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Samsung's clamshell foldable phone may be called the Galaxy Z Flip
Samsung may not be particularly attached to the Galaxy Fold name. Historically reliable leaker Ice Universe has claimed that Samsung's reported clamshell foldable phone will be called the Galaxy Z Flip, not Fold 2, Bloom or other rumored names. We'd take the claims with a small grain of salt when there isn't much corroborating evidence (Ice acknowledged that the logo is a mockup), it would make sense given the nature of the device -- it's a flip phone that folds in the Z axis, after all.
Samsung's next foldable phone could be this RAZR-like clamshell
Shortly before Motorola revived the RAZR, Samsung made it loud and clear that it was also working on a clamshell foldable phone, so it's no surprise that a prototype would eventually show up in China. Earlier today, Weibo user Wang Ben Hong shared five photos of what he claims to be Samsung's latest foldable prototype -- one that appears to be half the size of the Galaxy Fold. There's no word on internal specs, but we can see the punch-hole camera right below the earpiece, and the lack of chin allows the unfolded screen to extend all the way to the bottom. Both characteristics match the clamshell concept art at this year's Samsung Developer Conference.
Motorola's march toward mobility
We owe a lot to Motorola and its team of inventors and engineers. The company made breakthroughs in portable radio and brought us one of the first-ever cellphones. It launched the flip phone, the clamshell and the wildly popular RAZR V3. There have been some ups and downs along the way, and the company's endured more than its share of corporate hand-changing, but with its Moto series and Nexus 6, it's now back amongst the smartphone elite. In this week's Rewind, we take a look at some of the milestones in Motorola's quest for portable communicators.
Samsung Hennessy is official: a dual-screen flip-phone with a quad-core CPU
While we'd like to feign surprise at Samsung's official reveal of another dual-screen Android flip phone, yesterday's leak gave us ample warning. Samsung's Chinese website has officially outed the Hennessy (W789), and it boasts a pair of 3.3-inch 320x480 touch displays and runs Android 4.1 on a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU. The outer screen is bordered by a trio of capacitive keys, allowing folks to zip through Google's OS, as per usual. When it comes to other internals, the hardware packs a 1,500mAh battery, microSD slot, 5-megapixel rear camera and dual SIM support for CDMA and GSM radios. Naturally, the hardware also includes GPS and connectivity over Bluetooth and WiFi. Word on a release date, pricing or whether the device will see other territories still hasn't surfaced, but its GSM compatibility may inspire hope that imported units could work stateside. Now that the Hennessy has made its debut, it can't be long before the curtains are pulled back on the leak-prone Galaxy Folder.%Gallery-195954%
Another Samsung flip-phone leaks out: the Hennessy, with dual 480 x 320 displays
In the realm of Samsung flip-phone rumors, color us confused. Earlier, we saw a manual on Samsung's site for a Galaxy Folder (SHF-E400K), with dual 800 x 480 displays, a dual-core Snapdragon 400 CPU, 2GB of RAM, gold trim and LTE support. Now, we're seeing a so-called Samsung Hennessy (SCH-W789), another dual-screen clamshell model with 320 x 480 resolution on both of its 3.27-inch screens, a quad-core 1.2GHz CPU, 5-megapixel camera, dual-sim support and, yes, a "Luxury Gold" color trim option. The latter model has leaked multiple times from Asian rumor sites, while the presence of a manual and photos for the Folder seem to all but confirm that model. We remain skeptical, though, as the sources may have mixed up the similar-looking models, and in any case they may never arrive in the US. If they're real, though, we've obviously underestimated the size of the cognac-and-cigar throwback market.
Samsung Galaxy Folder flaunts its dual-screen flip design for the camera
Samsung may have already spoiled the Galaxy Folder's upcoming launch, but it hasn't given us a peek at a real, live device. Contributors to Clien.net's forums claim to have what we're missing, however -- they've posted a trio of photos that appear to reveal the dual-screen Android clamshell in earnest. In line with the schematics we saw earlier, the Galaxy Folder should be an evolution of the W2013 from last fall. Its most visible change is an update to Galaxy S 4-era software. Other new external elements amount to subtle tweaks, such as the gold-like side trim and a camera key that replaces the W2013's dual-SIM button. Not that we'd accuse Samsung of playing it safe with the Galaxy Folder -- in a conservative handset market, it could be daring to produce an LTE-equipped Android flip phone in the first place.
