Sony `Xperia P` Lands at MWC

Sony has just announced two new handsets to their NXT series of Android Handsets the Xperia P and the Xperia U, but if you were interested in a Sony Android phone whose features are closer to that of the Xperia S, then perhaps the Sony Xperia P could be the handset you are looking for.
Keeping in line with the rest of Sony’s NXT handsets, the Sony Xperia P will sport a minimalist design with a precision crafted aluminum body. It will sport a 4″ display that is powered by Sony’s “WhiteMagic” technology, which will help with displaying images under bright sunlight, but will also provide twice the level of brightness when compared to other smartphones or so Sony claims.
Under the hood, the Xperia P will be powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor under the hood with 16GB of internal storage, and it will also sport an 8MP camera with Sony’s Exmor R sensor, a “fast capture” feature which company boasts will allow the user to go from lock to camera in a second, and the ability to capture Full HD 1080p quality videos. The Xperia P will also come with a Smart Dock accessory, therefore turning your device into a multimedia center. This isn’t exactly new technology, but it will be interesting to see how Sony plans to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Last but not least, the Xperia P will include NFC support that is compatible with Xperia SmartTags, accessories which when used together with the phone’s NFC function will launch a series of actions at once. In the example used by Sony, imagine if you were to go for a run but instead of launching an app one by one, tapping the Xperia P against the SmartTag will launch all your preset apps at once. A handy feature, we have to admit, and in a way they could thought of as macros.
The Sony Xperia P will come with Android 2.3 Gingerbread preinstalled, but fret not as the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update has been planned for the device. The phone will be available in three different brushed aluminum finishes and is expected to roll out in Q2 of 2012. No specific dates were mentioned nor pricing, but we expect those details to be made available further down the line, so check back with us then if you think that the Sony Xperia P is the phone for you.

Huawei Ascend D quad promises to be 'the world's fastest smartphone'

Huawei is the company that kicked off today’s series of Mobile World Congress 2012 conferences and the WaVe@4 was there to provide some details. First of all, we’ve found out the specs for 3 brand new handsets from the Huawei Diamond series. I’m talking about the Huawei Ascend D Quad, Ascend D Quad XL and the Ascend D1.

The Huawei Ascend D Quad is a 4.5 inch handset with an IPS screen supporting a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. This device relies on a Huawei J3V2 quad core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB storage, plus it runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It also comes with 5.1 surround sound technology (Dolby Mobile 3.0 Plus) and an 8 megapixel camera with BSI, AF and 1080p video capture. The same camera offers a dual LED flash and HDR. The battery on board is a 1800 mAh unit and on the connectivity side we get 3G with speeds of up to 21Mbps, plus Bluetooth 3.0 and WiFi b/g/n.

Huawei Ascend D Quad XL only brings a CPU bump to the previous model, to 1.5GHz and a better battery , at 2.500 mAh. The rest of the specs is exactly the same as the ones of the Ascend D Quad. Finally, there’s also a dual core phone in the new Diamond series, the Huawei Ascend D1 model, with a dual core 1.5GHz CPU, Android 4.0, an IPS 4.5 inch HD display, 8MP shooter with 1080p capture and a 1.670 mAh battery. It’s strange that we didn’t see the Huawei MediaPad 10 tablet, that was leaked on the web over the past week.
Huawei also said that they expect to sell 60 million units this year (outside China) and that they know networks better than anyone and can increase the functioning time of batteries through faster network reception. No info about the prices of these handsets just yet, but what we know is that we’re supposed to expect a launch before summer. The Asian company also announced that they came up with a more compact display design thatn their rivals.

