Ice Cream Sandwich ROM comes to HTC Sensation. Rooting unavoidable.

Want a taste of Android latest dessert Ice-Cream Sandwich on your HTC Sensation, here it is in the form of a custom ROM. The ROM comes skinned with the ever-so-popular Sense UI at its latest release Sense 3.5 which somewhat covers up all the visual candies ICS has for us. Face Unlock is among the many new features working in this ROM. Since this is still in its beta stage, don't expect things to be sunshine and roses while using this ROM. You may download the ROM and other required files at the XDA thread. Head on past the break for some screen shots.

HTC Sensation SLCD manufactured by 2 companies

The SLCD displays on the HTC Sensation are manufactured by 2 companies namely Sharp and Acer. The latter was commonly found in many HTC Sensation, which is also suspected to have manufacturing defects leading to the infamous dust under the screen problem. However, the Acer display gives a whiter white than the Sharp display. It also maintain the colour when viewed at an angle. Many HTC Sensation which have been sent in to HTC for a screen replacement had their screens replaced with Sharp displays. The move to Sharp displays may probably did not solve the dust issue. There is also noticeable improvement in contrast and flickering when compared to Acer's. Severe flickering as seen on Acer displays are not present in Sharp displays. However, do note that the Sharp display has a serious colour shift when viewed at an angle. The display suffers a great yellow tint when viewed at an angle and the white is more yellowish compared to Acer's. Head on past the break for more info and the workaround to adjust the colour on Sharp's SLCD.

Samsung Galaxy Note Lands on Malaysia

Celcom is offering the Samsung Galaxy Note now with a price as low as RM1368 with an 18-month contract. Grab yours now from any Samsung Elite Partner Stores, Celcom or Digi outlet. The first 100 to buy from Pavilion (near Esprit), Kuala Lumpur will get a free Galaxy Note Cover with Swarovski crystals. To people living in the far north or south, head on to Queensbay Mall (South Side), Penang or Aeon Tebrau (near Harris Bookstore), Johor Bahru respectively to get the Cover with Swarovski crystals if you are the first 50 buyer. Do note that the first 9999 Galaxy Note buyer through Samsung Elite Partner Stores, Celcom and Digi outlets will be given a complimentary Galaxy note Leather Flip Cover.

HTC Sensation XL has arrived on Malaysian shores

With the announcement of HTC teaming up with Beats Audio earlier this year, HTC Sensation XE have been launched with strong emphasis on audio capabilities and a faster processor coupled with a Beats earphone. HTC Sensation XL was announced during October this year. While it does pack a larger 4.7-inch screen over the Sensation, the hardware specs are lower witha single-core processor, no memory card slot and lower WVGA resolution. The Sensation XL comes out-of-the box with Sense UI 3.5. UPDATE: And it's confirmed to be available in HTC Retail Stores at a recommended retail price of RM2099. For those of you who're planning to sign a contract, Digi is offering the device from as low as RM1399 if you sign for a 2-year contract at RM48 per month.

HTC Edge: First Quad-Core Phone

4.7 inches. 720p resolution. 8 megapixel camera with f/2.2 aperture. Beats audio. Sounds good? But the best feature has to be the Tegra 3 supposedly powering this beast. Four 1.5 GHz cores which is double the core count of current generation smartphones. Whether it offers double the performance remains to be seen.

Android version is currently unconfirmed but it might come with Gingerbread considering that Ice Cream Sandwich has no need for the capacitive keys at the bottom. But HTC has promised to bring Ice Cream Sandwich as an upgrade to users soon.

We can expect to see this beast arriving in the 1st half of 2012.

7 Apps to Metro"lise" Your Android Device

Let's face it. The Metro UI of the Windows Phone is one of the simplest and slickest interface. However, it's mostly a love it or hate it situation for everyone. Android lover will criticise the lack of home screens and widgets. The lack of apps is another reason users does not opt for a Windows Phone. But what if we get the best of both world. Let's say, we have the vast amount of over 250000 apps offered in the Android market and the simple and slick Metro UI. Read on to find out just how you can do that in some short simple steps.