Leaked Samsung 'Galaxy Folder' suggests return of the dual-display flip phone
It feels like yesterday we were discussing the alleged death of form factor diversity in the smartphone world, and now Samsung comes up with this: a mid-range clamshell called the Galaxy Folder (SHV-E400K) with displays on both sides of the lid. According to Japanese site RBMen, which discovered a Korean-language user manual for the device on Samsung's website, at least one of the displays is a 3.7-inch AMOLED panel with 800 x 480 resolution. Other specs include a Snapdragon 400 dual-core chip, 2GB of RAM and LTE support. The basic design is nothing new to Samsung, which came out with the similar SCH-W2013 in China last year, and the SCH-W999 a year before that, but it's good to see evidence of its survival in 2013 -- and especially if it's destined for Samsung's home market. If it was up to us though, we'd put some e-ink in that second display.
Kyocera DuraPro keeps the rugged flip phone alive on US Cellular for $100
The rumors of the basic cellphone's death have been greatly exaggerated -- it's just finding niches to hide in while smartphones take over the mainstream. Witness today's launch of the Kyocera DuraPro on US Cellular. Although it's just a flip phone, it meets the US military's 810G specs for dust, shock, temperature and water resistance, all of which help it survive a rough workplace or an accidental splash at the beach. That and a loud speakerphone are the real highlights, although you will get microSD support and a 3.2-megapixel camera for your trouble. Do the math before you pick up a DuraPro in-store on February 28th, though. At $100 on contract after a $50 rebate, it's carrying smartphone-level pricing that could steer some buyers away from its retro rugged chic.
How would you change Sony's Tablet P?
Sony's Tablet P was an enormous gamble with its clamshell form factor that meant it could easily slide into a jacket pocket. Unfortunately, it suffered from terrible execution: flimsy build quality, lack of software support and the gaming options were bested by the older Xperia Play. But of course, that's just our review -- so what has it been like out there as your daily driver? If you've bought and used one, why not tell Sony what you'd have done differently in the comments below?
Samsung announces GT-B9120 for Android flip phone fans in China
The emergence of Android, and the decline of the flip-phone form factor happened as such, that the two aren't all that well acquainted. Samsung, however, wants to firm-up that relationship, bringing the two together once more. The GT-B9120 is the result. A flip phone with Google's Gingerbread operating system from the Galaxy-maker, headed for the Chinese market. There's dual 3.5-inch 480 x 800 screens, and a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 doing the business. A 5-megapixel camera will send photos off to the 16GB internal storage, and HSPA, WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth make up the wireless options. Somewhere someone's dream has just been answered, we just hope that person is in China.
Motorola GLEAM+ shimmies onto shelves, into European pockets
There are many typographical accoutrements manufacturers can hang on existing product names to let you know that this one's different, better. Motorola's plumped for the humble "+" to let us know this isn't just any Gleam, it's a new, improved beast. So what's changed since last time? Well, it's dropped a dress size first of all, measuring 0.4mm thinner than its elder sibling, and that dot-matrix style outer display now stands much taller. The main screen also jumps from 2.4- to 2.8-inches, sporting a 400 x 240, WQVGA resolution. So, if you're a fan of the form-factor, and live in Europe (it still only has that dual band GSM radio) then you can get your mitts on it from today. PR after the break.
Sony Tablet P's product manager shows off prototypes, tells the clamshell story
Still baffled by the Tablet P's existence? Well, Sony's here to help! Earlier today, our brethren over at Engadget Chinese met up with Takeshi Goto, the head honcho of VAIO and mobile product producing, to learn how the Android clamshell went from several mockups (one of which was made out of a $4 wallet) right after the PDA era to the final product today. Between those two pivotal points on the timeline, Sony explored screen sizes between five to seven inches before settling on 5.5 due to hardware limitation; though the entire device ended up being about the same size as the 7-inch mockup. Later on, the manufacturer hooked up a couple of VAIO UXs to power a Nintendo DS-like dual-screen prototype -- that was when Windows and x86 were under consideration, before Sony eventually went with Android on ARM. Intrigued? Hit the link below to take a look at the aforementioned goodies.
