Smartphone retailer Carphone Warehouse has confirmed that the Nokia Lumia 900 is “coming soon” to the United Kingdom, and recent reports suggest the phone could launch as soon as this June. The Lumia 900 was announced during the Consumer Electronics Show for AT&T as Nokia’s latest flagship Windows phone device. It’s equipped with a 4.3-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display, an 8-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, a 1.4GHz processor, 4G LTE connectivity support, a 1,830 mAh battery, 16GB of internal storage and 512MB of RAM. Carphone Warehouse did not reveal pricing for the phone and Nokia has not made any announcements outside the U.S. at this point.

[Via WPCentral]

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Two additional members of Anonymous have been charged in the United Kingdom. The hackers were identified by London’s Metropolitan Police as Christopher Jan Weatherhead (20 years old) and Ashley Rhodes (26 years old), and they were both arrested in January of this year, The Wall Street Journal said. According to London’s Metropolitan Police, Weatherhead and Rhodes are charged with “conspiracy to do an unauthorized act in relation to a computer, with intent to impair the operation of any computer or prevent or hinder access to any program or data held in a computer or to impair the operation of any such program or the reliability of such data.” Rhodes and Weatherhead are out on bail and will appear in court on September 7th. A 22-year old U.K. hacker named Peter David Gibson was also charged for the same crimes on August 22nd. In addition, Jack Davis, a.k.a. Topiary from LulzSec, was arrested and released on bail earlier this month. Anonymous and LulzSec have carried out a number of large-scale DDoS attacks against major corporations, and most recently targeted Apple.

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Former Microsoft UK General Manager Simon Negus was let go last year, and now he is suing his former employer for wrongful termination. Negus was dismissed following allegations that he lied during an investigation into his conduct at a 2010 company party in Atlanta, Georgia. The executive was accused flirting with, kissing and touching colleague Toni Knowlson, and asking another female colleague to stand on a chair so people could see her short skirt. In Negus’ lawsuit, however, he denies the allegations and claims Microsoft’s annual sales conferences were rife with “drunkenness and outrageous misbehaviour.” The former Microsoft executive also claims company VP Gordon Frazer intentionally set out to prevent him from rising through the ranks at Microsoft. Negus is seeking 15 years of earnings in his complaint, which covers harassment and wrongful termination. Microsoft would not comment on the case.

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A 22-year old student allegedly associated with the hacking group “Anonymous” has been arrested and charged in the United Kingdom. Peter David Gibson is charged with “conspiracy to do an unauthorized act in relation to a computer, with intent to impair the operation of any computer or prevent or hinder access to any program or data held in a computer or to impair the operation of any such program or the reliability of such data,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement Thursday. Gibson is out on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on September 7th to stand trial. It is believed that Gibson was involved on a number of Anonymous’s DDOS attacks against large corporations; the “Anonymous Operations” branch of the hacking group most recently attacked Apple. Authorities in the United States and the United Kingdom have arrested a number of hackers believed to be associated with Anonymous and a sub-group called LulzSec. LulzSec spokesperson and hacker Jack Davis, aka Topiary, was arrested earlier this month and released on bail.

[Via Bloomberg]

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Research firm Ofcom recently released its annual Communications Market Report that surveyed 2,073 adults and 512 teenagers in the United Kingdom. The results revealed that 32% of adults preferred using the iPhone as their primary handset while 37% percent of teens chose to carry a BlackBerry smartphone. Ofcom didn’t reveal whether it was cost or feature sets that drove the preference, however. The firm also found that 37% of adults considered themselves “addicted” to their smartphones while 60% of teenagers admitted being addicted. What was the most visited website on a smartphone? Facebook clocked in 43 million hours of usage in December 2010 alone, according to the firm.

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District Judge Howard Riddle released 18-year old alleged LulzSec hacker Jake Davis on bail Monday morning. Davis hacked under the name “Topiary” online and served as the public face of LulzSec, often publishing press releases and status updates on the group’s Twitter account, before he was arrested on July 27th. The news debunks earlier reports that authorities had been duped into arresting an the wrong man. Authorities in the U.K. said they discovered personal information for more than 750,000 people on Davis’ computers. Davis has been charged with hacking the Sun, Times, Sony and the Serious Organized Crime agency. Davis’ lawyers are highlighting his role as a press secretary for LulzSec and have argued that Davis did not participate in the attacks directly. Davis was released on bail but cannot access the Internet from any device, including from smartphones, The Financial Times said.

