getting the smartphone come April 24th. The Eluga is Panasonic's own Android challenger in the market today and is a waterproof and dustproof device. The Eluga is priced in Germany for €419,85 courtesy of Amazon.de but is being offered with a lower price by GetGoods for only €398,90

UK: Vodafone's Samsung Galaxy S II gets the Android 4.0 ICS update


Vodafone UK has officially released the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update to their Samsung Galaxy S II. The update was released yesterday but in order for you to get the update you have to connect your smartphone to a PC or Mac and run Samsung Kies. If you want to get the update via OTA then you have to wait until April 17 because that is when the carrier is scheduled to push the OTA update to SGS IIs devices. So for those who owns the SGS II and got it from Vodafone UK, get your updates now and enjoy the benefits of Android 4.0 ICS.


US: Samsung officially gives the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Tab 2 7.0 a price and a launch date

Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

In the US, Samsung has officially announced the launch date together with the pricing of the iteration of their Galaxy Tab line. On May 13th the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 should be available for $399.99 for the 8GB version while the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 will be available come April 22 for $249.99.

PHIL: HTC One X and the One V announced and priced [Edited]

HTC Philippines had an event recently which announced the coming of two of their One Series of Android smartphones. These handsets were the HTC One X and the One V. These two smartphones were christened with their official SRPs but unfortunately, HTC Philippines did not say anything about when the devices will eventually make it to stores. Well anyway, click on the ones of the devices to check out their specs. For pricing, the HTC One V is priced at Php 15,990 and the HTC One X at Php 32,990. Both are expected though to arrive in the country in Q3. (The correction of prices is due to YugaTech's post about the launching of the devices in the Philippines. Please Be guided)

April 13, 2012

Google Chrome updated to 18.0.1025.162 - fixes that Facebook hang-up


Good! Google has finally fixed that Facebook glitch. I have been experiencing that, you know when Facebook hangs up after a while. I noticed that bug whenever I chat with my Facebook friends. After a while of doing so, the Facebook tab just freezes and I have to close the tab and re-open Facebook to continue chatting with my friends which, as expected, would freeze again after a few minutes. That does not happen when I use a different browser. This update specifically answers that bug. So, update your Chromes now by clicking through the settings button > About Google Chrome > and wait for it to download and install the update. You can also download the update manually here.

IND: Sony Xperia S launched priced at INR 32,549


Last April 10, when it was announced to launch, Sony Mobile's Xperia S has officially became available in India with a price tag of INR 32,549. For those who are in India, you should be able to find the Sony Xperia S in most retail stores priced more or less that SRP. While the Xperia S is already selling in the country, the Xperia P, Xperia U, and the Xperia Sola should be launched in May.

Google launched Google Currents globally


Got Pulse? Or maybe flipboard? You know that app that gives you a daily dose of what is happening in the world? Google has launched their own version of them called Google Currents. Well, they already have the app in the US and is just making it available to the world. The app allow you to view online magazines and other content on the world wide web. To the internationally community, get Google Currents from Google Play or from the Apple App Store. Just go to the app's official web page.


Google Plus gets a major overhaul - simpler, smoother, and faster


Google has totally overhauled Google Plus to something I like. Google+ today, if you already have it, is a much faster - as if it ain't fast before - and a simpler social network. I thought the revamped site is pretty and certainly did what it is set to do, to make sharing and viewing posts a lot easier and whatnot. The stream now displays bigger photos and video previews and links are displayed better than before. I already have the new Google Plus and when I went to look at my profile page, viola! Facebook Timeline is in Google Plus, only better. For those who still does not have the new G+, Google is still rolling it out so you should get it soon. Watch a video after the break showing you what has changed over at Google's Facebook killer.

Toshiba announced three new Excite tablets running on Android 4.0 ICS


Toshiba has announced three additional Excite tablets that are bound to be available on May and June. These three new tablets vary in sizes, of course, and they are the Excite 7.7, Excite 10, and the Excite 13. Apparently, the numbers after the word Excite signifies how large the screen of the device is. So, from a 7-incher to a 13, Toshiba is aiming to hit all those market segments. For pricing, Toshiba's putting an MSRP on each variant. I will be posting Toshiba's press release after the break so you can verify the pricing and when exactly the company intends to launch each variant.

