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LG's L Series III budget smartphones tout KitKat and smart covers
LG isn't just bringing high-end smartphones like the G Pro 2 to Mobile World Congress -- it's also launching its L Series III phones for the budget-minded among us. The 3.5-inch L40, 4.5-inch L70 and 4.7-inch L90 are subtle evolutions of the Optimus L II range in terms of hardware. All of them sport faster 1.2GHz dual-core processors and refined designs that are more in line with the company's higher-end devices. There's a larger 1GB of RAM on the L70 and L90, too. However, the real stars of the show are the L Series III's software and accessories. They're some of the first big-name budget phones to run Google's efficient Android 4.4 KitKat; they're also LG's first non-flagship devices to support optional Quick Window covers, letting you check an incoming call without exposing the whole screen. There's no word as to when these third-generation handsets will hit store shelves, although they're built for markets where 3G data is the best you'll get. In other words, don't expect them to reach LTE-obsessed American carriers any time soon.
Toshiba refreshes its PC lineup with new mainstream notebooks, a gaming laptop
If you're going to unveil a completely refreshed PC lineup, you may as well do it the week Intel launches some new processors (and, you know, the week a big computer show is going on). Toshiba just announced a slew of new models, including an all-in-one, a redesigned gaming notebook and mainstream laptops in various sizes. It'd be silly to overwhelm you with details right here, since everything from the designs to the GPUs have changed, but if you follow us past the break we've got a neat summary of everything Toshiba introduced today, complete with pricing, specs and a few hands-on photos too.
LG touts 15 million Optimus L Series phones sold like so many refrigerators
As stylish as it can be, LG's Optimus L Series is very appliance-like, the smartphone line that gets the job done versus the more luxuriant Optimus G. It's almost no surprise, then, that LG's sales rate has accelerated to the volume we'd expect from an air conditioner or fridge: just two months after the L Series hit 10 million in sales since launch, it's already at 15 million. That's no doubt heartening to LG, especially with the L Series II right around the corner. We doubt Samsung will break into cold sweats, though. When the Galaxy S III alone moved twice as many units by November of last year, LG still has some catching up to do in 2013.
Toshiba updates its all-in-ones, mainstream Satellite laptops for early 2013
Sometimes a PC lineup just needs a little nip and tuck, you know? Toshiba certainly thinks so, as it's sweeping through its everyday all-in-one and laptop ranges with tweaks. The most conspicuous update we see is for the higher-end Satellite P series portables, which receive a Windows 8-friendly touchscreen on the 14-inch model and a 1080p display for the 17.3-inch behemoth. Toshiba also says it's sprucing up the LX815 and LX835 all-in-ones, as well as the Satellite C, L and S series laptops, although the company isn't specific on what's truly new -- we've reached out and will let you know what tune-ups are enroute. Regardless of the scope, all the new mainstream models should ship in February, with prices to come later.
Mystery BlackBerry 10 device hits the FCC with AT&T-capable LTE
RIM's January unveiling isn't going anywhere without federal approval, and it seems the FCC is happy to oblige. Regulators put an unnamed BlackBerry device with a RFF91LW model number through the standard tests, giving it the green light for AT&T's LTE and GSM bands, as well as a few international frequencies. The handset's label sample is conveniently censored, of course, but FCC reports indicate that at least three of the devices RIM provided were running OS 10.0.9. Could we be seeing the "L-series" BlackBerry Z10? Or is this simply one of the Dev Alpha devices RIM has been handing out to developers? Either way, we'll get verification next month.
BlackBerry 10 L-Series shown off in detailed hands-on video
It's not the first time we've seen it on video, but the folks from Tinhte.vn have now followed up their hands-on look at the BlackBerry 10 L-Series with what's certainly the most detailed video of the smartphone to date. That includes a comparison with the somewhat bulkier Dev Alpha B device (as well as an iPhone 5), a quick run through of the BB10 OS itself and a look at the removable back (which reveals a replaceable battery). Head on past the break to check it out for yourself.
BlackBerry 10 L-Series phone surfaces in yet more leaked images
We may still be a couple of months away from its long-awaited release, but RIM's first BlackBerry 10 smartphone certainly doesn't seem to be shy of the cameras in the interim. Just last week, some photos turned up on the CrackBerry forums that offered a clear look at the new L Series model next to a BlackBerry Bold, and now another batch of images have made a brief appearance on Twitter before being promptly removed. Those latest, first spotted by TechSuplex, are unfortunately of the BlurryCam variety, but they do show the phone from a variety of angles, and the device in question was said to boot up in a snappy eight seconds. As CrackBerry notes, they also appear to be relatively recent, with the device sporting the new style icons that were just revealed this month. Hit the links below for a closer look.
