BlackBerry Z10 teardown reveals key Qualcomm and Samsung internals

The BlackBerry Z10 has already arrived in a few markets and while we are still waiting for it to arrive in the United States bringing the new BlackBerry 10 platform in March, UBM Tech Insights has torn the whole device down revealing its hardware. Somewhat surprisingly, it is very similar to the LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy S III in that it runs on an identical Qualcomm chip. BlackBerry has obviously ditched its previous partner Texas Instruments and opted for Qualcomm’s chips.

The BlackBerry Z10 has a Qualcomm MSM8960 chip manufactured on the 28nm node with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. The chip integrates 3G and 4G LTE on board.

Otherwise, the Z10 uses two other key Samsung components - a 2GB RAM module and 16GB of Samsung-made internal flash storage.

Below is a listing of the key hardware components in the Z10:

Samsung K3PE0E000A - Multichip Memory - 2 GB Mobile DDR2 SDRAM Samsung KLMAG2GE4A - Multichip Memory - 16 GB MLC NAND Flash, Controller Qualcomm MSM8960 - Snapdragon S4 Baseband / Applications Processor Qualcomm WCD9310 - Audio Codec Qualcomm PM8921 - Power Management ICQualcomm RTR8600 - GSM / CDMA / W-CDMA / LTE RxD Transceiver + GPS Texas Instruments WL1273L - Single-Chip 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth, and FM TriQuint TQP6M9017 - Dual-Band WLAN ModuleRF Micro Devices RF7252 - CDMA/WCDMA BAND 2 Linear Power Amplifier ModuleRF Micro Devices RF7303 - LTE/UMTS/CDMA BAND 3 Linear Power Amplifier ModuleInside Secure SECUREAD IC5C633I4- NFC Solution ModuleAvago ACPM-5017 - LTE Band XVII Power Amplifier Avago ACPM-7051 - Quad-Band GSM / W-CDMA Bands I & V Power Amplifier Sony CXM3582UR - SP10T Antenna Switch ST Microelectronics LIS3DH - MEMS AccelerometerSTMicroelectronics LSM330DLC - 3D Accelerometer & 3D GyroscopeSynaptics Clearpad 3203 - Capacitive Touchscreen Controllersource: UBM Tech Insights

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Google's Happy Holidays video reveals a Google Nexus 10 dock

We recently showed you where you could pre-order the unannounced ASUS built audio dock for the Google Nexus 7. We were able to pass along information such as price, and the features ($39.99, microUSB port, 3.5mm earphone jack) on the dock. Now, a Happy Holidays video posted by Google reveals an audio dock for the Google Nexus 10. One of the problems about such a leak is that it doesn't come with any information outside of the sight of someone sliding the tablet into the dock. While ASUS made the audio dock for the 7 inch ASUS built Google Nexus 7 tablet, it would seem natural if Samsung is behind the audio dock for the 10 inch Google Nexus 10, which is manufactured by the Korean tech giant.

The Google Nexus 10 audio dock makes a couple of appearances at 57 seconds and at 1:16. It is not a large accessory, but does have a raised back to hold up the HD 10.1 inch screen. You might recall that the screen carries a resolution of 2560 x 1600, allowing the tablet to offer you a pixel density of 300ppi. This beats out the 264ppi pixel density on the 3rd and 4th generation Apple iPad tablets.

Obviously, both the 7 inch and 10 inch docks will not be making a house call in time for Christmas. But you could always slip an IOU into an envelope and deliver the dock later. And if that doesn't seem to go over well with the recipient, include a link to this story so the person receiving your gift can view the video below to see what they are getting.

source: Google via AndroidCentral

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Web traffic research reveals the Microsoft Surface isn't selling very well

Research firm Chitika has come up with a new report that shows just how insignificant the sales of the Microsoft Surface RT have been, at least judging by the web traffic generated by the device.

Chitika has measured that for the period between November 12 and November 18, the Microsoft Surface RT has accounted for just 0.13% of all web traffic generated by tablets in the US. Now, on one hand, that sure is one very discouraging figure, but on the other, the device hasn't really been available for too long. The combined share of Google's Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, which stands at 0.91%, is currently much bigger, but it's really not much more significant if we look at the bigger picture. In comparison, the iPad is said to be responsible for 88% of all tablet web traffic in the US.

Of course, having in mind the short period observed by Chitika makes us think that the research might not be entirely trustworthy, but it's a fact that there's still a long road ahead of Google, let alone Microsoft in the tablet race. Who knows, maybe people are waiting for the Surface Pro?

source: Chitika via AllThingsD

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Leaked Nokia presentation slide reveals Windows Phone 7.8 features

Once it became obvious that Microsoft was not going to allow Windows Phone 7 models to be updated to Windows Phone 8, owners of models like the Nokia Lumia 900 were curious to know just how close to Windows Phone 8 their handset would get. Fairly quickly, the Redmond based tech titan made it clear that the sidewalk would end at Windows Phone 7.8, giving some of the original Windows Phone handsets a taste of what Windows Phone 8 was all about. A leaked slide used in a Windows Phone 7.8 presentation reveals some of the new features that are coming to some of the older Windows Phone devices. The slide talks about the new Start screen coming in the update along with the three Live Tile sizes to help personalize the phone. Twenty themes, matching the number found in Windows Phone 8, are aboard. Internet Explorer has security updates and MP3 files can be edited to produce a ringtone. Some of these features were already leaked at the end of last month.

Other features coming to Windows Phone 7.8 include the ability to use Bing wallpapers to customize the lock screen. As we get closer to the actual Windows Phone 7.8 update, you can expect more features to be announced by the Redmond based firm. Those who bought Windows Phone 7 handsets from carriers in the states still have to do the remainder of their sentence before updating to Windows Phone 8 which means they are probably quite grateful for every new feature on Windows Phone 7.8.

source: Winp.cn (translated) via WPCentral

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