Bin Laden death "video" used as computer scam hook

 
BOSTON - Computer hackers are exploiting the fascination with the death of Osama bin Laden to spread malicious software through scams that promise access to videos of the historic killing.
One of the campaigns targets Facebook users, who receive e-mails purportedly from friends who urge them to cut and paste a string of malicious text they are told will give them access to a video of bin Laden's killing.

Intel's Ivy Bridge chip technology may drive mobile push

 

SAN FRANCISCO/LONDON  - Intel Corp on Wednesday took the wraps off next-generation technology that crams more transistors onto microchips, betting it will help the chipmaker catch up in the red-hot tablet and smartphone market.
Intel expects to use the new technology to make PC and server chips, code-named Ivy Bridge, by the end of 2011 and will later use it to make improved processors for mobile devices.

Amazon's Kindle to be sold at 3,100 Walmart stores

 

CHICAGO  - Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Thursday that it would start selling Amazon.com Inc's Kindle this week, as Amazon continues to bring the electronic reader into more shops to attract potential buyers.
Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, introduced the market-leading Kindle in 2007. Since then, the company has faced competitors such as Barnes & Noble Inc's Nook and Apple Inc's popular iPad, two devices that Wal-Mart already sells.
The world's largest retailer said that it plans to have Kindle devices at 3,100 of its U.S. stores.
Wi-Fi and 3G Kindle devices will be priced at $189 and the Kindle Wi-Fi with special offers will be priced at $114, matching the prices Amazon.com charges on its own website.
Other chains, such as Best Buy Co Inc and Target Corp, already sell Kindle devices.
Amazon could not be immediately reached for comment.

Analysis: Skype, better with Facebook than Google?

 

NEW YORK  - As two Internet powerhouses slug it out to tie the knot with Skype, Facebook looks likely to be a more aggressive suitor than Google, and the world's largest social network may make for a better fit.
Reuters reported Wednesday that Facebook and Google are separately weighing partnerships with Skype, the popular web video telephony service used by millions around the globe for communication.
Talks with Facebook and Google are still preliminary, but any deal could involve an outright takeout or a joint venture partnership, two sources told Reuters.

HTC Flyer to be launched sans digital stylus, Scribe Technology pen to be sold separately

Ever since the HTC Flyer was introduced, the Taiwan based manufacturer has continually promoted the Scribe Technology on the tablet. Using a digital stylus, the tablet's user can take notes, highlight texts, play endless games of Tic-Tac-Toe and Hangman, and write all over the 7 inch capacitive screen. Combined with the built-in voice recorder, an HTC Flyer user who can't read his own writing (like all of us) can go back to listen to the exact time when a particular note was scribbled and hear the words all over again. The Scribe Technology seems like a good way to differentiate the HTC Flyer from other tablets on the market.

When the price of the device was revealed to be $499.99, it was assumed that the price included the stylus. But you know what happens when you assume something and in response to an inquiry, an HTC rep wrote that the stylus will be offered separately. And as it turns out, Best Buy's web site shows the stylus as an accessory going for $79.99 with an optional leather pouch priced at $34.99.

Now that you know that the HTC Flyer will be $499.99 and it will cost another $79.99 for the digital stylus, does that change your mind about buying the tablet? Let us know by commenting in the box below.

source: DROIDLIFE

Best Buy's web site shows the digital stylus for the HTC Flyer as an accessory priced at $79.99

82% of U.S. tablet owners are holding the Apple iPad

A new survey of tablet owners reveals that the Apple iPad controls a rather huge share of the market. The survey, taken last month by the Nielsen company, shows that Apple's tablet controls a hefty 82% of the U.S. market. To put that in perspective, behind the iPad is the Android flavored Samsung Galaxy Tab with a 4% share. That is followed by the Dell Streak and then the Motorola XOOM with a 3% and 2% share respectively.

Apple iPad owners were fairly split on which version of the tablet they own. 43% of U.S. tablet owners have the 3G model while 39% purchased the Wi-Fi only version.

The results of the survey show that in the States, half of all tablet owners are the only one in the house that use the device while 43% share their tablet with others. And in a statistic that PC manufacturers might find interesting, 35% of those with a desktop have used the computer less since buying a tablet. 32% of those with a laptop report using it less since taking a tablet home. 31% said the reason for using the tablet more and the computer less had to do with how easy it is to carry a tablet with you wherever you go. 21% credited the easier interface on a tablet as the reason for staying away from the PC.

