Google Play Store Carrier Billing Now Available in France and Poland
Carrier Billing is nice to have and for some customers it’s the easiest way to keep on top of things. Well, it’s finally rolling out to Bouygues in France and Play in Poland. Both carriers will allow the use of local currency, in Poland and France, respectively. That makes it two carriers with carrier billing in France, along with SFR and Play is the first to offer it in Poland. Let us know if the comments below if you think carrier billing is still a good idea.
Vivo X3 Really is The World’s Thinnest Smartphone
The title of “world’s thinnest smartphone” has changed a number of hands already throughout 2013 and now it’s about to change one more time. Chinese manufacturer BBK is going to produce the world’s thinnest smartphone at under 6mm thick. There’s a shot of it above next the Huawei Ascend P6 (the X3 is on the left). There’s not too much info on the device’s specs but, we’re probably not going to see anything too great packed into such a small space.
Budget Videocon A24 Launches in India
For those on the hunt for a smaller device that’s also kind to the wallet, Videocon may have the answer with the A24. It’s a 4-inch device with some okay specs. The screen isn’t going to blow you away but, at just RS. 4,699 you can’t complain too much. Let’s take a look at the specs:
- 4-inch (480 x 800 pixels) capacitive touch screen display
- 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
- Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with Dual Standby
- Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) OS
- 3.2MP rear camera
- 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing camera
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio with recording
- 11.8 mm thick
- 2G (EDGE), Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, Wi-Fi
- 256 MB RAM, 512 Internal memory, Expandable memory up to 32GB with micro SD
- 1450 mAh battery with up to 4 hours talk time and up to 200 hours standby
Xiaomi Introduces Hongmi Smartphone
Xiaomi are a big brand in China and they’re about to get a little bigger with their budget smartphone, the Hongmi – which translates to Red Rice. It’s a decent device that gets the crucial things right. Like the 4.7-inch 720p IPS display and the decent CPU from MediaTek. The device is to cost just $130 US and is a great buy for that price. Let’s take a look at the full specs:
- MTK 6589T Quad-core 1,5GHz CPU1GB RAM + 4GB flash memory
- 4.7″ IPS retina screen, 312PPI
- Resolution:1280*720
- Samsung / OV camera, 8 MPx back camera, 1.3 MPx front camera, supports 1080p video recording
- Dual cards dual standby (TD-SCDMA+GSM)
- GPS/OTG/WIFI Direct/MI Sound/Gyroscope/Electronic Compass/Dual mic/Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- Running MIUI V5
- 1GB RAM, 4GB internal memory, Expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD
Sony’s Xperia Z Ultra Coming to India
Sony’s latest powerhouse, the Xperia Z Ultra is indeed heading to India. Now, it’s got a price as well. It’s going to cost RS. 46,990 in India for the giant smartphone. That’s a lot of money but, you do get some incredible specs and if you’re in the market for a massive smartphone, then this is easily one of the best. Take a look at the full specs below:
- 6.4 inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Triluminos Display with X-Reality for Mobiles
- 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
- Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
- Pen input with stylus
- 8MP Primary Camera with Exmos RS sensor, HDR photos & videos, 1080p video recording
- 2MP front-facing camera with 1080p video recording
- 6.5mm thick and weighs 212 grams
- IP55 / IP58 rating for dust and water resistance
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio with RDS
- 2GB RAM, 16GB internal memory, Upto 64GB expandable memory via microSD card
- 3G HSPA+, WiFi 820.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS/ GLONASS, NFC
- 3050mAh Battery
Lava Iris 356 and Iris 402 Launching in India with Small Sizes and Low Prices
It’s surprising but, there is still a market out there for first-time smartphone buyers and Lava might have the best options for them right now. Coming in at 3.5-inches and 4-inches these devices offer some great value for money. Let’s take a look at the specs for the 356:
- 3.5-inch (480 x 320 pixels) capacitive touch screen display
- 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
- Dual SIM (GSM + WCDMA) with Dual Standby
- Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) OS
- 1.3MP Fixed Focus rear camera
- 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing camera
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio with recording
- 3G, Bluetooth with A2DP, Wi-Fi, GPS
- 12.6mm thick and weighs 112g
- 256 MB RAM, 512 Internal memory (100 MB user memory), Expandable memory up to 32GB with micro SD
- 1500 mAh battery with up to 5 hours talk time and up to 200 hours standby
The slightly larger 402 comes with the following specs:
- 4-inch (480 x 800 pixels) capacitive touch screen display
- 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
- Dual SIM (GSM + WCDMA) with Dual Standby
- Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) OS
- 3MP rear Fixed Focus camera
- 0.3MP (VGA) front-facing camera
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio with recording
- 11.4mm thick and weighs 124g
- 3G, Bluetooth with A2DP, Wi-Fi, GPS
- 256 MB RAM, 512 Internal memory (100 MB user memory), Expandable memory up to 32GB with micro SD
- 1500 mAh battery with up to 4 hours talk time and up to 200 hours standby
The Iris 356 will be launching for RS 4,449 with the Iris 402 launching for RS 5,449.
NTT DoCoMo to Release New Raku-Raku Smartphone
The Raku-Raku smartphones have been popular in Japan among the elderly and those just getting started with smartphones. Now, NTT DoCoMo have announced that a new version – the F-09E – will be coming some time in the fall. It’s a 4.3-inch qHD Device with a Snapdragon 600, 2GB of RAM and more. Those specs could change though, so don’t get your hopes up too much.