March 6, 2015 at 20:07Highlights with Mobile World Congress 2015
As you know, this week in Barcelona was one of the main events of the year in the mobile and wearable consumer electronics industry - Mobile World Congress. We could not miss such an event in any case, so the landing party in the person of the Hi-Tech.Mail.Ru project team went to MWC. We want to tell you about the most interesting news that we have seen.
The new top-end smartphone from Samsung, Galaxy S6 edge continued the tradition of the “pair” release, laid down last year. However, unlike its predecessor, the S6 edge bends the screen from two sides, and not from one.
The finish quality of the smartphone has improved markedly compared to the S5: instead of perforated plastic, glass and metal are here. Moreover, both Galaxy S6 were the first on the market to receive Gorilla Glass 4 protective glass. The side edges are very narrow due to the bending of the display. The range of colors will be presented in dark blue, white, golden and green.
At the S6 edge, the camera lens also protrudes slightly above the surface. Either this is an incomprehensible mode, or many manufacturers cannot completely fit the camera module into the volume of devices. The resolution of the main camera is 16 megapixels, the aperture is already F 1.9, which should very well affect the quality of pictures in low light. The front camera with a 5 megapixel sensor has the same aperture.
The 5.1-inch display has a resolution of 2560x1140, so the smoothness and sharpness of the image are at a very high level. Samsung’s traditional SuperAMOLED matrix provides excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles.
For the first time, the S-series lost a slot for a memory card. The basic version is equipped with 32 GB of internal memory, and models with 62 and 128 GB will be available. 3 GB of RAM, an eight-core Exynos processor, with half the cores operating at 2.1 GHz, and the rest at 1.5. Due to the greater energy efficiency of the processor, the smartphone lasts longer, despite the reduced battery capacity: the S6 has 2550 mAh and the S6 edge has 2600 mAh. The batteries on both smartphones are not replaceable. There are wireless and fast charging modes.
Samsung has also finalized the fingerprint unlock function, now the device responds instantly, at the touch of a button.
One of the highlights of the first day of the exhibition was the presentation of Huawei. But instead of wearable computers, which were presented as the main characters of the presentation, smart watches aroused the greatest interest . In addition to the good declared characteristics, each of the new products boasts an interesting and beautiful design. Moreover, they are made in the spirit of the real “classic” stylish watches, and not electronic gadgets on the strap, which almost all modern smart watches sin.
Over 40 different dials have been developed for new products, and the cases themselves are offered in three different colors. The straps are available both metal and leather, and most importantly - the watch is equipped with sapphire crystal.
The diameter of the watch is 42 mm, the case is completely steel, and there is no “blind” segment at the bottom of the screen, like the Moto 360. Huawei managed to create a very beautiful shell for Android Wear, the impression of using the watch is much more positive. But still, it’s Android Wear, there’s no getting around it. Qualcomm processor (most likely Snapdragon 400), 512 MB RAM, 4 GB internal memory.
Also interesting gadgets include the new version of the smart bracelet, TalkBand B2 , presented at the last exhibition. The “intelligent” module itself is removable and is a Bluetooth headset. When it is fixed in the slot, the bracelet is a fitness tracker with an event notification function. If they call you, it is enough to unfasten the headset and answer the call, while you do not need to get the smartphone at all.
B2 works with both Android and iOS. The built-in battery lasts up to 12 weeks in standby mode and 5 hours in talk mode. The device complies with IP57. PMOLED-display touch, there is support for gestures.
The Taiwanese company introduced the new flagship of its fleet of smartphones - HTC One M9 .
From the predecessor, M8, the new smartphone looks almost the same. The metal coating has changed: different parts of the smartphone underwent different processing, so the case turned out to be two-tone and with different surface textures. According to the manufacturer, the processing of one case takes about three hours. The range includes 4 body colors: silver with gold, gold, pink and gray.
Unlike the M8, the framing of the camera lens is square and slightly protrudes above the surface of the lid. The cameras themselves have also been updated: the main one has a resolution of 20 megapixels, but the front one has become ... ultra-pixel. Celebration on the street named after Selfie. The smartphone now has significantly more features for simultaneous shooting on both cameras. As in the previous model, the screen has a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of Full HD. IPS Matrix (SuperLCD). The device received one of the most powerful mobile processors - the 64-bit eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810.
