Research In Motion just announced a deal with Visa that would allow card holders to use their BlackBerry 10 devices as a mobile wallet.
Research In Motion is preparing to launch its refreshed BlackBerry 10 platform at the end of the month, adding what could be another major player to the Android and iOS dominated mobile market. We’ve seen some impressive video footage of its touch-centric user interface, and now we’re hearing that Visa cardholders may be able to make purchases via Near-Field Communication with these new BlackBerry devices.
On Wednesday RIM announced that its Secure Element Manager (SEM) solution for NFC mobile payments has been approved by Visa. This makes RIM all the more prominent in the modern mobile industry, and means that cardholders will essentially be able to use their smartphones like bankcards.
“The approval from Visa of RIM’s SEM solution is an important step in that it will enable carriers to support Visa issuing banks and financial institutions,” Frank Maduri, senior director of NFC services and TSM product management at RIM, said in a written statement. “We now offer carriers a robust solution with around-the-clock global support that works on any NFC-capable device, and meets the stringent technology and usability guidelines for Visa.”
This SEM essentially ensures that carriers are securely managing data found on the SIM cards installed in NFC-enabled mobile devices.
“Any place you can tap your credit card you can now tap your mobile phone,” Geoffrey MacGillvray, manager of services security and payments at RIM, said according to the Canadian Press.
This security infastructure that enables the payment service to work is built on a partnership between RIM and Canada’s three main wireless networks. Known as the EnStream agreement, this allows RIM to manage security credentials for SIM cards found in BlackBerry devices.
Although mobile wallet payments may not be the most popular mobile trend at the moment, a partnership with Visa could pave the way for future deals with other companies.
RIM will be holding a launch event at the end of the month to herald in BlackBerry 10, and it’s clear that anticipation from the mobile community is building. A special weekend event hosted by RIM yielded 15,000 new apps for the platform from developers.
We’re interested to see how this operating system is adopted once it finally launches, but you can take a look at our hands-on first impressions here.
AT&T has announced that it will be rolling out an update regarding the use of FaceTime over 3G cellular networks.
AT&T’s iPhone users were up in arms this summer when the carrier enforced some limitations on FaceTime usage over its 3G cellular network. However, the company appears to have had a change of heart.
As of Wednesday, AT&T has started implementing less restrictive access to the iOS-enabled video chatting service. The company officially announced via its consumer blog that FaceTime over Cellular will be available for customers with a tiered data plan at no extra charge.
“When FaceTime over Cellular launched in September 2012, we explained that we wanted to roll it out gradually to ensure the service had minimal impact on the mobile experience for all of our customers,” AT&T’s Mark Collins wrote.
This also includes iPhone 4S users with tiered plans, who will now have the option to make FaceTime calls over AT&T’s cellular network. Previously, this function was only available for customers with a Mobile Share Plan and those using LTE-enabled devices on tiered plans.
However, there are still some limiting rules in place despite the carrier’s efforts to level with its user base. For example, FaceTime users with tiered data plans could use the service on an iPhone 5 via its LTE connection, but not with the iPhone 4S over HSPA+. None of these changes affect FaceTime usage over Wi-Fi networks, AT&T said.
“We have already begun updating our systems and processes and expect to start rolling the update out to customers on an ongoing basis beginning in the next couple of weeks,” Collins also wrote.
This update will automatically launch for AT&T subscribers in the coming weeks, but the company has not specified exactly when users will see this change. Back in August, AT&T sparked some conflict among users when it revealed that customers would have to pay a few extra bucks to use FaceTime over 3G by signing up for its Mobile Share Plan. The carrier also made it clear that it has the ability to block FaceTime sine it’s a pre-installed iPhone app.
“The FCC’s net neutrality rules do not regulate the availability to customers of applications that are preloaded on phones,” the company responded when referring to customer complaints concerning FaceTime in August. “Indeed, the rules do not require that providers make available any preloaded apps. Rather, they address whether customers are able to download apps that compete with our voice or video telephony services.”
Hopefully this is the beginning of a more flexible FaceTime policy from AT&T, but we’ll know more when the update rolls out.
After initially launching in Canada only, Facebook has now rolled out its free-to-call feature to Messenger for iPhone users in the United States as well.
Earlier this month, Facebook introduced new voice calling and messaging features to its Messenger apps – however, the updates were available to our Northern neighbors only. Today, the social network has pushed the new functions our way as well. If you’re a U.S. or Canadian resident with an iPhone, you can now call any other user over Wi-Fi or using your data plan – so long as the person you’re trying to call has an iPhone and the app as well.
Now when you open Messenger (after updating it, of course) and choose a contact, you will see a small “i” icon in the upper right-hand corner. Hitting this opens up a page with a “Free Call” option.
Call quality is decent: You don’t avoid the constant, quiet static of a VoIP call, but it’s surprisingly clear with little cut out. Speaker phone, as you would expect, cuts down on that clarity a little, but it isn’t a huge sacrifice.
When would you ever use this, you ask? There are a handful of scenarios: When you have bad cell service; when you’re low on minutes – and really, truly, the most convenient use is when you need to get in touch with someone whose number you don’t have. As long as you’re Facebook friends and they have updated Messenger for iPhone, you’re good to go. Of course, that means… if you have Messenger for iPhone, anyone you’re Facebook friends with can call you.
