Carrier says Apple controls 4G LTE approval for iPhone 5

In the eye of Apple

The iPhone 5 is a 4G LTE phone, but carriers are only able to take advantage of its high-speed capabilities upon Apple's approval of the network, according to one carrier.

"Apple only enables 4G access after testing their device on an operator's live network," telecom company Swisscom told Telecoms.com.

Swisscom said it began shipping the iPhone 5 to its customers on Sept. 28, but that it still doesn't have 4G switched on for Apple devices.

This means that the iPad 3 and iPad 4 running on the Swisscom network are also affected and have been restricted to its slower 3G speeds.

Reversal of typical policy

This policy, rumored since October, call but onfirms that Apple is the one making decisions about 4G access, not the networks.

"Apple have put themselves in the driving seat; it's really changing the game," said NorthStream founder and CEO Bengt Nordstrom to Telecoms.com.

The head of this mobile consultancy said he was "shocked" to find out about the policy and that it proves "who is running the industry."

4G transition requires software patch

When a network with the iPhone 5 is restricted to 3G speeds, it must wait for a patch from Apple to switch on the faster 4G speed.

No release date has been announced for an iPhone 5 or iPad 4G patch on Swisscom's network, but the company says that there's one on the way.

"Apple will provide a software update in due course for customers with an iPhone 5 or one of the new iPads," Swisscom promised in a press release this week.

It seems as if the distribution of the iPhone 5 patch, just like the judgement of the network's 4G capability, is in Apple's hands.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/carrier-says-apple-controls-4g-lte-approval-for-iphone-5-1116585

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iPad Mini vs Kindle Fire HD vs Nexus 7: In-depth comparison

The iPad mini has been announced, but how does it stack up against its rivals? We compare it to the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 to find out which tablet might be the best bang for your buck.

If you’re hunting for a small tablet then you’ll have the wares of Apple, Amazon, and Google on your radar. Which is the best small tablet for you? We compare the iPad mini, Nexus 7, and Kindle Fire HD to help you choose.

Size isn’t everything. As smartphones have grown larger, tablets have been shrinking. The 7-inch tablet market was already competitive before Apple unleashed the iPad Mini. It was a hotbed of budget Android temptations like the Kindle Fire HD and the Nexus 7. So how do these high profile tablets measure up? Let’s take a look at the iPad Mini vs. Nexus 7 vs. Kindle Fire HD.

(For more information, check out our full reviews of the iPad Mini, Nexus 7, and Kindle Fire HD.)

Price

It may seem unusual, but we’re going to start with price because there’s a big gap here and it informs all the other comparison points. The Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD have extremely slim profit margins and you can pick up the 16GB versions for $200. The 16GB version of the iPad Mini costs, on the other hand, will run you a clean $330. All three of these tablets are Wi-Fi only.

The more expensive versions are harder to compare directly because they don’t offer the same connectivity. The top of the line Kindle Fire HD is 32GB and you can pay to remove the adverts, which results in a price of $264. For a 32GB Nexus 7 with HSPA+ cellular connectivity you’ll pay $300. Only the iPad Mini supports 4G LTE connectivity, but the 32GB version with cellular is $560.

While 32GB is the maximum for the two Android tablets, you can throw down another $100 to get a 64GB iPad mini with 4G LTE for a whopping $660.

Display

(Credit: iMore)

Tablets are all about content consumption and so the screen is important. The iPad Mini has a bigger display than its Android rivals at 7.9 inches, but a lower resolution at 1024 x 768 pixels. Both the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD sport 7-inch displays with a 1280×800 pixel resolution. But it should be noted that most of the difference in resolution comes from their aspect ratio. Both the Nexus 7 and Fire are widescreen, while the Mini has a more square-like 3:4 aspect ratio

You’ve got a lot more screen real estate to play with on the iPad Mini, but the picture on the Android tablets is sharper and more detailed. This could be particularly important if you intend to read a lot on your tablet. Text is definitely sharper on the Android offerings, especially the Nexus 7.

All of them use IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Amazon has also equipped the Kindle Fire HD with anti-glare technology, but it’s tough to see much difference between it and the Nexus 7 in direct sunlight. The iPad Mini is more reflective, but it remains perfectly legible most of the time.

The lack of the Retina display on the iPad Mini is definitely a disappointment, especially if you’ve used a Retina iPhone or full-sized iPad. It doesn’t look as good next to its Android competitors.

Design

The iPad Mini is slightly taller than its competitors, but it is also slimmer and lighter. It’s one of the most comfortable and well-built tablets we’ve ever used. The Kindle Fire HD is the widest, thickest, and heaviest of the bunch, to a fault. The Nexus 7 actually has the lowest width, making it easiest to hold with one hand, but it is still quite weighty. Despite the larger screen, the iPad Mini has a thin bezel and a slim form factor that makes it very portable.

The rubberized, dimpled backing on the Nexus 7 is good for grip, but the aluminum construction and the light weight of the iPad Mini make it more comfortable to hold and better looking than the plastic and glass Kindle Fire HD or the Nexus 7. When it comes to design and feel, it is our favorite.

Specs

Take a look at the chart for the complete rundown of specs and we’ll just highlight the key differences.

Performance is fairly similar across the board, despite the use of different innards, though the Kindle Fire lags behind in overall speed. For watching movies, playing games, running apps, and web browsing you should have a good experience on all three, but the Nexus and Mini stand a leg ahead.

The Kindle Fire HD and the Nexus 7 only have front-facing cameras, so if you want to take photos, the iPad Mini is the obvious choice, but who buys a tablet for taking photos?

The Kindle Fire HD also lacks Bluetooth, but Amazon claims that the dual antennas and MIMO support makes the Wi-Fi up to 40 percent faster than the competition. If you do a lot of content streaming then that could prove important.

The iPad Mini has a proprietary Lightning connector which means you’ll probably need to splash out for adapters to use it with existing accessories or to hook it up to your TV’s HDMI port (Lightning to HDMI adapter is $50). The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD both have standard Micro USB connectors. However, the Nexus 7 does not support HDMI or MHL out, so you can’t hook it up to your TV to watch content on the big screen. The Kindle Fire HD has a Micro HDMI port so you can plug it into your HDTV and watch content hassle free with a Micro HDMI to standard HDMI cable (you can get one for under $10).

Ecosystem and content

Most people buy a small tablet for consuming content. Amazon and Google are banking on that. Their tablets are essentially sold at cost because the companies plans to make money through content sales. Does that mean it offers the best content? We’ll split this into three distinct areas to compare.

Apps and games

The iPad Mini has a clear advantage here. There are loads of apps and games optimized specifically for the tablet in the App Store. There are also more premium apps and games in general on iOS. You will find a much greater choice of polished games and classic ports. You’ll also find more stylish, top quality apps.

Android is catching up, so the Nexus 7 does have access to a good range of apps and games through Google Play. You’ll find a higher percentage of free options than in the App Store, but overall quality is not as high and few are designed specifically for the tablet. Integration with Google services is better on the Nexus 7, but you can also access some of them on the iPad Mini.

Amazon has limited access to the Amazon App Store on the Kindle Fire HD and that means a much smaller subset of apps and games than you’ll find via Google Play. The advantage is more quality control and a Free App of the Day promotion.

