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Nokia Lumia 520 hands-on (update: video!)
Did you think the Nokia Lumia 620 was a solid-enough smartphone to shake up emerging markets, thanks to its low cost? Say hello to the Lumia 520, which, at an estimated cost of $183, will be one of the (if not the) least expensive Windows Phone 8 devices once it comes out later this quarter. It's attracted a commitment from T-Mobile in the US (timeframe not yet specified) and other carriers around the world, so we're likely going to see a lot more of this little beaut in the future. Naturally, it's time for a face-to-face introduction. The Lumia brand as a whole is very consistent in its overall design language, so it's not difficult to tell that the 520 fits perfectly in the lineup. It will be offered in five of Nokia's usual colors: cyan, red, black, yellow and white. If you're interested in swapping covers, snap-on backs will be available -- but beware, the actual back of the device itself isn't removable. The right side of the phone houses three buttons: the volume rocker, power and the dedicated shutter button. A 3.5mm jack sits on top, whereas the micro-USB charger is on the bottom. While it felt a little cheaper (as one would expect with such a low-end handset), it still seemed to be held together quite solidly. Interestingly, the phone's weight wasn't distributed across the device like we saw on the 720, but instead the middle of the device seemed pretty hollow, even though it held its fair share of circuitry and other components. Take a peek below if you're interested in a full photo tour of the 520, and continue reading for more impressions and specs.
Alcatel's MWC wares: hands-on with One Touch Snap and Scribe Easy
Alongside the other Alcatel notables at this year's Mobile World Congress were the One Touch Scribe Easy and the Snap. The One Touch Scribe Easy is a 5-inch WVGA display, 1.2 GHz dual-core CPU, 5-megapixel shooter, a large 2500 mAh battery to power the whole thing and a clever magnetic cover called the MagicFlip. Connectivity options include quad-band GSM and HSPA+ in either 900 / 2100 or 850 / 1900 / 2100MHz. Attached to the MagicFlip is a small stylus that Alcatel demoed to us using Vision Object's very impressive Myscript Calculator. Scribble down a formula and the app converts your scribbles to numbers and fills in the blanks where your equal sign ends up. While the Scribe Easy's display isn't comparable to its twin the Scribe Easy HD, it's more than reasonable for what we'd expect is going to be an inexpensive handset when it launches in March this year. Moving on is the One Touch Snap with a 4.5-inch QHD display, 8-megapixel camera, 4Mbps HSPA+ and quad-band GSM. Housing quality was very good here and at just 9mm thin it fits well in the pocket. The Snap will ship in silver, white, or cloudy white colors. Again, we don't have pricing or a firm release date but as Alcatel explained the price really can shift depending on market. Have a look at the gallery of these two just below.
Nokia Lumia 720 preview: a slim and 'trendy' Windows Phone 8 handset for the social networking set (update: video)
It's what the 920 should've been -- the Lumia 720, that is. And that's likely what other press will claim, as well. From the moment Nokia laid the slim, 4.3-inch device in our hands, it was apparent the company has a different user in its sights: the hyper-social and style-obsessed. With a profile of 9mm, the Lumia 720 is now the thinnest Windows Phone 8 device in the Finnish company's lineup. And it's also the "trendiest," as Nokia will no doubt remind you in its eventual marketing. So, you can forget about dazzling specs -- the 720's demo supposedly isn't concerned with bleeding-edge tech. In fact, some of what you'll find in the 720 can also be found in its lowest-end cousin, the 520; like that dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon processor and 800 x 480 Sensitive Touch display. The question then is: what makes this Lumia sleek enough for the fashion crowd (and their tiny purses and skinny jeans)? At its base, the 720 is all about color(s) and camera, just not in the way the Lumia 920 was. For starters, the slight-looking 720 will come in five different shades (matte: cyan, yellow, black and red; glossy: white) and includes a 1.3-megapixel front facer with wide-angle lens and a new 6.7-megapixel rear camera module with f/1.9 lens (developed with Carl Zeiss labs) for low-light performance. There's also a new digital lens Nokia's pre-installed, dubbed Glam Me, to give selfies (aka personal portrait shots) an extra bit of sheen -- something Nokia tells us its Asian users are clamoring for. Apparently, this new filter adds the ability to whiten teeth, widen eyes, soften skin and even overlay a rainy-day window or magazine-like layouts to shots.
