Samsung Q3 report: Operating profits reach $7.4 billion

Samsung has released their quarterly earning figures and once again has come up with some impressive numbers. Their total revenue last quarter was 52.18 trillion won ($47.5 billion), a 26 percent increase over last year, and the operating profits were 8.12 trillion won ($7.4 billion), a 91 percent increase over last year.

Samsung's mobile communication department has seen some strong growth, contributing to 26.25 trillion won ($23.9 billion) to the overall revenue of the company. The display department also did well this time, with revenue of 8.46 trillion won ($7.7 billion) and operating profits of 1.09 trillion won ($1 billion), a 19 percent increase over last year.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_q3_report_operating_profits_reach_74_billion-news-5000.php

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As Surface hits stores in China, Ballmer talks it up while Apple boss calls it ‘compromised, confusing’

Microsoft's new Surface tablet launches on Friday. Ballmer's been singing its praises in various interviews, while Apple boss Tim Cook has been doing what he can to dampen any excitement.

Thanks to the earth’s rotation and the sun’s rays and the time zones and the International Date Line and the general way in which the universe has organized itself, it’s consumers in China who will be among the first to get their hands on Microsoft’s new Surface tablet.

The brand new device, which marks Microsoft’s entry into an already crowded market, launches Friday, along with the Redmond-based company’s new Windows 8 operating system.

Ballmer

In an interview with the BBC this week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer described the new product launches as an “epic” moment for the company. “It’s right up there in the top two or three big moments, including Windows 95 and the launch of the IBM PC, and it really starts us on this new era of computing,” Ballmer said.

Asked about the Surface, Ballmer gave a perfectly worded answer that sounded like a voiceover for an ad, describing it as “the one device you need for work and for play, that you can just take with you; you can really do what you need to do for school or for your job, you can really enjoy movies, books, entertainment, reading, games, all in one thin, light package – there’ll be nothing like the Surface with Windows 8.”

China

Consumers in China will be among the first to discover if Ballmer’s words are baseless baloney or bang on the money, with many in the country about to tear the packaging off the new tablet in the next few hours.

IDG News reported “hundreds of buyers” lined up outside one particular Beijing electronics store overnight,

One guy waiting in line, Chen Shi, reiterated Ballmer’s comment that the device is for work as well as play. “The tablet supports more software features for office work, things that you would actually use,” he told IDG. “Basically, Microsoft is reinventing the tablet, because now people are used to using their tablets as toys, and only use them to play games. These tablets lack features to do work for the office.”

Cook

Of course, Microsoft is late to the game when it comes to tablets, with Apple’s iPad dominating the market since launch day in 2010, and other big-hitters such as Amazon and Google already in the business. Apple CEO Tim Cook wasted little time in throwing in a few choice comments about Microsoft’s new arrival, telling analysts during an earnings call Thursday that though he hadn’t yet had a chance to use it, he was getting the impression from reviews that Microsoft’s new tablet “is a fairly compromised, confusing product.” But he would say that, wouldn’t he.

It’s the opinions of ordinary consumers that really matter, and these will soon begin filling forums across the Web. Only then will we have a better idea if the Surface is going to sink or swim. Or simply be used as a skateboard.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/as-surface-hits-stores-in-china-apple-ceo-calls-it-compromised-confusing/

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Teardown shows new 13-inch MacBook Pro marginally more repairable

This teardown may give you a tear down your face (credit: iFixit)

The first teardown of the 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina display indicates that the new, super-slim computer from Apple is slightly more repairable than its 15-inch counterpart.

That's definitely a step in the right direction. In its 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina display review, TechRadar said that the computer was "arguably the least upgradeable or repairable notebook around."

In keeping with that, the 15-inch version scored a repairability rating out 1 out of 10 (10 being the easiest to repair) from iFixit four months ago.

The same teardown team gave the 13-inch Retina a 2 out of 10, which is still a long way from making any computer marked "Retina" user-repairable.

Why the 13-inch is easier to repair

Pulling apart the just-released computer and taking photos in the process, iFixit illustrated why the 13-inch Retina model deserved an extra repairability point.

"[Removal of the battery] took us roughly 15 minutes to complete, without the use of a heat gun," iFixit explained, making it sound easy. "All we needed was a Torx screwdriver and three spudgers."

"In contrast, it took us three attempts to successfully remove the 15-inch Retina's battery without puncturing it, and the third attempt took over half an hour to perform."

Replacement of the trackpad was also less intense.

"We are so excited to see the trackpad come out. Just five screws keep the trackpad in place. You can actually replace it if it breaks, which is pretty much impossible on the 15" model - it's covered by the battery."

In no way easy

Of course, iFixit still discovered five major problems in its teardown process.

The battery, while replaceable in 15 minutes, is still glued into the laptop's top case. This makes replacing a bum battery much more difficult compared to past no-adhesive MacBook Pros.

Fans also require more work. They can't be removed without going through the heatsink, so breaking out some thermal paste is a must, said iFixit.

Repairers who want to go beyond the "Do Not Remove" sticker will also need to deal with the proprietary pentalobe screws, which return from the 15-inch Retina model.

From not easy to impossible

Impossible to upgrade is the RAM, which is soldered to the logic board. As iFixit put it: "It will forever have 8GB of RAM."

Finally, and most depressing of all if you don't have AppleCare, it's impossible to separate the display from the glass since they're fused together.

"The display assembly is almost impossible to take apart," noted iFixit. "If anything ever fails inside the display, you'll need to replace the display as a whole."

This is unlike the iPhone 5 display assembly, which iFixit recently found to be more repairable than the previous two iPhone models.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/teardown-shows-new-13-inch-macbook-pro-marginally-more-repairable-1107492

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Apple Q3 report: iPhone sales down, but profit still strong

Apple has just posted its report for the third quarter of the year and things are looking healthy for the Cupertino-based company. The revenue was $36 billion and the net profit stood at $8.2 billion, both of those comparing very favorably to the numbers from the same period of last year ($28.3 billion and $6.6 billion).