Movies, TV, and Music

Content is king. Amazon is pitching the Kindle Fire HD as a window onto its content and it has plenty to offer. There are 140,000 movies and TV episodes to rent or buy which compares favorably to iTunes or Google Play. However, you can get access to all of Amazon’s content on the iPad Mini or the Nexus 7, as well. You can also access Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, and many other services on all three devices.

Since you can’t access Google Play or iTunes on the Kindle Fire HD it’s actually the most limited for movies, TV shows, and music.

In terms of services and cloud storage, Amazon offers free, unlimited cloud storage for all of the content you buy on your Kindle Fire HD. For other content, Amazon Cloud Drive gives you 5GB free and an extra 50GB will cost you $25 per year. With the iPad Mini you get iCloud, but that only offers 5GB of free storage. For an additional 10GB, you’ll pay $20 per year; an additional 20GB will cost you $40 per year; and an additional 50GB will cost you $100 per year. Google Drive also gives you 5GB for free and you can add up to 16TB of extra storage. An extra 100GB will cost you $60 per year.

It’s worth noting that Google Music also allows you to store up to 40,000 songs, Gmail offers 10GB, and you can store as many photos as you like in Google+.

If you have a mixed collection that you want to add to your tablet and you want to store more than 5GB of content in the cloud, then the Nexus 7 is the best choice. Google’s cloud services are the cheapest and the most reliable, followed by Amazon. With Apple you will pay more. Even adding your existing music to iTunes will cost you $25 per year for iTunes match.

The displays on the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 are better for watching movies. When it comes to audio, you should really use headphones for the best experience, but the Kindle Fire HD beats the Nexus 7 with Dolby audio, dual-driver stereo speakers.

Books and Magazines

Amazon has the biggest library and the most experience with books, but you can get access to it on your Nexus 7 or iPad mini as well via the Kindle app. The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD offer the best reading experience because of that higher resolution and better anti-glare.

There are some good magazine apps available on all three and you can manage subscriptions through the various stores, but the iPad mini and the Fire HD offer more magazines. You may prefer the extra space and the 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPad mini for reading them.

Battery life

The iPad Mini edges the win on battery life, but the other two are not far behind. They should all get you through a day of normal use. If you do a lot of gaming, then you’ll notice the iPad Mini’s superiority. For streaming video, you should get about 9 hours out of each.

Little Extras

It is worth mentioning Amazon’s Prime service. For just $80 per year, you get access to 30,000 movies and TV shows, 180,000 books for free with the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (one per month), and free two-day shipping on eligible Amazon purchases.

Amazon also offers the X-Ray feature for books and movies which gives you extra information on what you’re reading or watching, such as the actors on screen with links to IMDB profiles. Whispersync allows you to switch between devices and keep your place in the book you are reading or the movie you’re watching. You’ll also find Kindle FreeTime which gives you an easy to use set of parental controls.

If you get the Kindle app on your iPad Mini or Nexus 7 you’ll also have Whispersync (it only works for Amazon content though). You can also get apps for the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini that will give you a reliable and easy to use set of parental controls like FreeTime.

In terms of Kindle Fire HD exclusives, that just leaves the Kindle Lending Library and the X-Ray feature.

Decisions, decisions

Before you buy one of these tablets, consider what you want to do with it. If you already use Amazon a lot and you want the tablet for movies, TV shows, music, and reading, then the Fire HD with Amazon Prime could be your best bet. But just realize that the iPad Mini and Nexus 7 have access to most Amazon content as well through official apps.

The iPad Mini wins on dedicated apps and games. It is a better tablet in some ways, but you pay a premium for that quality. It also makes the most sense if you already have an iTunes library of content, but the extra cost will be enough to turn off a lot of people. It’s not just the upfront price either, you also have to factor in the accessories, content, and cloud services. Though the Apple App Store has more apps, they are also slightly more expensive than Android.

If you’re looking for the most versatile, well-rounded tablet for the cheapest price, we recommend the Nexus 7. It runs the latest and greatest version of Android, has the best integration with Google services, and a great range of free and affordable apps and games. Any of Google’s 700,000 Play Store apps will run on the Nexus 7.

Are you going for Android, Apple, or Amazon? What gets your vote? Post a comment and tell us.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ipad-mini-vs-kindle-fire-vs-nexus-7-spec-showdown/

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More than half of Americans hoard old mobile phones

Likely piling up in a drawer somewhere, Americans are keeping their old mobile phones rather than selling, donating or recycling the mobile devices.

Detailed on Lockout’s official blog, the mobile security company detailed a new study about the volume of old mobile phones that are still in the possession of consumers based within the United States. Conducted through the Google Consumer Survey program, the company discovered that sixty-two percent of U.S. consumers have a stash of unused mobile phones that were retired for newer models. According to the results, forty-one percent of the respondents have between one to two unused phones, nine percent have three unused mobile phones and eleven percent have four or more unused mobile phones stored at home.

When asked why they were still holding on to those older mobile phones, twenty-seven percent of the audience said they simply had no idea what to do with the old phones.

Seventeen percent said they hadn’t erased personal data from their old phones and six percent wanted to hang on to the older phones in order to access applications as well as information still stored on the devices. Thirteen percent of the respondents were concerned about someone else seeing personal information on the old devices, so they ended up keeping the phones in storage for safekeeping. 

Of course, someone that wants to ditch their older phone should plug the device back in to check for data such as old contacts or photos still stored on the memory card. If they plan to sell the phone on eBay or Craigslist, it’s a good idea to revert the phone back to factory settings and remove the SIM card to avoid any future issues.

Other popular places to sell old mobile phones online include Amazon, Gazelle, Glyde and Nextworth. These sites typically require the owner to assign a quality rating to the current condition of a phone as well as include items such as original packaging, charging cables, instructions and headphones. If a mobile phone has been damaged significantly and no longer functions correctly, those older mobile phones can be dropped off at organizations that offer mobile device recycling. 

Over half of the respondents stated they wouldn’t mind giving up their old phones if it went to good cause. When a Verizon customer upgrades to a new phone, the wireless provider sends out a white plastic bag with prepaid postage for returning old mobile phones. These phones are reconditioned by the Verizon Hopeline project and may be redistributed out to shelters for battered women.

According to the company site, Verizon has collected nearly nine million old mobile phones since the project started. While some of the phones are sent out to victims and survivors of domestic violence, the majority are resold in order to generate funds to keep those phones in operation.

Another good cause for donating older mobile phones is the Cell Phones for Soldiers project. This organization has recycled over ten million mobile phones since 2004 and sends out approximately 12,000 minutes of prepaid calling cards per week to help troops place free calls back home. The group recently expanded the project to help returning veterans communicate with their loved ones. Called Helping Heroes Home, the program also provides assistance to veterans in regards to “physical, emotional and assimilation hardships.”

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/half-of-americans-keep-old-mobile-phones/

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Carrier says that to get 4G iPhone 5, must pass Apple test

In the eye of Apple

The iPhone 5 is a 4G LTE phone, but carriers are only able to take advantage of its high-speed capabilities upon Apple's approval of the network, according to one carrier.

"Apple only enables 4G access after testing their device on an operator's live network," telecom company Swisscom told Telecoms.com.

Swisscom said it began shipping the iPhone 5 to its customers on Sept. 28, but that it still doesn't have 4G switched on for Apple devices.

