22 November 2012

GSM Dome - Mobile Phone News

GSM Dome - Mobile Phone News


Verizon’s HTC Droid DNA is Now Available

Posted: 21 Nov 2012 11:19 AM PST


It is not unusual for a manufacturer to launch a device exclusively for one carrier, be it in the US, Europe or anywhere else for that matter. What is rather unusual is that HTC has launched their latest device, also a flagship model, on Verizon, with no word about when an International version might become available.

Verizon_Droid_DNA

The HTC Droid DNA is a first on many chapters. It is the best device available on Verizon’s list and is also the most powerful smartphone is has ever had. It is also the most powerful HTC device yet and the first smartphone to feature a full HD – 1080p display at no less then 440 ppi at its 5-inch in size. The device packs quite a punch with its Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset, the same found in the Nexus 4 from LG and Google.

Beats Audio, HTC ImageChip for improved camera performance, a great, stunning design with red accents on a mate black surface, are only some of the features of the Droid DNA for Verizon. The device is running Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean and one could only hope that Verizon’s track of updates does not apply to this handset and it will get the new version 4.2 soon enough. If you are changing carriers or are willing to get into a new two-year contract, the US carrier is offering the Droid DNA, now available for $199.

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Mozilla Firefox OS Gets Screenshot Walkthrough and Simulator for Desktop Testing

Posted: 21 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PST


Mozilla Firefox OS has been talked about a lot till now, but we have seen little of the platform so far. Now, thanks to an emulator published by Mozilla, we can have an in depth look at the OS and check out its lockscreen, contacts area and general functioning. The OS does have a few features that remind me of Android, to be honest, especially that lockscreen with shortcuts to functions like camera.

The simulator that you can install on your desktop in order to test Firefox OS is called r2d2b2g and it allows you to install an .xpi extension inside the desktop version of Firefox. After you install the .xpi you’ll see a dashboard where the simulator can be turned on and tested. The Firefox OS setup will appear as a pop up window. You can download the needed software from here. The cool thing is that the functionality is fully enable here and you can even go online with the software. You can swipe left and right with the mouse to go around the UI.

On the left there’s an app list and the place where you will install software on the device. The contacts app looks pretty nice and reminds me of Android, plus the cool thing is that the simulator actually allows you to send a fake text to a fake number. The dialer area feels a bit outdated and other features include FM radio functionality, while the camera app sadly doesn’t work. The gallery app works and loads pics from your PC, which is pretty cool.

You also get a Marketplace, Maps and Settings and among the apps you can already test there’s Twitter, that’s functional and looks just like on Android. In the notification settings you’ll discover that you can only view notifications from the lockscreen, apparently, much like on Windows Phone 8. More info can be found at our source link below, who tested the whole functionality of the OS.

Related posts:

  1. Mozilla Firefox Mobile Coming to Android Next Month?
  2. Pre-Alpha Firefox for Android Available Now for Testing Purposes
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Jolla Announces Sailfish OS, Showcases Some UI Traits (Video)

Posted: 21 Nov 2012 03:51 AM PST


During today’s interesting event broadcasted by Jolla live on its site, we had a short glance at the upcoming mobile OS known as Sailfish. This is an open source platform that has been built by the people who left Nokia and were responsible with the MeeGo project. Basically, a team of people who were creative and had no room at Nokia left, took some other experts from Apple and other companies with them and formed Jolla.

Jolla is rumored to actually make an OS that may someday go back to Nokia, as a plan B, in case Windows Phone fails. For many Nokia diehard fans, who dislike Windows Phone, Jolla truly sounds like a saviour. Anyway, today Jolla showcased Sailfish OS and tomorrow they will release the SDK and officially start to cooperate with developers on making apps for it. The platform is an open source affair, that will not only make it to handsets, but also tablets and Smart TVs.

They promise superb multitasking and the entire concept of the UI is based on a lot of swiping, reminding us of MeeGo. Sailfish will be compatible with multiple chipsets and the first official one with support for the platform is ST-Ericsson’s NovaThor platform. There’s also a first carrier partner, Finnish company DNA, that will sell Sailfish phones in Finland. In case you’re wondering, the SDK that should come in a couple of hours includes Mer Core’s tools, Qt Creator, Jolla UI components, Sailfish UI framework and more.

Jolla’s software aims at lessening the number of finger movements on the screen required to activate some functions. The experience starts from the homescreen and uses will be able to control music playback for example or end a call simply by swiping around, without the need to access a specific application for that. It also appears that the Jolla OS will run quite a bunch of Android apps, with a very simple port. Is there any hope for Sailfish to save Nokia?

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