AT&T has launched the LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy Note on its network. The device has a price tag at $299.99 which requires a two-year agreement be signed. The device has a 5.3 inch screen that displays 1280 x 800 pixels. One of the key features of the Galaxy Note is the stylus that is used. The stylus is Wacom based and allows users to interact with the device and scribble notes on the screen on any part of the OS.
iPad 3 Logic Board Leaks
Along with a Retina display, the iPad 3 will also have a more powerful processor. We have expected for a long time that Apple will launch a quad-core chip called the A6. This was expected as the iPad 1 was a single core A4 and the iPad 2 was a dual-core A5. A quad-core A6 was believed to be what would follow on next. But, it appears that Apple may opt for the chip seen below which is an A5X.
iPad 3 Confirmed to be a Retina Display
Here’s a leak that looks quite promising. MacRumors managed to get hold of an Apple iPad 3 screen. After a closer inspection of it, the number of pixels looks to be quadrupled… meaning it’s twice the linear resolution or 2048×1536 pixels to be exact.
Rumours about the iPad 3 and a retina display have been going on for a while. In fact, it was originally believed that the iPad 2 would get a higher resolution screen.
OS X Lion Messages Beta Appears to Be for Mountain Lion Only After Launch
Apple launched a beta version of Messages for Mac. The app works in the same way as Messages for iOS devices in that it allows you to easily send an iMessage from the desktop to other iMessage users.
The beta works on OS X Lion at the moment although we are hearing now that in the future, when the beta ends, it might only be made available for those upgrading to OS X Mountain Lion.
iOS 5.1 GM Might get Japanese Siri and Slide to Camera
The current version of iOS 5.1 for developers is the beta 3 version. BGR appears to have got hold of an early version of iOS 5.1 GM though and along with it, they have detailed a couple of new features.
The first is a slide up to access the camera which is similar to what is on iOS 5. In this version the small camera icon can be slid up the lock screen to reveal the camera view finder. It doesn’t really change much, but the slide instead of tap is noticeable. I am guessing that the big change here will be with the icon always being available on the lock screen. At the moment, the camera icon only appears after a double-tap on the home button.
New Unlock screen for Android Found in a Patent
Google [GOOG] has filed a patent for a new unlock screen. Apple has recently been chasing after companies who use a “Slide to Unlock” feature on smartphones and was successful in a case just recently.
This new unlock method by Google looks to aim to avoid any disputes but also add a few more functions to the unlock to make it in to a mechanism to access certain parts of the system.
Amazon Kindle Fire 2 Expected Mid-2012
Rumours are starting up today about the next iteration of the Amazon Kindle Fire. A launch date now hints that mid-2012 could be when the device begins to go on sale with shipping starting as early as May.
Two versions of the Kindle Fire 2 are expected to launch this year with the current 7 inch screen being carried over to the Fire 2 as well as a larger 9 inch model.
Apple Releases OS X Mountain Lion Developer Preview
Apple [AAPL] has released a developer preview of the next version of OS X. The latest version will be called OS X Mountain Lion. The aim of Mountain Lion is to bring closer together iOS and OS X. It is numbered version 10.8 although no pricing or release date has been revealed yet.
Screenshots and Promo Codes Now Accepted for iBookstore
Apple has made some changes to the iBookstore and now allows for promo codes to be created by authors/publishers and used by readers. As well as creating promo codes, Apple is now also allowing screenshots to be submitted to the store.
New Devices added to HTC Bootloader Unlocking Tool
HTC has expanded the Bootloader unlocking tool by adding more compatible devices to it. Several new devices were added which includes the HTC Hero, Legend, Droid Eris, myTouch 3G as well as the myTouch 4G.
Verified Accounts and Pseudonyms Launched by Facebook
Facebook has launched a new service that allows prominent people to verify their accounts. The service is similar to what Twitter uses where famous users can sign up and be verified so that other fake accounts can easily be spotted. However, on the Facebook side of this they have decided against using a badge to denote if the account is Verified.
New Barclays Pingit iPhone App Launches
Barclays in the UK has launched a new app that allows bank customers sent payments to other people. The system lets you transfer up to £300 per day by using contact details on your device. When the receiver of the money gets a message about the transaction, they are then sent instructions on how to claim that money.