Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Moto X smartphone gets confirmed for assembly in the USA

Motorola's upcoming Moto X flagship smartphone got officially confirmed by the company's CEO Dennis Woodside. The upcoming handset from the reinvented, Google-owned Motorola will be the first smartphone to be assembled in the United States.

US versions of the Moto X will be assembled in a former Nokia plant in Fort Worth, Texas. Motorola's global network of operations will not change - the company will continue to manufacture devices in Brazil and China through its partner Flextronics.

Curiously, Motorola didn't reveal any details on the specs, or images of the Moto X (the render above is from a previous leak). Dennis Woodside however, confirmed that the upcoming flagship will be broadly distributed across numerous carriers.

Source | Via


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_x_smartphone_gets_confirmed_as_the_first_to_be_made_in_the_usa-news-6121.php

Apple may release two iPhones this year, including an iPhone Mini

Apple may release two iPhones this year, including an iPhone Mini
Apple could keep a phone with the smaller 3.5-inch display

Apple is reportedly working on not one but two iPhone models this year, including what sounds like the long-rumored iPhone Mini, according to a report out of Taiwan this week.

The company plans to launch both an iPhone 5S and a low-cost iPhone model in the third quarter of 2013, claims industry sources who talked to the sometimes-reliable DigiTimes.

The cheaper iPhone's specs are said to be comparable to the smaller iPhone 4S model, which syncs up with what we have heard about the iPhone Mini.

While the low-cost smartphone may have a less advanced display and processor, the iPhone 5S is rumored to double its predecessor's pixel count to almost 1.5 million.

'We haven't so far'

This iPhone Mini news comes at the same time Apple CEO Tim Cook said his company decided against releasing multiple smartphones at once.

"We haven't so far," said Cook at the to All Things Digital in response to a question about why there aren't a range of new iPhone models out every year.

"It takes a lot of work, a lot of really detailed work, to do a phone right, when you manage the hardware, software and services around it."

"We've chosen to focus our energy on getting those right. And we've made the choices in order to do that. So we haven't become defocused [by] working on multiple lines."

Cook's "so far" comment leaves the door open to Apple making multiple iPhone models simultaneously in the future, just as the company did with the iPod years ago.

All iPhones on September

The iPhone 5S and rumored iPhone Mini are expected to start mass production in June and be released in September.

Although a low-cost iPhone has been predicted before every smartphone-focused Apple press conference in recent history, 2013 may be the year the rumors actually pan out.

That's because Samsung may come out with a smaller version of its Galaxy S4 smartphone, dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, making an iPhone Mini all the more relevant.

  • Between now and the new iPhone launch, read our WWDC coverage for more information on Apple's upcoming computer hardware announcements.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-may-release-two-iphones-this-year-including-an-iphone-mini-1155238

HTC: Samsung is using component supplies as a 'competitive weapon'

HTC: Samsung is using component supplies as a 'competitive weapon'
HTC and Samsung's relationship appears to have soured

Samsung has been using its dominant position in the mobile component business to harm rivals, according to a senior HTC official.

Jack Tong, the president of HTC North Asia has reportedly said Samsung strategically declined to supply his company with the AMOLED displays that had featured in 2010's brilliant HTC Desire handset.

According to the Focus Taiwan report, Tong accused Samsung of using components as a "competitive weapon" to sabotage companies they see as a threat to their market-leading position in Android devices.

"We found that key component supply can be used as a competitive weapon," he said.

Keeping it local

Tong said that since Samsung's change of heart, HTC and other Taiwanese companies such as Acer and Asus have sought to keep component makers in the country and ensure a good supply.

He also said those companies is attempting to persuade foreign parts manufacturers to the country in order to lower manufacturing costs.

The report follows plenty of speculation that Apple is actively looking to move away from Samsung as a content supplier as a result of the pair's endless legal battles.

TechRadar has reached out to HTC for further comment and will update this story if and when a response is forthcoming.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-samsung-is-using-component-supplies-as-a-competitive-weapon--1155217

Super slim Huawei Ascend P6 officially arriving June 18

Super slim Huawei Ascend P6 officially arriving June 18
The first non-leaked photo of the Huawei ascend P6

Huawei took to Facebook today to confirm that the super slip Ascend P6 Android phone will be officially unveiled on June 18.

"On June 18th, Huawei will unleash an intimate experience to consumers," reads a post on Huawei's official Facebook page with a close-up photo of the Ascend P6.

