Contrary to speculations, Verizon did not unveil its own HTC One version during its media event at CTIA 2013, introducing instead J.Lo’s Viva Movil mobile experience of which Verizon is an exclusive partner.

In addition to Verizon, the partnership includes other companies such as Moorehead Communications and Brightstar, and its meant to offer U.S.-based Latino population a new mobile shopping alternative.

Targeting the 50 million and growing Latino population, Viva Movil will offer customers a family-centric social networking-based shopping experience. Where does Verizon fit into place you may ask? Well, the carrier will be the exclusive provider of wireless services and devices, although Big Red does not have a stake in the company whose major shareholder is Jennifer Lopez (co-founder and chief creative officer).

Viva Movil will open 15 brick-and-mortar stores by the end of the year in various markets including New York, Miami and LA. In addition to mobile devices and cellular plans, buyers will be able to buy accessories, “fashionable” J.Lo-branded accessories and enjoy a bilingual support.

The online Viva Movil site is up and running and you can already check it out and order your products – you’ll find a variety of smartphones and tablets inside (Android devices are obviously included).

As for that elusive Verizon HTC One version, the handset is yet to become official – not that we ever had solid evidence that the carrier would indeed launch the device. For what it’s worth, just earlier today we looked at a report saying that a Verizon HTC One running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean was discovered in the wild, but the carrier did not confirm the existence of such hardware during the show.

In fact, the event was all about J.Lo’s mobile initiative, as no new hardware was unveiled during the 30-minute keynote.

A new Verizon HTC One rumor says that the handset has been spotted in a Sprint store, running Android 4.2.2.

An xda-developers forum user who apparently works for Sprint has posted the news a few hours ago, but it looks like the original thread has been deleted from the forums. A cached version of that post still exists so here’s what it says:

HTC rep is at my location showing off the one. Asked about the 4.2.2 update and he pulled out a verizon one running it with notification controls in tow……

Looks like Verizon’s will launch with 4.2.2 with us getting the update near there as well.

Pictures or any other visual proof has not been included in the post.

Meanwhile the phone is available from three U.S. carriers including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile but also from a variety of retailers and HTC’s local online store.

This isn’t the first time we hear that Verizon will get the HTC One at some point in the future. So far HTC has denied these reports a few times, recently saying that it will make a big fuss about a potential HTC One launch with the carrier when and if that happens.

Even so, there are various hints indirectly suggesting that a new HTC handset is heading to Verizon, no matter if it’ll be the HTC One or not.

The carrier has a special media event scheduled for today at CTIA 2013, during which it may unveil new products. Naturally, the HTC One is one of the suspects, although we’ll be able to tell you more details later today.

As for that HTC One Android 4.2.2 update, we heard only days ago that it’s supposed to arrive soon.

Galaxy Note 3 concept

Allegedly showing the next-gen Galaxy Note smartphone, a new AnTuTu benchmark has surfaced providing certain details about the upcoming device.

According to the image below, the Galaxy Note 3 scores no less than 27914 in AnTuTu, of course assuming that we’re actually looking at the real deal.

More interestingly, we find out from the image that the device runs Android 4.3, which is said to be the next Android OS update that Google is readying for a June or July launch. Furthermore, the test says the Galaxy Note 3 is packing a 1600MHz processor, and we’re certainly interested to see what that kind of CPU it is. Such performance seems to indicate we could be looking at an Exynos 5 Octa version.

That GT-N7200 model number sounds plausible as well, considering that the model numbers of the Galaxy Note (GT-N7000) and Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100), but also the fact that a GT-N7200 device has also been recently spotted in EXIF data for a photo and reportedly identified as the next Galaxy Note 3.

Mind you, nothing is official just yet, and we’re making educated guesses based on previous Galaxy Note generations and existing Galaxy Note 3 rumors. Naturally, the AnTuTu benchmark could always be faked, and we’re certainly intrigued by the other N7200 devices in that screenshot, all Android devices running various OS versions and scoring much lower than the alleged Galaxy Note 3 device.