Sony XPERIA S Shows its Beauty at WMC

The Sony Xperia S does seem to be the go-getter kind ofsmartphone, having been spotted inbench mark tests that churned out some rather impressive figures – not to mention having it sport an anti-stain shell as well as a fast chare capability Late last month, the XPERIA S was also spotted over at the FCC, and we also went ahead with a demo of it at CES in Las Vegas this January. Here is a refresher
Sony has packed in some pretty impressive hardware into the XPERIA S, so here is a quick refresher course – we are looking at a 4.3” display with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as the operating system of choice right out of the box, in addition to a 1280 × 720 “Reality Display” that sports “Mobile Bravia Engine” for superior images. Sony also threw in a Fastest Capture feature that boots up a “ready to shoot” camera app in a mere 1.5 seconds, now what do you think of that? Expect the XPERIA S to arrive in black or white shades later this year (Q2 is most likely).

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is a reality

Prior to MWC, there were rumors suggesting that Samsung would be coming up with a larger version of the Galaxy Note, the Galaxy Note 10.1 to be exact, and for those who were hoping to see a 10.1” tablet with S-Pen support, you’re in luck as Samsung has officially taken the wraps off the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. Users out there who have enjoyed the Samsung Galaxy Note, but who would prefer a larger display to write/draw will probably want to check it out. 

In terms of hardware, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 will be powered by a dual-core processor under its hood that has been clocked at 1.4GHz. It will sport 1GB of RAM and will come in storage capacities of 16/32/64GB, and can be further expanded by an additional 32GB via microSD. It will also feature a 10.1” 1280×800 PLS TFT display with a 3MP rear-facing camera and a 2MP front-facing camera.
To showcase the support for the S-Pen, Samsung has include features such as S Note and S Planner, with the S Note allowing users to create their own content by joining notes and sketches together with content from the web, all of which can be done within the app itself without the need to switch screens. The device will feature a variety of connectivity options, such as WiFi, HSPA+ 21Mbps, Bluetooth 3.0 and USB.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 will be launched with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on board, but unfortunately no word on pricing or availability just yet.

Huawei MediaPad 10 Tablet has Jaw-Dropping Resolution

We knew that 2012 would be the year of the high resolution tablet. It's only logical that current tablets, most of which cap out at 1280x800 pixels, would be succeeded by devices with full 1080p 1920x1080 resolution. But to go beyond that is impressive. Notwithstanding the rumors about the iPad 3 having a 2048x1536 pixel display, the Huawei MediaPad, with its 1920x1200 resolution, will take the crown as the highest resolution tablet yet. My monitor at work, a full 14" larger than the MediaPad 10, has that same 1920x1200 resolution.

The MediaPad 10 was sort of on display at MWC, that is, they had a hand-built prototype, which gives us a sense at how close to shipping the MediaPad 10 is. It'll be a quad-core tablet that manages to be remarkably thin at under 9mm. No word on pricing, but look for it to ship in the Q2.

HTC One X, One S Launch at Mobile World Congress

As was widely expected, HTC announced its two halo devices for the first half of the year at M.W.C today, the quad-core HTC One X and slim, dual-core HTC One S. First revealed as the HTC Edge and HTC Ville, respectively, the two handsets are both powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and skinned with HTC Sense 4.0.

The One X, pictured up top (and better known by its final codename of Endeavor), features a Tegra 3 "4+1" quad core processor, 4.7-inch, 720p HD display, and 1GB of RAM / 32GB ROM. It's got a 1080p-capable eight-megapixel main camera with the new HTC ImageSense technology, along with a 1.3-megapixel front-facing webcam. Like the One S, and most high-end HTC devices of late, the X brings Beats Audio enhancements to music playback.

While the S (pictured above) shares many of the same specs as the X, it is highlighted by its 7.9-millimeter profile. The processor is a more traditional dual-core Snapdragon from Qualcomm, while the display is 4.3 inches at qHD resolution. RAM is the same 1GB as the One S, but built-in storage is only 16GB. The two phones share the same camera, as well as a Bluetooth 3.0 radio, Wi-Fi b/g/n, and the usual complement of sensors.

Look for these two flagships to begin rolling out globally in late March and early April, each with 25GB of free Dropdrop storage in tow. As of now, the One S has been tipped for US release on T-Mobile, with further carrier commitments to follow.