This means that the iPad 3 and iPad 4 running on the Swisscom network are also affected and have been restricted to its slower 3G speeds.

Reversal of typical policy

This policy, rumored since October, confirms that Apple is the one making decisions about 4G access, not the networks.

"Apple have put themselves in the driving seat; it's really changing the game," said NorthStream founder and CEO Bengt Nordstrom to Telecoms.com.

The head of this mobile consultancy said he was "shocked" to find out about the policy and that it proves "who is running the industry."

iPhone 4G transition requires software patch

When a network with the iPhone 5 is restricted to 3G speeds, it must wait for a patch from Apple to switch on the faster 4G speed.

No release date has been announced for an iPhone 5 or iPad 4G patch on Swisscom's network, but the company says that there's one on the way.

"Apple will provide a software update in due course for customers with an iPhone 5 or one of the new iPads," Swisscom promised in a press release this week.

It seems as if the distribution of the iPhone 5 patch, just like the judgement of the network's 4G capability, is in Apple's hands.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/carrier-says-that-to-get-4g-iphone-5-must-pass-apple-test-1116585

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iPhone 5 carriers must pass Apple test to enable 4G LTE

In the eye of Apple

The iPhone 5 is a 4G LTE phone, but carriers are only able to take advantage of its high-speed capabilities upon Apple’s approval of the network.

“Apple only enables 4G access after testing their device on an operator’s live network,” telecom company Swisscom told Telecoms.com.

Swisscom says it began shipping the iPhone 5 to its customers on September 28, but that it still doesn’t have 4G switched on for Apple devices.

This means that the iPad 3 and iPad 4 running on the Swisscom network are also affected and have been restricted to its slower 3G speeds.

Reversal of typical policy

This policy, rumored since October, confirms that Apple is the one making decisions about 4G access, not the networks.

“Apple have put themselves in the driving seat; it’s really changing the game,” said NorthStream founder and CEO Bengt Nordstrom to Telecoms.com.

The head of this mobile consultancy said he was “shocked” to find out about the policy and that it proves “who is running the industry.”

iPhone 4G transition requires software patch

When a network with the iPhone 5 is restricted to 3G speeds, it must wait for a patch from Apple to switch on the faster 4G speed.

No release date has been announced for an iPhone 5 or iPad 4G patch on Swisscom’s network, but the company says that there’s one on the way.

“Apple will provide a software update in due course for customers with an iPhone 5 or one of the new iPads,” Swisscom promised in a press release this week.

It seems as if the distribution of the iPhone 5 patch, just like the judgement of the network’s 4G capability, is in the hands of Apple.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-5-carriers-must-pass-apple-test-to-enable-4g-lte-1116585

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Let the age of home app creation begin

At this point, it’s almost a cliché to talk about the growth and potential of the app economy. We can all rattle off reports about the number of jobs this market has created or the likelihood of how much further it will reach – but really, it’s just fact now. Apps are the avenue for our digital lives and the job growth the lies behind them is unstoppable.

But that makes for a flood of products, some good, some bad, some hidden at the bottom of app marketplaces never to be seen. Which is why if you’re going to create an app, you best get serious. Creator platforms like Swebapps, AppsBuilder, TheAppBuilder, and AppMakr have been in this business for awhile, but a handful of new outlets with innovative ways to take you from idea to launch continue to surface.

Really, who among us doesn’t have a brilliant app idea? Not to get too meta on you, but here are some of the best apps to help you build apps.

SellanApp

SellanApp has been building noise for nearly a year now. The idea behind the platform is to create a community around app building that includes everyone – from developers with extensive knowledge, to “big picture” people, to beta testers.  SellanApp is an iPad-based program that allows you to make simple mockups and app prototypes via tablet. From there, you can invite others to test it with you and export it to the SellanApp platform – which is where the real work starts. Here, you start building interest around your app idea and try and court developers. There’s a crowdsourcing element as well, in which users, if you allow it, are able to come in and help fund the project.

“There are a lot of people who have app ideas,” SellanApp co-founder Milan Van Den Bovenkamp told me earlier this year. “We want to make app ideas happen, and that means you need a lot of people who can believe in a concept. If people believe in a community that wants to have ownership of the app and app ideas happen in a social way, then they can become a reality.”

The way revenue is split is that developers get paid first, then the producer or creator – whoever came up with the idea – gets second dibs, and anyone who pledged above a certain amount will also share in a designated percent of the profits.

Ooomf

Ooomf launched this past fall as both a creation and discovery platform. “Our ambition is to help anyone considering building a mobile product, whether they’ve created multiple mobile apps already or are just getting started on their first project,” CEO and co-founder Mikael Cho says.

Getting started with creating an app is as easy as entering your email address, your app’s name, and then you’re launched into Ooomf’s step-by-step guide to getting your idea up and running. These are bracketed into different areas, taking you from idea, to design, to push, all the way through launch day.

Ooomf helps you target specifics like how to create an engaging splash page and make a demo video, as well as how to get press for your app. Now you’ll have to come to Ooomf with the code of your app developed – think of this tool as a way to fine tune all the little details that lead to a successful launch. There is, however, the Ooomf Toolbox, which provides a bevy of useful tricks and guides for app developers of all skill levels. Of course, if all you have is an idea, there are options as well. “We allow people to participate in the creation of an app,” Cho said at launch. “So if you have an idea or a prototype or a design, you can put it in Ooomf and let the community vote on features and participate in [making] it.”

And once you’ve gone through the Ooomf process of perfecting your app, you also get to enjoy the discovery element it has to offer. It’s an engaging, personal way to explore the iOS App Store and see everything new hitting the market – and given the state of iPhone app discovery, it could be a boon to your project.

Tiggzi

The most convincing part about using Tiggzi for your app creation purposes is its drag and drop functionality. The cloud-based program was originally a tool for UI creation, so that developers and designers had an accurate, easy way to image what their projects would look like. From there, the Tiggzi team decided creation as a whole should be similarly engaging and visual.

Don’t be fooled by Tiggzi’s icon-heavy looks, though: This is a serious development tool you’ll need a decent amount of coding knowledge to use. You’ll need HTML, Javascript, and CSS background to effectively get started with Tiggzi. From there, however, you’ll find that the process is incredibly streamlined thanks to the ability to see your project working in real time.

Better yet, Tiggzi runs in-browser with no download or install needed – and it’s an incredibly versatile system that allows you to create HTML 5, Windows Phone, Android, and iOS apps (Windows 8 support was also recently added). For all of the complexity Tiggzi allows you to add to the backend of your app, the process is refreshingly simple, flexible, and visual.

AppThwack

While AppThwack isn’t a platform for creating apps, it serves an incredibly important and far too neglected service: Cross-device testing. At the moment, AppThwack is only available for testing Android and HTML 5 apps, although given the former’s issues with fragmentation, it’s not a bad place to start. At PIE Demo Day this fall, however, the team said iOS testing is on the way.

The process is fairly literally: The AppThwack labs have an impressive inventory of smartphones and tablets they use to run your app and then provide you with easy to read reports documenting any issues. There’s further customization to these reports available as well, like adding team members or testing multiple apps. 

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/let-the-age-of-app-creation-begin/

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Facebook sells the farm and renegotiates its partnership with Zynga

In 2011, Facebook relied on FarmVille studio Zynga for 12 percent of its total revenue. At the end of 2012, Zynga is a fast shrinking business with a equally shrinking audience. The social network and the game company have renegotiated their partnership.