For comparison purposes, below you can see benchmark results for existing top Android devices, including the Galaxy S4 who tops such tests, particularly the Exynos 5 Octa version – we’ll note that Tegra 4 scores aren’t included in this one. The chart also shows scores for the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note 2.

That said, this purported Galaxy Note 3, if real, is still a prototype model, which means the final version running the final Android 4.3 build would score better in the same tests.

GSM Insider says that the Galaxy Note 3 would be the “first device with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean ahead of other rivals” – not counting Nexus devices in any case – which would be a remarkable accomplishment for Samsung. Has the company managed to somehow convince Google to grant it earlier access to Android OS versions, as some reports said when analyzing the “tense” relationship between the two companies? Or is Samsung simply getting better than everyone else at using that Android PDK?

We’ll certainly be looking forward to answer such questions, but for the time being we’ll remind you that the information presented in such benchmark tests still has to be questioned, as Samsung is yet to release any official details regarding the handset.

According to a recent report, the company did reveal that the Galaxy Note 3 would be unveiled at IFA 2013 – just as its predecessors, we’ll add. The handset is rumored not to pack a flexible display and to feature a design similar to the Galaxy S4.

A new report says that Verizon may release in the future a Motorola handset similar to the XT1058 (rumored AT&T XFON), suggesting that a CDMA Google X Phone may be launched alongside a GSM version of it.

Droid-Life had access to an “.ini file pulled from leaked Motorola USB drivers” which revealed that the XT1058 – an unannounced Motorola handset spotted at the FCC and in benchmarks, and believed to be a Google X Phone candidate – may have a CDMA brother, the XT1060:

////////////////////////////
This is for RSD app to create correct phone model class
[MODEL]
WIFI = f100,mz604,xoom,mz615,mz615-16,mz615-32,mz615-64,mz607,mz607-16,mz607-32,mz602
STEUMTS = mb865,me865
MSM6X55UMTS = mb632,xt605,xt626,xt621
MSM6X55CDMA = xt603
MSM8960CDMA = xt926,xt897,xt907,xt901,xt1060
MSM8960UMTS = mb886,xt923,xt925,xt905,201m,xt1058
IMC6260UMTS = xt890
////////////////////////////

Considering the similarity between the two model numbers, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume they may be different versions of the same handset. In case you were wondering, in the list above only the XT1058 and XT1060 are unannounced devices, and we did check them all.

The XT1060 will apparently feature a dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, the “MSM8960CDMA,” while the XT1058 would offer a similar CPU. The text snippet above, clearly indicates that the XT1060 is a CDMA device, while the XT1058 is a GSM one.

However, the XT1060 is yet to be confirmed. So far we have only seen the XT1058 at the FCC and found out that it has AT&T-compatible LTE support. The device also showed up in supposedly leaked benchmarks thereafter.

A recently leaked set of images did show us a Motorola-branded device that had AT&T XFON written on the back.

With all that in mind, it makes some sense to assume that the XT1058 could actually be the AT&T XFON, or a GSM version of that rumored Google X Phone that we’ve seen in so many unconfirmed reports in the past few months.

In addition to the XT1060 that we’re now seeing for the first time, we have also talked about an XT1055 model that appeared in a different set of leaked benchmarks, also a potential member of the same family of upcoming Motorola handsets.

As you can see, there’s a lot of speculation surrounding the XT1058 at this point so make sure you take everything with a grain of salt. But if the handset is indeed the GSM version of the X Phone, then in light of all these reports we could conclude that the X Phone would be a mid-range device, at least when compared to 2013 standards for high-end handsets. Such assumptions fall in line with some of the previous reports detailing the X Phone that did say that it may not offer high-end features.

After having been apparently seen and photographed in Croatia, the rugged Galaxy S4 model, reportedly called Galaxy S4 Active, now stars in a short video.

As you can see in the images and video, the design of this purported Galaxy S4 Active model is slightly different than the default Galaxy S4 version.

