this week

Nvidia shows off Tegra 5 running Battlefield, bashes iPad for its “vintage 1999” graphics 

Nvidia has some huge plans for the future and it has just shown what mobile graphics will look like when the Tegra 5 (codenamed Logan) with their Kepler GPU arrives. In an extremely impressive demo Nvidia’s chief executive Jen-Hsun Huang showed Kepler powering a fully functional Battlefield game.Huang went back and forth between the upcoming Tegra 5 and the latest iPad’s A6X chip which right now has the best graphics in an ARM-based mobile device that we know of. The difference was staggering and enough for Huang to bash it for having “vintage 1999” graphics.The Kepler graphics support DirectX 11 and handled themselves very well with high-dynamic range lighting and active shadows in the Battlefield demo.“We want to get multiple years ahead of the competition,” Huang said. “It was worth the sacrifice.”
Let’s remember, though, that there is still a year until the Nvidia Tegra 5 arrives as even the first Tegra 4-based devices are not out yet. But if we get to play Battlefield and games alike, the patience would definitely be hugely rewarded.

TSMC kicks off 16nm FinFET manufacturing in 2013, to test EUV at 10nm in 2015

TSMC has confirmed its plans to aggressively pursue 16nm FinFET chip manufacturing by the end of 2013, and it also expects extreme UV lithography to allow it to make 10nm silicon in late 2015.

TSMC is the world’s largest semiconductor foundry, but is facing competition from Globalfoundries and Samsung. Led by 50-year silicon veteran Morris Chang, TSMC still expects growth in the teens this year while other fabless companies forecast 9% growth in 2013.

“It looks like we have another 7 to 8 years ahead in advances -- maybe more -- we can see in technology down to 10 and even 7nm,” said the TSMC CEO Chang.

“Moore’s Law is going to go on and we will be there -- if anyone pursues it, we will pursue it,” he told an audience of several hundred chip designers .

Nokia's PR2.0 update for Lumia models brings 'always-on' clock to the screen and more?

With a firmware update said to be coming for Nokia's Windows Phone 8 Lumia models, some of the features have leaked out. The update is expected to bring an optional 'always-on' clock for the screen. Another new feature is expected to be 'double tap to awake' which is probably one of the easiest ways to awaken a sleeping handset. You might recall that the Nokia N9 offered the same awakening technique.

A new firmware update is expected to bring an always-on clock to Nokia's WP8 Lumia phones

Some other features being mentioned include a new lens option called Smart Camera that offers similar features to Smart Shoot, but will include Nokia's version of Blink. Blink takes a quick burst of shots just before you completely depress the shutter, and just after you snap a picture, allowing you to find the perfect shot.

We have no idea when this firmware update is coming, but it apparently will be another way to differentiate Nokia from the other Windows Phone manufacturers.

Huawei EDGE future flagship leaks out surprising us with gorgeous looks and aluminum body

Chinese manufacturers have long stood for their capacity to blast away affordable devices that might perform well but come with sub-par quality and uninspiring design. That has been the cliche, and Huawei seems to have had enough of it.

The Huawei EDGE that has just leaked out is a gorgeous extremely slim aluminum Android flagship device with a curved back.

The Huawei EDGE will only measure 6.3mm thick and this will make it one of the slimmest (if not the slimmest) devices on the market.

The Edge packs some noteworthy specs: a 4.9-inch 1080 x 1920 pixel display, a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and a 13-megapixel camera. The handset will be sold in a 16GB and 32GB versions and will run on the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

In that slim device, Huawei has somehow managed to cram in a capable 2600mAh battery as well.

The Huawei Edge is expected to become the company’s flagship when it launches in the second half of the year. Here timing will be key (and the device is not yet official of course), but it definitely seems that more and more companies are finally starting to realize the importance of good design, and that can only be good news.

Microsoft said to be working on a 7-inch Surface tablet

We have reported in the past that Microsoft is allegedly working on a 7-inch gaming tablet under the Xbox brand. It seems, though, there will be another 7-inch tablet from Microsoft in the near future.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is working on a 7-inch version of the Surface tablet. There are no other details available about this product at this time, including which version of Windows it would be running and what would be the specifications, pricing and release date. WSJ does say, however, that the tablet will go into mass production later this year.
A 7-inch version of the Surface does make a lot of sense and to be honest should have been there from the start (the current Surface running Windows RT could have been a 7-inch tablet instead of 10-incher). The Surface has so far received a lukewarm response from customers but a cheaper, smaller Surface might change tha

1080p screen support coming to Windows Phone later this year

As the saying goes, better late than never! Anonymous sources have told The Verge that microsoft windows phone operating system will finally get support for 1080p screen resolutions. That is supposed to happen before 2013 is out with the launch of the third General Distribution Release update for the platform. 

