Yesterday, Google officially announced the expanding availability of its Play Books service to New Zealand and an additional 8 new countries across Asia. This expansion bumps the total number of supported countries up to 36.

LG is known for being a little slow when it comes to issuing Android updates, but fortunately for three of the devices in its 2012 Optimus lineup, Jelly Bean is on its way. The Korean company has confirmed on its LG Hong Kong Facebook page that the Optimux 4X HD, the Optimus L7, and the Optimus L9 will all get Android 4.2 “in the first half” of 2013.

Speculation surrounding the Galaxy S IV, Samsung’s next flagship smartphone, traditionally ramps up around this time of the year. Everyone’s itching to know what the device will offer when it comes to features and specifications, and what it’ll look like. We’ve seen the rumors that offer questionable information from sources, but this picture, which was uploaded to Picasa almost a month ago, could be the Galaxy S IV’s first press shot.

A press release in Hong Kong has shed some light on what kind of pricing we can expect for Samsung’s large-and-in-charge Galaxy Note 10.1. The device is set to be unveiled here in the states on August 15th, but Sammy has already announced its existence and global launch appears to begin August 16th, with Hong Kong first on the list.