Motorola releases Moto X Developer Edition smartphones for Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile

TagsMotorola, Verizon, AT&T, t-mobile, Moto X Developer Edition

Moto X Developer Edition Credit:Motorola / iTech Post

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Motorola has made the Moto X Developer Edition official, offering a handset for Verizon and a GSM version for AT&T and T-Mobile.

The company promised that it would start offering Developer Editions of the Moto X on its site sometime in the future. It appears that the time has finally come, Motorola has made good on its promise and is selling a Verizon and GSM Moto X Developer Edition on its site. The Developer Edition comes with a custom look with a black face and white woven back, along with the words Developer Edition stamped across the backplate.

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Motorola highlights the fact that the Moto X Developer Editions come with an unlockable bootloader, which will allow users to customize the smartphone by installing different ROMs and kernels very easily.

The Moto X Developer Edition features a 4.7-inch 720p AMOLED HD display and is powered by a custom dual-core 1.7Ghz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with Motorola's X8 Computing System, paired with an Adreno 320 graphics processing unit (GPU). The Moto X ships with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, but should be updated to the latest Android 4.3 in the near future. The smartphone includes 32GB of internal storage and 2GB of RAM.

It is packing a 10-megapixel rear camera able to record 1080p video and also has a 2-megapixel front facing camera. When it comes to connectivity, the Moto X includes a 4G LTE radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC. Motorola has also included a 2,200 mAh battery and the smartphone is available in black with a woven white back and includes an exclusive Developer Edition stamp.

The Moto X Developer Edition is available for Verizon and a GSM version for AT&T and T-Mobile. The Verizon Moto X is available now for $649, while the GSM is listed as "Coming Soon." Motorola hasn't listed the price of the GSM Moto X Developer Edition, but it should be around the same price as the Verizon model.

We'll be sure to keep you updated as to when the GSM version becomes available.

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Nexus 5 based on LG G2 to become available in October, ship with Android 4.4 KitKat and more

Tagsgoogle, Nexus 5, LG

Leaked Render Of The Nexus 5 Credit:Reddit

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There have been multiple rumors regarding Google's next-generation Nexus smartphone. A new report claims that LG has been chosen to build the Nexus 5, which will debut in October with Android 4.4 KitKat.

Nexus fans have been wondering whether Google was going to release a new Nexus smartphone, partly because it sells Google Play Editions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, and also because of its newly-released Moto X, which it built with Motorola. Google spilled the beans that it would be bringing a new Nexus smartphone to the market during the unveiling of the Android 4.4 KitKat statue on its campus, when the company recorded and posted to YouTube. Google employees were video recorded and photographed holding a new Nexus smartphone. Google quickly took the video down as news began to spread.

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Google once again sent strong hints that a new Nexus was on the way when the company slashed the price of the 8GB and 16GB Nexus 4 by $100. The 8GB smartphone sold-out quickly, and the 16GB soon followed the same out-of-stock route.

A new report from DigiTimes confirms previous rumors that LG has been chosen to build the Nexus 5, just as it was chosen last year to build the Nexus 4. The report goes on to validate recent leaks, which claim the Nexus 5 will be almost identical to the LG G2 that recently went on sale. The publication's sources also claim that the Nexus 5 will become available sometime in October as device to ship with Android 4.4 KitKat, and will be priced as a mid-range offering. The smartphone will likely keep similar pricing to what Google charged for the unlocked Nexus 4.

The Nexus 5 is expected to feature a 5.2-inch 1080 x 1920 Full HD IPS display with a pixel density of 423 pixels per inch (ppi). It will reportedly be powered by a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and will run Android 4.4 KitKat. It will also pack a 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera. The handset's wireless capabilities are expected to include a 4G LTE radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS. It is rumored to be available in 16GB or 32GB internal storage configurations and pack in a large 3,000 mAh battery.

As with all rumors, however, take this one with a big grain of salt. We've only got a few more weeks before an official confirmation.

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra goes up for pre-order in the U.S.

Tagssony, Xperia Z Ultra

Sony Xperia Z Ultra Credit:Sony / iTech Post

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The Sony Xperia Z Ultra phablet is now available for pre-order in the U.S.

Sony has been very aggressive with the launch of new top-end smartphones this year. The company has already unveiled a number of top-of-the-line smartphones such as the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia Z Ultra and the Xperia Z1 (Honami). The Japanese company announced the Xperia Z Ultra on June 25 and the handset has only made its way to select countries.

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"The Xperia Z Ultra is the most exciting revolution in large-screen smartphone entertainment devices with both the slimmest and largest Full HD smartphone display* in the world that is second to none," said Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications. "We're already bringing the best of Sony technology and design across a range of premium smartphones and tablets, and now we are bringing this same premium offering to the large-screen smartphone segment, setting a new standard for others to follow."

