More clues are emerging by the day pointing to what we can expect from BlackBerry 10 handsets when the touchscreen and QWERTY variants arrive next year, and Thursday was not different.
Some slipped-out marketing material gave us a possible glimpse at the colors and name of the touchscreen device, known up until now as the L-Series.
According to the picture provided to UnwiredView, the all-touch handset is called the BlackBerry Z10 and will come in both black and white.
Z10 is a departure from the company's traditional 4-numbered names, such as the BlackBerry Curve 9350 and BlackBerry Bold 9790.
Zo nice to meet you (Credit: UnwiredView)
Credit: UnwiredView
10, 10, 10
RIM is preparing both a touch handset and a QWERTY device that falls in line with its typical offerings.
Rumor has it that the keyboard-packing phone will be called the BlackBerry X10, keeping in tune with its touchscreen brethren's zippy descriptor.
The company just posted financials for the last fiscal quarter and while the numbers weren't awful, RIM has to be thinking it's BB10 or bust.
Those patiently waiting for Lenovo's Windows 8 tablet can finally place their order for the ThinkPad Tablet 2.
The ThinkPad Tablet 2 is on sale now for pre-order through Lenovo's website, with an estimated shipping date of Jan. 8, 2013.
It's available in three varieties, starting with the base 64GB model with Wi-Fi priced at $649 (UK£405, AU$634).
A $679 (UK£417, AU$647) model will add a pen and digitizer, while a $729 (UK£447, AU$695) model will also upgrade the operating system from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro.
Don't forget the accessories
None of the models include the ThinkPad Tablet 2's dock or keyboard. The dock is sold separately as a $99 (UK£69, AU$96) accessory, while the bluetooth keyboard that turns the Tablet 2 into a laptop will cost $119 (UK£74, AU$116).
The actual specs for each model will be identical, with a 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 IPS display, 2GB of RAM and a 1.8Ghz Intel Atom processor.
The only difference is that the highest end model features 32-bit Windows 8 Pro compared to just 32-bit Windows 8 on the two lower-priced tablets.
The early January ship date might not make the ThinkPad Tablet 2 too late for a holiday gift, but for those anxious to get their hands on a tablet running on the full Windows 8, it can't come soon enough.
More clues are emerging by the day pointing to what we can expect from BlackBerry 10 handsets when the touchscreen and QWERTY variants arrive next year, and today was not different.
Some slipped-out marketing material gave us a possible glimpse at the colors and name of the at least the touchscreen device, known up until now as the L-Series.
According to the picture provided to UnwiredView, the touch device is called the BlackBerry Z10 and will come in both black and white.
Z10 is a departure from the company's traditional 4-numbered names, such as the BlackBerry Curve 9350 and BlackBerry Bold 9790.
Zo nice to meet you (Credit: UnwiredView)
Credit: UnwiredView
10, 10, 10
RIM is preparing both a full-touch handset and a QWERTY device that falls in line with its typical offerings.
Rumor has it that the keyboard phone will be called the BlackBerry X10, keeping in tune with its touchscreen brethren's zippy descriptor.
The company just posted financials for the last fiscal quarter and while the numbers weren't awful, RIM has to be thinking it's BB10 or bust.
Those patiently waiting for Lenovo's Windows 8 tablet can finally place their order for the ThinkPad Tablet 2.
The ThinkPad Tablet 2 is on sale now for pre-order through Lenovo's website, with an estimated shipping date of Jan. 8, 2013.
It's available in three varieties, starting with the base 64GB model with WiFi priced at $649 (UK£405, AU$634).
A $679 (UK£417, AU$647) model will add a pen and digitizer, while a $729 (UK£447, AU$695) model will also upgrade the operating system from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro.
Don't forget the accessories
None of the models will include the ThinkPad Tablet 2's dock or keyboard. The dock is sold separately as a $99 (UK£69, AU$96) accessory, while the bluetooth keyboard that turns the Tablet 2 into a laptop will cost $119 (UK£74, AU$116).
The actual specs for each model will be identical, with a 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 IPS display, 2GB of RAM, and a 1.8Ghz Intel Atom processor.
The only difference is that the highest end model features 32-bit Windows 8 Pro compared to just 32-bit Windows 8 on the two lower-priced tablets.
The early January ship date might not make the ThinkPad Tablet 2 too late for a holiday gift, but for those anxious to get their hands on a tablet running on the full Windows 8 it can't come soon enough.