Manufacturers of Windows Phone hardware are expected to release 5-inch 1080p smartphones once the new software is available, but higher (or maybe smaller) screen sizes offering that same resolution aren't out of the question. If all goes as planned, this next batch of Windows Phone 8 flagship devices should hit the shelves in time for the Holiday season.

The GDR3 update to Windows Phone 8 is also expected to add support for Qualcomm's new quad-core Snapdragon SoCs – the same ones that already power Android high-ends, such as the HTC One or one of the Samsung Galaxy S4 variants. As a side note, HTC originally planned to launch a 4.7-inch WP8 handset with a quad-core chip, codenamed Zenith, but eventually scrapped it due to the lack of display resolution support beyond 1280 by 768 pixels.

As for that rumored "Windows Blue" update, allegedly meant to bring all Windows OSes under one roof, that's supposed to come in early 2014, according to the same source. A specific launch date for it has not been set in stone at this time.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 with 5.8-inch qHD display, 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.2 announced

Samsung has also announced the Mega 5.8 along with the Galaxy Mega 6.3 in their new Galaxy Mega line. The Galaxy Mega 5.8 has a 5.8-inch qHD (960 x 540 pixels) TFT capacitive touch screen display, powered by a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). It has a 8MP auto-focus rear camera with LED Flash and a 1.9 MP front-facing camera. similar to the Galaxy Mega 6.3. It also has dual SIM support with dual Standby and dual SIM Always On feature.


Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 specifications

• 5.8-inch qHD (960 x 540 pixels) TFT capacitive touch screen display
• 1.4 GHz dual-core processor
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS
• 8MP auto-focus rear camera with LED Flash
• 1.9 MP front-facing camera
• Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with dual standby
• 9.0 mm thick and weighs 182 grams
• 1.5 GB RAM, 8 Internal Memory, expandable memory up to 64GB with micro SD
• 3G HSPA＋21Mbps, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS＋GLONASS
• 2600 mAh battery

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 would be available globally starting from Europe and Russia in May 2013. No word on pricing yet.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 with 6.3-inch HD display, 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.2 announced

• Samsung has finally announced the rumored Galaxy Mega line of smartphones. The Galaxy Mega 6.3 is the high-end device in this series that has a 6.3-inch HD ( 1280 x 720 pixels) TFT capacitive touch screen display, powered by a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). It has a 8MP auto-focus rear camera with LED Flash and a 1.9 MP front-facing camera. This phone lies between the 5.5-inch Galaxy Note 2 and the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 / Galaxy Tab 2 310. Huawei unveiled the Ascend Mate with a 6.1-inch HD display at CES 2013 earlier this year.
  
  Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 specifications
  
• 6.3-inch HD ( 1280 x 720 pixels)  TFT capacitive touch screen display
• 1.7 GHz dual-core processor
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS
• 8MP auto-focus rear camera with LED Flash
• 1.9 MP front-facing camera
• 7.9mm thick and weighs 199 grams
• 1.5 GB RAM, 8/16GB Internal Memory, expandable memory up to 64GB with micro SD
• 4G LTE 100/50Mbps, 3G  HSPA＋21Mbps, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS＋GLONASS, NFC, MHL
• 3200 mAh battery

The Galaxy Mega 6.3 would be available globally starting from Europe and Russia in May 2013. No word on pricing yet.

T-Mobile announces Nokia Lumia 521, coming in May

T-Mobile has just officially unveiled the Nokia Lumia 521 coming exclusively to the carrier in May and it is the most affordable way to get Windows Phone 8. The Lumia 521 is priced at only $180 off contract and still brings brings a 4-inch screen, Nokia’s free HERE Maps offline navigation and the free Nokia Music Mix Radio service.

The Lumia 521 is a slightly modified Lumia 520 rebranded with the T-Mobile logo. The device features a 1GHz dual-core processor and 512MB of RAM, a configuration that allows it to run most apps on the Windows Phone Marketplace (the cheap Lumia 610 in contrast could not run Skype).

The Nokia Lumia 521 comes with 8GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD cards, and it supports cellular data speeds of 21Mbps HSPA+.

The handset is coming in May at Walmart, T-Mobile and Microsoft retail stores.

Patent Details Nokia tablet Equipped With Kickstand and Keyboard; Beat Microsoft to it

• Nokia have been toying with tablet designs and concepts for a while now, everybody knows this; but nobody knows exactly what or when it’s coming. A recently unveiled patent application shows a Nokia tablet concept with a keyboard and a kickstand that “envelopes” the device (which matches the rumors we’ve heard before). The patent application was filed before Microsoft unveiled its surface tablet; which has its now iconic flip out kickstand (which seems to be  the only feature they’re capable of marketing).
  There are rumors on the interwebs that Nokia had a hand in designing the Surface with Microsoft, or at least some part in “inspiring it”; given strength by Microsoft’s choice of colors for the tablet’s clip on covers (Cyan, Magenta and black). Of course there is no proof of that, but certainly is intriguing.
  