The June 18 date was previously teased when Huawei Device Chairman Richard Yu posted on the Chinese microblogging service Sina Weibo that the Ascend P6 will be revealed during a London event on that day.

This is the first confirmation we've received that the P6 will be present at that event, though.

Bragging rights

Huawei used this opportunity to brag about the Ascend P6's signature feature: its thinness.

"We do everything to the fullest," the Chinese company wrote. "The Huawei Ascend P6 challenges all phones to be the thinnest, smallest, and one of the most compact smart phones with a screen that can rival it's competitors.

"Care to guess how large the screen to body ratio is?" it added.

We've no idea, but the 6.2mm-thin phone will be the slimmest on the market when it debuts.

Its rumored specs include a 4.7-inch HD display, 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5MP camera and Android Jelly Bean.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/super-slim-huawei-ascend-p6-officially-arriving-june-18-1155193

Facebook Home's road to success will be a marathon, not a sprint

Facebook Home's road to success will be a marathon, not a sprint
Facebook thinks slow and steady will win the social race

Facebook may be one of the most dominant social networks of all time, but the company has struggled to find its footing beyond the confines of the world wide web.

With Facebook Home, Zuckerberg and crew seemed poised to finally make a big splash on smartphones that could expand the network's outreach on mobile devices.

It's strange to think of Facebook Home having 1 million users being a bit of a disappointment, but when you consider more than one billion members comprise Facebook globally, the disparity is hard to ignore.

That doesn't seem to bother the executives at the social network though, as they see the adoption and growth of Facebook Home as a long haul effort.

Homeward bound

Speaking at the D: All Things D conference on Wednesday, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg talked a bit about the network's vision for Home.

"I think it will be a long road. [The smartphone is] an incredibly powerful device and social device," Sandberg said.

"We believe that the phone will get reorganized around people — Home is the first iteration of that."

Home hasn't exactly set the world on fire, and even though its available on a myriad of Android devices like the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4, and the dismally received (at least at retail) HTC First.

Even those who have been brave enough to make the jump to Home have a fair share of complaints, but Sandberg promised those voices are being heard.

"We consider [Home] a v.1, a very early version," Sandberg said. "We would love if we could put out a v.1 version and get everything right."

Home is supposed to be updated monthly, and time will tell if Sandberg and the rest of the Facebook team are right in believing Home has what it takes to survive amidst the rapidly changing smartphone landscape.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/facebook-home-s-road-to-success-will-be-a-marathon-not-a-sprint-1155190

Don't expect new iPad or iPhone at WWDC, says top Apple blogger

Don't expect new iPad or iPhone at WWDC, says top Apple blogger
The next generation of Apple hardware remains shrouded in mystery

A top Apple blog predicted today that Apple will not reveal a new iPhone or iPad at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

"The important thing to remember about WWDC is that it is a developer conference," The Loop wrote.

The event is Apple's annual opportunity to catch developers up on the company's software plans for the next year. As such it's expected to focus on announcements concerning OS X and iOS 7.

"[The iPhone and iPad] are Apple's flagship products and they demand separate events," the site continued. "Entire industries watch these products because they shape what will happen in the mobile space. They are that important."

How about a new Mac?

While The Loop predicted that WWDC 2013 will focus on iOS 7 and changes to OS X, the blog also suggested that a new Mac announcement is not out of the question.

"The Mac is still an important part of what Apple does, but I don't know that Apple would hold a special event specifically for a Mac product anymore," the site wrote.

"If they did, it would have to be quite a spectacular product."

OS upgrades incoming

There may be some big changes headed to Apple's mobile OS with the impending reveal of iOS 7.

English designer Jony Ive is known to be redesigning iOS, and his input could result in a massive overhaul.

Then again, it could remain largely the same - we'll have to wait until it's revealed to find out.

Meanwhile, just because the iPhone 5S and iPad 5 won't be revealed at WWDC doesn't mean they aren't coming eventually—Apple is just staying secretive for now, like it always does. Who knows, maybe all these predictions are wrong and we will see a new iPhone and iPad next month.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/don-t-expect-new-ipad-or-iphone-at-wwdc-says-top-apple-blogger-1155181

Want to try 4G before committing? EE introduces 30-day, SIM-only tariffs

Want to try 4G before committing? EE introduces 30-day, SIM-only tariffs
4GEE: Try it, you might like it

EE has given Brits the opportunity to experience the joys of 4G mobile speeds without signing up for a lengthy contract for the first time.

