Sprint Teaser Reveals Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge in All Their Glory Before Announcement

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge official announcement is now just about two days away. By now we know a lot about the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge but the final design still remains a mystery. US carriers started sending out official teasers recently that gave us a glimpse of the Galaxy S6 Edge’s dual-curved edge display. However, a new Sprint promotional image leaked on Reddit earlier today gives us our clearest look yet at the possible final design of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones.

The image shows off almost the entire front panel of the two upcoming Samsung Galaxy flagship smartphones. While we can’t tell much from the image, both the handsets appear to have rounded corners and a metallic frame on the sides which seems to be quite shiny. We also see the individual volume rocket buttons on the side of the Galaxy S6 Edge, which seems to confirm the ‘iPhone 6’ like design language of the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge. What does remain a mystery is if the back of the two devices will features glass like the recently leaked live pictures or is the two will come a metallic back (metal unibody) as was rumored initially. The homescreen seems to show off the new UI that the two smartphones will include, which doesn’t seem all too different from the Galaxy S5’s UI at first glance.

Sadly, aside from the differences in build materials, the Galaxy S6 still looks largely similar to the Galaxy S5. This is quite disappointing since we’ve been hearing from a long time that the Galaxy S6 will feature an all-new design that will not bear any resemblance to previous Galaxy flagship smartphones. With the codename ‘Project Zero’ we were hopeful that would actually be the case but the leaked image from Sprint promotion does make it seem a little disappointing. In fact, the front of the two new Galaxy S flagships seems to draw heavily from the Galaxy S5 than the Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy A-series and the Galaxy Note 4. We were expecting the Galaxy S6 design to be similar to these new devices but it looks like Samsung hasn’t concentrated much on the overall design on the front but only refined the sides and edges of its upcoming new flagship smartphone along the lines of the Apple iPhone 6 and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus.

Anyway, we don’t need to speculate much for now as everything will be revealed on Sunday when Samsung officially unveils the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones. The two devices are expected to include a 5.1” Quad HD Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7420 64-bit chipset, 3GB RAM, 32/64/128GB internal storage, 20MP rear camera with optical image stabilization, 5MP front-facing camera, and a lighter version of TouchWiz based on the latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop version.

Alleged Sony Xperia Z4 Spotted in Geekbench Running Android 5.0.2

We first heard that the Sony Xperia Z4 could be unveiled at CES in January, and then it was rumored that the flagship might arrive at Mobile World Congress in March. The latest reports are indicating that the Sony Xperia Z4 release date will not be at MWC. But we aren’t hearing to talk about the Smartphone’s launch, but about its latest cameo.

A Sony-made smartphone codenamed 78YB16RC98PW62B1 has been spotted by the folks at blogofmobile.com in Geekbench database. Even though the codename is unusual for a Sony smartphone, all clues point that it’s the yet-unannounced Xperia Z4.

According to the Geekbench entry, the smartphone is running Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, while being underpinned by a Qualcomm processor. The motherboard is marked as “msm8994″ which checks out with the code of the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801 chipset. I remind you that the SoC is based on quad-core ARM Cortex A57 and quad-core A53 with 64-bit support and an Adreno 430 GPU. The latest leak also revealed that the smartphone will integrate 3 GB of RAM.

If the rumors prove true, then the Xperia Z4 should have the same screen size and resolution as its predecessor, the Xperia Z3. Design-wise, the new flagship should be similar to the last three members of the Xperia Z tribe.

Unfortunately, there is no way to verify the veracity of the report; therefore we are recommending you to take it with a pinch of salt. After all, nothing is official until Sony says so.

First HTC Hima Pictures Leak, Confirm New 20MP Camera at the Back

The HTC Hima or One M9 has been hot in the rumor mills for weeks but we had not seen any leaked images of the device so far. Fortunately that has changed today as Nowhereelse has posted alleged images of what it claims is the HTC Hima.