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We’re expecting Samsung to begin launching its flagship Galaxy S II handset in the United States any week now, and on Thursday a render of a white version of the device popped up online. Until recently, Samsung only offered a black hued model of the phone in Europe, but a number of retailers are beginning to stock the new white model pictured above. The Galaxy S II packs a dual-core processor, Samsung’s stunning Super AMOLED Plus screen, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the latest TouchWiz user interface and more. So far it has been Samsung’s fastest selling smartphone and 5 million units have already been shipped. Hopefully one of the U.S. carriers have this hue scheduled for launch because we’re definitely fawning over the milky color scheme.

[Via Android Central]

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Sony announced its brand new VAIO Z laptop on Thursday, an ultralight device that weighs just 2.6 pounds. The Windows 7 Professional-powered notebook is equipped with a 13.1-inch 1600 x 900-pixel display, a 2.7GHz Intel Core i7 processor, a 256GB solid state drive, AMD Radeon HD graphics, and can be purchased with an optional battery sheet that provides up to 14 hours of battery life. Similarly, its optional Power Media Dock accessory supports up to four displays at once, has its own 1GB graphics card, can be purchased with a DVD or Blu-ray drive, and offers support for Intel’s new “Light Peak” port. The VAIO Z will make its debut in July in the UK first for £2,700 ($4,320), Read on for the full press release.

Ultimate performance and design: ultra-mobile new VAIO Z Series from Sony weighs under 1.2kg

28 June 2011

Thin, ultra-light 13.1” notebook PC with innovative new Power Media Dock

· 33.2cm (13.1”) VAIO Z Series: less than 1.2 kg and 16.65mm slim with stunning design and smart battery concept

· Business-class power with latest standard voltage Intel® Core™ i7 processors and fast SSD storage

· High-resolution (1600×900) anti-reflective VAIO Display Premium

· Optional sheet battery gives up to 14hr stamina¹ with quick charge

· Power Media Dock™ ² with quad video monitor support, AMD Radeon™ HD graphics, optical drive and extra ports including HDMI™ out

· Quick Boot gets you working in seconds

Weighing little over a kilogram, the new VAIO Z Series notebook PC from Sony is created for mobile professionals who demand absolute performance and portability.

VAIO Z blends ultra-desirable styling and premium carbon fibre with no-compromise specifications and innovative productivity features. In the office or on the road, this class-leading business notebook helps demanding users work more efficiently with the ultimate in on-the-move computing power.

All-new VAIO Z takes cutting-edge styling by Sony to new extremes, with a ‘full flat’ body and display lid that are crafted in tough, ultra-light carbon fibre. At just below 1.2kg and 16.65mm slim, the new VAIO Z is the perfect partner for business travellers who demand ultimate power with less to carry.

On-the-go usability is enhanced further by the backlit keyboard with extra-wide palm rest and ergonomic new ‘button-less’ touchpad. With a resolution of 1600×900, the 33.2cm (13.1”) VAIO Display Premium features an anti-reflective coating that cuts glare from direct light sources and ensures crisp colour reproduction.

Performance is everything you’d expect from the most sophisticated VAIO notebook yet. Latest-generation standard voltage Intel® Core™ i7 processors are teamed with speedy DDR3 SDRAM and up to 256GB SSD RAID storage to blaze through the toughest workload with ease.

As an extra refinement, Quick Boot saves precious time when you’re in a hurry, loading Genuine Windows® 7 Professional up to 50% quicker than conventional notebooks. Embedded VAIO ‘everywair’ 3G WWAN on selected models connects via your mobile broadband operator.

Power Media Dock™

The performance of VAIO Z Series is taken to new extremes by the unique Power Media Dock², a monolithic expansion module that links with VAIO via an optical cable. The proprietary port can also be used to attach regular USB devices to VAIO when it’s not docked.