The new 30-day SIM-only contracts allow users to sign up month-to-month from just £23 with 500GB of data and unlimited texts and minutes.

For £28 a month its possible to sign up for 1GB of data, while £33 will give users a little more piece of mind with 3GB data.

The deals range all the way up to £63 a month, but for that EE is offering the luxury of 20GB a month, which'd be tough for the most avid video and music streaming enthusiasts to exhaust.

Getting 'em hooked

EE is offering the deals in the hope that users will try the no-strings approach and be so amazed with the difference over 3G that they'll sign up for a one or two year contract.

The company, which pioneered 4G in the UK, will also be mindful that competition from the likes of Vodafone, O2 and Three Mobile will arrive later this year, so will want punters to try its offering first

Will you be more likely to sample 4G under the contract-free terms? Let us know in the comments below.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/want-to-try-4g-before-committing-ee-introduces-30-day-sim-only-tariffs-1155159

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 gets Jelly Bean firmware in UK

If you've bought a Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, you're probably all too familiar with its Jelly Bean rollout and how unnervingly tedious it is. While some countries received it already, the UK was still kept on hold (among other countries). Luckily, that's no longer the case and the firmware has been released to UK owners of the smartphone.



At first, Samsung was testing the firmware (in the beginning of February), then it was leaked (in the end of February), and finally the rollout began (in the beginning of April).

The update brings along Samsung's TouchWiz Nature UX along with the major smoothness benefits of Jelly Bean's Project Butter.

You can flash the firmware on your smartphone as of now - download in the Source link below (go for I8160BTUMC8). Or you can wait for an update notification or keep checking through KIES on your computer.

Source


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ace_2_gets_jelly_bean_firmware_in_uk-news-6120.php

LG Optimus L5 2 review

LG Optimus L5 2 review

It seems a long time ago that LG was helping dominate the mobile market, with phone offerings such as the LG Chocolate. In reality, 7 years is more than a long time in tech, with LG's more recent mobile offerings often failing to hit the same mark they did before.

That said, LG's partnership with Google created not only the latest (and possibly last) Nexus 4 device, but also one of the hottest pieces of mobile tech that easily rivalled the Samsung Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5.

Much like Samsung, LG is banking on its Optimus range, now equipped with the Optimus G Pro and Optimus 4XHD, to take on the world. Aimed at the budget end of the market, LG created the L Series, now in its second iteration, packed with the LG Optimus L3 2, Optimus L5 2 and the upcoming Optimus L7 2.

LG Optimus L5 2 review

Hitting price points of around £13 per month, or £120 out right, the Optimus L5 2 is set to battle it out against the Huawei Ascend G510, Sony Xperia J and Samsung Galaxy Ace 2. Does it have the clout?

LG is hardly reinventing the wheel with the design of the Optimus L5 2, with a very square all glass front and prominent home button sat front and centre, just below the screen.

We can't help but feel a tiny bit disappointed with this kind of design, as we love design innovation, but the Optimus L5 2 is a very smart piece of kit.

LG Optimus L5 2 review

Measuring in at a 117.5 x 62.2 x 9.2mm, and weighing in at 103g, LG has created a slim and light device. The Optimus L5 2 sits very comfortably in the hand and the pocket, and at only 66 per cent the weight of the Ascend G510 is a lot less noticeable. Despite the weight, or lack of it, the build of the Optimus L5 2 still feels sturdy.

As we said, LG's L Series was designed to be the budget range, with the Optimus L5 2 sitting right in the middle of the Optimus L3 2 and L7 2.

LG Optimus L5 2 review

With this in mind, we weren't expecting mind blowing specifications, and the 1GHz single-core processor alongside 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage seem to fit with the pricing, although LG has seen fit to equip the L3 2 with the same specs.

Interestingly, the LG Optimus L5 2 seems to have near identical specifications to the lower powered Huawei Ascend G330.

LG Optimus L5 2 review

This is more than a little confusing. LG does equip the Optimus L5 2 with Android Jelly Bean, with a basic overlay. In the form of camera sensors , the Korean firm have interestingly only given the L5 2 a 5MP rear facing sensor.

Whilst disappointing, given that the aforementioned Ascend G510, Xperia J and Galaxy Ace 2 all have a front facing snapper, we can be a bit forgiving as the low resolutions that were on offer almost made them redundant.

