Samsung Galaxy Note II US launch gets set for October 24

The formal announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note II in the United States just got itself an official date. Samsung sent out seriously suggestive invitations for an event in New York City, which will take place on October 24.

As you can see above, the image of an S-Pen in the invitation leaves no room to wonder about what the event will be all about. The Samsung Galaxy Note II will hit a number of US carriers simultaneously - much like the Samsung Galaxy S III did.

We will be covering the event live from the spot, so we'll give you the full scoop on the device as it unfolds. In the meantime, feel free to check out our initial impressions of the international version over here.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_ii_us_launch_will_take_place_on_october_24_-news-4869.php

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Moo adds ‘third side’ to business cards with embedded NFC chips

Online printer Moo has just started trialing a new kind of business card that 'links to your digital world' by way of an embedded NFC chip. Any takers?

Online printing company Moo.com has come up with an idea to jazz up its business cards by adding what it calls a “third side” in the form of a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip.

The card looks like a regular business card except that embedded inside is a programmable NFC chip, capable of transmitting data to an NFC-ready handset when the two are tapped together.

As Moo explains on its website, the user can program the chip to “download your portfolio, play music or video, load web pages, maps or apps, save your contact details – the possibilities are endless. Think of it like an enormous, dynamic and exciting third side [to your business card].”

A special app allows the user to update what action the NFC chip initiates when someone taps their smartphone against it.

The award-winning London-based startup said it began trialing the new cards this week, sending out a single NFC-enabled card to anyone ordering a pack of business cards. The company will listen to feedback from users of the 150,000 cards before deciding whether to make them a permanent fixture.

The company admits on its blog that it’s early days for its new type of card, going so far as to ask customers for suggestions on how they’d like to use it.

“We’re dabbling with the technology and whilst we think we have the actual technology pretty well understood, we’re sure there are plenty of exciting and creative things that you can actually DO with them that we haven’t thought of,” the company said in the post. “So, if you have any burning bright ideas, whether prosaic or “out-there” about what you’d like to do with a pack of NFC Business Cards, please do let us know.”

Of course, the NFC element of the card is only any good for recipients with an NFC-ready handset. While some had been hoping for the technology to be included in the iPhone 5, Apple decided to pass on it this time around, so that’s iPhone owners out for a start. There are plenty of non-iOS handsets, however, with the technology.

To find out more about Moo’s new kind of card, check out the video below.

NFC Business Cards from MOO from MOO.COM on Vimeo.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/moo-adds-third-side-to-business-cards-with-embedded-nfc-chips/

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Woman falls off cliff while texting

Despite various incidents of injuries related to texting while walking, some people still don't understand the potential danger.

Detailed in the Anchorage Daily News, a young woman named Maria Pestrikoff plummeted sixty feet off a cliff when she was walking while texting. According to the account of the incident, she was attempting to write a text on her cell phone when she walked near a cliff to flick a cigarette butt off the edge. Her home is located near the cliff, thus it’s likely that she commonly uses the cliff to discard old cigarette butts when outside. While she was occupied with sending a text message, Pestrikoff lost her footing on wet grass and quickly fell onto a dangerous, rocky area on the Kodiak beach below.

Luckily discovered by her friend Anthony Burke, Pestrikoff was spotted between large boulders along the beach. Shrieking in pain, both the Bayside Fire Department and Kodiak Fire Department were called to the scene in order to attempt a rescue from above.

While some of the firefighters were able to descend to her location using an aluminum ladder, others eventually had to rappel down the side of the cliff in order to stabilize Pestrikoff and lift her to safety.

Fortunately, the firefighters were able to remove Pestrikoff from the rocky terrain prior to the tide coming in to cover the rocks. Just ten feet away when she was moved away, the freezing cold water could have escalated her injuries with the threat of hypothermia. Regarding the incoming water, Burke stated “The tide was right up to her toes by the time they were able to get her out.”

Placed in a stretcher, Pestrikoff was transported to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center in an ambulance before being flown to an Anchorage hospital. After falling on September 17, Pestrikoff is still in the Anchorage hospital recovering from her many injuries. This incident is somewhat similar to the Texas student that drove off a bridge while texting “I need to quit texting,” as well as the woman that walked off a pier into Lake Michigan while attempting to send a text message.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/woman-falls-off-cliff-while-texting/

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RIM: No BlackBerry 10 handset announcements this year

Handset reveals coming closer to on-sale date

BlackBerry loyalists eager to get a sneak peak at the new BB10 handsets will have to wait until 2013.

Frank Boulben, RIM's chief marketing officer, told CNET that the company will resist the temptation to parade the new smartphones until closer to the on sale date, expected in the first two months of next year.

