Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition with Android 4.4 KitKat available now for $649

Sony announced the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition, which is based on the latest version of the operating system of Google, Android 4.4 KitKat and is available through the Google Play store in the United States for $ 649. Sony, since 2012, provides the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) for Xperia devices, to use and contribute to the technical community of open source. Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition is according to the company, another chapter of its work to support the Android open source community.

The smartphone is based on the original Sony Xperia Z Ultra, so there are no changes to technical features. Therefore, it comes with a 1,900x1,080 full HD display; a 2.2 quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor; 2GB of RAM; a rear 8MP camera featuring Sony's Exmor RS sensor; a 2MP front camera; 16GB of storage; a 3,000mAh battery and weights 212gr. 

Google says the Sony Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition ships within one to two business days. The same day with the release of Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition, LG joined Google's online store with LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition 

Motorola Moto G. Available in the UK, Brasil and Germany.

Two days after its announcement, the Motorola Moto G is available in the UK. Moto G has a 4.5inch  720p hd screen, a 5 megapixel rear camera, a 1.3MP front one, runs the latest version of the Android operating system (Android Jellybean), and does not support 4G. Motorola has used Gorilla Glass 3 as the screen covering, which means the phone is less prone to flexing under pressure and scratching than most low-cost phones. A UK retailer offers it with a white back cover free, although this particular offer is valid for orders online. The back cover can be replaced by choosing one of 19 different colors. Still there is no information on when this accessory will be available.

Several stores in the UK have Moto G 8GB Sim Free Smartphone - Black in stock at a cost of  £135 (contract-free) . That makes it slightly cheaper than the Galaxy S3 Mini, HTC Desire X and Sony Xperia M.

The same day of the release, Moto G was available in Brazil, and two days later in the UK and Germany. It will be released in the U.S. in January, while in a few days it will be sold in Canada.

ZTE Grand S Flex, with quad-core processor S4 Plus and 5 inch HD display

Chinese manufacturer ZTE announced the Grand S Flex soon to be released in six European countries, Germany , Finland , Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Spain. The Grand S Flex features the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus SoC (MSM8930) with dual-core Krait processor clocked at 1,2 GHz, 1GB RAM LPDDR2 and Adreno 305 graphics. It has 16GB of memory that cannot be expanded via microSD memory card.

Grand S Flex's battery has a capacity of 2300mAh and  runs on Android 4.1.2. The European version of the device supported 4G LTE networks. It is also equipped with WiFi 802.11n, WiFi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS and FM Radio. The front features a 1 Megapixel camera while the rear camera has an 8.0 Megapixels resolution, LED flash and video resolution 1080p. It will cost 300 euros approximately.

ZTE Grand S Flex Specs
Operating System : Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
Processor : Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8930 1.2GHz dual core
GPU: Adreno 305
Memory RAM: 1GB
4G LTE
Display: 5 inch , LCD IPS, 1280 × 720 pixels
Rear Camera : 8.0 Megapixel, LED flash, 1080p video
Front camera : 1.0 Megapixel
Built-in memory : 16GB
Memory Card : No
WiFi 802.11n, WiFi Direct, FM Radio, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, micro USB2.0, DLNA
Battery : 2300 mAh
Dimensions : 143x70x8.9 mm .
Weight : 130 g.

LG G Pro Lite, Officially revealed

LG lifts the veil of mystery covering the LG G Pro Lite, bringing forth another phablet with a 5.5 inches display 960 × 540 pixels resolution. Embedded will be a dual-core processor MediaTek, which is clocked at 1 GHz. and 1 GB RAM.

The internal storage is extended by using microSD cards, while there is an 8 Megapixel camera on the rear. This phablet is 9.4 mm thin and weights 161 g. There is a built-in stylus and will be double-SIM. The stylus will be accompanied with applications for writing on the screen. The commercial release will begin from Latin America and then it will be released in Asia , Russia, China , India and the Middle East.

LG G Pro Lite Specs
Operating System : Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2
Processor : MediaTek MT6577 1 GHz dual-core
GPU:?
Memory RAM: 1 GB
3G / HSPA
Display: 5.5 inch, 960 × 540 pixels
Camera : 8 Megapixel
Secondary camera : 1.3 Megapixel
Built-in memory : 8 GB
Memory card : micro SD
Wi-Fi Direct, GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, USB, FM Radio
Battery : 3140 mAh
Dimensions : 150.2 × 76.9 × 9.4 mm .
Weight: 161 g

Motorola Moto X final specs revealed

We are literally one breath away from the official unveiling of the Moto X, but leaks for its technical features continue and this time the news are pleasant for those who use their device for taking photos and video because these leaks say it will support a 10 MP camera sensor and HD video at 60 fps.