Onkyo Redefines “Entry Level” with 4 Heavy-Hitting AVRs

Onkyo has announced the first four new AV receivers for its 2012 line, including three with network capability, including one with THX certification. All have USB connections and additional HDMI® inputs. The line also includes the world’s first AV receivers to employ Silicon Image’s InstaPrevue™ and Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) technologies. Furthermore, the three network capable models are the world’s first AVRs to include music ‘cloud server’ access via MP3tunes™.
The four new models are the Onkyo TX-NR616 THX-Certified 7.2-Channel Network Receiver, TX-NR515 7.2-Channel Network Receiver, TX-NR414 5.1-Channel Network Receiver, and TX-SR313 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver.

Onkyo’s powerful WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) is now implemented throughout the line. This low negative-feedback topology reduces signal noise and guarantees superb performance with minimal distortion. Even the entry model TX-SR313, Onkyo now uses this discrete-component output stage rather than lower cost integrated circuit amplifiers.
The TX-NR616 is most powerful model in this release, and it is backed by a THX® Select2 Plus™ guarantee of cinema-quality sound. Achieving this demanding certification standard for audio quality is made possible partly by the use of Onkyo’s three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry.
The TX-NR616, along with the TX-NR515 and TX-NR414 are the world’s first to include InstaPrevue, which provides on-screen video thumbnails to show the content currently available on HDMI-connected components making input source selection easy. The TX-NR616 and TX-NR515 are also the first to include MHL, an interface protocol that facilitates the playback of 1080p video and stills with 7.1 channels of surround sound over HDMI from MHL compatible smartphones and other portable devices.

The front-panel USB port on all four receivers also provides a direct digital connection of an iPod®/iPhone® or flash-memory device. The TX-NR515 and TX-NR616 have an additional USB port on the rear panel that can be used for the optional UWF-1 adapter leaving the front-side USB free for iPod and iPhone.

The TX-NR616 and TX-NR515 also offer superior video performance thanks to on-board Qdeo™ processing technology by Marvell. This provides analog video upscaling to 1080p, and up to 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) scaling when used with a compatible 4K display.
When it comes to home theater audio, these two 7.2 channel models feature Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz expansion to incorporate Front Height channels, and to convert stereo sources to surround sound. The TX-NR616 also includes Audyssey DSX expansion for additional Front Wide or Height channels. Both systems provide a more realistic movie or gaming experience. Users can also connect two subwoofers via parallel pre-outs in a 7.2-channel set-up. Naturally, Audyssey 2EQ room acoustic correction ensures the best possible performance in any listening space.
All models have connections for legacy analog and digital audio technology. Additionally, the TX-NR515 offers distributed audio with Powered Zone 2, while the TX-NR616 adds Powered Zone 2 and a Zone 3 line-out.

Later this year, Onkyo plans to release the UBT-1 USB Bluetooth Adaptor which will allow even better integration between electronic devices and Onkyo network receivers.
The TX-NR616 will be available in April with a suggested retail price of $699; the TX-NR515, TX-NR414 and TX-SR313 will all be available in March at suggested retail prices of $599, $499 and $299, respectively.

LG announces the Optimus 4X HD ahead of MWC

LG is still on top of things and announced today its Optimus 4X HD a new Quad Core Smartphone! Available later this year, the Optimus 4X HD comes pre-loaded with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwiches and will offer you all the bell and whistles that comes with an 1.5Ghz Tegra 3 CPU (Quad Core). Screen-wise the Optimus 4X HD comes with a rather nice little 4.7” True HD IPS screen (1280×720) alongside 16GB of internal memory and 1GB of RAM and a 8Mpix rear camera.

Press Release:


LG Electronics, a quad-core smartphone “Optimus (Optimus) 4X HD ‘to be held in Barcelona, ​​Spain, the 27th Mobile World Congress (Mobile World Congress) 2012′ presents for the first time.

The world’s first dual-core smartphone ’11 ‘Optimus 2X’ dual-core era of smart phones with LG Electronics to open further to a quad-core technology is planning to reorganize the smartphone market. “Optimus 4X HD ‘, starting with Europe in the second quarter will be sold.

