Android 4.3 leaks out for the Nexus 4

Ever wondered what it would be like to win the lottery? Well, the story of Google+ user Jeff Williams is just like that, with the exception of, you know, the money. But it did make a lot of people over at the XDA Developers boards very happy. And happiness trumps money. Mostly.

Anyhow, in a tale of chance, Jeff bought a Nexus 4 off Craigslistand lo and behold – a few weeks into his purchase, he noticed that his phone was actually running Android 4.3, because, well – it used to belong to a Googler, apparently. The rest is history – in a gesture to be remembered by the Android developercommunity, Jeff stayed up all night and, with the assistance of people over IRC, learned how to get a system dump on Android that would prove his screenshot wasn't a hoax. It turns out that it isn't, and developers have confirmed so. Moreover, a flashable Android 4.3 ROM for the Nexus 4 is now available on the XDA boards, though without a working radio or a bootloader (yet). 

Just like an early build of Android 4.3 for the Google Play Edition version of the Galaxy S4 we showed you a few weeks ago, there's really nothing of note to report – most of the tweaks are under the hood. The summary below lists a few things we expect to come once the official 4.3 build from Google is released (hopefully in a week from now): 

• An enhanced camera interface,
• A deeper functionality to Notifications,
• Tweaks to the way apps and widgets are sorted

To name a few. If you must have proof, check the video of an XDA user who managed to flash the new ROM on his Nexus 4.



source: Jeff Williams (G+), via XDA Developers

Meizu MX3 Actual Images leaked

 rumored specs include a 5.1-inch 1080p display powered by an Exynos 5 Octa SoC and 2 gigs of RAM. The snapper you see on the back is said to be 13MP and the entire package will, supposedly, measure in at 139.9 x 70.9 x 8mm. The device runs a skinned version of Android 4.2. Jelly Bean called Flyme 3.0.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra coming September 13 in the UK

In what can best be described as the next chapter of the “phablet wars” the one to watch for is Sony's awe-inspiring Xperia Z Ultra. The mammoth 6.44-inch 1080p(the world's thinnest, at that) has caused more than a handful of heads to turn its way, and we sure are anxious to get our geeky hands on it. 

The more observant of you may remember that the general release date was set for somewhere in Q3. Of course, as is the nature of apprehension, nothing spells 'party' better than a concrete date, and we may now have one. Of course, thismay change, but this is likely as official as it's gonna get before we hear it spelled out by the folks behind Sony themselves. 

Amazon lists the Xperia Z Ultra with a September 13 release date

Health warnings aside, the XPERIA Blog rung the bell yesterday, having spotted listings of the upcoming hybrid on several UK-centric e-tailers, including Amazon, Clove and Handtec with an expected release date of September 13. If this is correct, Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 will have just days on the giant to come out of Japan, which means the two most anticipated phablets, so far, will have their destinies tied together from the start.

Back to the listings at hand – as you can see, apart from using the SonyXperia Z as a placeholder image, the pricing of the handset itself is all over the place. XPERIA Blog notes that this is likely to be adjusted (in the case of Amazon) and expect a price more in the $910 (£600) department. 

As always, bear in mind that this is not an official confirmation and could change. 

source: XPERIA Blog

Apple details in-display fingerprint sensor tech in patent filing from AuthenTec cofounder

Source: USPTO

Apple's sensor patent details a technology that can not only fit into a mobile device like an iPhone, but can "read" biometric characteristics of a finger from distances larger than existing methods afford. The application, titled "Finger sensor having pixel sensing circuitry for coupling electrodes and pixel sensing traces and related methods," credits AuthenTec co-founder Dale R. Setlak as its inventor. 

Current rumors and speculation point to a next-generation iPhone with fingerprint sensor built into the home button. If the technology outlined in Thursday's application is used, however, the sensor may instead be embedded in the iPhone's display.

The patent language notes the fingerprint sensor can be stacked with, or part of, an LCD display. As such, the sensor can also be used as a means of input, and can also be used in conjunction with other circuitry to support selection function, provide tactile feedback, or power up a device. Of note, the document points out that the sensor array can be either rigid or flexible, meaning mounting options are vast. 

Key to the invention are pixel sensing traces coupled to the fingerprint sensor chip, which extend outward to form a first "metallization layer." These traces can be disposed in a variety of pixel sensing traces, as well as columns and rows of pixels, to form the required array. Certain embodiments support multiple sensors or staggered arrangements of sensing pixels depending on the application.

Sitting on top of the sensing traces is a dielectric substrate, which carries drive-or-shield electrodes that create a second metallization layer. In this setup, the structure of the pixel sensing traces below the substrate are insulated from the drive/shield electrodes, which are shorter in length than the traces. This arrangement allows the pixel sensing traces to extend beyond the electrodes, thus defining the finger sensing area. 

Covering the sensing and drive/shield electrode substrate is another insulating layer that sits between the array and a user's finger. As noted in the document, this layer can be "the structural base of the fingerprint sensor."