The Galaxy S4 Active is said to come with a “metallic shell with bolts on the back” according to yesterday’s reports and apparently features three hardware buttons instead of just one on the front side. These are most likely design choices dictated by the fact that the Active has to be a rugged device, capable of withstanding shocks and water accidents. We’ll also notice again that red metal case, or is that what Metallic Orange looks like? That’s assuming we’re looking at the real deal here, of course.

Previous reports did claim that a metal-based Galaxy S4 prototype was appreciated internally at Samsung and we can’t but wonder whether that rumored device is in any way similar to the rugged model shown in these images.

The handset apparently has model number GT-I9295, which isn’t exactly similar to the Galaxy S4’s model number (GT-I9500/GT-I9505). According to yesterday’s pictures, the phone sports a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor with Adreno 320GPU, but the video tells us it’s not the Snapdragon 600. Instead we’re apparently looking at a dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus CPU. However, the S4 Plus family of system on chips do not come with Adreno 320 graphics, but the S4 Pro does – a previous rumor did say that the phone will pack an S4 Pro CPU instead of a newer one.

Other features include a 1920 x 1080 display (480 dpi) and an 8-megapixel shooter. The short video doesn’t offer us any other details about the handset, but we are told that it has dustproof covers and a “kinda rugged exterior.”

Actual availability details for the Galaxy S4 Active are not mentioned at this time, and it’s not clear why the device has been showcased in Croatia in the first place. We’ll remind you that just a few days ago we saw this particular product name confirmed by a Samsung WatchON app update – previously, Samsung has only confirmed that a rugged Galaxy S4 model was in the making, without specifying its actual commercial name.

We’ll be back with more details about the handset once we have them.

Two of Samsung’s latest mobile products, a smartphone and a tablet, have been praised for their performance by Consumer Reports.

We’re looking at the recently launched Galaxy S4 (our review here) and Galaxy Note 8.0 (our review here), with both receiving plenty of positive remarks from the publication.

Galaxy S4

The Galaxy S4 is Consumer Reports’ new “top-rated” smartphone, displacing the LG Optimus G from the top spot it has occupied in its ratings for several months.

The phone has been picked up as the best handset with three major mobile carriers in the U.S. including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile – it’s worth noting that the Verizon Galaxy S4 model is only shipping now to consumers. In addition to the Big Four, we’ll also remind you that the handset is available from various other regional mobile operators in the region.

The Galaxy S4 has received top scores for various categories, including usability, voice calls and messaging. Consumer Reports found that “battery life and voice quality varied slightly between cell carriers,” just like with the former top-rated smartphone, the Optimus G.

The publication reminds us that a special edition Galaxy S4 device running stock Android will soon be launched and that it could run Android 4.3 right out of the box, as some rumors suggest.

Galaxy Note 8.0

The Samsung-made iPad mini rival has also impressed Consumer Reports, with the device receiving 84 points in the company’s survey, outscoring its iOS rival.

Having received top marks in the “7- to 8-inch Wi-Fi tablets” rankings, the tablet “offers stellar performance.” While being $70 more expensive than its most important competitor, the Galaxy Note 8 packs some features the iPad mini doesn’t offer including a stylus, a memory card reader that makes up for the limited 16GB storage and GPS support.

In addition to the Galaxy Note 8.0, the publication also remarks other products such as Coby tablets (in 7-, 8- and 10.1-inch sizes), the Archos GamePad and the Windows 8-based Dell Latitude 10 Essentials.

A report reveals that the Nexus experience Galaxy S4 model will only be available in the USA, at least at first.

The handset was unveiled during the lengthy software-centric Google I/O 2013 keynote last week, although Google only revealed a few details about it. The device will cost $649 – it’s carrier unlocked and comes with an unlocked bootloader – and will start selling via the Google Play Store on June 26.

At the time of the announcement, Google did not mention what markets will get the Nexus experience Galaxy S4, and it seemed logical to assume that the device would be launched in various countries that have access to Play Store hardware purchases.

