Google is preparing to drop its Nexus devices in favor of Google Play Edition smartphones and tablets in 2015, according to Russian tipster Eldar Murtazin. It’s thought third-party manufacturers don’t like competing with Nexus price tags, which could also be hurting sales of Google’s Motorola handsets.
Customs officials in Stuttgart, Germany, have seized and destroyed 250 counterfeit Galaxy S4 handsets that were set to go on sale in Europe. The devices were picked up at the airport as they entered the country, then demolished one-by-one with a hammer.
Nokia Normandy, Nokia’s first Android-powered smartphone, has appeared on a Vietnamese retailer’s website ahead of its official debut. The much-anticipated device is expected to show its face for the first time at MWC next month, and it could launch with support for a number of Google services — including the Google Play Store.
Google has beaten out Facebook to acquire London-based Artificial Intelligence company DeepMind — for an amount alleged to be in excess of $500 million.
DeepMind was founded by neuroscientist and chess prodigy Demis Hassabis, as well as Skype and Kazaa developer Jaan Tallin, and researcher Shane Legg. While it is unknown exactly what the company is working on, it describes itself as a “a cutting edge artificial intelligence company” to build general-purpose learning algorithms for simulations, e-commerce, and games.
LG has confirmed that it will be unveiling its new G Pro 2 smartphone at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. The original 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro made its U.S. debut last May as LG’s answer to large smartphones like the Galaxy Note, and it’s thought the G Pro 2 will be even bigger.