Unsurprisingly the pictures show a design that is very similar to the One M8 from last year. We see the BoomSound stereo speaker grilles on the front top and bottom bezels and the front-facing camera. At the back as well, we see a familiar design treatment as the One M7 and One M8 smartphones. However, what is very noticeable is the new camera, reportedly packing 20.7MP resolution. The dual-tone LED flash can also be clearly seen. While we can’t say for sure, but it does look like the camera lens seems to protrude outwards slightly, similar to the camera bulge on the Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The HTC One M8 from last year featured a circular camera design at the back, while the Hima seems to have a black square design for the camera with the lens positioned in the middle of the black square. This is one of the few design elements that seem to differentiate the HTC Hima from its predecessor. The side bezels also appear to have been trimmed down slightly. It is slightly disappointing though that HTC has decided to stick to the same design for the One M9 as its last two flagship smartphones.

The metal unibody design is no doubt very appealing, but we believe HTC could have done more with the design if these pictures are indeed of the next HTC flagship smartphone. However, while the design may be slightly disappointing, the 20.7MP camera at the rear will make up for it. The UltraPixel 4MP rear camera on the One M7 and One M8 smartphones was one of the most disappointing aspects about them and was one of the reasons why they couldn’t be more successful commercially than they managed to be. The 4MP UltraPixel snapper worked brilliantly for low-light shots but during the day its low resolution did limit its appeal among buyers who care more about the camera quality on their smartphones than the average Joe. With rivals offering 16 or 20MP rear cameras on their smartphones, 4MP UltraPixel did turn off many buyers. Now with a 20MP camera on the One M9, the smartphone will certainly be a lot more appealing to anyone who wants a high-resolution camera on their next smartphone.

The HTC One M9 is expected to debut on March 1, so we have a little over a month left for the official announcement of the device.

HTC One M9 Specs Detailed

We told you a couple of days ago that HTC sent out invitations for a press event that will be held March 1st in Barcelona. The Taiwanese phone maker is expected to introduce their next-gen flagship smartphone, the HTC One M9 (aka Hima), during the Barcelona-based event. According to a report coming from Bloomberg, HTC will also introduce a smartwatch during the same event.

The reputed publication also revealed that the yet-unannounced HTC smartwatch will come with Under Armor integration, which might be the reason behind the recently signed partnership between the Taiwanese company and the fitness service. For the time being there are no additional details about HTC’s smartwatch, but we are sure we will get to hear more about the device as we get closer to Mobile World Congress tech fair.

The same report also confirms what we have already known: that the HTC One M9 release date has been set for March 1st, also adding that the new terminal will get an upgrade in terms of camera. Bloomberg says, quoting a source that asked “not to be identified because the details aren’t public,” that the One M8 successor will boast a 20 MP primary shooter and an HTC UltraPixel camera in the front for your Selfie needs.

If the rumors are to be believed, HTC One M9 would arrive with an appealing hardware platform. The handset is expected to come with a 64-bit Snapdragon 810 chipset with Adreno 430 GPU, 3 GB of RAM, 5-inch display with 1080 x 1920 resolutions, and a 2,840 mAh battery. It looks like the device will run Android 5.0 Lollipop with Sense 7.0 out of the box.

Even though Bloomberg is a trustworthy source when it comes to reports of unreleased devices, we are advising you to take the information with a pinch of salt. After all nothing is official until HTC says so.

LG G4 Leak Points at 16 MP Main Camera and Snapdragon 810 Processor

The last couple of LG flagships have received a lot of praise from both media outlets and tech enthusiasts. Without a doubt LG’s G series of flagship will get a sequel this year and it will most likely be called LG G4. The LG G4 release date is yet unknown, but we might have some interesting information on the much-anticipated device.