LG Optimus L5 2 review

LG has also graced the Optimus L5 2 with a 4-inch screen at 480 x 800 pixels, so by no means the HD definition that we've become accustomed to on flagship powerhouses, yet still clear enough for day to day use. Elsewhere, the L5 2 comes with 3G, Bluetooth and NFC.

We said that L5 2 sits comfortably in the hand, and the 4-inch screen is easy enough to hit with one hand. Thankfully, LG has placed all the standard buttons in familiar (unlike on the Huawei Ascend G510) and easy to hit places, with the power/lock button on the right hand side, with the volume rocker sat on the left, just below a customisable quick key (more on that later).

LG Optimus L5 2 review

Just below the screen sit the almost traditional backlit soft keys, replacing the need for Android's on screen controls.

We only mention the backlighting as we found that its exclusion on the Ascend G510 meant that the buttons were a little hard to see. The back and menu key sit either side of a physical home button.

The home button has a nice LED light behind it, that illuminates whilst charging, during calls and alarms as well as for notifications and missed events. Downloaded apps can also make use of the light.

LG Optimus L5 2 review

In the way of ports, the Optimus L5 2 comes with the obligatory 3.5mm headphone jack (on the top) and the microUSB data/charge port in the base.

We're big fans of the placement or the microUSB as it makes using the L5 2 easier whilst charging, as for the headphone port, the positioning debate will continue long after this review.

LG Optimus L5 2 review

The back cover is smart and fully removable, wrapping around the sides of the L5 2. The plastic has a brushed metallic look, and whilst completely smooth, provides a decent level of grip so you don't drop it. Along with the LG logo, are the loud speaker, camera sensor and LED flash.

With the back cover wrapping around to the front of the L5 2, there is no set place with which to work the cover off. That said, we found it pretty easy to work our short finger nails under it at any corner, or buy using the gap for the microUSB port.

LG Optimus L5 2 review

The ease of removal left us a little worried about dropping the Optimus L5 2, but on the one occasion we did drop it (on carpet), we're pleased to say it stayed on.

Behind the back cover there is access to the 1700mAh battery, the standard SIM slot, as well as the fiddly, hot swappable microSD slot.

First impressions of the LG Optimus L5 2 are pretty promising. The plastic feel, and standard layout match the price tag, but being light and easy to use one handed show LG may have hit a sweet spot.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/lg-optimus-l5-2-1133185/review

BlackBerry Q10 coming to T-Mobile USA on June 5 for $100

The LTE-ready BlackBerry Q10 will be available on T-Mobile's 4G LTE network in the United States come this June 5. The device will pack a price tag of $100 on a two-year deal or $580, if you prefer it commitment-free from T-Mo.

The offer is valid for non-enterprise subscribers with business users still, controversially, being on the waiting list.

Along with BlackBerry's spanking new BB 10 OS, the Q10 comes with a physical landscape 4-row QWERTY, a 720 x 720 Super AMOLED 3.1-incher packing 328 ppi, 8 MP snapper, a dual-core Cortex-A9 chip clocked at 1.5 GHz and all-you-can-eat connectivity set with LTE, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, etc. on board.

BlackBerry Messenger is also, naturally, present on the Q10 and it packs video chat for good measure.

No word yet on when the device will come to the entire range of US carriers but we expect it to be soon.

Source | Via


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_q10_coming_to_tmobile_usa_on_june_5_for_100-news-6119.php

Huawei CEO denies P6 costing $330, suggests a price tag of $490

Earlier today the rumors regarding Huawei's future flagship smartphone suggested it would cost just $330, but the company's CEO was quick to debunk them.

Interestingly, at the very same time, a new official image was leaked by evleaks, showing the device in multiple colors, including white, black and pink.

Richard Yu, who is in charge of the management of the Chinese-based smartphone manufacturer, has tuned in today and officially denied the rumors of the Huawei P6 being so cheaply priced. According to him, the more "reasonable price" is around the $490 mark.

However, "those experienced in the industry", as Yu puts them, have said to him that the P6 should be priced at as much as $570.

Moroever, Yu goes on to saying that the Huawei P6's low price bruits were started by a Western company, which he didn't name, to damage the reputation of his company. Here are his exact words on the matter:

Huawei isn't emphasizing on high pricing and high profits. The Huawei Ascend P Series is an affordable smartphone line with nice design. There were rumors stated that the Huawei Ascend P6 will be priced at $330. This is one of the tricks from Western companies to strangle and damage the reputation of high quality devices from China. Please don’t get cheated by those rumors. Huawei Ascend P6 has the price for its innovation and design. But it is going to be a "reasonable price". Please wait until Huawei Ascend P6 launched into the market.