Yet another rumor has surfaced indicating that Samsung’s next “phablet” will get even bigger in its third generation.
Huawei’s recently unveiled 6.1-inch Ascend Mate may be the largest smartphone in the world, but it might not hold that title for too long. Samsung is reportedly preparing to launch a larger version of its Galaxy Note with a monstrous 6.3-inch display.
Like most other Samsung smartphone rumors, this bit of news comes from the Korea Times. This alleged boost in screen size would mark an increase of about .8-inches compared to the already massive 5.5-inch Galaxy Note 2. According to the Korean news source, Samsung will use the next Galaxy Note handset as a flagship to showcase its forthcoming Exynos Octa processor later this year. The current “phablet” device boasts a quad-core Exynos chip, but this new unit could potentially pack double the speed and power.
As Samsung bolsters its plans for what could be its next major smartphone launch, the manufacturer also appears to be loosening its ties with rival Apple. The Korea-based company is allegedly pitching some of its processing products to smartphone makers in China in order to reduce its dependency on the Cupertino, Calif.-based iPhone creator. So far, Samsung has reportedly reached out to manufacturers such as Huawei and ZTE for collaboration.
“We have introduced the Exynos 5 Octa to appeal to Chinese clients and diversify our client base in China with better pricing and output commitment,” a senior Samsung executive said to the Korea Times.
Huawei hasn’t spoken much on the matter, but an executive did reportedly confirm that the company has been in talks with Samsung.
“Yes, we were approached by Samsung,” the unnamed official said to the Korea Times. “If the firm offers favorable conditions, there’s no reason to deny the new business.”
This isn’t the first time that the Korea Times has reported that a new Galaxy Note device is in the works. The news source revealed that the Note 2’s successor would have a lengthy 6.3-inch screen about one month ago. While this may not necessarily be new information, the fact that this news is resurfacing is sure to further fuel the rumor mill.
We’re not sure when Samsung plans to reveal or launch another Galaxy Note, but we’ll be interested to see what the company has in store at next month’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Simple, the exclusive invitation-only bank that claims to help you spend better, has just released a beautiful new native app for Android.
Banking from your phone is nothing new. For years, you could dial in and make a transaction from a phone number, but these days almost all major banks offer their own mobile application on iOS or Android. A mobile app from a bank allows you to track your activity, make transfers, or even (for a select few) make deposits with your camera. Simple, a new and exclusive internet bank, has just released its own Android app onto the Play store.
The Simple mobile app has a clean and intuitive design much like many other top Android apps. Like any banking app, you can manage your activity, make transfers, and even deposit checks with your camera from anywhere. As an internet bank, having these features on a mobile app is absolutely essential these days. Another unique feature of Simple is the ability manage your “Goals,” Simple’s method of helping you finance your life with goal setting and telling you what amount of your money is spendable
Simple hopes to be the alternative bank you’ve been looking for by working with you, not against you, to help you finance your life. While it has very few bells and whistles you’ve come to expect from any bank, such as financing opportunities, credit cards, or even CDs, Simple claims it isn’t like any other bank by offering tools to help your better manage your money. The app took several months to develop and is a completely native program, and while we haven’t had a chance yet to see what the company offers behind its invite-only service, early reviews of the app are positive. While some banks just rehash iOS ports or even just direct users to a mobile version of their website, it’s nice to see a company investing heavily in their mobile services.
Simple maintains its value behind an air of exclusivity as an invitation-only service. While we’re not exactly sure how it matches up against other internet banks such as Ally or ING, you can still check out their app on Google Play. Then again, you won’t be able to see much without logging on. Even as it remains exclusive, Simple is a welcome member to the Android Army.
Reports from Samsung's Korean homeland have claimed that the company is planning an even larger version of its Galaxy Note smartphone-cum-tablet.
According to the Korea Times, the Galaxy Note 3 will have a whopping 6.3-inch display, compared with the already-massive 5.5-inch screen on the popular Galaxy Note 2 phablet.
The report also suggests that the world's leading smartphone manufacturer will use the device to introduce its next-generation eight-core Exynos Octa processor later this year.
The Note 2 packs a quad-core Exynos chip, which is by no means a slouch, but the new unit would provide even more power and, importantly considering the larger screen, enhanced battery life.
China-bound
Interesting, the Korea Times report also revealed that Samsung is pitching its processing products to smartphone manufacturers in China, in order to lessen its reliance on Apple.
The company has already reached out to the likes of Huawei and ZTE who're beginning to make strides in the west.
A senior Samsung official is reported to have said at CES: "We have introduced the Exynos 5 Octa to appeal to Chinese clients and diversify our client base in China with better pricing and output commitment."
An unnamed Huawei official confirmed the companies are in talks. He said: "Yes, we were approached by Samsung. If the firm offers favorable conditions, there's no reason to deny the new business."
Samsung is believed to be concerned that its legal squabbles with Apple may result in the company looking elsewhere for the chips that power its iOS gadgets.
LG didn't come out swinging at CES 2013 with a new phone, but the Korean company is still gearing up for a record year of sales.
