The Oppo N1 Mini is one pricey handset

There are tons of flagship phones with monstrous screens and top of the line specs that appeal to power users and those with deep pockets. However, not everyone really cares for a phone that boasts a larger than life display, nor are top of the line hardware and benchmark-setting-specs a necessity for someone who isn't trying to become a multi-tasking mastermind with their smartphone. This is where 'Mini' versions of popular flagship phones come in. They're supposed to compromise on some specs, but not style, and still offer a decent user experience at a fraction of the price. But it seems Oppo didn't receive the memo on the price part.

The Oppo N1 mini will retail for 2699 Yuan, which equals $431 USD; not exactly cheap.

For comparison, the N1 Mini is roughly the same price as the upcoming HTC One E8, which is basically a plastic version of the One M8.

Specs wise, there aren't any official details given by Oppo, but rumor has it the device will sport a quad-core 1.6GHz processor, a 5” 720p HD display, a 13MP rotating camera, and a 2140mAh battery with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. There has also been a report of the Oppo N1 Mini only having 2GB of internal storage, but this very well could be the amount of RAM (hopefully) that the device is packing.

LG G3 Mini shows up in a leaked listing

Yet another Mini phone hits the market. The LG G3 has shown up in an Indian website's listing, with some specs of the device delineated.

According to the leaked information, the LG G3 (model number LGD722) will be making its way to India for the purposes of testing and evaluating the device. This means that the phone is close to coming to market.

The G3 mini, according to the specs sheet, will have a 4.5” display, a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 8GB of internal storage, and a 5MP camera. All of this will be powered by a 2100mAh battery.

A note about the model numbers: the LGD722 is the number that is destined for European markets, the LGD725 is the G3 Mini that'll be making its way to AT&T, the LGD728 will be going to China, with the LGD722K going to Taiwan, and the LGD724 headed to CIS.

No other specs were leaked in the listing, but we will keep you updated on any further developments with the G3 Mini.

Dell Venue 8 (2014) Tablet

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Dell Venue 8 (2014) tablet with 8.00-inch 1920x1200 display powered by 2.1GHz processor alongside 1GB RAM and 5-megapixel rear camera.

Dell Venue 8 (2014)

• KEY SPECS

Display

8.00-inch

Processor

2.1GHz

Front Camera

2-megapixel

Resolution

1920x1200 pixels

RAM

1GB

OS

Android 4.4

Storage

16GB

Rear Camera

5-megapixel

Battery capacity

4550mAh

Dell Venue 8 (2014) detailed specifications

General
	Release date	June 2014
	Battery capacity (mAh)	4550
	Removable battery	No
	Colours	Red, Black
	SAR value	NA
Display
	Screen size (inches)	8.00
	Resolution	1920x1200 pixels
	Colours	16M
Hardware
	Processor	2.1GHz  dual-core
	Processor make	Intel Atom (Z3480) Merrifield
	RAM	1GB
	Internal storage	16GB
	Expandable storage	Yes
	Expandable storage type	microSD
	Expandable storage up to (GB)	64
Camera
	Rear camera	5-megapixel
	Flash	No
	Front camera	2-megapixel
Software
	Operating System	Android 4.4
	Java support	Yes
	Browser supports Flash	Yes
Connectivity
	Wi-Fi	Yes
	Wi-Fi standards supported	802.11 ac
	GPS	No
	Bluetooth	Yes, v 4.00
	NFC	No
	Infrared	No
	DLNA	No
	Wi-Fi Direct	No
	MHL Out	No
	HDMI	No
	Headphones	3.5mm
	FM	No
	USB	Micro-USB
	Charging via Micro-USB	Yes
	Proprietary charging connector	No
	Proprietary data connector	No
	Number of SIMs	1
	3G	No
	Voice Calling	No
	Stylus	No
Sensors
	Compass/ Magnetometer	No
	Proximity sensor	Yes
	Accelerometer	Yes
	Ambient light sensor	No
	Gyroscope	No
	Barometer	No
	Temperature sensor	No

Samsung Launches Its First Tizen Smartphone, the Samsung Z

Samsung has finally launched its first Tizen smartphone, the Samsung Z. The new Tizen smartphone will be available initially in Russia starting Q3, and will be launched in other markets soon after.

The South Korean giant has revealed that it will be offering additional apps for Samsung Z users via the Tizen Store. The company in an attempt to lure more developers to its new Tizen ecosystem has announced a special promotional program for developers which will for one year.

Unfortunately, the company has not announced pricing details of the Samsung Z; though it can be expected to be announced in Q3. Samsung will be showcasing the new Tizen smartphone at the Tizen Developer Conference on June 3 in San Francisco.

Notably, the Samsung Z sports an angular design with lines, providing a differentiated look and feel from company's Android-based Galaxy range of smartphones. It will be available in two colours - Black and Gold. Much like the Samsung Galaxy S5, the Samsung Z also features the Heart rate sensor, Fingerprint sensor, and S Health 3.0 app.