The details on LG G4 come from Greek publicationTechmaniacs.gr and reveal that the next-gen flagship smartphone of the South Korean company might arrive with beastly technical specifications. The Android 5.0 dump reveals evidence of a 16 MP wide camera for the LG G4. In fact, the system dump revealed the resolution of G4’s camera. We are talking about 5312 x 2988 pixels, a resolution that it’s specific for a 16 MP wide camera. Of course, we are expecting G4’s main shooter to also boast about features such as laser autofocus, optical image stabilization, and 4K video recording capabilities.

According to a source close to LG quoted by Techmaniacs.gr, LG G4 should come with a Quad HD screen, 3 GB of RAM, and a 64-bit Octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor with Adreno 430 GPU. I remind you that there are some voices saying that the South Koreans are planning to cut down LG G4’s screen size to 5.3 inches, compared to the 5.5-inch screen of the LG G3.

Unfortunately, there is now way to verify the veracity of the reports, therefore we are advising you to take them with a pinch of salt. After all, nothing is official until LG says so.

As I was mentioning above, the LG G4 release date is yet unknown, but you definitely shouldn’t expect it to arrive in the next couple of months. The G4 might be officially introduced to the public late spring or early summer, just like it happened to its predecessor which was announced in May and released on the market in June.

Sony Xperia Z4 Gets Certified in Japan, It Could Be Launched at MWC 2015

Even though we’ve heard some rumors saying that the Sony Xperia Z4 release date has been set for CES 2015, the Las Vegas-based tech fair brought us no new Sony flagship smartphone. Last year, officials of the Japanese phone maker stated that in order to succeed on the smartphone market one company should release to flagship devices a year. It seems that Sony could be sticking to their usual 6-month release schedule and unveils a new flagship at Mobile World Congress.

Three versions of the much-awaited Sony Xperia Z4 have been certified in Japan. We are talking about model numbers PM-0792-BV, PM-0793-BV and PM-0794-BV each corresponding to a Japanese carrier. Unfortunately, the leak doesn’t bring us any details regarding the hardware platform of the smartphone, but at least we have the certitude that an Xperia sequel is on cards. Of course, the Xperia Z4 will go on sale outside Japan, but, for the time being there is no information regarding other models.

As I was mentioning above, Sony Xperia Z4 is expected to see the light of day at Mobile World Congress in March. For what it’s worth, HTC have already sent out press invitations for their Mobile World Congress event. Anyway, it’s plenty of time left until the Barcelona-based tech fair opens its gates and I am sure that Sony will tease their new flagship as we get closer to its launch event.

Hardware-wise, don’t expect the Sony Xperia Z4 to be a lot more powerful than its predecessor. Maybe we will get to see it boasting about an upgraded processor (probably a 64-bit Snapdragon 810) and an optical image stabilization module for its main camera.

I remind you that the rumor mill also speculates that Sony will introduce an Xperia Z4 Compact. The said device is rumored to pack a 4.7-inch Full HD display and a 3,000 mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy S6 To Feature Nexus-Like Clean Android UI According To New Report

According to a new report published on Business Korea website, Samsung is planning some major changes to its TouchWiz user-interface for its next flagship smartphone the Galaxy S6. The new TouchWiz UI will reportedly arrive first with the Galaxy S6 and then roll out for other newer devices eventually as part of a software update.

According to the sources close to Samsung, the company is working to optimize its custom Android UI and aims to cut down on all the bloatware that has made Samsung’s TouchWiz UI one of the most hated custom Android skins out there. What’s more interesting is that Samsung is apparently looking at slimming down its TouchWiz UI down to the level of Google Nexus devices. The company will reportedly get rid of the many features that it includes as part of its custom UI layer and concentrate on only the most essential features with the next TouchWiz version that will debut with the Galaxy S6 this year. Honestly, it does seem a bit too much to digest for us though, as Samsung has so far been heavily marketing its array of additional software tweaks as part of the TouchWiz UI. While we did see some positive improvements with the TouchWiz version used on the Galaxy Note 4, it is still bloated when compared to many of the other OEM Android skins. So to expect such a drastic change in such a short period of time is not very likely. However, we do hope that the report turns out to be accurate as we aren’t great fans of TouchWiz either, just like almost everyone else.