Your next smartphone may be able to bend to your will - literally! - thanks to flexible screen technology Samsung Display plans to show off at the Consumer Electronics Show next month.
CNET reported Thursday that the display division of Samsung Electronics will show off a pair of bendable screens which could one day reinvent how smartphones, tablets and even HDTVs are made.
Attendees at CES 2013 next month will be treated to their first glimpse of a 5.5-inch flexible display touting a 1280 x 720 HD resolution with a pixel density of 267 ppi.
Samsung Display will also use the same event in Las Vegas to unveil the technology applied to a 55-inch television set.
Nice curves
The impressive technology used for the screen is currently missing a touch panel and cover lens, which are considered necessary to form a modern touchscreen-enabled device.
While demonstration prototypes will indeed bend without breaking, Samsung Display was quick to note that they're not yet made to curl up into a roll.
In addition to flexible screens, Samsung is rumored to announce its next Galaxy S4 smartphone at CES 2013, along with a QWERTY-based tablet.
There are also rumblings that Samsung could debut a completely new image for its iconic brand next month, with a focus on lifestyle activities more befitting its new "global powerhouse" status.
Your next smartphone may be able to bend to your will - literally! - thanks to flexible screen technology Samsung Display plans to show off at the Consumer Electronics Show next month.
CNET reported Thursday that the display division of Samsung Electronics will show off a pair of bendable screens which could one day reinvent how smartphones, tablets and even HDTVs are made.
Attendees at CES 2013 next month will be treated to their first glimpse of a 5.5-inch flexible display touting a 1280 x 720 HD resolution with a pixel density of 267 ppi.
Samsung Display will also use the same event in Las Vegas to unveil the technology applied to a 55-inch television set.
Nice curves
The impressive technology used for the screen is currently missing a touch panel and cover lens, which are considered necessary to form a modern touchscreen-enabled device.
While demonstration prototypes will indeed bend without breaking, Samsung Display was quick to note that they're not yet made to curl up into a roll.
In addition to flexible screens, Samsung is rumored to announce its next Galaxy S4 smartphone at CES 2013, along with a QWERTY-based tablet.
There are also rumblings that Samsung could debut a completely new image for its iconic brand next month, with a focus on lifestyle activities more befitting its new "global powerhouse" status.
It hasn't even been a year since the original Samsung Galaxy Note launched. It was a work of genius for old Samsung. Many (including us, we admit) were not convinced. Who on earth would want something so big to make their calls and surf the internet, even with a glorified stylus?
Cue awkward silence.
Millions of you, it would appear. The Samsung Galaxy Note has sold by the bucketload. And while it is most definitely a niche device, it's done wonders for Samsung's balance sheet. How do you follow that up? With something better, of course - the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
If you've ever fondled or caressed the original Samsung Galaxy Note and found its larger size too much to handle, we'll break this to you with a sledgehammer - the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is bigger.
It's now 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4mm (5.9 x 3.2 x 0.4 inches), so slightly up from 146.9 x 83 x 9.7mm (5.8 x 3.3 x 0.4 inches). That said, we didn't find it cumbersome at all.
In the way the original Samsung Galaxy Note followed the Samsung Galaxy S2's square design, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 follows the Samsung Galaxy S3's more rounded rectangular look.
And what a beauty it is. It actually felt slightly smaller to us in day-to-day use - but that may be down to the fact that we have gravedigger hands.
The Samsung Galaxy Note had a frankly amazing screen as it was, so would have taken some beating. But Samsung clearly likes a challenge. The size has gone up slightly from 5.3 inches to 5.5. And although pixel density is reduced, we didn't notice it.
This is the bright, vivid Samsung Super AMOLED panel that we all know and love - and what a beauty it is, replicating colours amazingly and immaculately.
As expected, that screen takes up most of the front. You get a home button and two hidden soft keys beneath it as before, plus a front-facing camera and sensors up top.
The handset itself has little to note (geddit?) around the edges. A headphone jack up top, power button on the right, volume on the left and charger port below, right alongside the S-Pen slot - more of which will follow later.
Around the back, you'll find the 8MP camera with flash.
The additional sorcery is carried out away from view. The microSD expansion slot is beneath the rear cover - as is the microSIM slot, hidden behind the enormous 3,100 mAh battery.
