Manual de servicio: smartphone

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Saturday, April 4, 2015

Sony Xperia E1 launched as mid range audio focused smartphone

Sony has launched a new mid-range smartphone called the Sony Xperia E1, which it claims will be “the best in its class”.

Aiming to complement the high-end Sony Xperia Z1, the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Xperia E1 smartphone focuses on its Sony Walkman heritage as it offers a 100dB speaker and 30 days free access to the Sony Entertainment network.

“Xperia E1 combines the best of Sony’s audio technologies with a premium design and great hardware to create a smartphone for people who want to express them out loud,” said Calum MacDougall, Director of Sony Xperia Marketing. “It’s a new, music focused player in our Xperia line-up that is underpinned by the best of Sony’s design, display and content offers.”

Sony Xperia E1 Features

The Sony Xperia E1 features a 4-inch 800 x 480p HD resolution display running Google’s Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS.

It has a 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8210 dual-core processor with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage boosted by a microSD slot supporting cards up to 32GB.

In the rear is a 3-megapixel camera, offering 720p HD video recording and a 4x “smooth zoom”. It seems to lack a front-facing camera for any kind of video calling or selfie action.

The Xperia E1 brings back the dedicated Walkman button, shake to shuffle controls and you’ll get access to a free 30 day pass for Sony’s Entertainment Network music streaming service. It also comes pre-installed with the Sony Walkman app.

Weighing only 120g, the Xperia E1 has 3G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Sony Xperia E1 Release Date and Price

Sony says the handset will retail for €175 (£145), and will be released around the end of MWC 2014 in February. It will be available in black, white and purple.

Samsung Tizen smartphone facing further delays

Samsung has confirmed that the first Samsung Tizen smartphone is facing a new round of delays, the latest handset running the new OS to be pushed back.

Originally pegged for a 2013 arrival, the eagerly awaited Samsung Tizen phone had widely expected to have been heading for an MWC 2014 unveiling next month. Now however, latest reports have cited Samsung representatives as confirming the handset is to be pushed back once again.

“It is true that the release has been delayed,” an official Samsung spokesperson reportedly said speaking at the Samsung Electronics Media Solution Centre in Korea today.

They are said to have added: “Previously we had planned to release in the first half of this year in several countries, including Korea and Russia.”

Despite confirming the Samsung Tizen handset is facing delays that will see the device pushed back until the latter half of 2014 at the earliest, the company has failed to offer any more precise indications as to when the Android and Windows Phone rivalling handset will land.

Far from the first Tizen smartphone to face continuing delays, earlier this week the Japanese NTT DoCoMo handset was scrapped ahead of launch.

Tizen is a new Linux-based mobile operating system that is targeted as a direct rival to Google’s currently dominant Android OS.

Recently a selection of Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours had suggested the phone would play host to the Tizen OS, reports which now appear to be wide of the mark.

Panasonic tipped to launch rugged smartphone at MWC 2014

Panasonic is reportedly preparing to re-enter the smartphone market with a rugged handset at MWC 2014.

The last phone Panasonic launched was the Panasonic Eluga at MWC 2012 – a waterproof mobile that really didn’t do very well at all.

In fact, the Eluga was such a disaster, Panasonic pulled out of the smartphone market completely in 2013.

However, MWC 2014 could be where it makes its smartphone comeback with a rugged, shock proof handset.

According to Japanese site, Asahi, Panasonic is preparing a shockproof smartphone for an MWC launch, but didn’t actually received much info about the device.

All we know so far from the unnamed sources is that the mystery device will have a 5-inch screen.

It is suggested that the Panasonic 2014 smartphone will be aimed at construction site workers and other similar users, meaning it may not be aimed at the general mainstream market.

Panasonic is supposedly already in talks with construction companies in the US to form partnerships for the device come launch.

Unfortunately that’s all the information we have so far on Panasonic’s alleged re-entry into the smartphone market.

The device sounds rather niche, so we expect it could potentially follow in the Eluga’s footsteps if Panasonic doesn’t manage to pull off a major partnership.

LG Optimus G2 to crash through the full HD 5 inch smartphone barrier

The forthcoming launch of the LG Optimus G2 may be a little more newsworthy than previously expected judging by recent rumours and speculation.

Last week we heard the device may feature volume buttons on the back and today reports claimed the new Optimus will be the first smartphone from the company to boast a full HD screen larger than 5-inches.

