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Mobile Miscellany: week of August 12th, 2013

Zachary Lutz
Updated ·4 min read
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If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought leaks of a smartphone that tips the scales with a 6-inch screen, an alternate ego to the oft-leaked Sony 'Honami' and the return of unlimited data to a certain AT&T MVNO. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of August 12th, 2013.

Alcatel OneTouch Scribe Pro breaks cover

Mobile Miscellany week of August 12th, 2013

Turns out, Alcatel was only getting started when it revealed the 5-inch One Touch Scribe HD smartphone at CES. Now, an even larger version of the handset has leaked with an utterly huge 6-inch display (of unknown resolution). Marketing materials suggest the One Touch Scribe Pro will be paired with a stylus and flip cover, but it's unclear whether these will be bundled or sold separately. Likewise, the phone will contain a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU, a 13.1-megapixel camera, a 3,400mAh battery and dual-SIM functionality. [@eldarmurtazin (Twitter)]

Sony 'Honami' surfaces in white

Mobile Miscellany week of August 12th, 2013

It's clear that Sony is cooking up something special with its upcoming 'Honami' smartphone, most recently bringing a hint of 4K video recording, but up until this point, we've only seen a black version of the handset. The latest leak suggests that Sony is producing the 'Honami' in other color options, since a full-on gallery is now available of the smartphone wearing white attire (albeit with a similar black front bezel). [Pocketnow]

Net10 reintroduces unlimited data for AT&T

Mobile Miscellany week of August 12th, 2013

Good news if you happen to own an unlocked smartphone, since unlimited data over AT&T's network is once again possible through Net10 Wireless. The service costs $60 per month, and is less restrictive on the throttling front than the $45 StraightTalk (which recently re-introduced AT&T SIM cards). Both Net10 and StraightTalk are subsidiaries of TracFone, which suggests that its relationship as an AT&T MVNO is on the mend. [FierceWireless]

Other random tidbits

  • The 6.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Mega is coming to Canada, which will be available in the coming weeks through both Rogers and Telus. [MobileSyrup]

  • The HTC One is now available at C Spire Wireless, which can be purchased for $200 on a two-year contract. [BusinessWire]

  • Vodafone UK is now carrying the HTC One Mini, which is available on contract starting at £33 per month. [Android Central]

  • According to documents obtained by PhoneArena, the previously leaked LG Enact will hit store shelves on August 22nd. [PhoneArena]

  • During an online event for developers, BlackBerry revealed that the BlackBerry Z10 won't receive support for Miracast in the upcoming 10.2 update. This is said to be due to a hardware limitation, as both the BlackBerry Q10 and Q5 will receive Miracast support in the next software release. [CrackBerry]

  • Following a recent expansion to Canada, the UK and Australia, Apple is now expanding its replacement program for third-party USB chargers across the globe. [9to5Mac]

  • Similar to Verizon subscribers, European users will also have a crack at wireless charging for the LG G2 -- just not out of the box; this time around, a special charging case will be available for purchase. [Pocket-Lint]

  • The BlackBerry Q5 is now available at Bell and Telus in Canada, where it sells for $50 on contract and roughly $400 outright. [Bell, Telus]

  • The Nokia Lumia 1020 made its arrival in China this week, which is now available at China Unicom for ¥386 ($63) on a three-year plan or ¥5,999 ($981) outright. [Engadget Chinese]

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[Mobile Miscellany photo credit: Thristian / Flickr]