Vietnamese tech blog Tinhte posted a gallery of pictures showing the Nexus 4 in the colour white, on Wednesday. The device is currently only available in black, and LG cannot manufacture Google’s current flagship mobile fast enough!

Despite LG and Google’s supply chain issues and inability to keep up with the demand for the device, it looks like they will soon be launching the device in white.

Hopefully Google and LG have quietly been manufacturing and storing white stock, in order to keep up with the demand, before announcing / releasing the new colour.

Do you think that the device looks better in black or white?

Source: BGR via Tinhte

An Android statue made out of Chrome has recently appeared at Google’s Mountain View campus. The above picture was taken by Android Community Manager Paul Wilcox, and uploaded to his Google+ page (where else!).

The Android statue has been installed above the entrance of Building 45, which is opposite where Google normally places their statues.

This has caused a lot of speculation, as Google normally unveils statues with the release of a new version of Android. The fact that the statue is made out of Chrome, leads a lot of people to think that this may be symbolic.

Paul Wilcox has come out and said that he wasn’t trying to hint at a new version of Android:

“To be clear, this post is a little tongue-in-cheek and is not meant to be a sneaky announcement of a new version of Android,” he wrote. “It is, however, an announcement of a new statue.”

What do you think? Pure coincidence? Is the Chrome statue meant to symbolize something?

Source: The Verge

Less than four months after Google first introduced Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean), preparations are almost final for the release of an improved predecessor called Android OS v4.2.

The new version will keep the moniker Jelly Bean and is being referred to as Jelly Bean Mark II, suggesting an enhanced version of the same. This, however, does not mean that Android 4.2 has nothing new to offer. From what we’re hearing about it, the operating system is sure to get you excited, although it is definitely not the much-speculated Lime Pie.

The first new feature included in Android 4.2 is a powerful security system that operates in real-time while you work on your phone. What it does is systematically scan apps that users download, to prevent any malicious software or a potentially unwanted program from tampering with original device settings. ComputerWorld understands the feature to be a continuation of the security process incorporated by Google for its Play Store through which all apps uploaded there are scanned for harmful code. This essentially gives users two-fold protection.

Another new feature introduced in this version is multi-user profiles. Exclusive to Android tablets only, this feature allows you to create profiles for different users just like you do for PCs. Profiles retain each user’s preferred settings including homescreens, wallpapers, apps, bookmarks, accounts and much more.

Android 4.2 provides a Gesture Typing function designed to lets users compose words by sliding their fingers across letters thus speeding up the process. Other important additions include – Miracast wireless display to stream your favorite movies from your smartphone or tablet to your compatible HDTV, enhanced Google Now with new search cards having information for flight schedules, hotels, tourist attractions etc., Photo Sphere app for camera to make 360-degree panoramic images and Daydream screensavers with customizable options for displaying your photos, news, updates etc. when your device is in idle mode.

Android 4.2 is expected to be released on November 13 with upcoming new Nexus devices.

Source: ComputerWorld | ZDNet

Rumours regarding the mysterious iPad mini have turned out to be true. Previously, we reported that iPad mini had gone into mass production at Apple’s partner facilities in Asia. It has now been officially introduced as well.

The introduction of iPad mini marks Apple’s first venture into the smaller tablet market. With a 7.9-inch LED backlit IPS capacitive touchscreen display and weighing only 308 grams, it becomes Apple’s smallest and lightest iPad. The sleek device is only 7.2mm thick making it 23% thinner than the latest full-sized 3rd generation iPad. Its 7.9-inch screen size gives it 35% more screen area than regular 7-inch tablets.

Walt Mossberg, a respected technology columnist at the Wall Street Journal commented:

In shrinking the iconic iPad, Apple has pulled off an impressive feat… And it has shunned the plastic construction used in its smaller rivals to retain the iPad’s sturdier aluminium and glass body.

