Huawei Ascend P2 flies the coop in leaked press shot

Just last week, the first mention of specifications for Huawei's rumored Ascend P2 smartphone were released.

According to that report, the Ascend P2 will boast a quad-core 1.8GHz Hisilicon K3V2 processor, a 5-inch screen with 1280 x 720 resolution, and run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

This was of course after Huawei neglected to mention such a phone during CES 2013, where it also happened to bring a small cadre of more than capable phones for display.

Despite all the focus the Ascend W1 and Ascend Mate earned just a short while ago, attention has quickly shifted to the mysterious P2.

Further fanning of the flames came on Thursday, when frequent phone photo leaker @evleaks posted the first supposed image of the Ascend P2.

The real deal?

The image posted is reportedly an official press shot of the Ascend P2, which Huawei was apparently hoping to keep under wraps until Mobile World Congress next month.

Though the smartphone does look rather sharp, if not a little boring with the standard white rear plate, there's no telling just how accurate this image could be.

Huawei hasn't even hinted at the fact that the P2 exists, let alone announced that it may be in the pipeline, so seeing it peak out more than a month before its supposed release makes us a bit wary.

That said, @evleaks does have a history of spoiling Huawei's fun, and could have done so here again with this leaked shot.

With one month to go until MWC, we certainly won't have long to wait to find out whether or not this early look at the Ascend P2 was accurate.

Via Unwired View

tech. magazine reveals the apps breaking into Apple's walled garden

With news that Amazon has released an Apple-friendly version of its MP3 service in the US, this week's issue of tech. magazine looks at other apps and services that are giving Apple a run for its own money.

From Spotify to Facebook Messenger, Apple is slowly but surely letting others into its eco-system that can essentially replace its own apps. But does more choice actually make for a better experience? tech. explains all.

Also in the issue, the crazy world of Kim Dotcom is investigated, alongside the entrepreneur's new service Mega, all the latest news on why Sony may be delaying the PS4 and expert opinion focusing on Mozilla's new phone offering, Firefox OS.

Reviews, videos and celebrations

tech. also joins Intel in celebrating the birthday of Professor Stephen Hawking and asks the question: do we really need Siri in our lives?

As always, the issue is packed with the week's best videos and this issue there are in-depth, interactive reviews of the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 and the Nikon 1 V2 and a preview of Microsoft Surface Pro.

Speaking about the latest issue, editor of tech. Marc Chacksfield said: "Ever since the FFC told Apple that is must open up its devices to rival apps, Apple has had to stand back and watch others create services for iOS that can replace the company's own offerings.

"Now that one of its biggest rivals, Amazon, is taking advantage and showing that all you need is help from HTML5 to stop Apple taking a chunk of money from sales, it's interesting to see how others will open up iOS to the masses.

"Oh, and let us know if you get the high score with our playable 'iOS Invaders' cover!"

Grab the latest issue of tech. from iTunes now. And don't forget that you can still get five issues free when you sign up for a subscription.

Samsung reportedly sets ridiculously ambitious sales goal for Galaxy S4

Samsung Galaxy S4rumors are at a fever pitch, and so are the company's sales expectations for the soon-to-be-announced smartphone each month, according to South Korean media.

Korean language news site Money Today reports that Samsung has already ordered 10 million Galaxy S4 components per month.

This figures indicates that Samsung is capable of selling 10 million units per month, following the expected Galaxy S4 release date in April.

The translated text from the Korean site doesn't express how long its industry sources expect Samsung to be able to keep this 10-million unit level going.

Galaxy S4 vs. Galaxy S3 vs. Galaxy S2 sales

The dominating sales of the Galaxy S3 and and the Galaxy S2 smartphones before it indicate that the Galaxy S4 should be a gigantic success.

However, if Samsung does indeed have a lofty goal of 10 million units per month, as rumored, it would have to sell about one-and-a-half times as many Galaxy S4 smartphones at launch.

The Galaxy S3 took 50 days to achieve that 10 million sold figure, and the S2 took 5 months.

May come down to Galaxy S4 specs, price

Samsung's ability to sell that many Galaxy S4 smartphones may come down to the technology inside of the handset and the price on the outside of its box.

There have been Galaxy S4 leaks aplenty, leading us to speculate that the smartphone will have a 4.99-inch screen and a Full HD 440PPI resolution.

