Omio News Blog

Nokia EOS 41-megapixel mobile phone passes government testing

Finnish mobile phone manufacturer Nokia has seen an unnamed handset pass through the American Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is believed to be the allegedly codenamed Nokia EOS – which sports a 41-megapixel camera.

This latest filing comes only a day after we reported on the same body recording the existence of a new, updated Google, Nexus 7 tablet – although its particulars were detailed more.

The FCC didn’t note the likes of the processor, memory or name of the Nokia device – but there were some clues as to what the final product contains.

There is a camera grip recorded, hinting that it is the rumoured Nokia EOS – thought to be unveiled at a press event on New York, on the 11th of July.

It is noted to be both taller and wider than the new Nokia Lumia 925, where we have covered leaked pictures this week that hints at its chassis being used as the template to the EOS.

Engadget states that it could be the version headed for the AT&T network.

The body has qualified that it has pentaband HSPA+ connectivity, plus quad-band GSM/EDGE, NFC, Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi.

Omio has already reported on a great number of pictures leaks of the purported Nokia EOS; from a bare bone chassis, to the rear of a fully working mobile.

These also include the front of the phone, where it can be seen running on the EE network – and yesterday, its 41-megapixel lens casing.

Samsung Galaxy S4 ‘twice as fast’ mobile phone arriving this month

South Korean electronics giant Samsung is reportedly producing another version of the Samsung Galaxy S4, with faster 4G LTE access.

CEO, President of the IT & Mobile Communications Division, JK Shin, has told Reuters about this iteration of the S4 – which could arrive as early as this month, in South Korea.

It will have LTE-Advanced technology built-in, which is said to offer twice the normal speed of 4G.

“We’ll be the first with the commercial launch of the advanced 4G version of the smartphone“, said the head of the Samsung mobile.

The company states that a movie download that takes three minutes with conventional 4G, would take slightly more than one minute with the new tech.

The introduction of the S4 with LTE-Advanced is something Samsung has repeated in the past, with the SIII (in the UK).

A 4G version of that mobile made its way to our shores, earlier this year. EE retailed that mobile, as well as the likes of Three – as an Ultrafast Samsung Galaxy SIII edition.

EE has also said that it will be trialling LTE Advanced, but the end of this year.

That could mean that network might offer this version of the S4 at some stage, although by the time it is rolled out – we could be on the Galaxy S5.

Motorola Moto X mobile phone specs leaked over Twitter

Google owned company Motorola has had full specifications leak of its upcoming flagship Moto X handset, ahead of any official news from the company.

Renown Twitter user @evleaks had posted from its account: “Motorola moto x: 1.7GHz dual-core MSM8960 Pro, 720p, 2GB/16GB, 10MP/2MP, Android 4.2.2”

That twipster is well-known for leaking accurate information and images, before they are made public by the related organisation.

This info comes just a few weeks after Motorola’s CEO, Dennis Woodside, said at a conference -

“We have a hero device. It’s going to be called Moto X.”

That confirmed the existence of the much rumoured and leaked device; he added:

“It’s in my pocket but I can’t show it to you,”

Omio has reported on actual photos of the Moto X appearing online, at the start May.

These were also from the same twitter account as the new source of information.

They can be seen above, showing the mobile in a protective casing.

We thought the X could have been unveiled at Google I/O developer’s conference last month, but sadly, this wasn’t the case.

Stay tuned to our site, as we are expecting the new Motorola mobile to be launched anytime soon.

Google Nexus 7 version 2 specs appear online, via various governing bodies

Innovative peripheral manufacturer Asus has seen the specifications listed of the next version of the Nexus 7 tablet, through official regulatory organisational websites.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has cleared the ASUS K009, along with listing its specs – on its website.

That large-screen device is believed to be the next-generation Google Nexus 7, which has seen an internal makeover – according to the FCC testing.

That contains the details that it is driven by a quad-core APQ-8064 Qualcomm processor, with a rear 5-megapixel camera, a front 1.2MP version.

This is along with Wi-Fi support for 802.11n and access to 4G LTE networks – care of the WiFi module Qualcomm Atheros WCN3660 and WWAN modem WCB3660 parts.

