Leaked: Sony’s E-mount compatible APS-C sized lens camera for Android devices

After Sony’s IFA invite hinted as much, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to find the manufacturer has been hard at work on an all new lens camera. Last year’s models — the QX10 and QX100 — were met with relatively fair reviews, but it seems Sony could be changing things up for this year.

The folks at Sony Alpha Rumors nabbed the leak showing press renders for the all new Sony QX1, an attachable APS-C sensor for mobile devices. Unlike last year’s models which were essentially an entire camera squeezed inside a lens-style body, the QX1 ditches the lens completely and accepts the same Sony E-mount lenses as the Sony a500, a600, and NEX 5T or other NEX interchangeable lens cameras. This opens up a new world of possibilities when shooting from your mobile device.

The real question on everyone’s mind is how much Sony was able to cut on costs by essentially stripping away one of the more expensive components in digital cameras: their display. According to sources, the Sony QX1 will retail for around $400 body-only, or $650 with a 16-50mm lens. Of course, for those who’ve already invested in Sony’s mirrorless cameras (that’s really who Sony is targeting here) all those lenses will work just fine on the QX1.

Tomorrow is Sony’s IFA event in Berlin, where we’re sure to learn more about the Sony QX1 and more. Stay tuned.

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Sony Xperia Z3 leaks in copper alongside new E Ink SmartBand

Earlier today we saw a few images of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact leak out onto the interwebs ahead of Sony’s IFA event scheduled for tomorrow. While the Z3 Compact showed a wide range of colors — black, white, orange, and green — it seems Sony could have a color reserved solely for its bigger brother, the Sony Xperia Z3.

Shown in a leaked promo image for the device, the Sony Xperia Z3 is pictured with an interesting copper paint job, different from the usual gold/white color trend we’ve seen in recent months. What’s more is you’ll notice a still unannounced wearable featuring an E Ink display, rumored to launch as the “SmartBand Talk.”

No word on what kind of functionality Sony’s SmartBand will offer (looks more like a fitness band than full fledged smartwatch), but with an E Ink display, you can bet the selling feature will be on its battery life. We wont have to wait much longer before we learn more. Sony’s IFA keynote is tomorrow at 10AM PT, so stay tuned for more.

[Xperia Blog]

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Verizon HTC One M7 receiving Android 4.4.3 and Extreme Power Saving mode this week

As HTC continues to support their older flagship line — the original HTC One (M7) — the manufacturer’s US base of operations announced today on Twitter that they have received approval from Verizon regarding their Android 4.4.3 update.

Verizon HTC One M7 Owners! Great news, expect the OTA for 4.4.3 + EPS out this week! We have received approval. Thanks.

— Mo (@moversi) September 2, 2014

Aside from being infused with the same OpenSSL security fixes as you’ll find on stock Android 4.4.4 devices, One M7 users can also look forward to HTC’s Extreme Power Saving mode — a feature you simply can’t get on stock Android.

No word on the exact day the rollout will begin, but keep an eye out. It’s going to be a busy week.

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The Asus Zenwatch with Android Wear is official: specs, price, features and more!

ASUS has officially let the cat out of the bag about the ASUS ZenWatch. You can see it in fully glory in the announcement trailer above, and immediately you’ll find that it’s one of the better looking Android Wear smart watches to be introduced yet.

The ASUS ZenWatch was seemingly crafted from machined metal and also has curved glass to cover a decent looking display. The real leather wrist straps also add to that premium feel ASUS is going for. The device isn’t doing much out of the ordinary that we haven’t seen on other Android Wear devices.

Wondering what makes the ZenWatch tick? Here’s a pretty comprehensive spec sheet that should tell you everything you want to know:

Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 processor with 1.2GHz CPUOS System: Android WearMemory: 512MB RAMStorage: 4GB EMMCDisplay: AMOLED1.63?, 320×320, 278ppi touch displayCover Lens: 2.5D curved Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3Sensor: 9 Axis Sensor , ,Bio sensorBluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0USB Port: Micro USB on Charging CradleAudio: Built-in microphoneBattery: Polymer 1.4WhWater Resistance: IP55Colors: Silver and rose gold color layering, Brown leather strapSize: 50.6 x 39.8 x 7.9-9.4mmBody Weight: 50gStrap Weight: 25g

There’s nothing quite out of the ordinary here. The IP55 rating does seem a little on the shy side compared to competing products but it should still be fine enough to weather some light elements of the earth.

The software is quite familiar to what we’ve been using on the first couple of Android Wear devices. ASUS does add on to Google’s software with a couple of useful functions for helping you find your phone and manage phone calls without having to take your phone out of your pocket (such as a gesture that silences an incoming call when covering the watch with your hand). You can also find a lost phone or even use the watch as a remote monitor for your phone’s camera, customize the onboard watch faces and control presentations right from your wrist.