Each pixel of the camera will consist of 1.4 microns, in combination with the technology Clear Pixel, that aims to solve the problems caused by low light conditions. Video recording is another of the Moto X's strengths, with 60 frames per second at 1080p which is a top performance for a smartphone. It is also said that Moto X will have a 4.7 inch screen and it will be equipped with three microphones to record 3D Audio sound.

HTC One Mini review

HTC officially announced the HTC One mini with a 4.3 inch S-LCD3 screen, HD 1280 × 720 pixel resolution, Snapdragon 400 1.4GHz dual-core processor, RAM 1GB, Ultrapixel camera, stereo speakers BoomSound and metal chassis. The One mini has a thickness of 9.25 mm, Battery 1800 mAh, 16GB storage and runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

HTC One Mini is expected to be released in the UK and other selected countries in August and in September will be available in more countries.

HTC One Mini Specifications
Operating System: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.4GHz dual-core
GPU: Adreno 305
Memory RAM: 1GB
4G / LTE
Display: 4.3 inches, S-LCD3, 1280 × 720 pixel, 342 ppi, Gorilla Glass 3
Camera: Ultrapixel (4 Megapixel), LED flash, Full HD video 1920 × 1080 pixels
Secondary camera: 1.6 Megapixel
Built-in memory: 16GB (12GB available to the user)
Memory Card Slot: No
Wi-Fi n, DLNA, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, micro USB, BoomSound
Battery: 1800 mAh
Dimensions: 132 × 63.2 × 9.25 mm.
Weight: 122 g.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra with 6.44-inch TRILUMINOS display

Sony Xperia Z Ultra is here with a 6.44 inches TRILUMINOS mobile display developed in the research and development laboratories of Sony Bravia TV. Its display can operate with pen or conventional pencil and pen, and runs on Android 4.2, Xperia Z Ultra's main characteristics include a quad-core Snapdragon 800 2.2GHz prosessor, 2GB of RAM,  it is water-resistant, with NFC, radio FM, 8 Megapixel Front camera with Sony Exmor RS, 3000 mAh battery with Stamina mode, and a thickness of only 6.5 mm. 

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra  was firsty introduced at the Mobile Asia Expo 2013 and will begin to sell gradually to various countries from mid-summer and in three colors: black, white and purple. It will also support the new wireless NFC handset Sony SBH52 screen OLED.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra Specifications

Operating System: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.2GHz Quad

GPU: Adreno 330

Memory RAM: 2GB

4G / LTE

Screen: 6.44 inches, LCD TRILUMINOS, Sony X-Reality, Full HD 1920 × 1080 pixels, Super Hard Coat ASF

Camera: 8 Megapixel, Sony Exmor RS, Full HD video, HDR videos + photos, 16x digital zoom

Second Camera: 2 Megapixel

Built-in memory: 16GB (11GB available to the user)

Memory card: micro SD (up to 64GB)

Wi-Fi n, DLNA, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, micro USB, NFC, Radio FM, Waterproof

ClearAudio +, XLoud, HD Voice

Battery: 3000 mAh (Stamina)

Dimensions: 179.4 × 92.2 × 6.5 mm.

Weight: 212 g.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom combines a Samsung camera with a powerful optical zoom and a phone that can connect to the internet over mobile networks.

The Galaxy S4 Zoom, is Samsung's answer to Nokia's high-end camera phone technology (such as Nokia EOS) that includes a 16 megapixel camera and a 10x optical zoom for close ups. It runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and contains optical stabilization to help photographers with shaky hands in low light. Samsung Mobile head JK Shin said: "As communication continues to become increasingly visual in nature, people wish to capture and share their moments in the highest quality possible, but often do not have the space or inclination to carry a dedicated camera for this purpose". 

Other characteristics include Dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, 8GB internal memory plus a microSD memory slot, 1.5GB memory RAM, and a 4.3 inches Super AMOLED display with resolution of 540 x 960 pixels. Galaxy S4 Zoom is powered by a 2,330 mAh battery.

However, this smartphone-camera hybrid is quite thick and rises the question if it will fit tight jeans.

LG Optimus GJ, a water-resistant Optimus G for Taiwan

Water-resistant smartphones and tablets have long been common in Japan, but we have also become familiar with this future because of Sony Xperia Z and Xperia ZR. It seems like in the future we will find more frequently this feature in high-end devices. In Japan and soon in Taiwan a water-resistant version of LG Optimus G has been relased. 
Optimus GJ has IP57 certification rating which means it will last 30 minutes under one meter of water. 

