LG Prada Phone 3.0 Now Available In Korea – Hitting Europe In January

No, the image you see above is not in black in white — it’s actually in full color. That’s LG’s newest smartphone, the “Prada Phone by LG.” First thing I’m sure you’ve noticed the device is its minimalist “Prada themed” black and white UI, a clear departure from the manufacturer’s pseudo TouchWiz found on devices like the Nitro HD. Because, you know… nothing says “class” like black and white.
The device has just launched in its homeland of South Korea and besides its sexy good looks, the LG Prada Phone 3.0 features a 4.3-inch 800×480 IPS display, 1GHz dual-core processor, 8MP rear/1.3MP front facing cameras, 8GB of internal memory and runs on Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread. LG did mention that the device would see an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade sometime during Q2 of next year.
While only available in Korea, the device is expected to hit other regions like Europe sometime in January. The LG Prada Phone 3.0 retails for 899,800 KRW which translates roughly to about $776 — but that’s the price you pay for luxury. I’d be willing to bet this will be the only phone Bond uses in his next action blockbuster. Full press release can be found below.

PRADA PHONE BY LG 3.0 BEGINS WORLDWIDE ROLLOUT
Much Awaited Designer Smartphone Arrives in South Korea Today, Europe and Asia in January
Seoul, 28 December 2011: LG Electronics (LG) made its highly anticipated PRADA phone by LG 3.0 available to the public today in South Korea. The phone is now available to Korean customers and scheduled for the release in most European countries and other parts of Asia in January.
The phone, its existence announced only last month in Seoul during the joint signing ceremony, was unveiled for the first time at a showcase event in London two weeks ago. The stylish new device has been attracting significant attention for being the only smartphone with premium branding on the market currently.
The PRADA phone by LG 3.0 is the third handset from the PRADA and LG collaboration following the highly successful PRADA phone by LG 1.0 and 2.0 phones. The latest offering continues in the same tradition combining PRADA’s trademark chic simplicity with LG’s leading technology, including one of the brightest 800-nit NOVA display and a PRADA themed UI for truly unique mobile experience.
Following PRADA’s renowned design philosophy, the handset features a full glossy touchscreen on the front and PRADA’s signature Saffiano pattern on the back. Impressively thin at only 8.5mm, minimal hardkeys and a classic black finish complete the phone’s sleek look.
With 1.0GHz Dual-Core/Dual Channel architecture, the PRADA phone by LG 3.0 is as effective as it is stylish. The phone runs on Android Gingerbread OS with an update to Android Ice Cream Sandwich scheduled for the second quarter of 2012.
For more details on this unique collaboration, please visit the official site of PRADA Phone by LG 3.0 at www.pradaphonebylg3.com.
Key Specs:
- Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- Memory: User 8GB maximum (varies depending on carrier requirements)
- Display Size: 4.3 inches
- Resolution: WVGA (800 x 480)
- Display Brightness: 800 nit
- Camera: 8MP
- Processor: 1.0GHz Dual-Core / Dual Channel
- Battery: 1540mAh

[Press Release | UnwiredView via Engadget]

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European Union slams the breaks on Google-Motorola antitrust review

Excited at the prospect of Google having its own in-house hardware branch? Prepare to curb your enthusiasm: Bloomberg reports that antitrust proceedings for Google’s acquisition of Motorola in the European Union will take even longer than normal, after the European Commission has halted its investigation to allow for more discovery. The Commission is requesting “certain documents that are essential to its evaluation of the transaction”, with no ETA on the continuing process.

This sort of thing isn’t entirely unexpected from the European Commission, but it does serve as a considerable roadblock for Google’s high-profile purchase of Motorola’s hardware division. While the EU couldn’t actually stop the two American companies from merging, it could essentially bar them from operating in its member nations, meaning that the merger almost certainly will not be finalized without the EU’s consent. Dedicated followers of technology news will recognize the pattern: the EU has a long history of strict regulation on large American tech companies.
A Google spokesperson in Brussels notes that the request is routine, and doesn’t expect it to seriously impede the merger, now expected to complete some time next year. “We’re confident the commission will conclude that this acquisition is good for competition and we’ll be working closely and cooperatively with them as they continue their review.” said Al Verney, in an email with Bloomberg. Motorola’s stockholders have already approved the merger, so approval form regulatory organizations is now the biggest hurdle for the two companies to overcome.