According to a report from the Korean Times, LG plans to sell 75 million phones, 20 million more than 2012, over the next 349 days.
Of those handsets, 45 million are expected to be smartphones with budget and feature phones filling out the rest. So many phones sales would be a new high for the company.
To boost its phone numbers in the new year, LG apparently has designs to enter into the Window Phone 8 game, an unnamed exec at an LG partner company told the Times. Coupled with a few new Optimuses, and LG could hit that many-million mark.
Things get murky
The presumed next-in-line phone for LG is the Optimus G2, which is said to sport a screen measuring at least 5 inches, if not 5.5-inches.
Many signs pointed to a CES debut for the phone but none of those nods panned out.
LG did reveal during its press conference that it plans to announce at least one top-tier phone during next month's Mobile World Congress, though it might not be the Optimus G2.
Reports surfaced earlier this week that the new G won't see the light of day until the fall, coming at around the same time the first iteration turns 1-year old.
Instead, LG might introduce a "stopgap" device at the Barcelona gathering.
That phone, codenamed "GK," is said to have a 5.5-inch display and quad-core processor.
The hold-up on the G2 could be LG's desire to pack it with Android: Key Lime Pie while still wanting to get the jump on Samsung's Galaxy SIV and Apple's next iPhone, whether it's the iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 or a budget handset.
If guessing is LG's game, it's certainly proving good at it. We're sure to hear more rumors and reports in the weeks leading up to MWC, but with that 75 million figure in mind, LG has some momentum going into the year with hopes of new flagships and Windows Phone 8 handsets.
TechRadar asked LG for comment on its 2013 phone plans and while we don't expect much will be revealed, we'll update this story if and when the company offers a response.
If you’ve ever worried about how companies use your private information online, you’re not as powerless as you think. DeleteMe Mobile lets you delete your online information from your phone, keeping your data out of data miners’ hands
It’s become a fact of life that, however you use the Internet, the personal information you enter online is up for grabs. It’s not just Google and Facebook; data brokers like Intelius and Axciom exist to mine information on behalf of companies looking to serve you content. This practice is done opaquely and without giving the user the means to opt out.
Even as organizations like the Federal Trade Commission do battle with such companies to ensure your right to privacy, it’s easy to feel powerless in the face of these massive corporations. Thankfully, users are afforded some recourse — in the form of sites like DeleteMe and MyPrivacy — when it comes to deleting the information they simply don’t want shared. Now, with DeleteMe Mobile, you can do it from your iPhone.
DeleteMe Mobile, like its desktop counterpart, is an effort by online privacy outfit Abine to make keeping track of and deleting sensitive information about you online simple and away from people without your best interests in mind, be they advertisers or stalkers.
“These are sites that a probably selling a lot of personal data,” said Abine privacy analyst Sarah Downey. “Where you’ve lived for the past 20 years. What you do. Overwhelmingly people don’t want to be on these sites. These sites can take people from not knowing where you live to your front door.”
When opening the app, the user is required to enter a minimal amount of information. Then, the app searches for information that matches the user’s data across more than 50 data tracking companies on the Web. The user can then delete what matches their own information. The bulk of the heavy lifting is done by Abine, but Abine also offers data deletion instructions on their website for free.
DeleteMe Mobile is available for free in the App Store, giving users one free record removal. Users can also sign up for three months of service for $24.99.
The battle of the fast, yet affordable smartphones continues in China, as ZTE is entering the arena with their not so sexy called U956 MT6589.
The peculiar name aside, the affordable ZTE smartphone packs a 5" display of HD resolution and features the quad-core MediaTek MT6589 chipset. In fact, that's the same chip powering the Huawei G520, which is yet another budget offering.
Additionally, the 5" ZTE smartphone also packs dual-SIM slots as well as an 8MP main camera with LED flash, 1GB of RAM and a microSD card slot. We'll have more information once the device is officially announced.
Another thing the U956 MT6589 has in common wiht its Huawei rival is the China Mobile carrier. While the Huawei smartphone is coming with a $225 price tag, the ZTE U956 is a tad more expensive at $240. It should be available for customers of the operator very soon, though no specifics were given.
The HTC M7 has made an appearance in picture form ahead of a possible Mobile World Congress launch, and its design is reminiscent of the Apple iPhone 5 and the future BlackBerry Z10.
The HTC M7 has been leaked ahead of its possible launch at Mobile World Congress next month, but before you get too excited, it’s a render of the phone and not an actual picture, blurry or otherwise. The device has been rumored ever since the release of the Droid DNA, and is believed to be the firm’s second handset with a 1080p display.
Its design is somewhat familiar, as it takes elements of the Apple iPhone 5 – the curved corners and straight sides – and the forthcoming BlackBerry Z10, with clearly separate top and bottom sections sandwiching the screen. It’s a considerable departure from the One X and the Droid DNA, and could be part of a complete redesign of the range.
The image you see here was leaked by @evleaks, the same account responsible for showing us the HTC Deluxe, which subsequently became the HTC Butterfly. Apparently, it comes from a brief animated clip used to instruct new users where to insert the SIM card into the device.