The Bluetooth special interest group (SIG) has also listed the K009, shedding more light on what the device contains.

It states it has a 7-inch LED-backlit capacitive multi-touch screen, although the SIG has it powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 CPU.

The FCC and the other listing notes the processor’s 8064 model number, where perhaps there has been some confusion – or there are two different versions.

We reported last week that it is expected to be announced in July; stay tuned, and we’ll bring you more on this.

Via: Android Central, Engadget

LG mobile phones to have 500ppi, possibly with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600

Renowned South Korean consumer electronics maker LG is said to be producing handsets with a higher resolution and pixel per inch count, for 2014.

Korean and Japanese display maker are working on Low Temperature Poly Silicon LCD panels (LTPS), which support WQXGA.

The latter standard offers a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, with 500ppi.

Currently, 5-inch screens with a 440ppi have been the ceiling – where next year will see 6-inch displays, with those higher specs.

LG is thought to have opted for the Advanced high performance-in plan switching (AH-IPS) panels, with 500ppi.

This is while Japan Display (JDI) and Sharp are developing handset displays with that pixel per inch mark, with Samsung Electronics possibly adopting the formers range.

Etnews has covered this in an article, citing industry insiders with this news.

It also adds that the industry has not been satisfied with current full-HD displays, as the consumers want something better than just 1,920 x 1,080 screens.

According to market surveys, consumers in their teens and 20s are capable of distinguishing 400ppi from 500ppi.

This coupled with the larger, more vivid display of the phablet – showing that larger screens are in demand.

Via: phoneArena

Nokia EOS 41-megapixel camera confirmed in latest picture leak, with Nokia Lumia 925 aluminium design

Finnish mobile phone manufacturer Nokia has seen more photos appear online of its allegedly codenamed Nokia EOS, heading towards its rumoured launch event on the 11th of July.

The image above shows the purported mobile phone sports a 41-megapixel camera, judging by the number etched into the lens’ protecting plate.

Until now, all the leaked images only had the letters ‘XX‘ embossed – instead of the number 41.

This gives us the clearest indication to date, Nokia is going to carry across its 808 PureView camera technology to the Windows Phone 8 Lumia series, as that handset featured the same megapixel count.

That image comes from the Chinese social networking site Weibo, from the account ictech.

WMPoweruser has reported on this, along with posting the image at the base of this article – from that same Chinese site and user.

This is noted to be of an aluminium engineering prototype, in a chassis that could match the one used by the Nokia Lumia 925.

That could make the soon-to-be-launched mobile more lightweight and thinner, when compared to the thicker and heavier Lumia 920 counterpart – which was believed to be the basis of the EOS.

That title has it that the handset might have already entered mass production, citing another outed image – of its later stages in manufacturing.

Via: cnbeta

Omio Mobile Phone News Weekly Newsletter – 10th June – 14th June

The week began with Omio reported that Orange has reduced its unlimited tariff cost, for two days. We published an update to Sony Xperia Z Nexus Google Edition planned, as it was confirmed by another source. Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Zoom camera mobile phone pictures leaked, and Apple’s iPhone 6 is to have a 4.8-inch screen. New Microsoft Windows Phone 8 OS appeared online, from a second hand handset. New Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 mobile phone was unveiled, with Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 features. A Samsung Galaxy Note III picture leaks, and we updated Nokia Lumia 925 Superman ‘Man of Steel’ mobile phone to launch , as it became available to buy. Apple iOS 7 was announced, as a completely resigned iDevice OS.

Earlier on in the week, Omio ran Apple iOS 7: new features explained, in pictures and on video. Samsung’s Galaxy Note tablet is to launch, with a 12.2-inch screen. HTC T6 phablet picture was outed, as HTC One Max – with its name is confirmed by an analyst. LG is to drop Optimus mobile phones, and BlackBerry Q5 arrival date and price was revealed. Sony Xperia M mobile phone arrival date and costs were outed.

Midweek, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom mobile phone was announced, with 16-megapixel camera and 10x optical zoom. We published Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom: in pictures and with video, also, Nokia Lumia 925: hands-on and unboxing pictures and a hands-on and unboxing video walkthrough.