TouchWiz has been one of the main reasons why Samsung flagship devices have been underwhelming when it comes to system performance and smoothness of the UI. The Galaxy S5 for instance, was significantly less smooth than other rival smartphones that used the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset. The Galaxy Note 4 doesn’t suffer as much as the Galaxy S5 thanks to a lighter TouchWiz skin, but it still does exhibit signs of lag and stutter in the UI occasionally. While it is quite impressive how many features Samsung includes in its Galaxy flagship devices, most of them aren’t quite useful in day-to-day usage and are rarely used by most owners.

Samsung Galaxy A7 Goes Official; 6.3mm Thin Full Metal Body In Tow

The Samsung Galaxy A7 has finally been announced by Samsung and comes with a full metal body. The smartphone is the slimmest Galaxy smartphone yet with a very impressive 6.3mm thin profile. The device is the latest addition to the Galaxy A-series of smartphones and follows the previously launched Galaxy A5 and A3. The A7 is the most impressive A-series smartphone yet and comes with better specifications than the A5 and A3 smartphones that were launched earlier.

The Galaxy A7 comes with a 5.5” HD Super AMOLED display and will be offered with two different chipsets depending on the market. The dual-SIM LTE/3G model will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-core 64-bit chipset while the single-SIM variant will be powered by the Samsung Exynos 5430 Octa-core chipset. Both variants come with 2GB RAM and offer 16GB of internal storage. The memory is expandable, unlike the Galaxy Alpha. At the back, you will find a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and support for 1080p video recording. On the front there is a 5MP camera for selfies, with unique features like Wide Selfie, Rear-cam Selfie, and Beauty Face Features. You might think Samsung may have compromised with the battery capacity on the A7 like the Alpha for the ultra-thin body, but you would be surprised to know that the A7 actually comes with a higher than average 2,600mAh battery. The dimensions of the devices are 151 x 76.2 x 6.3mm and weighs in at 141 grams.

Samsung has included a number of software features as well to round off the excellent hardware package. The Ultra Power Saving Mode and Private Mode from the more recent Galaxy high-end devices is present on the Galaxy A7 as well. The smartphone runs on Android 4.4 KitKat but it is expected that Samsung will release an official update to Android 5.0 Lollipop soon after launch. The device will be arriving in select markets around the world by the end of this quarter in three color options – White, Dark Blue and Gold. No pricing information has been revealed yet but Samsung does mention that the A7 will be priced very competitively. More details about availability in various markets and pricing can be expected soon.

Android 5.1 lollipop Rumored To Arrive By February Next Year

Google released the first minor Lollipop update recently – Android 5.0.1. The update has started arriving for Google Nexus devices and also a few devices from other manufacturers such as HTC, Motorola and Samsung. But if a report published on AndroidPit is to be believed, the Mountain View based company has much bigger plans for a major Lollipop update early next year. AndroidPit claims to have heard from a reliable source that Google will be pushing out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update by the end of February next year.

The website also claims that they have a complete change-log of the 5.1 update. The change-log shared by AndroidPit does seem pretty realistic, although we will still advise that you take this news with a grain of salt until more information on this arrives in the coming weeks. The leaked change-log lists improved RAM management, stability improvement, sudden app closure fix, improved battery management, excessive consumption of network devices when using Wi-Fi fixed, wireless connections issue fixed, Okay Google function solved, notifications problem solved, fix for sound problems on certain devices, changes to Material Design color palette, other improvements and changes, and addition of the ‘missing’ silent mode feature on Android 5.0 Lollipop. The change to the Material Design palette is not confirmed though, as the sources claim that it may be saved for a higher version instead. Google has been receiving complaints from users on the choice of colors with its new Material Design in Android 5.0 Lollipop. More features could be part of the update, but AndroidPit sources aren’t aware of the other features and new functionalities that the new 5.1 version may bring with it.