RIM has already confirmed that it will launch two BlackBerry 10 devices initially, one will be a full touchscreen offering, while the second will be a BlackBerry Bold-alike with a physical QWERTY keyboard.

The company will be hoping that the ploy, which is somewhat uncharacteristic, will help to built Apple and Samsung-esque excitement for BB10's all important debut handsets.

More features to be unveiled

However, Boulben said RIM will lift the lid on more of the BlackBerry 10 software's capabilities in the meantime, even though the final devices will remain under lock and key.

Developers are currently able to test apps and acquaint themselves with BB10 using the Dev Alpha device, which was updated this week to the Dev Alpha B.

The news comes following another tough day at the offices in Waterloo, Ontario. Even though it managed to beat Wall Street's expectations, RIM still announced a loss of $235 million ($145m) on Thursday.

The launch of BlackBerry 10 represents perhaps the company's last chance to mount a comeback and reestablish itself among the smartphone elite. With that in mind, it comes as little surprise that the course is being plotted very, very carefully indeed.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/rim-no-blackberry-10-handset-announcements-this-year-1100430

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Facebook Gifts could be the social network's gift that keeps on giving

FROM: Facebook, TO: Facebook's mobile profits (finally)

For those special moments when "likes" aren't enough for your closest Facebook friends, the social networking website has introduced a new gifting program starting today.

Different from the virtual gifts program introduced a couple of years ago, Facebook Gifts enables users to easily ship physical presents to one another without having to leave the comfort of their newsfeed.

It all starts with by clicking a gift box icon in their newsfeed's birthday reminder sidebar or on their friend's timeline.

Cupcakes, teddy bears, and gift cards are just some of the examples of what users can expect to receive if they have a particularly persistent secret admirer.

"There are over a hundred partners offering hundreds of gifts," a Facebook representative told TechRadar.

"Partners include Starbucks, GUND, Magnolia Bakery in NYC, Magnolia Bakery, Happy Socks, Vosges Haut-Chocolat, The Honest Company, Cheryl's Cookies by 1800 Flowers ($5 cookie greetings), Malin + Goetz and Chocomize."

Strong mobile tie-in for Facebook Gifts

The real gift may be for Facebook. The company has struggled to monetize its increasing mobile traffic, said to be more than half of the visitors accessing the website on a daily basis.

"This is truly the heart and soul of Karma, re-imagined inside of Facebook," said Lee Linden, head of Facebook Gifts, in an interview with AllThingsD. "And it all works perfectly on the phone."

Yes, Facebook Gifts will work the same way on a tablet or phone as it does on a computer. It won't be a newsfeed-cluttering annoyance either and should make Facebook money in the end.

Facebook Gifting is just as good as receiving

This win-win extends to Facebook gift givers, too, who have almost all of the work done for them.

"Choose a gift, attach a card and send," Facebook said in a news release. "You can post your gift to your friend's timeline or send it privately. Your friend can then unwrap a preview of the gift and it will show up on their doorstep a few days later."

In addition to taking care of the shipping, Facebook gives them the option to pay right away or add payment details later on. They don't even have to worry filling out an address form, as the friend provides it.

Putting the gift-receiving friend in charge of the address is good for two reasons: it keeps their location anonymous (just in case), and it allows them to control where things go (if they recently moved, for example).

They can also be put in charge of choosing the flavor, color, and size, great for guys who don't want to "go there" with that question. Exchanging the gift for something of equal value is also possible - no hard feelings or frowny emoticon faces.

Rolling out slowly with Android as the first mobile platform

In a surprise move, this Facebook Gifts idea is friending Android before iOS. However, most users won't notice any gifts no matter which mobile platform they utilize.

"Facebook Gifts will roll out gradually, first to people in the U.S.," Facebook's release said.

Everything from Facebook Chat to Timeline has followed this slow release pattern.

Facebook also told TechRadar that Apple fans should expect "a wider roll-out to iOS devices in a few weeks." In the meantime web and desktop versions are available to select users.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/facebook-gifts-could-be-the-social-networks-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-1100423

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RIM posts big loss, shares surge 18 percent

Research In Motion posted a second-quarter loss of $235 million on Thursday. It's not good, but analysts had been expecting worse, with shares surging as a result.

On many occasions when a company posts a big loss in its quarterly report, its shares tumble like a sandbag-laden lead balloon, but when struggling mobile maker Research In Motion on Thursday announced a $235 million loss in its fiscal second quarter ending September 1, its shares shot up 18 percent. Why? Because analysts had been expecting worse numbers, that’s why.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the figures for its second quarter:

- $235 million loss compared with profit of $419 million a year ago

- $2.9 billion revenue

- 7.4 million BlackBerry handsets shipped, which is 3.2 million fewer phones than a year ago but a million more than analysts had predicted

- 130,000 BlackBerry PlayBook tablets shipped

The financial figures come a couple of days after RIM CEO Thorsten Heins announced – against expectations – that BlackBerry subscriber numbers had risen to 80 million for the quarter ending September, up two million from earlier this year, thanks to healthy sales in developing markets. However, in North America its share of the mobile market continues to fall.