When the M7 first appeared it was suggested the phone would have a 5-inch touchscreen with a 1080p resolution, just like the Droid DNA. However, this is at odds with the latest information, which says the phone will still have a 1080p resolution, but the screen size will be 4.7-inches. This fits in with the theory it’ll be replacing the One X when it’s launched. Inside, the quad-core Tegra 3 used in international versions of the One X may have been swapped for a Snapdragon S4 Pro, while the camera will be upgraded to one with 13-megapixels. Another possible feature is a built-in infrared sensor, which thanks to an ability to learn codes, could be used to turn the device into a universal remote control. Also, HTC could introduce its newest version of Sense, Sense 5, on the M7.
Following the initial leak, the M7 turned up on an extensive list of HTC codenames, where there were eight different variations of the phone, again hinting at its future flagship status. We’re expecting HTC to have a busy Mobile World Congress, and that the M7 will be one of its headline announcements.
The LG Optimus 7 was one of the first Windows Phone 7 handsets… and one of the last LG-made WP handsets. The LG is not one of the four companies that make WP8 phones either, but a new rumor suggests that’s about to change.
Korea Times talked to an LG partner, who says that the Korean company is looking to boost sales by as much as 40% (from 55 million for 2012 to 75 million), with smartphones making up the bulk of it (around 10 million per quarter, 45 million in total).
To do that, LG will be releasing new Optimus handsets, including ones that run Windows Phone 8. The unnamed partner also says that we’ll be seeing a 5.5” FullHD device from LG at the MWC, but didn’t specify if it’s an Android or a WP8 phone.
The Windows Phone 8 handsets are yet to explode on the market, so one has to wonder if this rumor is true. Nokia only managed 4.4 million Lumias in a quarter, so WP8 phones might not quite help LG reach that desired 20 million units growth.
The HTC M7 isn't even official yet, but it's been garnering a few headlines of late. This is the closest we've come to a decent look at it.
The pic isn't a bonafide snap though. Rather it's a render from a "short animation clip instructing new owners on first-time SIM card installation," according to Unwired View. It comes from a trusted source with access to an early version of the firmware, the site says.
Considering the lack of branding and screen borders, it doesn't look like the finished design. Unless HTC is taking its handsets in a new minimalist direction.
Set for Barcelona
The M7 is widely tipped to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. It's said to be HTC's new flagship, taking over from the One X, with a 4.7-inch HD display and 1.7GHz quad-core processor.
That screen should have a higher pixel-per-inch density than the iPhone 5 too, so should be plenty sharp.
The device is said to have a 13-megapixel camera, equipped with a new sensor capable of super slow-motion and video HDR, too.
The M7 is expected to come with the Jelly Bean version of Android. The handset was rumoured to make its debut at CES, but that didn't happen.
Delta Airlines has released a new app for the iPad that allows you to see where you are in your journey, and plan what to do when you land. Now that’s a good way of killing time while you’re stuck next to that passenger nodding off onto your shoulders.
The next time you find yourself on a flight with Delta Airlines, it won’t just be the in-flight movie or dog-eared copy of Skymall to help while you try not to think about the physics of hurtling at great speeds through the air in a giant metal tube. The airline has launched a new iPad app that will transmit a feed of what’s happening underneath your plane during the entire flight, giving you a chance to know exactly what you’re missing en route your final destination.
The new incarnation of the Fly Delta app for iPad offers what it’s calling a “glass bottom” feature that, thankfully, offers up more than a literal view of what’s going on underneath the plane (Let’s face it, after a while, all you’re likely to see would be a bunch of clouds, which will eventually get old). Instead, it’ll allow the user to “view” the ground below via maps and selected social network and Internet content will identify particular local landmarks, photos, and comments about the area(s) and other related information. Although all of this information will be relayed in real time to users, they’ll also be able to scroll back to earlier parts of the journey to see what they’ve missed via a “scroll back in time” function.
That’s not all that the Fly Delta app offers; before boarding the plane, it will allow customers to check the weather (and see whether it will impact their upcoming flight), find directions to and from the airport, update frequent flier information, and check in to their flights, with the boarding pass sent to the user’s smartphone. While on the flight, the app will offer special travel offers, option to purchase future tickets, travel guides, and social network and recommendation sites for their location – suggesting shopping and dining possibilities once the user has arrived and managed to leave the airport. Sadly, the app has no way to speed up the post-flight process of disembarking or collecting your luggage… Although, come to think of it, there is an app that might help that last part, especially if your luggage didn’t necessarily have as successful a journey as you did.
The revised app – developed in conjunction with digital innovative agency AKQA – is just part of a concerted push that Delta is undergoing to beef up its tech. The airline notes that it is currently in the middle of a $140 million investment in new and updated tech, which will also include an updated website and new self-service kiosks at many airports throughout the U.S. In the mean time, let’s just hope that chatty guy next to you decides to actually play with this new iPad app and leave you alone for the flight.
Feeling lonely? OKCupid might have a solution for you. Or it might set you up on the worst date you’ve ever had. That’s the risk you’ll take with Crazy Blind Date, the new mobile app from OKCupid. Information about your date is limited and pictures are scrambled, so it’s up to you to make the most of it.
Whether you’re looking for love, a new friend, or an interesting experience, OKCupid has a solution for you. It’s new mobile app, Crazy Blind Date, is dedicated to setting you up with a completely random partner at a local hang out and seeing if the two of you can hit it off.