Lenovo announces brainier Classmate+ PC, heads to top of the class
Kids have been honing their computer smarts on Intel-based Classmate PCs for a few years now, and Lenovo's just sewn its name inside the collar of its second generation of student-friendly lappies. Based on the chip maker's "Learning Series," Lenovo's new boy comes in clamshell and convertible flavors, and brings an Atom N2600 processor, a max of 2GB DDR3 memory and up to a 320GB -- or 32GB solid state -- storage along to class. It'll launch in uniform grey (like the first generation pictured), but orders that meet the minimum requirement can choose to splash a little color on top. As before, these things are designed to handle the daily rigors dished out by a nine-year-old, hence a new rotating hinge on the convertible, strengthened and designed to last "tens of thousands of cycles." Should be enough to see you into adulthood then. It's available to institutions as of this month, but if you want to know more, hit the PR after the break.
EmporiaCLICK hands-on at CES 2012 (video)
It may not turn the heads of anyone who needs the latest and greatest phone -- let alone most smartphone users -- but Emporia Telecom's not going after that market. Rather, the handset manufacturer is busy pushing out devices that appeal to the first-time phone buyer or anyone who doesn't need anything besides a simple phone that actually makes calls and sends messages. The EmporiaCLICK, which should be available this Spring for under $100 without contract, is the absolute epitome of the basic clamshell cameraphone, complete with large buttons, fingerprint-friendly exterior and a built-in one-click emergency button which will cycle through a list of five emergency numbers until somebody answers. Head on below to see the device in all its glory, as well as a video after the break.
Sony Tablet P review (UK edition)
Sony Tablet S Preview PlayStation Store hits the Tablet S today, lets gamers relive the glory of the mid-'90s Exclusive: Sony 'S2' dual-screen Android clamshell and 9.4-inch Windows 7 VAIO slider due this year Sony's second Android tablet intrigued us. We're always willing to give another form factor a try and in the Tablet P (£500), we certainly had that. While the Tablet S's wedge profile stood it out a little from the rest of the prone slabs, the P piqued our interest with an unusual clamshell form factor. Once the two 5.5-inch screens are folded together, the tablet has a pretty tiny footprint and just about fits into a jacket pocket. It's the third PlayStation-certified device, arriving proudly emblazoned with the four symbol trademark, and a second screen capable of doubling-up as both a controller for games or as a laptop-style keyboard. However, those twin screens require some not-so cosmetic adjustments to the Honeycomb experience we're used to and this is where we're most interested in seeing how Sony fared. Is the unique design implemented well enough? How does it fare as a games machine? Can a clamshell pull potential tablet buyers away from the iPad and a legion of sameish Android tablets? Crack open our review to find the answer to those questions and much more.%Gallery-142423%
Emporia Telecom expands to North America and Latin America, brings a couple new phones with it
Emporia Telecom, an Austrian phone manufacturer that focuses on making basic and easy-to-use handsets, announced this morning that it plans to expand its boundaries to include North and Latin America sometime this Spring. Along with the endeavor, Emporia plans to introduce two new handsets: the EmporiaCLICK clamshell and EmporiaSOLIDplus rugged candybar. These devices -- much like the others in the lineup -- are geared toward first-time phone buyers and seniors who aren't interested in a smartphone, boasting simple features such as large buttons, loud speakerphone and ringtones, high-powered vibration motors and a one-touch Call to Care button that automatically alerts emergency services when pressed. The company plans to show off the handsets at CES next week, so keep an eye out for more updates as they roll in. In the meantime, read up on the press release below.
Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game
Remember Samsung's second-gen dual-screen Android clamshell we spotted about a month ago? Well, here it is at last: announced in partnership with China Telecom, this SCH-W999 flip phone packs two 3.5-inch 480 x 800 Super AMOLED panels back to back, along with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8660, Android 2.3 with TouchWiz, HyperSkin back cover (as featured on the Galaxy Nexus for grip plus anti-smear), five megapixel camera, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi and WAPI (China's not-so-successful take on WiFi, basically). Like many phones on China Telecom, the W999 comes with dual SIM slots and dual-mode connectivity (GSM and CDMA2000, with the latter offering EV-DO 3G), but with the additional support for penta-band radio for globetrotters. Want to nab one? We're looking at a 2012 launch, though there's no word on prices just yet -- well, just so you know, the predecessor W899 starts from ¥8990 ($1,410), so good luck with your garage sale. We got you some pictures from the China launch event after the break, courtesy of Samsung Mobile. %Gallery-140983%
Samsung's SCH-i929 and SCH-W999 dual-screen clamshell get certified in China
Ready for a heavy dose of Android this morning? Then enjoy this Samsung double whammy freshly delivered from China. On the left we have the China Telecom-branded SCH-i929, a 9.7mm-thick handset featuring a Snapdragon MSM8660 chip (likely clocked at 1.5GHz), 4.5-inch 480 x 800 AMOLED display, eight-megapixel camera and GSM plus CDMA2000 connectivity. All of this makes the i929 a near-identical cousin of the Galaxy S II LTE -- same processor, same chassis, but obviously with different network compatibility. Of course, the real star of the show is the SCH-W999, a follow-up to the SCH-W899 of the same dual-screen clamshell form factor. As you can see on the right, on the outside this phone features a 3.5-inch 480 x 800 AMOLED display along with three touch buttons, while on the inside it packs a similar screen plus a physical keypad. Like the i929 above, this funky flip phone is also powered by a MSM8660 chip and supports both GSM and CDMA2000 on China Telecom, though its camera is limited to five megapixels instead. Anyhow, we'd certainly love to get hold of a world-friendly version of this 204 gram beast, so what do you say, Won-Pyo Hong? %Gallery-137682%
Kyocera Duramax is in the batter's box, launching with Sprint Direct Connect October 2nd
Is there still any lingering doubt that something big's getting cooked up in Overland Park in time for October 2nd? We've already seen leaked screenshots showing that Sprint's aiming to launch its CDMA-based Direct Connect service that day, as well as a Sprint-backed vid of the Motorola Admiral, the first smartphone to sport the new feature. Courtesy of SprintFeed, another gem has been unearthed: the Direct Connect-compatible Kyocera Duramax. Said to start at $100 with a two-year agreement, the rugged clamshell bears a great deal of resemblance to a large number of legacy iDEN handsets. It's nothing to write home about, but it still sports the proper military specs to keep it protected, as well as a 3 megapixel camera and a non-slip surface. Anyone who isn't looking for a smartphone but is in need of a Direct Connect device will want to keep a close eye on this one as we get closer to the day of destiny. Oh, and Sprint? The cat's out of the bag -- perhaps it's time to make it real.
NVIDIA CEO sees major growth in mobile processing, quad-core tablets coming this year
During a sitdown with reporters yesterday, NVIDIA Chief Executive Jen-Hsun Huang discussed his company's near- and long-term financial outlook, while providing some insight into the chipmaker's quad-core future. According to Huang, NVIDIA expects to rake in between $4.7 and $5 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2013, with revenue from its mobile chip unit projected to mushroom tenfold by 2015, to a whopping $20 billion. Huang acknowledged that these predictions could be affected by external factors, including the ongoing patent wars between tablet and smartphone manufacturers, but didn't seem too concerned about their immediate impact. "At this point, it looks like it's much ado about nothing," he said. In fact, Huang foresees rather robust growth in the mobile processing sector, estimating that there are about 100 million devices that will need chips this year -- a figure that could soon rise to one billion, on the strength of more affordable handsets, efficient ARM processors and the rise of ultra-thin notebooks. And, despite his recent disappointment, Huang expects Android tablets to comprise a full 50 percent of the market in the near future, claiming that NVIDIA's Tegra chips can currently be found in 70 percent of all slates running Google's OS, and about half of all Android-based smartphones. In the short-term, meanwhile, NVIDIA is busy developing its quad-core mobile processors -- which, according to the exec, should appear in tablets during the third or fourth quarter of this year (quad-core smartphones, however, may be further down the road). Huang also sees room to develop wireless-enabled, Snapdragon-like processors, thanks to NVIDIA's recent acquisition of Icera, but he hasn't given up on GPUs, either, predicting that demand for graphics performance will remain stable. The loquacious CEO went on to divine that Windows 8 will support apps designed for Windows 7 (implying, perhaps, that Microsoft's Silverlight platform will play a major role in future cloud-based developments), while contending that smaller, "clamshell devices" with keyboards will ultimately win out of over the Ultrabook strategy that Intel has been pursuing. For the moment, though, Huang seems pretty comfortable with NVIDIA's position in the mobile processing market, citing only Qualcomm as primary competition. "We're the only people seriously on the dance floor with Qualcomm," he argued, adding that companies without a solid mobile strategy are "in deep turd." You can find more of Huang's insights at the source links below.