HTC One Max image leak further details the fingerprint scanner

An earlier image leak had the HTC One Max sitting side-by-side with the regular-sized One and the One Mini. While the size comparison was good to see, the more interesting portion of that image was what appeared to be a fingerprint scanner on the backside of the HTC One Max. That was looking like it would be a feature on the handset until another spec leak arrived with no mention of the scanner being included.

Well, it appears as if things have flipped once again. This latest comes in the form of another image leak. The pics are coming by way of the Chinese language ePrice and clearly show a cutout for a fingerprint scanner. This also goes to show that those earlier images were actually showing the scanner and not simple a black spot to cover something else. This time around we are seeing the scanner with the handset complete and with the backing removed.

Bottom line here, there is no arguing the fact that the One Max handset in these images has a cut out for the fingerprint scanner. Of course, whether we see that on the actual production model One Max remains another story. With that in mind, these images are said to be of a production model One Max for China Unicom. To further that though, the fingerprint scanner could also be something that is coming only to select markets.

Otherwise, while there is still likely some doubt as to the existence of the fingerprint scanner on the One Max, there is some hints in the software as well. As you can see in the image sitting below — the drop down menu shade has what appears to be an option with a fingerprint.

All said and done, the HTC One Max specs look to have been leaked in full at this point but we do have to remember that nothing is official until we hear something direct from HTC. In the meantime, it seems fairly certain that more leaks, rumors and speculation will arrive but we are looking towards IFA for an official unveiling.

Story Timeline

• HTC One Max looks to be arriving in Q4 2013


• Hang The Cord: HTC One Max must have features


• HTC One Max pictured alongside One and One Mini


• HTC One Max stylus blur tips Galaxy Note III battle


• HTC One Max leak suggests Android 4.3 with Sense 5.5

Unnamed HTC smartphone makes way into leaked photos

Seems like HTC has a new smartphone on the way, one that sounds like a mid-range smartphone. Although we’re not sure if we’ll ever get to see it elsewhere, it might be interesting to take a peek at the general direction HTC is headed with its smartphones.

As far as specs go, the leaked hardware sounds very modest. The phone is reportedly sporting a 4.0-inch screen with a resolution of 480×800. It’s supposed to be running on a dual core processor, but no mention has been made of clock speeds or even the manufacturer, with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. A 5 megapixel rear camera and a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera just about rounds up the information that we have.

The smartphone sports a dual color, with a black front surface and a white back cover. The rear camera lens is enclosed by a silver ring that is extruded slightly higher than the back cover. The source mentions that the UI resembles the HTC One’s, which could mean that HTC will be adapting the same look for all future Android smartphones.

This mysterious HTC smartphone is rumored to sell for 1299 yuan or roughly $210. It is quite normal for device manufacturers to churn out nondescript models and put them out only in selected markets, so we’re not sure if this will even be available outside of China.

SOURCE: weibo

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini announced in Korea, S View flip cover also available

The little sibling of Samsung‘s flagship smartphone is finally here and looks like the folks from Korea will be getting it first. Samsung has just announced the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini in Korea together with some limited-time offers.

We were able to get a test of the Galaxy S4 Mini and found it to truly be a miniature Galaxy S4 in every way. From a smaller 4.3-inch qHD display, to a lower 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, to 1.5 GB of RAM, there is no mistaking that this is a tuned-down counterpart of Galaxy S4. Fortunately, it also feels as fast and as nice as the Galaxy S4, too. You can read up on our hands-on impressions of the Galaxy S4 Mini here.

The Galaxy S4 Mini will also offer some unique features available on the larger Galaxy S4. It has Sound and Shot feature that lets you embed sounds into pictures taken with the camera, Group Play for wirelessly connecting several devices together to share photos and music, and S Translator for easily translating speech and text into other languages. The Galaxy S4 Mini will also have an S View flip cover accessory available. Like most flip covers, the S View protects the phone but also has a small window that lets users quickly peek at pertinent information like time, battery life, and calls or messages.

The Galaxy S4 Mini will be available in Korea through the KT provider for a price of 550,00 won or roughly $490. KT will be offering discount coupons, which are valid until February 14, for either a battery pack or the S View flip cover.

SOURCE: Samsung

Story Timeline

• Samsung unveils the S View flip cover and S Band


• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini revealed with 4.3" display and 8MP camera


• Samsung GALAXY S 4 Mini gets video tour by Three UK


• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini hands-on and impressions


• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini for Verizon seen in photo

Motorola Moto X teardown analysis yields a build cost of $221

We’ve seen the Motorola Moto X from the outside, and it is indeed pretty. We’ve also seen it from the inside, too, and it looks quite formidable. Now we’re get to see what it might have cost Motorola to build it all up based on a teardown analysis by market research firm IHS.