Renesas announces big.LITTLE mobile processor with next-gen PowerVR Series6 graphics
If Samsung likes an open playing field, it'll not be best pleased by this latest announcement from Japanese chip maker Renesas. Uncannily named the "APE6", it directly copies the same big.LITTLE design of ARM cores found in Sammy's Exynos Octa. The are four Cortex-A15s paired with the same number of Cortex-A7s, allowing a phone or tablet to switch between the two quad-core configurations depending on its workload. Interestingly, whereas the Exynos Octa's GPU has been rumored to contain a last-gen PowerVR Series5 GPU similar to that found in the iPad and PS Vita, the APE6 will come with a more future proof Series6 "Rogue" design. We've already spent some time with this GPU and it'll be a good day when we can finally try it out in a finished device and stack it up against a rival bearing Samsung internals.
Samsung hands out paper invitations to Galaxy S IV launch at MWC
Didn't receive an emailed invitation to the Galaxy S IV event in Manhattan? You're not alone. It looks like Samsung is shaking things up a bit this time around, handing out paper invitations to the NYC shindig at its decked-out booth at Mobile World Congress. The note confirms the earlier news: March 14th is the big day, and unlike last year's kickoff, which was held in London to coincide with Olympics coverage, 2013's flagship will make its debut at 7PM ET at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. And we've got the golden ticket. We'll be liveblogging the event, of course, so mark the date!
LG shows off Wireless Ultra HD video streaming from phone to TV at MWC
LG is all about product synergy at MWC 2013, demoing the ability to beam 4K resolution video from a phone to an Ultra HD television -- no wires necessary. There's no specifics mentioned about the technology in use other than that it uses "ubiquitous" WiFi connections, but LG claims its technique uses less than half the power others require. That's achieved by reducing the drain on the phone's CPU and other hardware, but we'll have to wait for a hands-on opportunity to learn more about how this works -- and to save up enough money to buy one of those Ultra HDTVs.
LG's new Optimus L II series: hands-on with the L7II and the L5II (update: videos!)
We've heard (and seen) a fair bit about LG's L-series sequels, but nothing beats seeing them in the flesh, right? Both the 4.3-inch L7II and the smaller (4-inch) L5II were on show here at LG's media event, and while we might have been more easily distracted by more powerful relatives, it looks like LG's middleweight smartphone series has its fans. As expected from the company's Style line, there's been some design changes, alongside a power increase to dual-core processors on the bigger L7II -- the L5II arrives with a single-core 1GHz processor. Cosmetic changes include a textured backing and, well, you'll have to skip after the break to hear about the other improvements, but be reassured that they're backed up by Android 4.1 and dual-SIM iterations -- although those don't look quite as good. After the gallery, we've got more first impressions and you can check out our hands-on videos too.
Samsung announces SAFE with Knox, details plans to secure the enterprise Galaxy (hands-on)
BlackBerry has Balance, and no more than a month after the company once known as Research in Motion debuted its first BB 10 handset, Samsung has a dual-workspace solution of its own: SAFE with Knox. Unlike SAFE, which stands for Samsung for Enterprise, Knox, which was named for the Army outpost where America stores much of its gold, was not crafted into an acronym (though we imagine marketers dedicated at least one meeting to the cause). It's appropriately named, given the company's plans to dominate the enterprise industry with what's soon to be "the most comprehensive mobile security solution." So what will you find within the Fort Knox of the smartphone world? It's an IT manager's pipe dream, of sorts. A comprehensive collection of features that include Security Enhanced (SE) Android, secure boot, TrustZone-based Integrity Monitoring (TIMA) for protecting the kernel, Single Sign On (SSO) and that application container concept made famous by BlackBerry, just to name a few. Best of all, Knox will ship pre-installed on select devices, all sold as one SKU -- in other words, consumers and enterprise customers alike will be taking home identical handsets, simplifying the process significantly for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) businesses. We'll explain in a bit more detail in our hands-on video after the break.