BlackBerry rep shows off L-Series smartphone, forgets it's meant to be a secret (video)
While the rest of us are chasing after dev phones and blurrycam shots, BlackBerry representatives in Mexico seem to be happy to wave honest-to-goodness L-Series handsets around on video. Website Hola Telcel filmed the sequence after the break, in which we're given a shaky tour of BB10 -- including the camera app's interesting "best shot" feature -- but with virtually no attention given to the hardware itself. Nevertheless, we can just about make out the previously-noted design, with the screen panel sandwiched between slightly rounded matte black plastic top and bottom parts, and a big silver BlackBerry logo emblazoned across the bottom. Also, unless we're reading way too much into it, the way people hold the device suggests it could be nice and thin.
BlackBerry 10 L-series tutorial videos surface online, give a literal peek at the future (video)
Those of us who've used a BlackBerry PlayBook will be familiar with the inevitable first-boot tutorials showing how to navigate the swipe-driven interface before we're let loose. Thanks to a series of demonstration videos leaked by BlackBerryItalia, it's apparent that we won't escape that educational process on BlackBerry 10 devices, either. The four clips show the basics of what we know the gesture experience will be like on full-touch L-series phones, including the signature BlackBerry Peek to check notifications and the unified inbox. Anyone looking for a direct clue as to what production BlackBerry 10 hardware will entail might be frustrated, mind you -- the rendered phone appears to be a placeholder rather than the L-series or a Dev Alpha B, and the device name is censored in an attempt to protect the source. That said, the clips provide a very straightforward explanation of the new interface concept and give us one more indication that RIM is closer to launch.
RIM: first BlackBerry 10 devices to focus on mid-range and up, entry-level may be ready in 2013
RIM's Q2 earnings details have had a common theme of a silver lining to darker clouds, and that edge may have grown a bit brighter with hints of the company's longer-term BlackBerry 10 roadmap. When asked about the release strategy, CEO Thorsten Heins said that the first BB10 devices would focus on both the mid-range and high-end of the market, a bit wider than the chiefly high-end approach that has been rumored so far. While shy on details, he confirmed that the full-touch smartphone would have a screen with an HD resolution -- that's higher than on the iPhone 5, the executive was eager to point out. More intriguingly, Heins teased the prospect of an entry-level BB10 device arriving as soon as 2013. Although development was in the early stages, the new starter phone just might be ready next year if all goes well. There's a lot of questions left to answer about RIM's strategy, so we won't get too excited yet; even so, the statements are signs that the BlackBerry designer doesn't want to leave any product gaps open for very long.
Kipon preps Canon EF lens adapters for Micro Four Thirds, NEX cameras with electronic control
Adapters to fit Canon's EF lenses on Micro Four Thirds and NEX camera bodies most definitely aren't new. Without any electronic link, though, that Lumix GX1 or NEX-F3 owner has had to focus by hand, sometimes without any aperture control -- what year is it, 1930? Kipon wants to make sure you'll never have to stoop to that level again through a pair of new adapters that keep the electronic controls working. As always with these parts, there's likely to be catches: we don't know the prices and ship dates, for one, and lens conversion can still hurt the autofocus speed. Even so, anyone who's been hoarding (or simply envious of) Canon glass now doesn't have to eye an EOS-M just to get a mirrorless camera with the lens adapter they crave.
Details emerge of first BlackBerry 10 devices: touchscreen L and QWERTY N-Series
The launch of BlackBerry 10 and its debut devices is slowly creeping up on us, and some details about the handsets are finally starting to emerge. According to N4BB, RIM has two models up its sleeve -- the all touchscreen L-Series and the QWERTY keyboard-sporting N-Series. The L branded models will be very similar to the dev devices we've already seen, with a 1280 x 768 OLED display (a first for a BlackBerry) that crams an impressive 356 pixels into every inch. The N-Series is more for the BlackBerry purists who cling desperately to their physical keyboards. Originally leaked with the codename Nevada, the N-Series shrinks the display to 720 x 720, but still keeps the pixel density impressive at 330ppi. N4BB's sources say that the L will hit shelves first in September, with the N to follow in Q1 of 2013.