If one simply takes a list of the Moto X’s components in isolation, it might not sound so impressive. But Google and Motorola are taking the mobile device game to a different level, one that isn’t based on raw hardware specs but on powerful combination and personalized customization. And the result? A device that costs $209 to build. Throw in an additional $12 so that the phone can be built in the US, instead of the usual Chinese or Taiwanese plant, allowing Motorola to offer unique custom options easily and quickly.

We know that the Motorola X8 Computing System, the brains that powers the Moto X, is based on a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which IHS estimates to have cost around $28. What we didn’t know is that the two other low-power “context computing” processors were supplied by Texas Instruments, which might have cost between $4 and $5. The Moto X’s 4.65-inch display was supplied by Samsung, adding $62.50 to the number. Qualcomm is said to have supplied components that would make up 20% or $43 of the total cost, including connectivity, audio, and power chips. Of course, other components came from other manufacturers, like Omnivision’s camera chip, Wolfson Microelectronics’ mic chip, and STMicroelectronics’ accelerometer.

The Moto X sells for $579 without a contract and $199 for a two-year contract from major US carriers, which is quite a far cry from the estimated $221. Of course, build and manufacturing costs aren’t the only things that figure in determining the price of a device. Still, teardowns like these are useful in giving people a perspective on the materials and components used as well as some insight into the production process.

VIA: AllThingsD

Story Timeline

• Motorola X8 computing system features revealed


• Moto X Review


• Moto X iFixit teardown reveals the X8 computing system, lots of glue


• Moto Maker opens for online orders, full retail Moto X for $579

Google+ update brings in Auto Awesome notification

A small update was pushed today for Google+ on Android and other platforms that adds a bit more fun to using Google’s social networking service. Users will now be notified whenever Google+ creates a picture through its Auto Awesome feature.

Not everyone who uses Google+ might be aware of this amusing new feature that was added to the service just a few months ago. Auto Awesome is a tool that automatically creates a new composition on pictures in your collection. This can range from a simple photobooth-style mix of photos with the same background, a short animation made from a series of 5 or more photos taken in rapid succession, to a merge of High Dynamic Range (HDR) images.

While the feature has already been in Google+ on Android, iOS, and desktop versions for quite a while now, it works silently in the background and the only way you’ll be aware of such photos produced by Auto Awesome is by searching for photos using the word “#autoawesome” or by noticing an icon overlaid on the photo. Users will have to wonder no more as they will now be notified whenever that happens so that you can immediately show it to friends or share it with your circles.

Version 4.1.1 of the Google+ app for Android, which also contains other bug fixes and performance improvements, has already been pushed to Google Play Store. But as always, it may take some time before it reaches everyone.

SOURCE: Google+

New Nexus 7 hits the UK, also available in Japan

Fans of Google‘s latest 7-inch tablet in the UK will be waking up to some pretty sweet news. The 2013 version of the Nexus 7 has now arrived on their shores in both 16 GB and 32 GB variants. And it seems that our friends from Japan are also getting the same treat.

Early this month, we reported on a tip that the Nexus 7 will arrive in the UK by August 24. That date was later pushed back to the 28th, which ASUS confirmed. That has now become a reality and consumers in the UK will be able to get their hands on this tablet. You can read our review of the Nexus 7 to understand why we think that this is a very good thing.

It seems that Japan is also getting their Nexus 7 today. However, this is not the the 32 GB LTE-compatible model that was earlier leaked. That one is still set to come mid-September, and hopefully, the US release will follow soon, if not at the same time. No pricing details yet available for the Japanese Nexus 7.

The price for the 2013 Nexus 7 starts at 199.99 GBP, around $310, for the 16 GB model while the 32 GB variant costs 239.99 GBP, roughtly $370. A bit of a price bump from the previous Nexus 7 but is definitely worth the upgrade.

Story Timeline

• Nexus 7 (2013) Review


• Nexus 7 UK launch date tipped for August 24 [Updated]


• Nexus 7 hits Google Play and other retailers in Canada


• Nexus 7 LTE coming soon as device appears in China


• Nexus 7 LTE hits Japan mid September, US release date incoming

Material aims to outdo Flipboard by adapting to your changing interests

With the likes of Flipboard, Google Currents, Pulse and other magazine-style newsreaders competing for your attention, the folks at Inq Mobile are aiming to delight audiences by delivering personalized content from unexpected sources. As creators of one of the first Facebook phones, they're now leveraging their social roots with an app known as Material, which attempts to learn your interests by examining your Facebook and Twitter activity. You can still manually add content, but Material strives to eliminate the configuration hassles you'll find elsewhere. Instead, its developers are reckoning that you'll appreciate a greater variety of news sources, and it can also adapt to your preferences over time by examining the type of stories you read. In all, Material serves up two editions of content daily, which includes blog entries, videos, music, photos and news articles. It's now available for iOS, which is joined by an updated release of the Android app; both versions are free. If you've yet to check out Material, it could be worth installing just to see just what it thinks you like.

Filed under: Software, Mobile

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Source: Inq Mobile