AndroidPit claims that the information they have regarding Android 5.1 has been confirmed by two of their sources. How accurate this information turns out remains to be seen, but the changes listed in the leak are definitely welcome. The almost 5 month gap between Android 5.0 and Android 5.1 Lollipop does seem pretty reasonable and that is the time frame Google usually sticks to when releasing major updates to an Android version. Android 4.2 Jellybean was unveiled only around three months after the release of Android 4.1 Jellybean. The gap between Android 4.2 and Android 4.3 was much longer though, almost a year.

LG G Pad 7.0 LTE and G Pad 10.1 LTE Join Verizon’s Line-up

The holiday season is right around the corner, so the shopping fever will soon begin. If you were planning to buy a gift for your loved ones or just to get your hands on a new tablet, Verizon believes they have exactly what you need. The Big Red carrier officially announced a couple of days ago that two new tablets are now joining their line-up: the LG G Pad 7.0 LTE and the LG G Pad 10.1 LTE.

Both tablets are compatible with Verizon’s LTE network and both come with similar technical specifications. The LG G Pad 7.0 LTE features a 7.0-inch IPS LCD display with 1280 x 800 resolutions and a Snapdragon 400 CPU at 1.2 GHz, while packing 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of microSD-expandable storage, 5 MP primary camera, 1.3 MP secondary camera, and a 4,000 mAh battery. As you might have guessed already, the LG G Pad 10.1 LTE brings a bigger 10.1-inch display. It has IPS LCD technology and a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels, while the processing tasks are handled by the same quad-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 CPU. Just like its little brother, G Pad 10.1 LTE brings 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB storage, microSD (up to 64 GB), 5 MP rear-facing shooter, and 2 MP camera for video calls. The battery is a Li-Ion 8,000 mAh unit.

Both the G Pad 7.0 and the G Pad 10.1 are running Android 4.4.2 KitKat out of the box, of course customized with LG’s proprietary skin. You will get to enjoy the Q Pair app which allows you to receive notifications on your tablet from any smartphone running Android 4.1 or higher and if when you use Verizon Messages, you will be able send and receive texts from your tablet even though you left your paired phone at home. The two tablets also bring LG’s new Smart Keyboard that debuted earlier this year on the G3.

Verizon is selling the LG G Pad 7.0 LTE at a price of $249.99. Anyway, if you agree to activate a new line for two years, you will be able to get your hands on the 7-inch tablet for only $49.99. The G Pad 10.1 LTE is a bit more price: its $299.99 no-strings attached, or $199.99 with a new two-year plan.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge: US Availability & Release

Certification tests are generally the first step towards releasing a device, and Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge just passed the FCC, confirming some rumors. With this step complete, we can expect the device to hit retail stores pretty soon, but pricing details are not known yet.

Samsung announced their Galaxy Note Edge device back in September, along with some other great devices. The gadget quickly became controversial due to its curved display, which had never been seen before on a smartphone. The curved display is supposed to be a feature of the Galaxy S6 also, except on both sides. It wasn’t far from the Note Edge’s announcement when tech enthusiasts quickly started talking about it, and the device’s popularity was boosted considerably.

Galaxy Note Edge coming to Sprint, T-mobile, US Cellular, Verizon & AT&T

Of course, the Galaxy Note Edge comes in multiple variations and some of them have already been released, with AT&T being the first retailer to feature the device ahead of its November 14th release date. The US retailer is currently accepting pre-orders, but it’s unknown when they will ship. Other carriers that are expected to put Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge in their inventory are Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon, but release dates are unknown and vary from carrier to carrier.

