Nova Launcher Released on Android

The advent of the fourth version of the Android, the Ice Cream Sandwich, was quite surprising and exciting. As soon as the ICS was launched, a new app in the Android market rose to great popularity. Known as the Nova launcher, this launcher app can replace the default homescreen of the ICS with a superb, fully customizable homescreen, which is performance driven.

However, the first of the ICS users were only lucky enough to try out the Beta versions of the Nova Launcher. Reportedly, 15 Beta versions of Nova Launcher appeared and all of them were well received. But now, it has been reported that the Nova launcher has finally released the fully developed version 1.0 of the app. There are free and paid versions of the Nova launcher app.

Features of the free version include:

• Custom grid
• Backup/Restore
• Infinite Scroll
• Scrollable dock
• Folder icons
• Scroll effects
• Custom icons

The free version isn’t disappointing as it comes with all the standard features which made Nova launcher famous and more demanded, in the first place, as well as new additions post the full development. The paid version of the app is called the Nova Launcher Prime.

The Nova Launcher Prime comes with a few more additional features than the free version counterpart of the app.

Added features include:

• Dock Swipes
• Gestures
• Additional scroll effects
• Hide apps

The only disappointment is that only the Android ICS users are lucky enough to get the opportunity to try out the Nova launcher in their handsets. The customizable folder backgrounds, finely tuned gestures, icons of folders, and scroll effects combined, gives the ICS handset a look that would impress anyone who uses the phone, and there is low chance that the users will get less fond of this look after sometime. The app basically makes your homescreen marvelous and awesome. The Nova Launcher Prime costs $4 dollars in the Android market. 

NEC to launch 3 LTE models in MWC 2012

The Mobile World Congress will kick off this month in Barcelona and will reportedly showcase a number of mind numbing handsets, mostly much anticipated handsets from big time manufacturers. Each year, without us knowing it, new mobile manufacturing companies are established. Many other firms expand their business crossing boundaries. Many such companies aren’t quite popular except for the countries in which they do business.

NEC is one such company, which you are less likely to be familiar with. NEC is based in Japan and is quite popular there for their good quality tablets and mobile phone devices, which but are sold only in Japan. This time, NEC is planning to expand their business and make their products available in other countries other than Japan. What more does a company need for a start in expanding their business than a widely popular International level event like the Mobile World Congress?

The Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, this month will feature at least three awesome handsets from NEC. According to many reports that came in about NEC’s expansion, it’s now known that three handsets from NEC will be displayed and demonstrated at the MWC. These handsets come integrated with LTE technology. You will also be able to guess the operating system……Android, of course.

Except for a few facts, information on the three NEC handsets is still insufficient to meet the demand. Another fact is that these handsets will be new additions to the MEDIAS lineup. From the images, one of the NEC LTE Android devices resembles the Sony Tablet P, and is said to feature the Best Cloud Service ever. One of the remaining two boasts a large screen while the third handset is said to be the most stylish of them all. The devices are confirmed to be running in Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Let’s just hope NEC will surprise with the handsets at the MWC. 

LG Optimus 3D Cube Unveiled

LG started a new series of powerful smartphones – the LG Optimus series in direct competition to the successful Galaxy series from Samsung. Although, the Optimus series handsets haven’t managed to dominate the Galaxy series till now, they have become widely successful.

The most unique handset in the LG Optimus line up of handsets is the LG Optimus 3D. The glasses-free LG Optimus 3D runs in Google Android operating system. Most mobile manufacturers showcase their due-to-be-launched handsets in the Mobile World Congress, one of the most anticipated events in a year, after the Consumer Electronics Event. Reportedly LG was about to officially announce a few major handsets at the MWC. However, LG and a
 few other companies have done the launch prior to MWC itself.

LG apparently spoilt the fun but surprised its followers by unveiling the much-hyped successor of the LG Optimus 3D, before the MWC. The successor is christened as the LG Optimus 3D Cube. The 3D Cube is more powerful than the Optimus 3D, has a slightly more efficient battery than the predecessor and has a thinner, sleeker design.