Here's hoping that the final price of the smartphone will become official on June 18, when Huawei is expected to unveil it to the world. The Ascend P6 is expected to pack a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor along with 2 GB of RAM, 8 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front camera, 32 GB inbuilt memory and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Via


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ceo_denies_p6_costing_330_suggests_a_price_tag_of_490-news-6118.php

Here's Tim Cook on why no multi-tier iPhones or a phablet

Tim Cook did an interview at the All Things D11 conference and spilled some details not only on the WWDC-bound iOS7 but also on why Apple keeps on making just one iPhone, as opposed to different variations of it.

Given the question on why Apple doesn't follow the same strategy it does with the iPod (making different sizes for different people) Cook answered that the iPod serves a different purpose with its various sizes. However, with the iPhone, that's not the case, as there are a lot more fine details that go into making it.

According to Apple's CEO, many people take into consideration the quality of the display, its properties such as color representation, white balance, brightness and more. The screen size is not necessarily the key factor, as is the battery life and look and feel of Apple's smartphone.

"It takes a lot of work, a lot of really detailed work, to do a phone right, when you manage the hardware, software and services around it. We’ve chosen to focus our energy on getting those right. And we’ve made the choices in order to do that. So we haven’t become defocused [by] working on multiple lines."

Additionally, these devices wouldn't ultimately serve different types of people, as does the iPad mini or the iPod nano.

As far as iOS7 is concerned, Tim Cook mentioned it, too. He confirmed that indeed Johny Ive, Apple's VP of Industrial Design, has been working on the upcoming iteration of iOS. Johny Ive is "really key", as Cook put it, to the iOS redesign.

We expect the latest version of Apple's mobile OS to be unveiled at the WWDC next month (June 10) in addition to a refreshed Macbook line-up and possibly more.

Source | Via
Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/tim_cook_on_why_apple_wont_have_multiple_iphones_and_ios7-news-6117.php

Leaked Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini specs hold a nice surprise

Leaked Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini specs hold a nice surprise
Power to the people (credit: All About Samsung)

We're expecting Samsung to lift the lid on the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini box at its June 20 event, but as for the specifics inside, most of it has been a lot of guess work until now.

Now German blog All About Samsung claims the Galaxy S4 Mini will be powered by a 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor. We'd previously heard that the Mini would arrive with a Snapdragon S4 processor, so if true, this is good news.

The diminutive device will also have 1.5GB of RAM with a 8-megapixel rear camera, 2.1-megapixel snapper on the front, and a 540 x 960p qHD resolution display. We're also expecting the S4 Mini to arrive with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

Nice and snappy

Of course, the Mini won't be as beefy as the older S4, but we're still impressed with that Samsung will be packing into the phone if these benchmark results are true.

The 4.3-inch phone appeared on Samsung's official apps page a few days ago, pretty much confirming its existence.

Alongside the Mini, we're also expecting Samsung to drop a larger handset, with a leaked render appearing to show the whole family side by side.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/leaked-samsung-galaxy-s4-mini-specs-hold-a-nice-surprise-1155098

HTC One to be available in Red and Blue versions

HTC's flagship smartphone has been one of the most popular Android devices in recent times and the metallic beauty will soon be available in new hues, according to a report from Pocket-lint.



HTC is all set to launch its One flagship smartphone in a Blue and Red variant and the latest shades will join the currently available Black and Silver versions.

The Red variant of the HTC One appeared on the HTC's US website, which was later pulled and the upcoming hue was listed in an online retailer's website in the UK with a price tag of £504 (about $760) for a 32 GB version.

Unfortunately, there is no official word on the existence or the availability of these colors.

Source


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_to_be_available_in_red_and_blue_versions_-news-6116.php

Samsung Galaxy S4 mini specs leak, same chipset as Mega 6.3

Samsung has yet to officially unveil the Galaxy S4 mini (perhaps on June 20?) but the leaks are getting more detailed so we have a pretty good picture of what to expect. The latest leak shows AnTuTu's info screens, which detail all the specs the benchmark managed to detect.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, model number I9195, has a screen (reportedly Super AMOLED) with qHD resolution and 240ppi, which doesn’t match the rumored 4.3" screen diagonal, but it's not uncommon for an app to report the wrong pixel density (4.3" screen with qHD resolution should have 256ppi).