This product NVIDIA (NVIDIA) 社’s latest mobile processor, the ‘Tegra (TEGRA) 3′ 1.5 gigahertz (GHz) quad core processor was mounted.

‘Tegra 3′ of the central processing unit (CPU) core operations hit by Chapter 4 cores (Core), as well as for low-power drive ‘companion cores (Companion Core)’ plus the world’s only ’4-PLUS-1 ‘mobile stand processes. The four core games, HD video playback, multi-tasking, etc. are responsible for high-performance work, ‘a companion core “minimal power alone calls, emails, to handle simple tasks, such as music playback.

This high battery efficiency, high-performance professional and gaming devices (game consoles) will implement a level of gaming experience. Window pops up Internet is faster, simultaneous multi-task in the group does not have.

“Optimus 4X HD ‘close to the natural color gamut, high resolution to support the’ True HD IPS ‘display, and Google’s Android 4.0 (ice cream sandwiches) has adopted the latest technologies, such as the operating system.

Despite the large screen 4.7 inches thick 8.9mm, thin screen border, the curve is closed due to get my hands grip and comfort.

In addition to mobile technology, high-quality connection MHL (Mobile High Definition Link) and electromagnetic features of the period, one of the wireless network, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) support features excellent compatibility between devices equipped another.

LG Electronics, Jong – Seok MC (Mobile Communications) Portfolio Management, “high-performance quad-core as well as the core technology of smartphones, LG’s innovative technology and design capability, focusing on the global smartphone market will leap forward,” he said.

‘Optimus 4X HD’ Specifications

CPU: NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.5GHz quad-core processor
Display: 4.7 inches True HD IPS (resolution 1280 X 720)
Operating System: Android 4.0 ice cream sandwiches
Memory: 16GB internal, 1GB LP DDR2 memory
Camera: (rear) 800 pixels (AF LED Flash support), (front), 1.3-megapixel
Battery: 2,150 mAh
Others: MHL, DLNA, etc.

Fujitsu to unveil the Courtyard CY15 at MWC a new Android 4 Quad Core Smartphone

Fujitsu announced today that it will unleash a new “monster” at MWC with the Courtyard CY15 concept that will comes with the following specs

• CPU: NVIDIA Tegra 3 (Maximum 1.5Ghz Quad Core + Companion Core) + 12GPU
• Screen size: 4.6 inches
• Camera resolution: 13.1 megapixels
• Water-resistant and dust-resistant
• Equipped with fingerprint sensor
• OS: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

So far we do not have a clear picture of what the handset will look like beside the above tiny little picture, but after that Ubuntu announcement  today I will definitively give a closer look to these new Quad Core Smartphones.

  Thx Fujitsu

 

 

 

 

Sony VAIO VPCJ236FJ All-In-One PC

Sony has once again expanded its line of all-in-one PCs by showing of the VAIO VPCJ236FJ. Available in both white and black color options, this space-saving machine is packed with a 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD display, a 2.20GHz Intel Pentium B960 processor, an Intel HM65 Express Chipset, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 1.5TB hard drive, a webcam, a DVD Super Multi Drive, a card reader, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 + HS, two USB 3.0 ports an runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1) OS. The VAIO VPCJ236FJ will go on sale from March 3rd for around 120,000 Yen (about $1,495)

Panasonic introduces the P-04D ELUGA, its latest waterproof & ultra-slim Android Smartphone

In just 7.8mm thin, Panasonic succeed to bring a stunning little device that for once stands out for its Japanese competitors thanks to its simple yet elegant lines. The P-04D, also known as ELUGA comes with a 4.3” 960×540 OLED Display a 1GHz Dual Core CPU, NFC, DLNA, Bluetooth a 8Mpix Camera and Android 2.3.5 with a future upgrade to Android 4.0. 
Set to be unveiled to the public next week at MWC, the P-04D with its Waterproof body IPX5/7 and its 103g has everything it needs to seduce a Japanese market that seems to be very found of Apple’s iOS devices.

Box Offers 50GB Free Cloud Storage to All Android Users

Box, the company that offers cloud storage to both desktop and mobile users, has just announced it will offer 50GB of free cloud storage to all Android phone users.

After Dropbox unveiled partnerships with LG, HTC and Sony, Box, a rival company decided to make the same offer available for free to all those who own Android phones other than these three aforementioned.

Starting today and through Friday, March 23, 2012, Android users who want to take advantage of this offer will only have to download the application via Android Market.

If they already have it installed they simply need to log-in and update it to claim the free 50GB cloud storageaccount upgrade.

Box is now available as a free download in the Android Market and it should be fully compatible with all devices running Android 1.6 and up.

Acer CloudMobile Gets Detailed: Android 4.0, 8MP Camera, 1.5 Ghz Dual-Core CPU

Acer has given few details on CloudMobile's specs sheet, but the company announced its upcoming ICS-based smartphone has already received an iF Design award last year.

Today, the Italian site Cellularemagazine leaked most of the phones specs and also published a hands-on video showing the Acer CloudMobile in action.

According to them,Acer Cloud Mobile will be delivered with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system on board, as well as a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor.

On the back, the smartphone is said to boast an 8-megapixel camera, which features autofocus, LED flash and HD video recording. There's also a large 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution, along with HSPA and Wi-Fi support.

Acer CloudMobile is expected to be officially introduced at the Mobile World Congress 2012 expo, which is set to kick off on February 27.

SMART Storage Systems Announces the Optimus Ultra SAS SSD

SMART Storage Systems today announced the Optimus Ultra Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) solid-state drive (SSD). An industry-leading combination of performance, capacity, reliability and endurance, the Optimus Ultra is designed to meet enterprise storage application needs, facilitating broad SSD adoption in enterprise environments.

Designed for the enterprise environment, the Optimus Ultra SAS SSD delivers read/write performance of 100K/60K IOPS and a sustained transfer rate of 1 GB/s in wide port operation, while achieving 25 full random drive writes per day for a period of five years with consumer-grade multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash. This powerful combination of performance and endurance addresses the storage requirements of even the most demanding enterprise customers. The Optimus Ultra SSD is available in usable capacities ranging from 150 GB to 1.2 TB, meaning enterprise organizations and OEMs no longer need to sacrifice capacity to realize the performance gains of solid-state storage.
 "Enterprise organizations and IT shops are flocking to solid-state storage because of the quantum leap in system performance that this technology engenders" said Arun Taneja, Founder & Consulting Analyst, Taneja Group. "Vendors that can deliver SLC-like performance and endurance at MLC-like prices will clearly command a lot of respect as system designers try to make SSD-based storage pervasive."

The new Optimus Ultra SSD leverages the Guardian Technolgy Platform to provide the endurance and feature set required for enterprise environments. A comprehensive suite of proprietary features, the Guardian Technology Platform is comprised of FlashGuard, EverGuard, and DataGuard technologies. FlashGuard, an innovative combination of Aggregated Flash Management and Advanced Signal Processing technologies, enables commercial MLC flash to achieve higher endurance levels, making it suitable for the enterprise environment. DataGuard and EverGuard technologies ensure data integrity and drive reliability are never compromised, satisfying the demanding reliability requirements of Tier-1 enterprise storage applications.

"Enterprise organizations see the value in SSD technology; however, drive endurance outweighs the performance gains for many companies evaluating SSD solutions," said Joseph Unsworth, research director, NAND Flash and SSD, Gartner. "A product that achieves the performance, capacity, reliability and endurance balance required by enterprise organizations would fundamentally alter the storage landscape and spur significant enterprise adoption."