And there's a whole lot of goodness even further inwards than that: HSDPA (LTE if you're extra lucky), NFC, GPS, Wi-Fi and so forth. It's a veritable treasure trove of geekdom.
One other thing we'd say is that this does feel like a quality Android smartphone/tablet. We're aware of the protestations by some readers (particularly iPhone users) that phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 feel like toys because they're so light and plasticky.
At 183g (0.4lbs), you couldn't describe the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 as a feather - and the weight gives it a real notion of substance.
If you want to pick one of these big boys up, you'll need to be willing to part with some serious cash - around £530/AU$999/US$700 appears to be the average SIM-free price. It is also available on contract, but be willing to shovel top dollar each month in the network's direction for two years.
Normally, this is where we'd talk about the alternatives on offer. But we admit, we're stumped here. Why? Well, in our mind, there is no clear rival. The Samsung Galaxy Note created its own category, in that there were no real phablets about before.
There is the LG Optimus Vu, which hasn't hit the UK, but is in the US under the moniker LG Intuition, however it's 4:3 ratio screen makes it an extremely odd proposition.
And while you'll get the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system and similar benefits from the Samsung Galaxy S3 or Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (depending on whether you want a phone or tablet), the form factor is pretty unique.
In fact, the only real rival is the original Samsung Galaxy Note - a worthy contender for that title, because it's now available for a much reduced sum.
However that's all about to change as reports suggest the likes of HTC, Sony, Huawei and ZTE all have 5-inch plus handsets on the way, many of which will apparently boast full HD, 1080p display - your eyes won't know what hit em.
Around £400/AU$480/US$500 will get you an original Note SIM-free - and that makes it a very serious and credible alternative to its replacement, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
It hasn't even been a year since the original Samsung Galaxy Note launched. It was a work of genius for old Samsung. Many (including us, we admit) were not convinced. Who on earth would want something so big to make their calls and surf the internet, even with a glorified stylus?
Cue awkward silence.
Millions of you, it would appear. The Samsung Galaxy Note has sold by the bucketload. And while it is most definitely a niche device, it's done wonders for Samsung's balance sheet. How do you follow that up? With something better, of course - the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
If you've ever fondled or caressed the original Samsung Galaxy Note and found its larger size too much to handle, we'll break this to you with a sledgehammer - the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is bigger.
It's now 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4mm (5.9 x 3.2 x 0.4 inches), so slightly up from 146.9 x 83 x 9.7mm (5.8 x 3.3 x 0.4 inches). That said, we didn't find it cumbersome at all.
In the way the original Samsung Galaxy Note followed the Samsung Galaxy S2's square design, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 follows the Samsung Galaxy S3's more rounded rectangular look.
And what a beauty it is. It actually felt slightly smaller to us in day-to-day use - but that may be down to the fact that we have gravedigger hands.
The Samsung Galaxy Note had a frankly amazing screen as it was, so would have taken some beating. But Samsung clearly likes a challenge. The size has gone up slightly from 5.3 inches to 5.5. And although pixel density is reduced, we didn't notice it.
This is the bright, vivid Samsung Super AMOLED panel that we all know and love - and what a beauty it is, replicating colours amazingly and immaculately.
As expected, that screen takes up most of the front. You get a home button and two hidden soft keys beneath it as before, plus a front-facing camera and sensors up top.
The handset itself has little to note (geddit?) around the edges. A headphone jack up top, power button on the right, volume on the left and charger port below, right alongside the S-Pen slot - more of which will follow later.
Around the back, you'll find the 8MP camera with flash.
The additional sorcery is carried out away from view. The microSD expansion slot is beneath the rear cover - as is the microSIM slot, hidden behind the enormous 3,100 mAh battery.
And there's a whole lot of goodness even further inwards than that: HSDPA (LTE if you're extra lucky), NFC, GPS, Wi-Fi and so forth. It's a veritable treasure trove of geekdom.
One other thing we'd say is that this does feel like a quality Android smartphone/tablet. We're aware of the protestations by some readers (particularly iPhone users) that phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 feel like toys because they're so light and plasticky.
At 183g (0.4lbs), you couldn't describe the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 as a feather - and the weight gives it a real notion of substance.
If you want to pick one of these big boys up, you'll need to be willing to part with some serious cash - around £530/AU$999/US$700 appears to be the average SIM-free price. It is also available on contract, but be willing to shovel top dollar each month in the network's direction for two years.
