[Rumors] What's coming up next?

While we enter a bit of a doldrums phase, what with most of the early device launches over and Google I/O recently ending.   That doesn't mean there is a shortage of phones coming on the horizon though...some of them are even shaping up to be pretty cool.

While we work up our 2016 Buyers Guide for the first half of the year, check out some of the latest rumors of what's to come...

[Rumor] HTC to annouce One Max phablet on 10/15/13

The latest rumors are in - and its BIG folks...get it?  The latest phablet superphone is coming, and allegedly soon.  HTC seems poised to launch the XL version of their very well reviewed HTC One device on October 15th.  As this is just a few days away, we should be able to confirm or deny this very, very soon.

[Rumor] Galaxy S4 to launch in black & white

Possilble Galaxy S4 render

The latest rumor as we approach the middle of the month and the launch date for the Galaxy S4 is that Samsung will be kicking off their new flagship with 2 colors - the staple white and black.  In addition, there should be 16GB/32GB/64GB variants, all available for purchase (at some point) - this is in addition to the expandable SD card slot already pretty much a done deal.  Will there be carrier exclusive colors?  Will we see Pebble Blue ever again?  Stay tuned for more details!

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Is this benchmark for the Verizon Galaxy S4?

A recent benchmark showed up for a smartphone with the device ID "SCH-I545" - this just may be the latest flagship from Samsung, the Galaxy S4.  The Galaxy S3 for Verizon bore a device ID of "SCH-I535" and several other Samsung smartphones have similar code names on Verizon as well.

As you can see from the bench mark, we'd expect this phone to sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a full 1080p display, and the Adreno 320 GPU.  The Samsung event is scheduled for 03/14/13, and no doubt it will be one of the most hyped events of the year for tech enthusiasts.

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] HTC M7 to be released at "HTC One"

HTC's One X+ (but it could be the HTC One also)

HTC is getting ready to launch that flagship that's for so long been known as the M7 - until the latest rumor has surfaced. The latest news from HTC is that the new device could actually be known simply as the "HTC One."  This would put it in line with previously released devices like the One X, One S, and the One X+ - however; this might end up confusing consumers, as all these other devices were released before this newest one.

To top it off, the M7 most closely resembles the recently released Droid DNA, released on Verizon, and if Verizon gets the M7, its unclear why the Droid DNA would have ever been sold to begin with.  It's no secret that around here, the 2 Tech Geeks are puzzled by HTC's business strategies of late, most notably with the battery technology they put in their phones.  In any event, HTC has a long road ahead of it if they want to get back into the smartphone race...does anyone think the rumors of the M7 device are the way they do it?

*Source:  BGR

[Rumor] LG to push up launch date of Optimus G Pro?

In advance of the juggernaut that will likely be Samsung's Galaxy S4 launch, LG is rumored to be considering launching their new flagship, the Optimus G Pro, later on this month - probably near the end of February.  Why do this?  To hopefully steal the Galaxy S4's thunder, of course!  Well...its probably more along the lines of hoping to get consumers to purchase the not-unimpressive Optimus G Pro before they get wind of the GS4.  For a full spec sheet on the Optimus G Pro (OGP?), check out this article.

*Source:  Phone Arena

[Rumor] Google to launch new Nexus 7 tablet

If you've read my review of the Nexus 7, you'll know I surely love it and think it likely the best Android tablet on the market.  It's been a very good seller for Asus (the maker) and Google as well...and it looks like its about to get a refresh.  The latest rumor from DigiTimes is that Asus is partnering with Google again to give us an updated Nexus 7, with perhaps an HD panel display, smaller side bezels, and an "upgraded version of Google's Jelly Bean operating system" - whatever that means.

Plunkett called this in one of his Fearless Predictions...it will be interesting to see if it comes true.  I'm sure we will know by May, in time for Google's I/O event.  Carry on Google and Asus!

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Galaxy S4 coming in 2nd quarter 2013

Samsung's Galaxy S3

As we move forward into this new year, we are likely to see a slew (maybe even 2 slews) of "mega" smartphones unveiled - the first to come could very well be Samsung's Galaxy S4.  The latest rumor is that a big reveal might be coming in March, with the go-live sale date coming shortly thereafter in April.  This would be a fast launch by Samsung's standards, and would be great news in light of a somewhat disappointing CES earlier this year.

[Rumor] Galaxy S4 to sport Exynos 5 octa core chip

Recently, an AnTuTu benchmark showed up on the web for the Samsung Galaxy S4, and the microprocessor driving the whole show is the fabled "Octa-core" Exynos 5 (which features 4 high powered cores, and 4 lower powered cores, making 8 or octuple cores total).  As this processor was only previously reported to be in the Galaxy Note 3, this is excellent news for those looking into purchasing the next version of Samsung's already wildly popular Galaxy S series.