As opposed to its main dating service, which aims to hook up people based on similar interests and compatibility, Crazy Blind Date sets you up with someone who is just simply available and in the area. You’re given a scrambled image of your date’s face, their name, and the option to chat with them just one hour before meeting to nail down any details and give indications as to who to look for. Other than that, you’ll be heading into the date with nothing but good intentions and low expectations.
The app is actually the second appearance of the Crazy Blind Date service. It was first created as a web-based application back in 2007, but failed almost instantly. Sitting down at a computer and attempting to set up a date might not be quite as spontaneous an activity as it can be on a mobile device, and OKCupid hopes the new platform will revive the concept. It’s not about finding a potential match right away as much as it’s about having an experience. We hope you aren’t paired up with an axe murderer or anything, though that could make for a good story, assuming you survive.
What's the best mobile phone? Our verdict on the best smartphone/best phones - constantly updated
We've all got at least one mobile phone each, right? The trouble is, how do you decide which is the best one for you?
Well, this is where we make it easy. Because here we have our continually updated comparison of the top 20 best smartphones you can get in the UK.
The last update saw the Samsung Galaxy S3 take the top spot most people thought it deserved... but with the iPhone 5 now upon us, has the Korean brand held off ANOTHER onslaught from the Cupertino powerhouse? And what of the supercheap but ultra-powerful Google Nexus 4 by LG? Does price matter over software?
But we probably shouldn't forget the Apple iPhone 4S as a viable option, and while the Nokia Lumia 900 used to be top dog in the Windows Phone 7 game, it's the Nokia Lumia 920 that's flying the flag for Windows Phone 8.
If that still doesn't help, well, there's always our extensive mobile phone reviews pages as well - or check out our personally crafted smartphone buyer's guide:
E-books have a new target audience: Kids who otherwise may not be that interested in reading, according to a new study released from Scholastic publishing.
The percentage of kids reading e-books has almost doubled in the last couple of years, with a number of children who have read e-books saying they would read more if they had better access to digital publications, according to a new study on the reading habits of America’s youth.
According to the fourth edition of the Kids & Family Reading Report, a bi-annual study published by leading children’s publishing, education and media company Scholastic in conjunction with the Harrison Group, a marketing and strategic research consulting firm, e-books are looking increasingly like the tool necessary to change reading from a required (and therefore, not “fun”) pastime to something that kids want to do of their own choice. More than half of the children who took part of the survey were considered “moderately frequent readers” – 57 percent, to be precise – with “moderately frequent” defined as kids who read one to four days a week.
Additionally, one in four boys – a traditionally difficult group to motivate in terms of voluntary reading – said they are now reading more books for fun having enjoyed the experience via an e-book. Overall, 50 percent of all children aged 9-17 that took part in the study said they would read more books for fun if they had more access to e-books, with that itself a 50 percent increase when compared to the answers to the same question asked two years ago.
Compared to the 2010 report, the reach of e-books has doubled in children, with 46 percent of the 9-17 year-olds taking part this time compared to just 25 percent two years ago. Also, sadly, up is the percent of parents who feel that their children don’t read enough for fun; that number jumped from 36 percent in 2010 to 49 percent in the latest report. The amount of parents who are interested in giving their children e-books is now at 72 percent and, let’s be honest, likely to rise if they see the interest expressed in them from the children taking part in this study.
“We are seeing that kids today are drawn to both print and e-books, yet e-reading seems to offer an exciting opportunity to attract and motivate boys and reluctant readers to read more books,” Scholastic’s Chief Academic Officer Francie Alexander comments in the report. “While many parents express concern over the amount of time their child spends with technology, nearly half do not have a preference of format for their child’s books. The message is clear – parents want to encourage more reading, no matter the medium.”
With this kind of target market, how long before we see kid-centric Kindles, Nooks and iPads?
RIM will officially launch its new BlackBerry 10 OS and the first smartphones to run it soon (January 30) but the stream of unofficial leaks is turning into a torrent. The latest is a training material intended to teach sales people how to sell the new OS and devices.
It goes over anything, starting from the touchscreen (with 356ppi pixel density) through the hardware specs (Snapdragon S4 chipset, 1800mAh battery) and software (brand new gesture-based UI and “best in class” HTML5 browser) to the BlackBerry World store (70K apps, 20M songs at launch).
The training material then delves into the various apps and features, what they do and how they’re used. For example, there’s a Time Shift mode for the camera that snaps photos milliseconds before and after you press the shutter and lets you select the best individual face from each photo (a feature that has become common in high-end Androids).
There’s more – you can see the whole PowerPoint presentation here.
Samsung has admitted that it messed up with the Pebble Blue Galaxy S3, but also revealed it was quick to resolve the issue.
When the Samsung Galaxy S3 went on sale back in May some customers were left disappointed when the Pebble Blue handset appeared to be in short supply.
The reason for the shortage was because "the mass production process for the Pebble Blue battery cover did not perfectly reproduce the S III's fundamental design concept creating an aesthetic that was inconsistent with the planned product."
"The tough decision to not ship the new handsets threw the entire chain into panic" the firm explained in a post on the Samsung Tomorrow blog.