Long-term success?

While RIM executives and investors may be sleeping a little more soundly in their beds this evening, Peter Misek, an analyst at Jefferies, sounded a note of caution about the data, telling AP, “They are driving sales in emerging markets and we think they will continue to lose subscribers in developed markets,” adding, “It doesn’t tell you anything about the long-term success of the platform or the company.”

Ah, yes, the long-term future. RIM certainly has a fight on its hands if it’s to climb out of the sticky situation in which it finds itself. According to research firm IDC, BlackBerry’s share of the US market has fallen from 45.8 percent in 2008 to an alarming 2.7 percent in 2012, with Apple’s iPhone and handsets running Google’s Android operating system now dominating the market.

For Ontario-based RIM, everything depends on how its next-generation BB10 operating system and handsets are received by consumers. The problem is, they’re not coming to market until early 2013, giving companies like Apple and Samsung even more time to increase their market dominance.

In a conference call with analysts on Thursday, Heins acknowledged that competitors have launched strong products in recent months but promised that BlackBerry 10 “will advance the operating system environment to a whole new level.”

He needs to be right, and consumers need to be wowed, for if they’re not, the company which was once the world’s leading force in the smartphone market may have no place left to turn.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/rim-posts-big-loss-shares-surge-18-percent/

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OAuth tools coming to Android through Google Play Store

No need to remember all those passwords

Google has released tools to allow developers to begin integrating the OAuth user authorisation technology for Android apps.

The tech, also used by Facebook and Twitter to allow users to connect with external apps and services, may eventually replace the need to type in multiple passwords for apps on Android devices.

The OAuth 2.0 tools, available for developers from the Google Play Store starting Thursday, will eventually allow users (on Android v2.2 and higher) access to many services, simply through their Google account password.

Access tokens

Once developers, whose apps require access to Google's APIs, have integrated the OAuth tools, it will enable "access tokens" to be sent between the device and the app.

This will replace the need for a user to create a new account or enter a complicated password, while also giving the service provider access to the user data it requires.

Users will then stay signed into that service, and then rely on the various types of password protection on the handset itself to stay secure, rather than an individual app password.

Too many passwords

Google first announced its intentions to integrate the OAuth tech within Android back at I/O earlier this summer.

The company said the driving force behind the tech is to trim the number of passwords each user has to remember and to remove the hassle of typing convoluted passwords on a virtual keyboard.

"The internet already has too many usernames and passwords, and they don't scale," wrote Tim Bray on the Android Developers Blog.

"Furthermore, your Android device has a strong notion of who you are. In this situation, the industry consensus is that OAuth 2.0 is a good choice for the job, offering the promise of strong security minus passwords."

For more information about OAuth and what it could mean for the ongoing security of your mobile device, check out our OAuth: What you need to know feature.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/oauth-tools-coming-to-android-through-google-play-store-1100402

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iPhone 5 Lightning cable clones will be awhile coming, suppliers say

Likely won't get a knockoff for Christmas

Third-party manufacturers in China are still attempting to clone Apple's new Lightning cable, but supplies are unlikely to hit before Christmas, according to reports.

The new reversible syncing and charging solution for the iPhone 5, iPod touch, and iPod nano has replaced the tried and tested 30-pin cable used with legacy devices, such as the iPhone 4S.

However, the 8-pin accessory now features an integrated chip, which it won't work without. This makes copying the connector and creating less expensive solutions more difficult.

The true function of the chip is unknown, but it's thought that Apple may have introduced it simply to ensure outside companies will need to enter into official licensing agreements order to manufacturer accessories.

Unrealistic deadlines

AppleInsider found that Chinese companies are still offering delivery of cloned Lightning cables within 30 days, but that deadline is said to be unrealistic.

One U.S. cable supplier, Double Helix Cables, contacted a supplier in China, which told the stateside company that work won't start on unravelling the mysterious chip until after a Chinese national holiday is observed this weekend.

That, according to Peter, owner of Double Helix, means it's unlikely any products will be ready to ship in the next two months, at least.

"People should be very surprised if this cable can be cloned by Christmas," Peter told AppleInsider. "This is a serious undertaking and the Chinese know it."

Peter spoke with TechRadar earlier this week about the mysterious chip and asked that, for privacy reasons, his last name not be printed.