The Galaxy S4 processor, meanwhile, is rumored to set a new benchmark with a Exynos Octa 5 eight-core 1.8GHz chip.

It's been speculated that the phone will run Android 4.2.1, have at least a 10-megapixel camera, and support wireless charging to boot.

While there have been many tech spec rumors, leakers haven't been as vocal about a Galaxy S4 price, a key determinant to the success of any smartphone these days.

Whether or not Samsung is able to move 10 million Galaxy S4s per month, the company is likely to achieve its 500 million smartphone sales goal in 2013 in large part due to this highly anticipated phone.

Cheap Android tablets boost Carphone Warehouse takings

In a welcome break from the UK's recent Nightmare on High Street, Carphone Warehouse has revealed its coffers have swelled considerably.

The mobile retailer's like-for-like revenues were up 16 per cent during the Christmas quarter, largely due to sales of affordable Android tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire, available for just £99 this Christmas.

The company has also enjoyed success bundling tablets with smartphones, claiming it had become an "authority" in the tablet space.

Carphone Warhouse CEO Roger Taylor said: "We have become an authority in the tablet market for the first time ever. Having done that at a time when we've also managed to maintain our profitability is something we can be very proud of."

Tabletmania running wild

The company said it had sold 40,000 tablets per week during the Christmas period compared with 5,000 a week last year.

The success highlights just how much the ever-lowering entry level for high quality tablets has opened up the market for UK punters.

Carphone Warehouse's excellent Christmas comes in stark contrast to the likes of HMV and Jessops whose awful festive seasons saw them both collapse into administration.

Via Guardian

Lenovo eyeing RIM for possible mobile partnership

Lenovo is looking into ways to boost its mobile business, and according to the firm a partnership with Research in Motion may just be the way to go about it.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Lenovo Chief Financial Officer Wong Wai Ming told Bloomberg, "We are looking at all opportunities -- RIM and many others."

"We'll have no hesitation if the right opportunity comes along that could benefit us and shareholders," Wong added.

The comment immediately set off a flurry of excitement, including a three percent rise in RIM stock at the thought of a Lenovo bid.

How likely is it, really?

Over the last year RIM has been changing its tune when it comes to hardware partnerships, shifting from a firm no-sell policy to a more open consideration of selling its hardware production side after the BlackBerry 10 launch.

Meanwhile Lenovo, despite rhetoric of leading a PC plus era in the tech industry, is looking for ways to make a splash in the ever-increasing mobile marketplace.

On paper a Lenovo/RIM deal seems like a match made in tech heaven.

But there are significant hurdles that could easily break down Lenovo and RIM's partnership possibilities, chiefly from government regulations.

An acquisition of RIM's size could require approval from the Canadian government to pass. Earlier this week Canadian Industry Minister Christian Paradis responded to the possibility of a RIM sale telling Reuters that, "We hope to see RIM remain a global leader and player, and make sure it can grow organically."

Any deal or partnership would also of course hinge on how the first crop of BlackBerry 10 handsets fare after their Jan. 30 launch. RIM may be more open to a deal these days, but it isn't in any hurry to sell if BB10 is a success.

Via Bloomberg, Reuters

Could Samsung's next display push beyond 440ppi?

With a pixel density of 326ppi, Apple's 4-inch iPhone 5 is home to one of the more, though by no means most pixelated, high-res screens on the market, but Samsung is reportedly working to one-up Cupertino and a number of others with its next generation of smartphones.

The sometimes-reliable DigiTimes reported Tuesday that Samsung Display is working on "new pixel layouts" for small-size AMOLED panels intended for its upcoming handsets.

According to unnamed industry sources, the technology implements "hexagon and diamond-shaped pixel layouts" to push pixel density above 440ppi, a significant boost over rival Apple.

The report noted that the side-by-side layout currently in use for AMOLED display panels makes it "difficult to achieve" 440ppi or higher, which is why Samsung had to attack the problem a different way.

Highest pixels in the Galaxy?

While the current Samsung Galaxy S3 features a Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 306ppi, DigiTimes sources are already referring to the next-generation panel as "one of the highest resolution displays" available.

Sources claim Samsung will use a laser-based LITI production method to manufacture the higher-resolution display panel, which might make its debut in the upcoming Galaxy S4 handset.