Insufficient luster
Samsung said it took the difficult decision two weeks before the S3 went on sale to tell customers that 'Pebble Blue's battery cover hairlines did not appear, homogeneous with insufficient luster' – which apparently left the team "devastated".
Instead of delaying the Pebble Blue Galaxy S3 for nine months though while a new production method was developed – white iPhone 4 we're looking at you – Samsung got on it right away.
Three days later a new Pebble Blue battery cover had been produced which met the firm's high standards and 10 days after the initial recall enough new units had been produced to meet the manufacturing goal.
Anything can happen in the next 10 days
Ok so Samsung is giving itself a big ol' pat on the back, but it's great when a company works so hard and so quickly to rectify an issue.
Sure some customers were impacted and had to wait a few extra days for their Pebble Blue Samsung Galaxy S3 to arrive, but a few days is far better than 9 months for a colour option to turn up.
Apple will argue that it never promised the white iPhone 4 from the off, but manufacturing issues with the lighter hue were well documented and it certainly wasn't as quick off the block as Samsung.
We first learned about the existence of Galaxy Pocket Plus back in December. We knew it will be a refreshed version of the original Pocket and will run on Android Ice Cream Sandwich.
Today we can shed some light on the specs too. According to the leaked info the Pocket Plus will get a hardware update too - the processor will be upgraded to 850 MHz and presumably a new architecture (from 832 MHz), the RAM jumps to 512 MB (from 384 MB) and the internal storage goes from 3 GB to 4 GB.
The rest of the specs are pretty much the same - a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen, a 2MP snapper, quad-band GSM/dual-band 3G support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, FM radio and a microSD card slot.
The new Galaxy Pocket Plus will sell under the GT-S5301 model number and GT-S5301L for Latin America. It is expected to launch in the first half of this year, but there is still no official announcement or pricing details.
Also why not check out our video of the top 10 free Android games?
1. Seesmic
There are many Twitter apps on Android - and Twitter itself shook up the scene with the launch of its own-brand app - but we're sticking with Seesmic. Offering support for multiple accounts, a home page widget showing latest tweets and an incredibly slick and professional design, it's one of the finest examples of app development out there today.
Facebook for Android is lacking in features compared to Facebook itself, but a recent update added Inbox support to the Android app, finally allowing its users to communicate in almost real time. The app's fast and stable, with a simplicity that reminds you of the old days when using Facebook used to be bearable.
3. National Rail Enquiries
After the original free, third-party National Rail apps went paid-for, National Rail has finally brought out its own free app. National Rail Enquiries enables you to check live train times, plan your journeys, and get notifications of delays. On first use, the app prompts you to enter a home and work train station, and then you can use the 'Get me home' button to see the next available trains.
4. UK Jobs
Hey, times are hard and you've got to pay for your oppressive monthly mobile phone contract somehow. Offering a fully searchable database of current UK job vacancies, UK Jobs, which pulls in its data from independent employment site 1job.co.uk is, a slightly cumbersome but useful and non-governmental tool.
5. Hotmail/Outlook
Microsoft has teamed up with developer SEVEN to offer an official Hotmail app for Android, which gives users a simple, clean interface, push notification support and even lets you manage multiple Hotmail accounts from within the app. If your email needs haven't yet been assimilated by Google, it's a useful option. It's since been rebranded as the Outlook app, in keeping with Microsoft's changes to its mail site.
A stunning app that renders Patrick Moore obsolete, by using your phone's orientation tools to give you an accurate representation of the stars and planets on your screen. Point your phone at the sky, then learn what constellations are visible and if that's a UFO or just Venus. Google Sky Map even works indoors, if you're not keen on getting cold.
7. Layar
The stunning augmented reality app Layar has recently gone commercial, adding an online shop that allows users to buy AR content such as travel guides, local house price apps and much more. But you're still able to use the numerous free Layers to pop data up over real-world locations, delivering a satisfying futuristic experience.
8. Foursquare
The social media darling Foursquare is represented in fine form on Android, with the Google app offering easy one-click check-ins, integrated Google Maps for a seamless Google-branded experience and home page shortcut options to all your favourite places.
9. WordPress for Android
WordPress for Android started out as independent creation wpToGo, before WordPress decided it liked it so much it bought it up - hiring the maker to develop it in-house. It's very feature-packed, with the latest version offering full integration with other apps, letting you spin content and send it directly to the app for easy updating. It could do with more image insertion tools, though.
10. Google Goggles
A bit of a novelty, in that Google Goggles lets you take photos and have Google analyse them and come back with a search results page for what it thinks you're looking at. However, the app's main use is as a QR code reader, which lets you scan barcodes for quick access to apps and whatever data people choose to embed in the odd little data squares.
Yes, the same Winamp from a decade ago. It's had an Android app for some time, with recent updates adding support for iTunes, Mac syncing, plenty of music streaming options, new release lists and Shoutcast integration for radio support. It's a fine, free media player.
12. Samsung ChatOn
There are plenty of messaging tools on Android, but Samsung's beats many of them by offering multi-platform support - with clients even available for older Samsung non-smart feature phones. It could be the ideal way to keep in touch with an out of touch relative. More "with it" users will be able to use its drawing, image sharing and social networking features.