Nielsen's survey also revealed that it is more than just PC use being affected by tablets. 27% of those with an e-reader have used that device less often since purchasing a tablet while 25% of owners of a portable media player report the same thing.

Despite all of this good news, you might not convince News corp. founder Rupert Murdoch that the Apple iPad is dominating the tablet market. As we reported, Murdoch's company earlier this year debuted a daily newspaper for the iPad called The Daily which is available via a paid subscription. According to paidcontent.org, the online newspaper lost $10 million in its first quarter of operation. Most of the cost was to start up the service.

The Daily has been downloaded 800,000 times since its February debut and was offered as a free trial at first until a 99 cent per week charge kicked in. The service is available only on the Apple iPad for now, but News Corp. plans on expanding the service to other tablets.

source: AppleInsider

NOVA Display vs Super AMOLED Plus vs Retina Display vs Super LCD

The LG Optimus Black has finally arrived in its final version and it brings an all-new display technology dubbed NOVA display for its brightness and deep blacks. First thing we did? We put it alongside three smartphone heavyweights for an ultimate screen showdown. The Optimus Black faced the Samsung Galaxy S II, the Apple iPhone 4 and the LG Optimus 2X.

For our tests we used studio setup identical to the one we used when we first got the Samsung Galaxy S II: with diffused lighting on both sides with the same color temperature as daylight, for reference purposes, and then we turned the light off for shots in complete darkness. For the camera white balance adjustment, we used three matte patches on cardboard: 90% white, 18% grey, and 1% black (velvet).

Samsung Infuse 4G Hands-on

Today at the joint event helmed by AT&T and Samsung, we witnessed the official unveiling of the Samsung Infuse 4G. Although we managed to get just a tiny sampling of the device back at CES, we’re now getting a clearer picture of what this high-powered device is all about.

Some people might make some comparisons with the Samsung Galaxy S II, but the Infuse 4G is unique on its own terms. Specifically, the device features one of the largest sized display known to date – with its 4.5” Super AMOLED Plus display. Rightfully so, it’s literally the first thing to capture our attention with the handset since it radiates blindingly on so many levels. Moreover, we’re even impressed about how thin and lightweight the device is compared to some of its rivals. In fact, it measures in at an amazing 8.9mm thick and 131 grams.

Sure it feels like a plasticy device, but we’re just encompassed by how lightweight the device feels in the hand – making it one of its well-known highlights. Some of the other features include its 1.2GHz Hummingbird processor, 8-megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash, 1.3-megapixel front facing camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 16GB of internal storage, and HSPA+ connectivity. Naturally, it’s definitely at the forefront of being one of the best Android smartphones to grace AT&T’s lineup thus far, but we’re a little hesitant right now to make any final judgments until we get a better grasp of its performance.

Luckily, consumers won’t have to wait that long to pick up the Samsung Infuse 4G since it’s going to go on sale starting on May 15th – all for the usual high-end smartphone on-contract price of $200. In the meantime, we’ll be putting the handset through some rigorous tests to see if it can utterly take the prize of being the best Android smartphone on AT&T’s lineup.

Samsung-AT&T's May 5 event: Live Coverage

So, here we are live at today's joint Samsung-AT&T event in NYC! As you might guess, we are to keep you updated with the live blog below, so that you can (kind of) experience the event as it unfolds.

But what exactly are we to see? We have no idea, to tell you the truth. There are a few suggestions however - one is that the companies will unveil AT&T's version of the Samsung Galaxy S II. Sounds good to us, as we'd love to see an official Stateside version of this monster of a phone. On the other hand, there are rumors that we might see the Infuse 4G get yet another unveiling (although this one's pretty much official since CES).

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 with suitable AT&T radio frequencies are also viable options, but we guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Be sure to be online here when the event starts at 4PM ET | 3PM CT | 1PM PT!