FarmVille studio Zynga’s precipitous decline over 2012 has affected both individuals and massive corporations. On the micro scale, numerous employees at Zynga’s Austin, Chicago, and Boston offices were laid off at the end of October. On the macro, Facebook reported that revenues from its gaming business dropped 9 percent between the beginning of April and the end of September. Since Zynga accounted for 43 percent of the $176 million Facebook earned from its payments and fees segment, the studio’s fall has more than a little to do with the social network’s earnings trouble.

That’s no doubt why Facebook is no untangling its business from Zynga. Develop reported on Friday that Facebook has ended its exclusive agreements with Zynga that saw the game maker receive preferential treatment over other companies hosting games on the network. From this point on, according to an SEC filing detailing the new deal between the two companies, Zynga games will “be governed solely by Facebook’s standard terms and conditions for game developers.”

In 2010, Zynga signed an exclusive five-year agreement with Facebook that gave them undisclosed advantages compared to other social game makers, but it was suspected that Facebook shared more revenue than it did with others. Facebook agreed to those terms because at the time Zynga was responsible for a huge portion of the social network’s revenue. In 2011 alone, Zynga’s games like FarmVille and Mafia Wars accounted for 12 percent of Facebook’s total revenue.

The new deal isn’t just beneficial to Facebook. While the social network is freed from having to share a larger portion of revenue with Zynga than other publishers, Zynga no longer has to exclusively use virtual currency like Facebook Credits in its games. With user numbers down for Zynga games, its questionable how much the studio will want to rock the boat by introducing a new virtual currency.

In the short term, Zynga certainly came out on bottom in the new deal as it further shook investor confidence in the company. Shares in Zynga dropped 12 percent following the news.

Zynga’s short-lived empire was never sustainable. Its games grew popular in tandem with Facebook, and while it borrowed most of the ideas for its games, it benefitted from being so recognizable. Now its competition has overtaken it in every way and its audience has stopped growing. Zynga’s CEO Mark Pincus should invest in innovation rather than mass imitation next time.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/facebook-sells-the-farm-and-renegotiates-its-partnership-with-zynga/

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More rumors point toward a weaker, cheaper $100 Nexus tablet

Specifications for an unnamed Asus tablet have surfaced on the web, hinting that a lower-end Nexus 7 could be in the works.

This month Google announced three new additions to its Nexus family, but the search engine giant may not be finished just yet. Rumors indicate that a $100 version of the Nexus 7 tablet could be in the works, and recently discovered benchmarks have sparked further curiosity in this notion. A new set of test results on the GLBenchmarks website indicates that manufacturer Asus could be testing a new tablet. The device, branded with the model number ASUS ME172V, delivers tech specs that appear to be a toned-down version of those found in the current Nexus 7.

The rumored tablet will allegedly come with a 400MHz Mali GPU, a 1GHz CPU core and a screen resolution of 1024 x 600 megapixels. There has been no mention of a screen size, but the low cost hints that it will be a scaled-down version of a seven-inch tablet. According to the website, the device will also ship with Android 4.1 out of the box.

While these pieces of hardware bear similarity to the Nexus 7, there is one feature that strays from the 7-inch tablet’s build: the device found on GLBenchmarks has a microSD card slot. This is probably the biggest piece of evidence against the argument that this Asus gadget is a lower-end Nexus 7.

However, until we hear more information from the manufacturer or Google, there is no way to know for sure. Asus could be creating a new low-cost Android tablet to sell in markets around the globe where affordable prices are held at a higher priority than speedy processors and mind-blowing specs.

The specifications found on the benchmarking website also align with previous rumors that surfaced on iAfrica.com just a few days ago. In addition to the hardware mentioned above, the African news source also said that the device would come with 8GB of storage and a 4270mAh battery. An Asus company representative reportedly shared this information with iAfrica.

Since its debut back in July, Asus’ Nexus 7 tablet has seen a largely positive reception in the tablet market. At the end of October, the Wall Street Journal reported that sales of the 7-inch slate are clocking in at about one million units per month. While this still falls behind Apple’s iPad sales, the Nexus 7’s numbers could grow following the introduction of a 32GB model.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/asus-tablet-appears-100-nexus-7/

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Nexus 4 sales now regulated on eBay due to high demand

On Friday, eBay posted a notice to its users issuing guidelines for the sales of Google and LG's Nexus 4 device.

With the Nexus 4 floundering in and out of stock in the Google Play Store, its no surprise smartphone enthusiasts have flocked to eBay to get their hands on the device. In fact, demand for Google’s most recently announced handset is so high that the online auction giant has placed some restrictions for Nexus 4 sellers.

In a notice to users, eBay posted the following guidelines on Friday:

• Authorized resellers will be allowed to list an unlimited number of items per week.
• eBay Top Rated Sellers will be allowed to list up to 8 items per week.
• All sellers meeting minimum performance standards will be allowed to list 4 items per week.
• New sellers who’ve confirmed their personal information may list 1 item per week.
• Note: Sellers not meeting the minimum performance standards or that haven’t confirmed their personal information will not be allowed to list the Google Nexus 4 during the post-launch sale period.

Basically, this means that eBay is regulating how many Nexus 4 devices are sold through its website in order to prevent fraudulent transactions. These guidelines also mean that it could be more difficult for new users to sell a Nexus 4 through eBay. The website’s restrictions come just after some eBay shoppers have already paid upwards of $700 for the LG-crafted smartphone.

According to the website, at least 36 Nexus 4 16GB factory unlocked units have been sold for $700, leaving only three remaining in stock. One member managed to sell the handset for $720, and the post had 36 bids before being sold to one eager buyer. The Google Play store advertises the Nexus 4 at a starting price of $300 for the 8GB model and $350 for the 16GB variant. 

Google introduced the Nexus 4 alongside the Nexus 10 tablet on Nov. 13, completing the search engine giant’s family of sequentially sized devices. The company also unveiled the second generation of its Jelly Bean operating system that same day, and both the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 come with Android 4.1 preinstalled out of the box. Both devices also sold out on launch day, but have returned to the Google Play store since.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/nexus-4-sales-regulated-ebay/

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Facebook enters cloud with Photo Sync for iOS, Android

Now your photos will upload to Facebook instantly and privately

After being revealed back in September, Facebook officially launched its new Photo Sync feature for iOS and Android devices on Friday.

Though Photo Sync had been being tested by a select number of Android users for the past few months, and iOS for the past week or so, Facebook finally opened up the feature to the rest of its mobile users.

When enabled, Photo Sync will upload any and all pictures taken on a mobile device to a private, locked folder called "Synced from Phone" within Facebook.

Once there, users can decide which pictures to share with the rest of their friends and feed, and which pictures should remain private.

iOS 6 mandatory

For any iPhone and iPad users, Photo Sync will only work when the device is upgraded to iOS 6.

Photo Sync appears to work with any version of Android, as Facebook doesn't specify any requirements to use the feature on that particular OS.

Once a user agrees to allow photos to sync from a smartphone, the Facebook app immediately begins uploading the images (up to 2GB) to the website.

How often the device uploads images is entirely up to the user, though new photos take will by synced as they are taken.