Sony Ericsson : Android 2.3.4 Update "Gesture Input"

As most of us know, Sony Ericsson released the Gingerbread 2.3.4 update way later than other manufacturers. The update will be available for all unlocked phones and most operator variants but there will be local deviations.  There are also some deviations on feature upgrade depending on phone model. Google Talk video chat will only be available for phones with front facing camera. Xperia™ PLAY will not get 3D panorama sweep but it will get HD video recording and the other goodies below. Most phones released this year comes with Android 2.3.4 out of the box.

Among the highlights of the update are:

• Google Talk with Video Chat for smartphones with front-facing cameras
• Updated Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality for enhanced like, share and discover abilities.
• Xperia™ smartphones introducing world’s first 3D Sweep Panorama functionality powered by Sony.
• 16x video zoom
• The software upgrade will enable consumers to turn their Xperia™  smartphone into a mini-mobile PC by connecting USB peripherals (mouse, keyboard or game controller) to Sony Ericsson LiveDock™ multimedia station. Connect the smartphone to a TV via HDMI to get a big screen experience.
• Gesture input – text input by swiping the finger from one letter to the next
• WiFi DLNA
• Screen capture – allows the user to share a screen grab from anywhere in the phone.

Does the highlighted feature ring a bell? Sounds like Swype right? You can judge for yourself after the break.

Nokia 600: Axed before Birth

Remember that there was a third Symbian Belle smartphone that was announced along with the Nokia 700 and 701?  Nokia obviously cancelled the Nokia 600 and is determined to pretending that it never happened.

Nokia 600 was announced in August and was expected to hit the shelves before Q3 ended, but that obviously never happened. We got no official comment from Nokia about the delay and now it appears that the phone has been cancelled.

All pages dedicated to the Belle-running Nokia 600 are now gone from the Nokia servers and even the Nokia developer website has no mention of it. Videos, featuring the Nokia 600 have been removed from the Nokia YouTube channels and if we hadn't actually seen the announcement we'd really be inclined to believe that the phone never existed.

It could be that there were some issues with its mass production or that the Finns want to focus more of your attention to their WP-running Lumia smartphones. Could also be so that it will not compete with the Nokia 500. Either way, if you had your sight set on the Nokia 600 you'll need to move along and find another device that suits your needs.

More pictures of this not-to-be phone after the break.

Nokia Lumia 710 lighting up the future of Nokia alongside the Lumia 800 UPDATE : No microSD slot

The Nokia Lumia 710 is announced alongside the Nokia Lumia 800. It packs the same 1.4Ghz spotted in the Lumia 800 but with a smaller 3.7-inch screen and a 5mpx sensor instead of 8mpx. Lumia 710 offers 5 interchangeable back covers, black, white, cyan, fuchsia and yellow delighting the lively people. The phone comes in either black or white. The Lumia 710 is priced at €210 (RM910), definitely a deal since it's packing the same punch as the Lumia 800. Head past the break for specs video and pictures.

The First Real Windows Phone : Nokia Lumia 800

Nokia announced the first Windows Phone device through the partnership of Nokia and Microsoft during Nokia World at London, the Nokia Lumia 800. It looks identical to the Maemo Harmattan-based Nokia N9, spotting a similarly sized 3.9 inch Clear Black Display. The Lumia 800 packs a 1.4Ghz single core processor with graphics hardware-accceleration to give that smooth user experience. The Nokia Lumia 800 is priced at €420 (RM1820)

Maxis Malaysia to offer Samsung Galaxy S II at RM799 for the first 300 customers

An advertisement was on today's copy of The Star paper. Maxis is offering the first 300 customers the all new Dual-Core Samsung Galaxy S II at a promotion price of only RM799. The offer will be held on 22nd June at Midvalley Megamall Centre Court Concourse area. While this seems like a pretty good deal, there're terms behind it. However, nothing is shown in Maxis website. Apparently, customers wishing to get at this price will have to sign up to a minimum voice plan of RM80 coupled with 3GB monthly internet at RM88 for a contract period of 24 months. The above promotion price is offered during the press launch at 3pm. Make sure you head down to Midvalley Megamall to be among the first to grab this mighty beast at such a low price considering you actually want the plan.