Somewhat surprisingly Apple didn’t manage to better its achievement from the second quarter of this year, when the company made $8.8 billion in profit from just $35 billion revenue, despite the launch of the iPhone 5. The supply shortages are probably a part of the explanation as Apple is still struggling to cope with the demand for its new smartphone.

The iPhone sales were somewhat disappointing at 26.9 million units, compared to 35.1 million in Q2. The iPad shipments stood at 14 million units, compared to 17 million in the previous quarter, while Mac sales grew from 4 million to 4.9 million. Despite the refresh of the lineup, the iPod sales slid to 5.3 million units from 6.8 million in Q2.

The lowered profits, despite the higher revenue can also be explained with the fact that the iPhone accounted for a smaller percentage of the Apple revenue this quarter (the smartphone is the Apple product with the highest profit margin).

The financial markets didn’t respond very well to the posted results and the Apple Inc. shares slid to 1.43% in after hours trading (they were 1% up before the results were posted) and are close to falling below $600 after reaching . Still, the drop is pretty minor and a strong holiday quarter, fuelled by the launch of the iPad mini, the 4th generation iPad and the extended availability of the iPhone 5 will probably bring the company back to the right track.

You can find the complete Apple report by following the source link below.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_q3_report_iphone_sales_down_but_profit_still_strong-news-4999.php

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Get your read-it-later on with Pocket’s new Mac app

Pocket for Mac is officially released, and makes viewing multimedia easier, faster, and more refined for those saving on the go.

From commuting to appointment waiting to leisure, people are always looking for different ways to kill time by reading, viewing, and saving things from the Web. Read-it-later apps like Instapaper and Readability have dominated the market, but Pocket — formerly Read It later — continues to push ahead and win over users with its simplicity. If you’re one for saving articles on top of multimedia, Pocket may be your best bet at a beautiful way to save webpages for later viewing, complete with a tagging system to help organize your links. Now that the app’s come to the Mac platform, you can sync your iOS or Android accounts so saved pages can be viewed on-the-go, or saved on your mobile device to be read back on your desktop.

Pocket for Mac is as intuitive an app as you can imagine when it comes to saving pages. To get started, simply copy the link of the webpage you’re trying to store, and click File > Save Item from Clipboard, or shortcut Command+S. Your list of saved pages displays on a vertical screen to the left of the Pocket window, with the content on the right when you select.

Neat additions to the Mac version of Pocket is definitely the one-key shortcut, such as A for Archive and F to Favorite. You can also tag each page so they’re easier to search the more you accumulate saved links. Videos also translate nicely onto Pocket, especially if you already have Flash installed on your Mac. The app allows you to view the video straight out of its interface, otherwise requesting that you download necessary plug-ins to play multimedia. I personally haven’t run into file type errors, as most publications will post videos from YouTube or Vimeo anyway, and those seem to work just fine.

If you want to share a link after already viewing the content, the Item > Share button also does a good job of sending the item out to Twitter, Facebook, Evernote, and Buffer. It’s even got a tweet attribution when you send it from Pocket, which is a small but useful touch.

Overall, Pocket does a good job recognizing pictures in an article, article link, headline, byline, and publication. One function I wish was available is the ability to rename files, such as a photo I saved from a blog that didn’t have a get an assigned name, according to Pocket. Between constantly traveling and attempting to save things to read later, Pocket makes a nice alternative for those who enjoy minimal design with multimedia capability, and the willingness to learn some cool shortcuts and make saving for later quick and painless. Pocket for Mac is available now for free via the App Store.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/pocket-for-mac-takes-save-for-later-functionality-from-desktop-to-mobile-and-vice-versa/

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Samsung Galaxy S3 to get Note II's multi-window feature?

Multi-window soon for Galaxy Note II?

Having just launched an Android Jelly Bean update, Samsung is reportedly preparing another software boost for the Galaxy S3 handset.

According to SamMobile, the company plans to extend the reach of the multi-window functionality recently included in the Galaxy Note II.

Multi-window is really a neat feature as it allows for true mobile multi-tasking; not just the ability to switch seamlessly between apps, but to use two apps at the same time.

For example, users can browse the internet using Chrome and send an email using Gmail while both apps are displayed in a split screen.

Welcome addition

The multi-view feature would be a welcome addition for Galaxy S3 owners, given the abundance of screen real estate offered by the 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD device.

SamMobile claims that the update will arrive by the end of the year and also bring with it some minor stability improvements.

Will Google's special event on Oct. 29 see the announcement of some new Jelly Bean features that could also hitch a ride with this rumoured S3 update?

Check in with TechRadar Monday to find out.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s3-to-get-note-iis-multi-window-feature-1107393

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Behold! The Microsoft Surface skateboard

During its Surface press conference today, Microsoft showed off the most capable tablet ever made. The new Surface is actually a skateboard.

Today, Microsoft unveiled one of the most expensive skateboards ever made. After demonstrating the durability of the Surface tablet by dropping it on stage (onto carpeted floor, might we add), Microsoft’s Panos Panay showed us another way he and Windows 8 chief Steven Sinofsky have been testing the durability of the new magnesium-encased tablet. The team pasted skateboard trucks onto a regular Surface and converted it into a skateboard. A skateboard! Though they didn’t do any kickflips or ollies on stage, we did see a picture of Sinofsky sporting a massive helmet standing on the homemade sports equipment. For some reason, it didn’t seem too crazy that tablets can become laptops, and since laptops have learned Yoga, why can’t a Surface become a deck?

No, you can’t buy a Surface skateboard, but we wish you could. It could be one hell of an optional accessory. Maybe the trucks could attach with industrial grade magnets like the TouchCover. And you don’t have to worry about falling after a tough grind either. The Surface can hit the ground in 72 different ways without breaking, or so we learned today. Actually, after three hours of Microsoft press conferences, this might have been the only thing we actually learned. But… skateboard! That’s hip, right?

