Google Nails it on the Head with Nexus 5

This is it. The smartphone which is known for providing top-of-the-line experience at a lower price has finally gone official. After dozens of leaks and rumours (including once when its entire spec-sheet was revealed), Google has finally pulled the covers off the Nexus 5 – developed by LG — and it runs on Android 4.4 KitKat.

As is usual with these phones, the Nexus 5 packs quite a punch. It has a 4.95″  True HD IPS Plus panel on the front with Full HD resolution and 445 ppi pixel density. It is Gorilla Glass 3-protected.

The phone is made of plastic, but since it’s so cheap, we can live with that. The back does come with a soft-finish though. It weighs in at 130g, respectable for a phone of this size, and is 8.59mm thick. And quite unlike those metallic side-buttons on its competitors, the ones here are made of ceramic. Interesting.

On the inside, the phone houses a 2.3Ghz Qualcomm SnapDragon 800 processor with 2 GB worth RAM, Adreno 330 GPU and 16/32 GB flash storage. That last bit is a huge relief as as the meager 8 GB storage option is gone for good now.

Towards the back is the 8 megapixel camera with OIS, HDR+ and a 1/3.2″ sensor with f2.4 aperture. It is also capable of doing 1080p Full HD video recording and also comes with an LED Flash for use in low-lighting.

Considering that the last year’s Nexus came with an abysmal camera, we really hope things have changed this time. A 1.3mp camera is also found at the front.

The Nexus 5 is the first phone of the series with LTE, which is pointless for us (Pakistanis) but is a good thing to have (in case, times change in the future). It also has Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, A-GPS and microUSB.

For powering itself up, the phone comes with a 2300 mAh battery which does feel small for a 2013 smartphone but it seems as if Google has optimized the OS rather than increase the battery capacity here. Music playback, for example, is 60 hours long, thanks to a dedicated audio processor and software customizations. Wireless Charging is also supported.

Here are the specs of the Nexus 5:

• Android 4.4 KitKat
• 5″ LCD display with Full HD resolution (445 ppi)
• Gorilla Glass 3 protection
• 130 grams heavy
• 8.59mm thick
• 2.3Ghz quad-core SnapDragon 800 processor with Adreno 330 Graphics
• 16/32 GB non-expandable storage
• 8 megapixel camera with HDR+, Full HD video and LED Flash
• 1.3 mp front-camera
• 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, A-GPS, microUSB
• 2300 mAh battery
• Available in Black or White

The accessories for the Nexus 5 includes bumpers which cost $35 a piece, while QuickCovers which cover the front & the back and are compatible with wireless charging cost $55 each. 

As for the Nexus 5 itself, it will start at $349 for the 16 GB version, or $399 for the 32 GB version. Colour options include either Black or White.

We know that’s quite a lot of money to ask for a phone which will be outdated after a year, yes, but the thing is that every bit of technology has and will. You may argue that point but there’s certainly one thing which no one will argue and that’s the simple fact that Google has nailed it. Again.

Jelly Bean Crosses 50% Android Market-share for the First Time

Remember the time when Gingerbread got out and Android phones suddenly started to sell like hot cakes? That was the time when Gigantic Apple and Nokia had finally got a serious competitor but the side-effect was that the large number of dumb phones during that time, which couldn’t get updated to newer Android versions and hence, the Gingerbread marketshare soared.

That has finally changed now. In October, for the first time ever, Jelly Bean crossed 50% marketshare of all Android devices out there. The 52.1% marketshare it holds is almost twice the share which Gingerbread is currently holding.

The good news is that it has finally started to drop at a substantial pace, quite unlike its stubborn nature.

Ice Cream Sandwich also dropped to just 19.8% now.

Start of another problem?

With KitKat, Google has finally decided that fragmentation needs to go away and that is why the latest version can run on phones with as low as 512 MB RAM but it won’t be going anywhere suddenly.

Mind you, that Jelly Bean is itself outdated now and if Google’s partners still carry on with their habits of not updating the operating system of their devices, it might turn out to be an even bigger issue than Gingerbread, given the massive spread of the phones running it.

Google Brings Features and Visual Upgrades in Android 4.4 KitKat Update

Every Android version announcement comes with new features, a few visual tweaks and lots and lots of hype. This time, though, things are a bit different as Google has made sure that everyone gets a taste of “KitKat”, rather than just the top 20%.

As a result, you have an OS which runs just as well on 512 MB RAM, as it does on 3 GB. This is not all however.

A Great Feat Visually

Android 4.4 KitKat tries to make the OS even more easier to swallow. It makes several visual improvements, including the departure of the black border at the bottom of the screen in favor of a translucent one. The launcher is also redesigned.

The three buttons also remain hidden in apps, until you swipe them upwards. And performance? The OS is also more intelligent in that it registers touches faster and more accurately which means less errors.

Chromium, the web engine behind Chrome now takes care of the web apps meaning that these apps should perform better than ever. Talking of Chrome, it now uses 16% less memory than before, just like other Google apps which are all optimized.