HTC claims that the sound quality from both the speakers and the audio output is noticeably improved. Moreover, the M9 received certification from Dolby Laboratories. Although it is difficult to imagine why 5.1 sound emulation is needed for a device with a 5-inch screen. The OS is Android 5.0 with the new Sense 7 graphical shell.
This year, the Japanese introduced the fourth generation of their 10-inch tablet, the Xperia Z4 Tablet . As before, it is declared the thinnest and lightest in the world.
The tablet weighs 389 grams in the Wi-Fi version and 393 grams in the LTE version. Thickness 6.1 mm. The frames around the display are already, but not dramatically. The developers claim that this was done on purpose - too narrow frames would cause accidental touches of the display when the user simply holds the tablet in his hands.
As before, the tablet has dust and moisture protection, it meets the IP65 / 68 standard. In this case, the microUSB connector is no longer equipped with a rubber plug. Finally, now you can not be afraid that over time it will become loose and the moisture protection will be compromised.
The developers paid much attention to the sound of the tablet, it supports Hi-Res Audio, DSEE HX, Digital Noice Cancellation, LDAC codec, and even AHC. Hi-Res means support for lossless formats such as Flac. DSEE HX is designed to intelligently restore the trimmed frequencies when listening to mp3 or CD with a low bit rate. AHC technology (Automatic Headset Compensation) analyzes the parameters of the user's headphones and the features of his hearing, adjusting the sound for the best quality. It is difficult to say how effective this is.
The processor here is still the same 64-bit eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810. This is enough for a smooth and fast interface. The color scheme is expanded, so for some, the colors may seem oversaturated. However, a color gamut correction tool is provided for this case. The density of the dots is 330 ppi.
The camera resolution is 8 megapixels, it is able to shoot video in 4K format. The front camera has been updated, it received a wide-angle lens and a 5 megapixel sensor.
The battery capacity remains the same as that of the Z3 - 6000 mAh. According to the manufacturer, thanks to the STAMINA power saving mode, the tablet can work up to 12-13 hours. A powerful charger allows you to charge the tablet by 50-70% in just 1 hour.
As the operating system, Android 5.0 is installed with a proprietary graphical shell. However, the changes compared to the standard are traditionally minimal.
In addition to the tablet, our attention at the Sony stand was attracted by the new Xperia M4 Aqua smartphone . He completely repeats the design of the flagship Xperia Z3, but it should cost almost half the price.
How is it different from the flagship? The back panel is made of plastic, not glass. The side frame is also plastic, but it looks exactly the same as the metal one in the Z3. Like the new tablet, the M4 Aqua complies with the IP65 / 68 dust and water protection standard, that is, it can lie at a depth of 1.5 meters for half an hour without harm.
The screen has a resolution of HD, the processor is simpler - Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, although it is also eight-core. RAM 2 GB instead of 3, a camera with a matrix of 13 megapixels instead of 20. Other simplifications are not noticeable at first glance.
But in some ways, the new smartphone has surpassed the flagship. For example, the front camera with a 5 megapixel matrix received a viewing angle of 88 degrees and all the functions inherent in the main camera: augmented reality mode, effects, stabilization when shooting Steady Shot, and so on.
Sony plans to release a smartphone in two versions: with one SIM and with two. At the same time, both slots will support operation in LTE mode. In addition, the dual sim model will have more internal memory, 16 GB.
Ours (as it sounds - “ours”!) Presented at the exhibition the white model Yota Phone 2. It is completely identical to the black model, except for the color of the case.
The Chinese surprised us with the revival of such a forgotten class of devices as camera phones. Lenovo Vibe Shot “from the front” looks like an ordinary smartphone, but on the reverse side it appears as a camera with a sleek design.
The thickness of the metal case is only 7.33 mm. The camera is equipped with a 16 megapixel matrix with backlight and optical stabilization. The lens is closed by sapphire crystal, which is not often found among devices of the middle price category. Even more rare is the presence of infrared autofocus.
As befits a decent camera phone, the shooting function can be enabled using a separate mechanical button. At the same time, she plays the role of shutter release. The switch located nearby allows you to choose the shooting mode: Smart - automatic, for amateurs, and Pro - for those who need additional control over the shooting parameters. Three LEDs act as a flash.