Key features and specs of Optimus 3D Cube:

• 3D LCD Capacitive Touchscreen 4.3 inch display with 480 x 800 pixels
• 1.2 GHz Dual core processor with 1 GB RAM
• Android v2.3 Gingerbread operating system
• 1080p full HD and 720p HD video recording @30 fps
• 5 MP primary camera with LED Flash and Autofocus
• Memory extensibility to up to 32 GB; 16 GB equipped
• Secondary camera for video conferencing
• 3D/2D image and video editor
• Li ion 1520 mAh battery
• GPS with built-in A GPS
• Built in NFC

The LG Optimus 3D Cube packs “dual-core” power and the users will be able to capture stills and motion in 3D as well as edit them directly on the phone. LG Optimus 3D Cube will be launched in South Korea first, next month and the price is expected to be close to $650. 

LG Optimus Vu Officially Launched

We already came to know of a few ideas which are part of LG’s plan for this year. LG has a few tricks up its sleeve to gain an upper hand in the competition. Most of the product LG plans to release this year, had been on display at the Consumer Electronics Event this year. Gadget buffs await one other event every year in addition to CES, called the Mobile World Congress. LG was expected to make a few launches at the MWC which is due to be held before mid 2012.

LG doesn't want to wait that long apparently, as they already launched a seemingly powerful rival for Samsung Galaxy Note. Christened as the LG Optimus Vu, the handset’s most important feature is the aspect ratio of its huge display.

Features of LG Optimus Vu:

• Slim 8.5 mm frame
• 5 inch Stylus friendly LCD display screen with 1024 x 768 pixels resolution
• 1.5 GHz Snapdragon Dual core processor
• 8 Megapixel Camera
• 1.3 Megapixel secondary camera
• LTE technology integrated
• 32 GB built-in storage capacity
• Android v2.3 Gingerbread Operating system
• 2080 mAh efficient Li ion battery

The powerful Ultra sized Optimus Vu is sure to give Samsung Galaxy Note, a run for its money. Reportedly LG intends to launch the Optimus Vu in Korea first but hasn’t made any announcements as to when the phone would be available in other countries. However LG did confirm that there will be an Android Operating system upgrade for Optimus Vu after 3 months of its launch date, which would update the current Gingerbread version to v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The storage memory of the Optimus Vu handset hasn’t been confirmed to be extensible by LG officially. But the handset comes with 32 GB memory for storage. LG’s Rubberdiem pen stylus will accompany the handset. For words on the pricing of Optimus Vu, we have to wait till March.  

Motorola Motoluxe Launched in UK

Motorola only has a few smartphones compared to other competing companies, yet they have a big following. Motoluxe is the new member of Motorola’s mid-range smartphone family. Considering what most smartphones from different manufacturers, have in common, it doesn’t take much grey matter to guess that Motorola Motoluxe runs in Google’s Android v2.3 Gingerbread operating system.

Motorola Motoluxe is definitely a good looking handset with great style. It’s the big 4 inch touchscreen which adds to the sleekness of Motoluxe. The handset looks elegant with a brilliant design and superb build quality. You will feel the quality with just one touch to the smooth, rubberized finish of the handset. The handset features a notification beacon which turns blue when paired with a Bluetooth device, red when the phone is out of service and green indicating that a mail or a message has been received.

Features of Motoluxe:

• 9.8mm thick with 117.7 x 60.5mm dimensions
• 4 inch capacitive touchscreen
• Android v2.3 Gingerbread OS
• 800 MHz CPU with 300 MB built in memory
• Expandability to upto 32 GB
• Notification beacon in Lanyard slot
• 3G and Bluetooth connectivity
• 802.11 b/g/n WiFi connectivity
• GPS module
• DLNA
• 8 Megapixel rear camera with LED flash
• Social Graph and Motoswitch functions from Motorola
• 1400 mAh Li ion battery

The Motorola Social Graph keeps track of the people that you send text messages to and call the most and displays them in a cool way in the screen so that you don’t have to go to Contacts to call or text them. The Motoswitch function is similar but keeps track of the most used apps instead of most contacted people. The 1400 mAh Li battery offers 4.5 hours battery life in 3G networks, and for 2G, it’s 6.5 hours. The Motorola Motoluxe is powered by a 800 MHz processor with an internal memory of 300 MB, and the handset didn’t show any signs of lagging while navigation and running apps, reportedly. Motorola Motoluxe will be out for sale by the end of this month.