Sony Xperia Z3 Launcher And Widgets Ported For All Android Devices Running 4.2+

Sony Xperia Z3 Launcher And Widgets Ported For All Android Devices Running 4.2+

Xperia Z3 was one of the biggest announcements at IFA this Wednesday and its system dump was already been made available on XDA developers website the very next day. Developers have now successfully ported the device’s home launcher and widgets to all Android devices running Android 4.2 JellyBean or later versions. The ports have been developed by senior XDA member Sahaab.

The system dump of the Xperia Z3 was shared by XDA member IanM RS, who shared it on XDA forums on 5th September. The dump included everything from the launcher to apps and wallpapers. The build number of the firmware shared was 23.0.A.2.93. That most likely wouldn’t be the final firmware that would ship with the Xperia Z3 once It starts shipping to retailers by the end of the month.

The port works for both rooted as well as non-rooted devices, so everyone can install the Z3 launcher on their devices and get a feel of the updated Sony Xperia UI. No framework changes are required too, you simply need to remove the previous home.apk from the system/app folder on your phone. Once you’ve done that you can install it as any other apk file. Sony’s Android launcher has been very light right from the Sony Ericsson era, unlike the Samsung and LG launchers. So even if you’re not a fan of Sony’s devices, you should definitely give it a go and try the Z3 launcher.

The Xperia Z3 does not come with vastly different software from the Xperia Z2, but there are some minor differences that have been made. Since the device is not shipping right now and not available for demo either at retail stores, this is probably the only thing you can do while you wait for the smartphone to be available on online as well as brick and mortar stores near you.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Release Date Set for October

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Release Date Set for October

Samsung’s highly-anticipated Galaxy Note 4 is finally here. After months of rumors and speculations the South Korean have officially introduced the Galaxy Note 4. On this occasion we have learned about the Galaxy Note 4 release date.

But before talking about the Galaxy Note 4 release date, let’s recap its technical specifications. The new handset arrives with a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution, while being underpinned by either an octo-core Exynos 5 Octa or a quad-core Snapdragon 805 chipset, depending on the market you’re buying it from. Note 4 also packs 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, microSD support (up to 64 GB), and a 3,220 mAh battery. The connectivity features include Wi-Fi, NFC, LTE, IR blaster, Bluetooth 4.0, and microUSB 2.0. On the back of the Galaxy Note 4 there’s a 16 MP main shooter with OIS and 4K video recording support, while the front-facing camera has a 3.7 MP sensor with Wide Selfie functionality.

Even though Samsung didn’t reveal the exact Galaxy Note 4 release date, the representatives of the South Korean company said that the device will become available for purchase in October. Furthermore, all major US carriers confirmed they will have the Galaxy Note 4 in their portfolio. AT&T did mention they will be “among the first” to have it on their shelves, while T-Mobile and US Cellular have set the Note 4 release date for October.

There’s no word of the Galaxy Note 4 price, either. Anyway, you shouldn’t expect the new device to be more expensive than its predecessor. Well, at least on contract. On the US market, the Galaxy Note 4 is expected to have a price of $300 with a two-year contract.

Moto 360, iWatch: Rumored Motorola and Apple Smartwatches

Moto 360, iWatch: Rumored Motorola and Apple Smartwatches

The Moto 360 and the iWatch are some of the most anticipated smartwatch options right now, not because they’re the first of their kind, but because they offer a lot more connectivity to your smartphone and are a little more aesthetically pleasing. Today, we’re going to be comparing the two, or what we know about them so far.

The Motorola Moto 360 has been announced, but Apple hasn’t made an official announcement for the iWatch, although it’s expected they will alongside the release of the iPhone 6 on September 9th. There’s a Motorola special event scheduled for September 4th, where they will likely be announcing the Moto 360 and the Moto X+1. We may be seeing this device on shelves as soon as mid-September, if this is the case.