Lenovo refreshes its ThinkPad T, W, L and X lines with Ivy Bridge processors, retooled keyboards
Now that Intel's Ivy Bridge specifications are finally out of the bag, you may as well resign yourselves to a deluge of PC refreshes over the coming months. Today Lenovo's up at bat, unveiling a slew of products under its business-friendly ThinkPad brand. If you were looking for a wholesale redesign, we'll kindly direct you to the X1, which was just reborn as a 14-inch Ultrabook. Otherwise, if you were just holding out for a little Ivy Bridge, we've got your refresh right here. All told, the upgrades span Lenovo's ultraportable X series, mainstream "T" lineup, budget "L" models and the W-series workstation. In general, you'll find Ivy Bridge processors (natch), Dolby audio and, in some cases, optional 4G radios. Additionally, the company tweaked its famed keyboard ever-so slightly and added a backlighting option to almost every system, save the newly available T430u Ultrabook. That's the abridged version for those of you not actually in the market for a new system, but folks craving more nitty-gritty details can follow past the break for a more detailed breakdown of pricing and specs.%Gallery-155303%
Toshiba announces fresh C, L, S and P series laptops for back-to-school season
Chances are, college students are merely gearing up for finals, and the high school seniors among us are still months away from graduating. No matter to Toshiba. The company is getting ahead of the competition, showing off its back to school collection now. In addition to refreshing its entry-level C series, the outfit has redesigned its mainstream L and high-end P laptops. Look closely and you'll also see an entirely new line, the S series, which offers some of the same premium features as the P laptops, but with more of an emphasis on top-shelf specs than bells and whistles (because let's face it, bang-for-your-buck is likely to be a bigger priority for parents footing the bill). To keep things simple, we'll say this up front: each of these laptops is available in 14-, 15- and 17-inch sizes. Oh, and Toshiba isn't dishing too much on specs at the moment (Intel's Ivy Bridge processors still being shrouded in mystery and all.) Want the one-minute elevator pitch? You can jump straight to those pictures below. If you're curious about what makes each line distinct, follow past the break for the full breakdown.
LG busts out a trio of L-series phones in the run up to MWC
LG's gotten all excited and spilled even more beans ahead of MWC as to what offerings we'll see at the big Iberian shindig. The L-Series is a trio of phones we're already part-way familiar with, given that the budget L3 was leaked back in January. The L5 and L7 are aimed at the mid-range and premium ends of the market, running ICS and packing 4-inch and 4.3-inch displays respectively. Whilst there's no further detail about specs, we know that the L-series shares the same DNA as the Prada Phone 3, so we'd imagine that as a good benchmark. The PR boasts of "five aesthetic elements," all of which seem to emphasize that the phone's going to be quite thin. After the break we've got that brief statement in full and the nagging sense that there's no surprise forthcoming when LG takes to the stage next week.
Toshiba outs blingtastic Qosmio X770 for the US market, new P, C, and L series laptops
See that refined beast? You're looking at the Toshiba Qosmio X770 -- that European gaming behemoth we ogled from afar last month -- and in a matter of weeks, it'll continue its world tour to land on US shores. To recap, the company shrunk the screen from 18.4 inches to a more manageable 17.3, gave it a paint job that ever-so-subtly fades from red to gunmetal gray, and added a matching red backlit keyboard. This beefy guy comes in $1,199 and $1,899 configurations, with the higher-end model packing a 3D display, quad-core Core i7 CPU, and a 1.25TB hybrid hard drive, and the lower end offering a dual-core Core i5 CPU and a 750GB HDD. Either way, though, you'll get NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M graphics, 1.5GB of video memory, and MaxxAudio3 sound enhancement software. Meanwhile, Toshiba streamlined its consumer laptops for those non-gamers in the back-to-school crowd, axing the A and M lines, and leaving just the P series, for "premium." It'll include 14-, 15.6-, and 17.3-inch models, all decked out in a textured, two-tone Fuxion X2 finish and featuring USB sleep-and-charge ports, HDMI-out, Harman Kardon speakers, and that same MaxxAudio 3 utility. Depending on the configuration, you can also score NVIDIA GeForce GT540M graphics, Intel Wireless Display, a 4G radio, a Blu-ray drive, and a 3D screen (only on the 15-incher). On the inside, you've got your choice of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 CPUs or a spankin' new A6-3400M accelerated processing unit from AMD. Look for the 14-inch P745 with a starting price of $699, and 15-inch P755 and the 17-inch P775 for $629 and up. And, rounding out its portfolio, Toshiba refreshed its budget Satellite L700 series with Core 2011 processors and new AMD A4 and A6 APUs, while the entry-level Satellite C800 gets AMD Fusion C-50 and E-350 APU options. None of these laptops go on sale until later this month, so for now you can content yourself with those up-close-and-personal hands-on shots below. %Gallery-126296% %Gallery-126295%
