LG G3 release date tipped for as early as May

Does it make sense for LG to launch the sequel to the LG G2 less than a full year after the flagship was announced? Probably not, but crazier things have happened in the mobile industry. Buzz out of Korea says LG could be targeting a May release (or at least announcement) for the LG G3, the name likely to be associated with the G2 successor.

Specifically, a date of May 17th is on the docket. Should we mark our calendars? History says not to hedge bets on rumored smartphone release dates so far in advance. Too much could happen between now and then to cause a shift in expected plans. That is, of course, assuming the report holds some shred of truth.

We agree it seems strange to launch a followup to the G2 in such close proximity to the the initial model’s release, but LG has the incentive to get a jump on the Samsung Galaxy S5. The Galaxy S5 looks to be the phone that the G3 will target as a direct competitor, and Samsung’s major smartphone announcement has typically occurred during the late spring/early summer (and looks to follow that pattern again this year).  If LG simply teases the phone or offers a full announcement while delaying actual commercial availability an additional month or two, it might be enough to steal some of Samsung’s thunder.

The report also reiterates specs that have previously been associated with the LG G3, including a 5.5-inch QHD display (2560 x 1440), LG Odin octa-core CPU, and 16MP camera. While these specs, like the release date, remain unconfirmed, they seem within the ballpark of reality. Still, take the whole thing with a but of skepticism.

Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock Speaker Android Dock

Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock Speaker Android Dock tell you when it’s time to rise and shine
to sleep is not always as easy as laying down and shutting your eyes. For many, there is a bit of science to it. There needs to be little or no light, music or silence, and your phone either needs to be set to vibrate or have the volume turned down so you’re not woken up by every text. There is a nighttime mode that will screen calls for you, but there are docking systems out there that will cater to your specific needs a little bit better.

The Hale Dreamer Alarm Clock Android Dock is a multi-function alarm clock that will give you the ability to do much more than just charge your phone. It has SmartSilence, which will silence your phone unless there’s an emergency, and it can act as a sound machine that has a optional shut-off timer with fade-out. In addition to giving you actual buttons to press, it plugs into your audio jack and micro USB to charge up your phone and play music through its 10w, full-range speakers.

There is a snooze button, as well as brightness and volume knobs. From this alarm clock, you’ll be able to set everything just the way you like it. You can choose how often you repeat your alarm, wake up to custom tones, the snooze length, and the numeral style. This will cost you around $80, which isn’t too bad for a docking system. The only thing it lacks is the light coming on gradually with your alarm. [Via]

Lenovo Vibe Z LTE Smartphone Launched

There is always a first time for everything, and when it comes to the folks over at Lenovo, the Lenovo Vibe Z will be the first LTE smartphone from the company which is more famous for their range of notebooks and desktops than anything else. Sure, they have had some smartphones in the past that ran on Intel’s architecture, but those did not really manage to catch on with the crowd. This time around, the Lenovo Vibe Z would join in the ranks of the high end smartphone segment, so it will be interesting to see just what kind of reception it will get when it hits the market later this February. On to the details, then!

First of all, it is best to describe the Lenovo Vibe Z as a gorgeous razor-thin, blazing-fast device that comes with gesture controls, photo enhancement software and various premium technologies. Being the first smartphone from Lenovo that features LTE capabilities, the Vibe Z will be able to deliver data upload at up to 50 Mbit/s and downloads at up to 150 Mbit/s, on paper at least. Playing nice with GSM/UMTS networks up to 2100, other connectivity options will also include 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

As for the exterior, expect the svelte Vibe Z to arrive in a thin 7.9mm silver or titanium body, where it tips the scales at just 147 grams. The laser-etched, fabric-feel rear cover is a beauty to behold, being comfortable in your hands, while it has a 5.5” Full HD (1920×1080 resolution) IPS wide angle display that boasts of a pixel density of 400 pixels per inch. Underneath the beautiful exterior, you will find a quad-core 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor that is able to deliver extreme performance, 2GB RAM, up to 16GB of internal memory, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean as the operating system of choice, a 13-megapixel shooter at the back and a 5-megapixel camera in front for those video calls and great looking selfies. [Via]

3D Printed Abacus iPhone 5s Case

We aren’t sure whether you know how to use the ancient calculating device, but if you just need a unique way to protect your iPhone 5/5s, the 3D printed iPhone 5s case may be suitable for you. This is an interesting form-fitting protective case that measures approx 2.4 x 5.0 x 0.5 inches, and designed for iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s.

As we can see from the images, the iPhone 5 case is shaped as an abacus along with Apple logo-like beads, and all the tiny beads can be moved smoothly and freely so you can use the protective case as a real abacus. Moreover, the iPhone 5s case is made of white nylon plastic polished to reveal a smooth matte finish in order to protect your iPhone 5/5s from bumps and scratches and provide a comfortable grip. Apart from that, all iPhone buttons and ports are accessible via custom openings.

The 3D printed abacus iPhone 5s case is priced at $24 USD. If you’re interested, jump to Shapeways official site for more details. Additionally, if you need other options you might like to check O!Coat FaaGaa iPhone 5s case and more via “iPhone 5 case” tag. [Via]

Google Nexus 5 Android Phone Now Available

Google Nexus 5 has been available at Google Play, including two memory models and two colors. If you’re curious, let’s go on checking the official Android phone. Google Nexus 5 is a high performance Android smartphone that measures 69.17 x 137.84 x 8.59mm and weights 130g.

The smartphone runs Google’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat mobile operating system, and as we can see from the images, Nexus 5 also features sleek ultra-slim design, and comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.26GHz quad-core processor with Adreno 330 450MHz GPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB/32GB internal storage, 4.95-inch full HD IPS display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, and 8-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization. Moreover, Nexus 5 also has Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, dual-band WiFi, GPS, built-in wireless charging as well 2300mAh rechargeable battery that offers 17 hours of talk time.

Google Nexus 5 Android smartphone comes in two colors and two memory version, and starting at $349 USD. If you’re interested, jump to Google official site for more details.