Live event tracker

Time	Text
15:35	THanks everyone! we'll be checking out the device and get more of a hands-on. Check me out @John_C_Velasco for more after event shots.
15:35	Well the speeches are all over, we'll take a look at the Infuse 4G yet again. So stay tuned!
15:34	The handset will be coming out on May 15th for $200 on-contract
15:32	http://t.co/in85Rgn
15:32	Jeff from AT&T is back on stage
15:31	Nation's thinest 4G smartphone, 131 grams and 8.9mm thick
15:30	It's getting a special golden egg level with Angry Birds
15:29	1.2GHz processor is the fastest that Samsung & AT&T has put together.
15:29	He's now going over the beauty of the Super AMOLED Plus display.
15:29	http://t.co/V9Lx5HY
15:28	Omar says he's been using the Infuse 4G for a month now and it's his favorite phone thus far.
15:27	"It's the supermodel of superphones!"
15:27	It has the largest display on a smartphone with its 4.5" Super AMOLED Plus display & 8.99mm thick!
15:26	Samsung Infuse 4G is officially announced!
15:26	http://t.co/ImaPYLH
15:26	Omar Khan from Samsung Mobile is now on stage with Jeff
15:25	Right now, he's just going over some stuff regarding AT&T's device lineup.
15:25	Senior VP for AT&T Jeff Bradley is now on stage
15:24	http://t.co/EhBZmSQ
15:23	Kim Tidus from Samsung is now on stage welcoming the people in attendance.
15:23	test #2
15:22	http://t.co/DFk8XLu
15:13	The place is started to get crowded and the venue isn't all that large, but we'll be right here giving you the live coverage.
15:06	We're here just waiting for the festivities to start, but we've already seen some things regarding the Samsung Infuse 4G. So stay tuned!
15:05	http://t.co/nNZ0DVn
15:04	Hey everyone! It's John V. with PhoneArena, and I'm here at the joint AT&T/Samsung Event. It looks like it's going to be the Samsung Infuse!
15:01	Test test.

Sony Ericsson introduces two new Android 2.3 models, the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro

Sony Ericcson introduced two compact Android handsets today, the Xperia Mini and the Xperia Mini Pro. Both models will be launched with Android 2.3 aboard and with a 1GHz Snapdragon processor under the hood. Both handsets have a 3 inch touchscreen and a 5MP camera that captures video at HD. According to the manufacturer, that makes the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini the smallest device in the world that can record HD video.

The difference between the two devices is that the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro is equipped with a slide out landscape QWERTY keyboard which accounts for the slightly larger size of that model. The Xperia Mini Pro is  3.6 x 2.1 x 0.7 inches when closed, and weighs 4.8 ounces.

Both GSM  models will hit the global market sometime in July and thus far, pricing has not been disclosed. It is not known whether or not the models will make it to the States. AT&T has offered the Sony Ericsson Xperia 10 since last year, but has not said if it will add the two new units to its lineup.

source: ComputerWorld via Engadget

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini (L) and the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro (R) have been introduced by the joint venture

Costco coupon book hints at May 12th launch for AT&T's Samsung Infuse 4G

It has been 4 months, so you might have an excuse for not remembering the introduction of the Samsung Infuse 4G. An AT&T exclusive, the Infuse 4G has a 4.5 inch Super AMOLED display and will be powered by a single-core 1.2GHz Hummingbird processor. The razor-thin device will come to market with Android 2.2 aboard and the back and front-facing cameras weigh in at 8MP and 1.3MP respectively.

According to a Costco coupon book, it looks like the Samsung Infuse 4G will be launched on May 12th. For its part, the membership club will be offering the phone at a $30 discount. As we reported, Walmart is planning on selling the model for $178.88 which works out to a price of about $150 for Costco.

source: Phandroid

**UPDATE**
AT&T and Samsung have announced that the Samsung Infuse 4G will launch May 15th for $199.99 with a signed 2-year contract. The phone is an HSDPA Category 14 device which means that download speeds can range as high as 21Mbps. The handset is rated HSUPA Category 6 which allows for maximum upload speed of 5.76Mbps

source: Engadget (1), (2)

Based on this Costco coupon book, the Samsung Infuse 4G and its 4.5 inch display will be launched May 12th

Sprint gets a pair of Motorola Android devices, the XPRT and the Titanium

Sprint and Motorola have announced today that a couple of Android handsets are heading the carrier's way. First up is the Motorola XPRT which is a re-branded version of Verizon's DROID Pro. The XPRT has the same 3.1 inch display, physical QWERTY keyboard and 1GHz processor. Android 2.2 is on board. The Motorola XPRT will be priced at $129.99 with a signed 2-year contract when launched on June 5th. Keep in mind  that during the past holiday season, Amazon had offered the Motorola DROID Pro for as low as $20. For what it's worth, Verizon is still selling the model for $179.99 on contract.

