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Vertu Aster gets 117-carat 5th gen sapphire crystal screen cover

Vertu has offered up some more details on its latest expensive smartphone called the Aster, which we first talked about in late September. The new details include pricing and some additional tidbits on what the phone will use in its construction. Vertu calls the Aster the "Quintessentially English" smartphone.



Vertu says that the device will be handmade by a single craftsman using luxurious materials like ostrich skin, leather, and wood. Vertu will also engrave or monogram the smartphone for buyers. We already know that the smartphone will have a 4.7-inch full HD resolution screen, but we didn't know in the past that the screen will be covered with a sapphire crystal.


That sapphire crystal screen cover is a 5.1-inch unit made from a single 117-carat piece of sapphire. Aster will have GSM, 3G, and 4G LTE compatibility and feature Dolby Digital Plus virtual surround sound. Vertu also focused some attention on the 13MP camera of the phone with Hasselblad certified components.


The processor is a Snapdragon 801 quad-core running at 2.3GHz. The Vertu Aster will hit stores in the UK on October 2 and roll out globally later. Aster will start at £4,200, and it's safe to assume the price will increase significantly with customization of the device.


SOURCE: Vertu





Galaxy Note 4 three-point bend test uses a robotic butt

Lots of talk about bending smartphones has been going around after some iPhone 6 Plus devices turned up bent after being carried in pockets. Apple's response was to say only a few devices have actually bent, but the negative press affected the image of the device and led to a number of other smartphone makers feeling like they need to prove their devices won’t bend.



Samsung has performed a bend test on its phablet device, the Galaxy Note 4, and the smartphone came away unfazed by the testing. Samsung performed a basic three point bend test using a machine that put about 25kg of pressure on the screen of the phone.


The device distorted a bit, but snapped back to its original straight shape when the pressure was removed. The coolest test performed involved a robotic butt. This test had a machine with a couple butt cheeks on it wearing denim jeans.


In this test the robot butt sat on the Galaxy Note 4 several hundred times and simulated a 100kg man's butt. The Note 4 survived the robot attack without lasting physical injuries.




SOURCE: Samsung


ASUS ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 also get their Android 4.4

Continuing its KitKat updates for its ZenFone family, ASUS has released the latest firmware for the larger ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6. Aside from updating the Intel-powered Android smartphones to the latest Android 4.4 version, it also adds some new features to region or model specific handsets.



Improvements to already existing functionality, aside from the jump to Android 4.4, include better Miracast compatibility. This protocol is used for streaming media content to compatible receivers such as TVs or set-top boxes. And speaking of streaming, the ZenFones now have support for DLNA, another popular protocol protocol used for home media servers and sometimes gaming consoles as well.


As for new features, ASUS has added a much needed Do Not Disturb mode for automatically silencing the smartphone in certain situations or times. Owners in China and Taiwan will now have a new Call Guard feature as well. Those with dual SIM slots will now be able to put the phone in full dual standby mode. Plus, the new Reply via Call-in feature will automatically select the correct SIM when replying to a message or call.


Unfortunately, in typical ASUS fashion, the firmware update is more involved than it reasonably should be. Instead of delivering the firmware over the air (FOTA) as most OEMs do these days, ASUS requires users to manually download the firmware, plug in their ZenFone to a PC, and copy over the downloaded file to the phone's root folder. As if that wasn't enough, ASUS warns that users have to make sure that they are downloading the correct firmware for their phone model or risk causing the update to fail and potentially wiping their data.


SOURCE: ASUS (ZenFone 5), (ZenFone 6)





Firefox OS-powered Matchstick to rival Chromecast

We knew it won’t be long before somebody takes on the Chromecast. This Chrome-based WiFi stick will soon be rivaled by a Firefox OS powered one once its developers are done raising funds.



The Matchstick works similar to Chromecast, only it is based on Firefox OS. Its creator Matchstick.tv is hoping to raise $100,000 on Kickstarter but looks like a lot of people believe in the product. As early as now and with 28 days to go before the deadline, the group has already received almost twice the goal amount. As of this writing, about 7,716 have sent in their pledge donation.


The Matchstick looks like any ordinary WiFi dongle but this one has been certified for Firefox OS. The developer built an open hardware and software platform and came up with this streaming stick exclusive for Mozilla. The result is a low cost device that brings more personalized apps, smaller installs, and an adaptable and open operating system.


matchstick

Just like the Chromecast, the Matchstick brings content from the Internet to your TV. Feel free to watch TV shows and movies, play music and games, and explore apps Firefox and Matchstick developers are working on and that are already in the Mozilla app store. Soon, these apps can be found in the Matchstick app store. We can expect popular apps like Pandora, HBO Go, and Netflix to be available at launch.