Somebody should call Tony Hawk. He may have found the next great way to make a skateboarding game.

(GIF credit: @strngways)

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/behold-the-microsoft-surface-skateboard/

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Get over it, haters: The iPad mini is not too expensive, and Apple will sell truckloads of them

The iPad mini has been announced, but many seem to doubt it because of Apple's $330 price. I'm here to tell you why the iPad mini is worth the extra money and will only help accelerate Apple's growth in the tablet market.

From the reaction on the Internet yesterday and today, you would think the iPad mini is the most expensive tablet on the market. Gizmodo says it’s “crazy expensive;” Business Insider says it’s “overpriced;” Reuters was so concerned it made Apple’s Phil Schiller defend the $330 price tag; and InformationWeek is so hopped up about it that it’s written an article called “The Great Price Debate.” Those are only a few of the many hurt, angry journalists. But let’s look at the facts: Apple is releasing a far more portable, 7.9-inch iPad that retains all of the capabilities of its larger 9.7-inch brother, for $170 less. I cannot be the only person who’s excited about this… Whether or not it’s shocking enough for the Web’s second-to-second news coverage, a smaller cheaper iPad is a huge deal.

The iPad was the first tablet to capture the public’s attention when it debuted two and a half years ago, and it’s still, by far, the top selling tablet today. Apple revealed the other day that it has sold 100 million iPads. Think about that number. How many units has its nearest competitor sold?

In the second quarter of 2012, Apple held a 68 percent market share with the iPad. That means all other tablets — the Amazon Kindle Fire, the Nook Tablet, the Nexus 7, and dozens upon dozens of tablets by the likes of Samsung, Asus, Lenovo, Toshiba, Acer, Motorola, LG, Dell, Sony, Pantech, ZTE, RIM, Archos, Coby, Pandigital, and ViewSonic — have, combined, only sold somewhere between 25 and 40 million tablets. And that’s being generous, as Apple held a 90+ percent tablet market share for well over a year before any of these companies got their act together at all.

Here’s the bottom line: $200 tablets like the Kindle Fire have been around for a year now and Apple’s single iPad started at $500. And in that  year, when potential buyers were faced with the choice of a $200 non-iPad and a $500 iPad, they chose to pay $300 extra dollars to get the iPad seven times out of 10. There were also a slew of other 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10.1-inch tablets for $300-$400, and people have still been choosing the one $500+ iPad. On Tuesday, Apple doubled the number of iPads it sells. Now it has a smaller iPad too, so people who want a tablet that they can use one-handed or keep in their purse/bag can opt for an iPad mini. Oh, and it’s now one of the cheapest tablets on the market, at $330. Is it the cheapest? No. Is it the best? Well, aside from the iPad, it might be.

There are big benefits to buying a Google Android phone — namely, maps and real-time notifications. Tablets are a different story. I’ve used nearly every tablet that’s been released and enjoyed many of them, but none of them compare to the usability and versatility of the iPad. There aren’t enough apps built for them and they aren’t as responsive. Judging by the sales, I’m not the only one who has noticed this.

Tablets are not a necessity; they are a luxury. You have to shell out money, and sometimes settle, to buy a new phone because without one you’re completely disconnected from your friends and family, but no one is going to die without a tablet. We can all live without playing searching up Honey Boo Boo on the toilet or playing Angry Birds during the presidential debate. Every function that a tablet provides can be done by a laptop or a smartphone, and almost everyone has one or both of those already.

This is why, so far, when most people have chosen to buy a tablet, they’ve opted to buy a really good one, the iPad, despite its higher price. Of course, there is a small (growing) percentage of people willing to settle, but the iPad mini has just doubled Apple’s appeal. It may not have a super high-resolution display or cutting-edge internal specs (it’s basically a shrunken iPad 2), but the iPad mini can run all of the nearly 300,000 iPad apps (every one of them designed solely for the iPad). They all work. It’s a complete iPad out of the box. You don’t even have to wait for apps to be shrunk or put up with black bars or any other inconvenience. This means that the iPad mini is now, by default, likely the second best tablet on the market, after the fourth-generation iPad.

I am looking forward to using the iPad mini. Eight- to 9-inch tablets have been my favorite size range since I first used Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 8.9 a year ago. Tablets the size of the iPad mini are small enough to easily hold with one hand, but have a little more screen space than 7-inch screens, which remain a bit cramped and don’t always offer a noticeably enhanced experience than you can achieve on your smartphone. Early hands-on accounts appear to show that Apple has put a lot of time into picking the right screen size for the mini.

The iPad won’t dominate the tablet market forever. That’s just not how things work. But I’m fairly convinced that the iPad mini will encourage millions more people to shell out for an Apple tablet than would have before. It’s going to be a hit. Cheaper tablets like the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 won’t die on Nov. 2 when the iPad mini launches, but selling at bargain bin prices may continue to be the only way competitors make mild gains against Apple. Both Amazon and Google make no profit from their cheap tablets. In fact, they’re likely losing money on each tablet they sell in the hopes that they’ll recoup their losses based on app and content sales. That’s not a strategy that will work for many companies.

I am not an Apple lover, but I can spot a good idea when I see one. The iPad mini is a good idea. It’s a product Apple should have released a year ago and it’s going to do incredibly well. As journalists, sometimes we just want eyeballs. When the iPad came out, writers at Business Insider labeled it a “big yawn” and Gizmodo listed “8 things that suck about the iPad.” In the end, it doesn’t really matter what I say. It only matters what people buy, and a lot of them are going to buy an iPad mini.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/the-ipad-mini-is-not-too-expensive/

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AT&T announces pricing and availability of Sony Xperia TL

AT&T announced pricing and availability of the Sony Xperia TL. The LTE smartphone will be available for purchase next week, on November 2 for $99.99 with a two-year contract.

