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Oppo R819 review: a slim, long-lasting smartphone that faces tough odds
It's easy to think that Chinese smartphone makers are thriving solely on sales of ultra-cheap devices, but that's only partly true. In many cases, they're striking careful balances between features and pricing -- handsets like the Vivo X3 tout sleek designs and big screens, but their modest processing power keeps costs in check. Oppo wants to bring that high-value philosophy to the rest of the world through the international version of the R819. For $349, it's an exceptionally thin phone with perks you don't always get at this price, including dual SIM slots and better support for custom firmware. However, it faces stiff competition from new rivals like the Moto G and Nexus 5. Is the R819 still worth buying when it's not the fastest or cheapest in the pack? That's what we're here to find out.
Samsung launches Galaxy Core Plus with curious step backwards in specs
When is a smartphone upgrade not an upgrade? When it's the Samsung Galaxy Core Plus, which has quietly launched in Taiwan. Although it does use Android 4.2 where the original Galaxy Core ran 4.1, it's carrying just 768MB of RAM and 4GB of expandable storage -- both steps down from the 1GB of RAM and 8GB of space inside its months-old predecessor. Android Beat speculates that Samsung is maximizing its production efficiency with the downgrade; it may be using the same 768MB RAM chips that it also makes for high-end devices like the Galaxy Note 3. Whether or not that's true, it's clear that not much else has changed. The Plus still includes a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 screen, a 5-megapixel rear camera and a front VGA shooter. While the new handset is relatively cheap at NT$ 7,990 ($270 US) off-contract, we'd rather hunt around for a used example of its older, more advanced sibling.
Samsung begins rolling out Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S III
While its promise to roll out Android 4.3 Jelly Bean to Galaxy S III owners by the end of October may have lapsed, Samsung isn't making users wait too long to get their hands on its latest update. Starting today, the Korean company has begun issuing over-the-air updates for its older flagship, adding compatibility with its Galaxy Gear smartwatch, speed improvements, a new lockscreen and actionable notifications. In fact, many new features mirror those found in the Android 4.3 build for the Galaxy S 4, which include an updated UI, voice controls and new screen modes. The update is already reaching devices in Ireland, with further countries set to follow once regional carriers give it the green light. Once that's complete, Samsung will have the small task of deciding which of its devices will get an upgrade to Google's latest OS treat.
More than half of Android devices now run Jelly Bean
It may have taken almost a year and a half, but Google can at last say that the absolute majority of active Android devices are using some form of Jelly Bean. The company's OS dashboard shows that 52.1 percent of owners are running at least Android 4.1; most of those (37.3 percent of the total) rely on the oldest version, but Android 4.2's use has already doubled since August. Jelly Bean's reign may be short-lived, however. The milestone comes just as Android 4.4 KitKat is reaching the public -- given Google's focus on supporting as many devices as possible with the new OS, it may not be long before Jelly Bean is once again in the minority.
LG G Pad 8.3 review: well-designed, but priced too high
LG tries. It tries for US relevance, but the company's product offerings -- usually its smartphones -- consistently lack the je ne sais quoi necessary to succeed. The G Pad, an 8.3-inch Android tablet that recently debuted at IFA 2013, could break that dry spell, becoming the first serious competitor to the iPad mini's styling and the first high-profile LG tablet. Is it filled with bleeding-edge specs? No, not really. LG opted to imbue the G Pad with a Snapdragon 600 heart -- a trade-off made in the interest of better battery life and less overheating. The tablet also arrives with a 1,920 x 1,200 IPS panel, giving it an immediate leg up: 1080p resolution in an 8-inch form factor. It's slim, attractive, well-built and it costs $350. Is that a low enough price of entry to merit a buy? And can LG start to inspire consumer confidence with its Android portfolio?
LG Google TV update drops Flash but delivers more Play Store apps
Owners of LG Google TVs having been waiting on this Android 4.2.2 update for a good while. Not only does it bring relief from the sickly sweetness of Honeycomb, with no ROM hackery required, but it also adds NDK support, allowing more apps and games to run on the big screen and to be controlled by the Magic Remote (see the video below for more). One downside is that update switches out the original desktop-style Chrome browser with the Android version instead, which won't do much good for Flash-based content, but the browser does gain better HTML5 support and a new Vudu app as compensation. According to Android Police, the refresh has reached some GS6400 users already and is expected to roll out to other models over the coming days.
