android | Fone Arena

Tablet optimized MIUI Android ROM makes its way to the Nexus 7

Xiaomi today launched an open beta for a tablet optimized version of the MIUI Android ROM. The company is first targeting the 2013 edition Nexus 7 with versions possibly coming for other devices too. Xiaomi claims that the ROM has a brand new architecture that has been optimized for tablet devices. The MIUI ROM works in both landscape and portrait orientation and has native apps, system menus and screen animations that have been optimized for tablets. Continue reading “Tablet optimized MIUI Android ROM makes its way to the Nexus 7”

Microsoft and Google don’t want dual OS(Windows+Android) devices, Asus Transformer Duet may be cancelled

Earlier this year, at the CES 2014, Asus announced the Transformer Duet which ran Android and Windows side by side. This was probably designed for those who wanted the best of both the worlds and it was quite a hit at the CES 2014. Even an Indian manufacturer – Micromax, announced a similar dual boot device – Micromax Laptab which was supposed to be available in February.

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Nokia X Unboxing in India

Nokia X is the first smartphone from the Espoo company running Android, and more importantly, Android apps. It was launched in India just a day back for a price of Rs. 8,599/-. “X” is symbolic in many ways. the company is now at the cross roads of a transition from being an independent company to being owned by Microsoft, the maker of software running on Nokia’s current smartphones. X is also the bridge between Nokia’s struggling smartphone business and its traditional feature phone business. Nokia knew, that without apps, its revived Asha platform phones are getting nowhere, and they also knew that it will never create this familiarity factor with Windows Phone, a crucial factor for any company that has a wide array of devices. Hence the Nokia X happened, and just a day after it officially launched in India, we now have it with us, in retail form, for a quick unboxing and overview of the device on video, watch –

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Archos at MWC 2014

Over the past few years, with the introduction of their smartphones and tablets, Archos has proven that it is not just a company that is known for it’s PMPs (Portable Media Players). They introduced a few devices at CES in January this year and MWC last month as well. Here are the three new devices that they announced at MWC 2014.

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Oppo R1 Hands-On

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While Oppo is in the limelight for their upcoming Find 7 smartphone which is set to be announced later this month, they were also present at MWC 2014. While they did not have the Find 7 there, they did have the Oppo R1 (R829T). So here we bring to you a hands-on of the device.

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Nokia X can now access Google Play Store, unofficially ofcourse

Nokia X was launched less than a couple of weeks, but it has already been hacked. That is the thing about Android smartphones – you can get root user access and do things that wouldn’t be otherwise possible. As rumored, Nokia introduced an Android smartphone at MWC 2014, but with their own restrictions. Nokia had completely removed Google from the equation and pushed a lot of its own code and Nokia X series devices use Microsoft’s services instead of Google.

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Nokia XL Dual SIM Android Phone Photo Gallery

Nokia has surprised every one of us with the launch of their first Android phones, the Nokia X, X+ and XL. All the three are based on a very similar design language, but differ somewhat in internals. The X+ has more RAM and a micro SD card in the box, the XL is very similar to the X+ but has a bigger screen, that’s basically it. The Nokia XL has a 5 inch IPS WVGA screen with blacks that look decently dark and colours that are unwashed. With a good large screen and decent internals, does Nokia have a winner in the cheap phablet category? While we ponder on that, here is a bunch of photos straight from the Mobile World Congress 2014 event we are live from.

Check out the Nokia X+ Dual SIM Android Phone Photo Gallery

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Huawei’s HTC One Lookalike and Smartwatch Leaked Ahead of Launch

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If you’re thinking that the phone in the photo above is a HTC device then you are probably wrong. According to the source, it is actually a device made by Huawei.

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BBM 2.0 for Android, iOS bring Channels and Voice support

Using BBM on an Android or iOS device? You have reason to be delighted as the company is rolling out version 2.0 of its popular messenger application. The headline feature here is of course support for BBM Voice. The service allows users to place voice calls over WiFi and cellular connections for free and helps connect BBM users across the world.