The Motorola Titanium, the successor to the Motorola i1, is a iDEN flavored model that is said to be the first to combine Nextel Direct Connect and Eclair. Is that supposed to be a draw for the device? After all, the similarly rugged Casio G'zOne Commando did launch with Android 2.2 installed. As you might expect, the Titanium is built to MIL-SPEC 810G which means it is impenetrable to dust and won't be harmed by shock, vibration, high and low temperature, and most of the other things that can destroy your smartphone. The Motorola Titanium has a 3.1 inch screen and also has a portrait facing QWERTY keyboard. A 5MP camera is on the back and powering the phone is an 1820mAh battery. Pricing and launch date both have not been announced.

source: Motorola (1), (2) via Engadget

The Motorola Titanium (L) and the Motorola XPRT (R) are both heading to Sprint

Boot animation for the Motorola DROID Bionic is leaked

Still possibly the third LTE enabled handset for Verizon, the Motorola DROID Bionic is a DROID by birthright after all. That means that no matter which model eventually gets to be called the DROID Bionic (and the smart money is still betting on the Motorola Targa), it will have to have a red-eye boot animation. After all, this has been a tradition of the DROID line dating all the way back to the original Motorola DROID in 2009.

The 7 second video below is part of the boot animation for the Motorola DROID Bionic. And while it is only a quick look, the animation has grown in complexity over the years. The boot screen will look great on the 4.3 inch qHD display on the device, which will be Verizon's first dual-core handset and is still expected to launch this summer after Motorola's "enhancement to make this an even better consumer experience".

source: Pocketnow

HTC Kingdom bound for Sprint?

According to the same Chinese internet source that outed the HTC Kingdom the other day, the phone is likely to launch in the U.S. via Sprint. A new picture of the phone clearly shows the carrier's brand on the front of the unit. As we reported, the device is equipped with a 4 inch qHD display. What is new is the information that the Kingdom is expected to come to market with the Qualcomm MSM7630 chipset featuring a upgraded 1.2GHz single-core processor and the Adreno 205 graphics engine-the very same package you would find under the hood of the HTC EVO Shift 4G.

The HTC Kingdom will offer both a back and front-facing camera. The 5MP shooter on back will capture video at 720p while the camera up front offers 1.3MP for video chats and self-portraits. The handset will also allow you to receive and transmit FM radio.

No word yet on when we might see this Kingdom come, but for now it appears to be another highly spec'd model for Sprint customers to consider for their next upgrade.

source: 911Sniper via Pocketnow

Two pictures of the HTC Kingdom with the latest image on the left; the device is expected to launch in the U.S. via Sprint

Acer ICONIA TAB A500 Review

Introduction:

Are you curious about all the fanfare surrounding Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablets, but you’re seemingly hesitant about picking one up since the current selections are just too exorbitantly priced for you? Well, you might find the Acer ICONIA TAB A500 especially gratifying since its starting price of $449.99 is by far its most attractive offering – and at the same time, it won’t bite you much in the wallet compared to the competition. In addition to packing along all of the lovely wonders that the tablet optimized platform has to offer, there are still some impressive things that make it a reasonable contemporary offering, which of course, makes it an equal contender to the other Honeycomb flavored tablets available on the market. Can this truly be the one that will proliferate Honeycomb to the masses?

The package contains:

• Acer ICONIA TAB A500
• microUSB cable
• Wall Charger
• Micro-fiber cleaning cloth
• Quick Guide
• Product Safety Brochure

HTC Sensation 4G might have just passed the FCC; T-Mobile launch expected soon

There is a dispute building up on the Internet regarding an HTC smartphone that has just been given the thumbs up by the FCC. Some claim that the mysterious device, listed only with its PG58100 model number, is none other than the HTC Sensation 4G, while others seem to believe that it is the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide (a.k.a. HTC Doubleshot) that we are dealing with here.

While browsing deeper within the smartphone's FCC documents, we spotted the existence of a front-facing camera, although that does not get us anywhere as both the Sensation 4G and the HTC Doubleshot are expected to have one. However, a good reason to lean towards the HTC Sensation 4G side is that the FCC filing does not mention anything about a slide-out QWERTY keyboard – a feature that HTC Doubleshot is expected to boast. Furthermore, other leaks suggest that the HTC Doubleshot will actually bear a different model number – PG59100, though such a filing is not listed on the FCC's website yet.