Nokia using ads to go straight against Apple iOS devices

Nokia might be having a downward slope in sales, market share and even its own share value but that does not stop Nokia India from being a little more than loyal to fight back with a strong ad suggesting a direct attack on iOS devices. Nokia suggest that iDoalotmore on Nokia smartphones even if Symbian is moving away from the limelight since the announcement for Nokia to make transitions from Nokia to Windows Phone 7.

SOURCE  Nokia India

World's First 64GB MicroSD card unveiled by Kingmax

The record-setter microSD manufacturer, Kingmax which manufactured the world's first 4GB SD2.0 compliant MicroSD card 4 years back returns with an all new record set to make your multimedia experience unforgettable. Kingmax unveiled the first 64GB micro SDXC having a class 6 rating. While there's still a relatively low number of devices out there supporting this card, you might want to start saving now to get this piece of memory enhance your future devices. No words on when this will be on sale. Now, we can save the 50gb Avatar to our PMP to watch.

SOURCE  Kingmax

Nokia's Windows Phones will feature dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500, says STMicroelectronics chief

As you'll no doubt be aware, Qualcomm currently enjoys a stranglehold on processing hardware inside Windows Phone handsets. Its Snapdragon chip stars in both Microsoft's original and updated chassis spec for the platform, but its hegemony may soon be coming to an end. STMicroelectronics (the ST in ST-Ericsson) boss Carlo Bozotti is cited by Forbes as saying that Nokia will use ST-Ericsson hardware to power at least some of its Windows Phones. The dual-core U8500, a long-time Nokia favorite, is touted as the first such system-on-chip to appear, with its successors helping to populate Nokia's expansive WP lineup in 2012. The only intel we've had so far on Nokia's initial handsets for the new OS revolved around Qualcomm-based devices, so even if ST-Ericsson is indeed going to infiltrate the Windows Phone ecosystem, it doesn't look likely to be among the very first Nokias out of the gate. Now, will N9 still get the U8500 since ST Ericsson have proven their point that U8500 will make it in Nokia devices? Let's hope it does.

Nokia N9 with Meego the Ultimate Device?

We've definitely heard lots of rumors on Nokia N9 since last year. Then E7 was released making us thought N9 leak was a prototype of N9 which will never hit the shelves. We even have words saying that N9 would be running on WP7 instead of Meego. Elop mentioned that N9 has a close to perfection hardware. A couple days back, Nokia N9 hit the FCC, making us all too surprise and yesterday we were teased by the above video having known that N9 comes packed with 12mpx Carl Zeiss. The glimpse of UI we are seeing represent much of Symbian Anna due released soon. Meego Facebook page confirmed it was running Meego though.

Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab getting Gingerbread update in mid-May

After encountering a little hitch with its mid-April Gingerbread delivery, Samsung is now ready to boot up Kies for another try. The company has this morning released word that it intends to update its entire Galaxy S family line, starting with models in the UK and Nordic countries from the middle of this month. The rest of the globe, including North America, will follow suit "according to the regional plan." Also benefiting from a Gingerbread upgrade will be the 7-inch Galaxy Tab, which already got a taste of Android 2.3 in Italy, and the company's bevy of budget Galaxy devices, the Ace, Gio, Fit and mini.