Users can also choose how to sync the photos (via WiFi, cellular network, or both), and can turn off the feature entirely and delete photos from the private folder at their discretion.

For those concerned about data plan overages, Facebook assures smaller versions of the photos (100K) will be uploaded over 3G and 4G networks, while larger versions will be uploaded when connected to a wireless signal.

A prompt to "Get Started" will appear at the top of the Facebook feed in the app when the feature has rolled out to your market.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/facebook-enters-cloud-with-photo-sync-for-ios-android-1116530

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Is Nokia planning an Android phone?

Nokia's got something in the works - we just don't know what

Nokia and Microsoft have been in bed together for - scratch that, they're practically married at this point.

So why does Nokia appear to be hiring an Android expert?

The Finnish device maker recently posted a job ad on LinkedIn seeking a Linux expert to work in a "start-up environment." The phrases "exciting new products" and "mobile phone technology" were also used.

The posting, suspiciously made inactive and inaccessible as of midday Friday, was titled "Principal Software Engineer, Embedded Linux Middleware."

"Embedded Linux Middleware." Hm. Oh - you mean Android?

Hold your horses

Gizmodo brought Nokia's Android job ad to light in a report on Friday, and though the tech blog also raised several other explanations for the listing, it refuted each of them in turn:

First, there was MeeGo, an open source OS backed by Nokia, Intel and Samsung. Only Nokia cut MeeGo support in 2011, at which point Samsung and Intel started the Tizen OS project, likely nailing a sign on the door that reads "No Nokias allowed."

MeeGo, by the way, was later reincarnated - by ex-Nokia employees.

Then, there was Meltemi, a would-be budget OS based on Linux and ditched by Nokia over the summer.

One more possibility

There's one more possibility: that Nokia is simply working on a Nokia Maps app (or other Nokia apps) for Android devices.

But how will Microsoft react if Nokia really is working on an Android device? Getting in bed with the competition is usually a path to certain heartbreak.

But maybe Nokia couldn't help itself after reading TechRadar's "Android phones are better" editorial.

TechRadar has reached out to Nokia for more details, but the company has not yet responded.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/is-nokia-planning-an-android-phone-1116527

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Motorola DROID RAZR HD will get Android 4.1 next week

Motorola's DROID RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD Android Jelly Bean update is right around the corner. True to their word from the devices' launch event, Motorola and Verizon brought the news that the OS update will hit the smartphone duo next week.

The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the DROID RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD will include all the usual goodies such as Google Now and Project Butter, dressed in Motorola's light UI. Some Verizon preloaded applications are set to disappear, while ISIS mobile wallet compatibility will land in the smartphone's launcher.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_droid_razr_hd_duo_android_41_update_is_due_next_week_-news-5147.php

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Hands on with Nokia’s HERE Maps … You may want to take a detour

Apple left a hole in the navigation apps market that you could drive a truck through when it decided to leave Google behind and go with a first-party creation. Now Nokia is looking to fill that hole but if it's using it's own HERE Maps app, it may have difficulty finding it.

When Apple decided to try to pave its own road into the navigation apps market with Maps in iOS 6, it was assumed the Cupertino company would have something ready to go right at launch that would compare with the previous default option, Google Maps. What Apple ended up putting out into the world was an unfinished product with the direction-giving capabilities of a dementia patient. With a clear hole in the market to be filled, Nokia recently stepped up with it’s offering: HERE Maps.

Announcing its arrival with an all-caps name, as if one is to shout it out, HERE builds upon Nokia’s recent fascination with transportation. The Finnish phone maker has been working hard on different aspects of its navigation apps on the Windows Phone platform, and has balled that up into a mobile app and web-based client with HERE.  That combination of web and app access allows you to use the cloud to create and save collections of maps and destinations that you can then access anywhere through your HERE account. It’s a great way to keep track of interesting places you’ve come across during your travels. Unfortunately, though, the services pretty undistinguishable and HERE feels mostly like the browser service placed in the packaging of an app. This makes it a little less user friendly than one would expect, as taps and finger glides aren’t as responsive as mouse clicks and scrolls.

As a whole, the maps don’t look great. For the time being, there is no Google Street View-like option or anything equivalent to it either. A 3D view is on its way with Nokia’s recent acquisition of 3D mapping company Earthmine, but until then even Apple Maps has a leg up in that department. You can take a look at your local streets in four different ways: Map view, Satellite view, Public Transit view, and Live Traffic view. For the most part, they all function the way one would expect. Satellite view was a little slow and images from my city were at least a year or so old–as were some addresses.

In general, the search service functioned and one can plug in general terms or specific locations and yield mostly accurate results. Just don’t expect them to be extremely up to date. I plugged in a restaurant in my area that relocated about 6 months ago and its old location still comes up. In comparison, Google Maps’ web client had updated information. Similarly, a grocery store that has been in town for several years now didn’t even register on a search, no matter how general or specific I made it. Nokia says HERE uses NAVTEQ mapping data, the same system that nearly all in-car GPS systems use, which makes one wonder just how good those things really are.

Also worth noting is that when you’re looking up information about a specific destination, reviews and ratings and provided by Trip Advisor. This comes with its pros and cons. On the plus side, Trip Advisor is a great service and also provides other nearby stops that may be worth your time while you’re in the area. However if you’d like to read anything past the first sentence of a review, you’ll be pushed out of HERE and into your web browser or into your Trip Advisor app. Either way, you’ll have to leave HERE just to get basic information.

Public Transit view and Live Traffic view both appear to function in major cities. Even then, there are some areas in heavily populated locations where traffic data just seems to disappear. Transit data is sparse almost everywhere. There’s no bus data, even in cities like mine where the running times and stops are well documented and monitored. Places like San Francisco and Seattle had its rail systems included so some of these features do exist in specific cities, but as a whole it appears to be a work in progress. The app even warns users when the features are turned on that they are in beta.

Even without traffic or public transit available, one would assume that the streets would be easily navigable with the help of turn-by-turn voice directions. That would be a correct assumption to make, as long as you only plan on walking. Walking directions are currently the only mode where spoken navigation is available, which seems like the least useful place for it to be. It’s not like turns exactly sneak up on you while you’re walking. Turn-by-turn information is available for nearly every trip but if you need to spoken aloud, make sure to provide your own co-pilot.

HERE Maps probably shouldn’t be viewed as a finished product. There are some parts that are in place, some that are still coming to fruition, and some that are lacking completely. It’s a beta product, but Nokia pushed it out like a finished and polished app so it’s hard not to treat it as such. If you’re using Apple Maps, HERE Maps is not going to add any real clarity to your navigation experience. In fact, there are some areas where the service even trails Apple’s poorly received transport app. Nokia has proven itself to be more than capable of providing what it promises in its Windows Phone navigation apps. We’ll just have to wait for it all to filter into HERE Maps. The real fault is with Nokia, as it promised it was streets ahead and turned out to be attempting to tail the lead cars. HERE Maps functions, but just doesn’t live up to all the promise yet.

You can download HERE Maps for free in the Apple App Store.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/hands-on-here-maps-you-may-want-to-take-a-detour/

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It could take Apple 12-18 months to break ties with Samsung

In light of all the recent legal drama between Apple and Samsung, it's rumored that the Cupertino-based tech giant could be in the search for someone else to manufacture the proprietary Ax SoCs found in its smartphones and tablets.