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Motorola finally gives Gingerbread to European Milestone 2 owners

It’s been 347 days since the source code for Android 2.3 Gingerbread became available. And it’ll be just one more before Milestone 2 (the international version of the Motorola DROID 2) owners in Europe get their hands on an official Gingerbread update. Motorola confirmed the upcoming rollout on the company’s Facebook page. The staged update will be sent over the air.

348 days is a long time – practically an eternity in the mobile world. It’s time enough for a third model of the DROID hardware to be developed and released, with Gingerbread not insignificantly baked right in. It’s nearly time four a fourth model to appear, at least in the United States. It’s also time enough for Google to release not one, but two major version updates of Android, the second of which has already been made available in open-source form. Yup, long time. Just for a little perspective, US DROID 2 owners got the update in September, again, well after the DROID 3 was being sold.
Still, I suppose one should count his blessings. After confirming the update on Facebook, the representative was asked when the Motorola DEFY would get its Gingerbread update. It won’t. I don’t wish to name names, but this would be a good time to inform you of the many aftermarket (read: rooted) update options for just about any popular Android device. Users care about their machines, even when manufacturers don’t care about their users. Not that I’m calling anyone out in particular.

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Samsung Galaxy S gets Android 2.3.5 update in Europe

If you are a Samsung Galaxy S user that has felt left out when it comes to Gingerbread, your update is coming. At least that update is coming in Europe. That update should be available now or very shortly for users of the Galaxy S in Europe via KIES. It’s been a whole since we talked about that Galaxy S smartphone, we reviewed it way back in March of this year.

Along with the update come a change log of what the smartphone gets feature wise. The update adds an animation shadow at the end of scroll lists. The messages app gets faster start up for opening SMS or sending them. The battery life and power consumption is improved as well.
Overall performance of the phone is improved and there were bugs fixed in the system app. A hang issue with the OEM screen was patch and the picker app was improved. It also gets enhancements to the camera. If you apply this update, be sure and let us know how it works out.
[via YouMobile]

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HTC Security OTA Appearing On European Sensations [Update: And Now The GSM EVO 3D, Too]

It's been eleven days since Android Police published this story detailing the discovery by Trevor Eckhart of some serious security issues within HTC's more recent software. Three days after that HTC responded, and now, a further week or so later, we are seeing reports of an "important security update" being pushed to HTC Sensations throughout Europe.

Screencap by FG1234 of Android-Hilfe.de

While HTC does not specify exactly what the ~9 MB update addresses, the timing seems right to relate to the preceding story. Besides alluding to some positive-sounding "performance improvements and new features", the update description does not mention any further details, and HTC certainly doesn't dwell on the nature of the security update itself.
The OTA version is 1.45.401.3, and may be polled for by prompting your system to check for an update in the phone settings. A full release log has yet to be found, so we can only presume that it deals with the vulnerability previously reported.

Update Oct. 15th: TrevE has done some digging in the subsequent EVO 3D update (GSM model - no sign of it on Sprint yet), and has extracted the "security update" routine. As you can see in the code below, it essentially deletes the contentious logging files once and for all.

ui_print("Deleting specific files...");
delete_recursive("/data/data/com.htc.loggers/",
                 "/sdcard/htclog/");
....
   "/system/app/HtcLoggers.apk", "/system/app/HtcLoggers.odex",
       "/system/app/NetLogger.apk", "/system/app/NetLogger.odex",
       "/system/app/QXDM2SD.apk", "/system/app/QXDM2SD.odex",
       "/system/bin/androidvncserver", "/system/bin/usbnet",
       "/system/lib/libhtc_loggers.so", "/system/lib/libhtc_netlogger.so",
       "/system/lib/libhtcqxdm2sd.so",

Source: XDA-Developers, Android-Hilfe.de

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Sweet 3D game converter for LG Optimus 3D hits download in Europe

Back in August during IFA 2011, we talked a bit about the 3D game converter that LG was showing off at the show. The game converter is intended to allow the owners of the LG Optimus 3D smartphone to turn all their 2D video games into 3D games on the fly. That will mean that all of your favorite games can now be enjoyed in 3D.