The Xperia Z Ultra has not officially reached the U.S. on any carriers or via the Sony Store. However, you can now pre-order the handset from Newegg. The retailer is selling the HSPA+ version of the handset at a price tag of $699.99 and the LTE version for $729.99. Newegg has all three colors (black, purple and white) on offer and the expected delivery date is Oct. 14.

The phablet sports a 6.4-inch display with Sony's Triluminous display technology (taken from the company's latest TV portfolio) and a 1080p Full HD resolution.

The Xperia Z Ultra was the first handset to pack a powerful quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.2 GHz. The phablet also packs in 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, with the option to expand the memory to a further 64GB using a microSD card. The phablet is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear-facing Exmor RS sensor, but the camera lacks flash. The handset also features a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Xperia Z Ultra is 0.25-inch (6.5mm) thick and weighs only 7.47 ounces (212 grams), which makes it the world's largest and thinnest Full HD phablet.

The phablet is undoubtedly one of the most powerful handsets around and it will be interesting to see if the device can steer some attention away from the recently-launched Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

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HTC One Max image leaks next to Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4

Tagshtc, HTC One Max, Samsung, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4

HTC One Max, Galaxy Note 3, & Galaxy S4 Credit:Weibo

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Two highly-anticipated phablets have just been spotted sitting next to each other. A new leaked image shows the HTC One Max and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 posing for the camera, along with the Galaxy S4.

We've been reporting regularly on HTC's upcoming 5.9-inch smartphone, the HTC One Max. The handset is proving to be a popular device even before its release. HTC's main competitor in the phablet world will be the same rival it has in the smartphone world - Samsung. The latter officially announced its next-generation Galaxy Note 3 recently and, true to Samsung's form, the Note 3 has top-of-the-line specs and Samsung-exclusive features that will likely help the company continue its reign of being king in the phablet world.

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Unlike previous years, when Samsung was the only major player in the phablet market, the company will now face the likes of HTC, Sony, LG, and Nokia. The above image was posted on Weibo. As you can see, the HTC One Max appears to be larger than the Galaxy Note 3; it also looks like it is a bit thicker as well. It's larger because its display comes in at 5.9-inches compared to the Galaxy Note 3's 5.7-inch display. Let's take a look at how the phablets stack up against one another.

The latest rumors claim the HTC One Max will feature a 5.9-inch full HD 1080p display and will be powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor. The phablet will run Android 4.3 and possibly Sense 5.5. It will be offered in two storage capacities, 32GB and 64GB. Its wireless connectivity options include a 4G LTE radio, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and NFC. It will use 2GB of RAM, a microSD expansion slot, HTC's UltraPixel camera, a fingerprint scanner and a large 3,200 mAh battery.

The Galaxy Note 3 features a 5.7-inch 1080p Full HD Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 386 pixels per inch (ppi) and runs Android 4.3 with Samsung's TouchWiz UI. It is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, an Adreno 330 graphics processing unit (GPU) and 3GB of RAM.

It's packing a high-end 13-megapixel illuminated rear camera with "smart stabilization" and a 2-megapixel front facing shooter, with both cameras able to capture 1080p HD video. It comes with 32GB of internal storage and includes a microSD expansion slot that will support up to 64GB microSD cards. Its wireless connectivity options include a 4G LTE radio, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and NFC. You'll also find an IR blaster to turn the Note 3 into a universal remote control and it also features a dedicated program guide. Samsung has included a large 3,200 mAh removable battery and enhanced S Pen functionality.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 easily tops the HTC One Max in specs, at least from what we know so far. HTC is expected to release the HTC One Max in October; we'll keep you updated as more information comes in.

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Motorola now offering DROID MAXX Developer Edition smartphone

TagsMotorola, Verizon, DROID MAXX Developer Edition

Motorola Verizon DROID MAXX Developer Edition Credit:Motorola / iTech Post

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Motorola is now offering the Verizon DROID MAXX Developer Edition for $649.99 through its online store. The smartphone ships with an unlocked bootloader that will allow users to easily customize the handset.

The company just started selling the Moto X Developer Edition for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Motorola is now offering its other flagship smartphone as a Developer Edition device, the Verizon DROID MAXX. Unlike the Moto X, however, the DROID MAXX is only available on Verizon. This should not come as a surprise since the DROID brand is an exclusive partnership between Motorola and Verizon.

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The DROID MAXX Developer Edition uses the same popular Kevlar body found on the original DROID MAXX, but includes the words Developer Edition etched into its back. The device ships with an unlocked bootloader, which will make it easy to install custom ROMs and kernels. The use of custom ROMs is extremely popular with Android users, as it allows you to flash different software to your smartphone that can dramatically change and enhance the device to your liking.