Despite the fact Apple hasn’t made the announcement for the iWatch just yet, it’s rumored that the device will be available anywhere from mid-September to late November. Some are even suggesting we won’t see the device until 2015. Nothing can be made fact until Apple announces the device and release date, which will hopefully happen September 9th.

Motorola’s Moto 360

Design-wise, we already know exactly what the Moto 360 looks like, but we have no idea whatsoever what it will be constructed out of. The smartwatch will be sporting a round display and will have quite a few customization options, including interchangeable bands to give your device a new look, and options for either a black or aluminum face. The customization part may be enough to woo people into picking up one of these devices, as Motorola has gone more towards a fashion statement than just a boring, old smartwatch, which is a smart move on their part.

Rumored Apple iWatch

The iWatch, on the other hand, is still a secret. It’s speculated that the device will be offered in both a square model and a circular model, and may sport a more traditional looking band. We can’t be sure of anything just yet, as Apple seems to be moving towards a more uniform look with their devices, so it may feature sleek aluminum edges and a plain black band. Supposedly, they have consulted with Tag Heur’s Vice President for advice on design, so we will see what comes of that.

With Apple’s release of their new Health app in iOS 8, we may see the iWatch going towards more of a fitness device than a watch. It’s very possible we will see some new sensors that can detect heart rate, or maybe an accurate pedometer built in, and sync that information with the app so you can more easily keep track of your workouts. Display-wise, there’s not much that we know regarding the device. Recently, there have been reports of Kobe Bryant hanging around the Apple Infinite Loop Campus, which may be a sign that he’s beta testing the device. There have also been reports of Dustin Brown beta testing the device.

Moto 360 Features

Motorola’s Moto 360 will have a ton of features that can really help with daily life, from showing notifications from your smartphone, to calendar appointments, to even displaying traffic in the area. There’s also the ability to customize the watchfaces’ UI, which is a neat little addition to the device too. The face itself is circular, just like a classic watch, and features a 1.5in display with a 320 x 290 resolution. The great thing is that there are already many apps meant for smartwatches in the Google Play Store. These apps are called Android Wear apps, and some include the Firefox browser, Audible, Evernote, and a couple of Weather apps.

Rumored Prices

Now for the deal breaker: price. The Moto 360, according to a recent leak on Best Buy, the smartwatch will be available for $250, which isn’t that bad in all reality. Although it’s about $20-$50 more than other Android Wear devices, it’s the same price as the Pebble Steel. The Apple iWatch, on the other hand, has been predicted to be priced at around $300. Keep in mind that it’s just speculation. We’ll see what truly comes of the device when it’s unveiled by Apple in mid-September.

IFA 2014: Sony announces its New Xperia Z3 Flagship Smartphone With 2 Day Battery Stamina and Improved Camera

IFA 2014: Sony announces its New Xperia Z3 Flagship Smartphone With 2 Day Battery Stamina and Improved Camera

The wait is finally over! Sony has finally launched their new flagship smartphone – Xperia Z3. The rumors over the past few months suggested it to be quite a boring device but it is actually a pretty interesting smartphone.

Let’s talk about the hardware specifications first. It comes with the same 5.2 inch 1920 x 1080 resolution IPS display with Sony’s Triluminos Display for mobile and X-Reality image enhancement technology. Powering the smartphone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, clocked at 2.5GHz. There is 3GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage, expandable by a microSD, 20.7MP Exmor RS rear camera, 2.2MP front camera, 3100mAh battery, IP65/68 certified dust and water-resistant, LTE Cat.4 support for up to 150 Mbps download speeds, and Android 4.4.4 KitKat out of the box. The dimensions of the device are 146 x 72 x 7.3mm.

These specs might not sound very different from the Xperia Z2 but actually there are a lot more differences than these specs suggest. The most promising change has to do with the battery life. Sony claims that they have been able to tune all the components of the smartphone to be as efficient as possible to extract the maximum possible battery life. The result of that is said to be a 2 day battery life. That’s right! Sony claims that you can use the Xperia Z3 for two continuous days without having to look for your charger. Even though battery capacity is down by 100mAh over the Xperia Z2, the battery life is said to be quite a lot better. There is also an ultra-stamina mode on board that limits your phone to core functions only like calls and messaging to extract the most out of your battery.

