Author: Tarandeep Kaur

Even though Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview was released earlier last month, Huawei Ascend W1 were not able to update to the new OS because of firmware / driver issues. In fact, there was enough of a chance that it would brick phones for MS to stop its deployment till the problem could be fixed.

An XDA user has made a tutorial on how to get WP8.1 on the Huawei Ascend W1. All the steps are mentioned in this XDA thread. Basically you will need to install Qualcomm driver, followed by its I/O driver and support tool. After that you will be putting custom bootloader onboard to get WP8.1 up and running.

The developer was kind enough to make an easy-to-use video as well.

The HP Pro Tablet 610 G1 is a new 10.1 inch Windows 8.1 business tablet. It is technically based on HP ProPad 600 and we believe that it is just a European variant of it.  Interestingly, this Windows 8.1 tablet is so far listed only with 64-bit operating system and 4 GB of RAM.

HP Pro Tablet 610 G1 Specifications

10.1 inch display with multi touch capability
Resolution of 1920×1200 pixels
Gorilla glass coating on the display
No digitizer, so no stylus fun on photoshop
Intel Atom Z3795 bay trail processor
4 gigabytes of RAM
64 / 128 GB of internal storage
Windows 8.1 64 bit operating system
Micro USB 2.0 ports, micro-HDMI output
Micro SD card slot
802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
8 MP camera and 2MP webcam
31 Wh battery

There is no word if HP has equipped it with USB 3.0 ports. At 652 grams the HP Pro Tablet 610 G1 is not a light tablet by any means but given its beefy specifications we will take it over an iPad any day. Also at 9.9 mm it is still quite thin.

The HP Pro Tablet 610 G1 is already on sale in Italy for EUR 571 for the 64 gigabyte flash storage model.

John McAfee has launched Chadder a new encrypted private messaging application that is available for both Android and windows phone platform. The app is coded by FTC (future tense private systems) which is a company founded by folks at McAfee. The FTC has already churned out couple of security apps like Decentral1 and Etransfr.

For now you can download Chadder only on windows phone and Android

Chadder for Windows phone is different from Whatsapp and other messaging clients because its top priority is privacy.

The developer’s goal was to build an application that is fun and easy to use that happens to be private.

When you first sign up, you are asked for providing nick name, user name and password. After that you are able to enter your email address and mobile number to find from your telephone directory.

Alternatively you can generate a code to share and link up with individuals that way. As said earlier only WP and Android versions are available for download but iOS support is in the tunnel and would be released sooner than you think.

• Windows Phone
• Android

We were able to notice another upcoming tablet using Android OS on GFXbench website, the Dell XPS 12 that was running Android 4.4.2 kitkat operating system over a Core i3 processor from Intel. This tablet that doubles as laptop is already available with Windows OS from quite sometime.

Mentioned as Dell XPS 12-9033 on GFXbench website, it comes with dual-core Intel Core i3-4010U processor with a clock frequency of 1.7 GHz, Intel HD Graphics 4400 graphics chip clocked at 200 MHz to 1 GHz that is also backed by 4-gigabytes of RAM.

The display packs a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, on a 12.6-inch screen. Technical specifications also include a 80-gigabyte built-in SSD as well as a dedicated video camera with a 1 megapixel sensor.

Yezz is one of the first new OEMs to join the windows phone 8 operating system. If you willing to try a brand other than Nokia for windows phone, it is worth buying Billy which is now on sale for $250.

Yezz Billy Specifications

4.7 inches 720P IPS screen
Corning Gorilla glass
13 mega pixel camera
Supports dual SIM, dual standby
Quad-core Snapdragon processor
Thickness of 7.2 mm
Aluminum housing.

Yezz will be offering it in three colors red, white and blue. Being a budget phone it supports 3G (HSDPA+) but not LTE. Folks at Yezz say,

Today we have launched the world’s thinnest windows phone 8.1 device with a very stylish design. It is beautiful and affordable. The phone will go on sale in late May through Amazon’s website in Europe, Latin America and the United States market.

Overmax has released Steelcore 10 Gear tablet with metal housing. All set to make its debut in mid May, it comes with a 10 inch display, Malu 400 MP4 and a quad core RK3188 processor from Rockchip.

Overmax Steelcore 10 Gear Specifications

Display: 10.1-inch IPS matrix of the second generation, with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels,
Processor: 4-core Rockchip RK3188 with a clock frequency of 1.6 GHz,
GPU: Mali-400MP4,
RAM: 1 GB,
NAND Memory: 16 GB + micro SD slot (supports up to 32 GB),
Camera: 2 megapixel,
Camera: 5-megapixel,
Communication: HDMI output, micro USB port, Bluetooth, network card working in a standard N,
System: Google Android 4.2 Jelly Bean,
Battery: 7000 mAh.

Also included with the tablet is a case (which can serve as base), Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, USB cable, OTG cable, and charger. This kit allows you to make better use of your tablet.

At Acer press conference in New York the company unveiled some very interesting devices one of which is Acer Iconia One 7 with 7 inch display and processor from American CPU giant Intel. The specifications are a copy of B1 730 HD that we mentioned few days back as they are one and the same device.

Acer Iconia One 7 (B1-730 HD) Specifications

Display: 7-inch IPS matrix with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, a five-point touch
Processor: Dual-Core Intel Atom Z2560 (x86) with a clock frequency of 1.6 GHz
RAM: 1 GB,
NAND Memory: 8/16 GB + micro SD card slot,
Camera: VGA,
Camera: 5-megapixel,
Communication: Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11n
Battery: 3700 mAh
System: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (can be updated to version 4.4 KitKat)
Case Thickness: 8.9 mm
Weight: 320 grams

Acer Iconia One 7 (B1-730 HD) will go on sale in mid of May this year. Its price has been set at 139 euro.

Swiss electronic manufacture, Q3 has released AC7803C and has released it in Polish market for ZLN 649. Specifications include 7.85 inch display with a resolution of 1024×768. The display technology used is IPS that provides good color contrast and wide viewing angles.

From the product image, it appears that the Q3 AC7803C runs native Android 4.1 operating system. Other specs include quad core Cortex A9 processor with a frequency of 1.2 GHz clock speed and 1 GB of RAM. It is also possible to use a microSD card – up to 32 GB is usable.

For storage you get 8 gigabytes of flash storage. The casing has 2 megapixel back camera and VGA front webcam for video calls. You also get built-in GPS module, Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n and Bluetooth 4.0

The product is covered by a 2 year warranty. Suggested retail price is ZLN 679.