Sony Xperia Tablet Z launching globally: 6.9mm thin, quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro and 1,920 x 1,200 display (updated)
Sony's newest tablet, known as the Xperia Tablet Z, launched in Japan last month, but it still hasn't been seen outside of the Far East. Mobile World Congress is the perfect venue to show it off to the entire world, it seems, as it's now expanding to other parts of the globe. As we had hoped, the super-thin Tablet Z doesn't wander off from Japan's variant spec-wise, though this model will offer your choice of 16 or 32GB internal storage, rather than simply the latter. (Sony also announced that a WiFi-only version with 64GB space will come to the US.) Otherwise, it still boasts Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, a quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, 2GB RAM, a 6,000mAh battery, 8.1MP rear camera and 2MP front-facing cam, NFC, PlayStation Certified, four speakers and a 1,920 x 1,200 display. Also, the MWC launch gives us a peek at a few minor details we didn't get in the first go-round: the slate includes MHL, up to 64GB of microSD expansion and DLNA, but oddly we haven't seen any specifics on battery size. And just like its cousin, the Z will come with Jelly Bean installed but Sony promises that 4.2 is on its way, though no ETA was given for the update. Finally, we won't hold back on the pricing and availability, even if we kept you in suspense until the end: the black model will be sold in Sony stores and authorized sellers this May in Q2 2013, and the white model (which only comes in a 32GB flavor) will be exclusive to official company outlets. A 16GB will put you back $499 and 32GB will be $599. If you're up for a deeper look into the tablet, our hands-on is a great place to get started. Update: Sony has changed their tune on the Xperia Z tablet launch date and is only saying now that it's coming in Q2 2013. Show full PR text Sony's New Xperia™ Tablet Z Packs Powerful Specifications into a Slim and Sleek Design The Premium Android™-powered device features the best of Sony technology, entertainment, design and connectivity in the world's thinnest 10.1" tablet SAN DIEGO, February 25, 2013 (12:00 AM PST) – At Mobile World Congress, Sony announced today the launch of the Xperia Tablet Z, a premium 10.1" Android tablet that is also the world's thinnest.* The new device joins Sony's flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z, in offering consumers premium specifications with the best of Sony technology, entertainment, design and connectivity. Premium Tablet Design Xperia Tablet Z is the most premium, high performance 10.1" Android tablet available. Built from quality materials and featuring the same stunning OmniBalance design as the Xperia Z smartphone, Xperia Tablet Z is also the slimmest 10.1" tablet in the world at 6.9 mm* and lightweight at 495 grams. It is the first tablet to run on the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S4 Pro asynchronous quad core processor and has the highest levels of water resistance (IP55 & IP57) ever seen in a tablet, making it immersible in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. "Xperia Tablet Z sets new standards in entertainment by matching premium specifications and Sony technology with cross-device connectivity and a consistent user-experience," said Kaz Tajima, corporate vice president, head of UX creative design and planning, at Sony Mobile Communications. "Xperia Tablet Z reinforces our intention to be a leading player in the premium Android device market, by building on the principles established by Xperia Z and perfectly optimizing them for the tablet form factor." Integrated Sony Technology Xperia Tablet Z includes the very best of Sony technology. With a 10.1" full-HD Reality Display, powered by Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2, it delivers enhanced color reproduction for a brilliant TV-like viewing experience. By offering the widest spectrum of color on any tablet, the Xperia Tablet Z provides a vivid, life-like display. It also draws upon Sony's camera expertise with an 8MP HD rear camera featuring the Exmor® R for Mobile image sensor and a 2 MP HD front-facing camera for capturing the best images in any condition, including low light. Sony's S-Force Front Surround 3D provides superior audio performance while Sony's Clear Audio+ mode and the innovative use of two built-in speakers with four 'speaker halls' on the left and right corners help the tablet deliver amazing sound no matter how it is held. Xperia Tablet Z also includes Battery STAMINA mode, Sony's unique battery management technology that can improve standby time. The Xperia Tablet Z also offers a microSD card slot for up to 64GB of expandable storage. Seamless One-touch Connectivity Xperia Tablet Z is available in a WiFi version in the US and includes more connectivity options than any other tablet, placing it at the heart of the connected home experience. It includes Sony's Near Field Communication (NFC) One-Touch