Additionally, the new update also brings BBM Channels to both Android and iOS. The service that was launched earlier last year allows users to engage in conversation with like minded BBM users on topics of common interest. Glympse based location sharing is another feature that we feel particularly stands out from the competition. You can switch on location sharing for a pre defined period of time. Continue reading “BBM 2.0 for Android, iOS bring Channels and Voice support”

Microsoft reportedly discussing support for Android apps on Windows Phone and Windows

Microsoft is in discussions to add support for Android apps in Windows and Windows Phone, according to a report from TheVerge. Sources have told TheVerge that Microsoft is serious about bringing Android apps to both its platforms, but the discussions are still ongoing and nothing is concrete yet. The ongoing talks currently point to adding Android apps in the Windows Phone and Windows Stores, according to the report, which will inadvertently boost the app numbers, something that Microsoft really needs. Windows Phone and Windows have been second thoughts for any new developer looking at developing an app, and at most of the times, there are not enough resources to dedicate for a third platform, so will Android apps support on Windows and Windows Phone make sense?

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Dual OS Geeksphone Revolution to launch on 20th February for 289 Euros

The Geeksphone Revolution was introduced as one of the first ever devices to come with two operating systems out of the box, Android and Firefox Boot2Gecko. The Spanish handset maker, known for making other Firefox phones, will be launching it on the 20th of February for a price of 289 Euros(around 24,500 INR). Powered by the Intel Z2560 processor with PowerSGX544 for graphics, the Geeksphone revolution will be able to switch between two operating systems with ease. Sporting a 4.7 inch 960×540 screen and a 8MP camera, the phone is aimed at the mid-range segment, with the choice of OS being the obvious advantage here. Here are its complete specifications –

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Nokia’s Android phone will reportedly be revealed at MWC 2014

Rumoured to be a successor to the Asha series of devices, Nokia is apparently preparing to launch its Android-based low cost devices at the Mobile World Congress event this year, according to the Wall Street Journal. The phone had repeatedly leaked out, with images of hardware and images of software, which point to a phone with a Windows Phone-like UI and Android underneath, enabling it to run Android apps. The “forked” Android OS, developed by Nokia, will feature Microsoft’s services prominently, not Google services or Play, which means that there will still be a distinct lack of Google apps on the platform. Previously brushed off as a improbable launch, especially after the Microsoft acquisition, it seems like the Nokia X aka Normandy will possibly be making a N9-style debut at MWC this year.

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LG G Flex Unboxing in India

LG G Flex, the pioneering flexible phone with a curved screen, was officially launched in India yesterday. This is out and out a technological showcase product from LG, with innovations like a flexible display, body and battery brought to the table. It also features all the high end features that one would expect from a flagship device, but is also a phablet with a 6″ screen. Basically, this is the pinnacle of LG’s engineering prowess, which might actually end up setting the precedent for a whole lot of devices in the future. The Indian variant we have here, is priced at a sky high Rs.69,999/- which is unattainable for most. With that price tag, apart from the device itself, what does the G Flex pack in terms of box contents? We unbox the device to find out –

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFASnC7qD6M

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Android leads with 51.8% US Smartphone market share, Motorola jumps to 3rd place

comScore published its quarterly report for the period of Q4 2013 today and the results show a slight dip in market share for Android. Compared to Q3 2013, Android showed a 0.3 percent dip to reach 51.5 percent market penetration. Trailing Android is Apple with 41.8 percent of the smartphone market being powered by iOS. This was a slight rise from the 40.60% market share it enjoyed in Q3 2013. The launch of the iPhone 5s and 5c are expected to have played a role in this rise. The remaining marketshare was split between with BlackBerry and Microsoft which are at third and fourth spots respectively with 3.4%, 3.1% penetration. Continue reading “Android leads with 51.8% US Smartphone market share, Motorola jumps to 3rd place”

Pebble’s app store lands on iOS with over 1000 apps, Android gets a developer beta

Pebble, the company responsible for the uber popular Smartwatch that goes by the same name, recently unveiled its new hardware, the Pebble Steel Smartwatch and along with it came the announcement of the first ever app store for Smartwatches. Yes, Pebble has its own app store now, consisting of a whole lot of Watchfaces and native apps that work standalone, like mini games or work with the phone over Bluetooth and can even access the internet now. One of the many changes that Pebble did with its ecosystem was opening a mature version of its SDK to many developers, making it easier to program for the Smartwatch. We think the app store is a natural progression of that announcement. The store resides inside Pebble’s own smartwatch app in iOS as well as Android, but the latter is only available for developers and is in beta, with consumer availability stated as coming soon.

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