Towards the end of the week, Apple iPhone with a 5.7-inch screen is being considered. HTC One Mini M4 picture and specs leak, where Bloomberg confirms its summer release. Apple iOS 7 massive security flaw was discovered. Sony Xperia Z Ultra ‘Togari’ press picture appears online, and BlackBerry PlayBook tablet gets updated to BlackBerry 10 OS. Omio alos ran – Apple iOS 7: hands-on pictures.

At the end of the week, we published that Nokia Lumia EOS 41-megapixel Windows Phone 8 mobile phone is launching 11th of July. Sony Xperia Z Ultra ‘Togari’ phablet pic and specs leak, with a 6.44-inch FHD screen, while it is waterproof and dustproof, BlackBerry Q5 became available from Orange and T-Mobile, deals from £27 a month. Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is also now available, deals from £27 a month. Google Nexus 7 version 2 is launching July, and mobile phone roaming costs are to end.

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The biggest story of the week came from Apple, in unveiling iOS 7, its new operating system that runs mobile products, such as the iPhone 5, iPad and iPod touch.

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The next most significant piece was when Samsung announced its Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom – a camera phone, built on the Galaxy S4 flagship handset design and brand name.

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The third largest news item came from Apple, which is reportedly looking into making Apple iPhones with larger screens, along with offering them in multiple colours.

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The following most significant story was Sony Mobile inadvertently leaked a picture of the rumoured codenamed Sony Togari phablet device, now believed to be called Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

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The fifth biggest piece was when Nokia was thought to be unveiling its allegedly codenamed Nokia EOS, with a 41-megapixel camera, at a press event on the 11th of July.

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The next most significant news came from European Commission, which is said to be ending the pricey roaming charges for using a mobile phone abroad, from next year onwards.

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The seventh largest story was Samsung announcing the third generation of its Ace range, in the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3.

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The following most significant item came when Microsoft had screen-shots outed of a new version of its mobile phone Windows Phone 8 operating system, from a Nokia handset bought off eBay.

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The penultimate piece of news was when BlackBerry, saw developers publish a way of getting the BlackBerry Z10 operating system, called BlackBerry 10 OS, onto the BlackBerry PlayBook.

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Lastly, Omio took delivery this week of the new Nokia Lumia 925 mobile phone, on the same day it is available to buy – where we published hands-on and unboxing photos of the next generation of the Nokia flagship handset, and a video walkthrough.

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Mobile Phone Review Round Up: Nokia Lumia 925, Huawei Ascend Y300 and Sony Xperia L

Omio is rounding up all the mobile phone reviews over the past week from the major tech titles in the UK.

This is all in order to bring you an all-inclusive and encompassing view of the opinions, from the various handset reviewers.

CNET UK

Nokia Lumia 925 review

Rumours of a metal Lumia phone were circling for months before Nokia finally took the lid off the Lumia 925. As expected, the Finnish firm had moved away from an all-plastic construction, instead incorporating luxurious aluminium into the design.

It made the phone much lighter and thinner than the previous flagship, the Lumia 920. The rest of the key specs remain fairly unchanged though. It still packs a 4.5-inch display and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor slumbers inside. Is a fresh design and a new glass camera lens enough to justify the top end price tag that comes with it?

Conclusion

Nokia has taken much of the key hardware from the Lumia 920 and wrapped it up inside a slimmer, lighter and arguably more luxurious body. The addition of the glass lens makes an already superb camera even better. Sure, the screen isn’t Full HD and the dual-core processor won’t impress Galaxy S4 owners, but you’re unlikely to notice this in everyday use.

The main drawback is still the lack of good new apps in the Windows Phone app store, but otherwise, the 925 is a brilliant phone. If you’re after a truly brilliant camera though, you might want to hold onto your money just in case Nokia launches the much-rumoured Lumia EOS.

- Check out all the Nokia Lumia 925 mobile phone deals on OMIO today!

Huawei Ascend Y300 review

At one time, buying an affordable Android phone meant suffering with a horrific screen, awful design and an outdated version of Android that almost certainly won’t get any updates.