13. Skyfire 3.0
The USP of the Skyfire browser is that it supports Flash content, popping up a little window when it detects an embedded YouTube video or something similar. The actual Flash business is handled by Skyfire's server, which does all the computery stuff, then sends the file to your handset. A bit clunky on slower Android phones, but it works like a dream on models with faster processors.Despite the arrival of Flash with Android 2.2, this is still relevant for those on phones and Android versions not able to support Adobe's Flash Player.
14. BBC News
While the BBC's Android iPlayer app is a bit on the disappointing side, the corporation's BBC News app is much more refined. There's a stylish grid-based front page, plus you're able to swipe from left to right to switch between stories in your chosen specialist category. A recent update also added a couple of Home screen widgets, too, plus the ability to submit your own news tips, as if the BBC was a small blog clamouring for content.
15. RAC Traffic
An official production of the motoring organisation, RAC Traffic is dead simple - it guesstimates your location via the mobile signal, then pops up the current traffic alerts for your area. It's much better than having to listen to the radio for the odd update about arterial blockages.
16. Swype
The odd line-drawing alternate keyboard Swype is a love-it or hate-it kind of thing, with the significant amount of re-learning required to make the most of it quite offputting to some users. Once you're familiar with the idea, though, it's genius - with advanced prediction options further speeding your line-typing. Swype is not available through the Android Market - the only way to install is is via a direct download from the maker.
17. Evernote
After the Android version of Dropbox, the next best solution for keeping all your 'business' in one place is Evernote - which lets you stash and sync all your text notes, voice memos and files on your phone and access them through a desktop computer.
18. Flickr
As well as supporting Flickr uploading, this app also lets you capture photos from within the app and comes complete with a set of filters, so you can hipsterise your life with ease. It supports sharing with Twitter and Facebook as well, so your other, non-photo-nerd friends can enjoy the results of today's snapping session.
19. Last.fm
The subscription-based thrills of Last.fm open up a world of music streaming on your mobile. You have to 'buy in' to the odd Last.fm way of organising things and suggesting new music, but if you're easily led and not restricted by bandwidth it's a superb tool.
20. Google Maps Navigation
An absolute must-get. As long as you have Android 1.6 or above, the latest update to Google Maps introduces turn-by-turn voice navigation, simultaneously devastating the satnav industry while boosting the in-car dashboard dock/charger accessory scene. Route calculations are done at the outset of your trip, minimising data transfer en route and keeping you on target even when the GPS signal drops. It's amazing, it works, and it's free.
Last week we heard plenty of rumors about Apple having cut orders for the new iPhone 5 due to lower than expected demand. While it has gone as far as to affect Apple's stock prices, it may not have been entirely true. According to one analyst Apple were able to ship some 52 million iPhone units in Q4.
While main product lines like the iPhone and iPad are expected to remain strong, specific devices within those lines may fall short of expected sales.
35 million of the iPhones sold were of the iPhone 5 variety, while the iPhone 4S and 4 followed with 9.5 million and 7.3 million, respectively.
The 52 million iPhone devices shipped is a 93% increase over Q3 - expected after the launch of the iPhone 5 and the high seasonal demand - and a 41% increase over Q4 2011.
Apple's former CEO John Sculley says the company will have to make a cheaper iPhone if it wants to compete with the likes of Samsung.
So it looks like our own Gareth Beavis is in good company.
Sculley told Bloomberg that Apple needs to change its high-end approach, because of greater market saturation. "Apple needs to adapt to a very different world," he said. "As we go from $500 smartphones to even as low, for some companies, as $100 for a smartphone, you've got to dramatically rethink the supply chain and how you can make these products and do it profitably."
Greater competition
The problem is that the competition is now so fierce, according to Sculley. Rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S3 are viable alternatives to the iPhone now, whereas before Apple's UI was light years ahead.
Android's huge (and growing) market share is down to the fact it offers handsets at a range of prices, too. And considering the fact most of the growth in mobiles will be in developing markets, with low-end devices, Apple would be wise to start offering a budget alternative, Sculley reckons.
"Samsung is an extraordinarily good competitor," he said. "The differentiation between a Samsung Galaxy and an iPhone 5 is not as great as we used to see."
Google's Nexus (ten points to anyone who can tell us if Nexi is the correct plural) smartphones have always set the standard when it comes to a pure Google experience.
The first Nexus One was a true geek device. Sold only through Google directly (apart from a brief flirtation with Vodafone), it never achieved massive sales. But it gave the world the true raw power of Android without the bloatware of other variants. As of January 2010, the ball was well and truly rolling.
We've had several now – and everyone, it seems, had a go: HTC, Samsung, Asus and LG – though strangely, not Motorola, which is now part of Google itself.
Some handsets we look forward to with much anticipation – only to feel deflated when we actually use them. Others, we wait for with little expectation – and they absolutely blow our socks off.
A stealth surprise. We'll lay our proverbial cards on the table here from the outset. The Nexus 4 is one of those rare devices.
LG's not had the best track record of late. Sure, we thought the Optimus 4X HD was a pretty decent offering, but too little, too late compared to what was already out there by the time LG got it to market.