Apple iPad mini runs on a Dual-core A5 chip and is powered by the newly released iOS 6 operating system which includes 200 new features. It offers improved support for Siri and iCloud, and supports AirPlay feature that lets users stream media such as music or movies from their iPad mini to their digital HDTV.

The compact tablet comes equipped with an iSight 5.0 Megapixel rear camera with autofocus, geo-tagging and video stabilization functions. It uses a five-element lens to capture photographs and provides tap focus during video recording. A FaceTime 1.2 Megapixel camera is available as well. Other specs include – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Safari browser and a powerful power-efficient battery giving up to 10 hours of internet surfing time.

Source: Reuters

When Apple introduced its new iOS 6 operating system, one of the features that got everybody’s attention was its Maps app with turn-by-turn navigation. Apple had last month confirmed that users of iOS 6 in Australia would be able to use this particular feature by October end, however now there seems to be a slight delay in its launch.

The feature provides directions to users for a selected destination and also suggests alternative routes. Before Apple jumped in, the field was dominated by Google Maps. Apple has worked hard to make the new app available across 52 countries so far. SlashGear writes that there has been a technical glitch in the feature and has thus been suspended till an unspecified November date. Reporting about the glitch, it read:

The original feature, Directions, which differs from turn-by-turn, had the peculiar habit of sending drivers towards bodies of water and the sides of buildings, and other places cars should not venture. This same issue is now marring turn-by-turn, with users (outside of Australia) reporting that it often gives the wrong instructions.

Apple Maps has been facing problems for some time now. In September, CEO Tim Cook even offered an official apology over inconvenience caused due to the inconsistencies with the resolve of making Maps better.

Source: SlashGear

Microsoft officially launched its latest mobile operating system Windows Phone 8 on Monday at an event in San Francisco attended by a huge fraternity of media intermediaries and tech enthusiasts.

The event was also attended by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who showcased new Windows Phone 8 based handsets including Samsung ATIV S and HTC 8X.

Microsoft’s vice president and head of Windows Phone team, Joe Belfiore presented the new operating system to the world and discussed its key features. One of the most talked-about among these features is the new and customizable Live Tiles, which updates automatically to keep users posted on the latest happenings in news, weather, social networks updates and much more. Users can even designate a separate tile to their contacts and are informed about any email or social media updates from them.

Talking about the concept, Belfiore said:

The static grid of icons has been the standard on smartphones. We decided not to use that tired old metaphor. Our way is to put people at the center of the experience.

He also announced new apps for Windows Phone 8 which include Facebook, Twitter, Skype and Angry Birds among popular ones. Users will be able to download from around 120,000 apps on Windows Phone Store initially.

Other key features of the new operating system are – multi-core processor support, shared Windows core for consistency with Windows 8 and Windows RT, enhanced camera support, Wallet app for NFC based payments, Internet Explorer 10, Skype integrated with People Hub and improved Maps with turn-by-turn navigation powered by Nokia.

Source: TechWorld | ZDNet

A Denmark based software technology company has developed new software that lets users control their smartphones and tablets with the movement of their eyes.

The company, known as the Eye Tribe, is currently engaged in hectic research and development of an innovative eye-controlled prototype technology which has the potential to be the next big thing in the world of smart devices. Established only a year ago by four PhD students at Copenhagen’s Information Technology University, the company has captured interest of tech enthusiasts around the world for its fascinating new software.

Talking about the software, Sebastian Sztuk, an engineer at the firm, said:

What we’ve developed is a software that enables eye-tracking or eye-control on standard, low-cost, higher volume products or components. So we can actually use the camera that is integrated in today’s tablets and smartphones to do eye-control on a mobile device.

The amazing software can handle a variety of tasks that are usually performed using fingers on the touchscreen, such as moving an object on screen, clicking, scrolling a page etc. All these operations are carried out using the device’s camera. Explaining about the whole process, Eye Tribe’s official website explains:

The image captured by the front-facing camera of the smartphone or tablet is analyzed using computer-vision algorithms. Our software can then determine the location of the eyes and estimate where you’re looking on the screen with accuracy good enough to know which icon you’re looking at.