As its name mildly suggests, the Sony Xperia TL is almost identical to the globally available Xperia T, which we recently reviewed. The only major difference between both devices is the presence of LTE connectivity.

Traditionally, the availability announcement of the Sony Xperia TL is accompanied by a promo video from AT&T. See it below.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/at_t_announces_pricing_and_availability_of_sony_xperia_tl_-news-4998.php

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Her majesty’s secret smartphone, the Sony Xperia TL, coming to AT&T Nov. 2 for $100

The Sony Xperia TL will be available on AT&T from November 2 for $100 on a two-year contract. The new phone will be featured in the new Bond movie Skyfall and comes with a 13-megapixel rear camera.

We covered the announcement of the Sony Xperia TL on AT&T and now we can bring you the details on the release date and price. AT&T has just revealed that the “James Bond” smartphone which features in the new Bond movie Skyfall can be snapped up for $100 on a two-year contract.

The big selling point, beyond the Bond product placement, is the 13-megapixel camera which is super-fast – capable of going from standby to capturing a shot in 1.5 seconds flat. There’s also HD video recording and a snazzy 4.6-inch HD Bravia-branded “Reality Display” to enjoy your footage on.

Throw in “One-touch connectivity” powered by NFC, which allows you to share content across multiple devices (provided they are NFC-enabled, of course). There’s also 4G LTE connectivity, HDMI, DLNA support, and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, which adds up to a fairly decent looking Android phone. Pity it’s shipping with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich); you’d expect Bond to demand the latest version of Android, although Q promises an Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update shortly.

As part of the 007 tie-in you’ll find an assortment of preloaded content including ringtones, behind the scenes footage, wallpapers, and more. Check out the video for a closer look.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/sony-xperia-tl-coming-to-att-november-2/

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Jelly Bean update start seeding to the US Galaxy S III

Sprint is releasing the Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean update to its Galaxy S III as we speak. The update is carried out over the air to consumers and each device that receives it will download it automatically.

Users will get Project Butter for a buttery-smooth UI, Google Now, expandable and actionable notifications in the Notification Area, the improved widget placing on any icon-ridden homescreen and lots of improvement and tweaks.

Galaxy S III owners in Europe have already received their Jelly Bean updates and now it's time for those in US to get the same treatment. Updates for the other carriers should come in the following weeks, or dare we say, days.

We've got a dedicated review of Jelly Bean on the Galaxy S III, which you should totally check out.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sprint_releases_jelly_bean_update_for_galaxy_s_iii-news-4997.php

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Healthy figures mean more ads coming to Facebook's mobile apps

Mobile - the future of Facebook

Facebook came clean about its plans for the future in an earnings call yesterday, talking up the potential for its mobile business and healthier-than-expected income for Q3 2012.

Having revealed that Facebook made over 14 per cent of its advertising income from mobile ads (equating to around $150 million/ £92m/ AU$144m), CEO Mark Zuckerberg told investors that mobile is a key part of the company's future.

"I think our opportunity on mobile is the most misunderstood aspect of Facebook today," CEO Mark Zuckerberg told investors.

"As proud as I am that a billion people use Facebook each month, I'm also really happy that over 600 million people now share and connect on Facebook every month using mobile devices."

Spectappular

He added that 126 million users accessed Facebook only through a mobile device in September and that the mobile trend can mean only dollar-signs for the social network.

"First, mobile will give us the opportunity to reach way more people than desktop," he explained.

"Second, people on mobile use Facebook more often. And, third, long term, I think we're going to monetise better per amount of time spent on mobile than desktop."

So what does this mean for the average Facebook user? Probably more adverts on the move; Zuck sees mobile ads becoming more "like TV" in that they're integrated into the app itself rather than simply displayed alongside.

You can already see the beginnings of this in the undismissable sponsored posts popping up in your mobile newsfeed.

Facebook's shares rose 19 per cent on the strength of the announcements, the site's highest ever rise since it went public back in May.

Instawhat

The financial filing also revealed the final amount that Facebook bought photo-sharing app Instagram for: a total of $715 million (around £443m/ AU$688m).

It's a lot lower than filter-happy photography app's reported price tag of $1 billion because a certain percentage of the payment was made in shares, which lost value as Facebook struggled on the stock market.

Still, what do you expect from a company that prides itself on being like a chair?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/healthy-figures-mean-more-ads-coming-to-facebooks-mobile-apps-1107303

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Kanye West bestowed his presence at Samsung Galaxy Note 2 launch party, but will sales boom?

Samsung took a stop in New York City last night to launch the Galaxy Note 2, complete with a performance by Grammy award-winning artist Kanye West.

Like many other tech journalists in New York City, Tuesday was an average day filled with Apple iPad mini announcements, quirky science news about a talking Beluga whale, and some new Windows 8 laptops and tablets. Then, this came in the mail.

Good Afternoon, 

Thank you for RSVPing for the Samsung Galaxy Note II event on Wednesday! We wanted to invite you to stay after the press conference for a special performance by Kanye West.

Although we’ve already reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, our New York staff had planned to attend to event in case anything new would be announced. But after this email was sent out, tech media flocked to Moynihan Station in midtown New York to prepare for the long wait for Grammy award-winning artist Kanye West to drop a surprise performance slapped in the middle of the week.

What made Kanye Jesus Walk-ed his way into a Samsung event, or why Samsung chose to feature Yeezy as its special guest for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 World Tour is beyond us, but by 9 p.m., some members of the public also joined the party, filling the room with an energy and noise I hadn’t witnessed from a crowd of bloggers since Steve Jobs passed away. Also in attendance was also some of New York’s finest crew, including fashion editor Nina Garcia, Jersey Shore‘s Pauly D, and the New York Giants star wide receiver, Victor Cruz.