"The Optimus Ultra takes SSD technology to new heights," said John Scaramuzzo, president at SMART Storage Systems. "By taking cost-effective MLC flash and optimizing endurance at the cell level with our Guardian Technology Platform, Optimus Ultra SSDs deliver the endurance, performance, reliability and capacity enterprise organizations and Tier-1 OEMs require at a more attractive price point. The Optimus Ultra makes solid-state storage a viable option at the most critical storage tiers."

The Optimus Ultra will begin sampling with select customers in Q2 2012.

`Asus` Launches `Eee Pad MeMo 171` Page, Asian Release on March 5

Back at CES, ASUS announced a pair of MeMO tablets: the171 and 370T. The latter caused quite a stir, as it packs NVIDIA's powerhouse Tegra 3 superchip under the hood, along with a 7-inch 1280x800 display, all for under $250. The former, however, is a different beast altogether, as it sports an interesting array of included accessories.
While we patiently wait for more details about the 370T to surface, ASUS has quietly launched the landing page for the 171, showcasing its dual-use nature. Before we go any further, though, here is a quick look at what the 171 has to offer:

• 7-inch display
• 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm 8260 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB built-in storage, microSD slot
• 5MP rear shooter
• 1.2MP front-facing camera
• microUSB and microHDMI ports
• Android 3.2 (will be upgraded to 4.0)
• Integrated stylus
• MeMIC Bluetooth headset for calls

Notice the last thing on that list? That's what makes the MeMO 171 unique. It offers a small handset-style Bluetooth addon that brings call and SMS functionality to the tablet. The MeMIC doesn't stop there, though, you can also use it to listen to music, check your calendar, and more.
The MeMO 171 is slated for a release in Asia on March 5th, and it will cost $600 USD.

Kouziro Frontier FT701W Android Tablet

Kouziro Frontier is bringing you their newest Android tablet, the FT701W. Powered by a 1GHz TI OMAP 4430 dual-core processor, the device sports a 7.0-inch 1024 x 600 capacitive touchscreen display, a 512MB RAM, an 8GB of storage, a microsd card slot slot (up to 32GB), a front-facing camera, a 3.0MP rear-facing camera, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, a micro USB port, a micro HDMI port, a headphone jack, built-in two 1.5W stereo speakers and runs on Android 2.3 OS. The FT701W sells for just 29,800 Yen (about $374) and comes bundled with a cradle.

Toradex @ Embedded World 2012 with Colibri based on NVIDIA Tegra 30

Toradex, a Swiss technology company specialized in embedded systems, will be at Embedded World 2012 to showcase their products and technology including:

• An Embedded Computer Kit with Colibri T20 (Nvidia Tegra 2 Computer on Module) and Iris carrier board.
• Instant boot demo (480 ms) in WinCE with their NVidia COM
• The new Colibri T30 COM powered by Nvidia Tegra 3 (Quad-core Cortex A9 processor)

At the conference, they will give away 100 Embedded Computer Kits (they also call it “Performance Kit”)  based on Colibri T20 and Iris board to the attendees who give 20 Euros to the Red Cross. The regular price of this kit is 200 Euros.  This embedded module comes preloaded with Windows Embedded Compact 7 , but you can download the Linux BSP and update the board firmware.

The Colibri T20 key features include:

• Dual Core Nvidia Tegra 2 ARM Cortex A9 Processor @ 1 Ghz
• 256 MB / 512 MB RAM (depending on model)
• 512 MB / 1 GB Flash (depending on model)
• Full HD 1080p Video (Encode / Decode)
• Powerful 3D Rendering Performance
• True Dual Display
• Up to 12 Megapixel Camera Sensor Support

You watch Toradex teaser video for Embedded Word 2012 below.

You can find more information on the Colibri T20 including the schematics, BOM, WinCE and Linux BSPs on Toradex Colibri modules page. Colibri T30 has not been officially announced yet, and I could not find any information on this new Tegra 3 module.
Further information on the carrier boards is available on Toradex Iris page (129 euros Pico-ITX  carrier board) and the Colibri Evaluation Carrier Board (199 USD) page.
Finally the company has setup a developer website with lots of software and hardware resources for their products.