Another area where Sony seems to have concentrated is the camera. You might remember that even though the Xperia Z2 came with a 20.7MP camera, it underperformed as far as the image quality went. Its rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the LG G3 delivered better results even though they have lower resolution cameras. The Xperia Z3 camera sees some major improvements. The maximum ISO has seen a big jump to ISO12800 now, the highest sensitivity in any smartphone to date. The G Lens has also been upgraded and is now 25mm wide lens (27mm on Z2) that allows you to capture wider shots than before. The camcorder also features a new Intelligent Active Mode which analyzes your movements when shooting a video and minimizes blur and shake from videos. The list of camera apps has also been extended, with more to follow soon.

Even though the display packs the same enhancement technologies and resolution as the Z2, the panel itself is said to be brand new and offers the highest brightness of any Xperia yet according to Sony, A contrast enhancement technology has also been adopted to improve sunlight legibility.

Playstation Remote Play is also a big feature on the Xperia Z3. Sony claims the Xperia Z3 (along with other Z3 products) is the only smartphone in the market that allows you to access your PlayStation 4 games from anywhere in your home using a Wi-Fi network. A separate attachment accessory will help connect the PS4 controller to your Xperia Z3 so you can continue playing your game on it and move around the house.

Audio is another area where Sony has achieved some significant improvements. The noise cancellation feature from the Xperia Z2 is retained but you now get DSEE HX (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) from Sony Walkman devices that allows you to enjoy all your music in the highest possible quality. It also comes with Hi-Res Audio supports, letting you enjoy listening to lossless audio files on the go.

Sony has always been the master of good-looking industrial designs, and the Z series line has been testament to that. The Xperia Z3 looks like an evolution of the Xperia Z2 design with much of the same philosophy but with clever new touches being added to make it a more ergonomic smartphone. The bezels have been trimmed and the side bezels are now said to be just 0.2 mm thin. This has allowed the Xperia Z3 to be slightly less wide than its predecessor and at the same time the thickness has reduced from 8.2mm to 7.2mm. Weight has also reduced to 152 grams from 163 grams on the Z2. The materials used are the same though, with double tempered glass and an aluminum frame. The dust and water resistance capabilities have also seen an improvement with the Z3 being IP65/68 certified, it is now water proof up to a depth of 1.5 meters in fresh water.

All Xperia Z3 models appear to be 4G LTE compatible and the handset supports Nano SIM cards. The Xperia Z3 will be available globally this Autumn with pricing details to be revealed at a later stage. Four color options will be offered depending on the market – Black, White, Copper, and Silver Green.

IFA 2014: Sony Launches Xperia Z3 Compact, The Most Powerful Mini Flagship Yet

IFA 2014: Sony Launches Xperia Z3 Compact, The Most Powerful Mini Flagship Yet

Along with the Xperia Z3, Sony also announced the Xperia Z3 Compact today. It is the Mini version of the Xperia Z3 and unlike the Minis from other manufacturers, it retains almost all the features of its bigger brother.

The Xperia Z3 compact comes with a 4.6 inch 1280 x 720 HD resolution IPS display with TRILUMINOS and Live Color LED, Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5GHz CPU with Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage (expandable up to 128GB by microSD cards), 20.7MP f2.0 aperture rear camera with 4K video recording, 2600mAh battery, IP65/68 certified dust and water-resistant, LTE Cat.4 connectivity, and runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

Sony really seems to have concentrated on the “compact” bit with the Xperia Z3 Compact. Despite packing a bigger display than its predecessor the Xperia Z1 Compact, it has nearly the same dimensions at 127 x 64.9 x 8.6mm. This has been possible mainly by reducing the bezels all around the display. Sony has also been able to fit a larger 2600mAh in a body that is thinner by 0.9mm. Truly impressive.

