rumor

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

Apple's iOS 7 said to be visually different, flat

It's no secret Apple plans to show off the next major version of iOS at its annual developers conference in June, though what exactly will be different about the new software has been fuzzy.

Citing multiple people who have actually seen Apple's next iOS endeavor, 9to5Mac says Apple's making big changes in the look and feel of the software. Specifically making everything -- from app icons to interface features -- "very flat," as opposed to the bubbly and oftentimes realistic interfaces that have stayed mostly unchanged since 2007.

On top of this, the report adds … 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

OS X 10.9 to add more 'power user' features -- report

Apple's next desktop operating system launch, which is slated for later this year, will come with few visual enhancements, but a host of improvements for so-called power users, according to a new report.

The folks over at 9to5Mac on Monday said that they have sources with knowledge of Apple's plans who claim that the core design and functions of the new operating system, OS X 10.9 and code-named Cabernet, will remain the same. One of the biggest improvements, however, will be how the Finder application works. That application, which allows users to access files across the operating … 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

Verizon, Nokia to sell Lumia 928 starting next month -- report

A new Nokia Lumia handset might be headed to Verizon Wireless.

Nokia and Verizon have been in talks to bring a new Lumia handset, known as the Lumia 928, to the carrier's store shelves next month, Bloomberg is reporting, citing two people who claim to have knowledge of their plans. The handset will be the first Lumia Verizon will sell.

According to Bloomberg's sources, the Lumia 928 will come with a metal body and a 4.5-inch touch screen. It'll also include wireless charging and an 8-megapixel camera. As with previous Lumia devices, the handset will run … Read more

iPad 5 said to be 15 percent thinner, 25 percent lighter

Apple's next iPad will be both thinner and lighter than its predecessor, bringing back the company's old habit of iPad shrinkage.

That's according to KGI Securities analyst Mingchi Kuo, who in a note to investors last night said to expect a full-size iPad that's 15 percent thinner than the fourth-generation device and weighs 25 percent less.

The size reduction is due to a handful of tweaks, Kuo said. That includes a battery that's 25 percent to 30 percent smaller, and improvements on display panels and A-series chip technology, which now slurp up less juice. Apple … 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