Symbian^3 devices are now shipping with Belle out of the box

Remember, Symbian Belle? Yes, the same one we saw on the Nokia 701, which we reviewed, last year. Back then, we quite liked the functionality of that operating system and in our opinion, only app support was actually holding it back from being on par with the other operating systems. Now, as reported by Nokiapoweruser, Belle will now be supported default on all the new Symbian^3 devices that are being shipped. Nokia has officially stated on its Twitter account that a lot of devices, including the N8, C7, E7, E6, X7, C6-01 and 500 will now ship with Symbian Belle on board. However, we believe it also depends upon the date of the stock that the local store will have because Nokia has clearly mentioned to check with the local shop to see if the device is running Belle or not. 

Ring a Belle?

All N8 devices shipping to India will come with Belle on board, as tweeted by them. This also means that the other devices like the X7 and the C7 now come with a major software upgrade on board. If you’re not too sure about any device, you could just send a tweet to the official Nokia Twitter account and have your doubts cleared, because as you can see, their Twitter account is quite adept at answering and solving queries.

Mercury mTab Neo launched with SIM for 3G and voice calls

The budget tablet segment is booming, as companies are lining up new and improved models of their existing stock. Not only are they, in some cases, bringing out less expensive devices, but others like Kobian, are also loading on the features and trying their hardest to maintain a competitive price structure. Kobian released their first Mercury Tablet the mTab, back in the last quarter of 2011. It proved to be just about adequate, however, in the budget tablet division, while keeping the price under Rs.10,000. Their latest announcement is of the upgraded version of the same device only now infused with 3G capabilities.

Looks just like its older brother!

While the previous edition was equipped with a 1.2 Dual Core processor under its proverbial hood, the newer model, the mTab Neo, has been “powered down” to 1GHz (Cortex A9), still of the Dual Core variety, though. The 7-inch capacitive touchscreen has been retained and still sports a WVGA (480 x 800) resolution. This model features a SIM card slot for 3G (GSM/WCDMA) support on the fly. The SIM card inclusion also enables the mTab Neo to make calls, both voice and video, alike. The tablet will unfortunately be running Android FroYo (2.2) out of the box with no options for an update, so the company says. This could be a major issue for users who might just want the few extras and bug fixes that Gingerbread has to offer.

Other features include -

• EDGE/GPRS support,
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 for data sharing as well as A2DP functionality
• 2MP camera with a 0.3MP front facing camera for video calling and conferencing
• 4GB if interval memory plus microSD card support for 32GB cards
• HDMI video out

Aside from SIM supported 3G, you could also choose to use a 3G USB dongle for data connectivity. The company has packed in a 4000mAh battery that should provide users with quite a bit of usage on a single charge (look for the review on tech 2 with battery tests). A set of speakers is also built into the device to be used either in a speaker phone capacity or for sharing audio, while watching videos or listening to music. The Neo supports Flash 10.1, which will enhance web browsing, but there’s no word on the support for newer versions.

Quite slim

Mercury’s mTab Neo comes with an MRP of Rs.15,999 and is available ex-stock with a one year warranty.

Pentax K-01 leaks, wants to be your retro-looking mirrorless friend

Above is a purported leak of Pentax's upcoming K-01 -- a retro-inspired mirrorless camera which is apparently set for reveal soon. Divulged in a bevy of official-looking shots on Pentax Forums, the diminutive shooter will apparently be available in several colors alongside its incredibly-thin 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens. Also shown are closeups of a dedicated HDR mode up-top, alongside dedicated red and green buttons, and a curious signature by designer Marc Newson adjacent to its battery cover. Perplexed by the sum of its parts like we are? Well, until Pentax reveals all, get a acquainted with it in the source links below.

