Various Sales Happening This Weekend, Apple Leads in Loyalty & FlyScreen Launches an iOS 5-Like Lockscreen API for Android

Various Sales Happening This Weekend
This is supposed to be the busiest shopping weekend of the year – Black Friday and Cyber Monday will both see huge discounts on various products. Apart from the carrier monthly rate plan discounts, BlackBerry Playbook price cuts.
MobileSyrup

Verizon’s LTE-enabled Galaxy Nexus Priced at $200?
Spotted by Smart Keitai, the Galaxy Nexus ad has reportedly been making the rounds on sites like Android Police, Phandroid and Droid Forums, offering an LTE-enabled version of Sammy’s new handset at a price of $200 on a two-year contract.
Engadget

Apple Leads in Loyalty: 84% of iPhone Users, 60% of Android Users Plan to Stay Loyal, Study Finds
Market research firm GfK conducted a survey of 4,500 consumers in various regions around the world and found that 84% of current iPhone owners plan to purchase another iPhone as their next handset. 60% of Android users plan to stay loyal according to the study, and 48% of BlackBerry owners intend to purchase another BlackBerry smartphone as their next device.
BGR

FlyScreen Launches an iOS 5-Like Lockscreen API for Android
Thanks to app maker FlyScreen and its brand-new “SuperFly API,” Android users may soon get their own lockscreen notifications, too. The API is just launching today, with messaging app Kik as the first API partner.
TechCrunch

18% Of BlackBerry Subscribers Use OS 6, 50% Use OS 5

RIM has released some stats of their BlackBerry devices. While the world patiently waits for OS 7 to be released their BlackBerry 6 OS continues to increase, now making up 18% of in-market devices (up 8% in March). Still making up the lions share by 50% is OS 5, which is very telling. In addition, although there’s no recent stats of the number of apps the BlackBerry World has (last count was 20,000 apps and 3 million downloads per day), BlackBerry 6 makes up 31% of free app downloads and 54% of all paid app downloads. However, OS 5 is still incredibly popular with 40% of paid app downloads and a high 57% of all the free app downloads.

Read the full story at MobileSyrup

Sony Ericsson updates Xperia line with the latest Gingerbread goods

Android update junkies are in for a treat from Sony Ericsson. The handset maker's serving up the freshest batch of Gingerbread to its Xperia line of smartphones starting this October. Bundled in to this 2.3.4 rollout are a bunch of OEM enhancements, bringing along deeper Facebook integration that'll let you like and share your app discoveries with friends, and "3D sweep panorama technology," so you can snap those self-portraits for 3DTV viewing. SE's also thrown in a native screen capture function and, of course, there's Google Talk with Video Chat. The Neo V will be the first phone out of the launch gate with these baked-in tweaks, but if you've got a beefier Xperia device, it's probably better just to wait.

Show full PR text

25 August 2011
Sony Ericsson boosts 2011 Xperia™ family with new experiences and new software

2011 Xperia™ range to be upgraded to Android Gingerbread platform version 2.3.4
Enhanced Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality
Introducing Xperia™ neo V Android smartphone with the best of entertainment technologies from Sony and Google

25 August 2011, London, UK – Sony Ericsson today announced new functionality and features to its 2011 Xperia™ smartphone range with a comprehensive software upgrade from October 2011. Consumers with 2011 Xperia™ smartphones will benefit from improvements to Sony Ericsson's unique Facebook inside Xperia™ offering and 3D camera functionality from Sony. The upgrade also allows consumers to enjoy the full benefits of the Android Gingerbread platform including Google Talk with Video Chat.

Sony Ericsson's unique social experience provided by Facebook inside Xperia™ has been super-charged enabling Xperia users to like, share and discover on Facebook in a faster, easier and more intuitive way. The new functionality aims to make entertainment more social by giving users the ability to share and discover apps and games with friends through Facebook.

The latest camera enhancements from Sony introduce 3D sweep panorama technology so that images can be captured and then viewed in 3D by connecting the phone to a 3D TV using the HDMI output.

"With this software upgrade, we are bringing a wealth of new and really entertaining experiences to all our 2011 Xperia™ smartphones, including those already in consumers' hands today,"said Nikolaus Scheurer, Head of Product Marketing at Sony Ericsson. "Our users will get to enjoy new features from Google, an even richer Facebook integration, and enhanced camera functionality from Sony."

Xperia™ neo V is one of the first new products to launch with the new software and will include all the features like Google Talk with Video Chat, 3D sweep panorama and enhanced Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality. Building on the success of the original Xperia™ neo launched earlier this year, Xperia™ neo V takes the latest Android software for smartphones and the best of Sony entertainment experiences, including Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, to even more markets. Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo V will be available globally in select markets from Q4 2011.