While Apple claims to have the best screen out there, rivals like HTC's Droid DNA already house displays marked at 440ppi. If Samsung pushes its screens above 440ppi, it will set the stage for a pixel war of epic proportions.

As noted, DigiTimes can be hit or miss, but with manufacturers continually squeezing more pixels into every inch in an attempt to claim the title of "most advanced" on the market, we wouldn't be surprised if this rumor bears some high-res fruit.

Via DigiTimes

Could Samsung's next display push beyond 440ppi?

With a pixel density of 326ppi, Apple's 4-inch iPhone 5 is home to one of the more high-res screens on the market, but Samsung is racing to one-up Cupertino and a number of others for its next generation of smartphones.

The sometimes-reliable DigiTimes reported Tuesday that Samsung Display is rumored to be working on "new pixel layouts" for small-size AMOLED panels intended for its upcoming smartphones.

According to unnamed industry sources, the technology implements "hexagon and diamond-shaped pixel layouts" to push pixel density above 440ppi, a significant boost over rival Apple.

The report noted that the side-by-side layout currently in use for AMOLED display panels makes it "difficult to achieve" 440ppi or higher, which is why Samsung had to attack the problem a different way.

Highest pixels in the Galaxy?

While the current Samsung Galaxy S3 features an impressive Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 306ppi, DigiTimes sources are already referring to the next-generation panel as "one of the highest resolution displays" available.

Sources claim Samsung will use a laser-based LITI production method to manufacture the higher-resolution display panel, which is might make its debut in the upcoming Galaxy S4 handset.

While Apple claims to have the best screen out there, rivals like HTC's Droid DNA already house displays marked at 440ppi. If Samsung pushes it above 440ppi, it will set the stage for a pixel war of epic proportions.

As noted, DigiTimes can be hit or miss, but with manufacturers continually pushing the envelope to develop tech that's the "most advanced" on the market, we wouldn't be surprised if this rumor bears some high-res fruit.

Via DigiTimes

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 breaks cover on public transport

We may be laying eyes on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 for the first time thanks to some snaps taken on what looks like a bus or train.

The pictures have been picked up by Italian site DDay, yet it fails to inform us how it got hold of them so we're not taking these images as authentic.

Update: TechRadar contacted DDay about its source and although it is an anonymous tip the site is pretty bullish about the authenticity of the snaps: "an anonymous send us the photos. I have only the photos but it cannot be a fake.

"There is the slot for S-Pen in the lower right corner, it's 8 inches and of course it's a tablet with a Galaxy S3 shape.

"I always check the source before publishing, but this time it looks real."

If they do turn out to be the real deal then the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is set to take the design of the Galaxy Note 2 and blow it up to a proper tablet size.

Supersize me

The tablet in the pictures clearly sports the famous Samsung home key below the screen, flanked by menu and back buttons – a set up familiar to anyone who owns one of the firm's smartphones.

It's an interesting design path as usually the smaller tablets are similar in looks to their 10-inch companions – just take a look at the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.

Held up against what appears to be the 4.7-inch HTC One X, the supposed Galaxy Note 8.0 looks to be a comfortable size, although round the back the camera looks unmistakably like the one on the back of the HTC handset.

Various reports suggest the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 will be officially unveiled at MWC 2013 and TechRadar will be in attendance to bring you all the latest from the Korean firm.

From DDay

Mozart may be first in line at HTC to receive Windows Phone 7.8

The HTC Mozart may be the first handset in the Taiwanese firm's fleet to received the Windows Phone 7.8.

That's according to Polish site Windows-Phone.pl, which claims to have spoken to an (unconfirmed) HTC employee who revealed the news.

Now our Polish isn't the best, but we believe the source said something along the lines of "currently the HTC Mozart is the only phone which has been confirmed for the Windows Phone 7.8 update."

All WP7 devices in the running

The employee went on to reveal that the update would start rolling out towards the end of February or the start of March, which would correspond with reports suggesting the update will arrive with manufacturers at the end of January.

TechRadar has spoken to HTC and a spokesperson told us: "We are currently reviewing our upgrade plans for our Windows Phone product portfolio, but don't have anything to announce at this stage.