The Americans did not please us with the display of the new flagship, its announcement was postponed until the launch of Windows 10. But at the exhibition two smartphones from the middle price category were demonstrated: Lumia 640 and 640 XL .
Just the 640th is equipped with a screen with a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of 1280x720. Clear Black IPS LCD matrix, Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass. The smartphone is running Windows 8.1, but with the release of Windows 10 it will be possible to update. The smartphone will be offered in several versions: with one and two SIM cards, with LTE support and without it. The main camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, front - 0.9. Quad-core processor, Snapdragon 400, clocked at 1.2 GHz. RAM has a capacity of only one gigabyte. 2500 mAh battery.
Lumia 640 XL acts as a budget phablet. The camera is equipped with a 13 megapixel matrix, a 5.7-inch display, but the resolution is also HD. The processor, its frequency, the amount of RAM and the operating system are the same as in the Lumia 640. The memory capacity is 8 GB, there is a slot for memory cards up to 128 GB. 3000 mAh battery.
The world-renowned security software developer has unveiled its new Safe Kids product . This is a mobile application designed to provide informational protection for children when using the Internet. With it, parents can monitor the entire network activity of the child, track the location of his smartphone and receive automatic notification if he leaves the previously specified boundaries.
First of all, we want to share with you the video and images of one of the most interesting prototypes, the Project Ara modular smartphone. This is a Google project, and Yezz is the technical executor. The idea is that there is a certain basic platform, the capabilities of which can be changed and expanded independently using replaceable modules. That is, ideally, users will configure the smartphone to their needs, a kind of dream phone. For example, you can connect a second hinged screen on electronic ink, increase RAM, put a more powerful or, on the contrary, a simple camera, add a fitness tracker to the device or remove it. In fact, the smartphone will be a designer from which it will be possible to assemble the device to your liking. Of course, product success will be primarily determined by the range of available modules. Additional optimism is inspired by the fact that the system is supposed to be made open to interest third-party manufacturers.
This is the concept of the device, which is a cross between a smartphone and a PDA. The developers plan to integrate the camera and develop a round interface.
Samsung
The new top-end smartphone from Samsung, Galaxy S6 edge continued the tradition of the “pair” release, laid down last year. However, unlike its predecessor, the S6 edge bends the screen from two sides, and not from one.
The finish quality of the smartphone has improved markedly compared to the S5: instead of perforated plastic, glass and metal are here. Moreover, both Galaxy S6 were the first on the market to receive Gorilla Glass 4 protective glass. The side edges are very narrow due to the bending of the display. The range of colors will be presented in dark blue, white, golden and green.
At the S6 edge, the camera lens also protrudes slightly above the surface. Either this is an incomprehensible mode, or many manufacturers cannot completely fit the camera module into the volume of devices. The resolution of the main camera is 16 megapixels, the aperture is already F 1.9, which should very well affect the quality of pictures in low light. The front camera with a 5 megapixel sensor has the same aperture.
The 5.1-inch display has a resolution of 2560x1140, so the smoothness and sharpness of the image are at a very high level. Samsung’s traditional SuperAMOLED matrix provides excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles.
For the first time, the S-series lost a slot for a memory card. The basic version is equipped with 32 GB of internal memory, and models with 62 and 128 GB will be available. 3 GB of RAM, an eight-core Exynos processor, with half the cores operating at 2.1 GHz, and the rest at 1.5. Due to the greater energy efficiency of the processor, the smartphone lasts longer, despite the reduced battery capacity: the S6 has 2550 mAh and the S6 edge has 2600 mAh. The batteries on both smartphones are not replaceable. There are wireless and fast charging modes.
Samsung has also finalized the fingerprint unlock function, now the device responds instantly, at the touch of a button.
Huawei
One of the highlights of the first day of the exhibition was the presentation of Huawei. But instead of wearable computers, which were presented as the main characters of the presentation, smart watches aroused the greatest interest . In addition to the good declared characteristics, each of the new products boasts an interesting and beautiful design. Moreover, they are made in the spirit of the real “classic” stylish watches, and not electronic gadgets on the strap, which almost all modern smart watches sin.