Software Changes

But it doesn’t only perform and look good. No. It also comes with a lot of software changes, most important of them being the new Hangouts app. The new substitute for the conventional messaging app combines all of the conversation you’ve ever had with your acquaintances in one place, either it be SMS, MMS or Hangouts video-calls/chatting.

The Call app is also tweaked. It automatically highlights those people with whom you’re in touch most. It will also search for businesses in the area around you now, meaning that if you’ll type the name of a restaurant in your area, the app will automatically search the map for its phone number.

The same thing happens when you get a call from an unknown number, as it will try to display a name if the number is from any of the publicly available business in Maps.

The lockscreen features an option to let you fly straight to the camera. It also displays a cover art or any other media highlight when your phone is playing something while being on the lockscreen. Also redesigned is the Downloads app which features even more sorting and viewing options now.

And it isn’t limited to the lockscreen only. If you do a lot of homescreen modifications, you can save and switch between all of them in settings now, without having to sacrifice one in the favor of other.

Search and Google Now

According to Google, it is 25% more accurate than before. You can go straightaway to search from the lockscreen now, just by saying ‘OK Google’ just like in the Moto X.

Now also asks you questions back if your search query isn’t clear to it. One good thing which is added is the ability to search inside the phone or tablet’s built-in app. For instance, if you have a food or recipe app installed on your phone and you want to search the recipe for, like say, Pasta, Now won’t only display web results but also results from your app will be displayed. That would be really helpful.

It also keeps care of your searching history and will redirect you to any of your favourite websites when you’ll call its name. It will also show even more cards of interest to you and can be used to do other tasks, such as playing music, using directions, etc.

Misc

Android 4.4 KitKat comes with a screen recording feature which lets you record a video of the stuff being displayed on your phone, as you use it.

A new feature called AirPrint will allow you to print stuff wirelessly now. This only works with printers with dedicated apps on the Play Store so only HP models will work as of today.

If your phone comes with a dedicated audio processor, here’s the good news: your phone will use it now. What that does is that it boosts playback time, like for example, the Nexus 5 comes with one and it features 60 hours worth music playback, that too on a 2300 mAh battery! Now that, is something.

The Gallery app now supports integration with cloud storage. Developers can now write apps for the IR Blaster while NFC payments are now supported for carriers worldwide. 

Availability

The update will begin rolling out in the coming few weeks. The new Nexus 5 will come with it pre-installed while the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2014), Nexus 10 and the Google Play editions of Galaxy S4 and HTC One are on the waiting list. We’ll be adding screenshots of it as soon as it comes out.

This update, with all its features and bells-and-whistles, marks the peak for Android. For us, however, it’s not the feature set which makes it so good, but rather its tight integration of everything which it does. That alone makes it worth an upgrade.

Nexus 5: The Leaks, Rumors and Expectations

In the entire Android world, no gadget is more awaited than Samsung’s latest flagship and the newest iteration of a Nexus phone. Every year during October Google takes its turn to announce the latter and this year, the expected date is 28th.

For the second year running, the dice has fallen in LG’s favour, perhaps to challenge Samsung’s supremacy. This is how the new Nexus 5 might turn out, based on rumours and leaks.

We have gathered all the leaks and rumours to put Nexus 5 a shape. Here’s how it is likely to look like:

Display and Design

The display of the Nexus 5 will most-probably be a 4.95 inch IPS unit with Full HD 1080p resolution. The name itself seems to indicate a 5 inch screen.

The design is still a matter of speculation but Nexus 5 seems to have bid farewell to the exquisite but fragile glass-back of its predecessor. There’s also a landscape NEXUS logo written at the back but that should change in the final version as well. It will be available in White and Black.

Hardware

Smartphones from Nexus series are best-known for offering a juicy spec-list at a price which comparatively more people can afford. The Nexus 5 will most probably come with hardware specs similar to the LG G2, namely a SnapDragon 800 processor with 4 Krait 400 cores clocked at 2.3Ghz, 2 GB RAM, Adreno 330 GPU and 16 or 32 gigs worth storage, non-expandable of course.

The back camera will be an 8 megapixel unit with LED Flash, Optical Image Stabilization and Full HD 1080p video recording.

Considering how mediocre the Nexus 4 camera was, this unit here might feature some special effects or bells-and-whistles. There will be a 2 megapixel at the front.

Software

This one is another no-brainer. Android 4.4 KitKat will be making a debut alongside the Nexus 5 and common sense says that it will come pre-installed on the phone in Vanilla form. The official Nestle Kit Kat page has been teasing about the announcement for long enough and has already confirmed that the latest OS will come in October.

Miscellaneous:

The phone might use the new Wi-Fi standard 802.11ac and microUSB 3.0 (which debuted on Note 3). LTE versions will be coming shortly after. Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, USB-OTG and a few other exotic connectivity options might also make an appearance.

Battery capacity is expected to be 2300 or 3000 mAh.

Pricing and Availability

We are actually quite sure about the pricing, thanks to a leak on Play Store courtesy of Google. The device made a mysterious appearance for a few minutes there, costing $349 for the 16 gig version. The 32 GB model, hence, should cost $399.

Availability is not properly known but the phone should hit the markets at the end of this month or during the first few weeks of November.