Featuring high-speed I/O data transfer based on the architecture codenamed ‘Light Peak’, Power Media Dock boosts graphics performance while adding numerous extra connectivity options. It includes an optical drive for even greater business productivity and satisfying HD entertainment. The module comes supplied with a stylish design-matched stand.

With Power Media Dock added, VAIO Z can manage up to four displays (including the notebook screen) via HDMI™ and/or VGA output ports. In this configuration, VAIO Z makes a compelling choice for design, finance and science professionals who need to work across several screens simultaneously. New-generation AMD Radeon HD graphics with 1GB VRAM effortlessly handle demanding graphics tasks, from 3D CAD to gaming.

When docked, connectivity options are boosted by additional USB ports plus VGA and HDMI outputs. Power Media Dock also sports an optical drive bay that can be specified with a Blu-ray Disc™ or SuperMulti combo drive. Games and movies on DVD or Blu-ray Disc sound as good as they look with latest Dolby® Home Theater® v4.

Sheet battery

VAIO Z features the innovative ‘sheet battery’ already showcased on this year’s VAIO S Series. The notebook’s internal lithium polymer battery provides power for up to 7 hours¹ on-the-go computing. It’s partnered by a second thin, flat optional lithium polymer sheet battery that can be charged separately from the PC and added without removing the internal battery. The sheet battery attaches without having to switch off the PC, boosting stamina to up to 14 hours¹ for day-and-night working, even if you’re far from mains power.

VAIO Z delivers a richer communication experience if you’re staying in touch with colleagues via video conference or web chat. The HD web camera powered by Exmor™ technology ensures detailed-packed video even in low light.

There’s a full range of official accessories from Sony, style-matched to complement the looks and performance of your VAIO. Many more configuration options – including a Full HD (1920 x 1080) LCD – are available exclusively to online shoppers at Sony Store.

The new 2011 VAIO Z Series of ultra-portable performance notebook PCs is available from the end of July 2011 (actual date of availability varies by country).

Yankee Group is set to release its European Mobile User Study next month and the research firm has just provided a quick glimpse into its early findings. Reportedly, 40% of European smartphone buyers plan to purchase an iPhone as their next device. 19% plan to purchase an Android powered device, 17% have their eye on a BlackBerry, and 15% plan to buy a Nokia smartphone. “These findings highlight the continued strength of Apple in the European smartphone market and, in particular, its phenomenal brand appeal,” Yankee Group research vice president, Declan Lonergan, said. “The data also highlights the enormous challenges faced by Nokia and RIM to retain mind share and market share in this increasingly dynamic and competitive marketplace.” In addition, the firm found that employees argued they are 58% more productive while on long-distance travel trips when they have a tablet in tow. Yankee Group also argues that consumerization is taking over the workplace and that four times more employees are now using tools designed for the consumer market for work purposes — with IT’s approval, of course. The survey involved 5,000 consumers, 2,250 employees and “IT decision makers” in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Read on for the full press release.

Yankee Group Unveils New European Mobile User Study

New survey offering finds 40 percent of smartphone buyers plan to choose an iPhone.

London, U.K. Jun 22, 2011 – Yankee Group today announced the 2011 European Mobile User Study, which is designed to help both European and global firms make better product, pricing and segmentation decisions. The new study polls 5,000 consumers and 2,250 employees and IT decision-makers across five European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.

Available in July, this new survey offering provides key insights into European mobile user behavior, attitudes and purchase plans. For example, it finds 40 percent of consumers who intend to buy a smartphone as their next mobile device will choose an iPhone. Android-based devices come in second (19 percent), followed by BlackBerry (17 percent) and Nokia (15 percent).

“These findings highlight the continued strength of Apple in the European smartphone market and, in particular, its phenomenal brand appeal,” said Declan Lonergan, research VP at Yankee Group. “The data also highlights the enormous challenges faced by Nokia and RIM to retain mind share and market share in this increasingly dynamic and competitive marketplace.”