In a quick set that lasted just over an hour, Kanye West performed classics like “Heartless,” “Runaway,” “All of the Lights,” and “Through the Wire,” while bringing in a special guest of his own, 2 Chainz, to accompany a recent hit, “Birthday Song.” The set ended with a new record, “Clique” before West disappeared behind the stage without an encore. While the concert was certainly memorable and intimate (all things considered, the room was pretty small), did the crowd leave with an impression of Samsung and the Galaxy Note 2 in mind, or were they overwhelmed with the presence of the one and only Yeezy? I guess we’ll find out when the phone-meets-tablet hybrid comes available this November.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/kanye-west-bestowed-his-presence-at-samsung-galaxy-note-2-launch-party-but-will-sales-boom/

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Best iPhone 5 case: 15 to choose from

Protect your iPhone 5 with one of these recommended cases

So you bought an iPhone 5. That's at least £500 worth of tech in your back pocket; £700 if you plumped for maximum capacity. Not exactly cheap, then.

Now imagine dropping it. Apple's new baby stands up to knocks fairly well, but even a scuff or a scratch on a half-grand device is going to grate. Isn't it time you put a case on it? Here's our pick of the best iPhone 5 cases available now.

1. Griffin Protector - $19.99 (£12.50)

The Griffin Protector case acts as a middle ground for those wanting increased protection without the military-spec and bulk of the Griffin Survivor. The reinforced silicone boasts extra thickness at the edges, providing added assurance that your device is safe from mid-grade knocks, while the matte finish ensures a decent grip.

2. QDOS Smoothies - £19.99

This more elegant option marries a lush fascia with a clear polycarbonate, bevel-edged surround that offers decent covering for the edges of your phone. The QDOS case feels rigid enough to stand up to at least mild abuse, but steers well clear of the camera lens and doesn't impede access to buttons.

3. Griffin Survivor - $50 (£31)

Griffin's über-protective technology is already renowned for its Defense Standard specification, and this iPhone 5 version doesn't buck the trend. Shatter-resistant polycarbonate as well as hinged button and dock plugs cloak the phone, while a built-in screen protector seals in your device, keeping it safe from dirt, sand, rain, shock – pretty much anything the world can throw at it. The equivalent of wrapping your phone in cotton wool.

4. Scosche rawHIDE g6 - $30 (£19)

Suave yet simple, the rawHIDE is cut from hard black polycarbonate and wrapped in a layer of genuine leather. The case shell is stiff enough, but those wanting added protection with a little give on the rim and corners may want to look elsewhere.

5. Speck PixelSkin HD - $30 (£19)

Soft and durable grippiness defines the PixelSkin HD. Its rubbery, flexible casing pops on and off with ease, but only when you need it to. The raised bevel protects the front panel well, and shields the buttons from dings without impeding access.

6. Griffin Reveal - $20 (£12.50)

If you've got it, flaunt it. Griffin's Reveal stays true to the maxim with what at first appears to be a classic bumper. Closer inspection, though, reveals a transparent polycarbonate shell lined with a rubberised edge, providing fair-to-middling protection without veiling the machined beauty of your superior tech.

7. Proporta Leather Style - £24.95

If toughness isn't your thing and you can live with faux-leather then this Proporta case is a decent enough take on the 'c-clip' style cover. It's lightweight, soft to the touch and covers the front and rear completely without interfering with button access or camera operability.

8. Proporta Quiksilver - Blue Checks - £19.95

This snug-fitting hard case from Proporta really looks the part without smothering the iPhone's sleek aesthetic. The logo of outdoor sports fashion brand Quiksilver sits front and centre in its blue check design, although the protection on offer can't be said to match such ideals. It'll keep knocks and scratches at bay no problem, just keep it far from the surf.

9. Scosche kickBACK sport g6 - $30 (£19)

Scosche doubles down on protection with its latest sports cover, combining a textured polycarbonate outer case with a rubberized interior to absorb shock. The open design ensures connections and controls remain accessible, while an integrated kickstand only adds to the slick feel. The screen and chamfer do feel a little over-exposed for active lifestyles though.

10. Griffin Animal Parade - $20 (£12.50)

If you're looking for a cute and crazy option you could do a lot worse than this Griffin series. Thick silicone encases the handset, while a lovely round rim envelopes the display, which also serves to protect the screen from falls. The goofy design is perfect for kids – if you can trust them with a £500+ device…

11. Piel Frama iMagnum2 - 85 Euros (£69)

If you're willing to spend a little more to protect your phone then definitely check out this offering from Piel Frama. The Spanish company's handmade cases only use the highest quality cow skin leather, and it really shows. The inner lining is as luxuriant as the outer cover, which folds over the screen and stays there, secured by hidden magnets. It even comes with a removable belt clip.

12. Cygnett UrbanShield - £24.99

The close-fit and smooth bevelled edges of the UrbanShield emphasize the solid protection it gives your phone against keys and coins in your pocket. Meanwhile the rubber rim around the front panel protects the glass from falls, and dips into a nice carbon weave detail on the aluminium rear. A screen protector seals the look.

13. Otterbox Defender - £39.99

The Otterbox weds industrial protection with style in its multi-layer defence against heavy knocks and falls. A candy-coloured polycarbonate skeleton houses a solid inner shell with built-in screen protector, and a large belt clip holsters the entire unit for a third layer of protection. Not too slim then, but very secure.

14. X-Doria Dash - $34.99 (£21.60)

Rocking an oblong rear window and polka-dot fabric, X-Doria's Dash looks straight off the haute couture fashion line. It's not delicate either, thanks to its hard polycarbonate shell and rimmed edges, offering good resistance against everyday impacts.