Up until now, speculation had suggested the device would be rocking a 5-inch 1080p screen, but TechBlog brings word that the Korean company plans to stretch it out another two-tenths of an inch.

That would officially make it the largest 1080p smartphone phone from a major manufacturer, something that LG would be wise to trumped when the device eventually launches.

Say cheese

Other new information from the TechBlog report claims the device will also have a 13-megapixel camera, bringing it in line with most of the other top-line handsets on the market.

Previous leaks have shown an edge-to-edge display, while its highly likely the device will arrive packing Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

LG has already said the device will pack the Qualcomm 800 series processor, while the company is also thought to be working on a phone with always-on voice commands.

In terms of a release date? Well we should hear more about LGs August 7 press event in New York where the Optimus G2 is likely to be unveiled.

AT T announces Next program for yearly smartphone upgrades

AT&T has announced its new upgrade plan called "AT&T Next". The latest program from the carrier allows you to purchase a brand new smartphone or a tablet once every 12 months.

The new device is available with no activation fee, no down payment, no upgrade fee or any financing fees. To be eligible for this offer you have to pay a monthly fee for 20 months and you will have the option to trade in the device once every 12 months. After trading in your old device, the installment cycle for your device ends and a new cycle for a period of 20 months begin.

The plan also allows you to opt out of upgrading and you can pay out the full 20 months fee that varies based on your smartphone or tablet model. Check out the source link below for more information on the terms and conditions.

Alcatel to launch solar powered smartphone within 12 months

Alcatel has confirmed that it will launch a new solar powered smartphone within the next 12 months, with the handset’s sun-loving panel to be built within its screen.

Bringing solar powered portable gadgets in to the modern era, the French phone manufacturer has showcased a concept solar phone that, instead of boasting an ugly light panel on its rear, builds a transparent solar panel within the phone’s touchscreen display.

“A couple of months ago we partnered with a company and said ‘let’s try make a transparent solar panel’,” Dan Dery, Alcatel’s Global Vice President of Marketing told TrustedReviews. “It seemed crazy but now we have a working prototype where we have put solar cells over the touchpanel of a display.”

Discussing the future of the battery-saving technology he added: “We are not going to market with the solar phone quite yet. It is probably going to take us another nine to 12 months in order to make sure that the efficiency of the panel is absolutely fine and the transparency level is ok.

“Today the transparency is not where we want it to be – you can see a slight layer on top – but we are trying to see if we can include this within 12 months.”

With battery life being one of the biggest ongoing concerns for smartphone users, Dery has suggested that the transparent solar panel technology could help revolutionise the market, offering added staying power and reducing the reliance on power connectors.

“If you ask consumers what is there major concern, it is often that they have to carry a charger with them to charge their phone and with LTE coming this is getting worse because the content we enjoy requires more power,” he said.

“The target for the solar phone is that in an indoor environment it should be able to maintain an idol current so your phone battery is not depleting, outdoor under the sun it should charge, those are the targets we have.”

The Alcatel VP added: “We are not too far away from this efficiency but currently not quite there. I think we are the only one in the world to demonstrate that.”

While there are concerns this new technology will add a premium to any handset’s price tag, Dery has reassured that the company’s solar powered phone will not dent your wallet.

“If this would require us to bring the phone to a crazy price we would not do that,” he told us. “Everything is about what we can do for normal consumers, those who are not ready to spend $600 every year for a new phone.”

Could the Moto X smartphone sport the fastest LTE speeds on the block

The Moto X handset may be able to out-sprint its rivals in a mobile data race thanks to the inclusion of not one, but two LTE antennas, according to rumours on Wednesday.

The device, which Motorola has been touting heavily over the July 4 holiday, will boast dual LTE MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) antennas, so says Taylor Wimberley, founder of Android and me.

The tech, more commonly associated with high-speed Wi-Fi, means thered be two antennas pulling in and spitting out downloads and uploads at the same time, increasing speeds for owners of the device.

Of course, this is all a rumour at present, but Wimblerleys previous leaks info surrounding customisation of the Moto X phone, suggests that he may be onto something.

Motos amped

Motorola is yet to officially reveal the Moto X Phone, the first high-profile handset since it became a Google-owned company, but has been amping up the anticipation this week.

It took out adverts in major newspapers in the United States and launched a sign-up page for those interested in the device.

Both communications touted the device as the first smartphone to be designed by you, hinting at unprecedented customisation for users, which reports have since suggested will involve colour and engraving options.