The Samsung Z is a single SIM device which runs the Tizen 2.2.1 OS out-of-the-box. It comes with a 4.8-inch (720x1280 pixels) HD Super AMOLED display. It is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM.

It comes with 16GB of inbuilt storage, which is further expandable via microSD card (up to 64GB). The Samsung Z sports an 8-megapixel autofocus rear camera with LED flash and BSI sensor, while there is a secondary 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera.

On the connectivity front, the Samsung Z includes 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, Micro-USB, Bluetooth, GPS/ GLONASS, and NFC options. The smartphone packs a 2600mAh battery with an Ultra Power Saving Mode feature. The Samsung Z measures 138.2x69.8x8.5mm and weighs 136 grams.

Commenting on the launch of first Tizen smartphone, DJ Lee, President and Head of Global Sales and Marketing Office, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics said, "Samsung is committed to enhancing the mobile experience of consumers with innovation that is both personal and unique to their needs. The Samsung Z integrates the power and adaptability of the Tizen platform, enabling users to browse the web faster and utilize applications more effectively."

Xolo Q600s With Android 4.4.2 KitKat Launched at Rs. 8,499

After being made available online via an online retailer last week, the Xolo Q600s has now been launched at Rs. 8,499.

The new budget KitKat Q600s smartphone is available at a discounted price of Rs. 7,499 on e-commerce website, Snapdeal, as an introductory offer. The company has also confirmed that the Xolo Q600s will be hitting market shelves soon.

The Xolo Q600s is a dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) device and unlike its predecessors runs on the latestAndroid 4.4.2 KitKat out-of-the-box. It sports a 4.5-inch qHD (540 x960 pixels) capacitive touchscreen protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The Q600s is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor (unspecified chipset) alongside 1GB of RAM.

It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, while it also houses a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera. The smartphone includes 4GB of inbuilt storage which is further expandable up to 64GB via microSD card.

The smartphone is available in Black and White colour variants only. The smartphone measures 136.5x68.7.9mm and weighs 115 grams.

It packs a 2000mAh battery which is rated to deliver up to 11 hours of talk time and up to 400 hours of standby time. The smartphone comes with GPRS/ EDGE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS and Micro-USB connectivity options.

Last week, the Xolo Q600s was available online via online retailer alongside Xolo Q1200. It has been available with a price tag of Rs. 14,999.

Unlike Q600s, the Xolo Q1200 runs the dated Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It features a 5-inch qHD (540 x960 pixels) IPS capacitive touchscreen.

The Q1200 is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor (unspecified chipset). The Xolo Q1200 sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with Sony Exmor R sensor and LED flash, while it also houses a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

It comes with 8GB inbuilt storage which is further expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. The device also includes a 2000mAh Li-ion battery. The smartphone is seen in Black colour variant only.

Moto E, Moto G and Moto X Start Receiving Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update

Motorola, soon after Google released the Android 4.4.3 KitKat factory images for Nexus devices,onTuesday announced the same update for its Moto E, Moto G and Moto X.

In a blog post, Steve Horowitz, SVP, Software Engineering, Motorola said, "We are excited to announce some icing on top of the, well, KitKat. Starting today [Tuesday], we are rolling out Android 4.4.3, KitKat, which was just released by Google."

The company notes that the latest Android 4.4.3 KitKat update for Motorola handsets will start rolling out this week, with the first recipients listed by Motorola. Moto X T-Mobile users will receive the update first, while Moto G users in the US, who bought the smartphone online (also includes Moto G 4G LTE), and the Moto G users in Brazil, will receive the first updates for the handset.

For the Moto E, US users who bought the handset online will receive the update first. The company also notes that the Moto E will be receiving the next major Android update (as yet unspecified) as well, and added, "Consider this the cherry on top."

The company has announced that the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update for Moto E, Moto G and Moto X can be expected to be rolled-out globally in the coming weeks.

According to Motorola, the new Android 4.4.3 KitKat update for Moto E, Moto G and Moto X brings an improved dialler with updated interface; stability, framework and security fixes, as well as enhancements to the power profile capabilities.

Motorola has also listed the changelog for the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update for all three Moto smartphones. The Moto E will be receiving an updated phone dialler with a new graphical layout and colours to get better consistency and usability.

The Moto G, on the other hand, will be receiving a new pause video recording feature on the viewfinder; an updated phone dialler, much like the Moto E, and access to Motorola Alert, which is an app that sends periodic alerts with the user's location to selected contacts.

Lastly, the Moto X receives camera enhancements such as improved image quality with consistent exposure and flash colouring, as well as better photos in low light conditions using front camera.

(Also see: Moto X Review | Pictures)

The update for Moto X also brings ability to pause video recording with a pause/resume button on the viewfinder, much like the Moto G update. The Moto X also receives the updated phone dialler and can now download the Motorola Alert app.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition also started receiving Android 4.4.3 KitKat update. The new update for Galaxy S4 GPE brings usual fixes for bugs and improvements to security, and stability.