15. Snugg Squared - £14.99

The Snugg Squared is made of rubberized silicone that stands up well against drops and shocks and feels grippy in the hand. The rounded rim puts ample space between the display and the floor to protect the glass and limit impact shock. Mould size has been known to vary on this range, so try before you buy if possible.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/best-iphone-5-case-15-to-choose-from-1107270

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Android 4.2 release date, news and rumours

It's Jelly Bean... but we've made it better

The new version of Google's OS will launch soon under the guise of Android 4.2 – but it will still be called Jelly Bean.

This means the change will be more of a refining evolution of the platform, rather than bringing multiple new features – we'll have to wait for Android 5.0 (Key Lime Pie) before we get anything ground breaking.

But until that fateful day, we'll at least get a few more Android features to play with as Google brings another iteration to its OS – read on to find out more over what we can expect from the launch:

Android 4.2 name

Well, we'll be honest: we already covered this in the strapline here. It's going to be called Jelly Bean, so those that were waiting for information on Android Key Lime Pie will be sorely disappointed.

However, that does mean that some new cool features are on the way in the new update, and let's be honest, if you're disappointed that a name hasn't changed for a version of Android you should probably take a step back, look at life's priorities and go work for a charity for a bit.

Android 4.2 features

From what we can discern from the font of vague knowledge (the internet rumour spewer) Android 4.2 is going to have a new button in the notification bar to allow access to quick settings.

This was previously a second drop down from the notification area, but it seems this has evolved to just be a single button that leads to a zone where you can perform quick functions like turning on and off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Flight mode.

If we're honest, it's not overly exciting as all the Android skins around have this feature already embedded, with the likes of Samsung's TouchWiz giving you access right from the notification bar itself.

As we said this feature is evolving all over the place, so don't be surprised if it changes again before the Monday launch – or gets dropped altogether.

The other relatively large change looks set to be to the Gallery app, which will see the UI become a bit more open and surrounded by white frames, in a bid to make Android look that little bit more professional once more. It could be that fewer photos are displayed on the screen at once though, in a manner similar to Google+, which may not please those that love more information on the screen at once.

And a more recent placeholder from UK retailer The Carphone Warehouse outed another new feature: a 360 degree camera app, which will presumably lead to loads of blocky and confusing pictures from friends on Facebook, with the odd one with astonishing clarity thrown in by a professional.

According to Android Police, which got a chance to tear down an early build of Android 4.2, there were also big changes to the Gallery and Camera icons, replaced by something that looks a lot more like Instagram, but these were proved to be placeholders.

However, this does strongly hint that Android 4.2 is also going to come with revamped icons for these apps, which will excite approximately 32.6% of Android users, we predict.

Another change in Android 4.2 will be more minor and will let you dismiss your data counter when you get warned you're heading close to the limit you pre-set… usually this remains and you're forced to change the limit to remove it, but now you can accept the warning like an adult (ie forget about it until it's too late, and blame someone else).

Android 4.2: multiple user accounts

Something that appeared on the Sony Xperia Tablet S that got tongues wagging was the ability to set multiple user accounts in the same way as Windows allows now.

This means users can set the apps they want for their own accounts, handy in the case of a family tablet. Android Police again was the detective here, noting that some apps required permissions for different users on the same device, so this will be a key area in the tablet area especially.

And on that subject, parental controls will be built right into the system as well, meaning you can change the level of interaction each person has on the tablet - for instance, stopping downloads from the Play Store or working out which apps should be restricted for each person.

Android 4.2 release date

Here's the main problem with Android in our eyes: users can't generally get their hands on it for bloody ages after announcement. Just look at the amount of phones still rocking Gingerbread (Android 2.3), which was released years ago, and you can see we're not optimistic that the newest version of Android will be available any time soon.

However, that said at least there will be flagship devices available sporting the new software sooner rather than later, with 31 October already being mooted as the shipping date of the new version of the Nexus 7 which you'd think would have Android 4.2 on board.

At the very least the new Google Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 will both be rocking the new software and have been strongly tipped to launch in early November to catch the Christmas rush. And with Android 4.1's launch Google promised that it was working with manufacturers to get the software to them ahead of time for easier deployment... could we see such a thing happen already?

Android 4.2 launch

The Android 4.2 launch has been set for 29 October, with Google promising a fancy event to live stream the launch of the three new devices set to support the new OS in multiple locations across the globe.

We're pretty sure there will be devices rocking the fancy new version of the software at these events, so we'll be able to bring you our early thoughts on whether it's something you should bug your network for as soon as our toned, lithe fingers can bash out the letters.

Android 4.2 review

And then, of course, we've got the main event: our Android 4.2 review. We'll be working as fast as possible to bring you our preview, as we mentioned above, and then as soon as we get a full review unit we'll update you with our multi-page full review, taking the new OS apart and seeing what treats is has on offer.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-4-2-release-date-news-and-rumours-1107255

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UK retailer jumps the gun, puts Nexus 4 up for pre-order

The Nexus 4 has been made available as a pre-order on a UK phone retailer's website, despite not being officially announced yet. Google is expected to launch the phone on October 29, when it could be joined by several other new devices too.

The Nexus 4 has to be one of the most leaked smartphones of the year, and even now, just a few days before the event where it’s expected to be officially unveiled, it gets leaked again — this time by a retailer in the UK.

Carphone Warehouse, an established and popular high street mobile phone shop, has put the Nexus 4 up for pre-order on its website, with a delivery date of October 30, the day after Google’s event.

It provides just about all the specification details we could want, starting with confirmation of the 4.7-inch display with a 1280 x 768 pixel resolution and a pixel density of 320ppi, plus a quad-core, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, which can also be found in the LG Optimus G and the Asus PadFone 2.

The operating system is listed as both Android 4.2 and Android 4.1.2, depending on where you take the information from on the site. These are two different things, as 4.1.2 has already been seeded to the Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S, bringing with it only a few changes.

Android 4.2 is listed separately, and several new software features that may or may not be related are talked about in the description, including a 360-degree photo mode and Gesture Typing, which sounds a lot like Swype.

