Microsoft to unveil new Lumia handset on November 11

Microsoft has just given us the date when we’ll see its first smartphone after the drop of the Nokia brand. Using the hashtag MoreLumia, the company’s teaser confirms a new smartphone is on the way and it will break cover on November 11.

The teaser itself doesn’t give us too much information – we only see a corner of the smartphone which also holds the front-facing camera. Whether or not that is going to be one of the key selling points of the device remains to be seen – images like this one are often used in promo materials so it might just be a coincidence.

The bit that Microsoft gave us aligns nicely with the Lumia RM-1090, which visited the Chinese TENAA certificate authority four days ago. The entry-level offering comes with a 5” qHD screen and offers dual SIM slots. There’s no LTE support, but judging from Microsoft’s recent phones there could be a single SIM 4G version too.

We’ll know for sure come Tuesday as Microsoft unveils its first non-Nokia smartphone.

Content courtesy:www.gsmarena.com

Apple Watch coming spring 2015, says Apple Retail SVP

Apple Watch was introduced last September alongside the new Apple iPhone 6 duet. The long awaited smartwatch was demonstrated extensively but its release date was mentioned as just "early 2015". Well, as it seems the Apple Watch might not be coming as early in 2015 as we hoped.

The Senior Vice President of Apple Retail and Online Stores addressed the Apple's employees in a video message highlighting the upcoming holiday season, the following Chinese New Year, and then the spring release of the Apple Watch. Here is the important part of the video transcript.

As you can see Angela Ahrendts, the SVP of Apple Retail, is clearly pointing the spring season for the release of the Apple Watch. This means the gadget will kick off in late March or April in 2015.

So, if you hoped for an early release of the Apple Watch, we have to disappoint you. The cheapest version of the Watch will set you back $350, so at least you'll have some extra time to save some money for the model that suits you best.

                          Content courtesy:www.gsmarena.com

HTC Desire 620 in the works, Taiwan's NCC reveals

The NCC is Taiwan's equivalent of the USA's FCC, and its documents have revealed a new smartphone that is currently in the works: the HTC Desire 620.

Not one, but two versions of this yet unheard of upcoming handset have been certified by the NCC. The Desire 620h will top out at 3G (HSPA) networks, while the Desire 620u will support 4G LTE.

Both models will have dual-SIM functionality built-in, and that unfortunately is everything we know about the Desire 620 right now.

Given its name, however, we can speculate that it shall act as a successor to the Desire 610 (pictured above), which was unveiled in early 2014. It could also serve the same role for the Desire 616, but that has only arrived on the market in June, and it would be a bit early for a refresh.

It's unclear if we'll see the new Desire 620 across the world, or if its release will be limited to a few Asian markets, like many other Desire-branded devices before it. Hopefully we'll find out more about it soon.

Content courtesy:www.gsmarena.com

HTC One (M8) for Windows review: Tinker, Tailor

Introduction

What if you could pick a phone and then choose its operating system? What if you could get a popular flagship such as the HTC One (M8) and replace the Android OS with Windows Phone? Wonder no more - meet the HTC One (M8) for Windows - the only smartphone giving you the choice!

HTC is the first manufacturer to launch a popular smartphone running on another platform. HTC One (M8) has been around since the last spring season and it has become favorite to many. Now it has a chance to expand its reach beyond the Android users.

Windows Phone is still young and advancing operation system, but since the Windows Phone 8.1, it has become a true competitor to Android and iOS in terms of usability and features. The growing popularity and the free license of Windows Phone to devices under 8" are probably among the reasons HTC has decided on launching its most popular smartphone - the One (M8) - running on Microsoft's OS.

HTC One (M8) for Windows is virtually the same device as the original One (M8) - it's got the same unibody metal shell, the same Snapdragon 801 chipset, the same UltraPixel rear camera duo, and finally, the same beautiful 5" 1080p display. It is absolutely the same device, just running on Windows Phone 8.1.

Key features

• Metal unibody with brushed finish
• 5" 1080p capacitive touchscreen with 441pi pixel density; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
• Windows Phone 8.1 OS
• 2.3GHz quad-core Krait 400 CPU; 2GB of RAM; Adreno 330 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset
• Dual 4MP AF "UltraPixel" (2µm pixel size) camera with 1/3" sensor; 28mm f/2.0 lens; dual-LED flash; HTC ImageChip 2
• 1080p video capture at 60 fps
• 5MP front-facing camera with BSI sensor; wide-angle f/2.0 lens; HDR; 1080p video recording
• 32GB of built-in memory; microSD card slot up to 128GB
• Active noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
• Front-facing stereo speakers with BoomSound and built-in amplifiers
• 2,600mAh battery; Extreme Power Saving Mode

Main disadvantages

• 4MP camera can't match higher-resolution rivals
• No 4K video recording or OIS (on a flagship device)
• Non user-replaceable battery
• USB On-the-go or USB Host

HTC One (M8) for Windows lacks the same features its Android sibling was missing on - a removable battery, 4K video recording or optical stabilization, and the camera still offers the same low resolution.

We've already met the HTC One (M8) and we know what to expect from its hardware presentation. But we are definitely keen on seeing HTC's take on Windows Phone and how things will actually work out. Maybe for the better? Let's begin, shall we?

Content courtesy:www.gsmarena.com

Breathometer Breeze is a Bluetooth touting wearable breathalyzer

Breathometer has unveiled the Breeze today. This is a new breathalyzer that the company claims is the industry’s first such device to be “truly wearable”. It’s small, has a built-in mouthpiece, and it comes with a wearable clip, keychain, and a mouthpiece cover.

It apparently delivers ultra fast and ultra accurate results, and it uses Bluetooth LE to talk to your iPhone or Android smartphone – on which you install the Breathometer app.

The app now features integration with Uber, as well as local restaurants and hotels. Breathometer has support for Apple’s HealthKit, so its results are available inside Apple’s Health app, alongside other health and wellness info from other sources.

The Breathometer Breeze will allegedly last for an incredible 16 months of daily use before needing battery replacement. It’s available to buy for $99.99, and will start shipping on October 22.

                                        Content courtesy:droidspot.blogspot.com

Asus PadFone X mini goes official for AT&T in the US

AT&T and Asus announced the entry-level PadFone X mini smartphone with tablet docking station. The LTE device will be available later this month, on October 24 for $199.99 with no contract on AT&T’s GoPhone prepaid plans.

Asus PadFone X mini features dual-core 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2560 CPU, a gig of RAM, 8GB of expandable memory, and 4.5” display with a resolution of 853 x 480 pixels. Android 4.4 KitKat with Asus ZenUI, 5MP main camera, 2MP front-facing shooter, and 2,060mAh battery are also among the highlights of the device’s spec sheet.

The tablet docking station features a 7” display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It packs its own 2,200mAh battery.

Content courtesy:droidspot.blogspot.com