Apple is currently charging £15 ($19.99) for new Lightning connectors. For those unconcerned with owning the official accessories, much cheaper, third-party solutions were always available on eBay or Amazon, but it looks like those will still be a while coming.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-5-lightning-cable-clones-will-be-awhile-coming-suppliers-say-1100382

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RIM reports $235M in losses, remains confident in BB 10 turnaround

A little tart now, but BB 10 could help

RIM revealed its fiscal year 2013, second quarter financial results to investors Thursday, outlining where the makers of BlackBerry-branded products stand.

The quarter covers the past three months ending on Sept. 21. BlackBerry, while in the midst of a turnaround and transition to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, didn't perform to the level it wanted.

"Our second quarter results are well below where they need to be," said Thorsten Heins, RIM's CEO.

The company reported a net loss of $235 million, including $126 million in pre-tax restructuring costs, for an adjusted net loss of $142 million.

RIM's cash, cash equivalents, short-term, and long-term investments did increase from approximately $100 million to $2.8 billion at the end of the second quarter, while the company shipped 7.4 million handsets in that time.

Many of those devices were operating BlackBerry 7, the company reported.

BlackBerry revenue

Revenue grew 2 percent, up to $2.9 billion from $2.8 billion the previous quarter. However, that figure is down 31 percent from $4.2 billion the same quarter last fiscal year.

Shipments of BlackBerry Playbook tablets were approximately 130,000, while subscribers to BlackBerry stand at 80 million.

The company reiterated its commitment to remain fiscally lean and strong as it transitions to a new operating system and undergoes a restructuring initiative to make its operations more efficient.

To that end, RIM said it experienced a sequential decrease of $54 million in operating costs.

BB 10 needs to happen

RIM's numbers weren't terrible, yet the company cautioned investors that the outlook for moving forward isn't immediately positive.

"We expect the following quarters to be very challenging," RIM representatives said.

Heins rested much of reasoning for why investors should remain hopeful on BB 10, which he said is receiving a positive response internationally.

"It's a new platform, not just a new product," Heins said. "For sure we'll see additional products in the next calendar year. We'll create a very competitive portfolio."

The OS remains on track to launch in the first quarter of next year.

The company reiterated its commitment to supporting BlackBerry 7, especially as the holiday season approaches.

"We are focused on staying relevant with BlackBerry 7," Heins said.

The company does expect to report an operating loss next quarter.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/rim-reports-235m-in-losses-remains-confident-in-bb-10-turnaround-1100388

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Google releases Field Trip, a new guidebook app that tips you off

Go on a trip with Field Trip (credit: The Verge)

There are dozens of apps that individually inform users of good places to eat, where a movie is playing, if a band is jamming in town tonight, or where the best places to shop are located.

But what if there was one single app that did all that, while also providing interesting and unique information about the local surroundings?

That's just what Google is hoping to accomplish with their new Field Trip app.

Arriving on the Google Play store Thursday, Field Trip is described as the "guide to the cool, hidden, and unique things in the world."

Local flavor

Culling information from places like Thrillist, Food Network, Sunset, Cool Hunting, Atlas Obscura, and Songkick, Field Trip analyzes the surroundings to provide an insider's view of what's hot and happening in a given locale.

All the info is pulled from Google's sources, and pushed through seven filters: architecture, historic places and events, lifestyle, offers, food and drink, cool and unique, and outdoor art.

The app does all of this work in the background, and informs consumers when they arrive near a destination deemed popular on Field Trip.

A simple little information tab will pop up, alerting users to the details on the wheres and whys a certain location has been singled out.

It's all about connecting

John Hanke, vice president of product at Google, spoke with the New York Times about what Google hoped to accomplish with Field Trip.

"The idea behind the app was to build something that would help people connect with the real, physical world around them," Hanke said.

"It's always running in the background, so it knows where you are and is always looking to see if something interesting is in your immediate physical environment."

Users will of course be able to determine what types of alerts Field Trip sends, as well as the frequency of those alers.

Anyone using the Field Trip app will also be able to have the information appear on-screen, or have it fed to them in an audio feed via Bluetooth.

Field Trip will also be able to determine whether or not a user is driving, and will inform them of nearby points of interest without any need to access the smartphone.

Android and US only... for now

Field Trip is currently only available on Android devices right now, but Google does have plans for an iOS version of the app.

Hanke explained that with Field Trip, Google was looking to evolve apps beyond where they are now, and wants to "move the device out of your way and put the information front and center."

Like the iOS version of the app, an international version is also in the works, but for now Field Trip only works in the U.S.

There is currently no date in sight for either release.

YouTube : http://youtu.be/zusjUjaiWJQ
Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/google-releases-field-trip-a-new-guidebook-app-that-tips-you-off-1100357

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Google releases Field Trip, a new guidebook app that automatically tips you off

Go on a trip with Field Trip (credit: The Verge)

There are dozens of apps that individually inform users of good places to eat, where movie is playing, if a band is jamming in town tonight, or where the best places to shop are located.