The phone runs Android 4.2.2 on a Snapdragon 400 chipset – dual-core Krait 200 at 1.7GHz, 1.5GB RAM and Adreno 305, the same chipset found in the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3. The available internal storage is listed as 5GB, so it should be 8GB in total.

AnTuTu also listed the two cameras – 8MP main camera and a 2.1MP front-facing camera.

This matches what we've heard about the Galaxy S4 mini so far. Note that there should be four versions of the S4 mini – this one, the I9195 with LTE support, a I9150 model with Exynos 5 chipset (dual-core Cortex-A15 @ 1.6GHz), a I9192 dual-SIM, and the I9198 for the Chinese market.

Source (in German)


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_mini_specs_leak_same_chipset_as_mega_63-news-6115.php

iOS 7 release date, news and rumours

iOS 7 release date, news and rumours
What will Apple introduce in iOS 7?

With Apple's WWDC 2013 developer conference just around the corner, we're about to learn more details on the forthcoming iOS 7 update for the the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

The last major iOS 6 update for Apple's mobile devices was mostly hit, but there was a big Maps-shaped miss.

Lots of people were rightly angry about Apple ditching Google data, but beyond that mis-step there were things to like: a more useful Siri (App launching plus the recognition that a world exists outside of the USA), shared Photo Streams, handy Phone app controls such as 'send to voicemail', and major improvements to Mail, Safari, accessibility and the Camera app.

iOS 7 release date

it looks like the new operating system might be running a little behind schedule. John Gruber believes that iOS 7 is "running behind", with engineers being pulled from OS X 10.9 to work on it.

We're expecting a September or October release date for iOS 7 in line with previous releases. We'll almost certainly see a reveal at WWDC. Apple has promised to give devs "an in-depth look at what's next in iOS and OS X", Mobile web traffickers such as Onswipe have already reported seeing iOS 7 pop up in their logs.

WWDC

Find out what our TechRadar experts want to see from iOS 7 in the video below:

iOS 7 design

A greater synergy between hardware and software design is something Apple is looking to achieve as it moves towards iOS 7. That's according to the Wall Street Journal in late March 2013, which also suggests that Jonathan Ive is pushing for a starker and simpler design for iOS 7 - that reminds us a little of what Microsoft has done to the desktop in Windows 8. In late May it seemed that iOS 7 had found its way out into the wild, as sources have given loads of details on the 'flat redesign'. The first major change indicated by the sources was a distinct lack of skeuomorphic style, as the fake textures and effects you're so used to seeing will be swapped out with a more basic design sense.

It seems that everything starts with a new Lock screen, where the glossy image and clock have been replaced by a stark black screen with supposed improved gesture controls. Even the security code pad has been altered, and instead of the familiar overlay, a new interface with round, black keys with white text has emerged.

It will be almost immediately apparent just how different everything looks as base apps like Calendar, Camera, Game Center and Safari will be pared down quite a bit from their current incarnations.

Longtime iPhone users may be in for a bit of a surprise, as the leak suggests iOS 7 will replace the vibrant look and feel of the phone with a more minimalist, monochromatic approach.

What else do we want to see in iOS 7?

The rest of this article explores a dozen of the features we're clamouring to see in iOS 7. (And by 'clamouring', we of course mean 'asking really nicely'. C'mon, Mr Cook - pretty please?)

1. Hide Apple apps

Pretty much everyone we know with an Apple device has a folder entitled 'Apple'. This isn't filled with must-have apps from the geniuses at Cupertino, but all the junk Apple installs that you can't get rid off. To be fair, what each individual considers junk is different, and these apps—Compass, Stocks, Voice Memos, Passbook, and so on—have their fans; but is it too much to ask for a switch in Settings that will hide those we don't use?

Hide Apple apps

2. Better app management

Change for change's sake is rarely a good thing. Recognition is key to satisfying experiences with technology. That's why we're not yelling at Apple to change how iOS home screens work. What we would like to see is improvements to app management: more screens; by default saving app data on delete; and an alphabetical list of installed apps, perhaps accessible from Spotlight.

3. Change app defaults

We're pretty certain this request would be met with wide-eyes from Apple CEO Tim Cook, swiftly followed by a full twenty minutes of belly laughing, but we want the ability to use non-default apps for important things like email and calendaring. Apple's own apps would remain the defaults, but you should also be able to pick your own in Settings.

