MWC 2014: Lenovo S660, S850, & S860

S660

Lenovo, at MWC 2014, announced three mid-range smartphones, the S660, S850, and the S860. I won't talk about much about these devices since there is one event I will try to watch online and I only have 30mins or so do prepare for it. I will directly just list to you their specs.

CES 2014: Lenovo N308 AIO Android Home Computer

This is probably Lenovo's first attempt at an AIO but correct me if I am wrong. The devices being announced over at CES 2014 just keeps on coming. This is the Lenovo N308 Home Computer (as how Lenovo puts it) that runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and has a 19.5" display. It is an AIO from the size, the look, and all those ports on the side of this device only that it runs on a different OS rather than the usual Windows. This huge Android is still listed over at Lenovo's US website as "Coming Soon" and Lenovo has not provided us with the full specs so I am just going to write as much as I can get from there.

LG announced their own curved smartphone, the LG G Flex

LG has announced their first ever curved smartphone, dubbed as the LG G Flex, it sports a 6" HD display and runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. There is no word if this device will be available outside of South Korea. Anyway, one other thing that is special with the G Flex is that it has a "self-healing" feature on its back panel. From the way it sounds, it seems like LG has applied some nano technology into this device's rear a coating maybe or something. There is also no word about how much the G Flex will cost. Specs after the break.

Oppo N1 Android smartphone with CyanogenMod and a 13MP rotating camera

Oppo, a new phonemaker here on TechPump, recently announced a smartphone that runs on an mobile OS that, according to GSMArena, is based on Android. That is actually the first time I have heard or will be posting about a smartphone that its OS is only based on Android and not actually Android (so they say). You might have read news about CyanogenMod becoming a full-time company. They aim to be the world's 3rd largest mobile OS, as a matter of fact, which I believe they can achieve. Anyway, the Oppo N1 sports a 13MP camera that is both rear facing and front facing. Yup, the camera can be twisted 206 degrees so that it can be a rear or a front shooter. Talk about high quality selfies. The N1 also sports a huge 5.9" display and is being powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core processor. In terms of availability, the N1 is scheduled to be available in China come October the rest of the world will be getting it by December.

LG announced the LG Vu 3 in South Korea

LG has announced rather quietly their 2013 phablet challenger. Yup it's the LG Vu 3. LG announced the device in South Korea and will become available in the country come September 27th via all the South Korean carriers. The Vu 3 stays as Vu as it can be boasting its 4:3 aspect ratio. The Vu 3 sports a 5.2" HD display and is being powered by a 2.26GHz quad-core processor. It has 2GB of RAM and runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

The Asus FonePad Note 6

Remember this? That is the Asus FonePad Note 6, as what they call it right now. Asus actually announced this device back in June and dubbed it as the Asus FonePad Note FDH6. So basically, the two devices are the same. Only this post will now contain the specs of the device. The FonePad Note 6 was reannounced or probably was on display during the IFA 2013. It still sports a 6" Full HD display and an Intel Atom processor.

The next-generation Asus Fonepad 7

Asus unveiled two FonePads during IFA 2013, first is the Next-Generation Asus FonePad 7. So what will happen to the first FonePad that was unveiled during MWC 2013? Anyway, the FonePad 7 has a change of design a bit and runs on Android 4.2. It sports a 7" HD display and has all the phone capabilities you would experience from a smartphone only that this device gives you that much screen real estate. The CPU on this device gets a boost too. Instead of a single-core Intel Atom CPU the FonePad 7 is being powered by a dual-core Intel Atom CPU. No word on availability, though.

The Asus Transformer Pad TF701T with a 2560x1600 display

There will be a couple of Asus related post coming up. I totally forgot about these devices that the Taiwanese announced at IFA 2013. Anyway, first we have the Asus Transformer Pad TF701T. Ever since the first Transformer Pad Asus has unveiled like 2 or 3 years ago, this line of devices has stayed true to its name being a tablet than can be transformed into a laptop, if you may. The device runs on Android 4.2 Jelly been and sports a 10.1" display that boasts a 2560x1600 screen resolution. Anyway, this device right here is exactly the same with the Transformer Pad Infinity Asus announced back at Computex 2013, you can read about that here. 

The Lenovo S5000 Android tablet

Here's another Lenovo device and this time its a tablet dubbed as the Lenovo S5000. According to Android Community, this tablet is set to challenge the Nexus 7 and might give it a good fight it seems. Anyway, the S5000 runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and sports a 7" display and is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor. There is no news on when the tablet will make it to stores in any country but expect this tablet to be available before Christmas somewhere. Just like Lenovo's Vibe X, the specs sheet of the S5000 is incomplete. And I hate it because of that.

Lenovo unveiled the Vibe X 5-incher Android smartphone

Lenovo is not going empty in IFA 2013, they have unveiled a stunning Android smartphone that is due to be launched in China by October the other markets will have to wait for December until they can get their hands of the Lenovo Vibe X. The Vibe X is a 5" smartphone with Full HD resolution. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and is being powered by a an MTK quad-core processor. The smartphone is, apparently, Lenovo's latest flagship smartphone and sports a polycarbonate body. 

Acer announced the Liquid S2 and the Iconia A3 Android smartphone and tablet

Acer, prior to IFA 2013, has unveiled two new Android devices to be added into their growing portfolio of mobile devices. The first is the Acer Liquid S2 Android smartphone. The phone is said to be launched in Europe come October and is marketed for those who wants to own an Android smartphone but is on a budget. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and sports a 6" Full HD display. The other device they announced is the Acer Iconia A3, apparently, an Android tablet also running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It sports a 10.1" display and is scheduled to be launched in Europe in October too.