Tech analyst Amit Daryanani says that the steps need to overhaul the production and manufacturing process are numerous and complicated, and could take between a year and a year and a half, with products not becoming commercially available until 2014.

Two major players will most likely be in contention as replacements to Samsung, should Apple go that route: Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Both companies have expressed interest in the past to a potential partnership with Apple.

Daryanani says that Intel's case will be a harder sell, as it has moved beyond ARM architecture, which the iOS platform is heavily invested in.

TSMC could begin manufacturing chips for Apple as early as 2014, after it completes the transition to a 20nm production process. Capital expenditures are estimated anywhere from $1 - $3 billion, but an Apple co-investment is not out of the question.

Two other less likely scenarios exist, one which sees a merger with Global Foundries, and the other involves Apple creating its own chip fabrication plants. The latter would be an unprecedented move by Apple, who has always kept manufacturing out of house.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/photobeamer_lumiaexclusive_app_hits_the_wp_store_streams_images-news-5146.php

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Low demand may have seen Surface RT orders halved, Surface Pro coming to save the day

Microsoft has reportedly cancelled half its Surface RT tablet order due to lower than expected sales. While other manufacturers have already shunned Windows RT, Microsoft may be looking to the Surface Pro tablet to save the day.

Microsoft may have halved its Surface RT tablet orders with the manufacturer if new rumors are to be believed, and it’s all down to poor sales. The news comes from sources working in Microsoft’s supply chain, and has been reported by DigiTimes, a publication which has close ties with the industry.

The report states Microsoft expected four million Surface RT tablets to sell before the end of the year, but things haven’t worked out as it hoped, forcing the company to lower its order quite drastically to two million instead. This comes after Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was quoted as calling Surface RT tablet sales “modest” during an interview, a point later clarified by Microsoft’s press team, who said Ballmer was talking about its distribution. Now though, this sounds even more like damage control.

If you can hear some thinly disguised sniggers, they’ll be coming from Acer, as it decided to cancel the launch of its own Windows RT tablets based on the lukewarm reception the Surface had in the press. Acer has been more than a little put out by the release of the Surface tablet, and has been one of the most vocal of Microsoft’s partners to come out against it, voicing concerns regarding manufacturing and pricing.

There could also be concern over at Microsoft that customers are holding off buying a Windows RT tablet — which has been designed to take on iOS and Android tablets — because they’re waiting for the Surface Pro. It’s quite a coincidence then, that the Surface Pro has been announced for a January release complete with a $900 starting price. Concerns over the Surface Pro’s battery life have already been raised though, as Microsoft says it will be half that of the nine-hour Surface RT.

Microsoft hasn’t released any official sales figures for its Windows RT tablets, but has recently boasted of Windows Phone 8’s success, stating the mobile OS has quadrupled in sales over this period last year. It looks unlikely the Surface RT will be spoken of so highly anytime soon.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/microsoft-reportedly-halves-its-surface-rt-tablet-order/

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China will soon get its fill of iPads and iPhones

Apple has announced it will begin selling the iPhone 5, iPad 4 and the iPad Mini in China from December 14, through its own stores and resellers. Could this prove it has finally solved its production problems?

Apple has announced its three star iOS products of 2012, the iPhone 5, fourth generation iPad, and the iPad Mini, will go on sale in China in December. The news confirms China Unicom’s promise to stock the phone within three months of its launch, but like most Apple-related deadlines this year, it’s right on the cusp; as the iPhone 5 went on sale for the first time on September 21, and it’ll arrive in China on December 14.

For the iPhone 5 to launch in China it had to be approved by the regulator, a test which it passed earlier this week, according to a Wall Street Journal report that also says it has been given the green light for both China Mobile and China Unicom, the country’s number one and number two wireless networks. Research shows that the two mobile giants are battling it out for 3G subscribers, with numbers faltering over the past months as potential buyers wait for news on the iPhone 5. A teardown revealed the iPhone 5 was compatible with China Mobile’s proprietary TD-SCDMA network shortly after its release, fueling anticipation.

Everyone will be hoping the anticipation doesn’t reach the fever pitch it did when the iPhone 4S went on sale with China Unicom at the beginning of the year, when angry customers attacked stores with eggs as stock ran out. There were also complaints of scalpers bulk buying iPhones and then selling them on the street at inflated prices, prompting Apple to enforce a limit as to how many devices a single person could buy.

Wi-Fi-only iPad and iPad Mini join the iPhone 5

Initially, the iPhone 5 will only be sold through Apple retail stores, Apple’s online store and authorized Apple resellers. While most of the attention will focus on the arrival of the iPhone 5, the iPad Mini and iPad 4 will also be released, but solely as Wi-Fi versions. No mention is made of the cellular models in Apple’s press release, and like the iPhone 5, they’ll be sold only through Apple’s stores and its resellers.

Apple’s press release lets out a choice piece of information too, saying the iPhone 5 is now on sale in 47 countries around the world. In mid-October, it was available in 31 countries, showing just how severe Apple’s stock shortage has been. Apple has publicly stated it was going to have the iPhone 5 in 100 countries before the end of the year. If it continues at the rate of adding 16 countries every four weeks, it won’t be reaching its goal.

The iPhone 5 also went on sale as a SIM-free, unlocked device through Apple’s online store in the U.S. today, with a shipping time of one week. Perhaps Apple has sorted out its production problems just in time for its Chinese debut.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/iphone-5-and-ipad-mini-announced-for-china-will-go-on-sale-in-december/

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iPhone 5, iPad 4 and iPad mini headed to China in December

Today Apple announced the China launch details for its latest iOS-based gadgets - the iPhone 5, the iPad mini and the 4th generation iPad. The iPad 2 will be also available for purchase.

The Wi-Fi versions of the three slates hit the shelves on December 7, while the iPhone 5 sales kick off a week later - on December 16. There is no info on the availability of cellular iPad models.

All devices will cost the same as their US siblings. They will be sold via the Apple Online Store, the Authorized Retailers and Apple's Retail Stores. The latter will start taking reservations for pickups a day earlier before the launch.

With China being the biggest market in the world and the iPhone 5, we expect smashing sales and record-breaking numbers in Apple's Q4 financial results.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_5_ipad_4_and_ipad_mini_headed_to_china_in_december-news-5145.php

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Oracle appeals ruling in Google case, drops patent infringement

Following the ruling in its case against Google's infringement of the Java API in Android, Oracle has decided to drop its patent case, and focus solely on copyright infringement.

This is most likely due to the fact that the infringed patents in question would be less profitable should the ruling go in Oracle's favor, and that the legal team would have less time to devote to the copyright infringement appeal, which is considered far more significant.

During this past summer, the presiding judge ruled that Oracle's copyrights regarding Java were not infringed by Google, and that the Oracle's APIs were not copyrightable in the way they themselves said they were.

Oracle continues to claim that Google has created an API that is functionally equivalent to Java, despite the fact that most of Google's code is original (97%, to be exact).

The problem with that, however, is that copyright is meant to protect form rather than function, and as such can be difficult to apply to Oracle's claim of functional equivalency. AndroidPolice summed it up rather well in saying "you can't copyright an idea, fact, or a system - you can only copyright a particular expression of those things."