functions which allow users to transfer content among compatible devices, including audio, video and images, seamlessly from tablet to TV, tablet to speaker or phone to tablet just by touching them together. One-Touch functions are a key component of Sony's device range this year and no other consumer electronics company today is bringing as many NFC-enabled products to market. The tablet's Universal IR Remote allows users to control their TV and other Sony devices - as well as products from other manufacturers - directly from the tablet. Additionally, TV SideView is a new application, available from the Google Play store, that gives users an entirely new way to interact with the TV: Discover content via the interactive and visual TV guide, change channels, share with your social networks and cross-search other TV application listings like Netflix®, Video Unlimited™ and YouTube™ in your home network for additional content. "The living room continues to be the number one location for tablet usage in the US. Consumers are using their tablet as a second-screen companion while watching TV, which is why we packed the Xperia Tablet Z with more connectivity options than any other tablet on the market," said Phil Lubell, vice president of networked technologies and services at Sony Electronics. "The Xperia Tablet Z makes it easier than ever to connect, share and discover content across all your devices in the home." Sony's Media Applications Sony's signature media applications - Walkman®, Movies and Album - allow users to enjoy, control and view content. The Sony Entertainment Network ecosystem is also integrated into the application experience and includes Music Unlimited™ which provides subscribers with access to 18 million songs and Facebook® social integration, Video Unlimited™ with access to over 100,000 movies and TV series and PlayStation® Mobile. Xperia Tablet Z Accessories Xperia Tablet Z will launch with a number of accessories including a Cradle, an LCD Screen Protector and a Leather Carrying Cover that comes in Black, White or Red. These will be available from Sony stores and registered retailers. Xperia Tablet Z will launch on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and is upgradable to 4.2 after launch for the latest Android user experience. Key features for Xperia Tablet Z 10.1-inch Full HD 1920 x 1200p Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 The world's thinnest 10.1-inch tablet at 6.9mm and lightweight at 495 grams Dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass front display Built-in universal IR remote control can control Sony and other manufacturers' consumer electronic devices Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 1.5 GHz asynchronous quad-core CPU and 2 GB RAM One-Touch connectivity with Near Field Communication (NFC) A unique OmniBalance design with subtly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces 8 MP rear camera featuring Exmor R for Mobile and Superior Auto plus 2MP HD front camera Battery STAMINA mode further improves the standby time S-Force Front Surround 3D provides realistic surround sound using two speakers Availability and Pricing The Xperia Tablet Z is available in black in a 16 GB and 32 GB version and will be sold at Sony Stores, including online, and other authorized dealers nationwide for about $499 and $599 respectively this Spring. A white 32 GB version will be available exclusively at Sony Stores, including online.
Sony Xperia Tablet Z preview: a thin and light 10-inch Android Jelly Bean tablet
Notice the family resemblance? For Sony's latest Android tablet take, its Xperia Tablet Z, the company's extending the austere, omnibalance design (focus on all around symmetry and reflective surfaces) and waterproof certification of the Xperia Z to a 10.1-inch footprint and higher 1,920 x 1,200 resolution. Which means the unique, highly polarizing magazine-like fold of its predecessor, the Xperia Tablet S, has fallen by the wayside and, according to Sony, it's not likely to ever make a comeback. But a cosmetic evolution isn't all that's propping up the Xperia Tablet Z; its lightly-skinned Jelly Bean OS, quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU and 2GB of RAM ensure above average performance for this Sony tab. So how does this Z of another frame fare? Follow on, as we take it for a brief test run. %Gallery-178902%
Nokia Lumia 521 bringing Windows Phone 8 pizazz exclusively to T-Mobile
Neither Nokia nor T-Mobile USA are spilling too many beans on the Lumia 521, but needless to say, it's heading exclusively to Señorita Magenta in the near future. Announced in a blurb here at Mobile World Congress, the Windows Phone 8 handset will connect to T-Mob's HSPA+ network, and the carrier swears that it'll "embody a range of high-end features at an affordable price." Of course, additional details -- including device availability and specifics on pricing -- are being kept under wraps until a heretofore undefined date. We'll be sure to share more as we hear of it.
Nokia Lumia 720 unveiled: 4.3-inch ClearBlack display, 9mm thick, 6.7MP Carl Zeiss, wireless charging capable
Notice Vogue in that live tile up there? That's because Nokia's toning down its focus on imaging innovation at this year's MWC (remember the PureView 808?) for a hyper-targeted take on the mid-range: the Lumia 720. Made for über-social types prone to late-night party shots, selfies and multimedia uploads, this 4.3-inch device builds on the polycarbonate unibody of its 920 elder, albeit in a much slimmer and smoother form factor. Measuring just 9mm in thickness and weighing 128 grams (4.5 ounces), the 720 also bears the distinction of being Nokia's most svelte Windows Phone 8 device to date. It also packs a dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon CPU (the same as the Lumia 520), 512MB RAM, 800 x 480 ClearBlack display, 2,000mAh battery, NFC and an option for wireless charging (enabled by a separate snap-on cover) into the trendiest design the company could create. To push that trendsetting message forward, Nokia's imbued the 720 with a dual-camera setup that's ideal for the party circuit (e.g., low-light shots and self-portraits). Up front, there's a 1.3-megapixel camera with wide-angle lens and a 6.7-megapixel rear shooter with f/1.9 lens on back, specifically crafted by Carl Zeiss labs to take in more light. And as a further lure for the vainglorious types that may pick it up, the 720 will also ship with a new digital lens pre-loaded: Glam Me. As the name implies, this proprietary filter allows users to edit their images (whiten teeth, oversaturate colors, widen eyes, etc.) before sharing on social networking sites. In addition to that proprietary camera software perk, Nokia's also tacked-on its full suite of Here apps (Drive, Transit and Maps), as well as Nokia Music -- all exclusives to the Lumia line. Nokia fans keen on a US release will have to sit and wait this one out (or opt for the Lumia 520 on T-Mobile). At present, the Lumia 720's only set to launch in Asia (specifically China) and parts of Europe in five colors (cyan, black, yellow, red and glossy white) for €249 (about $330 USD) this Q2 2013. Head on past the break for the official PR.
Nokia Lumia 520 announced, ready to bring WP8 and dual-core to emerging markets for $180
At Mobile World Congress, Nokia has announced the Lumia 520, its latest piece of ammunition in the company's campaign to conquer emerging markets and first-time smartphone buyers. The inexpensive smartphone actually packs a pretty powerful punch for its price point, offering the same dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon CPU found in the Lumia 720 also announced today. It also features 512MB RAM, a 4-inch WVGA (800 x 480) IPS LCD display and 1,430mAh battery. As we've come to expect on Lumia devices, it comes included with Nokia services like the full suite of Here Maps, Nokia Music and several lenses such as Cinemagraph and panorama. The 520 will come in five color options: cyan, yellow, red, black and white. Snap-on covers will also be available for anyone interested in swapping hues day-to-day. The $183 phone begins its quest for dominance in China later this quarter, and shortly afterward it will make its way to Europe, the rest of Asia and T-Mobile in the US. Head below for a full listing of specs.
Nokia 105 and 301 candybar phones announced at MWC, offer simplicity on the cheap
Think Nokia's all about Lumias these days? While the Windows Phone brand is still the company's primary point of focus, it doesn't mean Nokia isn't still cranking out millions of basic phones for emerging markets around the globe. With that in mind, the Finnish phone giant has outed two such handsets at its event at Mobile World Congress. Sure, they aren't much to look at, but Nokia feels it's still an important element of its strategy to dominate the lower-end market segment. The first cellular telephone unveiled at this morning's event is the Nokia 105, which is about as simple as they come these days. Once it arrives on the market this quarter, you'll be able to grab one for €15 ($20) in either cyan or black. It contains such features as a flashlight and FM radio, and the noteworthy bullet point is its month-long battery life (standby time). The second half of the pair is the 301 (pictured above), which is a bit more fancy at €65 ($85). It will come with a 3.2MP camera with panorama mode, sequential shots and a clever little self-portrait mode that audibly prepares you for your next glamour selfie. Additionally, the 301 lets you take advantage of Mail for exchange, Nokia Xpress internet (which compresses data down by about 90 percent) and HSPA connectivity with video sharing. Dual and single-SIM options will be available in Q2 of this year.
We're live at the Nokia MWC press event!
Are you curious as to what mystery gadgets are hanging out in Stephen Elop's pocket right now? So are we, and thankfully we won't have to wait much longer to find out. The Nokia CEO is set to take the stage at MWC in just a few minutes to show off the latest and greatest mobile wares coming out of Finland, so sit down and join us as we bring you the announcements as they come.
LG Optimus G Pro: hands-on with the new Snapdragon 600 processor and 5.5-inch 1080p display (update: video)
The Pro version of last year's Optimus G comes in two flavors: Japan gets a 5-inch, 1080p phone, while Korea (and the US) is treated to a 5.5-inch phone at the same resolution, but with Qualcomm's latest mobile chip, the Snapdragon 600. We're getting to grips with the Korean flavor here at MWC and while we're still waiting on launch dates more specific than Q2, we couldn't help taking this particular G Pro for a spin. While the original wasn't particularly lacking in the battery department, that increase in resolution has been fortunately accompanied by a bigger battery, up from 2,100mAh to 3,140mAh in the Korean edition and 3,000mAh in the Japanese. Design-wise, the lines are softer, more curved and -- if we're honest -- more like the Galaxy S III. There's now a curved physical home button lodged beneath the screen, with capacitive back and menu buttons on either side of it that light up with the faintest glow. The back of the phone now gently curves into the rest of the phone, with that eye-catching "crystal reflection" effect now subtly shading into the sides. The rear panel goes for a grid pattern that's more reminiscent of the Nexus 4 than it is of the Optimus G. It retains the same surprisingly light build quality of its predecessor, however, that makes us feel like a short fall could render this device a useless pule of glass shards and plastic pieces. After the break, you can check out some more of our impressions, alongside the obligatory hands-on video, of course.
LG Optimus F7 and F5 hands-on: mid-range devices for first time LTE users (video)
After a couple of leaks last week all but completely unveiled the Optimus F7 and F5 to the general public, LG's made the devices official today at MWC 2013. The two handsets are part of the company's mid-range line, devised as a bridge for users crossing over from aging 3G networks to LTE. But that's not all the 4.7-inch F7 and 4.3-inch F5 have in common. Both run Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 (skinned) and pack a dual-core setup, 8GB of internal storage, 1.3-megapixel front facing camera and LG's suite of custom software. Of course, there are bound to be significant differences between the two, so follow along as we dive into our initial impressions.
OPTiM outs wireless smartphone-to-smartphone screen sharing and remote control app for Android
One of the more notable features of BlackBerry 10 is built-in screensharing, but here in Barcelona at MWC 2013, OPTiM has just one-upped Waterloo with a new app for Android. It not only lets users share screens, but it also allows them to remotely control devices over WiFi. Called Optia for Android, it works with handsets running Android 2.3 and up, and has a built-in chat function for facilitating communication while screensharing. Naturally, the app's a boon to IT pros who manage devices from afar, but it should also prove useful for helping you teach mom and dad how to use the fancy new smartphones you got them for Christmas. The app's currently free from Google Play, though only for a limited time. Head on past the break for a video of Optia in action, and you can grab the app at the source link below.
Samsung confirms Galaxy S IV launch on March 14th in NYC
It was true. And then it wasn't. Now, here at MWC in Barcelona, Samsung has finally confirmed its rumored March 14th launch event for the much-anticipated Galaxy S IV. The smartphone giant's latest flagship is set to debut in New York City, apparently by popular demand. "We introduced the Galaxy S III in London last year," Samsung Electronics' mobile division chief JK Shin told Edaily news. "This time we changed the Venue (to New York)... as we were bombarded with requests from US mobile carriers to unveil the Galaxy S IV in the country." As with any such announcement, details are sparse at best, so we'll need to wait a few more weeks before confirming specs and appearance for the Galaxy S III successor. But, as always, you're welcome to shout out your best guesses in the comments.
Samsung's comically large Galaxy Note 8.0 smartphone: purely a brand play, if nothing else
More Info Galaxy Note 8.0 preview Galaxy Note 8.0 specifications Note 8.0 spotted early at MWC The doors to this year's Mobile World Congress have just barely been opened, but you might say the show is already won. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, it's Samsung doing the winning. For those who were far too busy enjoying their Saturday evenings to notice, I should point out that Samsung has just taken the wraps off of the world's largest smartphone. The global version of Galaxy Note 8.0's fantastically (hilariously?) large display is indeed embedded onto a device that will not only surf the soothing waters of the world wide web, but also make phone calls for those brazen enough to toss it upside their noggin'. The question, obviously, is "Why? But as I let the announcement wash over me, the answer became all too clear: "Because it can."