Other study findings include:

• Consumerization is taking over the enterprise. Four times more employees use consumer tools for work purposes with IT’s explicit approval.
• New devices spur productivity. Employees say they are 58 percent more productive during long-distance travel when they have a tablet.
• Mobile users are multi-device-savvy. Most users have more than one device and they access the same services and content via the screen best suited for the time and place.

In addition to the new study, Yankee Group also announced that Simon Rodd is joining the firm as portfolio manager within the company’s European sales team (see accompanying release). To learn about additional open Yankee Group positions in Boston, London and other locations, visit http://www.yankeegroup.com/careers.do

There are numerous reports claiming that the leader of the now infamous hacking group LulzSec has been arrested in the United Kingdom. According to London’s Metropolitan Police, the shadowy leader was a 19-year old responsible for hacking “a number of international businesses and intelligence agencies.” The group took responsibility for Sony’s recent massive security breach and has also targeted a number of high-visibility websites, including that of the Central Intelligence Agency, and has waged war on the U.S. government with another group dubbed Anonymous. Despite the reports, however, LulzSec has denied that any of its members have been arrested. Early Tuesday morning the group tweeted: “Seems the glorious leader of LulzSec got arrested, it’s all over now… wait… we’re all still here! Which poor b****** did they take down?”

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According to AllAboutPhones, Nokia will launch its first Windows Phone handsets in six European countries this year. Oddly, Finland will not be one of them. The Finnish phone maker has said that it plans to launch the new devices by Q4 2011, and the first six countries named include France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands. If your country isn’t on that list, fear not. Nokia has said that it plans to launch as many as a dozen Windows Phones throughout 2012, some of which will pack dual-core processors. We’re looking forward to Nokia bringing its drop-dead gorgeous hardware to U.S. store shelves, too.

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Sprint’s Kyocera Echo and U.S. Cellular’s LG Genesis are currently the only dual-screen smartphones available in the U.S., but the Echo and Genesis may soon be joined by a third such device. Pocket-Lint has gotten its hands on several photos of a new dual-screen Android handset made by LG that’s possibly headed to T-Mobile in the U.K. The secondary display doesn’t look like it’s as versatile as the Echo’s — instead it appears limited to offering quick access to shortcuts — and it certainly has a unique split-keyboard design that would take some getting used to. The phone could launch as the Maxx Q or the Flip II if it ever makes a debut, but there’s no word if that’s definite. Hit the jump for a few more photos.

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Citing issues with the user experience, O2 UK announced on Thursday that it “will not be selling” the BlackBerry PlayBook. The wireless carrier began notifying customers who had signed up for more information about its change of heart on Thursday. The carrier officially stated: “unfortunately there are some issues with the end to end customer experience,” but didn’t delve further into its reasons for the decision. We suspect it could be the lack of a native email client, an addition that RIM has said it will add in a future update, but we also noted that it felt like an “unfinished product” in our recent review. O2 did say that it could offer the product at a later date, and that it will work with Research In Motion on its BlackBerry PlayBook products in the future.

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Hewlett-Packard finally announced details surrounding the launch of its first webOS tablet last week, but nary a peep was made about its upcoming flagship smartphone, the HP Pre 3. The TouchPad tablet will become available in the U.S. on July 1st starting at $499.99, and now it looks like the Pre 3 could launch exactly one week later on July 8th. U.K. retailer £349.99 (about $565) unlocked and contract-free, which is very reasonable for a brand new smartphone. On this side of the pond, we’re still expecting the Pre 3 to launch at $199.99 with a new two-year carrier agreement, and the availability of unlocked units is unknown. We’ve been waiting to get our hands on a production Pre 3 ever since we first saw the sleek smartphone back in early February, and it looks like the wait might almost be over.

Thanks, Joseph

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RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook will make its U.K debut on June 16th. The 7-inch QNX-powered tablet will be available from a number of retailers, including Phones 4u and The Carphone Warehouse, and the 16GB model will start at £399.95 ($648). iPhone 4u will also sell a 64GB version online for £559.95 ($907), while The Carphone Warehouse will also carry a third 32GB model for £479 ($777). U.K. customers can pre-order the PlayBook from either retailer beginning today. [Via Engadget]

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