VIA: SlashGear


SOURCE: Kickstarter





Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release dates revealed

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is coming. After being released in South Korea last Friday, September 26, the new phablet will soon be launched in the United States and other parts of the globe. Samsung Mobile recently teased us with an invitation to an ‘S Carpet’ launch event.



Looking at the image, you’ll see dots with the corresponding dates. Countries are marked with dots and dates set by Samsung. The map should be helpful and informative but the colors of the dots are almost similar to each other so it’s kind of difficult to check for some countries. (Maybe Samsung should update this?)


Based on the map, Canada will receive the Galaxy Note 4 this coming October 17. China appears to have received the device last September 29 and Korea on the 30th as opposed to the September 26 date we earlier reported. As for the UK, the Galaxy Note 4 could be launched on October 10 and Western Europe a week after.


In Asia, the phablet is expected to roll out in each country on these dates: October 10 (India), October 11 (Singapore), October 13 (Thailand), October 15 (Myanmar), October 17 (Cambodia), October 24 (Vietnma), and October 25 (Philippines, Laos, and Indonesia).


Samsung-Galaxy-Note-4

Dates for other countries are vague because of the similar colors but you'll see that most of Europe will get their hands on the Galaxy Note 4 this October. As for South America, it might reach them early November.


SOURCE: Samsung Mobile





Garmin’s Forerunner 920XT is tracker for the fitness-minded

It seems that the past few months have seen a glut of lifestyle-tracking wearable devices in the market. One brand that is aiming to make its mark as well is Garmin and its new Forerunner 920XT seems to be packed with features that would appeal to the seriously fitness-minded as well as the beginner who would like to be seriously fitness-minded.



The multisport GPS watch can stand alone without a connected device, but can also work as a smartwatch when paired with a Bluetooth-enabled gadget. It is 18% slimmer and 15% lighter than its predecessor and has hinged bands which make it more comfortable when you're sweating your way through a run or workout. It can track and record in-depth metrics for such workouts like swimming, cycling, running, as well as daily activities like walking, sleeping, tracking calories and can even give you a "move alert" when it senses that you haven't had a physical activity for an hour.


For swimmers, the Forerunner 920XT is rated 5 ATM and gives advanced swim metrics for those who are seriously training, including logging swim drills, distance alerts for when the set is over and time alerts to help with pacing. For cyclists, advanced features include a built-in altimeter so you would be able to have correct data to monitor ascent, descent and gradient data. For runners, you can pair the smartwatch with the HRM-Run monitor to better record your cadence (steps), vertical oscillation (bounce), and ground contact time.




Aside from all these (and many more) tracking and monitoring of physical activities, the wearable can also send you notifications for incoming text messages, call logs, calendar reminders, emails, etc if you pair it with a smartphone using the Garmin Connect Mobile app. You can download the app from the Google Play Store. The Forerunner 920XT has a suggested retail price of $449.99, with a bundle with the premium heart rate monitor for $499.99. It is available in black/blue and red/white colors.


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SOURCE: Garmin


Verizon stops throttling,doubles data in shared plans

Verizon "changed their mind" when it comes to their planned data throttling for unlimited data users, but this may not be out of the goodness of their hearts. The FCC exerted pressure on the carrier to reverse their decision, and it seems like this, together with much public criticism, actually worked as they revealed they decided to "not move forward" with implementing their plan. Instead, they have removed unlimited data plans and just doubled the data for shared users in their MORE Everything plans.



The data throttling, originally scheduled to start this month, was supposed to be for users on unlimited data who were consuming too much data and also when they were using it, which supposedly puts too much strain on the network. But they were heavily panned by the public for their plan, as it defeats the purpose of the unlimited data subscriptions and the FCC was vocal with their criticism as well. In Verizon's official statement, they said they "valued the ongoing dialogue" and they prioritize "excellent network service".


Meanwhile, they have increased the data allocation for shared plans in the MORE Everything plans, giving 15GB per month for $100 and 30GB for $130 per month. By October 2, those with monthly data allowances of between 20-50 GB will be able to double their consumption, depending on how much they choose to add on. However, while talk and text options are still unlimited, you won't see unlimited data offered anymore.


verizon


While backing off in throttling the data seems like a generous move for Verizon, their subsequent actions obviously shows that they don't want you to be on unlimited data. We can't wait to see how their competitors will react to this, particularly T-Mobile who are not shy in taking potshots at moves like this from Verizon and other carriers.


VIA: SlashGear

SOURCE: Verizon





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