Of course, ASUS is pushing the device’s health and wellness benefits heavily as they’ve added the “Wellness Manager.” It basically tracks your steps, distance walked/jogged, your heart rate, and calories burned. Sounds like all the standard goodness you can get from any health-oriented smart watch or smart band.

ASUS says the device will come in at 199 euro over in Europe, but there’s no word on whether or not that price will have similar digits in dollars. A recent report revealed ASUS was looking to come under $199 in the United States so we’ll have to see if they stick to their guns on that vision for the western world. The device is expected to go on sale at some point this October.

Anyone think this device outshines the Moto 360 in the looks department? Let us know in the comments below if this announcement just made your October watch purchasing decision a lot tougher.

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We’re here for Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 unveiling, watch along live at home

Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy Note 4 in a little over an hour as part of their IFA 2014 presentation, and we’re in NYC for a satellite event and the chance to see the new Android smartphone in person. You can join in for the fun as well by heading over to YouTube to stream the show live from Germany, which Samsung has dubbed UNPACKED Episode 2, when it officially kicks off at 9AM EDT/6AM PDT.

Of course, you can also follow along here at Phandroid during and after the event for up-to-the-minute coverage, analysis, and hands-on photos and videos of the new member of Samsung’s Galaxy Note line (and whatever else the company has to show off). While rumors have centered around the Note 4, Samsung might use the show to showcase their latest run of Gear devices, including the Gear S smartwatch and a rumored Google Glass competitor.

The Note 4 is expected to launch with a 5.7-inch display featuring a boosted resolution in the neighborhood of 2560×1440 pixels, a Snapdragon 805 SoC, 16MP camera, and improved stylus input. Keep it tuned here to Phandroid for all the news as it breaks.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 officially announced: specs, pictures and more

Samsung has dropped their big bomb today: the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is official. Of immediate noteworthy mention in the specs department is the 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED HD display, a resolution and size combination that should deliver some pretty remarkable results for those who place the most importance on the device’s display.

Let’s jump into the full spec sheet for this thing:

5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED HD display2.7GHz quad-core processor OR 1.9GHz Octa-core processor (depending on market)3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, microSD up to 64GB16 megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilizer, 3.7 megapixel front camera with f/1.9 apertureDual-band WiFi ac MIMI, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GPS w/ GLONASS, IR blaster, USB 2.0 and MHL 3.0153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5mm, 176g3,220mAh batteryImproved S-PenAndroid 4.4 KitKat

The Note 4's design language is classic Samsung — nothing funky going on here (you’ll want the Note Edge if you’re looking for something new). It features Samsung’s typical “premium leather” backing that comes in a variety of different colors. The device seems to strike a comfortable balance between being rectangular and round — not sharp enough to be dangerous, and not soft enough to be seen as a children’s toy.

Samsung has done work to improve the S Pen and bring even more ridiculous new features. The biggest change is more accurate pressure sensitive, as well as increased levels of sensitivity to simulate writing with an actual pen more realistically. The pen seems to be a bit more thick than usual — big enough to be more comfortable to write with, yet small enough to stow into the phone itself.

One of the big new features Samsung’s added for the S Pen is Smart Select. This allows you to select multiple lines of text or photos at a time and store them into a clipboard. You can then take the contents of that clipboard and insert them into a scrapbook, email and more without having to click more than a couple of quick button.

They’ve also added a neat multiple selection tool that allows you to select multiple photos at the same time by simply dragging the pen over them. It’s not unlike what you’d do to select multiple files and folders on a desktop computer — should be great for those of you needing to clear out the ol’ photo gallery every now and then.

Everything else is as you’ve always known it — Samsung’s latest TouchWiz experience sitting atop Android 4.4 KitKat. Much of the same features that were introduced in this year’s Galaxy S5 have made their return, including S Health, a fingerprint scanner embedded within the home button (said to be improved over the Galaxy S5 version), and more. Samsung’s also boasting the world’s first UV sensor inside of a device, though they didn’t tell us why they threw that in. Guess we’ll know in due time.

As you’d expect, Samsung is looking to make the Galaxy Note 4 available in any market they can get it in. The global launch begins this October, with color options being Charcoal Black, Frost White, Bronze Gold and Blossom Pink (and we’re sure more will be on the way shortly after launch). There will also be a Swarovski-backed edition for those who like sparkly things. No pricing information just yet, but expect the standard $600 to $700 range with contract prices coming in at $200 to $300.

Developing…

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Best Android Phones [September 2014]

As summer winds down we are once again ranking our favorite Android phones. Some familiar names made our list, but which handset came out on top? Will the fall’s big announcements shake things up in the coming weeks? Read on to find out.

Previously: August | July | June | May | April | March | February

When a phone spends six weeks at the bottom of the ocean and somehow emerges with only cosmetic damage it makes it pretty hard to leave it off of our best phones list. Alright, we weren’t planning on dropping the Z2 from the rankings, ocean floor adventures or not, but it is a testament to this phone’s strong design. It looks great, it’s waterproof, and it packs the hardware (HD display, quad-core processing, etc.) to match up with any other device on this list.