Optimus LTE Tag from LG offers NFC, with a Twist!

LG today announced its newest addition to its LTE smartphone line-up for the Korean market, the Optimus LTE Tag. Coming on the heels of impressive sales of its Optimus LTE, the world’s first HD LTE smartphone, the Optimus LTE Tag advances LG’s vision of offering the most diverse collection of LTE devices for all types of customers.
The Optimus LTE Tag gets its name from a unique new feature, LG Tag+, which uses NFC (Near Field Communication) to communicate with special stickers or “tags” that can be programmed to automatically change the phone’s settings. Swiping a tag upon entering the office could put the Optimus LTE Tag in silent mode and activate Wi-Fi. A tag on the car dashboard could be programmed to turn on Bluetooth, GPS and raise the volume. The options are limitless.
With Slim and sleek design, the Optimus LTE Tag is available in white. Running a 1.2GHz Dual-Core processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread (with the option to upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich later) and 4.3-inch IPS display, the Optimus LTE Tag is the ideal multimedia environment.
Key Specifications:
Chipset: 1.2GHz Dual-Core processor
Display: 4.3-inch (800 x 480) IPS
Memory: 16GB eMMC
Camera: 5.0MP with AF-LED Flash (Rear) & 1.3MP (Front)
OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Battery: 1,700mAh
Others: LG Tag+, MHL(Mobile High Definition Link), DLNA(Digital Living Network Alliance)
News Source: LG Electronics Inc.

Sony PlayStation Vita gets an update

The Playstation Vita will be out later this week, but some of you folks are already holding one thanks to the first edition bundles that went up on sale last week. Well for those of you who already have a Vita or will be getting one, Sony has pushed out a new update for the console. The update bumps the PlayStation Vita up to version 1.61 and will introduce the following features for folks who turn on the Vita for the first time:

The addition of the Maps app, video recording is enabled, you can now publish stories about products you rate on the PlayStation Store to Facebook, In near, players’ info is now displayed on the Discoveries screen, with a list of the online IDs of up to 100 players that you have encountered as well as access to their profile. The Mac OS version of Content Manager Assistant for PlayStation has also been released, while the Windows version has been updated.
To update your PlayStation Vita, just go to Settings > System Update while connected to the internet over WiFi, or you can do it via the Content Manager Assistant on your PS3, Windows PC or Mac.

Samsung Announces Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy mini 2

Samsung is apparently next to reveal a few new handsets, as it just posted the details for its new Galaxy Ace 2 (left) and Galaxy mini 2 (right). Like their earlier brothers, the Ace 2 has the best specs of the two, with a dual-core 800MHz processor, HSDPA 14.4 connectivity, GPS/GLONASS, 1,500mAh battery and 4GB of internal storage hiding behind its 3.8-inch WVGA screen. The mini 2 has HSDPA 7.2Mbps connectivity, an 800MHz CPU, 1,300mAh battery and 3.27-inch HVGA screen. Both will ship with Android 2.3 this spring, with the Ace 2 hitting the UK in April and mini 2 coming to France in March before beginning a global rollout. Check after the break for the press release with full specs.

ViewSonic to launch Windows 8 tablet PCs in 2Q12

ViewSonic plans to launch Windows 8-based tablet PCs in the Taiwan market in the second quarter of 2012 at the earliest, according to Max Liu, product marketing director of ViewSonic Asia Pacific.

The Windows 8 model will come with a 10-inch display with high resolution initially, Liu noted.

ViewSonic offers a complete lineup of tablet PCs in the Taiwan market, with its ViewPad 10 being the first model supporting both Windows 7 and Android in the local market, Liu claimed.

An Android-based model, the ViewPad 10e, which comes with a 9.7-inch IPS panel and supports Wi-Fi, is currently available at NT$8,990 (US$304), compared to a range of NT$14,000-15,000 for comparable models offered by rival vendors, Liu indicated.

The company plans to roll a 3G-version of ViewPad 10e in March with prices ranging NT$11,900-13,900, adding that 2-3 new tablets will be launched in the second quarter, including those operating on Android 4.0.

