MeeGo PR1.3 update for the Nokia N9 is now rolling out

Nokia N9 users, it looks like you have not been forgotten after all. TheMeeGo PR1.3 update should be coming to your handset pretty soonbringing "over 1,000 quality improvements" across various bits of the platform. Those who own an unbranded Nokia N9 will see the update first, and the branded models will follow afterwards. All in all, the update should reach your handsets no later than a few weeks from today.

So, what's on that list of 1,000 improvements we just mentioned? Well, most of the stuff are bug fixes and stability improvements, which you might not even notice during every-day use, yet some other changes you are much more likely to spot. With MeeGo PR1.3, the Nokia N9 connects faster to Wi-Fi and manages to focus better on objects when shooting photos in low-light conditions. The Mail, Facebook, and Twitter apps have also been improved. In addition, you might notice that NFC now works better, and that a few interface tweaks have been added here and there.

You can either wait for an update notification to appear on your Nokia N9, or in case you prefer to check manually, go to Settings, then tap Applications, and then go to Manage Applications where the Updates tab is located. Keep in mind that the MeeGo PR1.3 update is over 200MB in size, so you might want to connect to Wi-Fi before updating.

source: Nokia,

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LG's Optimus L5 is a confused smartphone

The LG Optimus L5 may pack Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), but still feels like it's lacking something.

BARCELONA, Spain--Sadly, the LG Optimus L5, a midrange Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) smartphone from the Korean chaebol, is one you should likely avoid.

While it's great to know affordable ICS devices will be made available, the Optimus L5 doesn't seem to have what it takes to wow even the budget consumer.

If you thought buying the handset would give you access to Google's latest mobile OS cheaply, you would be partially right. Sadly, the Optimus L5 comes with a custom UI layer that makes the experience more like Gingerbread than ICS.

Our palms flew to our foreheads when we saw what LG did with the menu button.

The worst thing about LG's tinkering: The company has switched the Recent Apps button to one that launches the various menu settings for the launcher and themes. This is the same for most LG handsets equipped with ICS. The custom UI is also saddled with unnecessary effects--the phone unlocks with a circular opening transition effect that's just hideous to watch.

Of course, it could be that this is just a prototype handset with beta software, so we ought to cut the company some slack. However, that still doesn't explain the physical home button that seems copy-pasted from the Samsung lineup.

Sigh.

[Source]

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Sony Xperia P

Sony seems to be the only Android vendor at this show focusing on design as much as HTC is. The Xperia P's clear plastic bar and rounded back make it look unlike other Android phones, and its White Magic display makes for truly stunning brightness. White Magic uses four subpixels for each pixel rather than the usual three; the fourth one is white. That makes the screen's whites extremely bright, and saves power all around because you only have to light one subpixel rather than three for white areas.

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Samsung Galaxy Beam Sim Free

The Samsung Galaxy Beam Sim Free Unlocked mobile phone has landed. This latest release from Samsung features a built in HD projector, allowing you to enjoy  mobile gaming on a 50inch surface. The 15 lumens projector works with a built in application which allows you to use this amazing technology.

Samsung's Galaxy Beam allows you to transfer your files faster than ever before thanks to the latest Bluetooth 3.0 technology. Enjoy Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk and Picasa integration wherever you find yourself. Take pictures, or capture video on the built in 5 mega pixel camera with LED flash.

·         Use the Samsung Galaxy Beam to play games or give presentations using the built in projector

·         Experience Android version 2.3

·         Stay connected using WiFi, HSDPA, 3G Technology and Bluetooth

·         Use mapping and sat nav applications with built in GPS

·         Store upto 8 GB of content or expand upto 32 GB via micro sd

Specification

System: GSM Quad band 850/900/1800/1900 3G & HSDPA

Size: 124 x 64.2 x 12.5 mm

Weight: 145.3g with battery

Standby time: TBA

Talk Time: TBA

Camera: 5 Mega Pixel, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, Geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection, image stabilization

Display: 4 inch (480 x 800 pixels) Super AMOLED

What’s in the box?

Samsung Galaxy Beam Handset

Samsung Battery

Samsung Charger

Samsung Stereo Headset

Samsung USB Data Cable

User Guide

Warranty Card

This handset is covered by a full 24 month manufacturer's warranty.

[Source]

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HTC One X

Quad-core Android phones and high-quality camera phones are two major themes at this 
year's MWC, and the HTC One X brings those two concepts together elegantly. Rather than just blowing out specs, HTC is focusing on finish, feel, and quality, from the eye-popping Super LCD 2 screen to the mega-fast HDR camera enabled by a new image chip. The One X even uses both flagship processors shown off at the show—Nvidia's Tegra 3 in most countries, and Qualcomm's S4 in its AT&T version. It can be a bit too large for some with its 4.7-inch screen, but we think it just might be Android's hero product of the year.

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Android Jelly Bean could come first from Asus

Asus hopes its close partnership with Google will lead it to be the first company to offer devices running Android Jelly Bean - version 5.0.

Asus prides itself on its Android upgrade efficiency, as it was the first to provide tablets running Honeycomb and the first to push the Ice Cream Sandwich update to its tablets.

Benson Lin, Asus' Corporate Vice President told TechRadar: "Asus is very close to Google, so once they have Android 5.0 I think there will be a high possibility that we will be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update."

Lean, mean, jelly bean machine

Asus announced its 3-in-1 Padfone device at MWC 2012, which sees a mobile phone, tablet and netbook combined into one device running Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

Asus hopes the Padfone will help it gain traction in the mobile market and if it produces quality handsets, the promise of a speedy upgrade to Android Jelly Bean in the future may see consumers flock to the Taiwanese firm.

We've already heard from LG that it is committed to upgrading its 2012 handset range to Android Jelly Bean once it becomes available, so it will be interesting to see which manufacturer can turn it around in the shortest amount of time.

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Nokia 808 PureView more official samples (and Skateboarder in the air)

Stumbled on an interesting reaction at Pentax Forums about the Nokia 808 PureView (I was actually looking for an older post of ours to find some details but ended up there). The reactions from this camera forum there seem quite positive

In the first few pages of that thread I found a sample photo there I hadn’t seen before.

Oh, since skateboarders in the air appears to be benchmarks of fast lenses :p here’s a photo of a skate boarder frozen in air that a forum member posted (though it’s an official Nokia shot).

Also, I’m such a camera noob, I didn’t realise photos in silhouettes still held this much data. No photoshop even necessary as highlighting causes the faces to be seen, but I think this is one a user on the forum edited.

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