April 12, 2012

Google updates Chrome Beta makes your tabs "accessible everywhere"


For those of you who are in the Google Chrome beta channel, or is using Chrome Beta, then, as always, you are one of those people who will be able to use the latest features that Google has in the pipeline. Recently, you are one of the first, again, to use or experience a new feature on Chrome that allows you to bring your tabs everywhere. This new feature adds a new thing on your new tab page, "other devices". Let's say you were browsing on your PC and found a great place to go and when you are already outside, with friends maybe, you remember that place you were able to browse through at home but have forgotten about it and let's say you also forgot to bookmark it.This "other devices" will then come into the picture, you simply have to open your Chrome browser on your Android and then tap on the "other devices" button and viola! You have that same page you were browsing at home on your Android. You also need the Google Chrome for Android so that you can fully use this feature. For those of you using the stable version of the browser, we have to wait for this to come. But I'm sure it is very soon coming to us. Get Google Chrome Beta here. For the Chrome for Android beta click here.

April 11, 2012

Internet Explorer 9.0.6 update


Microsoft has released a cumulative security update to Internet Explorer which will bring the browser's version up to 9.0.6. The update, as what it is being called, will bring in security fixes. If you wish to get more information about the update head over here. The update is now available via Windows Update. So, for those who are running on the Windows OS, Windows Update should notify you about this or if not, you can manually check it by clicking through the Start Button > Control Panel > Windows Update > and then check for updates.

April 10, 2012

Facebook to acquire Instagram for $1 Billion


The name that was in the news when the company finally launched and made their popular photo editing and sharing application to the Android world is now in the news. Facebook has just announced that the social networking giant will acquire Instagram. The announcement was made first by Mark Zuckerberg himself on his Facebook Timeline and was subsequently reported via the site's official blog. The acquisition is reported to be at $1 billion which will be a mix of cold cash and an exchange of shares of stock.

April 9, 2012

USA: AT&T launched the Nokia Lumia 900 and the HTC Titan II


AT&T has officially made both the Nokia Lumia 900 and the HTC Titan II available for would-be-buyers. We already know that the Lumia 900 will be priced at $99.99 compared to the HTC Titan II's $199.99 tag price. Both run on Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. For those who wants to get the Lumia 900 head over here. For those who would rather want the larger HTC Titan II, head over here. And for those who still does not know the specs of the devices, you can head over to my posts about each phone with specs, of course, by clicking on their names here: Lumia 900 & the Titan II.

April 7, 2012

USA: US Cellular launched the Samsung Galaxy Aviator for $199.99


US Cellular has officially launched and made the Samsung Galaxy Aviator available for $199.99. The Aviator is not a new smartphone but is basically a rebranded Verizon Droid Charge. Like the Droid Charge, the Galaxy Aviator packs 4G LTE connectivity letting you browser the web faster with US Cellular. For those of you who wants to get a Galaxy Aviator, head over to US Cellular and check out the device.

April 6, 2012

The Asus Padfone now available for pre-order in Taiwan to ship in April 20th



That unique, I should say, Asus Padfone that was officially unveiled during MWC 2012 is now available for pre-order in it's home turf. The smartphone/tablet/netbook all-in-one device will start shipping in Taiwan come April 20th, of course, that is if you pre-order one right now. The smartphone is being priced at a modest NT$17,990. With that you get the idea how much the whole set which includes everything, including that dock to turn the tablet into a netbook would cost.

UK: The HTC One X and One S are now available in the UK

The HTC One X and the One S are now available in the UK in either unlocked or subsidized by carriers. For those who wants to get these smartphones tied-up with a carrier you Brits have choices like Three, Orange, O2, Vodaphone, and T-Mobile UK. Most of  these carriers will be giving you the phone for free with a contract with them. Check out each carrier's website or head over the nearest store to check which carrier offers the best price for either smartphone.

USA: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Sprint Nexus S 4G now available



Sprint has just announced via Twitter that the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for their Nexus S 4G is now available for download. Sprint customers should be happy because finally their 4G capable Nexus S is now up to par with the other Nexus devices that were already given the ICS treatment. You can get the update from here and instructions on how to update your smartphones! Enjoy your Ice Cream Sandwiches!

Google Chrome updated to 18.0.1025.151


Google Chrome has been updated to 18.0.1025.151 on Windows, Mac, Linux, and the ChromeFrame platforms. Like normal updates that are not major, this update includes security and bug fixes that you can check out here. Update your Google Chromes now by clicking through Settings > About Google Chrome > and wait for it to download and install the update. For those who have set their Chromes to automatically update itself, the browser should notify you to relaunch it. You can also manually download the update from the official download pagehttp://google.com/chrome. Enjoy!