LG officially outs the LG G Pad 8.3

LG, days prior to IFA 2013, has announced the world's first 8-inch tablet that boasts a Full HD display. Dubbed as the LG G Pad 8.3, the device runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and will sport an apparent 8.3" inch display that boasts WUXGA (1920x1200_ screen resolution. According to LG's press release, they will be showcasing this tablet at the event in Berlin, Germany and will eventually be rolled out to markets later on. Other things include a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5MP rear shooter, a 1.3MP front, and a 4,600 mAh battery. 

LG announced the LG G2 their new Android Flagship smartphone

LG has officially announced their 2013 Android flagship smartphone that is set to compete and take a chunk or two of the smartphone market this year from Samsung, Sony, and HTC's very own flagships. The LG G2, for a smartphone is huge. Almost everything in it is huge! From the screen which is a 5.2-incher and is said to be the thinnest LCD display to ever be stuffed in a mobile device. If you categorize a device whether it be a phablet or a smartphone, then you'd be very surprised that LG is not calling this monster a smartphone but rather a smartphone. At 5.2" of display realty it, for some including me, will definitely put the LG G2 in the phablet category but officially it is not. Anyway, other things that makes this device amazing is that it is thin incorporating LG's new battery technology and talking about batteries, the LG G2 packs a whopping 3,000 mAh battery inside the rear of this device which, for smartphone standard, is mind boggling. Anyway for more of its amazing specifications, the list is after the break. The LG G2, according to LG, will be available in the US' 4 major carriers and will also be sold in more than 130 carriers world wide.

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update comes to the Sony Xperia ZR

Sony Mobile, as reported by XperiaBlog, has started rolling out the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update to the Sony Xperia ZR.  The software was scheduled to roll out early August but the blog site has received reports that the update has started rolling out even before August came. Well, that is great news, since today it is already August we should expect the roll out to be more prominent on all devices. For those who owns an Xperia ZR, check your phones for the update! Cheers!

The Motorola Moto X unveiled

Yesterday, in New York, Motorola/Google has finally unveiled their newest flagship Android smartphone, the Motorola Moto X. This device has been running around the rumor mill for months and has finally become a reality. A blog article I have read said that this is the ultimate Anti-iPhone device because not only does it run on the most customizable OS there is the phone itself can be custom made by you via Motorola's online studio. "Through our online studio, Moto Maker, you choose the colors, and decide on the details: front, back, accents, memory, wallpapers, even add a name or a short message. " The Moto X is expected to to start selling in late August/early September in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Priced at $199.99 (SRP) with a 2-year agreement in the US via AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular, Sprint, and Best Buy. For T-Mobile, you can head over at Motorola.com and get yours there.

The Motorola Droid Ultra thin as always

Nope, this is not Motorola's flagship smartphone, they still have to announce the Motorola X remember? And we still have to wait for that. But for now, this is the smartphone that I think will sit at the top of the Motorola podium. I have noticed though that all of these three smartphones Motorola have announced all run a dual-core processor. The Droid Ultra, unlike the Droid Maxx, is a thin smartphone (think of the Motorola RAZR), so if you really do not need a huge battery on your device, this is the smartphone to go for. Verizon is also accepting pre-orders of the device at $199.99 with a 2-year contract and is expected to ship starting August 20th.

The Motorola Droid Maxx with 3500 mAh battery

The second device is the Droid Maxx. We've known Motorola with their naming schemes, right? So this is the Droid that packs a huge battery and it does. Running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with a whopping 3500 mAh battery. It sports a huge 5" display (this could almost be called a phablet) and is being powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core processor. The device is available over at Verizon for pre-orders at $299.99 with a 2-year contract and is expected to start shipping come August 20. 

Motorola unveils the Droid Mini

So, I welcome back Motorola to the game! The now Google owned smartphone maker (Motorola Mobility) has finally, after months of not announcing one, unveiled three new smartphones to the market. First stop is the Droid Mini. It might have the "Mini" name on it but don't judge a phone by its name. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and is powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core processor with a 4.3" display. The device has a whopping 2GB RAM. Like all of these new Droids, the Droid Mini will be exclusively sold in the US via Verizon (but I might be wrong on this). For those who wants the Droid Mini, Verizon is now accepting pre-orders of the smartphone for $99.99 with a 2-year contract. Verizon and Motorola is expected to start shipping the Droid Mini in August 29. By the way, Motorola Mobility has their own SoCs now which are called Motorola MX8

The HTC One Mini made official

HTC has made the HTC One Mini official via emailed press release to publications (excluding TechPump). Anyway, the device, as the name would suggest, is a smaller version of the company's Android flagship smartphone, the HTC One. Unlike Samsung's take on their SGS 4's little brother the SGS 4 Mini, the HTC One Mini is not really a leap smaller than that of its bigger brother. The HTC One Mini sports a, still big, 4.3" display which is only 0.40" smaller than that of the HTC One. The design on the Mini us exactly copied from the HTC One which is a plus because that is what it should be. Also the HTC One Mini runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. HTC is expected to ship the device come August in Europe and then the rest of the world will get it too. 

HTC rolls out the Android 4.2.2 update for the HTC One in Europe

HTC has started rolling out the Android 4.2.2 update of their 2013 flagship smartphone in some European countries. This is great news for HTC users because the company announced the update only a few days ago and then made it into reality that quickly. According to Android Central, the update is being rolled out in Europe to 4G versions of the device which is a 417MB update. These European countries are said to be the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Finland, and Norway. According to the same report, it seems the update is still yet to break into light in the UK. For now, it is only in those countries were the update is being seen.