May 17, 2012

LG’s Optimus LTE2 ships this week in Korea, nails down a few more specs

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Just in case the world forgot which phone was first with 2GB of RAM, LG has pushed out another press release for its Optimus LTE2 which ships this week in Korea, just as promised. The detailed specs reveal this version ships with a 4.7-inch True HD IPS LCD , and while many of its specs (8MP camera, 1.5GHz dual-core CPU) are identical to its predecessor, it weighs in at an extra 10g, likely owing to the larger 2,150mAh battery.

LG announces Optimus UI for Ice Cream Sandwich devices

LG’S NEW OPTIMUS UI 3.0 ADDS NEW FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS WHILE BEING UNOBTRUSIVE AND SIMPLE New User Interface Makes the LG Smartphone Experience Faster, Simpler, More Convenient SEOUL, May 16, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) is introducing a new User Interface (UI) for its newest Android Ice Cream Sandwich devices, aptly named Optimus UI 3.0. Optimus UI 3.0 brings with it an array of enhanced key features, including Quick Memo™ and unique unlock functions, among other new features and functions aimed at improving LG smartphone experience.

Google I/O Sessions Calendar Now Available – Start Planning Now

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For the lucky few developers that were quick enough to get their hands on one of Google’s golden tickets, and will be attending Larry Page’s Chocolate Factory this year — otherwise known as Google I/O — the Sessions calendar is now available for you to scan, and schedule your trip accordingly. Looking through the scheduled sessions and events, there were no real giveaways on what will be announced at this year’s keynote, but I did rather enjoy the clever wording on Day 3′s “For Butter or Worse: Smoothing out Performance in Android UI’s.” Ah, those Google guys… they just “get” me.

Chamleon Launcher Looks To Make Your Android Tablet’s Home Screen More Beautiful and Functional

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I’ve always been a sucker for a good UI, and despite the bad press surrounding the Grid 10 tablet, I must say, I kinda had a “thing” for their unconventional homescreen. As it stands, Android’s tablet UI isn’t very much to look at.

Google Music deauthorization limit poses a problem for rooters

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Similar to Apple’s iTunes program, Google Music only allows a certain number of devices to be connected to the service at one time. Google allows users to upload up to 20,000 song for free, which can then be accessed by up to 10 “authorized” devices.

Dual-Core Samsung Galaxy S3 with 2GB of RAM Headed To Japan – Could The US Be Next?

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Yesterday, we told you guys about the Samsung Galaxy S3 (and 19 other devices) slated to arrive in the land of the rising sun via Japanese carrier NT Docomo. Normally that wouldn’t be considered very important news to you guys, but get this — NT Docomo is listing their GS3 with the same dual-core S4 processor that’s been leaked to arrive in the US and, get this — it will supposedly arrive with 2GB of RAM.

Sprint’s Android users get carrier billing in Google Play

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American Android users started getting carrier billing in Google Play early this month through T-Mobile (and later AT&T), and now Sprint can join the party. Any app, book, music or video purchase can be tacked on to the monthly bill for your EVO 4G LTE instead of going through Google.

Nokia Distributor Expecting Windows Phone 8 Hardware By Year’s End

Once Windows Phone 8 “Apollo” makes its official debut, presumably this fall, we’re hoping to see new WP8 hardware emerge from many of Microsoft’s manufacturing partners. Presumably, most will aim for new hardware by the end of the year, so that they may capitalize on holiday season sales.

Deal Alert: T-Mobile Offering Buy-One-Get-One Free Deal on 4G Smartphones – Starts This Weekend

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Starting on Friday, T-Mobile will be throwing another one of their “Magenta Deal Days” BOGO promotions. New or existing T-Mobile customers with an available upgrade can take advantage of T-Mobile’s buy-one-get-one deal on some of the hottest 4G phones T-Mo has available.

Global mobile phone sales now in decline

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Gartner Says Worldwide Sales of Mobile Phones Declined 2 Percent in First Quarter of 2012; Previous Year-over-Year Decline Occurred in Second Quarter of 2009 Samsung’s Android-Based Smartphone Sales in First Quarter of 2012 Represented More Than 40 Percent of Android-Based Smartphone Sales Globally; No Other Vendors Achieved More Than a 10 Percent Market Share Egham, UK, May 16, 2012— Worldwide sales of mobile phones to end users reached 419.1 million units in the first quarter of 2012, a 2 per cent decline from the first quarter of 2011, according to Gartner, Inc. This is the first time since the second quarter of 2009 that the market exhibited a decline.