The FCC reports a certification test for a device known as SM-N915R4, aka Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. FCC tests are a primary requirement before a device can actually be released on American markets, and the Note Edge has just passed its certification test successfully. We know that the device is set to be released in multiple countries, such as the United Kingdom, Russia, India, Australia, Portugal, Nordic countries, France, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. These countries are most likely going to get the Galaxy Note Edge in 2015, but there are no pricing details known at this point.

Google Nexus 9 Release Brings Forth Free Books

We’re already accustomed to Google’s habit of shipping their Nexus devices with some free content to go along, and it seems that this time, we’re talking about books. Upon opening their new Nexus 9 tablets, customers may find themselves able to choose from a few free books on the Google Play Store.

Every Nexus 9 comes with free books

The list of books is a very good one, giving buyers a choice between titles such as Gone by Michael Grant, Shake by Carl Davidson, Honored Enemy by Raymond E. Feist and William R. Forstchen, and more. You can also claim a copy of the award-winning movie “Gravity” with Sandra Bullock in the starring role. This offer came as a pretty pleasant surprise from Google, but it certainly doesn’t make up for the huge effort it takes to get your hands on a Nexus 9 or a Nexus 6.

So far, the Nexus 9 release has gone relatively smoothly, but ordering a Nexus 6 has turned out to be very problematic due to a huge lack of inventory, and a very slow release date in other regions. It seems every tech enthusiast wants to get his/her hands on a Nexus device, and that is mostly due to the OS it comes with. Google has announced Android 5.0 L this year, which was released only recently, creating a lot of hype due to the amazing changes it brings. Obviously, the OS isn’t the only reason why people are trying to get their hands on a Nexus device, considering the incredible hardware on offer.

This Google Play Books offer is a pleasant one, and we’re hoping Google will continue to make good offers just like this one. The question remains whether they will also offer some free tracks on Google Play Music, but that information is unknown at this point. When it comes to free things, it’s always a nice bonus for a new device.

Google Nexus 6 Stocks Back on Track as Release Continues

Google’s Nexus release this year was welcomed with massive demand, the sort that not even the biggest companies can keep up with. The Nexus 6 ran out of stock in mere minutes at some retailers, but Google has already started replenishing stocks, as well as releasing the device in more places.

Motorola.com has started selling the Nexus 6 starting at $649.99, and the stocks are holding up really well so far. Motorola also has a very nice presentation set up on the page which gives you a good overview of just how good the phone is. It’s surprising to see the stocks hold up, because the Google Play Store page previously ran out of stock in 2-3 minutes, and pre-orders were also very quick to be depleted. It was reported that, in some cases, the device ran out of stock almost instantly, which was a huge let-down for many people.

Nexus 6 release facing the same problems as the Nexus 5

The Nexus 6 seems to be following the Nexus 5’s example so far, and if we’ll take some time to remember, the Nexus 5 release also had the same sort of problems. Among those problems we can count a very slow release process, as well as a complete lack of stocks. Google mentioned that they are going to replenish the stock on the Google Play Store every Wednesday, and this might help to prevent them selling out again.

An alternative way to purchase the device is from Motorola, and you won’t even have to pre-order it. You can get it in two colors: Midnight Blue and White, with 32/64GB of native storage.  There’s also a special offer coming from Motorola: you can get the Nexus 6 for $54.17 a month for 12 months, and there are other plans for 6 and 18 months. If you are planning on getting a Nexus device, Motorola.com is a good place for you to try.

Samsung Working on “Project Zero” aka Galaxy S6?

Some exciting rumors have arisen lately, according to which Samsung is working on their next big thing, code-named “Project Zero”. According to most leaks so far, this is Samsung’s secret name for their next flagship release, the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Samsung Galaxy S6 rumors begin surfacing

The reason why Samsung has taken a more mysterious approach to this release, code name and all, is because they are planning the Galaxy S6 to be a total game changer. According to most sources right now, the tech giant is planning some drastic changes, seeing as how their previous flagships haven’t been as popular as they wanted them to be. Samsung Galaxy S6 is set to debut next year, and is currently in the early stages of development.

