It arrived with a bang, but it's been dead silence ever since. Lenovo's Intel Clover+ smartphone, the Android-based K900, is finally ready to make its grand entrance into the consumer realm. The 5.5-inch powerhouse will ship with a dual-core Atom Z2580 CPU (2.0GHz) within, a PowerVR SGX 544MP2 GPU, a 1080p IPS panel slipped behind a coating of Gorilla Glass 2 and a 13 megapixel camera. Despite the sizable display, it weighs just 162 grams and measures 6.9 millimeters thick, and should be available across greater China right now for RMB 3,299 (around $536) -- or RMB 2,999 if you're lucky. For those outside of Lenovo's homeland, you'll need to wait until summer for it to hit an unspecified amount of "international markets."

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Lenovo

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Source: Lenovo, JD.com

China Telecom looks to be getting a supercharged flavor of the small-ish but powerful Xiaomi Phone 2, if an inadvertent listing for a Xiaomi M2s proves accurate. MyDrivers.com grabbed some screenshots before it was pulled, revealing the same 4.3-inch, 720p resolution screen and other specs but with a 1.7GHz quad-core APQ8064 CPU -- likely a Snapdragon 600, a nice jump from the already powerful S4 Pro in other Xiaomi Phone 2 variants. The carrier may have jumped the gun ahead of an April 9th Xiaomi event, but the $370 or so phone looks to be good news for users there who don't want downmarket specs with a downsized screen -- as seems to be the trend lately.

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Via: Gizchina.com

Source: MyDrivers.com

In an effort to speed up an already contested $20.1 billion merger, Softbank and Sprint have reportedly agreed not to use Huawei network equipment within the US carrier's existing network. In fact, the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Rogers, recently told The New York Times that the two outfits have pledged to remove Huawei hardware from Clearwire's network, too. These promises are likely a reaction to Congress' security concerns, which saw Huawei exiled from America's first responder network back in October. While Rogers is happy with Softbank and Sprint's new game plan, this deal is far from done. The two firms still need to make it past the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, which reviews national security risks connected to business transactions. Until then, Dan Hesse may wanna hold off on any extra curricular activities.

Filed under: Wireless, Networking, Mobile, Sprint

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Via: The Register

Source: The New York Times

Another day, another @evleaks leak. This time it's a pair of official product shots of the ZTE V987 we saw back in January, and apparently the official name here is the Grand X Quad -- not quite as elegant-sounding as the more powerful Grand S, perhaps. That's pretty much it from the mysterious leakster, but thanks to TENAA's database, we already know most of the specs from last time: 5-inch 720p gapless display, 1.2GHz quad-core chip, 8-megapixel camera, dual-SIM support (WCDMA plus GSM) and a removable 2,500mAh battery. Assuming this Grand X Quad will be sold cheaper, we'd imagine it'd do pretty well if it features the same build quality as its sister device -- we'll let you guys know once we get to do a hands-on, naturally.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: Engadget Chinese

Source: @evleaks (Twitter)

It looks like China Mobile is making good on its promise to carry out TD-LTE trials this year: the carrier is launching test programs in both Guangzhou and Shenzen, according to a report from the Chinese news site Guangming Online. As it happens, this isn't technically the first time China Mobile has invited users to test its LTE network, but it is the first time people can access it via smartphones (as opposed to routers and MiFi devices).

Curiously, the trial will initially work only on the TD-LTE-capable Galaxy S III, which is strange because China Mobile just unveiled a handful of LTE handsets at MWC, and didn't even mention the GSIII at its press conference. Once you've got that phone in hand, you'll need to preload it with 4,699 yuan worth of credits and sign a two-year agreement, with 388 yuan to be deducted each month. Already signed up for 2G or 3G service with China Mobile? You can add 1,500 yuan to receive a 4G device, USIM card and 15 gigs of LTE data (free for the first three months).

Filed under: Wireless, Mobile, Samsung

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Via: ZDNet

Source: Guangming Online

You may think that Lixin Cheng, the top banana at ZTE's USA division since June 2010, has had a tough time facing strong accusations since October regarding its ties with the Chinese government and its lack of transparency, but at MWC yesterday, the CEO told us that the investigation has actually been beneficial for his company. "So far, the report really has no negative impact on our business in the US... it actually helps us build the brand," said Cheng. "When the report came out, it was such a high profile news and everyone was talking about ZTE.Some of our handset consumers may call the hotline and say, 'Hey, I have a phone from ZTE, do I have security concerns?' And of course, most people would find out no, there are no security concerns."