The software upgrade will be available in select markets through a phased roll out starting from October 2011. Xperia™ owners will receive a notification instructing them to instantaneously download the software over the air via 3G or WiFi. Alternatively, they will have the option to connect to a computer and download it via PC companion.

Upgrade at a glance:

Xperia™ smartphones to be upgraded to the 2.3.4 version of the Gingerbread platform with new features including Google Talk with Video Chat for smartphones with front-facing cameras
Updated Facebook inside Xperia™ functionality for enhanced like, share and discover abilities
Xperia™ smartphones introducing world's first 3D sweep panorama functionality powered by Sony.
The software upgrade enables consumers to turn their Xperia smartphone into a mini-mobile PC by connecting USB peripherals (mouse, keyboard or game controller) to Sony Ericsson LiveDock™ multimedia station. Connect the smartphone to a TV via HDMI to get a big screen experience.
Swipe text input - text input by swiping the finger from one letter to the next
Screen capture - allows the user to share a screen grab from anywhere in the phone

For full details all products news, please visit the press room and the product blog:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/press/pressreleases/latestnews
http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo V at a glance.
*Please note that all services mentioned below may not be available in every market.
Colours

White
Blue Gradient
Silver

Facts

Size: 116 x 57 x 13mm
Weight: 126g
Operating system: Google™ Android 2.3 (Gingerbread version 2.3.4)
Processor: 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255

Camera

3D sweep panorama
5 megapixel camera
16x digital zoom
Auto focus
Face detection
Flash/LED
Front facing camera (VGA)
Geo tagging
HD video recording (720p)
Image stabiliser
Red-eye reduction
Scene detection
Self-timer
Send to web
Smile detection
Sweep panorama
Touch capture
Touch focus
Video light
Video recording
Video stabiliser

Music

Album art
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Media player
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNow™ service
Sony Ericsson Music player
TrackID™ music recognition
xLOUD™

Internet

Android Market™
Bookmarks
Google™ search
Google Voice™ Search
Pan & zoom
Web browser (WebKit)

Communication

Call list
Conference calls
Facebook™ application
Facebook inside Xperia™ V2
Google Talk™ video chat*
Noise Shield
Polyphonic ringtones
Sony Ericsson Timescape™
Speakerphone
Twitter™ (Timescape™ integration)
Vibrating alert
Video chat ready

Messaging

Conversations
Email
Google Mail™
Instant messaging
Multimedia messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)

Design

Auto rotation
Keyboard (on-screen, QWERTY)
Live wallpaper
Picture wallpaper
Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
Swipe to write
Touch screen

Entertainment

3D games
Media browser
Motion gaming
Radio (FM radio with RDS)
Video streaming
YouTube™

Organiser

Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Document readers
E-Manual
Flight mode
Google Calendar™
Google Gallery 3D
Infinite button
Phonebook
Setup guide
Widget manager

Connectivity

All services mentioned in this leaflet may not be available in every market.

3.5 mm audio jack
aGPS
Bluetooth™ technology
DLNA Certified™
Google Latitude™
Google Maps™ for Mobile
Google Maps™ with Street View
HDMI™ support
Media Transfer Protocol support
Micro USB support
Modem
Native USB tethering
Synchronisation via Facebook™
Synchronisation via Google Sync™
Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
Synchronisation via Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®
TV Out
USB mass storage
USB High speed 2.0 support
Wi-Fi®
Wi-Fi® Hotspot functionality
Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation

Display

Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
16,777,216 colour TFT
Capacitive touchscreen (multi-touch)
3.7 inches
480 x 854 pixels (FWVGA)
Scratch-resistant

Memory

Phone memory: Up to 320MB
Memory card support: microSD™, up to 32GB
Memory card included: 2GB microSD™

Battery life

Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 6 hrs 55 min*
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 430 hrs*

Talk time UMTS: Up to 7 hrs*
Standby time UMTS: Up to 400 hrs*

Music listening time: Up to 31 hrs*
Video playback time: Up to 7 hrs 25 min*

*According to GSM Association Battery Life Measurement Technique. Battery performance may vary depending on network conditions and configurations, and phone usage.