But what if there was one single app that did all that, while also providing interesting and unique information about the local surroundings?

That's just what Google is hoping to accomplish with their new Field Trip app.

Arriving on the Google Play store Thursday, Field Trip is described as the "guide to the cool, hidden, and unique things in the world."

Local flavor

Culling information from places like Thrillist, Food Network, Sunset, Cool Hunting, Atlas Obscura, and Songkick, Field Trip analyzes the surroundings to provide an insider's view of what's hot and happening in a given locale.

All the info is culled from Google's sources, and filtered through seven filters: architecture, historic places and events, lifestyle, offers, food and drink, cool and unique, and outdoor art.

The app does all of this work in the background, and informs consumers when they arrive near a destination deemed popular on Field Trip.

A simple little information tab will pop up, alerting users to the details on the wheres and whys a certain location has been singled out.

It's all about connecting

John Hanke, a vice president of product at Google, spoke with the New York Times about what Google hoped to accomplish with Field Trip.

"The idea behind the app was to build something that would help people connect with the real, physical world around them," Hanke said.

"It's always running in the background, so it knows where you are and is always looking to see if something interesting is in your immediate physical environment."

Users will of course be able to determine what types of alerts Field Trip signals, as well as the frequency in which they are alerted.

Anyone using the Field Trip app will also be able to have the information appear on-screen, or have it fed to them in an audio feed via Bluetooth.

Field Trip will also be able to determine whether or not a user is driving, and will inform them of nearby points of interest without any need to access the smartphone.

Android and US only... for now

Field Trip is currently only available on Android devices right now, but Google does have plans for an iOS version of the app.

Hanke related that with Field Trip, Google was looking to evolve apps beyond where they are now, and wants to "move the device out of your way and put the information front and center."

Like the iOS version of the app, an international version is also in the works, but for now Field Trip only works in the U.S.

There is currently no date in sight for either release.

YouTube : http://youtu.be/zusjUjaiWJQ
Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/google-releases-field-trip-a-new-guidebook-app-that-automatically-tips-you-off-1100357

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Report: Browser-based Google Street View only 2 weeks away

Come and get your Street View

Apple iPhone 5 and, more generally, iOS 6 users up in arms over its rebooted Maps app may be getting some relief in the form of Google Street View, thanks to Mobile Safari.

On Thursday, reports surfaced that Maps app users won't have to wait long to get Street View back on their devices, a feature that's said to be part of a rumored Google Maps app for iOS 6 currently in development.

That's because, according to The New York Times, the search giant is working on an update to the browser-based version of the popular feature which is scheduled to go live in two weeks.

Google to the rescue

As numerous reports fly back and forth as to whether Google was taken by surprise with Apple's move to use its own map data with iOS 6, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company looks to be scrambling to get its technology back on iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads.

While the browser-based Google Maps works fine in Mobile Safari, Street View is not currently supported - but the search giant is said to be working quickly to address that limitation.

Once Street View is available on the browser-based Google Maps, iOS 6 users will be able to save a shortcut to their home screen and access the services with just a tap.

An unnamed Apple executive reportedly told The New York Times Wednesday that Cupertino promises to "pour as much time and manpower into repairing Maps as it takes," but it seems Google intends to play the hero role in the short term.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/report-browser-based-google-street-view-only-2-weeks-away-1100313

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Foursquare iOS update gets more personal with tailed results, also adds iOS 5 compatability

Foursquare has pushed an iOS update, offering a robust social recommendation engine, iOS 6 and iPhone 5 compatibility, and faster map.

Foursquare has pushed its latest update, bringing a few back end and front end changes in addition to compatibility with the iPhone 5’s larger screen size. Simply put, the app offers a faster browsing experience and uses the data culled from your friend’s outing habits to become a smarter version of itself.

Since pivoting from a complete focus on the check-in, Foursquare has honed in on building products for personalizing the experience with unique results for each user. You can think of it as a mobile, personalized Yelp on-the-go. “It’s a personalized map made just for you,” Foursquare wrote in its blog post. What this means is that the search results will be uniquely tailored to you rather than offering “one-size-fits-all” content. It’s a pretty direct jab at Yelp, which was recently integrated into Apple’s new iOS 6 map.

With Foursquare using OpenStreetMap, you could even use the service as an Apple Maps as well as a Yelp alternative. Of course you have to realize that Foursquare is a much bigger, more fully-featured platform than Yelp is; the latter is a rudimentary service that simply plots venues and restaurants on a map sans recommendations. 

With over 2.5 billion check-ins and “tens of millions” of tips, Foursquare claims to know a thing or two about your friends and the places they frequent. This information is tied into Foursquare’s search function (which actually has a decent amount in common with Google Social Search), so when you’re typing in “Chinese food,” it’s most likely that no two results using the same term on from two different user accounts will be the same. If your friends have checked-in to a specific Chinese food location, that restaurant will likely be suggested and appear at the top of the search results.