  Oppo building world’s thinnest, 6.13mm phone: quad-core and coming on April 26

  Leaked image of the Oppo R809T

  Oppo is already proud to have once built the world’s thinnest smartphone, but leaks have shown it is preparing an even slimmer device. The Oppo R809T will measure only 6.13mm or 0.24 inches thin, and it is said to be a quad-core device coming in just two weeks, on April 26th.
  Oppo built the Find 3 that became the world’s thinnest at its time but was later outdone by devices from Alcatel and Vivo measuring around 6.5mm.
  The Oppo R809T in contrast is noticeably slimmer. It is also expected to run on the quad-core Mediatek MT6589 chip with 1GB RAM and have a 4.5-inch 720p display. That sounds like a good balance between performance and features, as a 1080p display would probably choke the MediaTek chip.
  Pricing will be slightly higher than most other Chinese smartphones though as Oppo plans to ask 2500 yuan or around $403 off contract. In comparison to other devices from manufacturers like Samsung and Apple that still looks fairly cheap, though.

  Analyst: 2 to 3 different screen sizes for the Apple iPhone 5S?

  
  If Topeka Capital Markets' Brian White is right, those looking to purchase the next version of the Apple iPhone 5S will be able to decide from 2 or 3 different sized displays. White recently met with a "tech-supply chain company," and perhaps something was said in that meeting to make the analyst believe that multiple screens will be available for the Apple iPhone 5S. White told his clients on Tuesday, that he believes that Apple has come to the conclusion that a "one size screen fits all" approach doesn't work any longer.
  
  

  Will we see a 4.8 inch Apple iPhone like the rumored iPhone Math?

  The analyst didn't say what the screen sizes will be for the Apple iPhone 5S. From the OG Apple iPhone through the Apple iPhone 4S, the display was 3.5 inches. The Motorola DROID brought its 3.7 inch glass to the market late in 2009 at about the same time that the  HTC HD2 took the screen for a smartphone over the 4 inch line with a 4.3 inch display. Last September, Apple increased the size of its screen to 4 inches with the Apple iPhone 5 although it still puts Apple well behind Android models that offer screens as large as 6.1 inches.
  
  White, like his fellow analysts, is looking for Apple to offer a low-priced version of the iPhone. But unlike some who are calling for a price south of $200 for such a model, White doesn't see Apple pricing the low-cost model under $300 for a device that would be sold unsubsidized in emerging markets like China.
  
  If Apple is going to fight back against Android, realizing that one size does not fit all is the first positive step that the Cupertino based firm can take.
  

  Panasonic launches LUMIX GF6 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera

  Panasonic has launched the new LUMIX GF6, a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The GF6 has a 16 megapixel sensor with a new Venus Engine that can shoot up to ISO 26,000 and can record videos at 1080i60.
  
  The GF6 has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC. The Wi-Fi can be used to transfer images and playback content on a DLNA compatible television. The NFC helps connect the camera over Wi-Fi to compatible devices with just a tap. There is also built-in GPS for geo-tagging your photos. On the back is a 1040k dot articulating touchscreen LCD.
  No price or release date has been announced so far.
  

  ASUS 7 inch MeMo Pad launches in the U.S. for $149.99

  
  Back in February, we passed along a video that showed off features of the ASUS 7 inch MeMo Pad. For example, ASUS Studio lets you use your finger to edit and tag your pictures. Buddy Buzz does what it sounds like, which is to track all of your social networks in one location. My Painter lets you become an artist on the fly, and if you need to write a note or are in the mood to doodle, SuperNote Lite lets you type, write or scribble anywhere, anytime. And with WebStorage Online Office, you can create, edit, view and share office files.
  
  

  The 16GB ASUS 7 inch MeMo Pad is just $149.99 in the U.S.

  The ASUS 7 inch MeMo Pad is another in a long list of 7 inch low priced Android tablets. At $149.99, the slab actually comes in $50 cheaper than the ASUS manufactured Google Nexus 7. But you really can't compare the two slates to each other because the Google Nexus 7 uses a quad-core 1.2GHz processor versus the single-core 1GHz processor on the cheaper MeMo Pad. The Google Nexus 7 also has a higher resolution screen.
  
  The ASUS 7 inch MeMo tablet is filled with 16GB of native storage and can be purchased in the U.S. at places like GameStop, and Amazon. An 8GB variant of the tablet at an even lower price is not available in the U.S. and at this point, there is no sign that it will ever touch down in the states. Android 4.1 is installed on the device, right out of the box.