Nokia's Windows Phones will feature dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500

As you'll no doubt be aware, Qualcomm currently enjoys a stranglehold on processing hardware inside Windows Phone handsets. Its Snapdragon chip stars in both Microsoft's original and updated chassis spec for the platform, but its hegemony may soon be coming to an end. STMicroelectronics (the ST in ST-Ericsson) boss Carlo Bozotti is cited by Forbes as saying that Nokia will use ST-Ericsson hardware to power at least some of its Windows Phones. The dual-core U8500, a long-time Nokia favorite, is touted as the first such system-on-chip to appear, with its successors helping to populate Nokia's expansive WP lineup in 2012. The only intel we've had so far on Nokia's initial handsets for the new OS revolved around Qualcomm-based devices, so even if ST-Ericsson is indeed going to infiltrate the Windows Phone ecosystem, it doesn't look likely to be among the very first Nokias out of the gate.

via: engadget

HP Pre 3 gets a pre-order at Amazon.de, yours for 449 euro

The HP Pre 3 just received its first pre-order deal, courtesy of Amazon dot de. The 2.2-inch-screen WebOS smartphone will set you back 449 euro (about $640) with free shipping in Germany.
here are still no estimates as to when the phone could arrive at your door but Amazon says it will send out emails when they have more information.

The Pre 3 packs the WebOS UI, 5 MP autofocus camera with HD 720p video recording, 1.4 GHz Snapdragon MSM8x55 and 512 MB RAM. It also upgrades the screen department with a 3.58" WVGA (480x800) display.

Pantech unveils 1.5GHz dual-core Vega Racer droid

Pantech has just announced what looks like the most powerful Android smartphone to date. The Pantech Vega Racer packs a dual-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz plus the Adreno 220 GPU, which is a mouth-watering combo.

Unfortunately at launch the Pantech Vega Racer will only be available in Korea and there's no saying if availability in other regions will follow.

The Vega Racer is based on the same chipset as the HTC EVO 3D - Snapdragon MSM8660, but due to the overclocked 1.5GHz CPU should be even speedier.

The other specs highlights of the Vega Racer include a 4.3" LCD of WVGA resolution, 1GB RAM and a couple of cameras - an 8 megapixel one at the back and a 1.3 megapixel unit for video-calling.

Pantech Vega Raver will run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread when it hit the SK Telecom shelves later this month. Whether it will later set on a world tour remains to be seen, but it has every chance of going in the history books as the first 1.5GHz dual-core phone.

Pantech has also revealed that it is already working on a tablet of its own. They didn't give us an estimate as of when it might become available but we'll be on the lookout for more information about it in the future.

Next-gen iPhone will have an 8 MP OmniVision camera, no LTE?

The rumor mill is churning up new speculations of the next-gen iPhone camera. The upcoming iDevice could very well end up with an OmniVision camera, instead of the previously rumored Sony snapper. Also an LTE-enabled iPhone is unlikely to hit the market in 2011 due to low interest and the slow growth of the LTE networks.

According to the DigiTimes sources the next-gen iPhone will begin its production in August and go on sale as early as September. The device will supposedly be dubbed iPhone 4S, which if true might be one of the most unfortunate namings we have ever seen (just say it out loud and you will see what we mean). Also we got word that Qualcomm will be the manufacturer of the 3G and CDMA radios of the smartphone.

The camera of the iPhone 4S has been a target of discussion before, when we thought Sony will be the one to manufacture it, supplying their Exmor R backside illuminated sensors to Apple. However latest gossip points at OmniVision sticking around for another round. It's rumored that OmniVision will supply the image sensors, while Largan Precision the lens kits.

This leaves us guessing about the sensor resolution. Smart money are still on an 8 MP unit but OmniVision has just announced their new generation 5 MP sensor, the OV5690, which has the ability to shoot 1080p video at 30 fps or 720p video at 60 fps. The new sensor will be 20% slimmer side, which might help it find its place and knowing Apple's love for slim devices might end up in their next smartphone.

It's less than a month now until the WWDC (it's starting 6 June), where the iPhone 4S should be unveiled. We hope so as we've seen the best come out of Android for now and are eager to see what Apple will answer with.

PlayStation Store will return May 24th

We wouldn't recommend setting aside time to enjoy your "Welcome Back" package just yet, but it looks like we now have our first solid indication of when the PlayStation Store will finally return to PlayStation 3 and PSP users. According to a memo reportedly sent by Sony to its publishing partners and obtained by Gamasutra, the store is set to return on Tuesday, May 24th -- assuming there aren't any more unforeseen hiccups, that is. That will also, of course, bring with it a backlog of new games and other content that should have been released by now, although those will apparently be released in stages over the following weeks, rather than all at once.
via: Eurogamer

Fujitsu to launch 7-inch Android tablet later this year, might be priced lower than $400

Fresh off the Japanese launch of its LifeBook TH40/D Windows 7 tablet, it appears that Fujitsu is gearing up to release a new seven-inch Android slate. According to DigiTimes, Fujitsu's forthcoming slab is scheduled to hit the market during the third quarter of this year and will run on Android 3.1 Honeycomb. It's unclear whether or not the device will sport the same stylus support and sliding keyboard that its Windows 7 counterpart features, but Fujitsu is reportedly planning on selling the tablet for anywhere between about $350 and $700, which effectively ranges from "bargain" to "blimey." We're certainly hoping that the final price falls on the low end of that spectrum, but we'll have to wait and see if our dreams become a reality.

via

Unannounced Samsung 'Hercules' headed to T-Mobile, bearing demigod-like specs?

The Samsung Infuse 4G is a beautiful 4.5-inch tabletphone, but it's not for the spec junkies of the world -- a single-core processor and Android 2.2 just don't impress such folk these days, regardless of actual performance. However, This is my next reports Samsung's cooking up a $350 handset that ticks all the boxes on the superphone list -- a beast of a smartphone it's tentatively calling the "Hercules." Mind you, we're still in rumor territory, but feast your inner speed demon on the possibility of these: a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060 processor (the same as the HP TouchPad), a 42Mbps HSDPA radio, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of flash storage and Android 2.3, along with the same 4.5-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED Plus display as the aforementioned Infuse 4G. The same whispers say it'll have a 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video capture, MHL support and NFC, and should play for T-Mobile... assuming the buyout doesn't succeed. Our existing smartphones are already preparing to seethe with jealousy.

via [engadget]