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Today at Mobile World Congress, LG demoed a modified Optimus G that supports China Mobile's forthcoming TD-LTE network, but just as weighty as the demonstration, the manufacturer also revealed that it'll provide a full line of TD-LTE devices for the world's largest mobile operator. While LG wasn't able to nail down a specific date, it's currently shooting for the second half of this year in order to compliment China Mobile's TD-LTE rollout. Along with the Optimus G, it seems a safe bet that the two companies will be evaluating new smartphones such as the Optimus F7 and F5, along with the Optimus L7II and L5II as candidates to make the leap into the world of TD-LTE. Inquiring minds will find the full presser after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, LG

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Nokia is a company that goes out of its way to create tailor-made versions of its smartphones for its Chinese fans. At today's keynote, Stephen Elop announced that those in the far East without the bones to buy a Lumia 920T will soon see local, TD-SCDMA, versions of the Lumia 520 and 720. The ultra-budget duo are expected to arrive in the second quarter of the year, with the 520 expected to cost around $180.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia

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Source: Nokia

Via Licensing is amassing quite a deep well of patents from which its members able to pull. All in the name of keeping standards-essential LTE technology accessible to those willing to play ball. Now China Mobile and Deutsche Telekom are joining the ranks of industry giants like AT&T and NTT DoCoMo in an effort to guard themselves against litigation and ease the act of licensing each other's patents. Others have tried and failed where Via Licensing seems to be succeeding in building a coalition around sharing standard-essential patents. Though, while plenty of big names have signed on, there are still quite a few notable holdouts.

Filed under: Wireless, Mobile

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Source: TechCrunch

When NVIDIA unveiled the Tegra 4 last month, there were questions as to when it would ship in a phone, or whether it was bound for phones in the first place. ZTE has settled that question with plans to be the first company shipping Tegra 4-packing smartphones. The Chinese phone builder won't spoil the surprise by naming the devices in question, but the first models reach China by mid-2013. An LTE "super phone" is in the pipeline, ZTE says. With that fresh ground broken, we're mostly left wondering how likely it is that these devices will cross the Pacific -- as well as guessing which other companies are lined up for NVIDIA's fourth-generation silicon.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, NVIDIA

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Source: NVIDIA

ZTE's no stranger to phones that provide more bang for your buck, so it's hardly surprising to see evidence of a new mid-range phablet from the Chinese outfit. The leaked images may not point towards another world first, but the device apparently runs Android 4.1.2 and is rumored to pack a 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 display and a quad-core MediaTek MT6589 SoC. There's also support for China's TD-SCDMA networks, while an 8-megapixel camera joins some China Mobile branding on the back. Some specifications are still missing, but if the pricing is as low as expected, the smartphone could likely be an option for penny-pinchers who can't afford its designer cousin.

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Via: PhoneArena, GizChina

Source: Sina Weibo

While Nokia's Lumia 920T has already been unveiled for China Mobile, the company isn't content to leave its Windows Phone 8 lineup to one device on one carrier. The company has just introduced Chinese versions of the Lumia 620, 820 and a regular 920, all of which are on pre-sale today at respective contract-free prices of ¥1,999 ($320), ¥3,499 ($560) and ¥4,599 ($736). We haven't yet seen specific release dates mentioned, although all three versions on show carry HSPA+ 3G for China Unicom. The strategy won't enthrall those who want every Lumia available on every network; it's nonetheless good to know that HTC's Chinese roster will have plenty of company.

Continue reading Nokia Lumia 620, 820 and 920 made official for China, go up for pre-order (video)

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Via: Engadget Chinese (translated)

Source: Nokia China (translated)

We already got a look at the rear of the latest China-bound smartphone from ZTE, but now the Nubia Z5 has turned around to shown us its face. The image was apparently "leaked" on Chinese social network Weibo by the an enthusiastic PR manager at the firm. Things are still pretty sparse on the specification front, but -- all things going according to plan -- that 5-inch screen and italian design will be hiding quad-core internals and at least 13 megapixels of camera power. With the official reveal tipped for next week, though, it shouldn't be too long until we're seeing a whole lot more of it. Leaked or otherwise.