In addition to the under-the-hood update to its search engine, you’ll notice a few search categories that have popped up within the “Explorer” tab for discovering new venues or restaurants. Categories like “Haven’t Been,” “Been Before,” and “Friends Have Been” are the latest newcomers to the existing list of general tabs including “Food,” “Arts,” “Shopping,” and “Top Picks.” You can also now add places that you’ve visited to a list of “Saved” locations for those favorite places that you’d like to revisit.

It deserves mentioning that for the new personalized features to work,  users will still have to rely on checking-in ti their locations — there’s no workaround to this, and in order to give you those personalized results, Foursquare needs to know where you and your friends are going. Until Foursquare implements some sort of ambient location feature that runs in the background, the check-in is going to remain an important part of its function. 

The update is available in the App Store for all iOS devices, including the iPhone 5.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/foursquare-iphone-app-update-with-iphone-5-compatability/

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HTC One X+ makes an appearance in an O2 UK brochure

The previously rumored HTC One X+ seems to be right around the corner, folks. The upcoming smartphone has made an appearance in a brochure for UK's wireless carrier O2.

The newcomer boasts a notable bump in specs over the original HTC One X. The plus version will pack a speedier quad-core CPU, clocked at 1.7GHz and 64GB of built-in memory. Additional 25GB of Dropbox storage will also be available. The device will boot Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Furthermore, according to the brochure, the HTC One X+ will be priced at £479.99 on a pay as you go plan when it hits O2's shelves.

Thanks Adam Fitzpatrick!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_x_makes_an_appearance_in_an_o2_uk_brochure_-news-4868.php

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Instagram is beating Twitter on mobile, proving a picture is worth… 7.3M daily active users

The little app that could, Instagram, keeps on showing veteran networks who's boss and bests Twitter on mobile reach for the month of August.

According to the latest comScore report, Instagram was a bigger mobile drawn than Twitter was during the month of August. AllThingsD reports that smartphone users visited Instagram more often and for longer periods of time that they did Twitter.

The report says that during August, Instagram had an average of 7.3 million daily active users (DAUs), while Twitter had approximately 6.9 million DAUs. What’s more, the average Instagrammer spent 257 minutes on the mobile app, while the average Twitter user spent 169.9 minutes on the platform’s mobile version.

The news is simultaneously surprising and completely not. Twitter is a social media veteran with an app that’s been around for years. It’s not like mobile hasn’t been good to Twitter, and it’s received positive reports for its smartphone-friendly ad scheme. But Instagram has had an almost magical, inexplicable rise to the top of the social networking sphere: Its user numbers are on an unstoppable ascent, its updates are nearly universally lauded (something Facebook and Twitter can’t really relate to), and people genuinely love the platform. It’s not a utility we’re overly invested in and using for that reason only — people really, truly, honestly gravitate toward it and that type of engagement is hard to manufacture. The mobile numbers clearly prove as much.

So while Twitter might be able to brag about its mobile ad reach, Facebook has an incredible value in Instagram. It’s currently not being utilized for marketing or brand-pushing services, but this report clearly means that there’s potential to leverage the eyeballs and time spent on Instagram – something users will be horrified to hear even suggested. Since day one of the acquisition, both Instagram and Facebook have said the proprietary Instagram app will be allowed to grow and exist independently, but you have to expect that the social network is aware of the photo sharing platform’s appeal, and is mulling over how to both keep users happy and benefit from the reach. 

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/instagram-beating-twitter-on-mobile-reach/

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Qualcomm comes through with 3 new processors for entry-level phones

Throw three more in the bag for Qualcomm

Qualcomm unleashed a trio of Snapdragon S4 mobile processors Thursday, all of which aim to endow entry-level smartphone’s with the company’s signature processing power.

The MSM8225Q and MSM8625Q Snapdragon S4 Play both belong to the S4 Play processor tier and are optimized for a broad range of users.

“Play processors will now offer OEMs both dual-core and quad-core CPUs and performance for entry-level smartphones, with the more advanced version featuring higher bus bandwidth, larger screen resolution support, HD video, and enhanced user experiences,” the company said in a press release.

Qualcomm explained the processors “are designed specifically for high-volume smartphones.”

Each gives manufactures the ability to migrate existing Snapdragon S1-based designs to S4 dual- and quad-core CPU-based designs, a feature ideal for manufacturers looking to expand their offerings with more 3G/LTE smartphones.

Time to play

Quad-core variants of the new processors will support LPDDR2 memory, meaning more bus bandwidth for features like 720p display and 720p video encode and decode.