Whatever the truth turns out to be, the HTC PG58100 is definitely bound for T-Mobile, judging by its AWS 1700 MHz radio on board. If it really is the HTC Sensation 4G hiding behind this model number, we wouldn't be expecting to find it anywhere else than on T-Mobile's top shelves. Stay tuned as it probably won't take long before the mystery gets solved.

source: FCC

10-inch BlackBerry PlayBook version rumored for release around year's end

Could the BlackBerry PlayBook meet its successor by the end of this year? According to some, the answer to this question is quite frankly yes. It may have not been mentioned at all during the three days time of the BlackBerry World conference, but a 10-inch BlackBerry PlayBook-like tablet might be already in the works with a projected launch date around this year's Christmas season.

Information about RIM's alleged 10-incher is scarce for now, and besides the larger display, no other technical specifications have been hinted. We can only guess that it will not be meant to entirely replace the 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook, a tablet that we are already familiar with, and will be marketed as an alternative with a bit more real estate, or a “bigger brother,” if you will. After all, the 7-inch PlayBook model has been out for two weeks only, and seeing a successor to it in only 8 months time does not seem very logical. Fortunately, if a 10-inch BlackBerry PlayBook does see the light of day this year, then chances are it will come with all the features that the current model lacks, such as 4G connectivity and a proper email client.

Of course, all of this is just a matter of speculation for now. We will have to wait patiently and see if RIM confirms the 10-inch PlayBook later this year. Or don't you think that we might get treated to some leaked photos first?

source: Boy Genius Report

Today's Samsung - AT&T event - what to expect

We are merely hours away from the joint Samsung - AT&T event that's scheduled to take place between 4pm and 6pm in New York City today, so it's high time to look at the possibilities and speculate which mechanical goodies we may be treated to in the Big Apple.

Truth be told, there are no leaks whatsoever about this event, but it's fair to say there are a few devices that look like genuine candidates to be demonstrated there. Take into account that the invitation says "the event will feature product demos and executive remarks", which hints that more than one gadget may be showed-off during the event.

One device that may be demonstrated during this event is the Samsung Infuse 4G. It has already received its FCC filing with AT&T's bands, while Walmart is set to offer it in May, hence it looks likely that we will see the official AT&T unveiling of the handset with monstrous 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen pretty soon - probably as soon as today.

Another candidate that's likely candidate to be announced for AT&T there is the Samsung Galaxy S II. A fact it is that there is practically no information about its availability on this side of the Atlantic - neither about the carriers that will offer it, nor about its release date. What's known, though, is that it got the nod from the feds with AT&T's frequencies, so, in all likelihood, we will see it for the carrier at some point in the future and this event looks like a fitting place for its AT&T announcement.

Next in line is the Google Nexus S - for a long time there have been rumors that AT&T will get a taste of pure Google experience, not to mention that a white Google Nexus S with AT&T's bands is already available for purchase. Moreover, nothing federal is standing between this handset and the carrier, as the Nexus S already visited the FCC with AT&T's frequencies.

Finally, there is a possibility that we may see a tablet, presumably the new, ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and/or Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, though there is no firm evidence pointing in that direction.

Mind that Samsung has announced another New York event that's to take place on May 24, but the difference is that on the later event the Korean manufacturer will be on its own. Make of this what you want, but if the Samsung Galaxy S II and the upcoming tablets by the manufacturer are to be made available to all US carriers - like Samsung did with the original Galaxy Tab and Galaxy S - then it's entirely possible that the May 24 event will be the place where its next-gen Galaxy gadgets will be announced for the rest of the US carrier - that's in case their availability details for AT&T are spilled today.

This is a pure speculation, of course, so tell us your guesses - which is the device you hope to see announced at the Samsung - AT&T event?

Our team will be on the spot to tell you everything as it happens, so stay tuned to PhoneArena.

iPhone may get OTA software updates with iOS 5 release

We live in a world where more and more stuff is starting to get done wirelessly. So why is it that every time your iPhone needs a software update, you have to hook it up to your computer? Well, it looks like the days of tethered iPhone updates may be coming to an end pretty soon, and Apple may be already working hard on it.

According to rumors circulating on the web, Apple is going to make iPhone users' lives a bit easier by enabling hassle-free, over-the-air updates. No more looking for the iPhone's USB cable anymore – software updates will be delivered straight to the smartphone over the carrier's cellular internet connection.  Android users, for example, have been enjoying that feature for ages so probably many have been wondering why Apple is not doing anything to make updates a bit more convenient.