As we mentioned earlier in the post, Sony has retained most of the big features from the Xperia Z3 on the Z3 compact. The same 2 day battery life is available on the Z3 compact despite the smaller sized battery. It also features the ultra-stamina mode that lets you maximize battery life when you wish to squeeze the maximum out of what little battery life you have remaining by allowing only the core functionalities like making calls and sending text messages. The screen makes use of the same intuitive contrast enhancement technology for sharp viewing in bright sunlight along with an ultra-bright panel.

The camera improvements are all there too. The Z3 Compact also makes use of the new 25mm wide-angle Sony G Lens. The low light sensitivity has been boosted to ISO12800 and there’s a new Intelligent Active Mode to improve stabilization during video recording by analyzing your movements and reducing shake and blur accordingly. Sony’s legendary Walkman prowess has also made its way into the Xperia Z3 Compact with Hi-Res Audio support and DSEE HX (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) to deliver great audio quality. There is also noise cancellation tech built-in that works with compatible Sony noise cancelling earphones. PlayStation 4 Remote Play function lets you play PS4 games on the Z3 Compact’s screen by connecting the PS4 DualShock controller to the phone using an attachment accessory. This is an exclusive feature that is currently available only for the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact and the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

The Xperia Z3 will launch in autumn this year in four color options – Black, White, Orange and Green. Like the Z3, Z3 Compact will also come in LTE variants only. There won’t be any HSDPA models this time from what we are seeing on the device’s official whitepaper. There is no information on the pricing yet, but we do expect it to be on the higher side initially. But the fact remains that the Z3 Compact is the only sub 5 inch smartphone that can boast of flagship level specifications and a compact size that fits perfectly in the hand.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4: Rumor Roundup Before IFA 2014, Berlin

Samsung Galaxy Note 4: Rumor Roundup Before IFA 2014, Berlin

We are just days away from the official announcement of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 4. There have been a lot of rumors going around, so let’s gather them all up and see what we expect out of Berlin this week.

Note 4: One Final Rumor Roundup

We first started talking about the Galaxy Note 4 last year, shortly after the Galaxy Note 3 was released. At the time, it was speculated that a 20MP rear-facing camera could be used in the device. It seems like the plans have changed (or those rumors were false) – now we’re expecting to see Samsung’s own 12MP or 13MP ISOCELL sensor used.

Then, at the start of 2014, Samsung’s Mobile Chief told Bloomberg the Galaxy Note 4 would come with a ‘three-sided display‘. A few months later, we heard from Samsung’s Senior Vice President and he told us a little more about this new design.

Yoon Han-kil told us that Samsung was currently working on a Galaxy Note 4 with a ‘new form factor‘, but nothing was final. Later in the interview, he said that if Samsung was unsatisfied with the results that they could go with a more traditional design. Samsung is able to produce devices with a three-sided display, but it’s possible that the device couldn’t pass durability tests. It’s also possible Samsung has been unable to create intuitive functions for the additional sides. We’ve seen them used as shortcuts for apps and functions in a couple of patent filings, but Samsung might not be happy with what they have so far.

We’ve also seen patents from Samsung for advanced handwriting recognition. We don’t know whether or not this technology is ready for the Galaxy Note 4. It could be included at the launch – it could arrive with a software update, or Samsung could end up waiting until the Galaxy Note 5 before introducing it.

In April, we also read a report from CNMO about the rumored Quad HD display in the Galaxy Note 4. We’ve seen multiple rumors back this up, and with the inclusion of Quad HD in the LG G3, it would be interesting if Samsung decided to pass on this until next year. Samsung has been using a Quad HD Super AMOLED display in the Galaxy S5 LTE-A variant, so we suspect the Galaxy Note 4 will have this resolution display as well.