ViewSonic shipped about 6,000 tablet PCs a month in the Taiwan market in 2011 and took the third-rank title in the segment. Buoyed by the launch of new models, Liu expects ViewSonic's share in the local market to continue to expand in 2012.

Expect to see lots more news from Viewsonic at Cebit soon.

 

Acer S271HL 27-inch LED Monitor

Acer is back with its latest energy efficient LED monitor. Designed for professionals and gamers, the 27-inch monitor provides a 100M: 1 dynamic contrast ratio, a fast 2ms response time, HDMI and DVI ports with HDCP support. Measuring at just 24mm, the Acer S271HL will be released in the UK in April 2012 for a suggested RRP of £229 ($365) inc. VAT.



The S271HL integrates white LED technology which eliminates hazardous substances such as mercury or halogen gases. Plus, compared to the traditional CCFL displays the S273HL can reduce power consumption by up to 68%. This translates to substantial cost savings, while preserving nature’s energy resources. The LED lamp not only ensures exceptional reliability and great savings but delivers a better performance. In fact, it allows the reproduction of a larger colour range with better saturation: the result is extraordinary realism, unobtainable with standard technologies.
The smart 27″ Monitor is equipped with an array of ports ensuring easy connectivity to a wide range of devices: VGA; HDMI, DVI with HDCP protection, ensuring full enjoyment of DRM-protected content; HDMI, providing advanced digital connectivity enabling outstanding high-definition viewing and best quality uncompressed video currently available
Featuring outstanding dynamic contrast ratio of 100,000,000:1 optimized by Acer Adaptive Contrast Management, the S271HL renders razor-sharp images with rich colours through the enhancement of detail and gradation in bright or dim scenes. This allows users to view heavy data files or CAD applications with exceptional precision and sharp defined lines. The ultra-fast response time helps avoiding the blurring effect in fast paced videos or games.

ZTE Mimosa X Android Smartphone Announced

Earlier today we heard about two new Android smartphones from ZTE that will be launched at MWC 2012, and now we have another Android device, the ZTE Mimosa X.
The ZTE Mimosa X is a new Android device that will use a dual core  NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and the device will come with the latest version of Google’s mobile OS, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The Mimosa X will feature a 4.3 inch qHD display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and it will also come with a rear facing 5 megapixel camera, and it looks like it is aimed at the mid range smartphone market.
There are no details as yet on how much the ZTE Mimosa X will retail for and also no details on when it will be available, although we suspect we will get some more information at MWC 2012 next week.

Eden TAB, Japan’s latest Android 4.0 Tablet

Coming straight from China here you are the eden TAB from Xiaomi that is set to conquer Japan. Sold next week running on Android 2.3.3 but schedule to be upgraded soon to Android 4.0, the eden TAB, a 7” WXGA Tablet, is powered by a Samsung S5PC210 1.2GHz Dual Core CPU, comes with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory.
Announced at around 29,800 Yen, the eden TAB comes with the usual WiFi and weight just 330g for a total size of 199×118.8×10.4mm

Sony ST25i Xperia U Pictured Against the LT26i Xperia S

The codenames for upcoming Sony phones seem to all follow the Xperia S model which intially was the LT26i and got unvieled at C.E.S. The Sony SD25i Kumquat was seen last month and, a couple of days later, documents revealed that it might wear the Xperia U name.

However, we didn't see the two Xperia phones side-by-side, that is, until now. In the image above (and lots more at the source link below) you can see the 3.5-inch Xperia U compared to the Xperia S from several angles. At a first glance, the Xperia U seems to be a smaller version of the Xperia S, with a removable battery though. It is expected to pack a 1GHz dual-core processor and a five-megapixel camera, aside from the 3.5-inch FWVGA screen.

While looking at the pictures we can now tell you for sure that the backplate we have recentley seen that for an upcoming Sony device -- is indeed the battery cover of the Xperia U pictured below