Continuing to explore the feature list, we find an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, 2GB of RAM, NFC, a forward facing video call lens and GPS. Although no weight is mentioned, the Nexus 4 is 9.1mm thick.

Finally, the phone is shown to have just 8GB of internal memory and no microSD card slot, the combination of which could be a deal-breaker for many potential owners.

No SIM-free price is given, although it’s available with either O2 or Vodafone from £31 per month, when the device itself will be free. LG’s name isn’t mentioned either, however the company is the only one listed under the “alternative phones” list.

It’s now almost certain the Nexus 4 will be officially announced on October 29, but the question is, what else has Google planned for us?

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/nexus-4-available-for-pre-order-through-uk-retailer/

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Nexus 4 release date and specs revealed by online retailer

Oops, this could be a bit embarrassing

A UK retailer has managed to reveal details of the rumoured LG Nexus 4 on a pre-order page on its site for the next Google smartphone.

The page on Carphone Warehouse shows a press image of the handset and pegs with Nexus 4 release date as October 30, with the handset available for free on contracts starting at £31 per month over two years.

Both Vodafone and O2 are listed as available networks, and there's a whole range of tariffs for both networks on the site.

Processor, screen and camera detailed

As well as a Nexus 4 release date and price, the listing also goes on to reveal more information about the handset, including the 1.5Ghz quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 4.7-inch HD LCD (1280x768) display with a 320ppi pixel density, plus an 8MP rear facing camera capable of recording 1080p video and taking 360 degree panorama pictures.

It also shows the Nexus 4 will come running the latest version of Google's operating system, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Connectivity wise the Nexus 4 looks to be fully loaded, with 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS, USB and NFC all on board, but apparently there's only a paltry 8GB of internal storage and no microSD slot.

Although the pre-order listing doesn't explicitly say the handset is manufactured by LG, there's a link on the page under the title "Alternative phones" which reads "View all LG Electronics phones", plus LG features in the page URL - which shows, once again, the Korean firm is behind the Nexus 4.

We still haven't heard anything official from Google, and Carphone Warehouse has published per-order pages in the past based on rumoured specifications, so we're not taking this a gospel, but it all looks pretty convinving.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/nexus-4-release-date-and-specs-revealed-by-online-retailer-1107221

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Sony Odin handset may sport WhiteMagic screen technology

Longer lasting battery and a big screen?

Sony's flagship handset for 2013 is rumoured to pack a 5-inch display and new reports suggest it will also sport WhiteMagic technology.

We heard about a super-sized screen earlier this month after Japanese display manufacturer JDI revealed it was producing 5-inch, 1080p screens with an impressive 443ppi pixel density.

The screen has been linked with the Sony Odin, which is expected to be the Japanese firm's flagship handset for 2013, and new reports suggest it could be packing some seriously clever tech.

It's a kind of magic

Earlier this year Sony explained to TechRadar that the WhiteMagic tech was stuck at 4-inches, which pours a certain amount of cold water on the possibility of this rumour coming true.

According to a recent press release from JDI, the firm is readying prototypes of a 5-inch WhiteMagic display which boasts a 438ppi pixel density – slightly lower than the initial reports we saw from the firm, but never the less still very impressive.

One of the big selling points of the WhiteMagic screen is that it conserves power much more effectively and JDI claims it will have "low power consumption that is approximately 50% less by utilizing an RGBW pixel structure".

This will be a massive bonus for smartphone manufactures, as bigger screens and more powerful innards currently drain batteries quicker than you can say "where's my charger?"

As well as saving battery, the WhiteMagic technology also has another trick up its sleeve: instead of keeping you going for longer, it can be switched to double the brightness of the display, ensuring that your face is illuminated like a Christmas tree.

We can't be sure if the 5-inch, WhiteMagic display will make it into Sony's flagship smartphone next year, but we wouldn't be surprised if it did.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sony-odin-handset-may-sport-whitemagic-screen-technology-1107204

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5 amazing things about Windows 8

Microsoft's latest operating system marks the first time Windows and touch have worked together. But before you discount Windows 8 as a half-baked OS, you may want to learn about a few really great things it has to offer.

Windows 8 represents a huge change, not just for Microsoft, but for everyone who uses a computer. Microsoft is pushing Windows to new heights in terms of design. In the process, it’s created a hybrid operating system that fuses speed and mobility with serious productivity. Sure, it may take some getting used to, but we believe Microsoft stumbled (or planned to stumble) on the future of computing. With Windows 8, you no longer have to spread your life across devices. Instead, your laptop can be your tablet and your tablet can be your desktop (with an external display) and so on and so forth forever and ever. 

It will definitely take some getting used to — the hands-on nature of the OS already requires a bit of a brain rewire — but change should be exciting. This is the first time in a long time that Microsoft has drastically overhauled the aesthetics in Windows and it should be celebrated for it. Yes, it has its limitations and annoyances, but Microsoft is steadily rolling out updates and responding to customer feedback. There’s nowhere to go but up. 

Earlier this week we published a list outlining five really annoying attributes of Windows 8 and they still stand true. But we did say it wasn’t all bad and this is why.  

Windows 8 and Windows RT 

Introducing two very distinct version of Windows (RT and 8) and not properly explaining them is, admittedly, ill-advised. It’s confusing to customers but the two versions are a necessary evil to drive the success of Windows 8. To put it plainly, Microsoft needed to compete with the iPad. It was do or die.

For those of you who still don’t know the difference between Windows 8 and Windows RT (it’s not your fault), Windows 8 is the full version complete with support of legacy apps and access to the classic desktop environment. It runs on x86 devices, which can be powered by Intel or AMD chips with an estimated battery life of 8 hours. RT, on the other hand, is the mobile version of Windows 8. Apps can only be downloaded through the Windows Store (third-party software is not compatible) and it runs on ARM chips that boast up to 20 hours of battery. There is technically a desktop mode, but it only exists to run Microsoft Office and a desktop version of Internet Explorer. 