However, that turns out not to be the case, as SlashGear tells us pointing to a CNET UK report that has flown under the radar so far. It looks like Google has confirmed to the publication that the handset will only be sold in the USA, at least at the beginning. At this time, it’s not clear whether the handset will be launched in other markets or not, and we don’t know why Google would choose not to expand the launch to more markets right from the beginning.

Despite its high price, especially when compared with the six-month old Nexus 4, the Galaxy S4 “Nexus” may be an interesting choice for plenty of buyers that do not want to buy the regular TouchWiz version of the handset and/or don’t want to ink a new two-year contract with a carrier. But potential international buyers will have to wait for the handset to reach their markets, or somehow get their hands on one directly from the U.S.

Before you ask, the Play Store seems to be the only place that will stock this special edition Samsung smartphone, unlike the Nexus 4 which is available in international markets from plenty of third-party retailers. However, the Galaxy S4 Google Edition is not a true Nexus device, just a handset that would offer buyers a  Nexus user experience – Google did not mention its product name during the keynote – so we wouldn’t expect Google to try to push it through as many channels as possible.

We’re certainly looking forward to find out more details about the Nexus experience Galaxy S4 launch plans, and we expect Google and Samsung to share more information once we get closer to June 26.

Details about the first Jolla (Sailfish OS) mobile phone in the world have hit the web revealing that the handset is available for pre-order and that it would support Android apps.

The phone will apparently be called the “Jolla” and, according to available information, it will pack a 4.5-inch Estrade display with “HD” resolution (supposedly 720p), unspecified dual-core processor, 16GB of storage, microSD support, 8-megapixel camera with auto-focus and 4G LTE and a user-replaceable battery.

Interestingly, the device comes with various color case options (“The Other Half”) and matches the theme of the handset accordingly, allowing you to set up “your other half, exactly as you want it to be.”

While the Jolla would run the “gesture-based” Sailfish OS, it looks like the handset will be able to also run Android apps. That doesn’t mean that Jolla buyers would immediately be able to install apps from the Google Play Store, as the Android app support is not clearly detailed.

In case Sailfish OS doesn’t ring any bells, you’ll have to know that we’re looking at a mobile operating system based on that old “MeeGo” platform that was unveiled only just over three years ago at MWC 2010 by Intel and Nokia. The Linux-based OS, a result of the merger between Nokia’s Maemo and Intel’s Moblin platforms, was soon ditched by both companies. Nokia focused on Windows Phone while Intel formed a partnership with Samsung to develop Tizen, also a Linux-based mobile platform.

The Jolla will cost €399 and is expected to ship by the end of the year, although actual launch dates are not available at this time.

Interested buyers can pre-order the device for €100 and once they do that they’ll get a voucher of €100 that will be deducted from the phone’s price “at the time of purchase,” an exclusive “Other Half” case that will ship at some point near the Jolla phone’s launch and a Jolla t-shirt. For €40, buyers will also get to pre-order a limited edition Jolla phone and a t-shirt. In case you don’t want to pay anything upfront, you can still pre-order the handset to be among the “very first ones to obtain a genuine Jolla.”

Samsung Youm OLED flexible display demoed at CES 2013.

Samsung has been recently granted a design patent for a tablet PC that appears to have a bendable display.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded Samsung a slew of patents earlier this week including two design patents for tablets. As always with patents – whether awarded or not – keep in mind that they do not portray actual products, and we may never see the devices shown in patent images come to life. But such patents indicate that Samsung is definitely exploring various tablet designs including slates with flexible displays or bendable areas. These patents have been both submitted for review last summer.

That said, in these images you’ll be able to observe the two tablet designs awarded to Samsung. Patent number D682,264 (filed in June 2012) shows images of a “Tablet computer” that comes with a built-in case and a handle (second image below). In addition to the offered images, other details are not mentioned.