Toshiba's Satellite L Series continues its world tour, adds 2D-to-3D conversion
Back at CES, Toshiba unveiled a batch of low-cost Satellite L Series laptops in the US, and now it's taking its show on the road, with new models on tap for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. These include the 13.3-inch L730 and L735, the 15.6-inch L750 and L755, and, if you're hankering for a desktop replacement, the hulking 17.3-inch L770 and L775. This latest spin on the L Series boasts 3D support, connecting to 3DTVs over HDMI and, in some cases, converting 2D content to 3D. As in the States, shoppers abroad can add up to 8GB of RAM, and will get their choice of Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors and various AMD CPUs, including triple- and quad-core options. Also look for multitouch trackpads, 5,400RPM hard drives as large as 750GB, 1.3 megapixel webcams, a mix of USB 3.0 and sleep-and-charge USB 2.0 ports, and a choice of integrated Intel HD graphics or a discrete NVIDIA GeForce 315M card with up to 1GB of video memory. No word yet on when they'll go on sale or how much they'll cost, but those curious for more can hit the source link for the full spill.
Toshiba refreshes Satellite L Series with Intel's latest processors
Toshiba's CES laptop flood continues with a refresh of its L Series Satellites, including the 13.3-inch L635, the 14-inch L645, the 15.6-inch L655 and the 17.3-inch L675. All models will be available in a variety of colors in the Helios pattern you've come to know and love from Toshiba. Spec-wise, you'll have a choice of Intel or AMD dual-core CPUs, including Intel's Core i3-380M, Core i5-480M, and the 2nd generation Core i3-2310M and Core i5-2410M on the L650 models. AMD options include the dual-core Athlon II and Turion II, and both dual and quad-core Phenom II CPUs. All models can pack up to 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM, and up to 640GB hard drives, plus they all have built-in webcams. Select models will also boast Bluetooth and HDMI out. The refreshed Satellite L Series laptops will be available some time in the first half of this year, for prices ranging from $469.99 to $849.99. %Gallery-112721%
Lenovo ThinkPad L Series doesn't look or feel like it's made of recycled materials
Alright, so we didn't really expect the made-partially-of-post-consumer-content (PCC) Lenovo L Series laptops to feel any different than past ThinkPads, but we did get a chance to play around with the recently announced 14- and 15-inch machines yesterday. The solid-feeling chassis is on the heavier end, though that's to be expected from this mainstream line which has built-in optical drives and discrete graphics options. While you may not be getting the svelteness of the T Series, you do get that always-reliable ThinkPad quality -- the classic spill-resistant keys felt solid under our fingertips and the touchpad with its raised dots was equally satisfying. We're actually big fans of the smooth surface treatment they're using on the palmrest as well as the shortcut keys that flank both sides of the keyboard. Obviously, we didn't get a chance to test the battery life or performance in our short time with it, but our guess is those Core i3 and i5 processors won't disappoint spreadsheet and PowerPoint multitaskers. Shouldn't be long before these systems hit Lenovo.com in May, but in the meantime you have the pictures below to help you make a decision on this greener than grass business lappie. %Gallery-91455%
Lenovo to launch new ThinkPads, probably on April 22
Those wily social media hounds over at Lenovo are at it again, this time teasing us with a crossword puzzle relating to a new "ThinkPad Series" of machines. Referencing our handy, and so far wholly accurate, leaked slide from February shows that the only Think-branded laptops not yet revealed are the midrange L series. Positioned to replace the aging R models, the L400 and L500 are expected to slot in as bulkier alternatives to the premier T-label ThinkPads. This puzzle tells us that whatever the new computers, they'll be firmly focused on energy and resource efficiency, and for an extra bit of PR kick, they are likely to be announced on Earth Day 2010, which just happens to be this April 22nd. Let's wait and see what Lenovo does to justify the name change and grab for green attention, eh?