The DROID MAXX includes many of the features found in the Moto X, including touchless controls, which allow you to control your smartphone and perform different tasks by using your voice even while your handset is asleep. It also uses the same wrist gesture action to launch its camera. One of its best features can be found in its battery, a 3,500 mAh unit that provides up to 48 hours of usage.

The DROID MAXX features a 5-inch Super AMOLED HD display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 and runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It is powered by Motorola's X8 Mobile Computing System, which uses a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, a quad-core graphics processing unit (GPU), and 2GB of RAM to ensure a snappy user experience.

It has 32GB of internal storage, a 10-megapixel rear camera with 1080p HD recording, and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat. Its wireless connectivity options include a 4G LTE radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, NFC. The smartphone also has wireless charging capabilities out of the box - no need to purchase an extra back cover to gain this feature (you will need to use a compatible charging pad, however).

You can order the Verizon DROID MAXX from Motorola now for $649.99.

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HTC Butterfly receives Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update in India

Tagshtc, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, HTC Butterfly

HTC Butterfly Credit:HTC / iTech Post

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The Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean software update for the HTC Butterfly is now available, HTC India announced.

The HTC Butterfly was first released in Japan on Dec. 9, 2012 as a successor to the HTC J. The HTC Butterfly soon made its ways to other regions such as China, Russia and other Asian countries. In the U.S., the handset is known as the Droid DNA, which is exclusive to Verizon.

The handset comes pre-loaded with the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system and now Indian customers can enjoy the features of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

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"Upgrade to the BlinkFeed on your HTC Butterfly! Android 4.2.2 is out now. Announcements for other handsets to come soon," tweeted HTC India.

When the handset was launched, it was the second smartphone in the world to feature a 1080p display, after Oppo's Find 5. It's not even been a year since the HTC Butterfly launched and many customers using the handset will be pleased to get a software update on the device.

The HTC Butterfly sports decent features in its category. The handset has a 5-inch Super LCD 3 display with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution at 441 pixels per inch (ppi). A quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor clocked at 1.5 GHz powers the device.

The smartphone is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED and Auto Focus. The device also includes a 2.1-megapixel front-facing shooter. The HTC Butterfly includes 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and a powerful 2,020 mAh battery.

The latest software update will bring enhancements, new features and bug fixes to the HTC Butterfly.

Previously, HTC Butterfly in Taiwan received the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean software update, leaving users in other regions eagerly waiting for the software to roll out. Verizon recently confirmed that the HTC Droid DNA will receive Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean and HTC Sense 5.0 software update but the carrier has not confirmed an exact release date.

If you have a HTC Butterfly in India, have you received the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean software update? 

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BlackBerry Z30 ‘coming soon’ to Verizon

TagsBlackBerry Z30, Verizon

BlackBerry Z30 Credit:BlackBerry / iTech Post

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Verizon has confirmed that it will begin offering the recently-announced BlackBerry Z30 smartphone soon.

The Canadian company has lost a major chunk of its handset market share to other big smartphone makers such as Apple, Samsung, LG, HTC, Nokia and others. However, BlackBerry is trying hard to regain a part of its market share with the launch of new devices.

"The new BlackBerry Z30 smartphone builds on the solid foundation and engaging user experience of the BlackBerry 10 platform with features like the powerful BlackBerry Hub, its exceptional touchscreen keyboard and industry leading browser," said Carlo Chiarello, Executive Vice President for Products at BlackBerry. "The smartphone rounds out the BlackBerry 10 portfolio and is designed for people looking for a smartphone that excels at communications, messaging and productivity. Having apps like the full Documents To Go suite that comes preinstalled, together with its 5" touch display, the BlackBerry Z30 smartphone gives you a best in class productivity experience on the go."

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On Sept. 18, the company also announced that the latest BlackBerry Z30 will roll out from select carriers and retailers around the world beginning next week in the UK and Middle East and the handset will reach other regions in the holiday season. However, Verizon has now confirmed that the handset will arrive on its network soon.

"The @BlackBerry Z30 is coming soon to the Verizon Wireless #4G LTE network," tweeted Verizon.

Currently, Verizon has four BlackBerry handsets in its portfolio, which include the BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Q10 and the BlackBerry Bold 9930 (with and without camera). BlackBerry fans will be pleased to get their hands on another top-end all-touch device from the carrier.

The BlackBerry Z30 is the company's second all-touch device (after BlackBerry Z10) to launch in 2013 and packs in top-end features such as a 5-inch display, a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, an 8-megapixel primary camera, 2GB RAM and more.

However, many new and top-end smartphones such as the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5S and more have launched recently, boasting even better hardware specifications. As such, it will be interesting to see if BlackBerry Z30 is successfully able to compete with its rivals.

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