It’s not the first time that Samsung has used code names for its early prototypes, for instance we can remind you of the Samsung Galaxy S4 which was codenamed “Project J”, as well as the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 which was nicknamed “Project T”. We also had “Project K” aka Samsung Galaxy S5. Every new flagship brings forth significant changes to the way Samsung operates, and recently the company went from plastic to metal, marking one of the most significant changes yet, in terms of design.

There’s not much known about the future Galaxy S6 release, but new leaks are guaranteed to emerge pretty soon. That’s always the case with new releases, when everyone struggles to find out new info by digging through certification tests, and all sorts of sources, trying to find anything valid or interesting. What we do know is that Samsung is trying to change things radically, because it seems that their current strategy just isn’t working. There are a lot of ways in which they could surprise us, one of them being that the device could come with Android 5.0 L equipped by default. Both way, this is all exciting, and we’re hoping Samsung will make a few statements about the device soon.

Nexus 6: Pricing, Release Date, Specs Leaked

Nexus 6 has been under a lot of speculation lately, being a very important member of the Nexus family, as a result of collaboration between Google and Motorola. A new set of leaks have emerged which give us further details regarding the gadget’s price tag and release date.

Google Nexus 6: Price and Release Date Rumor

As it currently stands, Google’s Nexus 6 is set to be released by the end of the month, with a price that fluctuates between £400 and £450 according to MoDaCo founder and recognized mobile tech enthusiast, Paul O’Brien (as seen here). It’s a fantastic price for a very decent phone that comes with some of the best tech specs. What’s more important is that the Nexus 6 is almost certainly going to be released with the famous Android L operating system, which fans are dying to try out as soon as possible.

The Nexus 6 will sport a 5.9-inch display with a 1440 x 2560 pixel (Quad HD) resolution, a quad-core Snapdragon 805 system chip with a CPU running up to 2.7GHz, a 2.1MP frontal camera, and a 13MP primary shooter with optical image stabilization. Other specs include 3GB of RAM as well as a 3,200mAh battery guaranteed to last you a long time before needing to be recharged. Since the display is so sharp and high-res, it’s going to take a lot of juice to power the Nexus 6.

Nexus 6 Tech Specs Leaked in Pics

We’re very eager to see this device hit retailers and carriers soon, because it marks a big milestone in the tech industry, and we all know what an amazing price-quality ratio Nexus device have. Being a phablet, it’s going to be a huge success in the Asian markets, where large diagonals are preferred as a symbol of wealth and pride.

Nexus 9 Confirmed by HTC Exec, Release Date Could Be October 16

It’s no longer a mystery that Google is planning to introduce new Nexus hardware later this year. After we’ve heard dozens of rumors regarding the launch of the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 and after the latter device was spotted in FCC database and in a legal Nvidia document, now we have official confirmation from an HTC representative.

HTC President of North Asia Jack Tong has told Focus Taiwan that the new Nexus 9 tablet is “HTC’s commitment to return to the tablet market after three years of absence.” HTC Flyer is the last tablet launched the Taiwan-based company, a device that saw the light of day early 2011 and failed to impress both in terms of popularity and hardware.

The same Taiwanese outlet also writes that Tong said that HTC’s plans for the tablet will be revealed in a press conference held in New York. Even though HTC’s exec didn’t mention anything about the Nexus 9 release date, Focus Taiwan suggests that the tablet co-developed by Google and HTC could be officially introduced to the public October 16th.

If the rumors that surfaced on the web over the past few weeks prove true, the Nexus 9 would arrive with beastly specifications. They say that the HTC-made tablet will be powered by a 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 processor paired with 3 GB of RAM, while packing 16/32 GB storage, 8 MP primary camera with OIS, and 3 MP secondary cam. It seems that it will also have an 8.9-inch screen with 4:3 aspect ratio. Even though it was initially reported that the Nexus 9 will have “aluminum zero-gap” construction, a recent leak shows that the device might have a soft touch plastic back like the one of the Nexus 5. Without a doubt, Nexus 9 will run Android L out of the box.

New Moto X (2014) Release Continues in the US

The new Moto X release hasn’t been as smooth as the company probably expected or wanted, with delays and shortages from Verizon and Motorola.com, but we have good news. Verizon started offering the phone late last month, and its now available this week from one more carrier in the United States.

When Motorola took the stage on September 4th and announced the new Moto X, the Moto G for 2014, and the Moto 360 release date, they only had two carriers to talk about. Confirming both Verizon and AT&T would offer the Moto X. When the phone went up for pre-order earlier this month it was only for AT&T.

However, after months of waiting and complete silence since unveiling the phone earlier this month, Verizon recently confirmed the device will launch on September 26th, and now US Cellular is up next. The new smartphone is available from two major carriers, but this is certainly good news for those who don’t use AT&T or Verizon.

For those looking to get the new Moto X 2014 model that was announced the first week of September, you only have a few options. This year the Moto X is not available from Sprint or T-Mobile, and only AT&T and Verizon are offering it in-stores. However, one more joined the party on Friday October 3rd, and that’s US Cellular.

Just like the others, the new Moto X 2014 is available from US Cellular for $99 with a new 2-year contract, or $499 outright. This is for the standard white or black variants, but US Cellular claims they’ll be offering both the customized leather and wood back options from MotoMaker.com for $149 on-contract. Meaning we can expect MotoMaker support in the near future, but not yet.

By now users probably don’t need any more details about the Moto X, as it has been available for roughly a month, even if most shipments were delayed until the end of September.

As a reminder, the Moto X for 2014 comes with a completely redesigned experience. The Moto X offers a large 5.2-inch 1920 x 1080p full HD display, a powerful quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM, 16 or 32GB of storage (no micro SD card) and an improved 13 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization and a new “ringflash” for improved low-light photos.

The screen is 22% bigger than the original while the overall size is barely bigger..

Then of course we have customization. As mentioned above the device is currently only available from US Cellular, but coming later this month you’ll be able to get all the custom options as well. Those being over 18 different custom colors for the back, four genuine leather colors, and four hand-made woods. Motorola also offers accent colors, custom wallpapers, engravings, and more.

The new Moto X 2014 has the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat, a large 2,600 mAh battery, and should receive quick and timely updates once the Android L release arrives later this fall. The original was the first to Android 4.4 KitKat, and the new Moto X will look to follow that trend.

Sony Xperia Z3 Canada Release Confirmed, US Release Likely For Next Week

Sony Xperia Z3 is coming to all Canadian carriers starting October 31st, which is exciting news for fans who are lining up already. The tech magnate is set to hold a press conference in New York on October 9th, where they will likely discuss bringing the Xperia Z3 to the U.S.

The New York press conference is still shrouded in mystery, but as speculations go, it’s very likely the main subject will be the launch of Sony’s Xperia Z3 in Canada and the U.S. According to MobileSyrup, Sony’s Xperia Z3 is going to be launched at Bell, MTS, Rogers, SaskTel, TELUS, and Wind Mobile on the aforementioned date, as well as all Sony stores.

The news came as a bit of a surprise to most media outlets, because it’s been two years since the Japanese company launched another device on so many Canadian carriers. For those that don’t know, this happened for the Xperia T in 2012. Could this mean Sony has a more aggressive release strategy for the North American release? We’re not sure, but this is a good hint. We’ll be marking the date in our calendars and keeping a close eye on the news to see how it pans out.

So far, according to the data we have, the price is unknown. What we do know is that the Sony Xperia Z3 will be available in white, black and copper variations. There’s no news about the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, but we hope it will debut on the day too.