Optimus 3D owners in Europe will be able to get the new converter in the first Maintenance Release (MR) this month. LG notes that over the next few weeks the MR will be rolled out to other countries allowing other owners to get in on the 3D gaming action. The 3D Game Converter from LG is the first software engine that allows the conversion of Open GL-based 2D games to 3D and then back again at any time.
LG says that the only requirement for the game engine to work is that the game runs Open GL and uses landscape mode. In the future LG will add more cool features to the Optimus 3D. The features will include a 3D video editor that runs on the device, 2D viewing of 3D videos in single screen mode, Dolby Mobile sound, and automatic 2D video stabilization. The game converter can be installed using WiFi by checking for software updates or via a computer.

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Amazon Android Appstore now live in Europe

Amazon has finally pushed its US-only Android Appstore out to (at least some of) the rest of the world, with UK users and those in a handful of other countries now able to download apps via the official Amazon Appstore app.
The Amazon Appstore web site still carries the disclaimer that it’s only available to customers in the US, but we’ve just tried using the Amazon Appstore app on Android in the UK…

…and look, it’s actually working. Prices are still showing in dollars, but still. Free App of the Day is now GO without any region hacking. Ace. You’ll need to manually install the Amazon Appstore app direct from Amazon to make it work. Let us know if you also have access.
Link via PocketGamer.

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HTC October 6 event could deliver Euro HTC Vigor

The HTC Vigor could make its official debut in early October, with the news that HTC UK is sending out invites for a “press conference and party” on October 6. While the company has told us it cannot confirm details about the event – and asked that we not mention where in London it will take place – the language indicates this will be another of the company’s high-profile public events.

Saved for the firm’s more significant launches, and usually announced at the HTC UK Facebook page, these parties give would-be buyers a chance to play with new smartphones well ahead of retail availability. Although the early October timeline could indicate Windows Phone 7 related news, the fact that HTC has already announced its new Mango-based line-up suggests it’s Android that’s on the cards.
Most likely candidate, then, is the HTC Vigor, which is expected to see the company debut a 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 HD-capable display. Running what’s believed to be the same 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor as in the new Sensation XE, in addition to an 8-megapixel main camera, the Vigor has been described to Android Community as the first HTC handset to include Beats Audio in its design “from the ground up.”
Update: To be clear, we’re talking about a European version of the Vigor, seeing as that specific handset is expected to be a Verizon CDMA model.
Update 2: Reader Carl suggests it could be the European HTC Bass that HTC is revealing, though that handset is expected to be unveiled in the US tomorrow.
[via SlashGear]

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HTC enables bootloader unlock for EVO 3D in Europe and Canada

HTC has added two additional flavors of EVO 3D to its bootloader unlocking site, following in the footsteps of the Sprint version, which become unlockable last month. If you own an unbranded European EVO 3D, or a Rogers-branded device in Canada, then you can begin your quest by using the web tool over on the HTCDev site.

Unlocking your bootloader will allow you to monkey around with custom firmware and the like, though you'll void your warranty by doing so, even if you use the official HTC unlocking tools. Still interested? Hit the link below to begin.

Source: HTCDev

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New Motorola Defy+ smartphone to launch this month in Europe markets

Apple’s successful appeal for a second injunction to block the Samsung Galaxy Tab series in a court in Germany has snatched away a chance from Samsung to showcase its latest tablet devices at one of the world’s largest consumer electronics shows.
The South Korea based Samsung Electronics, which is the closest competitor of Apple in the tablet market, has recently pulled out its newly released Galaxy tab 7.7 from the IFA electronics show which is being held in Berlin after a court in Dusseldorf accepted Apple’s call for a countrywide ban on the Samsung tablets on 2^nd September, said a Seoul based spokesperson of Samsung named James Chung.
Chung, however, did not confirm if the court orders had reached Samsung yet. An Apple spokesperson named Steve Park, meanwhile, could not provide any immediate statements on the ruling.
Chung said that Samsung has full respect for the decision of the court, adding that the South Korean electronics giant believes that it will severely affect the choice for the consumers in Germany. He said that Samsung will try out all avenues, which include legal action, to defend its rights for intellectual property in the country.