Over 40 different dials have been developed for new products, and the cases themselves are offered in three different colors. The straps are available both metal and leather, and most importantly - the watch is equipped with sapphire crystal.
The diameter of the watch is 42 mm, the case is completely steel, and there is no “blind” segment at the bottom of the screen, like the Moto 360. Huawei managed to create a very beautiful shell for Android Wear, the impression of using the watch is much more positive. But still, it’s Android Wear, there’s no getting around it. Qualcomm processor (most likely Snapdragon 400), 512 MB RAM, 4 GB internal memory.
Also interesting gadgets include the new version of the smart bracelet, TalkBand B2 , presented at the last exhibition. The “intelligent” module itself is removable and is a Bluetooth headset. When it is fixed in the slot, the bracelet is a fitness tracker with an event notification function. If they call you, it is enough to unfasten the headset and answer the call, while you do not need to get the smartphone at all.
B2 works with both Android and iOS. The built-in battery lasts up to 12 weeks in standby mode and 5 hours in talk mode. The device complies with IP57. PMOLED-display touch, there is support for gestures.
HTC
The Taiwanese company introduced the new flagship of its fleet of smartphones - HTC One M9 .
From the predecessor, M8, the new smartphone looks almost the same. The metal coating has changed: different parts of the smartphone underwent different processing, so the case turned out to be two-tone and with different surface textures. According to the manufacturer, the processing of one case takes about three hours. The range includes 4 body colors: silver with gold, gold, pink and gray.
Unlike the M8, the framing of the camera lens is square and slightly protrudes above the surface of the lid. The cameras themselves have also been updated: the main one has a resolution of 20 megapixels, but the front one has become ... ultra-pixel. Celebration on the street named after Selfie. The smartphone now has significantly more features for simultaneous shooting on both cameras. As in the previous model, the screen has a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of Full HD. IPS Matrix (SuperLCD). The device received one of the most powerful mobile processors - the 64-bit eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810.
HTC claims that the sound quality from both the speakers and the audio output is noticeably improved. Moreover, the M9 received certification from Dolby Laboratories. Although it is difficult to imagine why 5.1 sound emulation is needed for a device with a 5-inch screen. The OS is Android 5.0 with the new Sense 7 graphical shell.
Sony
This year, the Japanese introduced the fourth generation of their 10-inch tablet, the Xperia Z4 Tablet . As before, it is declared the thinnest and lightest in the world.
The tablet weighs 389 grams in the Wi-Fi version and 393 grams in the LTE version. Thickness 6.1 mm. The frames around the display are already, but not dramatically. The developers claim that this was done on purpose - too narrow frames would cause accidental touches of the display when the user simply holds the tablet in his hands.
As before, the tablet has dust and moisture protection, it meets the IP65 / 68 standard. In this case, the microUSB connector is no longer equipped with a rubber plug. Finally, now you can not be afraid that over time it will become loose and the moisture protection will be compromised.
The developers paid much attention to the sound of the tablet, it supports Hi-Res Audio, DSEE HX, Digital Noice Cancellation, LDAC codec, and even AHC. Hi-Res means support for lossless formats such as Flac. DSEE HX is designed to intelligently restore the trimmed frequencies when listening to mp3 or CD with a low bit rate. AHC technology (Automatic Headset Compensation) analyzes the parameters of the user's headphones and the features of his hearing, adjusting the sound for the best quality. It is difficult to say how effective this is.
The processor here is still the same 64-bit eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810. This is enough for a smooth and fast interface. The color scheme is expanded, so for some, the colors may seem oversaturated. However, a color gamut correction tool is provided for this case. The density of the dots is 330 ppi.
The camera resolution is 8 megapixels, it is able to shoot video in 4K format. The front camera has been updated, it received a wide-angle lens and a 5 megapixel sensor.
The battery capacity remains the same as that of the Z3 - 6000 mAh. According to the manufacturer, thanks to the STAMINA power saving mode, the tablet can work up to 12-13 hours. A powerful charger allows you to charge the tablet by 50-70% in just 1 hour.
As the operating system, Android 5.0 is installed with a proprietary graphical shell. However, the changes compared to the standard are traditionally minimal.