The design problem hasn’t seen much improvement, but the Huawei Ascend Y300 is a breath of fresh air for the budget market. It has a 4-inch display, a 1GHz dual-core processor and runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. Those specs would make most budget phones feel not a little jealous.

Conclusion

The Huawei Ascend Y300 really isn’t going to appeal to those of you looking for a stylish, high-performance phone. If your budget is more modest and you only want a phone for the essential day to day tasks, the Y300 is definitely worth a look. For the money, you’d be hard pressed to find a better phone.

- Check out all the Huawei mobile phone deals on OMIO today!

Trusted Reviews

Nokia Lumia 925 review

To date, the top Nokia Lumia series phones have all used smooth and seamless polycarbonate bodies. The Nokia Lumia 925 is the first to introduce metal to the family. It’s a renegade.

In ditching the integrated wireless charging of the Lumia 920, Nokia has also produced a slimmer, more accessible phone. Yet it benefits from the same advanced camera features of that mobile.

Verdict

The Nokia Lumia 925 marks a slight change in direction for the Lumia series, adopting metal rather than sticking to series-staple polycarbonate. But otherwise it’s Lumia through and through, with a camera that offers unusually good low light performance, a phone that runs like a dream and bodywork that both looks and feels great.

- Check out all the Nokia Lumia 925 mobile phone deals on OMIO today!

Sony Xperia L review

The Sony Xperia L is a 4.3-inch Android phone that’s available in white, black and red. It’s a smaller, cheaper sibling to the Sony Xperia Z that, at £250 on a SIM-free basis, lies between mid-market and budget phones.

It costs about the same as the outstanding Google Nexus 4 and is the cheapest addition to the latest Sony Xperia line, sitting under the £300 Sony Xperia SP. It runs on a 1GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM, and has an 8MP camera with an LED flash. As with many modern phones, it includes NFC (Near Field Communication).

Verdict

The Sony Xperia L lacks the spit and polish necessary to standout at this price. The basics are good enough, but the sluggish camera and merely ok design count against it.

- Check out all the Sony Xperia L mobile phone deals on OMIO today!

Mobile phone roaming costs to end

The European Commission is reportedly ending the pricey roaming charges for using a mobile phone abroad, from next year onwards.

This is due to start on the 1st of July, 2014, if the proposal goes through.

The costs associated with making a call, text messaging and data charges will no longer be in effect – from that date, onwards.

27 European Commissioners voted for this, in Brussels this week. This is with a view to push it through, in time for the European elections in May, next year.

The Telegraph has reported on this, where it has added officials will draw up details of the scheme – within the next six weeks.

A source said, “They agreed that this time next year we will have got rid of these charges”

The title notes this could hit the telecom operators’ revenues, by 2 per cent.

A source, familiar with the plans, said the European Commission believes there are far too many companies offering services – across the 27 member states.

“There are around 100 operators in Europe and only four in the US”, said the contact.

“That’s not sustainable if we’re going to have a single market and investment. Europe has less 4G mobile broadband than Africa at the moment.”

“Consolidation is not the aim. The aim is a single market, but if it means we get fewer, stronger operators, that’s good.”

Google Nexus 7 version 2 launching July

Internet search engine giant Google is said to be readying a new version of its Nexus 7 tablet, for launch next month.

The second generation of the first ever Nexus branded tablet is thought to be priced at $229/£146 – to avoid competing directly with similar entry-level devices.

That is for the 16GB version, where the current model is being sold for $199 in the USA and £159, in the UK.

News of the next-gen model arriving comes from Taiwanese publication Digitimes, citing sources from the upstream supply chain.

It adds vendors have been trying to get more sales, by cutting their prices – where Google isn’t going down that route.

It will instead defend the US $199-249 segment of the 7-inch tablet market, and target competitors such as Amazon and Apple – noted the title’s source.

This isn’t the first time we have heard about a second generation of the Asus made Nexus 7.

In April, we reported on that product, where it was then believed to be launching in May – and expected to sell 8 million, in 2013.

That was also from Digitimes, where Reuters stated the Nexus 7 2.0 will have a higher resolution than the first version’s 1,280 x 800 screen and will run from a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

Stay tuned and we’ll bring you more on this, as and when it comes our way.

Via: BGR