It further adds:

The version showcased in the videos uses the “EyeDock”, an add-on with an inexpensive webcam and an infrared LED. These are standard components and can be integrated into a mobile device using the front-facing camera and a built-in LED.

The company is currently looking for manufacturers and partners so it can go ahead with its plan of releasing the software in 2013. We’re pretty sure this is one release you would not want to miss.

Source: CopenhagenPost | EyeTribe

Japanese technology products manufacturer Sharp has announced a new compact tablet with its latest IGZO LCD technology that uses minimum power and thus extends battery life.

The AQUOS Pad SHT21 showcases a 7.0-inch touchscreen LCD. The most remarkable feature of the screen is its low power consumption which according to Sharp officials doubles the overall battery life for extended operation time. The screen gives a high resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, supports pen input and employs Sharp’s original Feel UX user interface.

The tablet runs on a 1.5GHz Dual–core Snapdragon S4 processor on Qualcomm’s MSM8960 chipset. The chip comes with 1GB of built-in RAM and offers 16GB of internal memory which can be extended via microSDXC memory card. It also features NFC for easy one tap sharing and a growing number of other uses including payments. Other key specs include – Bluetooth v4.0, MHL, 4G LTE connectivity and a powerful 3460mAh battery.

The 9.4mm thin lightweight device will come with Google’s Android Ice Cream Sandwich installed. Its Japanese website mentions IPX5/IPX7 waterproof and dustproof rating. AQUOS Pad SHT21 is expected to be released somewhere in December, most probably at the peak of holidays shopping season.

Source: Sharp via Engadget

Motorola has released a list of phones and tablets that will be getting Google’s latest version of Android operating system as well as those that won’t be receiving an update.

According to a post published on the company’s official blog forum, most devices released in 2011 or later will be getting Android OS v4.1 Jelly Bean. These include Droid RAZR MAXX HD, Droid RAZR HD, ATRIX HD and Motorola XOOM. Although, the company did not mention any timeline, the devices are slated to get the update some time before 2013.

However, not all phones and tablets will be getting these upgrades. Commenting about the update, the blog post read:

Though we are working hard to deliver that upgrade, not all of our devices will receive it.

A complete list of devices that will or will not be getting Android updates is available at Motorola’s official blog (link for which is provided in the source below).

In addition to that, Motorola has also introduced a special trade-in promotion program for customers with old handsets that are not receiving Jelly Bean:

In the United States, we have created a program for owners of qualifying devices that will not receive Jelly Bean. We are offering a $100 rebate when those eligible trade up to a new Motorola smartphone.

Source: GizmoCrave | Motorola

More information regarding the upcoming LG-Google Nexus smartphone has been leaked by popular anonymous twitter source evleaks.

According to the leak, the smartphone is called LG Nexus 4 (E960). Previously we reported that the phone runs on a Quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor. The clock speed for its APQ8064 chip has now been confirmed to be 1.5GHz. It will include a hefty 2GB of RAM and will come in 8GB and 16GB variants.

The source, which has proven to be reliable on previous occasions, also suggests that the device will come with a 4.7-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels. As reported earlier, the phone will feature an 8.0 Megapixels primary camera, a 1.3 Megapixels front camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS and 2100mAh battery.

Evleak post on twitter also had the following image of the Nexus 4, which shows its rectangular slab-form shape and 9.1mm thin rounded edge body.

The upcoming smartphone is expected to be unveiled on October 29, 2012 at Google’s Android event. The event will be held in New York, invites for which have already been sent out to media intermediaries.

Since, the event is primarily being hosted by Google, it is also being speculated that a newer version (v4.2) of its current Android operating system Jelly Bean might be introduced. However, these remain rumours and no confirmation or denial is available from Google, which gives a teasing tagline on the invite: “The playground is open.”

Source: @evleaks via SlashGear