Apple and Samsung are currently engaged in legal conflicts across three different continents, as Apple, which is also one of Samsung’s biggest customers for displays and chips, has alleged that the Galaxy range of devices have copied various design features of the iPhones and the iPad. Just last month, the Dusseldorf court had awarded Apple a temporary ban on the sales of the previous Galaxy Tab 10.1 model in all of the countries which form the European Union.
Analysts estimate that the ruling which came in August could have led to Samsung selling as many as half a million fewer tablets during the year. Samsung had earlier planned to showcase the Galaxy Tab 7.7 in addition to its other devices to this year’s edition of the IFA, which has over the last few years come to be a battleground for those companies who want to lure customers to alternatives for Apple’s iPad and iPhones.
Samsung, while it did not reveal the total number of tablets that it sold this year, has aimed to increase the sales of its tablets to more than five times this year as compared to 2010 when the first Galaxy Tab based on Google’s Android platform was released.

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Vodafone becomes the first in Europe to offer operator billing for Android apps

You buy a new fancy smartphone from the shops, take it home, and then after you get all your data on there you start looking for applications to make your shiny toy unique to your individual needs. If said smartphone was an iPhone, then all you need to purchase apps is your iTunes username and password. If you picked up an Android device … then you’re going to be put through the hell of having to enter your 16 digit credit card number, expiration date, security code, and more, just to be able to get your Angry Birds fix. Now there’s a way to get around this called operator building, which is exactly what it sounds like, your apps are put on the same bill as the one that comes in the post every month from your operator. It’s been available in America since November 2009 via T-Mobile, and with time it’s expanded to the other American operators, but what about Europe?
Vodafone just became the first operator on the continent across the pond to offer their customers operator billing in the Android Market, but it’s currently limited to the UK and Germany. Considering those are practically the two largest mobile markets in Europe, that’s not a bad start. The bigger question here is are Android owners willing to spend money on applications when the studies show that you’re better off trying to milk iPhone owners of their nickels and dimes? That’s something you as a developer have to ask yourself, because what’s the point in wasting all that time writing “Java” (read: Dalvik) code if it isn’t going to put food on your table?
Anyway, there are some restrictions on this so your 14 year old doesn’t force you to file bankruptcy. The most expensive app you’ll be able to buy will be capped at £30, which we doubt you’ll ever see in the Android Market, and you’ll also be limited to £250 per month. That should stop a lot of toddlers from going crazy in whatever game Disney comes out with that has far too many in-app purchases to be considered anything other than a scam attached to a cute and lovable brand.

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Galaxy Tab 10.1 ban suspended outside of Germany

We have already talked about Samsung looking for a court date to try to get the ban on the sale of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Europe overturned. That court date was slated for August 25. Samsung won’t have to wait that long to get the tablet back into some parts of Europe. The ban on sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet has been lifted in many parts of Europe allowing sales to start back up.

The only country left with the ban in effect inside Europe is Germany. Exactly why the German court that had placed the ban suddenly changed its ruling is unknown. It is possible the evidence that Apple may have manipulated images used to get the ban put into effect could have affected the decision, but the validity of that is unknown. Others suggest that the language in the initial ban ruling may have been the reason for the backtrack.
Some reports suggest that confusion centering on language in the ban around establishments and subsidiaries between German and English may have prompted a review by the court. However, should the court come back and rule against Samsung and sales are restarted in areas Samsung could be looking at substantial damages.
[via SlashGear]

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HTC Sensation OTA Update for 2.3.4 Gingerbread Hitting Europe

New reports this morning are suggesting the update to the late Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread is currently underway for the European model. The update hit a few unbranded Germany roaming HTC Sensation phones but should be rolling out to other carriers throughout the next week or so. As far as I know there hasn’t been any word regarding an update for the Sensation but this could be a good time to include some fixes and update to the latest OS version.