Samsung Design Patent D682,263 for a “Tablet PC” – filed in July 5, 2012 and granted on May 14, 2013.

Most interestingly, patent D682,263 (filed in July 2012) shows a “Tablet PC” that appears to have a bendable display. As you can see in the image above, the tablet PC can be folded along the dotted line. However, the patent clearly states that the dotted lines are not parts of the claimed design:

The broken lines shown in the figures represent portions of the tablet PC which form no part of the claimed design.

Patent ‘263 isn’t offering any more details than patent ‘264 does, but what’s clear from the drawings is that the “tablet PC” has a screen with a flexible section. We can only speculate that the bendable part of the tablet’s display could act as some sort of a touchscreen keyboard, while also acting as a stand when users would hold the tablet in landscape mode on a surface. The rest of the display would presumably continue to act as a display.

Interestingly, it’s not clear what the difference is between a “tablet computer” and a “tablet PC,” the two products described in these newly awarded patents.

Samsung Design Patent D682,264 for a “Tablet computer” – filed in June 20, 2012 and granted on May 14, 2013.

As recent reports have shown, Samsung is not yet ready to mass-produce flexible displays in enough quantites to meet consumer needs. While still showing off its advancements in flexible display tech at consumer shows, Samsung is not yet ready to launch a product featuring such a panel. The company’s own JK Shin has more than once deflected a clear answer when asked about the first Samsung products featuring a flexible display.

Most recently, when asked whether the Galaxy Note 3 would pack such a screen he said that more time is still needed without making other comments. Another report recently claimed that the Galaxy Note 3 would not feature a flexible display as previous rumors suggested.

That said, we have no idea when a Samsung tablet with flexible display could arrive. So far this year, Samsung has announced two new tablets, the Galaxy Note 8.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0, with at least two more models rumored to arrive, the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. Rumors have also mentioned an 11-inch Nexus-branded Samsung tablet, which is yet to be confirmed.

AA Staff contributed to this story.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Concept

A couple of new reports offer new details about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 3 smartphone but also mention a device never seen before in similar rumors, the Galaxy S4 Mega.

Galaxy Note 3

Sam Mobile published a picture (see below) that has been allegedly taken with the Galaxy Note 3. The image has apparently been posted on the forum of a Polish website called SmartFan. Naturally, the information can’t be confirmed at this time, as we’re only looking at details available from EXIF data, and such info can be tampered with.

Assuming it’s real, the image appears to have been taken with a GT-N7200 device running firmware version N7200XXUAMEB. The Galaxy Note 2 has model number GT-N7100, while the Galaxy Note has model number GT-N7000, so it makes sense to assume this GT-N7200 is the third handset in the series.

According to the EXIF data, the device has a 13-megapixel sensor and an aperture of f/2.2, matching the characteristics of the Galaxy S4 main shooter. The Galaxy Note 3 could share the same camera with the Galaxy S4, but it’s too early to have it everything confirmed.

The handset is expected to be unveiled at IFA 2013 in Germany in early September.

Galaxy S4 Mega

The Galaxy S4 is rumored to have plenty of brothers including the Galayx S4 Mini, the Galaxy S4 Zoom and the Galaxy S4 Active, but it looks like another member of this expanding family may have been spotted.

Called the Galaxy S4 Mega, this particular model has been seen in Samsung’s recently updated WatchOn application. As you can see in the screenshots below WatchON has been updated with “added support for the upcoming S4 Mega, S4 mini and S4 Active.” In fact, these product names are mention right on the app’s page in the Google Play Store:

From the looks of it, the Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy S4 Active we mentioned before also get confirmed, but the Galaxy S4 Mega is a totally new product name.

Considering that the Mega is a new subfamily of Galaxy smartphones (currently there are two models in it, the Galaxy Mega 6.3 and the Galaxy Mega 5.8), where would a Galaxy S4 Mega fit? Is the device a bigger Galaxy S4 Mega? What purpose would it serve?

We’ll be back with more details about upcoming Samsung devices once we have them.