The ads and webpage also boasted that the device would be designed, built and assembled in the United States, perhaps working in a little dig at Apples recent Designed by Apple in California PR blitz.

Smartphone photography tips and tricks you should know

Smartphone photography, iPhoneography, mobile photography or whatever you want to call it, its clear that taking great pictures with a phone has become a thing now.

What does that mean, exactly? It means that folks are creating works of art from the smartphones, and those pieces also go up in galleries or are made into prints. Thats the extreme end, of course, but on the other we have Instagram photos that look totally killer.

If you own a smartphone made in the last year, chances are it has a pretty damn good camera on it, too. And if youre reading this article, perhaps youre curious about taking better pictures with that smartphone.

Before we dive into it, just know this: learning and knowing how to do it is the easy part. The hard part is creating something magical with that knowledge, but by knowing how to get there, your chances of making pretty pictures improve.

Smartphone photography apps

You might be thinking that any old photo can be made to look nice with all the photography apps out there. Its sort of true, but at best they can make bland photos look somewhat interesting. But thats not what you want - you want control over how your images look, and thats what apps should help you do.

The first thing youll need is an app that helps you control focus and exposure of your camera. Some smartphones will allow you to do this by default, like the Nokia Lumia 1020. Other phones give you the option to set focus and exposure at the same time, but not independently, like the iPhone 5S.

However, there are plenty of apps out there that will allow you to do both, like Pro Camera 7 or Camera+ for the iPhone. Thats what youll need as a good starting point for taking good photos.

After all, if you cant control your exposure or where your camera focuses, you might as well give up and buy a proper camera.

The next set of apps youll want are the ones that will allow you to control basic things like contrast, white balance, color saturation and brightness. Most photos straight out of camera are flat, so youll want apps like Snapseed or Photoshop Touch to fine tune them.

Here is a list of apps you should start with if youre on the iPhone, but youll find very similar ones - if not their exact counterparts - on Android, too.

1. Learn to use your camera software

This might seem like a no-brainer, but youd be surprised at just what your smartphone camera can do.

Perhaps youre familiar with some of the basic operations, like switching between the camera and video modes, or turning your flash on and off or putting it on auto. But did you know that your camera likely has some scene modes, too? Or panorama and HDR features?

Dont be afraid to tinker with your iPhone or Android devices camera. It has plenty of memory for photos, so you can play with the different features, effects and settings and snap lots of photos.

Soon, youll know your way around the camera software like its second nature. And thats exactly what it should become - you dont want to miss any moments because youre busy fumbling with your cameras settings.

2. Learn compositional basics

This might sound boring, but learning the basics is tried and true. There are plenty of resources out there for this, but here are a few things to keep in mind.

First, well start with the rule of thirds. If youre just starting out, think of it as a hard rule before you start breaking it. With the rule of thirds, imagine a grid of lines on your smartphones display, dividing it into thirds both horizontally and vertically. In fact, most smartphones come with an option to display that very grid.

With the grid up, try placing your subjects along those lines or at the points where the lines intersect. It will make the photos much more interesting than being smack dab in the middle of your frame.

You can do this with subjects like lighthouses, people, flowers and everything else. But its also a good idea to do this with your horizon lines, too, so that your horizon never cuts through the center of your frame.

Once you get into the habit of following the rule of thirds, youll start to have a better sense of a photos balance. When youre at the stage where you think youre getting the hang of it, start breaking the rule and see what works and what doesnt.

3. Learn how to see light

If youre going to go out and make pictures that impress your friends, youre going to need good light. What is good light, exactly?

Good light is the kind of light that gives a scene shape, depth and makes things look interesting. Generally, shooting indoors with artificial light or outdoors midday or with overcast skies is bad, flat and boring light. Youll know flat light when you see it - there are few shadows, if any, and everything looks evenly lit.

Look for light with some kind of direction and color. This type of light happens naturally at just before sunrise and at sunset. Alternatively, window light is great because it has direction and its often soft and a little diffuse, so its not harsh on your subjects.

Good light is especially important in mobile photography because you cant create much more interest with different focal lengths and varying depth of field. Youre stuck with one focal length, and one aperture setting. Its a very good exercise in shooting light and finding good composition.

4. Find an interesting moment

Say youre at a beautiful location, the light is gorgeous and everything is ripe for a great photo. But nothings happening. Its like looking through your Instagram or Facebook feed: there are hundreds of sunset photos with nothing but just sunsets. Thats it.