Its other specifications remain similar to Optimus G which you may find in Amazon in the following link.

Panasonic's own Air-Gesture Smartphone

Panasonic Eluga P P-03E has a 4.7" 1080p screen, quad-core processor, Android 4.2 and one hand use optimisation. Samsung is not the only one that offers you to manage your smartphone with the gestures function known as Air Gestures for Galaxy S4, because Panasonic presented on behalf of NTT DoCoMo (Japan) the Eluga P P-03E with a similar function called Touch Assist.

Furthermore, the Eluga P P-03E has a 13.4MP back camera a 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 processor, 32GB of expandable storage, a 2,600mAh battery and operating system Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Therefore, it is clear that the company wants to compete both the flagship from Samsung, and the HTC One. It is also certified by the Protocol IP57 (resistant to 1m depth for 30 minutes).


Panasonic Eluga P P-03E Specifications

Display 4.7 "Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Processor quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Krait 1.7GHz
Memory RAM 2GB
Storage 32GB (expansion with microSD)
Camera 13.4MP SmartFSI (1080p)
Front camera 1.3MP
WiFi. Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, NFC, DLNA, IR, Miracast, MHL, barometer
Operating System Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Battery 2600mAh
Dimensions 132 x 65 x 10.9mm
Weight 146gr

Eluga P will be released in June in Japan, although it will not be reaching the US anytime soon.

Samsung Galaxy S4 mini - Leaked photos

The next smartphone Samsung will release to the market is Galaxy S4 mini. Samsung Galaxy S4 mini will come with a 4.3 inches screen with qHD 960×540 pixels resolution, dual-core 1.6GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 8 megapixel rear camera and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Until we see it in the market, we can take a look at new and revealing pictures leaked on the internet and a side-by-side with Galaxy S3. Galaxy S4 mini is expected to make its way to the market by the end of May.

Xperia ZR will be the new water-resistant android smartphone from Sony with a 4.6in. screen

As Xperiablog reported, Japanese firm Sony is preparing another water-resistant (with an IP55/IP58 rating) android smartphone with a 4.6 inches screen that will be revealed soon. 

Xperia ZR is addressed mainly to those who consider the Xperia Z too large for a smartphone.  Features will include a 1.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, 8 GB internal memory expandable via microSD, a 2,300 mAh battery, a 13-megapixel Exmor RS sensor rear camera and a 4.6 inches screen with 1280 x 720 resolution(720p). Xperia ZR will weight around 140g and will be 10mm thick. At this point it is unknown if this gadget works with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or it will support the most recent version of the Google OS, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

The most important property is that its dimensions will be smaller than the Xperia Z and its design will be more like the Xperia ZL which is the thicker and non-waterproof version of Xperia Z. Xperia ZR will probably cost less than Xperia Z and ZL which is sold for €549 in Germany.

Samsung Galaxy Note III with a 5.9 inch screen

The new Samsung Galaxy Note III will be the successor to the best-seller Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note II. Rumors say that it will appear with a  5.9 inch Full HD screen, an

Exynos 5 Octa 8-core mobile processor clocked at 2GHz, Mali™-450 MP graphics process (GPU), memory RAM 3GB and 32GB built-in memory with a memory card slot micro SD. 

Some sources claim that the Note III could have an even bigger 6.3 inch screen which would classify it in the near-tablet range. The screen will also have a 1080p (1,920x1,080) resolution. As far as the Note III chassis is concerned, it could a metal one rather than a polycarbonate chassis the previous models had, that will look and feel quite more classy.

The Galaxy Note III will run Android 4.2.2 and is expected to be announced at this year's IFA show in Berlin in September. Its price will be approximately 850$.

LG Nexus 4, new model with small changes in the back

In an unexpected move proceeded LG with Google, as they created a slightly different version of Nexus 4, in order to correct some problems in its appearance. Unfortunately for the existing holders, they should have already been resolved.

It is true that the back surface of the Nexus 4 is slippery. Our device has fallen several times because of this property and LG with Google decided that they will do something about it.

The slightly redesigned model has begun to be produced has raised plastic "feet" on the back, which does not allow the device to slide, nor be scratched so easily. At the same time, they allow the speaker to sound better when it is resting on a smooth surface, which was a big problem so far.

Finally, LG has changed for some reason the design around the camera lens, but without altering the performance of this.

Other main shortcomings of Nexus were the lack of LTE and micro SD port. In the upcoming Nexus, Google will try to  provide a solution to these problems by presenting an updated version of the device. Should we expect something more?

The Nexus 4 has managed to become a best seller in the Play Store because of its very low price compared to what it offers. Nevertheless, there are a couple of points that ought to be different.