The processors are upgrades of the Snapdragon S4 Play MSM8225 and MSM8625s, the company said.

The MSM8625Q features Qualcomm’s integrated multimode UMTS/CDMA modem while the MSM8225Q has the integrated UMTS modem.

The new versions enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and FM connectivity using Qualcomm’s Atheros AR6005 and WCN2243 chips.

Plus one

Qualcomm also unveiled the Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM830, a processor geared towards the Chinese market that will support all China operators with UMTS, CDMA, and TD-SCDMA.

Its target is mid-tier phones, bringing a single-chip solution with an integrated LTE modem to high-volume smartphones.

All three will be ready for customers by the end of 2012 and will start shipping in commercial devices in the first quarter of next year.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/processors/qualcomm-comes-through-with-3-new-processors-for-entry-level-phones-1100319

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Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 pricing in Europe confirmed

The recently unveiled Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 are shaping up to be two of the hottest smartphones of the season, but until now we didn't know much on their availability and pricing. Now, that questions finally got its their answers.

In Germany, the Lumia 920 will retail for €649 ($836), while the Lumia 820 will go for €499 ($645). However, if you are living in Italy, you can grab the Lumia 920 for €50 less at €599 ($771). The pricing there for the Lumia 820 remains unchanged.

The smartphones are also up for pre-order in Russia, where eager customers will have to chunk in 24,990 rubles ($801) for the Lumia 920 and 19,990 rubles ($640) for the Lumia 820.

Expect both Lumia devices to start shipping some time in November. In Italy, information is a bit more specific and indicates a November 12 launch from carrier TeliaSonera.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_920_and_lumia_820_pricing_unveiled_up_for_preorder-news-4867.php

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TI says it's not giving up on OMAP chipsets, OMAP 5 on track

Texas Instruments is revamping its strategy regarding its OMAP chipsets and announced that it considers the smartphone and tablet market less attractive and will focus on bringing OMAP to more platforms than wireless gadgets.

Reuters, citing various analysts, reported that it's quite likely that TI will be quitting the smartphone and tablet business altogether. Today, a TI media relations manager contacted us to clarify the company's position.

It will indeed be broadening the reach of its OMAP products, aiming at "embedded applications such as automotive, industrial, enterprise communication, vision and robotics, to grow the OMAP footprint beyond mobile".

TI will also continue its efforts in developing the OMAP chipsets and the fifth generation, the one with Cortex-A15 cores, is on track - it's sampling today and the first consumer products it will power are expected in early 2013.

The statement coming from TI's media relations manager felt a little evasive when it comes to future smartphones and tablets powered by TI OMAP. The company is under a lot of pressure since Qualcomm lures in clients with its integrated LTE modems and the two biggest makers - Apple and Samsung - are making their own chips.

Still, there's an OMAP 4 inside tablets from both Amazon and Barnes&Noble, plus OMAP 5 will be the first with Cortex-A15 cores, which should give the platform a boost.

It remains to be seen how many smartphones and tablets will be launched with TI OMAP chips and how well the company's foray into new territories will work. For what it's worth, we hope they do good as competition always drives innovation.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/clarification_ti_not_giving_up_on_its_chipsets_omap_5_on_track-news-4866.php

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SportStream brings its second screen app to the iPhone

SportStream continues its mission to connect fans with socially-sourced sports data with its new iPhone app.

If there’s any market that’s primed for the social, second screen experience, it’s sports. What with the stats, player news, fantasy teams, and of course, heavy dose of trash talking, the two are made for each other. That’s not to say there isn’t still plenty of friction in this space, but developers are doing their damndest to figure out how we want to use social platforms and mobile devices to enhance the experience of watching sports.

And today, one of the biggest names in this market, SportStream, is taking another step into the thick of it with the debut of its iPhone app. At the moment, SportStream is available via Web or iPad app, but the team has wisely noticed that plenty of users are content to multitask during TV watching from the palm of their hands as well: A recent Pew report found that more than 50 percent of adults use their phones while watching television.

“People watch sports in real-time: The don’t DVR,” says co-founder and CEO of SportStream Bob Morgan. “They want to see outcomes, share their comments and trash talk in real-time, too. This creates a very interesting opportunity for second screen experience. Our primary goal is to provide fans with the best content for every game, while connecting them with each other.”

The SportStream iPhone app brings with it everything available in the iPad and Web versions — commentary, sideline reports, and game stats. Except these aren’t sourced from what you’re already seeing on TV; it’s all aggregated from sports personalities’ and experts’ social media accounts. If that makes you raise a skeptical eyebrow, consider that Packers guard TJ Lang’s Twitter slam against the replacement NFL refs quickly became the most retweeted post of all time. There’s an inarguable connection between fans and sports figureheads, be they players or pundits, and it’s being made using social platforms.