Normally, this is where we'd talk about the alternatives on offer. But we admit, we're stumped here. Why? Well, in our mind, there is no clear rival. The Samsung Galaxy Note created its own category, in that there were no real phablets about before.
There is the LG Optimus Vu, which hasn't hit the UK, but is in the US under the moniker LG Intuition, however it's 4:3 ratio screen makes it an extremely odd proposition.
And while you'll get the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system and similar benefits from the Samsung Galaxy S3 or Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (depending on whether you want a phone or tablet), the form factor is pretty unique.
In fact, the only real rival is the original Samsung Galaxy Note - a worthy contender for that title, because it's now available for a much reduced sum.
However that's all about to change as reports suggest the likes of HTC, Sony, Huawei and ZTE all have 5-inch plus handsets on the way, many of which will apparently boast full HD, 1080p display - your eyes won't know what hit em.
Around £400/AU$480/US$500 will get you an original Note SIM-free - and that makes it a very serious and credible alternative to its replacement, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
The Ofcom 4G auction is moving along apace, and we're now seeing the full range of bidders for the superfast spectrum – with some surprising names thrown into the mix.
We've had a word with all the new players and while their plans aren't quite forthcoming due to auction rules stating that bidders can't reveal their intentions, we've done a spot of digging to see what it means for the user.
Along with the usual suspects of Vodafone, O2, EE and 3 we've seen BT, MLL Telecom and PCCW all enter the race to get a slice of the 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum – so let's take a look at what they're likely to be doing with it:
BT
Operating through its Niche Spectrum Ventures subsidiary, the telecoms provider has made it pretty clear that it's not going to be the next competitor to the imcumbent mobile networks.
It has long had plans to use 4G to deliver broadband speeds on the go, and told TechRadar it hasn't changed its stance since its CEO said there were no plans to enter the mobile operator space.
It already has plans in place with EE to share its 4G spectrum to deliver broadband to rural areas, and this bid is almost certain to be part of a plan to further that goal.
PCCW / HKT
This Hong Kong firm is a long standing player in the telecommunications industry through its majority share in HKT, which is making the bid in the UK.
Like BT, the firm is not planning on becoming a rival to the likes of O2 and Vodafone – instead it's looking to bring broadband connectivity using the wireless technology.
PCCW owns UK Broadband, which was set up to provide broadband to businesses and the public sector as well as manage infrastructure, but it was also one of the first to offer 4G wireless broadband in areas of the UK to both consumers and businesses through its Now! Broadband platform.
The response we received was pretty bland over the firm's plans: "It is not HKT's practice to comment on competitive situations such as spectrum auctions. We will comment as appropriate after the auctions conclude."
However, it's pretty clear that PCCW wants to make a big step forward with Now! Broadband, giving even those in rural areas more TV and internet services where fixed line can't penetrate.
MLL Limited
You won't have heard of MLL, a Buckinghamshire-based firm that's over 20 years old, but they're the guys helping get your mobile signal to you.
It works for the likes of BT and Vodafone to help manage and build the infrastructure to send all those tiny bytes of data you use to tell the world what you're having for breakfast or, indeed, what you might be eating in the future.
"Through our experience and expertise within the industry we recognise that the demands on mobile networks are constantly changing and will continue to do so over the next few years; for this reason we have decided to place our bid in the 4G auction to complement our existing spectrum allocation," said Karl Edwards, CCO of MLL in a statement sent to TechRadar.
"This move will allow us to further support our customers within the mobile industry, enabling us to provide improved backhaul capabilities through small cells as well as reducing the current [operating expense] costs incurred by our customers."
In short: you won't be able to buy a service from MLL, but it will use any spectrum it wins to make a network you CAN buy more efficient. You can forget all about it now.
The Ofcom 4G auction is moving along apace, and we're now seeing the full range of bidders for the superfast spectrum – with some surprising names thrown into the mix.
We've had a word with all the new players and while their plans aren't quite forthcoming due to auction rules stating that bidders can't reveal their intentions, we've done a spot of digging to see what it means for the user.
Along with the usual suspects of Vodafone, O2, EE and 3 we've seen BT, MLL Telecom and PCCW all enter the race to get a slice of the 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum – so let's take a look at what they're likely to be doing with it:
BT
Operating through its Niche Spectrum Ventures subsidiary, the telecoms provider has made it pretty clear that it's not going to be the next competitor to the imcumbent mobile networks.