The full bench mark indicates the processor is clocked at 1.8Ghz along with the 8 cores (with only 4 being in operation at any one time).  This is some serious power folks.

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Could this be the HTC M7?

Its early in 2013, and the rumors are now starting to flow like wine at a Bacchan revel - the latest is a supposed photo of HTC's new flagship smartphone, the M7.  Sporting a look that could mildly remind one of the earlier iPhone iterations, the latest pic from @evleaks shows some very interesting things about the new device.

[Rumor] More HTC M7 news

As we roll on towards CES, more and more info is coming fast and furious about the new HTC "superphone" - currently codenamed the M7.  As of now, contrary to earlier reports, the device will NOT have an aluminum unibody chassis, but will instead have a matte black one piece construction, similar to the current HTC Droid DNA look.  While a mildly disappointing (but probably Apple lawsuit avoiding) decision, its not nearly as disappointing as the other rumor - that the M7 will still feature dedicated softkey buttons.  Seriously HTC?  Since the debut of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) on the Galaxy Nexus, the operating system has supported on screen buttons.  Not only does this increase functionality, but it allows for even more of the precious screen real estate to be dedicated to the screen itself.

Early versions of handsets that were already likely in production when ICS was released can be forgiven for still retaining these "legacy" buttons...but with the subsequent release of Jelly Bean after ICS (and the numerous updates since even that) there really isn't any logical reason for a smartphone maker to include dedicated buttons any longer.

More details as they emerge!

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Google and Motorola working on "X phone"

As noted in one of my fearless predictions for next year (see the whole list here) I theorized that the next Nexus phone would be produced by a joint Google and Motorola venture.  Since Google owns Moto, that's no small thing...but since Samsung, HTC, and now LG have all had their shot - I'm thinking it just makes sense if Motorola gets a shot at it.  And it looks like we might be well on our way to that future - if reports from the Wall Street Journal are true.  The rumored device, the so-called "X Phone" would be made by a super secret division within Motorola, and sanctioned by Google, to produce the next generation smartphone so that it can be released in 2013.

I for one am hoping for the unlocked, quad core, 3500mAh, LTE toting beast all Android smartphone lovers have been waiting for since LTE was introduced, but hey - this is just a rumor and could be darn near anything at this point.  Even something crappy.  So we'll all just have to wait and see.

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Next "superphone" from HTC to come in Feb?

HTC's One X/One X+

Its not even the end of the year, and already juicy rumors are flying around that interweb about how HTC is trying to up their game after the Droid DNA's launch.  The newest rumors have HTC looking to launch a new superphone (codename M7) sometime in the first quarter of 2013, and man are the rumored specs on this guy crazy.  Can you imagine the One X's successor with: 1.7GHz quad core Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB internal storage, either a 4.7 inch or 5.0 inch 1080p display using their new SoLux technology, a 13MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, and a 2300mAh battery powering it all.

HTC's really slick unibody construction would give it the look and feel of the already beautiful One X series, but with much beefier internals.  If this bad boy comes to Verizon (no carriers rumored as of yet) I'm going to give it a strong look as my next phone.  Alas, we are still in just the rumor stage as of yet, but February is the early target date of release so far.  You know we will keep our ears to the grindstone for any more details.  Stay tuned.

*Source:  Geek.com

[Rumor] Next Galaxy Note to have even bigger display?

Could this be the Galaxy Note 3?

File this under the "it's just a crazy rumor right now but hey...maybe?" department, but Samsung is reportedly considering going even larger with their Galaxy Note device in the next generation, by throwing a whopping 6.3 inch display in the 3rd version of the Note series.

I can't imagine why anyone would consider such a large screen or form factor in their phone, but since that's pretty close to the size of my Nexus 7 - let's just call it like we see it and say any phone that size is really just a 3G/4G enabled tablet, shall we?  We'll just have to wait and see I guess.


*Source:  Droid-Life

[Rumor] Samsung prepares new phones, tablet for 2013

Coming soon...?

So it would seem that having the Galaxy S3 be a huge hit wasn't enough to make Samsung sit back and rest on their laurels...some rumors coming out of Korea are hinting at the Galaxy S4 (possibly codenamed "Project J") as well as a successor to the Galaxy Note 2, and even (possibly) a giant 13.3 inch tablet (along with a keyboard dock) to compete in the new space that Microsoft is looking to dominate with their Surface line of devices.