HTC One gets bonus Google Drive storage as Sense 5.5 update rolls out abroad
Google is taking a page out of Dropbox's book and offering free extra storage for certain HTC One handsets. The HTC One Max got 50GB of storage space out of the box, but we've been tipped that those with the handset's smaller sibling will net an additional 25GB of room in the cloud, all thanks to the international Sense 5.5 (and Android 4.3) update that readers have already started receiving in Europe. These expansions are in addition to the complimentary 15GB of Drive space available to all Google users, bringing the allotted storage totals to 65GB and 40GB for the One Max and One, respectively. There are a few caveats, though. According to Mountain View, the HTC One Developer Edition isn't eligible for this due to its unlocked bootloader. Furthermore, you can only activate this promo once per Google account, which rules out gaming the offer to get even more space. Got all that? Good -- there's a quiz later. [Thanks, Jakub]
Archos unveils budget-friendly dual-SIM Titanium smartphones
Archos has revealed not one but four budget smartphones with humble specs to join its tablets in the Titanium line, making us want to break into song. The new Android Jelly Bean devices are named after their screen sizes -- models 40, 45, 50 and 53 have displays that measure 4 (800 x 480 resolution), 4.5 (854 x 480), 5 (960 x 540) and 5.3 (854 x 480) inches, respectively. They have dual SIM slots that allow them to support 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM, as well as 900/2100 WCDMA bands, and they connect to the internet via HSDPA+/HSUPA. On the inside, you'll the find the phones running on 1.3GHz dual-core MTK6572w processors with 512MB of RAM and, sadly, only 4GB of storage that makes their microSD card slots more valuable than ever. While the devices don't boast any fancy add-ons, they at least come with 5-megapixel rear and 0.3-megapixel front cameras. Availability seems up in the air at this point, but the phones' prices will range from €100 ($137) to €160 ($219) when they come out. Those who'd like to know more about the company's new set of quadruplets can head past the break for more info.
Galaxy S4 now lets you talk to Samsung's Gear smartwatch with latest update
As Android updates have gone as of late, there really hasn't been much to get excited about -- not until we break into Kit Kat, anyway. But the rollout of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean to Samsung's former flagship the Galaxy S4, now live according to SamMobile, is notable as it adds compatibility with the newly hatched Galaxy Gear. So while you may not notice the bevy of tweaks Google's made to keep your Android device whirring along and fending off old mobile age, Samsung's made it so that you can early adopt its half-baked fad innovation and talk to your hand, literally. Samsung's also bundled in its own Wallet app, reading mode, updates to the imaging software, as well as a new keyboard and browser. It's not for everyone though -- you will need to have an unlocked model of the GS4 to download the update. We expect over-the-air updates to hit carrier-locked GS4 variants sometime in, well, let's conservatively say next year.
Google TV v4 close to release, hacked 'Android TV' ROM is running in the wild
News that the Google TV platform will get an update to Android Jelly Bean came at the I/O event back in May, but there's been little in the way of information since then. GTV Hacker team member CJ Heres points out a zip file containing the open sourced code for LG's Google TV devices, and even has a hacked ROM up and running on a Sony box. The code was updated in the last week or so and uses Linux 3.4.5, which is the same version that Jelly Bean is based on. Separately, he's posted an image (above) of proper Android 4.x on a Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV box, complete with the operating system's NDK support that enables high-performance apps so it can run XBMC (barely -- it crashes on any attempt to play video). The software is pulled from a Chinese Android device and as he mentioned to us, hopefully the coming update will make this type of hack entirely unnecessary. Google confirmed the platform will get Chromecast-style features and "bring the latest experience of Android and Chrome to devices," but we don't know if that's due in this update. Reports months ago indicated the Google TV brand will fade into Android as the two projects grow back together, and GigaOm points out that Sony's new BRAVIA Smart Stick doesn't use the title, while developers have moved away from it (even the I/O presentation rocked the title "Android: As seen on TV!"). Google TV or Android TV, we should hear more shortly -- in the meantime check out an I/O demo of LG's TV running Android 4.2.2 after the break.
