Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2013 – Day II

The first day of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2013 was really filled with emotions, twists and formal presentations. So why don’t we take a look at what was on offer during day two…

Acer see life in Android with the DA220HQL

The Taiwanese manufacturer reacts to the announcement last week of the price of Chromebook Pixel with this all-In-One PC, of a particular kind. In fact we do not know exactly in which category we can classify it, since it doesn’t use Windows, but Android 4.0. Perhaps it is an AC (Android Computer) ! :) Acer clearly thinks that Android can make is as a desktop OS.

This computer has an Acer made Dual Core SoC  clocked at 1GHz, and just 1GB of RAM. The internal storage is 8GB, expandable via the MicroSD slot. The 21.5 inch full HD touch-screen features multi-touch (2 points). Also note that the screen has a superb contrast of 100000000:1, and a response time of 12ms. This computer  may nevertheless be used as a traditional one, when connected to a keyboard and mouse.

The audio system is provided by a 2.1 system constituted by two speakers of 1W each. The connectivity is complete with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth EDR, USB 2.0 (x3), Ethernet port and a Micro-HDMI input all present and correct. The device also features a webcam of 1.2 mega-pixels. But no optical drive is on the agenda. This device will be available for just $459 in March.

Samsung Galaxy Express

The Galaxy Express features a Dual Core CPU clocked at 1.2 GHz, has 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory; expandable via the MicroSD slot. The Super AMOLED Plus WVGA touch screen measures 4.5 inches and has a resolution of 800×480 pixels. Being Samsung the device obviously runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with the Touchwiz overlay.

This mid-range smartphone supports 800/900/1800/2600 LTE, ships 2.4 and 5 GHz WiFi, MHL, NFC, A-GPS, GLONASS and Bluetooth 4.0. Two cameras, a rear-facing of 5 mega-pixels and front-facing of 1.3 mega-pixels. An LED flash is also put at your disposal. The dimensions are: 132.2 x 69.1 x 9.3 mm and the device weighs 139 grams. Finally, the battery is a Lithium-Ion 2000 mAh. Availability is planned for April for $589.

Samsung Galaxy X Cover 2

First of all, we note that this smartphone has an IP67 certification, which means that it is dust and water resistant (immersion to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes). It also supports extreme temperatures between -20 ° and 60 ° C. The device is powered by a Dual Core CPU clocked at 1GHz, coupled with 1GB of RAM. The internal memory is 4GB expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD slot. The WVGA LCD touchscreen has 4 inches with a resolution of 800 x 400 pixels, and a pixel density of 233 ppi.

For the rest, the battery is a Lithium-ion battery of 1700 mAh, providing up to 570 up-time (In theory). GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, two cameras, a rear-facing of 5 mega-pixels , a front-facing of 1.3 mega-pixels and a LED flash are all bundled in. Its dimensions are 130.5 x 67.7 x 12 mm and it weighs 150 grams. The Galaxy X Cover 2 has protective covers for each of its ports, such as the Micro-USB. A reverse lock mechanism on the back cover also protects against unwanted access to the device.

It runs Android 4.1.2 with Touchwiz. It will be available at some point this year, but no information has filtered relative to the price. Samsung finally says it is equipped with Cardio Trainer Pro an application for sports training. Great for all you gym buffs out there!

HTC expands its range with the “One”

We are already familiar with copper bullets of the  Taiwanese manufacturer, but this time, it is a AGM (Air-Ground Missile) he presented itself. A Quad Core CPU, the Snapdragon S600 clocked at 1.7GHz, supported by 2GB of RAM (DDR2). The FullHD Super LCD IPS Corning gorilla glass 2 and Multi Touch 4.7 inch screen, a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a pixel density of 468ppi. Pretty impressive!

This device is powerful enough to give any Apple or Samsung engineer nighmares. Two cameras, a rear-facing “Ultra-Pixel” of 4 mega-pixels, no race for pixels here, but a new process developed by HTC, which captures 3 times more light than normal  Smartphone sensors is bundled so pixel density isn’t as important according to HTC. A front-facing of 2.1 mega-pixels which is Full HD, and a LED flash of Five levels set by distance to subject is also present.

The battery is a 2300mAh Lithium-ion battery. The connectivity is more than complete with Bluetooth 4.0, NFC capable, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n, 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, DLNA, consumer infra-red remote control (for controlling your TV), MHL port (which allows connection to a computer or a TV), Micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port with mobile high-definition video link … LTE, GPS antenna, GLONASS, Compass, Gyro sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, and Ambient light sensor…and the kitchen sink! Ok, that last one was a lie.

Two variants of storage, 32 GB and 64, but no MicroSD slot. Two speakers in the front and one at the rear. All three of which the overall sound quality is enhanced by the BoomSound technology developed by the HTC. Dimensions are 137.4 × 68.2 × 9.3mm, for no more than 143g. Finally, it runs Android 4.1.2 with the highly accurate and improved overlay “Sense“.

HTC also announced the presence of Zoe, an application that automatically retrieves the highlights of your life using your photo gallery and short video clips recorded with the smartphone to create original short films. The One will be available in March and will cost you a hefty $850.

LG Optimus L7 2 Dual

Cortex-A5 Dual Core CPU clocked at 1GHz supported by 768 MB of RAM. Multi-touch IPS LCD and  True Color capacitive touch screen of 4.3 inches with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, and a pixel density of 217 ppi. It’s no powerhouse, but it is a beautiful device.

4GB of internal memory, expandable up to 32 GB via the microSD slot. Two cameras, a rear-facing of 8-mega-pixel, a front-facing of  2 mega-pixel, with a LED Flash. Its dimensions, 121.5 x 66.6 x 9.7 mm. For connectivity, accelerometer, proximity, compass, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and DLNA. For the rest, it features Android OS, 4.1.2, FM radio, 2460 mAh lithium-ion battery, and Dual-Sim compatible. The price, the date and the place of first release are not yet available.

Yotaphone, half smartphone, half reader

As its name suggests, this device is bound to two functions. It has an Android mid-range smartphone on the side face and an Ebook-Reader on the tails face. Running Android 4.1.2, it is equipped with a Dual Core CPU clocked at 1.5 GHz. The YotaPhone features an LCD HD 4.3 inches screen. Its originality lies in its rear hull, where is found below the 13 mega-pixel camera a second 4.3 inches screen.

The second screen, e-ink type  displays all kinds of documents (text, images, flow of information, sms, social networks, etc.) from the Android platform of the side face. Files transferring between the two platforms is made by a simple swipe of a finger. Note that the e-ink screens do not consume much energy. Yota Devices, which is at the origin of this concept, heralds from Russia in the second half of the year, but also YotaPhone will be proposed in Europe and America sometimes later. No information has filtered about the probable price but this is a unique device that could be a trend setter. What do you think?

SpareOne 10 hours of calls time

Presented at the MWC as the new vision of mobile telephony, this mobile phone, if we can call it so, has no screen. It is actually more for emergency situations rather than everyday use.  With a minimalist design, it features therefore no screen, and only requires a single AA battery to run! It is also waterproof and offers an amazing range of 10 hours talk time. It weighs only 75 grams and can resist extreme temperatures from -30 ° C to 60 ° C.