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Via: Techkiddy

Source: Weibo

Sure, Microsoft has already delivered its new Windows Phone 8 OS to the masses, but the WP7.8 release details, on the other hand, have been extremely minimal since we learned about the upgrade earlier this year. Well, according to Microsoft's Greater China Vice President, Windows Phone 7.8 will be hitting the Chinese market in the coming weeks, adding that there's an honest belief both numerical versions (maybe more?) of Redmond's mobile OS could easily live alongside each other in this country. Still, in the "coming weeks" could mean anything, although rumors around the web suggest the 7.8 version could make its official debut as early as next month -- which goes perfectly on par with previous whispers of an eventual launch by the end of 2012. We'll have to wait and see.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft

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Via: WMPoweruser

Source: MENAFN

Picking between LTE and HSPA iterations of Galaxy Note II was difficult enough already but now Samsung China has gone official on its previously-spotted twin-SIM variant. It's the same exotic mix of micro and full-size SIM slots, alongside that potent 1.6GHz quad-core processor and 5.7-inch Super AMOLED HD screen. The phone has a respectable collection of radios (GSM 850/900/1, 800/1,900, WCDMA 850/900/1,900/2100 MHz) too -- just ensure you have all your SIM sizes in order when the device goes on sale December 3rd.

[Thanks Terence]

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

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Source: Samsung China (translated)

PC maker Lenovo has reported its earnings for Q2, and there was plenty of good news: $8.7 billion in sales, a record high, a PC market share of 15.6 percent, it's largest ever and operating profit of $206 million, 24 percent higher than the same period last year. The only bad news is that profit growth is slower than previous quarters, mostly due to Lenovo's reaching into new markets like tablets, smartphones and connected TVs. for now however, Lenovo can claim the crown as world's largest laptop PC maker, while desktop sales were also up five percent from last year. Its mobile internet division reported sales of $718 million, and is the second largest seller in China of smartphones and tablets. It's also China's number one PC vendor with sales outpacing the next four vendors combined and racked up double digit market share in the EMEA region for the first time. Check the press release after the break for all of the details, we'll be back in a few months to find out how all that new Windows 8 hardware sold.

Continue reading Lenovo Q2 earnings reveal record high sales of $8.7 billion, highest-ever PC market share

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Mobile, Lenovo

Lenovo Q2 earnings reveal record high sales of $8.7 billion, highest-ever PC market share originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Let's face it, China Mobile will carry Nokia's Lumia 920T, with the launch now believed to be in mid-November. Unfortunately, the network itself isn't being so straight forward, announcing the news on Sina Weibo shortly before yanking the post altogether. China Mobile's dithering aside, we're fairly sure the 920T will gain TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE modems, but is otherwise the same phone we've pawed at for the last few weeks.

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China Mobile announces Nokia Lumia 920T, changes its mind soon afterward originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 05:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Just last week, a Congress committee associated Huawei with "credible allegations" of "bribery, corruption, discriminatory behavior and copyright infringement." The report, of course, was part of the Legislative branch's ongoing concern of the company's alleged threat to national security. Today Huawei may have finally caught a break from the US government, albeit a somewhat backhanded one: according to a White House ordered review, there is no evidence of spying on the Chinese company's part. The other side of the hand lands when the report sites exploitable vulnerabilities in Huawei hardware -- one person familiar with the White House review said it found the company's equipment "riddled with holes," and susceptible to hacking. Security complaints aside, the government's old spying concerns are still there. "China has the means, opportunity and motive to use telecommunications companies for malicious purposes," said report co-author Dutch Ruppersberger, explaining to Reuters that both Huawei and ZTE has pinned their limited cooperation on restrictions from the local government. Even if Huawei hasn't been caught spying, it's still something it could do -- and that's reason enough, it seems, for the US government to avoid doing business with the firm.

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Mobile

Reuters: White House finds no evidence of spying by Huawei, feels unsafe anyway originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Chinese telecoms giants Huawei and ZTE have responded to Congress' claims that neither company could be trusted to sell hardware to the US. Both feel that they've been victimized, with ZTE pointing out that since no Chinese company is "free from state influence," the report should have included every tech business based there. Huawei, on the other hand, took a more resigned (albeit snarky) tone, saying that the committee was "committed to a predetermined outcome," and that the business is no different from any Silicon Valley start-up. With the ball firmly in Congress' court, it remains to be seen what action the government will take, but we suspect this one's got the capacity to run and run.

Continue reading Huawei and ZTE cry foul at US Congress' accusations, say the report was rigged

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Networking, Internet, Mobile

Huawei and ZTE cry foul at US Congress' accusations, say the report was rigged originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Scratch one in the victory column for Nokia, as China Mobile -- the world's largest carrier -- has agreed to bring the Lumia 920 into its fold. A representative for Nokia revealed the news late this week, although just like every other handset with Windows Phone 8, pricing and availability remains up in the air. Beyond China Mobile's mind-boggling number of subscribers (hovering above 660 million), the deal is significant because of Nokia's limited willingness to support the network's TD-SCDMA infrastructure. While unconfirmed, we're hopeful to find the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 at the heart of this variant, due to its support for both TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE. That said, because China is in no rush to adopt 4G, the MSM8260A remains a viable candidate. Regardless, perhaps Nokia will be able to turn a bit of a corner with this deal -- in more ways than one.

