LG G Pro to get QuickWindow cover, KnockOn update

LG will be announcing a new QuickWindow cover that is designed exclusively for its G Pro phablet. The leaked image of the accessory also suggests that the upcoming add-on will have a similar functionality to that of the G2 quick cover.

Apart from introducing a new accessory to glorify the looks of the G Pro, the South Korean manufacturer is expected to bring a couple of cool features to its phablet.

If the rumors are to be trusted, LG G Pro will get the popular KnockOn feature that allows you to lock and unlock your device by double tapping on the screen. In addition, the device will also get the complete QuickWindow functionality, along with the dedicated user interface to help you operate your smartphone without having to open the cover every time.

LG is expected to officially announce the availability of the QuickWindow cover for its G Pro in Korea. The upcoming software update for the device will roll out in Korean in the upcoming days, before heading on to other regions.

Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g_pro_to_get_quickwindow_cover_knockon_update-news-7599.php

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Dual-SIM Motorola Moto G debuts, Australia gets first dibs

Back when the Motorola Moto G was announced, company officials went on record saying that there’s a dual-SIM version coming down the road, but provided no details on either pricing or availability. Well, now we have at least one piece of the puzzle as the dual-SIM Moto G has landed Australia.

The information comes courtesy of Motorola’s official webpage for the land Down Under, so it should be a pretty certain deal. The new Moto G version has seemingly debuted very recently, as we were unable to locate any online stores in Oz that actually have dual-SIM units in stock. That’s why we are also unable to comment on the price difference between them and the regular Moto G.

Here’s hoping that Motorola expands the availability of the dual-SIM Moto G to more markets shortly. With the first version doing quite well on its own, another one which allows you to optimize your spending on phone bills could help the company grab significant share in certain markets.

We’ll keep you posted as more info comes up!

Thanks, jtrvk, for the tip!

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/dualsim_motorola_moto_g_debuts_australia_gets_first_dibs-news-7598.php

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Sony Xperia Z1S comes with bootlader unlocking disabled

At CES, Sony announced a special version of the international Xperia Z1, called the Xperia Z1S for T-Mobile in US. While on surface, the two phones seem nearly identical, except for minor differences such as 32GB of storage space instead of 16GB, turns out there is one more important change under the hood that you won't see on a spec sheet.

According to various sources, the Xperia Z1S comes with a locked bootloader. While that itself is not a big deal, the bootloader on the Z1S cannot be unlocked. The international Z1, on the other hand, lets you unlock the bootloader in a few simple steps. The request to make the bootloader unlockable was apparently at T-Mobile's request.

This is rather unfortunate as it will make flashing custom ROMs rather difficult. If that's something you want, you should consider getting your hands on the international model.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z1s_comes_with_bootlader_unlocking_disabled-news-7597.php

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Spotify hints it could monitor your heart to give you the right beat

The more Spotify knows, the better your recommendations

Spotify has hinted that metrics like the listener's heart rate, speed of motion and sleep patterns could someday be used to improve recommendation tools, as smartphone technology improves.

In an exclusive interview with TechRadar, the streaming giant's product manager for discovery and recommendations, Donovan Sung, said deeper integration with mobile devices could better inform what its algorithms serve up.

• In depth: How Spotify, Netflix and Amazon control your online habits

When asked about the possibility of creating the perfect recommendations tool, Sung said: "The more the engine knows about the user, the easier it is for it to make interesting recommendations.

"Maybe with motion sensors in phones, we can start guessing things whether users are running, biking or driving? Maybe it the phone has a temperature sensor, or a heart rate sensor, we could guess whether the user is tense..."

If paired with a heart rate monitor, the company could possibly provide workout playlists with limited user input or could provide a driving playlist (preferably with plenty of The Eagles' hits) if it detects users are moving at higher speeds.

Sees you when you're sleeping

He also hinted the company would benefit from integrations with other apps and services, such as those that analyse the user's sleeping patterns, for example the popular Sleep Cycle app.

Sung added: "Maybe it connects to some other services? For example if we know more about your sleeping habits through mobile tracking apps, this could help.

"We would know what time you're likely to go to sleep or what time you wake up and recommendations could be tailored [to the time of day]."

Of course, this seems to be mostly conjecture regarding the future of the company's already-exhaustive editorial, algorithmic and social recommendations tools. However it's interesting that Spotify is at least thinking of taking recommendations in this direction.

• You can see what else Spotify has to say about the current and future state of music recommendations here.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/spotify-hints-it-could-monitor-your-heart-to-give-you-the-right-beat-1216457

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Sony Xperia Z1 successor with slimmer bezels leaks

Courtesy of XDA member iRimas come some photos and rumored specs of a mystery Sony smartphone. The device in question belongs to the family Xperia and has the model number D6503. According to the leakster it sports a 5.2" display, thinner bezels than the Xperia Z1 and runs on a fresh new UI atop Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

The device is apparently unstable and the UI is crashing all the time but we expect to see UI screenshots from said XDA user soon.

Sony D6503

The model number D6503 shows this device as a replacement to the Sony Xperia ZL, not the Z1. We've seen this model number crop up at the end of last year. Still the camera on the back is reportedly the same 20.7 MP 1/2.3" unit found on the Z1 and Z1 Compact.

Other differences with the Xperia Z1 include three large speaker-like grilles on the bottom, the microUSB slot and SIM tray sit on the left side, while on the right there's room for a microSD card slot. The lanyard eyelet is placed on the left side, instead of the right one.

Then there are the usually-placed camera shutter button, power button, magnetic pin connectors, headphone jack and LED notification light (placed above the earpiece).

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/xperia_z1_successor_leaks_with_thinner_bezels-news-7596.php

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How easy is it for your customer to make mobile payments?

An ever increasing number of people are turning to shopping on their mobile (m-commerce outstripping e-commerce by 200 percent).

The issue as all shoppers know is that mobile shopping isn't as agile and speedy as it should be, checking out for example regularly takes you away from the mobile app/site to a payment page that isn't always optimised for mobile. This is just the start of the issue…

The issue as all shoppers know is that mobile shopping isn't as agile and speedy as it should be, checking out for example regularly takes you away from the mobile app/site to a payment page that isn't always optimised for mobile. This is just the start of the issue….

The issue as all shoppers know is that mobile shopping isn't as agile and speedy as it should be, checking out for example regularly takes you away from the mobile app/site to a payment page that isn't always optimised for mobile. This is just the start of the issue…

Paying in

Paying through a mobile is regularly done away from a fixed line internet connection and current mobile payment systems are too bulky and data heavy resulting in the large number of "failed transaction" messages and why judo research earlier this year highlighted that 23.7 million mobile transactions failed in 2013

Shoppers want to use their mobile to shop, however for it to reach the dizzy heights expected in the next few years app developers must streamline mobile shopping processes

Payments is integral to the mobile shopping experience. A shopper wants to feel confident that their payment details are being handled in a secure and confident manner.

Businesses should take advantage of the technologies available to improve shopping services for consumers. PS.Postcards has recently installed judo's API technology into their app to reduce the time of making a payment to just two quick steps – 4 digit password and the payment cards CVS number and includes full PCI compliance for added security.

• Dennis Jones, CEO at Judo Payments is a serial entrepreneur who is passionate about consumer experience, design and all things mobile

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/how-easy-is-it-for-your-customer-to-make-mobile-payments--1210923

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