And whereas LG did have good form when it came to innovation back in the day (who remembers the Chocolate, the Shine – and even the dubious widescreen BL40?), the mojo seemed to have passed.
That's not a dig at the South Koreans – far from it. But just to set the scene to show why we weren't expecting much from the Nexus 4.
Perhaps the worst kept secret since the iPhone 5, the Nexus 4 even got left in a bar in true cliché style. And from the pictures, we weren't alone in thinking it looked like a copy of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
The difference is, when we took the Samsung model out of its box this time last year, we thought it was nice. When we took the Nexus 4 out of its box last week, we thought it was beautiful.
Size wise, the Nexus 4 comes in at 133.9 x 68.7 x 9.1 mm – which means it is similar to its predecessor. But it is far more stunning to look at and hold.
The front is all glass in piano black. Extra tough too thanks to the Corning Gorilla Glass 2. Think iPhone 4 territory, but just a little nicer looking (we are aware that is a matter of opinion, iFans!)
The whole front is set within a dull chrome bezel and the shininess even extends to the rear of the handset, which has an attractive, though unusual sparkly pattern adorning it - although newer shipments seem to be shorn of that element now.
Think the glittery kind of jacket that you could see Cilla Black, Joan Rivers or Shirley Bassey in at an awards ceremony, and you catch our drift.
At 139g, the Nexus 4 isn't the lightest handset in school – but it's just about solid enough to get away with carrying that extra weight and puts those who say Android devices look like toys firmly in their place.
The screen is invisible when off – but when it lights up, you're treated to 4.7-inches of True HD IPS Plus beauty. That's 768 x 1280 pixels with a pixel density of 318. It is razor sharp – blowing Retina out of the water and we'll venture it is one of the best we've seen on a handset.
Another reason for this is because there is such little space between the glass and the display. So where we berated the Optimus 4X HD for leaving enough room here to park a small car, the Nexus 4 leaves no gap at all.
It exudes a clarity that has to be seen to be believed. Colours look beautiful, icons and text are razor sharp and everything floats perfectly.
We find it hard to see how this could be beaten. When you're looking at icons on a black background (like in the app drawer), you can't even see the black, if that makes sense. It is so deep, that icons just float. Beneath the screen, in the centre, but hidden until needed, lies a pulsating notification light.
Another element worth pointing out here is the way the phone curves at the sides, from the main panel into the bezel. It seems to make the screen look even more realistic and beautiful. It's one of those things you really have to experience to appreciate.
Round the edges, you'll find the usual adornments. A 3.5mm headphone jack on top, volume rocker and micro SIM tray on the left, micro USB port plus a few dubious screws on the bottom, and a perfectly placed lock/unlock/power button on the upper right hand side.
It's just in that sweet spot where it's easy to press with the thumb if you're right handed and not impossible if you're a leftie.
There's no way of getting the back off – so you know what that means, peeps. No removable battery and no expandable storage. The former doesn't faze us too much since the 2,100mAh battery pack is no slouch but the lack of memory card allowance is annoying.
Yes, we know that ever since the Nexus S, expandable memory is out. Google's said that it doesn't offer it because it's confusing. But for those with lots of content who can't or don't want to stream, it's a real pain. We don't quite buy Google's argument.
As for the innards, LG has cut no corners here. Make no mistake, this is a premium handset. DC-HSDPA, the very latest iteration of Jelly Bean 4.2, a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, quad-core 1.5GHz processor, A-GPS with GLONASS, NFC and so forth.
But what makes this so sweet is the price. Let's just point out that sim-free, a HTC One X with similar specs will set you back around £399 (around $637/AU$611) – even the 18-month old Samsung Galaxy S2 retails at £329 (around $525/AU$503).
And while last year's Galaxy Nexus will leave your wallet £299 (around $477/AU$458) lighter, this brand new model, the Nexus 4 is priced – almost unbelievably – at £239 ($299/AU$349) for the 8GB version and £279 ($349/AU$480) for 16GB. Yes, the newer Nexus is cheaper than the year old Nexus. Word!
We can't overestimate just how revolutionary this is and it leaves us open-mouthed at how Google is doing this. Either it's selling the Nexus 4 at a loss – or the mark-up on handsets is now shown up as being ridiculously high. Whichever it is, it means the Nexus 4 has a distinct advantage over the competition.
Bizarrely, in the UK Google has promised O2 that it can sell the Nexus 4 as an exclusive for the first month. We can't understand why – especially because you could end up paying £800 for the device over the course of the contract.
Virgin Mobile has also joined the Nexus 4 brigade by offering LG's handset on a contract - but with prices starting at £31 a month, it's not going to be a decent way to get a cheap Google phone in your hand.
Most people with sense (and a bit of spare cash) will buy the Nexus SIM-free and get themselves a cheap as chips SIM-only plan. The only downside is that LG has been a little slow on actually making these devices, despite Google subsidising the cost of the handset to the tune of hundreds of pounds per device.
In fact, a Google exec called the supply 'scarce and erratic' and could explain why there are only 400,000 in circulation at the end of December 2012, despite the low price and popularity.
But anyway, with an early November release, that means there'll still be plenty of networks marketing this heavily pre-Christmas once that month-long deal with O2 expires. And we can see the Nexus 4 being on a lot of Christmas lists.