Windows 8 is a fantastic platform for users who need a proper desktop and can’t lose their favorite Windows 7 apps, but people in the market for an iPad replacement don’t need a high-powered device and certainly won’t be wooed by promises of 8-hour battery life. For the average consumer looking for a tablet, a streamlined version of Windows is the best fit. It’s optimized for touch, installing apps is quick and painless, push notifications are supported, and battery life undergoes a significant jump. Right now the Windows Store is a bit bare, but more and more apps will be made available in the coming months. Both Google and Mozilla already have beta versions of Chrome and Firefox optimized for Windows 8-style UI. It may take a while for your favorite apps to catch up with the new requirements, but the basics are already available.

The bottom line is that without Windows RT to offer superior battery life and cheaper prices, Microsoft wouldn’t stand a chance at competing against iOS and Android in the tablet market.  

It’s two operating systems gently molded together

Windows 8 has received a whole lot of criticism for plastering a mobile OS on top of a desktop environment and calling it “revolutionary”, but the truth is that most people will rarely leave the Start Screen. For most common tasks (ie: web browsing, email, music, social media, video, etc.) the Windows 8-style interface will do just fine. For web browsing, you have IE10, which is surprisingly not horrible, the Mail app is acceptable, and social media is built into the People app. However, as we all know, mobile apps aren’t always the most productive pieces of software and that’s where the traditional desktop is crucial for power users. 

It’s the inclusion of the desktop environment that proves although Microsoft is ready to move forward with Windows, it wants to take existing users by the hand and give them time to adjust. Rather than shoehorn mobile elements into its desktop OS (much like Apple seems to be doing with OSX), Microsoft chose to make its mobile elements very much distinct from the traditional desktop. What may seem like an odd design choice at first, is actually a powerful tool. The PC is split into two software modes: consumer and producer. In the desktop mode, you’ll primarily be creating new content, while in the Windows 8-style UI, you’ll be consuming content. It’s a nice separation that can keep you focused while performing various tasks. Having both the mobile and classic sides of Windows on the same device has more perks as well, like using the same device for web browsing before bed that you use to work on your kick-ass career (or hobby). 

It’s a fresh design

There’s no denying that — for better or worse — Windows 8 brings something fresh and exciting to personal computing. While Apple seems to only be interested in coasting along on its established reputation for reliable hardware and software, Microsoft is the one pushing traditional computers into the future. Like any new design, the Windows 8-style UI won’t appeal to everyone, but it would be foolish to attack Microsoft for forcing us to confront a new type of interface. 

Of course, design goes deeper than aesthetics, but Windows 8 has that covered as well. Live Tiles are by far the most obvious innovation here. They work great on a smartphone or a tablet, offering quick updates from your most-used applications. No more sifting through programs and webpages to catch up on what’s new because the same thing can be accomplished with a swipe across the revamped Start screen. It’s information at a glance and it saves a whole lot of time and effort, which should be the goal of new consumer technology. 

This is also the first time Windows has had its own distinct and compelling “look”, with a focus on design. Its bold colors, crisp lines, and silky animations, a computer running Windows 8 cannot be ignored. 

It’s built to be touched

With Windows 8, Microsoft has made old hardware obsolete to usher in a new era of computing where touch devices are the norm. In the past, Microsoft tried to make everyone happy by sticking with a familiar OS design and loading it on touch hardware but we all know how that turned out. It was awful. 

Thankfully, that’s all changed. Windows has been rebuilt, revamped, and revitalized to be touch-friendly, borrowing heavily from its smartphone equivalent, Windows Phone 8. It’s an interface that practically begs you to touch it, and once you give into temptation, it’s satisfying as hell. Touch commands feel intuitive and natural after only a few brief moments of use and in the end you feel completely in control. In response to the touch-first nature of Windows 8, PC-makers have generated their most ambitious devices yet. So far we’ve seen sliding tablets, keyboard docks, touchscreen laptops, dual-screens, and a 20-inch tabletop device. Most devices arriving in the next few months have managed to successfully combing the tablet and PC one super-computer-of-the-future.

Take Samsung’s ATIV Smart PC as an example, it packs the internals and profile of an ultrabook but can be removed from its keyboard dock to function as a traditional tablet. Toshiba’s Satellite U925t is a tablet complete with a slide-out keyboard. ASUS brings the world its first dual-screen laptop, placing a second display on the lid of the device. It may not be in everyone’s budget to immediately upgrade their PC, but there’s no question that the future of computing is here and it’s ready to be tested.  

It’s the Internet

Windows 8 brings the internet to you with built-in apps. No longer is interaction with the Web available solely through your web browser of choice, now it’s right there to greet you once you boot up — something Windows 8 is really quick at by the way. 

We covered Live Tiles earlier, but it’s really amazing to witness how connected they are. For instance, the People tile shows you recent status updates and profile photos of your contacts, the Weather tile displays the current forecast, and the Mail tile keeps an updated unread message count and previews the most recent subject line. There are also tiles that display stocks, sports updates, and news headlines. As the collection of Windows 8 apps grow, the capability of tiles will grow as well, further reducing the time spent in a browser. Windows 8 doesn’t just give you access to the internet, it is the internet, and that’s a very powerful thing. 

We’re ready for it

To conclude our love letter to Windows 8, we must admit our excitement and amusement in watching a technology giant like Microsoft learning to lead once again. Microsoft is a company that (up until recently) was basically written off as a boring, stuffy, enterprise-obsessed, mindless, corporate machine. However, it’s that label that has made this current transformation so captivating to watch. Of course, there will be missteps along the way but that doesn’t make it any less fun to follow along. Based on the anticipation that surrounded the release of the Surface tablet, the world is ready to embrace something new. We may not be ready to let go of our beloved desktop, but at least we’re willing to take the first step. 

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/5-amazing-things-about-windows-8/

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