In addition to the tablet, our attention at the Sony stand was attracted by the new Xperia M4 Aqua smartphone . He completely repeats the design of the flagship Xperia Z3, but it should cost almost half the price.
How is it different from the flagship? The back panel is made of plastic, not glass. The side frame is also plastic, but it looks exactly the same as the metal one in the Z3. Like the new tablet, the M4 Aqua complies with the IP65 / 68 dust and water protection standard, that is, it can lie at a depth of 1.5 meters for half an hour without harm.
The screen has a resolution of HD, the processor is simpler - Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, although it is also eight-core. RAM 2 GB instead of 3, a camera with a matrix of 13 megapixels instead of 20. Other simplifications are not noticeable at first glance.
But in some ways, the new smartphone has surpassed the flagship. For example, the front camera with a 5 megapixel matrix received a viewing angle of 88 degrees and all the functions inherent in the main camera: augmented reality mode, effects, stabilization when shooting Steady Shot, and so on.
Sony plans to release a smartphone in two versions: with one SIM and with two. At the same time, both slots will support operation in LTE mode. In addition, the dual sim model will have more internal memory, 16 GB.
Yota devices
Ours (as it sounds - “ours”!) Presented at the exhibition the white model Yota Phone 2. It is completely identical to the black model, except for the color of the case.
Lenovo
The Chinese surprised us with the revival of such a forgotten class of devices as camera phones. Lenovo Vibe Shot “from the front” looks like an ordinary smartphone, but on the reverse side it appears as a camera with a sleek design.
The thickness of the metal case is only 7.33 mm. The camera is equipped with a 16 megapixel matrix with backlight and optical stabilization. The lens is closed by sapphire crystal, which is not often found among devices of the middle price category. Even more rare is the presence of infrared autofocus.
As befits a decent camera phone, the shooting function can be enabled using a separate mechanical button. At the same time, she plays the role of shutter release. The switch located nearby allows you to choose the shooting mode: Smart - automatic, for amateurs, and Pro - for those who need additional control over the shooting parameters. Three LEDs act as a flash.
Microsoft
The Americans did not please us with the display of the new flagship, its announcement was postponed until the launch of Windows 10. But at the exhibition two smartphones from the middle price category were demonstrated: Lumia 640 and 640 XL .
Just the 640th is equipped with a screen with a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of 1280x720. Clear Black IPS LCD matrix, Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass. The smartphone is running Windows 8.1, but with the release of Windows 10 it will be possible to update. The smartphone will be offered in several versions: with one and two SIM cards, with LTE support and without it. The main camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, front - 0.9. Quad-core processor, Snapdragon 400, clocked at 1.2 GHz. RAM has a capacity of only one gigabyte. 2500 mAh battery.
Lumia 640 XL acts as a budget phablet. The camera is equipped with a 13 megapixel matrix, a 5.7-inch display, but the resolution is also HD. The processor, its frequency, the amount of RAM and the operating system are the same as in the Lumia 640. The memory capacity is 8 GB, there is a slot for memory cards up to 128 GB. 3000 mAh battery.
Kaspersky Lab
The world-renowned security software developer has unveiled its new Safe Kids product . This is a mobile application designed to provide informational protection for children when using the Internet. With it, parents can monitor the entire network activity of the child, track the location of his smartphone and receive automatic notification if he leaves the previously specified boundaries.
Other interesting devices
First of all, we want to share with you the video and images of one of the most interesting prototypes, the Project Ara modular smartphone. This is a Google project, and Yezz is the technical executor. The idea is that there is a certain basic platform, the capabilities of which can be changed and expanded independently using replaceable modules. That is, ideally, users will configure the smartphone to their needs, a kind of dream phone. For example, you can connect a second hinged screen on electronic ink, increase RAM, put a more powerful or, on the contrary, a simple camera, add a fitness tracker to the device or remove it. In fact, the smartphone will be a designer from which it will be possible to assemble the device to your liking. Of course, product success will be primarily determined by the range of available modules. Additional optimism is inspired by the fact that the system is supposed to be made open to interest third-party manufacturers.
Round wooden smartphone Runcible
This is the concept of the device, which is a cross between a smartphone and a PDA. The developers plan to integrate the camera and develop a round interface.
Nokia N1
LG Fx0 - a transparent smartphone on Firefox OS