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Nokia to produce Lumia 920 with TD-SCDMA support for China Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Sep 2012 06:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We must remember always that accusation is not proof." So begins a document just published by Huawei, heavily quoting a 1954 US Senate report that condemned McCarthy and his anti-Communist hysteria. The document is a prelude to Huawei's forthcoming public testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee, and its message is clear: the Chinese manufacturer is tired of how it's being treated in America, where numerous telecoms contracts have been blocked over "national security concerns." Huawei wants to be seen as an "opportunity" rather than a "threat," claiming it has scope to expand its 140,000 workforce and would love to create more jobs in America -- if only the US government would remove its "roadblock."

Many other arguments are put forward, but some of the most interesting paragraphs deal with the background of Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei. The document claims that Zhengfei has been "tragically misunderstood" and that his alleged roles in the People's Liberation Army and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are "unsubstantiated." The report doesn't deny those memberships, but instead downplays their significance -- for example by insisting that the CCP is now focused on promoting "private entrepreneurs" and "democratization." We admittedly stopped reading at that point, but if you'd like to continue then the full 78-page PDF is linked below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Mobile

Huawei complains about US spying allegations, implies McCarthy-style victimhood originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Now that the second-gen Note is finally out of Samsung's precious (and teasing) bag, we're learning more and more about the exorbitant device -- not to say we weren't expecting this to be the case, however. Still, we were rather intrigued by the distinct Galaxy Note II pictured above, which, by the looks it, comes pre-loaded with dual-SIM capabilities, and thus makes this particular unit slightly different than that one unit we played with back at IFA. Although details are still very scarce at the moment, rumor has it the dual-SIM Note will only be available in China and, aside from the slot additions, all other features the famed phablet offers appear to be exactly the same. Feel free to check out the source below for more pics, but don't expect anything too exciting or out of the ordinary -- unless, of course, extra SIM slots are your thing.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Samsung Galaxy Note II with dual-SIM capabilities gets spotted in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Over the years we've come across many hydrophobic coating technologies aimed at electronics, but sadly, none of those were made directly available to consumers. The closest one was Nokia's nanocoating demonstration we saw last October, though the company recently said to us that it's still "currently a research project," and it never mentioned plans to offer a service to treat existing devices. On the other hand, Californian startup Liquipel recently opened its first Hong Kong retail store, making it the second Liquipel service center globally after the one located at the Santa Ana headquarters. Folks in the area can simply call up to make an appointment, and then head over with their phones or tablets to get the nanocoating treatment. So how does this funky technology work? How does it cover both the inside and the outside of gadgets? And is Liquipel's offering any better than its rivals? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Liquipel store in Hong Kong

Continue reading Liquipel launches retail store in Hong Kong, spreads the hydrophobia for gadgets

Filed under: Misc, Mobile

Liquipel launches retail store in Hong Kong, spreads the hydrophobia for gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There's a hole in Nokia's heart and it goes all the way to China. Following news this past April that a massive restructuring effort was underway for Espoo's Asian operations, comes word that offices in Chengdu and Shanghai have been closed amidst declining market share. That's according to the Wall Street Journal which says the layoffs are targeted at the company's Chinese sales division -- an area Elop's made clear is essential for growth -- as Nokia's presence in the region has dwindled to 11 percent in Q1, a sharp drop from its more robust 30 percent share last Q2 2011. And with increasing competition from rival OEMs, the layoffs are expected to continue while the house that Lumia's attempting to rebuild gains its footing.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Nokia shutters two Chinese offices as part of strategic reorganization in the region originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Depending on your location (or carrier of choice) Samsung's Galaxy S III is now ready to take your money. If your assets aren't liquid enough to afford Samsung's flagship on contract, you might be at least tempted by the fakery of the HDC Galaxy S3. The familiar-looking slab packs a 4.7-inch TFT screen, alongside a humble 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and a 5-megapixel camera. According to GizmoChina, the phone will set shady cash registers ringing at around $200 -- a snip compared to the off-contract price of the official iteration. Take a tour of the hardware (and some Nature UX-baiting software) in the quick hands-on after the break.

Continue reading KIRF Galaxy S III: designed for cheapskates, inspired by Samsung

Filed under: Cellphones

KIRF Galaxy S III: designed for cheapskates, inspired by Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.