IND: Sony Xperia S to be available in India come April 10


Sony Mobile India is ready to launch the Sony Xperia Shttp://j.mp/Ac2S9o in the country come April 10th. The company's official Facebook Page announced that. The smartphone will come with accessories for free that is worth $80 and of course that 50GB of cloud storage courtesy of Box. Sony Mobile did not say anything about how much the device will cost in India but according to a popular retailer in the country, LetsBuy, it should be priced at Rs. 32,500. So, for those who are in India, you might want to check out what Sony Mobile has in store for you by heading over their Facebook Page

April 5, 2012

USA: Sprint officially announces the HTC Evo 4G LTE coming in Q2 for $199.99

Sprint has finally made the HTC Evo 4G LTE official. This device has been seen roaming around the internet here and there posing for the camera. Rumors and leaked images support each other in building to what it will be featuring and whatnot. But today Sprint officially took the wraps off and has announced that the HTC Evo 4G LTE will be available in Q2 of 2012 for $199.99 with a 2-year contract. According to Sprint, this device will be the US' first HD voice-capable smartphone to be available in the country. You can read Sprint's official press release after the break while I try to get as much information about the device's specifications.

April 4, 2012

USA: Sprint announces the availability of the LG Viper 4G LTE pre-orders on April 12 for $99.99


Announced by AT&T back in January, the LG Viper 4G LTE will be launched later this month. Yup, still no exact dates but Sprint will start taking pre-orders for the device on April 12. The carrier prices the LG Viper for only $99.99 with a 2-year contract. One quite alluring feature the smartphone will have is a 50GB free online storage courtesy of Box and yes, the phone will be able to give you Sprint's 4G LTE network for that fast mobile  web browsing.

AUS: Android 4.0.3 for the Galaxy S II now available on Optus


Samsung Galaxy II with Optus should be happy right now. Samsung has officially announced that the Android 4.0.3 update for your device is now available. All you need to do is to download and install Samsung Kies on your PCs or Macs and get the update from there by connecting your SGS II by using a USB cable. Enjoy your Ice Cream Sandwich! 

Instagram for Android officially launched download it now from Google Play


To all Android users out there and to those who are jealous with iOS users who were able to use this magnificent application which turns ordinary photos to something awesome and share them to friends everywhere, then this is the time you all have been waiting for. Instagram has officially launched, released, and made available for download over at the Google Play Store the Instagram for Android. Yes! You can download it now and is compatible with any Android device running on Android 2.2 Froyo and up. Download the application now and head over the break to check out screenshots of the application.

Facebook for iPad updated now with Retina version


Facebook has launched or has updated the Facebook for iPad application which now supports or brings in some Retina display resolution loving on it. The update, version 4.11, is basically for the 3rd iteration of the iPad that sports an eye-popping display resolution. So what does this mean to owners of the New iPad? It means that photos and whatever are there in the application will now look sharper specially photos. There are other cool new features in the update too like, "the ability to sign out of chat while remaining in the app (so you can browse Facebook without letting people know you’re online). Notifications, which had an annoying habit of popping up even after you’d asked them not to, have been fixed." Unfortunately though, no support for Facebook Timeline on this update yet. 

April 3, 2012

Twitter updates Twitter for BlackBerry app


Twitter released a new version of their BlackBerry app which brings in lots of new features that should have been in the app a long time ago. But any, at least Twitter did something. The newest version of Twitter for BlackBerry will now automatically shrink links when you tweet and insert a link on it. Also, you can upload photos right from the application using Twitter's in-house photo upload service (pic.twitter.com). As a last touch to this new version, you can now connect your Twitter account with BBM! Excited? Download Twitter for BlackBerry now from the BlackBerry World.

April 1, 2012

Google started rolling out Android 4.0.4 ICS to the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S


Google has officially announced via Twitter, that they have already started rolling out the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Samsung Nexus S. Android 4.0.4 brings in overall stability of the platform, camera improvements, smoother camera rotation, better phone number recognition, and more. Sammy Hub reports that the update is only for the GSM variants of the devices. So for the CDMA-based Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S, a bit more waiting is required. Pretty sure though, it will come.