The G Surge

     A  Nexus 4  running build number JWR45B was spotted at the Thailand Mobile Expo recently labeled as Android version 4.3, suggesting the update to the OS could be right around the corner. While the validity of the sighting remains unconfirmed, we do get three shots of what could be the next version of Android: the Jelly Bean easter egg (confirming the update won’t be Key Lime Pie), the About Phone screen, and a slightly tweaked camera UI. It appears that Android 4.3 won’t come with a major design overhaul in tow and rather will be the sort of incremental update that was the move from 4.1 to 4.2. Major platform changes aren’t expected until Android 5.0, which could still be on track for a release this year, though closer to the holiday season. [via  XDA ]

Google I/O 2013 recently wrapped up, and I’ve been spending some time ingesting all the information from sessions during the event, including ones I couldn’t directly attend. While Google didn’t announce a new version of Android at the event, something nearly everyone speculated would happen, it did directly allude to new upcoming features that will be implemented in this still unnamed upcoming version. Google allegedly assigns version numbers late in the process, but what is known is that this next release will implement upcoming API level 18. If you  follow the progression  there’s a likelihood this will be Jelly Bean MR2 (Management Release 2), where Android 4.2 was management release 1. Based on some other discussions and sources I also suspect this might be Jelly Bean MR2. All of that is really just semantics however, what really matters are what specific features are coming and which of those Google touched on during I/O.

                                  Google plans t o unveil Android 4.3, an updated version of its popular mobile operating system, at the Google I/O confere as much of a surprise to those who follow the mobile industry onfirmed, however, as a Google search result discovered by Verge references the new Android build in a page that will soon go live on the Android developer website. Google’s I/O keynote is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. EDT, and we will be bringing you all the news as it breaks. A screenshot of the Google search result mentioning Android 4.3 follows below.  

  Google I/O 2013 brings together thousands of developers for three days of deep technical content focused on building the next generation of web, mobile, and enterprise applications with Google and open web technologies such as Android, Google Chrome, Google APIs, Google Web Toolkit, App Engine, and more. 

Sony Xperia ZR lets you dive underwater to take photos [VIDEO] Sony has just announced a new smartphone for those who like to capture underwater memories every now and then. It’s the Sony Xperia ZR, and its claim to fame will come from its ability to take photos while submerged in up to 5 feet of water (for up to 30 minutes) thanks to its IP55 and IP58 compliant build. That won’t be useful for you deep sea divers, but you can get by with it at a day at the pool if you don’t have a better underwater camera to take long with you. Of course, there’s a lot more to a smartphone than its durability in water. The Sony Xperia ZR features a 4.6 inch HD Reality display, a 13 megapixel Exmor RS sensor that can do HDR in both still images and video, Qualcomm’s quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM, NFC, and 4G LTE connectivity. The device will be available starting in Q2 in various markets around the globe, though pricing details and exact shipping dates will vary region-to-reg

White Nexus 4 breaks cover again — will we see it at Google I/O? Ever since the  Nexus 4  launched in November we’ve wondered whether or not Google would ever introduce a white color option. Rumors suggested one was in the works, with leaks from retailers and carriers tipping us off to its existence. Six months later and we still haven’t the slightest idea of where it is, but it is still floating around and has reared its beautiful head again. Google+ user Ervin Sue bravely posted pictures  of the pearly-white Nexus 4 online, and we were given a bit of context. The user used the hashtags #io13 and #io, suggesting Google might be bringing this thing to San Francisco with them. From what we can tell from the images, only the rear and sides of the device will be white — the front will still sport a black bezel. A couple of different possibilities exist. The first is that this could be a special edition of the Nexus 4 that Google might give away to I/O attendees. If you haven’t