If you want to own a smartphone that will be among the first to see the Android L update, the Nexus 5 remains the best option currently on the market. While we anticipate some new Nexus hardware from Google and its partners, the N5 remains a solid workhorse device, and you can’t really complain about the $350 price tag, either. If you’re savvy, this one has been going on sale plenty lately and could see a price drop in the coming months during the lead up to the rumored Nexus 6.

While the whole Ice Bucket Challenge thing might have been in poor taste, we won’t hold it against the Galaxy S5. This handset remains perhaps the most popular Android smartphone in the court of public opinion and is a great buy for those looking for top-notch hardware in a universally supported device. It also boasts a few features other smartphones have slacked on, including a fingerprint scanner and hear rate sensor.

The One M8 features great design and the hardware to compliment it, so much so that HTC decided to double-down and release a Windows Phone version of the device. We’ll stick with the original, Android-infused version, though, with its sleek Sense software UltraPixel camera, and more.

We love the LG G3, but don’t take our word for it. The phone is on track to be LG’s first ever handset to break the 10 million units sold mark. There’s good reason for it, to. The G3’s focus on simplicity brings its sheer power to the forefront and highlights features like a Quad HD display, laser autofocus, and much more.

We don’t have room for ever phone in our top five. Here are the devices that barely missed the cut.

Xiaomi Mi4 — Xiaomi isn’t a household name, but they have caught our attention with their latest Mi4, a powerful handset at a reasonable price.OnePlus One — OnePlus hasn’t made the brightest marketing decisions, but there is a reason that folks are clamoring simply for the chance to receive an invite to buy this elusive smartphone.Oppo Find 7a — On par with the OnePlus One, the Find 7a is another option for folks seeking an affordable off-contract buy.Moto X — The X remains one of the world’s only “customizable” smartphones with factory options like woodgrain and more, but the rumored X+1 threatens its spot on our list.HTC One Remix — This Verizon exclusive is a mini version of the HTC One M8, but it impresses almost as much as its big brother.

Perhaps the phone you are looking for hasn’t been released yet. In that case, here are a couple newly announced devices that have yet to make it to store shelves (but should soon).

A Sprint exclusive announced a few weeks back, the Aquos Crystal makes up for mid-range specs with it’s nearly bezel-free display and sub-$250 off-contract pricing. It won’t compete head-to-head with the flagship devices from other manufacturers, but it looks pretty damn nice (just check out our hands-on) and could be a tempting option for Sprint subscribers. A release should be imminent, though an official date remains unknown.

If you didn’t guess already based on the name, the LG G Stylus indeed comes with a stylus and on the surface looks like it is positioned as a Galaxy Note 4 competitor. That’s only partially true, as the G Stylus dials back the specs quite a bit. What it lacks in power we expect it to make up for in pricing, however.

Several long-standing rumors will be satisfied in a mere matter of days, and we can’t wait. Here are the upcoming but unannounced phones everyone has been buzzing about.

The long-rumored Moto X+1 should finally go official as part of an event Motorola has planned for September 4th, finally bringing us answers to all of our burning questions as they pertain to the handset. Will the phone feature 3D recognition and optical zoom? Will it feature even more customization options than its predecessor? We may also get answers in regards to the recently rumored Motorola DROID Turbo for Verizon, but we aren’t holding our breath.

IFA 2014 will host one of its biggest launches on September 3rd, when we expect to see the Galaxy Note 4 in all of its glory. Samsung has been steadily teasing this one for the past several weeks, and aside from the typical upgrades we are also expecting new and improved fingerprint scanning capabilities. Will this one have us forgetting about the Galaxy S5?

The Nexus 6 feels like the Android world’s white whale, only in this case it’s more of an orca. Yes, we’ve been talking for months about when we might catch a glimpse of this Nexus 5 followup, codenamed ‘Shamu,’ but we’re still waiting. At least the leaks keep coming, including a full rundown of specs that claim this Motorola-made handset will feature a Snapdragon 805 SoC, 3GB RAM, and a 13MP camera.

As always, we’ve perused Amazon’s list of best selling smartphones for yet even more options. If the phone wasn’t already on our list but has been selling like hot cakes on Amazon, you will find it listed below (often at insane price markdowns).

Amazon Fire PhoneLG G2Samsung Galaxy S4Samsung Galaxy S3Samsung Galaxy S4 miniSamsung Galaxy S5 ActiveHTC One M7Samsung Galaxy MegaSamsung Galaxy Note 3Samsung Galaxy Note II

Do you have a bone to pick with our current phone rankings? While September’s big announcements are sure to shake things up, let us know how you would rank things as they sit now. Sound off in the comments below!

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