Instead, find something to complement the scene if you can. Maybe its just someone walking by. Wait until the shape of the walking person balances the photo and is at peak action, then snap away.

Sometimes, there are no moments. Nothing is happening. Theres no one around, and its just a pretty scene. It wont hurt to take the photo. Do that and keep it for yourself or share it with close people and tell a story along with it.

But if you really want to get the good stuff, find a good moment. Maybe its people peacefully relaxing in the park - sleeping, eating, chatting, reading. Or maybe its a quarrel on the street (just be safe). Keep your eyes open for movement and always try to find some way to balance the photo compositionally.

Without moments, youre probably just shooting still life most of the time. Its too easy, and we can all agree that there are more than enough food photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram these days.

5. Work the scene

What does it mean when a photographer tells you to work the scene? It means almost that - work it! Dont just stand there, compose and snap one photo and move along. Maybe a better shot will come along in a minute, or in five minutes.

Or perhaps youd get a better photo of your subject by standing closer, or further away. Maybe the photo would look better from a lower angle, or a higher one. Or you can compose the same scene in a different way, or three different ways.

Taking a good photo means giving it some thought. Otherwise youre just taking snapshots, and unless you get really lucky, your chances of getting a good photo that way are slim.

Dont be afraid to take many photos. You can always delete them later, and you have plenty of memory on your smartphone. When you see something that really catches your eye, work that scene. And if there is a moment about to happen, shoot through it. That means keep shooting photos until the moment is over, then pick the best one.

In fact, smartphones like the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5S have excellent burst modes that can capture photos as fast as 10 frames per second. Use it!

6. Dont stop shooting

You cant expect to practice the piano once a week and play a Chopin Etude by the end of the year. At least, most of us wouldnt be able to do that. And you cant expect the same from photography.

If you only take photos once in a blue moon, its going to take you a very long time before you can start taking photos that impress your friends.

Try shooting a little every day. If youre lacking inspiration some days, shoot anyway. Shoot whats in front of you, even if it could end up being another dreaded food photo. Why not try to make it look more interesting than the clichéd straight-down-from-the-top photo that has become the norm these days? Find a better angle, shoot it macro, just make it interesting.

And thats what youll end up doing most of the time. Unless youre out on the hunt for perfect light, interesting settings and great moments, youre going to be forced to turn mundane, everyday objects and scenes into something interesting.

If you can make your friends and family say, "Wow, Ive never seen it that way before," then youre doing something right. Youre being creative, rather than just a passive observer documenting what he or she sees without second thought.

HP smartphone comeback confirmed by company exec

HP has confirmed that it is plotting a comeback to the smartphone sector with an executive for the PC giant suggesting it wants to offer a “differentiated experience.”

Although failing to get into specifics, a senior director of HP has reportedly stated that a new smartphone offering is being plotted, stating “HP has to be in the game.”

Fielding question on whether HP would return to the smartphone scene, Yam Su Yin, the company’s Senior Director of Consumer PC and Media Tablets for the Asia Pacific markets stated: "The answer is yes but I cannot give a timetable. It would be silly if we say no. HP has to be in the game."

A former key player in the smartphone sector, HP splashed out a hefty $1.2 billion (£788m) on snapping up Palm back in early 2010. Sadly for the American company, its webOS software failed to keep track with the rise of iOS and Android subsequently seeing it drift into smartphone obscurity.

With the likes of Apple and, more specifically, Google having continued their meteoric rise through the ranks of the smartphone sector, a returning HP would face considerable trouble breaking back into a significant role on the smartphone front.

Responding to such concerns, Su Yin added: "Being late you have to create a different set of proposition. There are still things that can be done. It’s not late. When HP has a smartphone, it will give a differentiated experience."

Reports early today revealed that Android now accounts for more than 70 per cent of all European smartphones sold during the three months to May 31.

While Google dominates on a software front, Samsung has become a key player on the hardware side of things and is now responsible for almost 50 per cent of all European smartphone sales. Although Samsung has stormed past formed leader Apple in Europe, latest figures have suggested things are less clear cut in the US.

“Across Europe, Android growth remains strong,” Paul Moore, Global Director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, said. “However, in the US Apple’s expanded distribution agreement with T-Mobile is helping the iPhone keep Android growth at bay.”

He added: “T-Mobile is the smallest of the big four US carriers but it does have the capacity to give iOS a boost, particularly as 28 per cent of its customers plan to buy an iPhone when they next upgrade.”

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