Samsung's two-faced SCH-W999 Android plays the dual core, dual SIM game

Remember Samsung's second-gen dual-screen Android clamshell we spotted about a month ago? Well, here it is at last: announced in partnership with China Telecom, this SCH-W999 flip phone packs two 3.5-inch 480 x 800 Super AMOLED panels back to back, along with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8660, Android 2.3 with TouchWiz, HyperSkin back cover (as featured on the Galaxy Nexus for grip plus anti-smear), five megapixel camera, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi and WAPI (China's not-so-successful take on WiFi, basically).

Like many phones on China Telecom, the W999 comes with dual SIM slots and dual-mode connectivity (GSM and CDMA2000, with the latter offering EV-DO 3G), but with the additional support for penta-band radio for globetrotters. Want to nab one? We're looking at a 2012 launch, though there's no word on prices just yet -- well, just so you know, the predecessor W899 starts from ¥8990 ($1,410), so good luck with your garage sale. We got you some pictures from the China launch event after the break, courtesy of Samsung Mobile.

Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/03/samsungs-two-faced-sch-w999-android-plays-the-dual-core-dual-s/

Galaxy Nexus OTA update quietly rolls out, addresses volume bug

Google, as promised, has begun rolling out an OTA update for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, in response to a curious volume bug affecting many European users. According to Android Central, "several" Nexus users have reported receiving the update, bundled in a package that weighs a little less than 1MB. Early reports indicate that the refresh only addresses the volume issue, though it appears to be rolling out on a piecemeal basis. If you've already updated, let us know how it's treating you in the comments, below.

Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/galaxy-nexus-ota-update-quietly-rolls-out-addresses-volume-bug/

Meizu to launch first store outside mainland China, opening in Hong Kong this month

That's right, despite its short-lived battle with Apple last year, Meizu has finally decided it is time to make it out of China. Well, out of mainland China at least, as the company has chosen Hong Kong as its launch pad for entering the international market. In fact, back when we visited Meizu in Zhuhai late last year, its marketing director had already expressed interest in opening a flagship store in said city -- more so as a status symbol, if not for profit -- so we weren't really surprised by this news, but we're definitely happy for his gang.

Later this month, visitors of Mongkok will notice a brand new Meizu store pop up somewhere along Sai Yeung Choi Street (yes, that gadget street), where the upcoming dual-core, 4-inch 960 x 640 MXAndroid phone will also be sold starting in early January -- just a tad later than its mainland counterpart. What's more, the Hong Kong version will come with extra features such as Facebook, Google Mobile Services and various Android Market apps that are absent on the original MX. Prices and absolute date to be confirmed later this month, but either way, we have a feeling that we'll be seeing some long linesagain around China, if not Hong Kong.
Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/meizu-to-launch-first-store-outside-mainland-china-opening-in-h/

Box.net befriends Android, will offer Sony Ericsson Xperia phones 50GB of free cloud storage

How much cloud storage space do you need? 2GB? 5GB? Pah! Box.net scoffs at your puny storage needs, and plan to offer a substantial 50GB of free storage (again) for anyone packing a Sony Ericsson Android phone. While the plans have leaked ahead of schedule, the fine details haven't been hammered out just yet; the official blog tells us that the company's "working to provide this offer very soon to all Xperia customers." When the offer does go live, logging in to (or creating) a Box.net account on anyXperia handset will open the floodgates to 50 gigs of intangible internet storage fo' life. If this keeps up, it shouldn't be long till we're looking at gratis terabytes and are freed of our not-exactly-crippling USB stick addiction, right?
Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/30/box-net-befriends-android-will-offer-sony-ericsson-xperia-phone/

RIM unveils BlackBerry Mobile Fusion for enterprise, extends reach to Android, iOS

In an apparent attempt to solidify its standing in the corporate world, RIM has unveiled a new platform that allows IT specialists to more tightly manage company devices -- even those from rival manufacturers like Apple and Android. With the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion software, announced this morning, companies will be able to set up rules governing employee passwords apps and other software across a variety of smartphones and tablets, including the iPhone, iPad and Android handsets. The system also allows managers to remotely wipe and lock any devices that go missing or stolen, potentially bringing enhanced security to a workplace that's become increasingly fragmented. "Our customers have been saying, 'We're moving to these different adoption models, and we'd like you on board with that,'" said Alan Panezic, vice president for enterprise product management, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Slated to launch during the first quarter of next year, Mobile Fusion represents RIM's first foray into the multi-platform management market, and may expand even further to encompassWindows Phone devices, as well. Compatible with BlackBerry OS and BBX, Mobile Fusion will also allow users to remotely manage PlayBooks from BlackBerry handsets, though that won't happen until February, when the tablet finally receives a software update. No word yet on pricing, but Panezic says it will be "competitive" with the market.

Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/rim-announces-blackberry-mobile-fusion-software-for-multi-platfo/

Lenovo launches LePad S2005, a 5-inch Gingerbread tabletphone for China

You may recall that last week we had a cheeky peek at Lenovo's upcoming tabletphone, and now our brethren at Engadget Chinese are actually touching one in Beijing! Dubbed the LePad S2005 in China (and to be branded under the IdeaTab series elsewhere), this Android 2.3.5 slate packs a 5-inch 800 x 480 LTPS display with 178-degree viewing angle (but same resolution as the Dell Streak 5's LCD, sadly), a Qualcomm dual-core 1.2GHz chip, 1GB RAM, a five megapixel 1080p imager on the back, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and a 1,680mAh battery. In terms of connectivity and expansion we have a micro-USB port, micro-HDMI port and HSPA+ radio (so it's ready for China Unicom's network). All of this is packaged in a 9.95mm-thick body, weighing a total of 198g. Just as thick as the Streak 5 but lighter, even with the slightly larger battery capacity.
There aren't any prices just yet, but given that this device is entering the Chinese market in two days' time, it won't be a long wait for those obsessed with tabletphones (and speaking of which, it's rather odd that Lenovo's marketing this as a tablet rather than a phone). Stay tuned for our hands-on photos.

Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/lenovo-launches-ideatab-s2005-aka-lepad-s2005-a-5-inch-ginger/

Leaked Verizon document hints at white Droid RAZR, leaves speculation to us

Is there a white Droid RAZR looming on the horizon? According to the above screenshot, there is. Obtained by the folks over at Droid Life, this image purports to give a glimpse into Verizon's device management system, which apparently boasts a previously unmentioned white version of Motorola's ultra-thin handset. If it's legit, the RAZR would join the likes of the Droid 2 Global and R2D2 alongside the manufacturer's predominantly white offerings, though Motorola has yet to confirm its existence. Details, then, are still scarce, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear more about any alabaster arrivals.

Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/28/leaked-verizon-document-hints-at-white-droid-razr-leaves-specul/

Unlocked Nokia Lumia 800 now available on Expansys, plays nice with AT&T

You could sit there and twiddle your thumbs while you wait for the Lumia 800 to arrive on US shores. Or you could just head over to Expansys, where you can grab an unlocked version of Nokia's new handset, for $789. The Mango-soaked device comes packed with 16GB of internal storage and is primed for use on AT&T, so if you're prepared to shell out the dough, check out the source link below. 

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/unlocked-nokia-lumia-800-now-available-on-expansys-plays-nice-w/