UK Galaxy S4 and Note 3 now getting Android 4.4 KitKat

Samsung has started seeding the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Galaxy S4 and the Galaxy Note 3 throughout the UK. The update is now available for all unlocked S4 and Note 3 handset, while those bound to a specific carrier will be getting the new firmware very soon.

The new Android 4.4 firmware will bring you all KitKat improvements and enhancements (Project Svelte), better lockscreen with support for full-screen music album art and a dedicated camera shortcut, some minor UI updates (monochrome status bar icons) and improved stability.

The official rollout of the KitKat updates for the latest Galaxies kicked off in January for the Note 3 and in February for the Galaxy S4. If your country or carrier didn't get the update just yet, it should be brought on the KitKat bandwagon very soon, probably by the end of March.

Thanks to everyone, who sent this in!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/uk_galaxy_s4_and_note_3_now_getting_android_44_kitkat-news-8004.php

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Samsung Knocks On LG's door with new smartphone unlock idea

Finger prints are not enough

Apparently being able to use a fingerprint, password, PIN, face or pattern to unlock a smartphone isn't enough as Samsung has now patented a new method.

The patent explains that users will be able to wake up or unlock a phone when the screen is off by drawing a shape with at least one intersection in it.

If that sounds familiar it's because LG has just launched a new unlocking method of its own called Knock Code, which again works with the screen off, but rather than creating a shape you tap out a series of knocks.

Muscle memory

According to Samsung's patent it doesn't matter what size, shape or orientation the pattern has, so it should be easy to draw.

A new way to unlock? (Credit: USPTO)

All that matters is that it has at least one intersection and by saving multiple patterns with different numbers of intersections users would be able to jump straight to specific apps or phone functions by entering a different pattern.

So for example one intersection might just unlock the phone, while two intersections would launch the camera and three would take you straight to the web browser.

At the moment this is just a patent, so it's anyone's guess if and when it will actually be implemented into the Galaxy S5 or any future Samsung phones, but on paper it makes a lot of sense, even if it is suspiciously close to LG's idea.

• Curious about Knock Code? It's on the LG G Pro 2

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-knocks-on-lg-s-door-with-new-smartphone-unlock-idea-1232882

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Android 4.4 is now rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3

The Galaxy S4 just got sweeter

Good news for Samsung fans - your shiny device is about to get better with a chocolatey dose of Android 4.4.2.

The update is rolling out today for unlocked versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3, while if you're on Three you may also be getting the update soon, as forum members on Android Central who are on the Three network have reported getting it on their Galaxy Note 3s.

Incoming Android

Some users already have the update while others are still waiting, so keep an eye on your phone today if you don't have it yet.

There's no news on when other networks will roll out KitKat, but hopefully they'll soon follow.

The update is an OTA file, with sizes ranging from 300MB to 400MB, and it brings the KitKat features you'd expect, like lock screen album art and support for native cloud printing, along with some minor visual changes such as white notification bar icons.

• The Galaxy S4 is old news. Check out our first thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-4-4-is-now-rolling-out-to-the-samsung-galaxy-s4-and-galaxy-note-3-1232826

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HTC shares go up amid strong Desire 816 pre-orders

The newly-announced HTC Desire 816 has went on pre-order in China and it appears interest is pretty high. So high, in fact that it sent HTC's shares have up by 3.91%.

The device saw around 450 thousand orders in the first three days of the campaign alone and that figure is expected to rise to half a million shortly. Marketed as a mid-range flagship, the phablet has obviously been exactly what the doctor prescribed to the ailing company.

As of 11:17 AM today HTC's shares have gone up to NT$146 ($4.82). Deutsche Bank increased the target price of HTC's shares from NT$85 to NT$155. The bank is the fist foreign brokerage to revise its recommended target price of HTC shares upwards.

HTC's aim for this quarter is to generate between NT$34 billion and NT$36 billion, down from Q4 of 2013's NT$42.9 billion. However, the drop was mostly in January and February when HTC revenues amounted to around NT$16.9 billion and things should improve drastically in March, hopefully marking the start of a turnaround in the company's fortunes.

Another boost to HTC shares could be the announcement of the All New One smartphone on March 25.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_shares_go_up_amid_strong_desire_816_preorders-news-8003.php

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A powerful Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo could be on the way

The Galaxy S5 range could be getting bigger

If Samsung's working on the Galaxy S5 Neo it's certainly stayed quiet about it so far, but now we've got some evidence that it could be on the way.

A phone with the model number SM-G800F has appeared on Indian import site Zauba and while that letter-number combo doesn't ring any bells, the price difference between it and the Samsung Galaxy S5 is similar to the difference between the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Note 3 Neo, suggesting that the mystery handset could be the Galaxy S5 Neo.

That's hardly a confirmation, but we wouldn't be surprised if Samsung is working on such a handset and just days ago the same logic was used on the same site to spot what might be the Galaxy S5 mini.

Slim hope

Even if this is the Galaxy S5 Neo it might not emerge for a while. The Zauba listing claims that it's being shipped for R & D purposes, so it may not be a finished product yet.

Then there's the fact that the Galaxy Note 3 Neo never actually made it to the UK, so here's hoping the S5 Neo, if that's what this is, does.

Whatever it turns out to be, the price difference between it and the Samsung Galaxy S5 is very small, so we should be looking at quite a powerful device if and when it ever sees the light of day.

• Looking for a mid-range Galaxy and just can't wait? Check out the Galaxy S4 mini.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/a-powerful-samsung-galaxy-s5-neo-could-be-on-the-way-1232790

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EXCLUSIVE: here's why the HTC One 2014 has two cameras

HTC experiments with cameras to set its One phones apart and The All New One will have two cameras but we didn’t know why until now. We have a photo of a Telstra (a big Australian carrier) brochure detailing the phone's feature and confirming the "all new" name.

The so-called Duo Camera will allow the user to choose the focus point and create bokeh effects. The camera will also enable 3D effects. Presumably "effects" means more than just 3D photos and videos.

The adjustable focus has become very popular since Nokia released the Refocus app and all flagships have it – the Galaxy S5, the Xperia Z2 and the LG G Pro 2 have it. However with two cameras on board the 2014 One won't have to do multiple shots with one camera and should yield better results.

HTC had a dual-camera, 3D-shooting phone previously, the HTC Evo 3D, but that didn’t work out great.

It remains to be seen if HTC's gamble will pay off, plus we still don't have many details – camera resolution, optical stabilization, video resolution and so on. The dual-LED, dual color flash is a lock though.

A spy shot of a Telstra brochure for the All New HTC One

Other feature of the All New HTC One that the Telstra brochure details are the 5" 1080p screen, BoomSound speakers on the front and double tap to wake.

The phone will cost AUD 840 (RRP) off-contract, which is $760 / €550.

A big thanks to our anonymous tipster!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/exclusive_heres_why_the_htc_m8_has_two_cameras-news-8002.php

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This gold and diamond encrusted iPhone 5 can be yours for $1M

The Alchemist London team proves they have the philosopher's stone by turning an iPhone 5 (not 5s) into gold – a one-off gadget worth $1 million / £600K. The millionaire's gadget takes 5 months of handcrafting to produce and there will be only two of those made.

Million dollar iPhone

Here's the rundown of precious metal and gems. The bezel, back panel and Home button are made out of 24 karat gold. On the back, there are 53 diamonds forming the Apple logo. The home button has a 2 carat diamond. To top it all off, there are 1,600 flawless F grade diamonds (16 carats in total) on the bezels of the device.

Million dollar iPhone

The two Million Dollar iPhone will be sold in London but for a few days – March 9-12 – one is at the Best of Britain Luxury Exhibition in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

And if a million dollars is too cheap for you there's always the $15.3 million iPhone 5, which has a much bigger diamond on the Home button.

Source | Via (in Russian)

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/this_gold_and_diamond_encrusted_iphone_5_can_be_yours_for_1_mil-news-8001.php

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