Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Lands on Oppo Finder, But Isn't Final Yet

Oppo Finder, the handset that Oppo Mobile made available in summer as the thinnest Android device in the world, has just received an update to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.

The new software release is not available for all units out there, as it is only in a preview state at the moment, but the handset vendor says it is working hard on making it available for everyone. Apparently, the software version that the company is touting at the moment still has a lot of bugs packed inside, which would greatly affect users’ experience with it. Some of the problems that have been spotted include crashing apps, as well as various issues with the wireless connectivity, but the company is working on addressing them as soon as possible. Even with these problems, the OS upgrade should still prove a great software for all users, especially since it brings along performance enhancements for the device, along with some appealing new features, Android Authority notes. At the moment, the Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean platform for Oppo Finder does not offer support for upgrades over-the-air, which means that users interested in installing a new OS flavor on their devices would have to do it manually.

Clearly, there might be some enthusiasts willing to give the new software release a try, especially since Oppo has already made it available for download, but the rest are advised to wait for the final flavor of the upgrade to arrive. Oppo Finder is a highly appealing device, although it might not be the best there is, or the highest performing. It was launched with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display on the front, and with a dual-core 1.5GHz processor packed inside, complemented by 1GB of RAM. The handset is only 6.65mm thick, and sports an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back, with support for HD video recording.

Oppo Finder
Image credits to Oppo

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Sharp SH930W, Spotted with 1080p Full HD Display

Next year appears set to bring along a flurry of new devices packing full HD screens on the front, and Sharp is one of the companies expected to launch such a product, the SH930W.

No specific info on what the device will be all about has emerged so far, but a leaked benchmark with it unveils some of the hardware specifications that Sharp has packed inside. Thus, we should expect SH930W to hit shelves with a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm MSM8260A CPU inside, with Adreno 225 GPU, as well as with a 1080p Full HD display.

Google’s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean platform will also be included, along with GSM and WCDMA support, MicroSD memory card slot, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and the like, GSMInsider notes. Chances are that the handset will also sport a Sharp IGZO display when released.

Sharp SH930W
Image credits to GSMInsider

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Nokia Rebuilt Drive for Windows Phone 8, Will Powering All Devices

Nokia’s Windows Phone 8 handsets will arrive on shelves with the company’s Location Platform loaded on them, with some features available for other manufacturers as well, such as Nokia Drive.

Nokia has already committed to making its location service available for all devices running under Microsoft’s new mobile operating system, and it seems that it has indeed kept its word, though with a little twist. For example, all handset vendors will have access to Nokia Drive, just as the company promised. However, while Nokia’s own Lumia devices are sure to land on shelves with the feature enabled, other smartphones might not be so lucky. According to Nokia, vendors are those who will decide on whether Nokia Drive will be present on their devices or not. “Other manufacturers and Microsoft will decide in which countries and on which devices Nokia Drive will be offered to their customers,” the company explains.

Nokia Drive for Windows Phone is currently in beta, yet Nokia smartphones already have access to it via the Windows Phone Store. Furthermore, the company explains that the app has been rebuilt entirely for the new platform release, and that there are some appealing new features that users will benefit from when installing it. “You will be very pleased to know that some of the features you have requested the most, spoken street names and route planning options to avoid toll roads, ferries, etc., have been included in this release,” the company notes. “However, while currently in beta, Nokia Drive for Windows Phone 8 won’t support My Commute just yet and we strongly suggest you to make use of the offline maps to enjoy your travels.” At the same time, the company explains that, while Nokia Maps will be loaded on Lumia devices, other Windows Phone 8 handsets will feature the Windows Phone Maps app on them, although still powered by the vendor’s map data.

“It is using our geocoding, our traffic information and our routes, but it’s ultimately developed by Windows Phone, with a custom UI, search and POI database,” the company explains.

Nokia Drive
Image credits to Nokia

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HTC DROID DNA, Higher Resolution Photo Emerges

One of the devices that Verizon’s customers might soon be able to purchase on their carrier’s network is said to be the HTC DROID DNA, which has been spotted quite a few times before, and which has just emerged in a new, better photo.

Available courtesy of Twitter user @evleaks, the photo does not provide additional details on the upcoming Android handset, but it does provide us with the possibility to have a better look at the device. Rumor has it that the new smartphone will be launched with a large 5-inch full HD touchscreen display and a powerful processor inside.

The handset is expected to prove a great rival to Samsung’s Galaxy Note II, though it remains to be seen whether HTC has also packed it with exclusive software inside, just as Samsung did with its device, Droid-life notes.

HTC DROID DNA
Image credits to @evleaks on Twitter

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MSI C847IS-P33, Odd Mini-ITX Motherboard with Just Two SATA Ports

We suppose that a mini-ITX motherboard will go in a small form factor case and, thus, there won't be room for many storage devices in the system anyway.

When looking at it like that, the existence of only two SATA ports, for HDDs, SSDs or HHDs, is not such a great restriction. On the other hand, SATA ports are relatively easy to cram together, so it would have been possible to add more. We also have to wonder why only one of the two available connectors here is SATA III (6 Gbps). At any rate, the name of the motherboard is C847IS-P33 and the Intel Celeron 847 dual-core CPU lies at its heart (1.1 GHz, 17W TDP).

DVI and D-Sub video ports are present (no HDMI, so HTPC builders may want to think twice), along with two memory slots (16 GB DDR3 max), 6-channel HD audio, Gigabit Ethernet, legacy PS/2 and UEFI BIOS. No price or availability information has been disclosed so far.

MSI C847IS-P33
Image credits to Expreview

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Corsair Hydro Series H100i and H80i Liquid CPU Coolers

Corsair's Hydro Series H100 and H80 have gone long enough without successors. The company has decided to take the concepts behind them and use them in new products.

The photos below are of the Hydro Series H100i and H80i closed-loop liquid coolers. They are “a ground-up re-design” of the other ones, with larger diameter tubes and more efficient copper cold plates. The former has a 240mm radiator and two fans, while the latter has a 120mm radiator with a single spinner.

Sales will begin this month (November 2012). The Hydro Series H100i is priced at $119.99 / 119.99 Euro, while the Hydro Series H80i bears a tag of $99.99 / 99.99 Euro. "Class-leading performance, and reliable, quiet CPU cooling have made the Hydro Series the most popular and award-winning liquid CPU coolers in the world," said Thi La, senior VP & GM of memory and enthusiast component products at Corsair.

Corsair Hydro H80i
Image credits to Corsair

Corsair Hydro H100i
Image credits to Corsair

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