Whichever way this case turns out, we may finally get a more wide-reaching ruling regarding the copyrightability of APIs, which is what made this case so high profile in the first place.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/oracle_appeals_ruling_in_google_case_drops_patent_infringement-news-5143.php

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iPhone 5 and iPad hitting China in December, Apple confirms

Bound for China

The iPhone 5, latest iPad, and iPad mini are coming to China.

Apple announced this morning its mobile and tablets will go on sale in China in just a few days. The iPad mini and Retina display-toting iPad will hit shelves on December 7, with the iPhone 5 following a week later on December 14.

The downside? It's the Wi-Fi-only versions of the iPad and iPad mini. So anyone in China looking forward to getting online on an Apple tablet while out and about will have to hope the cellular models make it there at some point.

Mr Operator

There's no word which operators will be offering the iPhone 5. We've contacted Apple and will update this story if we hear back.

Previous rumours said China's biggest network, China Mobile, wouldn't be offering the handset. Which would be a bit of a blow for Apple, considering the network has around 700 million mobile subscribers.

But the second and third biggest operators, China Unicom and China Telecom respectively, confirmed earlier this month that they would offer the iPhone 5.

Anyone in China looking to pick up an iPad or iPhone should head to their nearest Apple Store, Apple reseller, or online. Pre-orders begin on December 6.

Via Apple

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-5-and-ipad-hitting-china-in-december-apple-confirms-1116445

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RIM’s latest anxious preparations for BlackBerry 10′s launch in January

Research in Motion has renamed its BlackBerry App World store, launched a new development phone named the Dev Alpha C, and promised to produce one last music video for the grand BB 10 launch in January.

With little more than two months to go until BlackBerry 10 and its hardware are set to be revealed, Research in Motion is continuing to revamp its services and encourage developers to build apps for the new platform. RIM recently added a Skype-style call system to its popular BlackBerry Messenger service, which has been given the name of BBM Voice, and at this week’s BlackBerry Jam Asia conference, it has revealed a small change to its application store’s name too.

Previously known as the BlackBerry App World, a name introduced at its launch back in April 2009, from this point forward it will drop the word “app” and simply be known as BlackBerry World. The reason appears to be simple, the store now contains music, movies and television shows to download, rather than simply mobile applications. There will be some other alterations to go with the new name, but they won’t be revealed until the January 30 event.

Dev Alpha C and a musical reprise

In addition to the store name change, RIM has also launched a new development phone, named the Dev Alpha C, and this time rather than a facsimile of its touchscreen BB10 phone, it has a QWERTY keyboard. That’s right, it’s to help developers adapt their apps for use on the N Series QWERTY BlackBerry 10 phone, which will be released alongside the L Series full-touchscreen handset next year.

While us mere mortals have no chance of getting one, even developers are going to find it difficult, as RIM says it will be giving just 1,500 out. Interested developers will have to submit an application to be in with a chance, and need to meet a certain criteria too. Research in Motion will pay special attention to BlackBerry Elite Members, plus those who already have the Dev Alpha A or B phones, along with any developers who have converted an Android app over to BlackBerry 10.

Finally, you may remember RIM pledged to Keep on Lovin’ its developers in a cheesy but highly enjoyable music video released during BlackBerry Jam Americas. Well, the team is planning a follow-up for the big BlackBerry 10 launch event, but is unsure of what song to cover. It’s therefore asking your help to decide, for what it says will be the very last BlackBerry Jam music video. You can let them know through Twitter using the #BB10Song hashtag. Go on, you know you want too.

BlackBerry 10 will launch on January 30 2013, and less than a month afterwards, the new hardware will go on sale.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/rim-renames-blackberry-world-launches-dev-alpha-c-phone/

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Kik Messenger update introduces Cards to easily share videos, images and sketches

It's been a while since users of instant messaging app Kik saw any new features introduced. However, the company has just rolled out multimedia-related Cards, apparently the result of "many hours of brainstorming, heated discussions, and late night coding sessions."

When a software company knows users love its app for its simplicity and speed, it must be something of a challenge to roll out updates with new features without complicating matters and clogging up the interface. Kik, which until Thursday hadn’t introduced any changes to its multi-platform instant messaging smartphone app since March 2011 when it included group chat for iOS and Android users, appears to have found a way, however.

With Kik Cards, users can now easily send YouTube videos to their Kik contacts, as well as images and simple sketches drawn by your own fair hand (or more accurately, finger).

To maintain the app’s simple interface, however, developers have introduced a small tab on the left of the screen to gain access to the new features, creating something like an app within an app. If you don’t want the new features, ignore the tab and continue with Kik as you did before.

To get started with Cards, you need to drag the tab across the screen and then hit ‘more’. This pull up the three Cards (YouTube, Images and Sketches) – simply tap on the ones you want to use. This pulls them into your Cards menu on the left of the screen.

With the YouTube Card, for example, you can search videos on the streaming site and watch them within the app. When you find one you like, tap on the Kik icon on the top right of the screen, choose who you want to receive it from among your contacts, add some text and send it on its merry way. The Cards improve Kik’s overall functionality and serve to keep users within the app, helping to make the experience more fluid.

It’s expected that Kik will add more Cards in the future, with sponsored Cards also likely as the company seeks to secure a revenue stream. But before you roll your eyes thinking that your instant messaging app of choice is about to be flooded by a slew of businesses pushing their wares, remember – if you’re not interested in the Card being offered, simply don’t add it to your list.

Kik Messenger, which launched in 2010, now has 30 million users, with some 100,000 people signing up daily.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/kik-messenger-update-introduces-cards-to-easily-share-videos-images-and-sketches/

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Battery blow: Surface Pro has ‘approximately half the battery life’ of Surface RT

If you were thinking about picking up a Surface Pro when the tablet hits stores in January, does news that it has around 4.5 hours battery life mean you might decide to spend the money on a decent laptop instead?

If you were planning to use your new Surface Pro tablet indoors most of the time – in other words, close to a power point – then news via one of Microsoft’s official Twitter accounts that the device’s battery has half the strength of the Surface RT’s may not bother you too much. But if you were planning to take it out and about with you, on planes, trains and automobiles, it may give pause for thought.

Sure, if the Surface RT’s battery life was around 20 hours, then 10 hours on the Pro device would still be more than good enough for most users. But it’s not. When DT’s mobile expert Jeffrey Van Camp put the Surface RT through its paces for his review last month, he found he was getting between 8 and 9 hours before it needed juicing up. Even the mathematically challenged will not have taken too long to work out that that translates to between 4 and 4.5 hours of battery life on a Surface Pro. Pretty measly, huh?

Incidentally, in his review, written well before news of the Pro’s battery life broke, Jeffrey wrote: “Microsoft isn’t going for the gold on the battery life.” Prescient words, indeed, Jeffrey. By the looks of it, it’s not even on the podium, with competitors like the 9.7-inch iPad, Amazon’s 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD and Google’s Nexus 10 claiming battery time upwards of 8 hours.

News that the Pro version of Surface has “approximately half the battery life of the Surface RT” was posted on Thursday on Microsoft’s Surface Twitter account in response to a question from another Twitter user.

This came just hours after pricing details for the tablet – which launches in January – were released by Microsoft: $900 for the 64GB model and $1,000 for the 128GB model. Both versions feature Windows 8 Pro, an Intel Core i5 processor and a 10.1-inch 1080p HD display.