Folks that have received the update are saying it was around 41mb and was a fairly fast and easy process, as well as bringing the phone software version up to 1.45.401.2. We are still waiting more details but it appears to bring GTalk video chat to the device as a standard option instead of using things like Qik or other options.
As always with OTA updates you’ll find a few software tweaks, bug fixes and some performance enhancements so hopefully this update will start hitting other carriers soon. We haven’t heard from HTC regarding the update but most likely it should start rolling out to other carriers and possible other regions too. The T-Mobile Sensation 4G here in the states is still on 2.3.3 and I know I’ve had a few readers ask when it will receive 2.3.4 so hopefully this clears up things a little bit as its already started.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Sensation 4G

Manufactuer : HTC

Carrier : T-Mobile

Announced Date : April 12, 2011

Release Date : May 19, 2011

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 4.30 Inch


• Resolution : 540x960


• Screen Type : qHD

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 4.96 Inch


• Width : 2.57 Inch


• Depth : 0.44 Inch


• Weight : 148 Grams

Battery & Power

• Battery Type:


• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 1520 mAh


• Talk Time : NA


• Stand By Time : 350 hours

Software

• Android OS:


• 2.3.x

• Audio Playback:


• AAC


• AMR


• MID


• MP3


• WAV


• WMA

• Video Playback:


• 3GP


• MPEG-4 (MP4)


• WMV

• Messaging:


• SMS


• MMS

Hardware

CPU : Snapdragon

CPU Clock Speed : 1200 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 768 MB

Internal Storage : 4 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution :8 MP

• External Storage:


• MicroSD


• MicroSDHC

• Camera Features:


• Auto focus


• Flash


• 1080p Video Recording

• Sensors:


• Accelerometer


• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

• Network Technology:


• GSM

• GSM Band:


• 850


• 900


• 1800


• 1900

Device Connectivity

• Wi-Fi:


• 802.11b


• 802.11g


• 802.11n

• Bluetooth:


• Bluetooth 3.0

• Location Features:


• Compass


• GPS


• Cellular location


• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

[via Phandroid]

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Samsung gets court date for attempt to overturn Galaxy Tab ban in Europe

It has been a few days now since German courts banned the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet in most of Europe. Samsung and Apple have been fighting a legal battle there over Apple’s allegations that Samsung is copying its design for the Galaxy Tab series. The courts in Germany set a date for Samsung’s appeal to try to get the ban overturned. The date is set for August 25 and a decision will likely come a few weeks after the court date.

Apple is also attempting to ban the import and sale of the Galaxy Tab tablets in other areas too. Apple filed an injunction with a court in The Hague reports Reuters that seeks to stop the Samsung gear from being sold in the Netherlands. That filing is also seeking to stop the import of the Samsung products into the EU via the Netherlands.
The judge in that case is going to deliver his ruling on September 15 and if he rules for Apple, the injunction would go into effect on October 13. The judge presiding over the case in the Netherlands is Edger Brinkman. Samsung has filed suits of its own against Apple.
[via Reuters]

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Hands-On in Germany

Tweet

It appears that our Android pals in Deutschland have gotten their hands on the yet to be release Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, one of two new tablets announced back at CTIA 2011 (we where there!) but without working units (we got to see the dummies!) We also got to see a working version of the Android 3.0 Honeycomb with TouchWiz overlay on a different test-unit tablet that same faithful day – what NewGadgetsDE has for the world now is no less than those two elements combined – and in a white-backed unit!

Have a look at the images of this ultra-sleek 9.09 x 6.21 x 0.34-inch (230.9 x 157.8 x 8.6-mm) tablet, noting that it’s hella light at 16.58 oz (470 g) and holds in its guts a dual-core 1GHz chipset and an 8.9-inch 1280 x 800 pixel display. It’s completely lovely, and even though I’ve not personally seen this fully working unit, I can tell you that the UI is tight and the physical device is utterly excellent to behold and be held. Take a look here at a video of the unit working in DE:

 

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