Unu Android-powered 'entertainment hub' tablet ships in November for $200
As things often go with such products, the Unu tablet/game console/home entertainment center combo is a bit delayed. The Android device, which was originally scheduled to ship this summer, is now set to hit select retailers and online stores beginning next month. We spent some time with the device earlier this year at E3, and while the concept here isn't entirely unique, the execution seemed compelling enough. There's a 1,280 x 800-pixel 7-inch display, 2MP and 5MP cameras, 1GB RAM, 8 gigs of flash storage, HDMI output, 2 USB ports and support for up to 64GB microSD cards on board the Jelly Bean-powered slate. Pricing is set at $200 for the Media Edition, which includes a docking station and an air mouse controller with keyboard, and $250 for the Gaming Edition, which adds a game controller, making the Unu rig affordable enough to have broad appeal. Check it out in our E3-era hands-on after the break, and if you like what you see, you can place a pre-order at select e-tailers via the source link below.
BLU Studio 5.5 smartphone carries big screen, $179 off-contract price
Is that big-name giant smartphone way beyond your price range? No problem: BLU Products has just shipped the Studio 5.5, one of the more affordable large phones that we've seen in a while. The Android 4.2 device won't impress with its 854 x 480 resolution, quad-core MediaTek chip or 4GB of expandable storage, but it also costs just $179 contract-free -- much less than many rivals. The bright colors and dual unlocked SIM slots don't hurt, either. If you're interested in BLU's big budget handset, you'll find it at Amazon and Best Buy in the near future.
Modification lets Google Now use any language that Android supports
As smart as Google Now can be, its language support is limited; it won't always display results in your native tongue, for example. Sletmo at XDA-Developers has partly solved this through a modification of the Google Now app. His tweak makes the search tool provide information in any language supported by Android itself -- if you'd like to get restaurant lists in Swedish, you can. The code is very unofficial and may not work with every device, but those who aren't daunted by the risks can check out the Google Now mod at the source links.
Archos Platinum tablets tote quad-core CPUs and IPS displays, start at $200
While Archos gave a sneak peek at its Platinum lineup a month ago at IFA, it's finally ready to spill the beans now. The company has released not just one, but three new tablets in three different sizes -- 8-inch, 9.7-inch and 10.1-inch. All of them come equipped with 1.6GHz quad-core processors, high-resolution IPS displays, dual-band WiFi, 8GB built-in storage, Bluetooth and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The 8-inch model has a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution, the 9.7-inch has 2048 x 1536 and the 10.1 model has 1280 x 800. The smallest of the lot also only has 1GB of DDR3 RAM while the other two have 2GB each. As a bonus incentive, the 10.1 model is the only one with GPS and a 2-megapixel camera on the front; the rest have a 0.3-megapixel front-facing cam. Other specs that are the same across the three are a microUSB port, a 3.5mm headset jack, a microSD card slot, a mini HDMI output and a 2-megapixel rear camera. As is often the case with Archos, the prices are very competitive: the 8-inch model will retail for $199.99, the 9.7-inch for $269.99 and the 10.1-inch model for $299.99. We're not sure if that's enough to sway consumers away from more well-known tablets, but it's a start.
Global HTC One gets Android 4.3 update, improved low-light camera performance
If you're the proud owner of an unlocked HTC One smartphone, you should now have access to an Android 4.3 update. If you picked up a locked device from a US carrier, you're likely out of luck, but global users can now snag the latest version of Jelly Bean. According to Android Highlights, improvements include a battery charging percentage indicator, boosted low-light camera performance, Sense 5 enhancements and increased stability overall. Check the update menu to see if your device is eligible. Update: HTC President Jason Mackenzie tweeted that carrier-issued HTC One handsets will score Android 4.3 after the previously announced September 30th deadline.