In May, we saw reports suggest the idea of a 5.5-inch Galaxy Note 4. Since Apple is rumored to release a 5.5-inch iPhone 6, it was said that Samsung might want to compete head-to-head with a device of the same size. Recent rumors suggest Samsung is sticking with the 5.7-inch display for the Galaxy Note 4.

In June, we learned about Samsung’s decision to release two variants of the Galaxy Note 4. One of these is said to utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, while the other would use the in-house Exynos 5430. A few days later, we saw rumors suggesting that Samsung will use the Exynos 5433 instead of the 5430.

In July, we came across a tweet from the Samsung Exynos Twitter account that teased a retina scanner for their Exynos processors. They didn’t directly say it would be included in the Galaxy Note 4, but it does seem possible, if not in the Note 4, then possibly the Note 5.

July was a hot month for the weather as well as Galaxy Note 4 rumors. Around the middle of the month, we saw a Samsung patent for ultrasonic sensors that would be used for the stylus. We’ve seen this technology used in a Qualcomm demo tablet but we have yet to see it incorporated into a device.

Toward the end of July, there were reports of Samsung working on an ultraviolet sensor for the upcoming Galaxy Note 4. This could be implemented into the S Health application or possibly in some sort of smart widget, like LG uses for the G3. Shortly after this, we saw alleged photos of the upcoming Galaxy Note 4. However, last week we saw some leaked cases that are also allegedly for the Galaxy Note 4. These cases don’t match what we were expecting to see because of the previously leaked photo.

We seem to have a general idea about what to expect from Samsung this week at IFA. There are some details that remain fuzzy, but all in all we have an idea of what Samsung has been working on.

Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact Specs Leaked Before IFA Event [EXCLUSIVE]

The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact’s IFA release is pretty much set in stone at this point, and even though the company has been trying its best to keep all the details a secret ’til the final reveal, some details are bound to get leaked. Today, we bring you a detailed spec sheet of the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact shared with us by a tipster.

Sony has traditionally been a not-so-serious player in the tablet market. They haven’t really had an offering that really set the market on fire. The company’s latest tablet – the Xperia Tablet Z2 – has also not been very well received as far as sales go. Quite surprising, as the device was very well received by the tech community and reviews on the tablet have been largely positive.

Now, it looks like Sony wants to concentrate on the tablet market yet again and get a piece of the pie in the lucrative 7-8 inch mini-tablet segment where Apple’s iPad Mini Retina is the current champion. We’ve received some internal info from a tipster who claims to have solid information on the Xperia Tablet Z3 Compact.

Snapdragon 801 to mark its presence in the Z3 Tablet Compact

According to the tipster, the Z3 Tablet Compact will feature a 1920 x 1080 px Full HD IPS screen measuring about 8 inches diagonally. Sony’s TRILUMINOS tech and X-Reality picture processing engine will also be on board with additional anti-reflection coating on top.

Sony doesn’t seem to be interested in the Snapdragon 805 chipset and will continue to use Snapdragon 801 chipsets in its devices for fall 2014. The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is said to use the same Snapdragon 801 chipset as the Xperia Z2 Tablet, but the higher-clocked MSM8974AC variant. The Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact are also expected to use the very same chip inside. This will be complemented by 3GB of RAM, and internal storage will remain at 16GB as with the Z2 Tablet.

8MP Exmor RS camera

As is usually the case with most Sony high-end devices, the Z3 Tablet Compact will be dust and water resistant. The rest of the specs will also be pretty similar to the Xperia Z2 tablet, including an 8.0 megapixel Exmor RS rear camera, LTE connectivity, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, and a battery rated at about 4500-5000mAh. There will also be some interesting accessories and productivity features on board apparently.

Though this information comes from a very trusted source who has a very good history with leaks related to Sony devices, we have to warn you to take all of the above information with a pinch of salt. With just under 2 weeks left until Sony’s IFA press conference, we don’t have to wait very long to find out if our tipster was right or not.

The Z3 Tablet Compact will have to face off against the new iPad Mini that’s due in October. Do you think it has what it takes to challenge Apple’s offering?