In operation, the fingerprint sensor works by measuring electrical flux. A first switch couples a drive/shield electrode to touch screen circuitry, a finger drive source, and the voltage reference, while a second switch couples a pixel sensing trace to the field flux sensing component and the voltage reference. Sensing pixels are put into an activate measurement mode, while the electrodes sitting above are switched to a shield mode. Electrodes not situated above activated pixel traces are put into a finger drive mode, thus coupling it to the user's finger. As the pixel traces are scanned, the electrodes are switched between drive and shield modes, with flux measured against the reference voltage.

Finger sensor circuit diagram showing sensing traces (33), drive/shield electrodes (35) and switches (42, 43).

When not being used for fingerprinting purposes, the drive/shield electrodes can also be incorporated into touchscreen operations. 

The patent application goes on to detail various methods of achieving low electrical crosstalk, minimizing parasitic capacitance, and other techniques that afford efficient functionality. 

First filed for in January 2013 with a copending application from 2012, Setlak's invention makes mention of other AuthenTec properties as prior art. According to his LinkedIn profile page, Setlak is now an engineer for Apple in the company's offices in Melbourne, Florida.

Apple acquired the fingerprint sensor maker in 2012 for $356 million, fanning the flames of an iOS device using the firm's technology.

The HTC One mini official video is here for your viewing pleasure

For those who feel that the HTC One and its 4.7 inch screen is too much to handle, the HTC One mini and its 4.3 inch display is now here. Check out HTC's first official video of the device, below.



source: HTC via GSMArena

HTC One mini goes official, 720p screen WITH UltraPixel camera

Finally, this ain't a rumor, guys! the important deal has been disclosed ultimately. Meet the HTC One mini – a physically smaller version of the HTC One, going to pack the maximum amount cool as its larger sib, however during a additional compact, pocket-friendly package. 

So our guess is that you are speculative however tiny the new smartphonereally is. And it's nice that we have a tendency to currently have the precise figures. To start, theHTC One mini comes with a four.3-inch, 720x1280 pel show vs the One's four.7-inch 1080p screen. At 122 grams, the new model is additionally lighter, all the whereas being fabricated from machine-milled metal, following within the One's footsteps. The mini is not abundant slimmer than the HTC One, however, with a thickness of nine.25 millimeters at its thickest purpose. Thankfully, the HTC One mini's tapered sides ought to a minimum of build it feel abundant slimmer than it's. 

The HTC One mini has its process punch delivered by a dual-core flower four hundred SoC with a processor clocked at one.4GHz. Of course, that is not as potent of a chip because the flower 600 fitted within the HTC One, however we have a tendency to doubt that the smartphone's performance would frustrate. 1GB of RAM is on board, that remains okay for a mid-range device, though another gig would are quite welcome.

HTC has chosen to place associate degree UltraPixel camera with a 1/3" sensing element size on the One mini, whether or not we have a tendency to am fond of it or not. Our guess is that the snapper's performance would be near that of the HTC One's camera, though there is one notable feature that has been omitted within the mini's case. specially, the HTC One mini doesn't have optical image stabilization. What the UltraPixel camera will have in its feature set, on the opposite hand, is 1080p HDR andmovie recording. On the front facet of the device is embedded a one.6MP front-facing cam.

And speaking of its front, the HTC One mini has adopted the One's frontal stereo speakers. Moreover, every of them has its own dedicated electronic equipment, delivering wealthy, clear, distortion-free audio. Naturally, Beats Audio is on board with its clever audio sweetening technical school.

If having a microSD card may be a should for your desires, then you would possibly need to appear away currently. whereas the HTC One mini will have 16GB of on-board storage, that remains alright, there's no means of increasing it with a microSD card. The constitutional, non-removable battery has associate degree okay, if not rather small-ish capability of 1800mAh.

As for the package a part of the equation, the HTC One mini can return running humanoid four.2, that is that the newest version obtainable so far. The interface are going to be heavily changed, of course, by layering the HTC Sense UI on high of it, given in its latest kind. HTC BlinkFeed will get on board, instantly providing the user with relevant info from social networks and across the web. 

The HTC One mini is projected to launch in choose markets in August and that we positive hope it will not face any delays because the One did. Then in Sept, the smartphone ought to become obtainable globally. At this point, solely 2 color variants of it are proclaimed, named Glacial Silver and hiding Black. evaluation has nonetheless to be given.
Read more at http://smallseotools.com/article-rewriter/#YzOG5Pzgxrvt5v3O.99 

BlackBerry 10.1 users in the states get native iHeartRadio app

 

We now have another hot native streaming music app on BlackBerry 10. iHeartRadio has brought their extremely popular streaming radio app to all the BlackBerry 10 devices (Q10, Q5, and Z10) in the US though it requires OS 10.1. Those of you on Verizon and other carriers will have to update to a beta leak or wait it out. Other than I am loving iHeartRadio on BlackBerry 10.

Features include:

THE BEST OF LIVE INTERNET RADIO Listen to more than 1,500 live radio stations from coast-to-coast including pop, country, hip-hop and R&B, rock, talk, news, sports, and more. Browse radio stations by music style and location, then hit the scan button to move from radio station to radio station within a format. Let our DJs know what songs are hot or not by giving them a thumbs up or thumbs down. 