We won’t say that this phone is cheap but compared to competing products, it sure is tempting. It will be a pain to find at a reasonable price in the first few months of its availability but prices should settle down in the coming few months after its release.

Here are few leaked images of the device as well:

HTC unveiled One Max with Fingerprint Sensor Feature

After numerous leaks over the past couple of month, HTC One Max was the phone that everyone was looking forward to.

HTC finally has unveiled its HTC One Max phone, and guess what? There is a Fingerprint Sensor too – a trend started by Motorola by introducing it in its Atrix phone, which has recently embraced by Apple in its Iphone 5S.

Beside the fingerprint sensor, the One Max is notably the same thing the techies were anticipating, including first true “phablet” features, a humongous 5.9-inch high definition screen.

The device also has 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor (same as in the One), 2GB of RAM, and it runs on Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) with Sense UI on top.

The One Max is radically a large version of the HTC One, released earlier this year, but few gripping changes have been made. Firstly, the back cover of One Max is removable, and as aforementioned, there’s a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone that lets the user unlock the phone.

Besides unlocking, Fingerprint sensor could also be used to access various applications by assigning unique Finger for each of the App. Miserably, there doesn’t seem to be any functionality to enter your fingerprint as a password like you do in the iPhone 5s.

The phone is also running HTC’s new Sense 5.5 software. Sense 5.5 allows you to further customize HTC’s BlinkFeed menu and offers integration with services like Instagram and Google+.

The removable back cover will let you insert a microSD card for up to 64GB. However, You can’t remove the 3,300mAh battery, although HTC is offering an additional Power Flip case with a built-in 1150mAh battery.

One implied deadfall on HTC’s One Max is its weight. The One Max peaks the scales at a staggering 217 grams. Yes, you get a very big screen, but Samsung has already showed that it can create a 5.7-inch phone at 168 grams, which in my view is a lot more portable.

Other than that, this phone is pretty much the same thing as HTC One, with the same UltraPixel rear camera and BoomSound front-facing speakers.

The new device will compete against the likes of Samsung Galaxy Note 3, LG G2 and the upcoming Nokia phablet.

Here are the specs again:

CPU: Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300

• Chipset: Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon 600
• OS: Android OS, v4.3 (Jelly Bean)
• Design:

• Dimensions: 164.5 x 82.5 x 10.3 mm
• Weight 217 g

• Display:
• Capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
• 1080 x 1920 pixels, 5.9 inches (~373 ppi pixel density)

• Memory:
• Card slot: microSD
• Internal: 16/32 GB, 2 GB RAM

• Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, HSPA+; LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n, Bluetooth, NFC, Infrared, microUSB v2.0
• Camera:

• Primary: 4 MP, 2688 x 1520 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
• Secondary: 2.1 MP, 1080p@30fps, HDR

• Non-removable Li-Po 3300 mAh battery
• Battery:

• Stand-by: Up to 585 h
• Talk time: Up to 25 h

The company has not revealed the price of the new model yet, but has announced that it will be launched in Asia and Europe in October and the US in November.

It merits mentioning that HTC has recently posted its first loss on record last quarter, and might be planning to cover it by HTC One Max phone. However, it’s just a matter of time that we will find out.

Source : Propakistani.pk

QMobile Announces Two New Entry-Level Smartphones, the Noir A30 and A34

QMobile has unveiled two new smartphones running on Android, called the Noir A30 and Noir A34.

The A30 is the better of the phones and is a bit expensive comparatively, costing PKR 7,800 PKR vs PKR 7,500 price tag of A34.

The phones come with 3.5 inch displays, Dual-SIM compatibility and dual-core processors. Keep reading to know further.

Noir A30

The Noir A30 comes with a 3.5 inch LCD display of HVGA resolution.

Under the hood, it boasts a dual-core processor of unknown kind. Still, dual-core phones are harder to come by at this price point. That’s accompanied by 256 MB RAM which is decidedly low, considering that competing Samsung phones come with 1 GB memory.

There is 512 MB of internal storage, which is expandable while the phone also boasts two front and back cameras of VGA and 2 mp resolutions respectively.

Connectivity options include Bluetooth, microUSB, Wi-Fi and GPS. Dual-Sim compatibility is also onboard and the phone runs on Android version 4.2 Jelly Bean.

There’s a 1500 mAh battery on the back, which should be enough for one day of usage.

The price of Noir A30 in Pakistan is Rs. 7,800.

Noir A34

The more modest phone of the two, the Noir A34 is an almost totally same package, save for the thicker design (13.3mm vs 12.6mm), no GPS and smaller battery (1300mAh vs 1500mAh). It also runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

The 3.5 inch display is of the same HVGA resolution of 480 x 320 pixels. The internal consists of the same dual-core processor, 256 MB RAM and 512 MB expandable storage. Back camera is of 2 mp, followed by a VGA camera upfront.

Dual-sim compatibility and the same connectivity options (Bluetooth, microUSB, Wi-Fi, GPS) complete the package.

The price of Noir A34 in Pakistan is Rs. 7,500.

The duo is available now.