LG Optimus G Pro 5-inch phone is real, Optimus G UK-bound

LG's rumoured 5-inch monster smart phone has been made official. The LG Optimus G Pro (rolls off the tongue and into the heart) is a 1080p palm-wrecker powered by a mighty 1.7GHz quad-core processor.

The existence of the mammoth mobile was confirmed by Japanese network NTT Docomo, with an April release date for our pals in Japan. Discerning details through the fog of Google translate is tricky, but Japanese site Ktai Watch has a little more information.

There's currently no word on a worldwide release, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this gigantic phone rocking up in Europe, especially as LG has confirmed the 4.7-inch LG Optimus G will be getting a wider release than its current US, Canada, Korean and Japan confines.

I asked LG if that broader debut included the UK, and was told that as far as it knows, "UK is also included in Optimus G launching countries list". Stay tuned for information on prices and release dates, though with the Optimus G Pro now official, you may want to save your pennies and hope the 5-inch model makes it to Britain.

We'll likely hear more on both devices at Mobile World Congress, which kicks off in late February in Barcelona. CNET will be present in force, so keep your eyes peeled for all the latest.

A year ago you'd have struggled to find an Android fan who gave more than one hoot about LG's Android offering, but since delivering the near-perfect Nexus 4 into our grasping mitts (well, a few of us anyway), the South Korean company is feeling much more interesting.

Samsung Galaxy Note II: Top six features

Samsung Galaxy Note II is here. After a season of rumours and leaks, Samsung unveiled its second phablet device in a pre-IFA press event at Berlin. Set to go on sale starting October in 128 markets across the globe, Note II brings quite a few software improvements that were not present in the original Galaxy Note device.
Let's take a look at these features.

Air View: Going beyond the floating touch by Sony, Samsung has included something called Air View on Note II. Air View allows users to hover with the S Pen over an email, S Planner, image gallery, or video to preview the content without having to open it. The company claims that it will enable users to skip multiple steps to quickly search and view more information.

Popup Note: Another interesting addition to Note II is Popup Note; it extends the concept of Popup Play, which lets users open an S Note instantly as a pop-up window anywhere on the screen.

Quick Command: According to the Korean manufacturer, the new feature Quick Command lets users quickly activate frequently used apps using the S Pen. The command pad appears when a user just swipes upward on the screen with the S Pen button pressed.

Screen Recorder: If you want a desktop style screencaster, Screen Recorder on Note II is there to help. It lets users record a whole sequence of actions taken on their Note II screen.

Easy Clip: In order to help users make better memos, Samsung has released Easy Chip, which enables users to instantly outline and crop any content on the screen in any shape to save, share or paste. By simply pressing the dedicated S Pen button, the S Pen magically recognizes that users want to clip or edit the selected content on the screen.

Idea Visualizer: It allows users to easily add illustrations by handwriting keywords on the S Note. It provides illustration images that match the handwritten keywords.

iPhone 4 Case with Flip-Out Keyboard

Description:Give your iPhone 4 a real flip-out tactile keyboard
Keyboard flips out for use, then flips back in when done
Magnet based clasp keeps keyboard in position whether flipped in or out
Increased typing accuracy and speed
Precise hard clicky keys... not mushy rubber keys
Works with any app such as e-mail, web browsing, notes, and calendar
Completely wireless Bluetooth connection does not use dock connector
Keyboard powered by built in rechargeable battery, recharges via included USB cable
Dimension: 118 x 69 x 23mm (approx.)
Weight: 72g