LG G3 Expected to Arrive in June, Sample Image Leaks Online

South Korean mobile phone maker LG Electronics has been long rumored to plan the launch of a new flagship Android-based smartphone before the end of this year, yet no specific info on when the device might hit shelves has been provided as of now.

According to the latest reports out there, however, we might see the mobile phone made available sometime in June, provided, of course, that LG’s plans on the matter pan out. Moreover, the upcoming smartphone is rumored to hit the market as a true Galaxy S5 killer, something that has been rumored a while ago as well. The info comes from giga.de, which has it on good authority that the device will become official sometime in June, in line with previous reports on LG’s plans on the matter, which suggested that May could be the earliest when we’ll see the new smartphone. LG has already confirmed that it is working on a successor for the LG G2, but it did not provide further details on what to expect from the device or on when it will release it.

However, the phone’s availability in early summer appears almost confirmed, as another source claims that LG could have it on shelves sometime in July. A recent post on ortud.com brought to the web a leaked camera sample coming from the LG G3, while also unveiling some more info on the device and its capabilities. As phonearena notes, the source of the leaked photo claims that LG could launch the mobile phone sometime in July. Moreover, the poster claims that one of his friends has been testing the G3, and that the camera sample should prove it. The sample photo indeed appears to have been shot with an LG G3, given that the EXIF data attached to it clearly mentions model number LG D972, previously associated with the upcoming device.

The smartphone is also said to come to the market with a 13-megapixel camera on the back, with a sensor identical to the one included on the LG G Pro 2. Optical image stabilization capabilities are also expected to be available for users. However, with no official confirmation on the matter available as of now, we’ll have to take the info with a grain of salt, at least until some more consistent proof of LG G3’s existence emerges, if not until LG formally introduces the new model. LG has been long trying to grab some more market share on the smartphone segment from Samsung, but it has had little success in this regard until now. However, should LG G3 indeed prove to be the Galaxy S5 killer that it has already been teased to be, we could see the odds turning in its favor, that’s for sure.

LG G Pro 2
Image credits to LG

Alleged LG G3 camera sample
Image credits to Ortud.com via PhoneArena

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OPPO Confirms Two Find 7 Models for March 19

Chinese mobile phone maker OPPO has been long rumored to plan the launch of two Find 7 models before the end of this month, and an official confirmation on the matter has already emerged.

The handset vendor has posted on its Twitter account a new teaser image for the upcoming device, mentioning clearly that two variants will be announced to the world. “Two models of the Find 7 are coming on March 19,” OPPO said in a tweet, while attaching to it the photo that can be seen above. The image confirms something that has been long said about Find 7, namely that users will be able to buy a premium version of the device, packing a 2K (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution, as well as a standard flavor, which will include only a full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) screen.

According to previous reports on the device, the screen on the 2K model will measure 5.5 inches, while the other variant will pack only a 5-inch screen. OPPO Find 7 is also expected to land on shelves with a removable 4000mAh battery and a microSD memory card slot. Yesterday, a leaked sample photo coming from the smartphone also suggested that it could be launched with a 50-megapixel camera on the back.

OPPO confirms two Find 7 models
Image credits to Oppo on Twitter

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Sony Xperia Tablet Z2 Is the First to Bundle the New MHL 3.0 Standard

You might have keeping tabs on the developments at MWC 2014 last week, so you probably know Sony launched its next flagship tablet, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z2, at the event.

But there’s an interesting detail that has been kept away from the spotlight. The Sony tablet is one of the first devices (along with Sony’s flagship Xperia Z2) to feature MHL 3.0 technology. For those who aren't familiar with what MHL 3.0 is, this is the newest standard which allows native 4K video output through a single cable, as well as the possibility to charge the device at the same time (up to 10W). Getting content from our smartphones or tablets can currently be done in a variety of ways. For example, most mobile devices currently have a physical HDMI output. There’s also the possibility of doing things wirelessly, though Miracast technology or a third-party accessory like Chromecast. But there’s certainly a lot of smartphones that use MHL technology to connect to the television sets. Now, the latest MHL 3.0 has made it into Sony’s latest flagship tablet model.

A highlight of the new standard is increased data bandwidth, a functionality that allows the coexistance of 4K video and high-speed peripheral support for mass storage and input devices, including touch screen, keyboard or mouse. MHL 3.0 is all about 4K, being able to display video with a resolution of 3840 x 2160, while MHL 2.0 only supported full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). The new standard also brings support for new multi-channel audio formats plus the ability to stream content to multiple screens. The newest MHL 3.0 standard might be an extra bonus, for those thinking of picking up the Xperia Z2 Tablet. Sony markets the tablet as being the “world’s slimmest and lightest waterproof tablet,” which could in fact be true judging by is dimensions. The slate is only 6.9mm / 0.27 inches thick and weighs 426 g / 439 g – 0.93 / 0.96 lbs depending on whether we’re talking about the Wi-Fi or 3G/LTE model.

The new Xperia Z2 Tablet has a 10.1-inch screen with a 1920 x 1080 Triluminos display bundling Sony’s new Live color LED tech. This new system blends red and green phosphor with blue LEDs in order to produce a bright, uniform light. A 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor lies under the bonnet, combined with a hefty 3GB of RAM. All of the above sound like pretty good reasons to be picking up the new Sony slate and the addition of the new MHL 3.0 standard will only make it more attractive.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z2 is among the first to support MHL 3.0
Image credits to BusinessInsider

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Apple CarPlay Will Not Include Pandora Radio at Launch

If you’re thinking that CarPlay will finally let you enjoy Pandora radio in your car the way you’ve always dreamed, the company headquartered at 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California, has a message for you: keep dreaming.

Well, technically they didn’t say anything, but that’s exactly the point. In announcing CarPlay yesterday, Apple confirmed a number of third-party apps that would be supported at launch, including Beats Music, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and Stitcher. One notably absent name on that list was Pandora, the music service Apple rivals with its own iTunes Radio product. Which is probably the reason why Pandora isn’s in CarPlay. But, according to a statement offered by Pandora to MacRumors, the service could one day be a part of CarPlay after all.

“At this time, Pandora is not integrated with Apple CarPlay. As a first mover in the auto space, we continue to broaden our relationships with OEMs while also exploring other opportunities to expand our presence in the car. Apple has been and continues to be a valued partner,” a company representative said. There’s also the possibility that Pandora itself didn’t want to bother its head with CarPlay integration as the music streaming service is already present on the dashboard of hundreds of vehicle models.

CarPlay music promo
Image credits to Apple

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Windows 8.1 Update 1 RTM Screenshots Leaked

Windows 8.1 Update 1 has already reached RTM, according to some new reports, while the public launch is expected to take place in April for both MSDN subscribers and end users.

Windows leaker WZor, who has a good track on Windows information, claims that the build string of the new RTM version is 6.3.9600.17031.WINBLUE_GDR.140221-1952 and partners are already trying it out as we speak. Two screenshots published today seem to confirm that this particular build has indeed been compiled, which means that users could indeed get it as soon as next month.

There are no details regarding the new features that might be part of this RTM build, but according to WZor, Microsoft is still conducting some internal testing on this new build, so most of the bugs and issues found in the OS update until the public release are very likely to be fixed before it reaches users. Windows 8.1 Update 1 is expected to launch on April 2 for MSDN subscribers, while end users should get it on April 8, the same day when Redmond officially debuts the Patch Tuesday update cycle. Windows 8.1 Update 1 will be offered free of charge to all those already running Windows 8.1 and will be delivered via Windows Update.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 has reached RTM and is now being tested out by partners
Images credits to WZor

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