Alcatel intros four One Touch Pop C-series smartphones, keeps them cheap
Not everyone needs a giant, higher-end smartphone like the One Touch Hero -- many can get by with just the basics. For those users, Alcatel has unveiled four One Touch Pop models with smaller screens and entry-level performance. The Android 4.2-based range begins with the Pop C1, a starter phone with a 3.5-inch screen, a dual-core 1GHz processor and sprightly color options like neon green and pink. Need more? The Pop C3 jumps to a 4-inch screen and a dual-core 1.3GHz chip; the Pop C5 steps up to a 4.5-inch screen, and the Pop C7 carries both a 5-inch display as well as a quad-core 1.3GHz processor. If you're interested, you can pick up the C1 or C3 as soon as October. The C5 ships in November, while the C7 arrives sometime during the last quarter of the year.
SolidRun's $45 CuBox-i mini PC runs both Linux and Android
Mini computers exist thanks in no small part to Moore's Law, but one running Linux and Jelly Bean is pretty unique. Developer SolidRun isn't new to the tiny PC scene, but since it released the original CuBox in 2011, it's stayed relatively quiet. That silence breaks with the four CuBox-i models that are up for pre-order right now. The 2-inch cube computers range in price from the $44.99 CuBox-i1 base model to a fully kitted out $119.99 CuBox-i4Pro. That $120 gets you a quad-core processor with each core running at 1 GHz, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, built-in WiFI and Bluetooth (a spec sheet with all features across all models is after the break). Regardless of price, each model features SATA support, HDMI 1.4 and optical audio ports, which could make a CuBox-i running the latest version of XBMC the perfect workaround to a bulky HTPC.
Alcatel unveils 6-inch One Touch Hero smartphone with E Ink and LED cover options
Alcatel's pen-toting One Touch Scribe HD now has a larger counterpart: meet the One Touch Hero. The new Android 4.2 smartphone upgrades to a 6-inch 1080p LCD, and gets a raft of optional cover accessories that augment the giant display. An E Ink cover lets owners read books without using the power-hungry main screen; there's also a wireless charging cover and a MagicFlip cover with LED notifications. Even without those extras, the Hero is overall more powerful than its Scribe HD ancestor. It carries a faster 1.5GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM, a sharper 13-megapixel rear camera, an improved 2-megapixel front shooter and either 8GB or 16GB of expandable storage. Should you be intrigued, the One Touch Hero will be available in October for a "high-end" price. Alcatel will also sell a Bluetooth phone accessory (much like the HTC Mini+), a TV Link video adapter and a pico projector that doubles as a stand. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
LG G Pad 8.3 revealed ahead of IFA, rolls out globally in Q4
Following up on its initial tease from earlier this week, LG has officially revealed the G Pad 8.3 ahead of IFA. The slate's positioned as the next step from its G2 smartphone, and the company claims it's the first eight-inch tablet with a 1920 x 1200 WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array) full HD screen. The device features a 4,600mAh battery, and runs Jelly Bean 4.2.2 atop a 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor aided by 2GB of RAM. Despite all that, it's just 8.33m thick and weighs 338 grams. Software enhancements include QPair and QSlide -- the former lets you receive messages and calls from JB-equipped Android phones on the G Pad itself, while the latter allows for three apps to run on-screen at once. What's more, with KnockOn you simply tap the screen twice to wake it up. The G Pad 8.3 will be available globally beginning in Q4 in your choice of black or white with 16 GB of storage. No word on pricing just yet, but expect a hands-on once we catch it on the show floor.
BLU Products launches trio of Dash smartphones starting at $49
Too thrifty to buy a $199 Nexus 4, or even a $99 Lumia 520? BLU Products has you covered with three new smartphones in its Dash range. The line starts with the Dash Jr., a 3.5-inch dual-SIM phone that costs just $49 unlocked -- cheap enough that we (almost) don't mind its single-core Spreadtrum processor, 2G-only data, 2-megapixel camera and Android 2.3. If you can afford to splurge, the Dash Music 4.0 ($99) and Dash 5.0 ($129) jump to their namesake larger screens, 3G data, dual-core MediaTek chips, higher-resolution cameras and Android 4.2. BLU expects all three Dash handsets to ship before the end of September, so penny pinchers won't have long to wait. Check out press shots of the Dash Music 4.0 and Dash 5.0 after the break.
