The World's First Phone With More Pixels Than an iPad

A full HD smartphone isn't cool. You know what's cool? A Quad HD smartphone — one with 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, like the one China's Vivo just announced.

The Vivo Xplay 3S will be the world's first smartphone with a 2K HD screen, with more pixels than a full-size iPad. The company didn't specify exactly how big the display would be, but Engadget suspects Vivo is using a 5.5-inch Quad HD panel made by LG. That would translate to 538 pixels per inch (ppi).

Driving all those pixels will be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, a system-on-a-chip that includes radios for China's main LTE networks. Other specs, as well as the price and launch date, remain unknown.

LG Vu III specs leak, Snapdragon 800 and 5.2-inch

New version expected to borrow specs from the G2, keep the same odd form factor.

LG is purportedly planning a new edition of its oddly-shaped Optimus Vu lineup with a larger display and more powerful internals for later this year. Just as we've seen with the LG G2, the Vu III will drop the "Optimus" branding and pick up some very high-end specs. According to the Korean Daily, the LG Vu III will have a 5.2-inch 960x1280 display keeping the same 4:3 aspect ratio that its predecessors are known for.

On the inside, the Vu III wil have the same Snapdragon 800 chipset as the G2, along with a 13MP camera and support for LTE-Advanced networking. Reports peg the release for IFA 2013, which could make things interesting if it shows up right alongside Samsung's expected launch of the Galaxy Note 3.

Official YouTube app for Windows Phone 7 and 8 is back and now available

Official YouTube app for Windows Phone 7 and 8 is back and now available

Earlier this year, Microsoft surprise its users by releasing its own YouTube app, complete with login and advanced management features of the popular streaming service. At the time, it was thought that Microsoft had come to an agreement with Google over the app, but as it turns out that was not the case. After some back and forth between the companies, Microsoft had agreed to pull the app as they work on a new, compliant version with Google.

Today, version 3.2.0.0 of YouTube is now live on the Store for Windows Phone 7.x and Windows Phone 8 devices.

The new app looks a lot like the app that was pulled and even includes an upload feature for posting videos directly to the service. That should reassure customers who believe the app would be stripped of functionality (one feature that seems to be missing is downloading of videos).

According to the app description, the features include:

• Pin any video, playlist, channel, and search queries to Live Tiles
• Manage your YouTube profile with your unique My YouTube page
• Manage your playlists, uploads, and video lists
• Find channels, videos, and playlists with the quick access search bar
• Share videos to your social networks, e-mail, and text messages
• Let your kids watch safe videos in Kid’s Corner and keep their own profile

The app is now available for older devices too, which is a great win for legacy users who have felt left out lately from Microsoft’s releases.

Windows 8.1 Will Launch In October

 Windows 8.1 Will Launch In October

The latest version of Microsoft Windows, Windows 8.1, will not be available to the public until October, according to reports.

A preview of the first major update to operating system has been available since June, and Microsoft is said to be now testing near-final versions of new OS.

Windows 8.1 includes a number of concessions for desktop users, as well as new features for the modern interface. Users will be able to boot straight to the desktop, disable modern-style “hot corners” and access key desktop functions by right-clicking on the newly-restored Start button. The modern interface includes major improvements to built-in apps, the ability to use three apps side-by-side, overhauled Bing search and more. The net effect is that it’s easier to stay on the desktop if you want, but not unthinkable to switch to the modern UI.

We already know that the upgraded operating system Windows 8.1 will run Internet Explorer 11, the new version of the web browser which Microsoft have claimed is “fast, fluid and perfect for touch,” providing “the best web experience across the full range of Windows devices and screen sizes”.

Windows 8.1 will also allow users to circumvent the ‘Live tile’ interface built for touch screens and go directly to the desktop mode. And there will be direct support for 3D printers – signalling a hope that the new technology will become mainstream in the near future.

A number of tutorials and explanatory menus will be added to the operating system, Microsoft said, to help users adjust to the updates.

Nokia running Lumia Windows Phone Buy Back program in India

Nokia running Lumia Windows Phone Buy Back program in India

Nokia is running the Lumia Buy Back program at supporting retailers across India. The manufacturer will provided a minimum of Rs. 4,000  on the purchase of a new Nokia Lumia 520, or Rs.6,000 for the Nokia Lumia 620 smartphone. This offer is available at 1500 retail stores across the country, enabling new options for consumers to trade in older hardware and upgrade to Windows Phone 8.

The Lumia 520 is Nokia's most affordable Windows Phone, while the Lumia 620 is at the rear of the mid-range group of Windows Phones. Here's a list of eligible devices: