Rumors

Motorola X Phone rumors, benchmarks march on

Benchmarks for a smartphone called the Motorola XT1055 have emerged online this week, leading many to believe the device could be part of the fabled X Phone series.

The benchmark scores for the rumored handset show an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system with a Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor.

Considering the model number and very preliminary specifications, we could be looking at one of the first X Phones from the Motorola and Google team.

As a frame of reference, Verizon's Motorola Droid Razr HD carries the XT926 model number, which is similar to the one found here. … Read more

T-Mobile-bound Sony Xperia Z clears the FCC

Documents listed on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Web site suggest that T-Mobile may soon offer a version of the Sony Xperia Z.

Details show that this flagship Sony smartphone will support T-Mobile's newly launched LTE network as well as pentaband HSPA+. In addition to the standard fare of photos and test results, the docs reveal the user manual and features such as Wi-Fi calling.

First announced in January at CES, the Sony Xperia Z has yet to find a home in the United States. Hardware specifications include a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, a 13-megapixel rear … Read more

Samsung Nexus 11 to debut in 2013, report says

Samsung may introduce a Nexus 11 tablet later in the year, according to tech site SamMobile.

Details surfacing this past weekend indicate that Samsung could introduce no fewer than four more tablets in 2013, one of them a Nexus device.

The so-called Nexus 11 will reportedly feature an 11-inch Super PLS TFT display, an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, and microSD expansion. This high-end unit will be the first tablet to feature Samsung's octa-core processor, alleges the blog. It is unclear at this point which version of Android will run the operation.

Given the recent whispers that … Read more

Android 4.3 could debut at Google I/O, not Android 5.0

With only a few weeks to go until Google I/O kicks off, Android followers expect to see the debut of Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, the platform's next-generation build. Well, you know what they say about assuming, right?

According to Android Police, recent server logs for 4.3 Jelly Bean version of Android are being tested and used in the real world. Specifically, an Android 4.3 JWR23B build has been tracked to Google IPs, and allegedly tied to a pair of employees who "have a lot to do with Android."

Reportedly, two devices were … Read more

Android rumor roundup

This column gathers the top rumors in the Android space. It was originally published December 14, 2012, and is updated weekly.

This week, we heard tell of a few new devices and heard more rumors about a couple of smartphones already in the pipeline. The last couple of days yielded information for the Sony "Dogo", Motorola X Phone, and a pair of Samsung handsets.

Device confirmed!

Oppo R809T (April 25, 2013) Oppo announced the latest member of its smartphone family this week when it introduced the R809T. Unveiled on Sina Weibo (translate), the handset features a a 4.… Read more

Apple iWatch rumor roundup

Not satisfied with just smartphones, MP3 players, and computers anymore, the rumor mill has now tacked on "smartwatch" to the list of potential hot items that Apple will develop and manufacture. Dubbed "the iWatch," chatter about Apple producing this sort of wearable tech is timely, considering that smartwatches seem to be on the mind of a number of other companies as well.

From bendable glass to an OLED screen, we gather all the dish on Apple's iWatch. Please note that we'll continue to update this roundup periodically and feel free to let us know … Read more

Possible new Samsung tablets' specs leak, high-end 10-incher among them

Leaked specifications for three new Samsung tablets show some promising additions to its already expansive lineup. Android Community reports that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, in 10.1-inch and 8-inch versions, were leaked in addition to a higher-end 10.1-inch tablet.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 models are rumored to ship with Android 4.1, sport a 1,280x800-pixel resolution, and house a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, as well as a 3-megapixel rear camera, a 1.3-megapixel front camera, and microSD card slot.

The 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 3 is listed to have 1GB of RAM, in comparison to the … Read more

Microsoft reportedly testing smartwatch prototypes

Microsoft could already be testing its own brand of smartwatch.

In development for the past year, the device is in the prototype stage, "a reliable source familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans" revealed to The Verge. The watch reportedly comes with removable bands that attach to its 1.5-inch touch display.

One of the prototypes borrows the magnetic power connector used by Microsoft's Surface tablets. The five-pin connector can send both power and data to the watch. However, The Verge's sources say the final design of the smartphone may jettison such a connector.… Read more

Apple's iPhone 5S, low-cost iPhone, iPhone 6 may be delayed

As Samsung, Google, and Microsoft forge ahead with smartphones, smartwatches, and other smart devices, Apple could be experiencing production delays across the board.

According to Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, who recently visited Apple's Asian suppliers, the rumored iPhone 5S will most likely be delayed. It's previously been said that the device would hit stores by July. Misek also said that the possible low-cost iPhone launch could be pushed to this year's fourth quarter and an iPhone 6 probably wouldn't come out until 2014.

"iPhone 5S is having preproduction issues with mass production at least a … Read more

How the next Xbox can win the cable TV war

The battle for the future of television is just beginning, but it looks to be a long one. One of the key players is Microsoft, which has spent the past several years morphing its Xbox 360 from a straight-up gaming console into one of the best video-streaming boxes you can buy.

Of course, the current Xbox 360 is getting long in the tooth, and the next-generation model is expected to be announced soon, and to be available as early as the end of 2013. And TV services look to be just as central to the core of that device as … Read more