Are you considering picking up a Surface Pro? If the information in the tweet proves accurate and the battery is indeed more laptop than tablet, are you going to look elsewhere, or is it not too much of an issue for you?

 [via engadget]

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/battery-blow-surface-pro-has-approximately-half-the-battery-life-of-surface-rt/

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Unlocked iPhone 5 now available in U.S. Apple Store, but contract-free heaven comes at a price

Apple has started selling an unlocked version of the iPhone 5 through its U.S. online Apple Store. The phone comes without a commitment to a network, but the initial cost is higher than those with a contract.

Apple has begun selling unlocked iPhone 5 handsets through its U.S. online store, allowing prospective owners to purchase the phone without signing a lengthy and expensive contract. This hasn’t come as a complete surprise, as unlocked versions of the phone were discovered hidden away on Apple’s site yesterday, indicating a release was imminent.

Choosing an unlocked, SIM-free phone is an excellent way to avoid being tied down to a contract, neatly avoiding the disappointment of not being able to indulge in the annual product refresh due to being locked into a 24-month contract. This also means the cost of ownership may fall, as you won’t be limited to certain plans, and can leave if an improved option arrives with another carrier. This contract-free heaven comes at a price though, and it’s by no means cheap.

The 16GB iPhone 5 is yours for $650, rising to $750 for the 32GB and a heady $850 for the top-of-the-range 64GB model. These are GSM phones, so you’ll need to select a relevant carrier — AT&T and T-Mobile being the obvious choices, but there are others out there — and are happy to work with international networks too, another benefit of owning an unlocked phone.

Apple is well known for ignoring international currency exchange rates when it comes to pricing its products, and the unlocked iPhone 5 is no exception. In the UK, a 16GB phone costs £530, while in Germany it’s 680 euros, these equate to $850 and $880 respectively. Canada is one of the lucky ones, as its 16GB iPhone 5 is $699CAD unlocked, or a touch over $700USD.

Both black and white iPhone 5 handsets are available through the online Apple Store, and they both have shipping dates of one week. It’s expected that unlocked iPhones should filter through to Apple retail stores soon too. According to Apple analyst Gene Munster, stock levels of the iPhone 5 in stores have stabilized, and he told investors this week “the iPhone 5 has finally reached a point where consumers can walk into an Apple Store and walk out with a phone.”

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/unlocked-iphone-5-now-on-sale-through-apples-online-store/

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Unlocked iPhone 5 goes on sale in the US

The US market was one of the first to get the iPhone 5 on launch day. However, the only devices available until now were locked to carriers and available on contract.

Well, if you stay in the US, you don't have to look at other countries to get your unlocked iPhone 5 anymore. These devices have just hit both the online as well as the Apple brick and mortar stores in the US. The prices for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB iPhone 5 models is $649, $749 and $849 respectively, same as the iPhone 4S before.

These devices will only work on GSM networks, such as AT&T and T-Mobile in the US and will require a nano-SIM. If you order it now the phone will be shipped in one week. You can only order two units per person.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/unlocked_iphone_5_goes_on_sale_in_the_us-news-5142.php

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Verizon is voted king of the carriers, but AT&T has the best LTE network

A survey from Consumer Reports indicates that Verizon Wireless is the top carrier in the U.S. and though AT&T ranked last again, its 4G LTE network was rated highest.

The results are in and Verizon Wireless has been crowned as the highest-rated major carrier in the United States. The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a survey of 62,253 wireless subscribers to find out which carrier was most popular with North America’s user base. Verizon scored favorably in categories such as voice and data service, support, staff knowledge, and resolution of issues.

Competing carriers Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T scored in middle to low ranges in these categories, particularly in the voice and text service field. AT&T placed in last for the third consecutive year.

“Verizon stands out from the pack if you are a heavy-duty data user,” Mike Gikas, Consumer Reports senior electronics editor, said to NBC News. “They’re the Cadillac network. They’re pricey in some respects, but in terms of overall quality of service, they are the overall leader.”

This contributes to J.D. Power and Associates’ findings from its 2012 Wireless Network Quality Performance Study back in August: Verizon consistently outperforms the average wireless carrier and most of its competitors. However, while AT&T came in last place in the text and service category, its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network was rated as the best of all the carriers.

“AT&T has been a basement dweller for several years now,” Gikas also said to NBC. “A lot of people are unhappy with the service, except 4G customers. In fact, when it comes to 4G service, AT&T had the fewest problems of any carrier.”

It’s also important to remember that cell service can vary depending on certain areas of the country. Consumer Reports factored this into its findings as well, reporting that Sprint and Verizon provide essentially the same quality of service in St. Louis, but Sprint falls behind in last place in Chicago.  

It may be safe to say that smartphone users are tied to their technology more than ever in today’s times. Smartphone users set the bar significantly high when it comes to the way their devices perform, Kirk Parsons, senior director of wireless services at J.D. Power and Associates, told NBC. “They expect their smartphone to do whatever it’s supposed to do every time,” he said.

In terms of prepaid phones, Consumer Reports rated TracFone as the top competitor. You can read Consumer Reports’ cell phone and service buying guide here.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/verizon-wireless-king-of-carriers-us/

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It’s about time! Apple’s iPhone rumored to debut on T-Mobile’s network soon

An analyst with Merrill Lynch has hinted that T-Mobile could announce that the iPhone will come to its network in the near future.

T-Mobile is the only major carrier in the U.S. that does not offer Apple’s iPhone. In addition to Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T, nearly one dozen regional carriers also carry the iPhone. However, five years into the iPhone’s life, news has finally surfaced that T-Mobile may begin selling Apple’s smartphone.

According to Merrill Lynch analyst Scott Craig, “speculation is heightening,” that the German-owned carrier will announce a deal with Apple as soon as next week. This notion comes just after T-Mobile USA’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jim Alling commented on the iPhone just last week, according to Information Week.

“Make no mistake about it: We would love to carry the iPhone. However, we want the economies to be right for us.”

With this comment, Alling could have been hinting that T-Mobile hopes to avoid the money pit Sprint had fallen into in order to be able to offer the iPhone to its customers. Sprint is reportedly paying Apple $20 billion to carry the iPhone, a cost that is said to be impacting the company’s financials. Craig, however, did not offer any specifics about how T-Mobile’s parent company Deutsche Telekom would strike a deal with Apple to bring the Apple-branded smartphone to its network.

T-Mobile has made some impressive strides to allure users to its iPhone-less network. The company has allowed unlocked iPhones to operate on its network and has even supplies SIM cards to fit iPhone devices. T-Mobile was also the first carrier in North America to begin selling Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Note 2 at the end of October. Samsung’s Galaxy S3, which is considered to be one of the toughest competitors to Apple’s iPhone 5, has become the carrier’s most popular smartphone to date.

Back in August, as retailers were preparing for the launch of Apple’s iPhone 5, an allegedly leaked internal memo from T-Mobile advised employees to sell “against the iPhone” on Sept. 21. More importantly, rumors about the iPhone’s arrival on T-Mobile’s network beg the question as to whether or not the carrier needs Apple’s smartphone. According to Alling, that answer is yes.

“We recognize that it has been a point of churn for us,” he said.

Apple has not commented on the matter, and T-Mobile users will have to wait until next week to see if Craig’s words turn out to be true.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/iphone-debut-t-mobiles-network/

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