It has long had plans to use 4G to deliver broadband speeds on the go, and told TechRadar it hasn't changed its stance since its CEO said there were no plans to enter the mobile operator space.
It already has plans in place with EE to share its 4G spectrum to deliver broadband to rural areas, and this bid is almost certain to be part of a plan to further that goal.
PCCW / HKT
This Hong Kong firm is a long standing player in the telecommunications industry through its majority share in HKT, which is making the bid in the UK.
Like BT, the firm is not planning on becoming a rival to the likes of O2 and Vodafone – instead it's looking to bring broadband connectivity using the wireless technology.
PCCW owns UK Broadband, which was set up to provide broadband to businesses and the public sector as well as manage infrastructure, but it was also one of the first to offer 4G wireless broadband in areas of the UK to both consumers and businesses through its Now! Broadband platform.
The response we received was pretty bland over the firm's plans: "It is not HKT's practice to comment on competitive situations such as spectrum auctions. We will comment as appropriate after the auctions conclude."
However, it's pretty clear that PCCW wants to make a big step forward with Now! Broadband, giving even those in rural areas more TV and internet services where fixed line can't penetrate.
MLL Limited
You won't have heard of MLL, a Buckinghamshire-based firm that's over 20 years old, but they're the guys helping get your mobile signal to you.
It works for the likes of BT and Vodafone to help manage and build the infrastructure to send all those tiny bytes of data you use to tell the world what you're having for breakfast or, indeed, what you might be eating in the future.
"Through our experience and expertise within the industry we recognise that the demands on mobile networks are constantly changing and will continue to do so over the next few years; for this reason we have decided to place our bid in the 4G auction to complement our existing spectrum allocation," said Karl Edwards, CCO of MLL in a statement sent to TechRadar.
"This move will allow us to further support our customers within the mobile industry, enabling us to provide improved backhaul capabilities through small cells as well as reducing the current [operating expense] costs incurred by our customers."
In short: you won't be able to buy a service from MLL, but it will use any spectrum it wins to make a network you CAN buy more efficient. You can forget all about it now.
Comparison tests have shown the BlackBerry 10 web browser to be faster than its equivalent on Apple's iOS 6 and the new version of Windows Phone.
The long-awaited software and first handsets will not be officially launched until January 30, but developers have had their hands on early builds for months, in order to prepare apps for the platform.
The Gadget Masters website used the BlackBerry Dev Alpha B handset and a developer build of BB10 and placed it up against the iPhone 5 on iOS 6 and the HTC 8X running Windows Phone 8.
The tests (shown in the videos below), showed the Webkit-based BB10 handset to render pages much faster than both rival platforms, although the site is yet to test against an Android handset.
RUM resurgence?
The BlackBerry 10 operating system is the most important software launch in the illustrious history of the Waterloo, Ontario-based company.
Long delays have seen the company's market share drop dangerously close to irrelevancy, while the latest financial figures have raised questions about how much is left in the kitty to turn RIM around.
It'll take more than a faster web browser to give BB10 a shot at taking on Apple and Android, but this in itself is good news for those hoping for a RIM resurgence in 2013.
The bidders for the UK's 4G bandwidth have been announced, with BT and a Buckinghamshire telecoms company amongst the more familiar names of the major UK networks.
The auction for a bit swathe of the UK's spectrum (800 MHz and 2.6GHz) occurs early next year, and communications regulator Ofcom has named the seven bidders for the sections of spectrum.
The main networks are present and accounted for, including EE - which already holds the honour of the UK's first 4G network, Vodafone, O2 (Telefonica) and Three (Hutchison Whampoa).
What are they bidding 4G?
Less familiar to many will be PCCW - a Hong Kong-based telecoms conglomerate and MLL Telecom - a Bucks-based network supplier.
Rounding out the list is BT - through its subsidiary Niche Spectrum Ventures, which is an interesting move for Britain's most familiar telecoms giant.
"New 4G services will stimulate investment, growth and innovation in the UK, and deliver significant benefits to consumers in terms of better, faster and more reliable mobile broadband connections," said Ed Richards, Ofcom's chief executive.
Those benefits principally mean faster data transfer, with 4G all set to bring in things like streaming HD video on the go, video calls and super-fast surfing.