If the rumors turn out to be true, OTA updates are very likely to be introduced as a part of iOS 5 when it launches later this year. Some say that Apple and Verizon are already negotiating the details around the feature, but there is no word about talks with AT&T or other carriers around the world just yet. It wouldn't be very kind of them to make OTA updates Verizon-exclusive now, would it? Anyway, we are hoping to learn more in about a month's time, on June 6, when Apple is going to host WWDC and hopefully give iOS 5's first preview.

source: 9to5 Mac

Samsung Corby II Review

This is a global GSM phone. It can be used with T-Mobile USA and AT&T.

Introduction:

The Samsung Corby II, also known as the Samsung GT-S3850, is the successor to the original Corby, a low-end phone offered since September 2009, which stood out with its capacitive touchscreen, low price tag and hip looks. But these days, you can't impress with just a touchscreen, so has Samsung thrown more notable ingredients into the small and cute Corby II? The Koreans have included Wi-Fi and a larger, 3.14-inch QVGA screen, but the Samsung Corby II remains an affordable feature phone with a rather mediocre 2-megapixel camera. Is it worth considering? Stay with us as we walk you through the design and functionality before giving you our final verdict.

Google Maps now updated to version 5.4.0

Google Maps has been updated to version 5.4.0. One of the new features allows you to notify Google when Maps and Navigation send you to the wrong location, or if a certain address does not show up at all. You can also now view your Google Map searches in Google web history allowing you to have a centralized search history. The last feature added brings more detail to businesses that you find on Google Maps. For example, let's say you see a restaurant. You can now get additional details such as the type of cuisine served, the parking situation, the year it was opened and info about the neighborhood it is located in. Just remember to update the app before you use it next.

source: AndroidCentral

HTC Bliss said to be first Android smartphone specifically aimed at women

What can HTC do to make an Android  phone designed for women? Speculation has arisen that the Taiwan based manufacturer is working with Verizon on the HTC Bliss, a smartphone for the ladies that would be the first Android model with such a focus. Right off the bat, it is being said that the device will feature a green hue in order to achieve some kind of a "calming effect", while a soft-touch rubber casing will help provide a better grip on the phone similar to the HTC DROID Incredible 2. It will be a half centimeter thinner than the T-Mobile G2.

On the software side of things, it's expected that the handset will come loaded with shopping comparison and calorie counting apps. In addition, it seems the "calming" theme will continue with the wallpaper. Looks like HTC is really concerned with the fact that a lot of women are stressed these days.

What's more interesting about the HTC Bliss are the accessories that are rumored to be available for it. First off we have a wireless charging dock with speakers, then a square-shaped speaker for a car is also rumored to be in the mix, as well a stylish Bluetooth headset that should match the phone's design language. The attention-grabber here seems to be a device called "charm indicator", which will be a cube shaped box that comes with a hook to attach to a purse or bag. It will light up to notify the phone's owner that there is a message or missed call. Although most of us would think this thing is to work wirelessly, it seems that it will attach to the phone with a cord, in order to make it easier for women to pluck the handset out of their purse, for example...

The HTC Bliss is apparently headed for Verizon but neither the manufacturer, nor carrier would respond to questions about the device. And while many have complained that HTC devices all look the same, this might be a good way to make a device completely different from all of the others.

Will this idea backfire or will it end up with a whole new group of Android fans?

source: Thisismynext via AndroidandMe

Roughly 120,000 Samsung Galaxy S II handsets sold in South Korea in the first three days

It’s very hard to not like the Samsung Galaxy S II, especially when its predecessor was one of the most highly sought out devices last year when it was launched, but it’s looking like another round of success for Samsung’s camp.

Since going on sale April 29th, the polarizing Samsung Galaxy S II is already achieving some great initial sales figures in South Korea where it’s being launched first. From the looks of it all, so far over 120,000 units of the smartphone have been sold in just the first three days of its availability. Aiding to the healthy figure is the fact that the handset went on sale with all three major operators in South Korea; breaking down to 65,000 for SK Telecom, 40,000 units with KT, and 15,000 sold for LG U+.

Having such a great start is indeed nice for the handset, which undoubtedly will start its global rise to fame, as we wait for the handset to make its debut in other markets around the world.

source: Yonhap News Agency via Samsung Hub