Want a browser other than Safari as your default? Maybe in iOS 7

4. Provide a guest account

It's extremely unlikely that Apple's ever going to enable multiple user accounts on iOS devices—they are, after all, designed as extremely personal computers. What is perhaps more realistic is some kind of guest account you could switch to when handing your device over to someone for a short while; something similar already exists on the Mac in OS X.

5. Change Siri's voice

OS X is blessed with dozens of high-quality voices that witter away to you in various dulcet tones. By contrast, Siri is Siri. In the US, you get a slightly robotic woman; in the UK, Siri's that bloke who did The Weakest Link for a decade. It'd be great if you could choose the voice your device uses to speak. (Possible exception: Yoda voice.)

6. Provide App Store demos

Apps and games might be cheap, but that doesn't figure cheapskates into the equation. Too often, people are unwilling to risk 69p on the latest release, forcing devs into irritating freemium models or making them clutter up the App Store with 'lite' versions of their output. Apple should just allow demos: 24 hours from first launch and then you buy or the app won't run. Boom.

7. Power up 'Do Not Disturb'

Fed up of getting woken up in the middle of the night by the marketing efforts of [redacted, but quite possibly a well-known mobile network] or Game Center fanfares? Do Not Disturb is a great feature that enables you to time when your phone will quit bugging you. But you can define only a single schedule, and we want to see alternative options for weekends.

Do Not Disturb: a great start, but it needs separate settings for weekends

8. Make locking location-aware

Locking is a great thing on iOS devices, making it at least a little harder for some scallywag to get at your data if they pinch your shiny Apple joy. But it could be more intelligent, locking on a location-aware basis, and not when you're, say, happily sitting at home on the sofa.

9. Improve the lock screen

There's something to be said for Apple's minimalism regarding the iOS lock screen, and it's mostly that it's too minimal. We're not sure we want to see Android-style widgets sprayed everywhere, but a little more functionality wouldn't go amiss. For example, artwork from a currently playing song is displayed on the lock screen, but there are no controls for pausing or skipping to the next track, until you double-press Home, which isn't hugely discoverable. And beyond notifications, nothing else shows up there at all.

The lock screen, showing currently playing audio which we can't pause

10 Cut all iTunes ties

In recent years, Apple's made great leaps away from iTunes, and you can technically get away with never using the monstrous jukebox. However, there's still no way to easily get your existing music collection nor your photographs on to your device, and there should be. (Alas, with Apple wanting to push iTunes Match and the iTunes Store, there almost certainly never will be for the first of those.)

11. Make more icons dynamic

We're hesitant at arguing Apple's home screen icons should be more like Windows 8 tiles, but there's something to be said for dynamic updates when such things work well. With iOS, you get update badges and a live calendar. It'd be nice at the least if Apple made its own Clock and Weather icons dynamic.

The calendar shows the date, but why can't other icons be this useful?

12. Enable cross-platform installs

On a device, you now often see iOS-style banners on websites that when tapped take you right to the equivalent App Store app. But if you're browsing elsewhere, you have to email yourself a reminder and then install later. How good would it be if you were surfing on your PC, saw a great app and could install it across your devices without going near them, nor even to iTunes?


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/ios-7-12-things-we-want-to-see-1111123

Blue HTC One could brighten up your day

Blue HTC One could brighten up your day
I'm blue da ba dee da ba die...

The HTC One has already been leaked in a fetching red hue, and fresh reports are now suggesting the Taiwanese firm will also release a blue version of the five-star smartphone.

According to sources (a little guy that lives in a blue world, probably) which have conversed with Pocket-Lint, the blue HTC One will be available in the coming months, joining the already-available black and silver finishes and the much rumoured red version.

There's no firm release date for either the blue or red HTC One handsets just yet, so we're going to have to sit tight and see what the Taiwanese firm reveals.

More Blips!

What not check out some more of our great blips, and how about a soundtrack to go with them?


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blue-htc-one-could-brighten-up-your-day-1155064

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to arrive early alongside two new iPhones?

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to arrive early alongside two new iPhones?
Cancel your summer holiday, there's work to be done

The next few months could turn out to be pretty busy as rumours start to circulate around several new smartphones which may break cover in that time.

Now we'll warn you that the latest news comes via Digitimes - the incredibly hit and miss Taiwanese website - so take what you read with a pinch of salt, but we could be in line for a pair of new iPhone handsets as well as an early release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

The site claims unnamed industry sources have revealed Apple is asking its factories in China to ramp up production on two new devices, thought to be the iPhone 5S and a budget iPhone model.