CREATE YOUR OWN STATIONS Simply pick a song or artist to create your own commercial-free Custom Station featuring free music from that artist and similar ones. Choose from our catalog of over 16 million songs and 400,000 artists. Use iHeartRadio’s exclusive Discovery Tuner to control how much variety you want in your music.

RECOMMENDATIONS PERFECT FOR YOU Let iHeartRadio recommend stations perfect for any activity, mood or situation. Whether you are at work, driving, studying, relaxing, going out or working out, the "Perfect For" feature helps you find music for the moment. 

ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ALWAYS FREE Take your favorite radio stations and BlackBerry® music wherever you go. Log in to iHeartRadio for free through email or Facebook to make iHeartRadio uniquely yours. Create, save, and share your internet radio stations from wherever you access iHeartRadio.

Android 4.2.2 update back on for some HTC One S models

It wasn't ciao past once HTC France told house owners of the HTC One S that sorry, there'll be no update to humanoid four.2.2 for the phone. Those sporting the phone might have rioted, ransacked stores in major metropolitan cities, or shot spitballs through straws at those with a smartphone that received the update. Instead, selecting the pacifist route, a petition went informed amendment.org, seeking a reversal of the choice from the Taiwan based mostly manufacturer.

So what did create HTC amendment its mind from its February dictum that the update was within the bag to eventually putt the halt on humanoid four.2.2 for the HTC One S? a broadcast report on weekday curst Qualcomm for HTC's call. The report noted that the HTC One S has 2 totally different versions. One version for Europe, the center East and also the Americas, is power-driven by the Qualcomm flower S3 whereas the opposite variant has the Qualcomm flower S4 below the hood. Thesemiconducting material thrower determined to drop computer code support for the S3 that left HTC in an exceedingly quandry. the corporate might pay the large greenbacks to update the S3 drivers, or cancel the update for each S3 and S4 models.

While we all know the remainder of the story, it seems that there may well be a revision to the ending. A tweet from HTC business executive @LlabTooFer says that HTC has determined to travel ahead and update the HTC One S model power-driven by the Qualcomm flower S4, to humanoid four.2.2 in any case. this can additionally embrace the update for Sense five.0. there's no word on whether or not the S3 version will be updated.

source: @LlabTooFer via AndroidAndMe

BitTorrent Sync Android app arrives as cloud-less Dropbox alternative

Cloud storage is great and all, but with so many concerns about privacy, some people just can’t trust companies with their personal files. BitTorrent Sync looks to solve such a dilemma with a new app launching for Android devices that offers a cloud-like storage system without the cloud. The app entered public beta today with the launch of the Android app.

BitTorrent Sync aims to be a cloud-like storage solution that allows you to sync files across multiple devices, but the files aren’t stored in the cloud. Instead, they’re stored locally on all of your devices, and when changes are made to files, or if you delete or add files, all of your devices will update with the changes when connected to the internet.

Better yet, your files never pass through a server when shared, and the transfers are always encrypted. The service relies on the BitTorrent peer-to-peer protocol in order to sync all of your documents, photos, videos, music, etc., but the data never travels through someone else’s computer. This also allows no restrictions on storage limits other than the storage space your devices have available.

Sync was first introduced back in January as a pre-alpha project, and since then, it has changed dramatically thanks to user feedback. Perhaps the best part is that the service is completely free, no matter how much storage space you use up, making this quite an appealing offer for cloud storage fans.

While BitTorrent Sync is only available on Android as far as mobile platforms go, the company is currently working on an iOS version as well. Furthermore, the service includes a feature called SyncArchive, which is a folder inside of Sync that gives you access to archives of previous versions of your synced files.

VIA: Android Community

SOURCE: BitTorrent Blog

Lamborghini Parcour off-road concept demoed (and crashed)

The 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed was jam-packed with all sorts of racing events, including the infamous hill climb that saw two cars crash. However, those weren’t the only accidents to happen over the week. Lamborghini’s latest concept, called the Parcour, was demoed on the track and actually ended up crashing, damaging the rear end of the car.

The Parcour is an off-road vehicle of sorts that sports the supercar styling you see on many exotic cars, combined with larger wheels and higher road clearance that you see on SUVs. The car looks a little weird at first, but it seems to work for the most part, except for when the car loses control and slams into some hay bales, causing damage to a multi-million dollar prototype.

The Parcour seen in the video below is just one of the two models that have been built, and while the company is downplaying the severity of the damage (saying that it would just need minor repairs and would be back on the road in no time), the car needed to be put on flatbed truck and towed away.

The Parcour was originally unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, and it sports a 550-horsepower, mid-mounted V10 engine that can get the car off-roading pretty easily. The tires don’t look to be anything off-road worthy, but it probably doesn’t take long to switch the wheels and tires out for something a bit more rigid and rugged.

Of course, the crowd’s reaction is pretty priceless. You hear them cringing knowing that an expensive prototype is about to run right into a stack of hay bales, but then they start clapping immediately, either for a genuine sigh of relief that the crash wasn’t worse, or a sarcastic applause of “good job, driver!”.