Networks

UMTS HSPA 900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

UMTS HSPA 850, 1900, 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900

In the kit

Xperia™ neo V
1500 mAh battery
Stereo portable handsfree
2GB microSD™ memory card
Charger
Micro USB cable for charging
Synchronisation and file transfer
User documentation

Legal
1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant. 2) Operational times are affected by network preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. playing games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2011

Samsung's IFA app unveils Galaxy Tab 7.7, Wave 3 and Galaxy Note

We're about a week away from this year's IFA, but that's no reason for the tech teases to dry up. According to a report on This Is My Next, a bevy of product logos from Sammy's Android trade show app were unearthed by a tipster searching for clues in the APK. Among the soon-to-be unveiled products are the new Galaxy Tab 7.7, Wave 3 and Galaxy Note. While we've haven't heard much about the Note, we aren't really surprised to see a 7.7-inch (we assume) iteration of the OEM's popular Honeycomb tablet and an update to its Bada OS-running Wave smartphone line. Not to worry folks, you won't have to live with the suspense for long -- we'll be reporting live from Berlin before you know it.

Microsoft: front facing cameras, Skype integration coming with Mango update (video)

When Microsoft unveiled the SGH-i937 Mango Windows Phone 7 handset last month, we noticed what appeared to be a front facing camera perched atop the Galaxy S II-like device. Now, the company has confirmed that forthcoming Mango flavored phones will indeed feature face-gazing shooters, along with Skype integration. The confirmation came at Redmond's TechEd event in New Zealand, where two employees also revealed that Microsoft's Lync VoIP client will soon expand to other platforms, including iOS, Android and Symbian. As for that Skype integration, the reps assured the audience that it's coming soon, though it remains unclear whether it'll come in the form of an app, or a subsequent update. You can watch the TechEd session for yourself after the break, but be warned that parts of it are somewhat inaudible.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Droid Bionic ad has pretty much everything but a phone (video)

The new Droid Bionic ad sure has it all: a Portman-esque lady in an illuminated leather blouse, brandishing a giant sword against a Terminator-looking 'bot shooting lasers from his hands, all taking place in some crazy sky coliseum thing. As for the actual handset? Not so much on that front, save for a name at the end and a promised September release date -- oh, and the implied promise that the phone will literally slice the heads off of its Android brethren. Video after the break.

White HTC EVO 3D gets exclusive RadioShack bow on September 9th

If Wall-E's lady friend, Eve, and Spielberg's E.T. were to come together in engineering matrimony, we're pretty sure this white EVO 3D would be the resulting offspring. This "rare and beautiful" unicorn from HTC's beastly, dual-core Android herd hails from the Hesse-led network, and will be available as a RadioShack exclusive on September 9th. The electronics retailer dipped more than just its toes into our 21st century ways (or more likely hired a new intern), getting the message out via its Twitter account, and snapping an Instagram shot of the bleached handset. Pricing for the phone has yet to be announced, but we'd be surprised if this gets a premium over its $199 on-contract twin.

News on Steve Jobs

An amazing announcement released shows CEO Steve Jobs of Apple retire, he may have retired but he is still going to be chairman of the board with chief operating officer Tim Cook filling his shoes for the new job role. The question is “How will this affect Apple stocks?”

Many will see this retirement as a shock, we all know Steve Jobs as the guru and front-speaker at events such, which of course leaves us wondering if he will be at the next big event announcing the new Apple iPhone 5 and the possibility of the iPhone 4S.

Jobs has said in an eight-sentence letter to the Apple board of directors and “the Apple community,” that he can no longer meet his duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO.

No one knows for sure why Steve Jobs cannot fulfill his obligations as CEO, but we suspect this is down to his poor health, he will surely be missed as public speaker and the man we always put side-by-side with the iPhone, iPad etc.

Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, his tumour was removed successfully and future tests showed that the it spread to his liver undetected, his liver was then removed in 2009 and replaced with a transplant, which left Jobs taking a six-month sabbatical.

We here at Phones Review are very sad indeed that Steve Jobs has retired; he will sorely be missed as the man who is APPLE. Steve Jobs and Apple stock go hand-in-hand and the reaction to his retirement has seen stock falling by 7 percent.

According to LA Times Apple stock has gone from $6.56 to $403 in around 8 years, yesterday saw Apple shares closing at $376.18 on Wednesday meaning that it was up $2.58, these figures we closed before Steve Jobs announcement. However, after Jobs retirement announcement letter shares fell 5.3% to about $356 in after-hours trading.

July 26 saw a record in stock market value at $403.41, stock market value was $348 billion at the close of regular trading Wednesday. Apple has some astonishing figures, especially when you compare to Google’s $169 billion, IBM’s $199 billion, Microsoft’s $209 billion and Intel’s $104 billion.

Please do post your comments below about Steve Jobs retirement; what would you like to say to him (Go below and send a message). We would also love to know how his retirement would affect Apple stocks and shares, even more so will the iPhone 5 announcements and release be the same without the legend speaker?

Here’s the full text of Jobs’s letter via PC World

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve