June, 2013

• 4 June

  Sprint to launch Android 4.1 flagship device dubbed Vital?

  

  Word has it that Sprint is looking to debut its own high-end large-screened Android 4.1 smartphone, according to Engadget. Sources familiar with the matter have given Engadget a host of photos and specs on the alleged ZTE-made device — supposedly named “Vital.” In addition to running on Android’s Jelly Bean, the phone is said to …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  Sony Xperia M landing in Q3

  

  Electronics manufacturer Sony ended a relatively quiet period today by announcing a new Xperia M smartphone. Judging from its dual-core processor and 5MP camera, clearly the Xperia M is a midrange Android handset and not in the same class as the company’s Xperia Z flagship device. That said, Sony seems to have crafted the Xperia M with a similar amount …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  Bose AE2w Bluetooth headphones now shipping

  

  Bose is scheduled to hold an event in New York today to show off some new products. I won’t be there because I’m out of town, but I was in the Venice airport today (on my way back to New York) and spotted a couple of new Bose products in the Bose store and decided to snap a few photos. …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  iPad 5 coming in spring, iPad mini in winter say rumours

  

  Rumours are starting to swirl around the new iPad and iPad mini. Reports suggest the iPad 5 will arrive next, with the iPad mini held back until later in the year. According to the industry-watchers at DigiTimes, the next tablet from Apple will be a new full-sized iPad in the autumn, going into production next month. The next version of …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  Smartphone shipments to surpass feature phones this year

  

  Smartphone shipments will finally outshine those of feature phones this year, says research firm IDC. Smartphones are expected to carve off a 52.2 percent slice of all mobile phones shipped in 2013, leaving feature phones with a 47.8 percent share, IDC said Tuesday. Smartphone shipments are projected to hit 958.8 million this year, a 32.7 percent jump from the 722.5 …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  Industry debates FCC auction rules for AT&T and Verizon

  

  There’s no question that wireless carriers large and small want to get their hands on more wireless spectrum. But deciding which carriers should get how much spectrum was the subject of intense debate on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. The topic was front and center during a Senate subcommittee hearing in which representatives from the two main trade associations and other …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  NFC mobile payments disappoint while money transfers boom

  

  Adoption of tap-and-pay technology on smartphones has been a disappointment and has slowed growth of the overall mobile-payments market. But bright spots still remain for companies looking to provide mobile money services to consumers around the world, according to a report from market research firm, Gartner. In a report published Tuesday, Gartner said the value of transactions using a technology …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  Lenovo in talks with smartphone party for joint venture

  

  Lenovo told its shareholders in a statement Tuesday that it’s in talks with a smartphone maker to engage in a possible joint venture. “The Board would like to inform the shareholders of the Company and potential investors that the Company is in preliminary negotiations with a party in connection with a potential joint venture transaction,” Lenovo wrote (PDF). “As at …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  Sony Xperia M stands for mid

  

  Sony’s new Xperia M is appropriately initialled — this a new mid-range Xperia that bags you Sony’s signature style and all the usual extra gubbins, but promises a lower price than its flagship Xperia Z. Unfortunately Sony couldn’t tell me what that price tag will say here in the UK, but I reckon we’re in Lumia 520 territory, probably sub-£200. …

  Read More »
• 4 June

  Retooled WikiPad primed for launch

  

  After an aborted launch last Halloween, the WikiPad Android gaming tablet looks ready to finally hit the market. So says WikiPad Inc., anyway, who this morning declared that its unique gaming device will finally hit shelves this coming Tuesday, June 11 (aka the first official day of E3). This new WikiPad, you may recall, is a shrunken edition of the …

  Read More »