Just a quick post.

On the standard default keyboard for the Samsung Note 2. Typing iPhone autocorrects to opponent.

The Ascend P2 will have a 4.7-inch 720p (1280 x 720) Infinity Edge display at 315ppi, a quad-core 1.5GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 13 MP BSI rear-facing camera with HDR, a 1.3 MP front-facing camera, 2,420 mAh battery, and Android 4.1. It comes in at 8.4mm thick and is touted as the fastest LTE phone on earth with up to 150Mbps utilizing LTE Cat4. Just like all Huwaei phones, it will feature their own Emotion UI on top of stock Android.

Certainly looks rather nice.

According to the Financial Times, Google is to launch a monthly music subscription service in the 3rd quarter of this year.

This will take on the likes of Spotify.

Question is , does Apple have anything up its sleeve too.

HP’s back in the tablet game in Barcelona with the new Slate 7, a Jelly Bean 1.6GHz dual-core ARM processor, a seven-inch display, plus front and rear facing cameras and built-in Beats Audio. The device’s biggest selling point is the $169 starting price. The Slate 7’s due out in April.

There are so many cheap android tablets out there, I just don’t see how they all can compete. There is no real USP other than price. The other day I nearly bought a 10 inch tablet whilst out shopping for £60. I didn’t because I didn’t need it. Plus it was cheaply built and wouldn’t last.

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Rumours have been flying around by a case accessory store that the S4 will be more rectangular like the S2.

So this rumour came from a case accessory store!

So let me state the Samsung Galaxy S4 will have 4 sides. That is the only truth so far.

It’s official.

Specs

8-inch (1280 x 800) display at 189 ppi
1.6GHz quad-core Exynos CPU
2GB of RAM
32GB or 64GB of storage
microSD slot for up to an additional 64GB
5MP rear camera
1.3MP front camera
4,600 mAh battery
HSPA+ 21Mpbs (850/900/1900/2100)
Operating system: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
Dimensions: 210.8 x 135.9 x 7.95
Weight: 338 grams
Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
S Pen optimized features: S Note, S Planner, e-mail with handwriting integration; Quick Command; Easy Clip; Photo Note; Paper Artist; Air View; Popup Note; Popup Video; Shape Match; Formula Match; Idea Sketch
Sharing Features: AllShare Play; AllShare Cast (Wifi Display mirroring and extension); AllShare Framework

It will also include an IR blaster acting as a remote using Peel software and be able to make phone calls. International version only. It will also include loads of bespoke software.

So now if you always wanted a tablet sized phone, you now have one.

Caught setting up at MWC, this is what the Note 8 will look like.

A large S3.

Looks like HTC is on a roll with its HTC One. It is now offering developers a new SDK for the IR API so that new apps can take advantage of the phone’s IR port.

I believe this is a good move by HTC, since the IR function is one of its unique features.

The new phone from Sony is now officially on sale. They have also been offering a deal with a £300 pair of headphones thrown in for nothing. Sony have taken out marketing campaigns all over the place and also have a very strong newspaper presence.

I must admit the offer of a free pair of £300 headphones was tempting. The pay as you go price on Three was £449. My theory was I could sell the headphone if they were poor and lower the total cost of ownership.

Of course if the cans were excellent then I would have to keep them.

This does make me wonder just how much the actual phone costs to manufacturer and once the limited free headphone offer goes, will the price drop.

I really like this phone from Sony. I think they have thought of every aspect of the phone from the design, everyday practicality, sound and video quality and using it with a Sony Eco system.

I hope this is a success for Sony as it has stiff competition from Samsung with the S4 soon to be announced. Mind you if the S4 looks like a slightly bigger S3 then Sony should have nothing to fear as the S3 doesn’t look special like the iPhone or Sony Xperia Z.

I intend to spend some time with the Z over the weekend along with a Note 2 and will add a short post next week on my views.

Acer has released 2 new phones.

The E1 packs a dual-core 1GHz processor and runs Jelly Bean on a 4.5-inch qHD display — and will be available in both dual and single SIM configurations. The E1 includes two speakers with DTS Sound, plus “Float” software that prevents notifications from popping up when you’re watching videos.

The Liquid Z2 is an entry-level handset with a dual-core 1GHz CPU and a 3.5-inch HVGA screen. It runs Jelly Bean with an optional interface that mimics a feature phone’s home screen. Like the E1, it’s available with one or two SIM cards, and you have your choice of a 3-megapixel or 5-MP camera.

These phones are budget affairs and will suit somebody just not sure who when there are better options available. Maybe the dual sim arrangement will be the key selling point.