SOURCE  Engadget

Qualcomm shows off MSM8660's slick video performance on development kit (video)

If you've been closely tracking the development of Qualcomm's 1.5GHz dual-core MSM8660, you would've already seen AnandTech's impressive set of benchmark results back in early April. But of course, it'd be more convincing to actually see this chipset in action, so Qualcomm's latest videos of its Mobile Development Platform should satisfy your curiosity. As demoed after the break, this Snapdragon's Adreno 220 is seen effortlessly handling in-page HTML5 video streaming, Flash video streaming, and 1080p playback. And as a sideshow, Qualcomm even put its current-gen single-core QSD8255 head-to-head with a rival dual-core chipset -- no doubt a Tegra 2 in an LG Optimus 2x -- and easily won the Flash video contest. All of this might lure you into getting the MDP as your next everyday phone, but here's the bad news: this professional kit will cost you a dear $1,350. So unless you're feeling very generous, you'd probably want to wait for the consumer devices to arrive in the summer -- think EVO 3D, Sensation (with GSM-flavored MSM8260, naturally), Flyer, and TouchPad.

Motorola promises more Atrix-like laptop docks for future phones

Motorola's Atrix 4G laptop dock was a seriously sweet concept, which is why we were so disappointed when it failed to pan out. Sounds like Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha is ready to give it another try, though -- on the company's earnings results call this past week, he told investors that Moto is planning a whole series of Lapdock devices in the second half of the year:

You will see multiple devices from us in the second half launching with these capabilities, and we will expand the range of our Lapdock devices so we cover a broader price point, addressing both the enterprise premium tier as well as more consumer tiers.

"We plan on introducing successive iterations of our Webtop software and accessories that incorporate improved productivity tools and multiple price points," he also said, echoing previous promises to include Webtop in all high-end smartphones starting this summer. Perhaps those closely spaced I/O ports on the Droid Bionic and Targa won't go to waste after all? If you simply can't wait, Sanjay claims there's also an official price drop inbound for the Atrix 4G -- AT&T will offer a bundle with the Lapdock and phone for $400 later this month.


VIA  Engadget
SOURCE  Motorola Mobility

Video: Suuuperfast barcode scanner for S^3 – Even works EDoF and old S60 – demoed on Nokia N8/E7/N95

Barcode scanners – nifty little things if you can bother to open the app other than that gimmicky inspired moment when you try it out to see if it actually works. You need to get it in focus though to get the image right. That takes time for the focusing to get it perfect.
Some do some sort of continuous autofocus thing and adjusts by itself. You just have to hold the phone still.
Anyway, basically with this app, the barcode is scanned instantly. Somehow like those barcode scanner guns you’d see in the grocery store/shops etc. In the time it takes to beep, it’s scanned.
Another bigger plus is that it also somehow seems to work for EDoF cameras. The demo specifically mentions working with EDoF, working with different angles so you don’t have to be as precise as the old barcode scanner apps. Video after the break.

White iPhone 4 thickness creates issue for case makers, owners

By now you've probably seen the latest spectacle to consume the white iPhone 4: it's thicker than the black model. The image above illustrates the point using a piece of lead from a mechanical pencil. So what, you say, in righteous indignation to a device that shipped ten months late. Well, the size difference creates a potential consumer issue since cases (at least the good ones) are manufactured against the tight tolerances supplied by Apple. We've confirmed ourselves, that an Incase slider that fits a black iPhone 4 just fine has to be forced into place on the new white model. Unfortunately, Apple's own spec page doesn't highlight the change in thickness (measured at 9.5mm by TiPb). Instead it still shows a 9.3mm depth with a tiny disclaimer stating, "Actual size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process." The result is confusion -- will this case fit or won't it? -- which is never a good thing for consumers.

But why is the white iPhone 4 thicker? Phil Schiller mentioned that Apple needed to add extra UV protection among other tweaks, in an attempt to reduce the "unexpected interactions" between the white cover and the internal components. As such, Apple apparently needed to sacrifice some slimness for a better functioning white phone. In the end, we have what looks to be four different size / button configurations that must be considered when purchasing a shrink-wrapped case for your white iPhone 4, black iPhone 4, white Verizon iPhone 4, or black Verizon iPhone 4. Good luck with that.


VIA  Engadget
More Coverage  Mac Rumours, TiPB