The Xappr, because your smartphone doesn't look enough like a gun

You love your smartphone -- and who can blame you, really? There's seemingly no limit to what it can do. But ask yourself this: does it look enough like a gun? The answer is almost certainly a big, fat "no." Thankfully, the Xappr is on its way from Metal Compass, set to help smartphones everywhere live up to their full laser gun potential. The company tells us that the accessory will work with iPhones and Android and Windows handsets (though only iOS and Android games are available, at present). Metal Compass expects to ship the thing in June, but you can pre-order one now, if you dare, for the low, low price of $30 (plus a full $15 in shipping, here in the States). Shoot past the break for a press release.

Facebook and Twitter to be tied into BBM

Research in Motion seems to be working on tying in Facebook and Twitter applications into its ever popular BBM for BlackBerry users. According to the Mobile Indian, BlackBerry users have already been able to connect BBM to other applications, but this direct connect between BBM and the two popular social networks will offer greater convenience. RIM, however, has made no statement on the matter. The way RIM's 'secret' is out without an official statement is N4BB found a version of Twitter that seemed to be BlackBerry connected. A Twitter user, @CrackBerry also found an updated Twitter and Facebook application for their BlackBerry device that seemed to be BBM connected. It is also reported that the connected Facebook and Twitter applications will not be out of the box features.

Facebook and Twitter to be more integrated

With Twitter being connected to BBM, BlackBerry users will be able to share tweets to other BBM users as well as groups. BlackBerry users will additionally be able to do auto BBM personal message updates using tweets. Connecting these applications to BBM makes sense and almost makes you wonder why RIM hasn't done this already. However, analysts do say that RIM has been actively working on inter-connectivity of applications with BlackBerry Messenger. The first app to be added to BBM was BBM Music, which was grouped as an e-commerce app. It also acts as a music social network where friends of users who have BBM music are added.

3DS adds to its European WiFi arsenal, gains over 5,000 free hotspots

Like any new console, the 3DS has had its share of growing pains. But the awkward acne of its first year has mostly been smoothed over, giving way to an attractive price, a library of compelling content and even DLC freebies. So, what's left for the Big N to do? Well, over in Europe, the company's partnered up with free-hotspot.com giving, you guessed it, more gratis WiFi to owners across 21 different Euro zone countries. These 5,000 or so new access points will be made available at a variety of hotels and fast food chains throughout the continent. So, the next time you're lined up for a Royale with cheese, feel free to hop online and start working through that Netflix queue.

ARM CEO expects Windows 8 to beat Android in tablets race

This year is going to be an exciting one for tablet enthusiasts and Microsoft is also equally excited about them. The upcoming Windows 8 is unique for a number of reasons. Firstly, there’s a big shift in the way it works and the user interacts with it. It’s being built for both the traditional desktop user and also for tablets. On the tablets front, there are the Intel hardware powered tablets on the x86 platform and then there’s the majority of tablets in the market today apart from Apple’s iPad - Android powered ones - running on the ARM architecture. CNET has a news story talking about ARM CEO, Warren East speaking at an earnings announcement about Microsoft’s upcoming platform.

Windows 8 might have an edge on Android

He said that many consumers were familiar with the Windows platform, more than they were with Android. There’s a clear advantage that Microsoft has over its competition. He said he would wait to see how Microsoft would take advantage of this. He also spoke about Android tablets not having taken off the way they were expected to, when they were launched. He also suggested giving Android tablets more time and they would pick up pace. He gave the example of Android smartphones which have taken off in a big way. They didn’t do well in the beginning, but are now selling roughly 7,00,000 units a day. Android tablets might just follow the same pattern. 

Windows - a prominent brand

Lastly, he spoke about their competition - Intel. He said that Intel had a lot of work to do in the smartphone and tablet space. Intel has been working on platforms that should help break them through into the smartphone and tablet domain. He said that Intel had no traction, whereas ARM, had roughly 7,00,000 units smartphones being enabled each day. Developers were also on ARM’s side, with so many of them working on ARM optimized apps. So in many ways, Intel has a number of obstacles before it can make it big in this space.