After seeing the Galaxy Note 2, and the Galaxy S3 for that matter - I'm pretty excited for what Samsung has coming down the pipe.  Anyone else feel the way I do?

*Source:  Droid-Life

[News] Apple losing two executives in top tier shake-up

Announced the same day as the Google Event, Apple is going to be losing two top level executives early next year.  Senior VP of iOS Scott Forstall and Senior VP of retail John Browett will be leaving the company, effective Spring of 2013.  The reasons behind the shake-up are fodder for the rumor mill (as usual), running the gamut from Mr. Forstall being "forced out" due to conflicts with other Apple divisions as well as potentially the well known snafu over the iOS 6 Maps app.

[News] Monday, Oct 29th, is the Google Android event *Updated*

Just a quick reminder that Monday, October 29th, 2012 will be the Google Android Event, starting at 10am eastern, 7:00am pacific time.  Yours truly will be covering the event as it happens, and will have updates throughout the morning for the Android goodies that come from it.  A quick recap of the rumors so far:  Nexus 10 tablet, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean updates, $99 Nexus 7, 32GB Nexus 7, and a 3G enabled Nexus 7.  Could there be more surprises in store?  I surely hope so.  But if all we get is what's rumored, I expect it will be a pretty solid day for Google, Android, and the OEMs involved.


UPDATE:  So...that Google Event....not so much.  Due to concerns about travel during Hurricane Sandy, Google has postponed their event indefinitely.  Sad I guess, but best not to have folks be flying with windspeeds of up to 70mph.  Thanks to the good folks over at Engadget for letting us know.

*Source:  Engadget

[Rumor] Android 4.2/5.0 features list, "Nexus certified" program from Google?

The good folks over at Android and Me have gained some juicy (and I do mean juicy) tips from an Google insider who is dropping some hints on what the future of the Android OS might look like.  It's unclear at this point whether this will be a 4.2 release, a 5.0 release, and whether or not either of these will be Key Lime Pie is anyone's guess.  But for those Android fans in the multiverse, it's really worth the read.  So click the link here and check it out already!

*Source:  Android and Me Home

[Op-Ed]Rumored new Nexus program full of question marks and probably bad news for Verizon customers

Today Androidandme announced details of the rumored new Nexus program.  It's a fairly massive shift from how Nexus phones have been done in years past.

Here are the highlights:
1) In November Google will announce the new LG Optimus G Nexus alongside Android 4.2 (which might be another version of Jelly Bean or possibly Key Lime Pie).
2) Any manufacturer would be allowed to produce a Nexus device as long as they follow guidelines set by Google.  These guidelines include specific hardware and storage requirements.
3) Manufacturers would be allowed to include custom skins that would be managed through a new customization center.  This appears to be Google's version of a theme manager.

All in all, pretty exciting stuff, right?

The idea of multiple Nexus phones is an Android lover's dream.  The LG Optimus G is a flagship product in every sense of the word.  Will HTC, Motorola, Samsung and Sony try to one up LG and produce their own phones through the Nexus program?  I don't know the answer, but I'm eager to find out.

Total Nexus Overload!

I generally detest OEM skins, but as long as they are basically a theme and easily disabled they're fine.  Different skin options could actually be a cool feature depending on how the customization center is implemented.

One critical area that isn't addressed in the report is whether or not Google will require un-encrypted boot loaders to participate in the Nexus program.  Google needs to realize this is the single most important reason that people buy Nexus phones and needs to be a requirement.  The un-encrypted boot loader allows it to be unlocked so the user can load any custom ROM and kernel combination they select.  If the boot loader is encrypted the boot loader can't be unlocked so the user is not able to load custom kernels.  It is still possible to load custom ROMS through various XDA developed workarounds, but loading a ROM in this manner without the intended kernel has distinct limitations.  A Nexus phone is supposed to be the embodiment of Android's open source philosophy and coming with an encrypted boot loader would defeat the whole purpose.

It seems logical to conclude that the new Nexus phone(s) will be unlocked GSM units not tied to a specific carrier and sold through the Google Play Store.  This is probably bad news for Verizon customers.  Right now no modem exists that supports all the GSM and LTE bands.  Even Apple was forced to make different versions of the iPhone 5 in order to cover all the carriers.  Considering the way Verizon botched the Galaxy Nexus launch and its subsequent updates, it's not far fetched to imagine them being excluded this year.

Once again Google has stuck to its open source roots and the end result is very exciting for users.  As long as Nexus phones are required to have state of the art hardware, stock android, and unlocked boot loaders everyone wins.  As a Verizon customer I just hope not to get left out of the fun.  November can't get here soon enough!