Fact or fiction?

These handsets may be unveiled as early as next month and the sources reckon Apple will start shipping its new iPhones at the end of June.

That's not all however, as the same insiders also think they've got the inside skinny on the next super-sized Samsung in the form of the Galaxy Note 3.

Early report suggested that the Note 3 would make its debut at IFA 2013 in September, but apparently the Korean firm may jump the gun with a July or August announcement.

No specs, features or further details were provided on any of the handsets in question, so we'll just have to bide our time and see if this latest leak is fact or fiction.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-note-3-to-arrive-early-alongside-two-new-iphones--1155035

Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 and Tab 3 10.1 eyeing June release?

Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 and Tab 3 10.1 eyeing June release?
Aces high

It looks like the Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy S4 Mega aren't the only devices expected to for a reveal next month - with the rumoured Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and Galaxy Ace phone said to be joining the party.

The information comes from Russian website Hi-Tech Mail (translated over at GSMArena) which states that the Tab 3 10.1 will be available from June, and land running Android Jelly Bean 4.2.

The Tab 3 will apparently pack a 10.1-inch, 1280x800 resolution display, with a 1.6GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM doing the legwork, and 16GB or 32GB storage options, which is pretty much what we've previously heard.

So many Samsungs…

We've also previously been leaked the specs on the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3, which is pitching itself at the cheaper Android smartphone arena, and the new information matches details we've seen before.

It will apparently sport a 4-inch display with a 800 x 480 resolution, with a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel rear camera and 4GB of storage memory.

According to the site, this will cost the equivalent of about £210 (about $315, AUS $330). Whether this means Europe will be getting either of these devices first is unclear, but we'll know all on June 20.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-ace-3-and-tab-3-10-1-eyeing-june-release--1155019

Cook: Just because Android is bigger, doesn't mean it's winning

Cook: Just because Android is bigger, doesn't mean it's winning
Is Tim cooking up storm?

Apple CEO Tim Cook stills believes his Cupertino-based firm is on top in the smartphone and tablet war, even though Android commands a larger market share.

Cook opened up about Apple's competition during AllThingsD's annual conference, and he still firmly believes that it's still the number one player in the technology market.

"For us, winning has never been about building the most.

"Arguably, we make the best PC, but we don't make the most. Same with the MP3 player. However, with the tablet, we make the best and most. With phones we make the best, but not the most."

Those are some pretty bold claims and the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Sony Xperia Z and Nokia Lumia 920 probably won't agree that the iPhone 5 is the best smartphone on the market.

iPad has "changed the game"

According to Cook, iPad users are far more engaged when it comes to tablet usage compared to Android based rivals.

"We look at usage: what customers are doing. A study said there were twice as many e-commerce transactions on iPad than on all Android devices combined during Black Friday last year.

"What the numbers suggest over and over again are that people are using our products more.

"My own iPad personal use is a significant percentage of my computing work. It has changed the game. I don't hear that from Android tablet users."

People love us!

But don't just take Cook's word for it, apparently Apple products are the most loved among consumers too.

"Customer satisfaction is sort of the report card no matter the business: iPad and iPhone have the highest customer satisfaction in tablets and phones.

"We want customers of all ages… we try to appeal to everyone."

Although once again, those are actually Cook's words, and he's probably got reason to be a little bit biased towards his own company - and he needs to do some defending as critics claim the firm is starting to go in the opposite direction in its post-Jobs era.


Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/cook-just-because-android-is-bigger-doesn-t-mean-it-s-winning-1155001

Huawei Ascend P6 retail pricing revealed, will cost you $330

Huawei's upcoming flagship device, the Ascend P6, has been rumored for quite some time and we even saw the official photos of the ultra-thin smartphone a few days ago. Now, the pricing of the smartphone has been revealed ahead of its launch.



According to a report from Sina, a Chinese website, the Huawei Ascend P6 will be priced around 1,999 Chinese Yuan (about $330 or €255). Huawei is expected to introduce its flagship smartphone at a press event in London on June 18.

Huawei Ascend P6 will be one of the slimmest smartphones in the market with a thickness of 6.18mm. The smartphone is said to sport a 4.7-inch display with a resolution of 720p and a pixel density of 312ppi. Furthermore, the Ascend P6 features a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor along with 2 GB of RAM, 8 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front camera, 32 GB inbuilt memory and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Source | Via


Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_p6_retail_pricing_revealed_will_cost_you_330-news-6114.php