"In terms of the update, we can say that this is a Microsoft update, which will therefore roll out to all Windows Phone 7 devices."

However, it seems that there is some manufacturer influence: LG has previously admitted the Optimus 7 won't be getting the update any time soon, so it seems the brands are completely hands off with their handsets.

From Windows-Phone.pl via WP Dang

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 range could arrive at MWC 2013

Samsung may be prepping not one but four tablets for MWC 2013, ranging from a budget 7-inch slate all the way to a premium device.

SamMobile, a site which has seen some rumours become reality in the past, has spoken to its "Korean insider" who said that Samsung's plans for new 7-inch and 10-inch slates are set to form part of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 range.

The source claims the tablets are currently being built under the codename Santos, but we'd expect to see them as the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 and Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 at the Barcelona show if they do indeed exist, with both slates sporting a 5MP camera.

Roma & Kona

Samsung could be going a bit tablet crazy at MWC this year as we've already heard rumours suggesting a Galaxy Note 8.0 is on the cards and the source in question above reinforces the reports, claiming its codename is Kona.

As if those three weren't enough, the insider rounds off his information with a fourth rumoured slate, this time sitting atop Samsung's range and going by the codename Roma.

It's unclear how well connected, if at all, the source is but the news that Samsung is planning more tablets is hardly a surprise.

As usual Samsung is staying tight lipped so we'll have to wait until MWC rolls around at the end of February to see if the reports come to fruition.

From SamMobile

Pebble Smartwatch units skipping out to early backers today

Updated: Whatever was holding up Pebble's iPhone app is apparently no longer an issue as the company was able to push out its app for iOS just as the first phones started shipping.

The app is free, though needs a Pebble watch to work.

Original story continues below...

Kickstarter phenomenon the Pebble Smartwatch has today started shipping to its army of backers.

The first 500 e-paper watches are off the production line and are now being distributed to those who committed to the project first.

Pebble, which syncs with a user's smartphone via Bluetooth to show incoming calls, messages, notifications and more, attracted more than 69,000 backers, so it may take a while to fulfil all orders.

The company now aims to get production up to 2,400 watches a day, making use of the $10,266,845 it raised to make Pebble one of the most successful crowd-sourcing projects ever.

Working out the kinks

In a post on the Kickstarter page, the company said: "Pebble will start shipping today! We'll be sending out the first batch to the very first backers this afternoon. There are still some kinks and issues that we need to work out, but I'm glad to say we've made it this far."

The company had initially hoped to start shipping in September, but the incredible success of the project meant deliveries were delayed until the new year.

In today's post, the makers also offered an update on the accompanying smartphone apps, which will allow users to download software updates and customise watch-faces.

The Android app is coming on Thursday, but the iOS version has been held up in the notorious App Store approval quagmire.

Pebble added: "Pebble iOS App is not yet available in the App Store. We submitted two weeks ago and have been responding to reviewer feedback.

"For the moment, iOS users who receive Pebble early will be able to do notifications/Music control but will not be able to install watchfaces or upgrade to the latest PebbleOS until the app appears in the App Store."

UK's 4G auction starts today, gavels at the ready

Ofcom has thrown open the doors to the UK's 4G spectrum auction to the seven hungry bidders eager to get a slice of the 800MHz and 2.6GHz action.

It's the largest mobile spectrum auction ever to take place in the UK with the space on offer equivalent to three quarters of the current mobile spectrum.

In the running for the spectrum are Everything Everywhere Limited, HKT (UK) Company Limited, Hutchison 3G UK Limited (Three), MLL Telecom Ltd, Niche Spectrum Ventures Limited (read: BT), Telefonica UK Limited (O2) and Vodafone Limited.

No updates on progress

Sadly we won't be able to keep you updated on the progress of the auction and how much money the bidders are ploughing into the 4G cause with Ofcom keeping everything behind closed doors until it concludes.

More frustratingly there doesn't seem to be a specific end date for the auction, with Ofcom saying it will "conclude in a number of weeks."

The auction will allow more networks to offer 4G mobile data, with the likes of O2, Vodafone and 3 wanting to challenge EE which was allowed to launch its 4G service early.

It's not just 4G mobile connectivity on the cards however with the likes of BT looking to acquire some of the spectrum to improve its broadband coverage, especially in rural areas.