In addition to features like Twitter and Facebook sharing (with some slick focus on trending hashtags focused on your content and improved technology to filter out any irrelevant social noise), SportStream’s recent integration with Are You Watching This?! (RUWT?!) also shows up in the new iPhone app. RUWT?! is an algorithm-based system that alerts users when games get exciting — it’s supposed to keep you from beating yourself up for turning the TV off during that assumed blowout only to hear the next day that your team made an epic comeback (points at self).

SportStream, which launched in June, has been building fast. The iPhone is an interesting next iteration, given the startup’s early tablet focus. “We’ve seen tablet and Web browser use as fairly similar — it appears users have one or the other open during games,” Morgan tells me. “This isn’t too surprising given the research in this area. With the launch of the iPhone app, we’re very interested to see how people interact with the app on their phones, while on the go. One of the most interesting things we’ve seen is how low latency game information and commentary is on Twitter. This makes for a really rich, 360-degree view of a game.”

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/sportstream-brings-its-second-screen-app-to-the-iphone/

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HTC announces the Snapdragon S4-powered One XC

At Chinese Telecommunications Fair today, HTC unveiled its latest dual-core monster dubbed the One XC.

It's powered by a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor clocked at 1.5Ghz coupled with 1GB of RAM. It's built around a 4.7-inch display of HD resolution and has an 8MP camera at the back, which is identical to the one found in the One X.

The HTC One XC runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and sports a new, two-tone black and golden design. Check it out in the photos below.

Unfortunately, everything indicates to a China-only availability for the HTC One XC. Pricing info is still unknown.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_announces_the_one_xc_in_china_has_a_snapdragon_s4_inside-news-4865.php

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Android 4.1 Jelly Bean release date: when will you get it?

Are we going to have to wait months again?

Google has announced the latest version of its mobile platform, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, at its annual I/O event in San Francisco, with it appearing alongside the first device to run it, the Google Nexus 7 tablet.

However the Nexus 7 won't be the only device which will end up running the sugary named update, with a host of phones and tablets set to receive the upgrade. Google has also announced that it plans to have Jelly Bean running on the Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Motorola Xoom in mid-July.

Update: the Nexus S started receiving updates to Android Jelly Bean in Asia on 19 July, with more markets set to follow soon after.

The Motorola Xoom is an unusual choice, as it's already been usurped by the Xoom 2, and in the UK Carphone Warehouse claims that the Nexus 7 will be the only tablet running Android 4.1 for four months.

If the Ice Cream Sandwich roll out is anything to go by, then manufacturers are likely to take their sweet time about getting Android 4.1 out to consumers, and some devices may miss out.

We've contacted all the major players in the Android market, to find out what their plans are for the Android Jelly Bean upgrade, here's what we've heard so far;

Android Jelly Bean: Samsung

Update: The official Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for theSamsung Galaxy S3 has begun rolling out to handsets in Eastern Europe.

Samsung says Android 4.1 is "gradually being introduced to other markets" - although there's no exact dates for the UK or US at this time.

The Korean firm has also confirmed it will be bringing Jelly Bean to the following devices in due course: Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 & Tab 2 10.1, Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy SII,Galaxy Note, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, Galaxy S Advance, Galaxy SII LTE, Galaxy Music, Galaxy Chat, Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy Beam, Galaxy Ace Plus, Galaxy Mini II and Galaxy S Duos.

Android Jelly Bean: HTC

HTC has announced it will be bringing Jelly Bean to at least three of its models, which is good news for those that like newer handsets:

"We know HTC fans are excited to get their hands on Google's latest version of Android. At this point in time, we can confirm that we have plans to upgrade our HTC One X, HTC One XL and HTC One S to Jelly Bean," a HTC spokesperson told us.

"Please stay tuned for more updates regarding device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Jelly Bean."

Update: The latest reports suggest the One X will see Android 4.1 pop up in October, although HTC are yet to officially confirm anything.

Android Jelly Bean: Motorola

Motorola has confirmed that it has not released its plans regarding the Jelly Bean update yet.

However Google said it was planning on getting Jelly Bean onto the Xoom tablet in July.

Android Jelly Bean: LG

Back in February at MWC 2012, we spoke to LG regarding the Jelly Bean update and the manufacturer confirmed it would guarantee an upgrade to Android Jelly Bean for all compatible 2012 handsets.

We will have to wait and see if it delivers on that promise.

Update: A spokesperson for the firm has told TechRadar: "LG will continue to support the latest android platforms, across LG devices however at present an exact date is not yet confirmed."

Update 2: Sources at LG tell us the relevant phones in the range will be updated to Jelly Bean by Q1 2013, with the roll out beginning in Q4.

Android Jelly Bean: Asus

During MWC 2012, Benson Lin, Asus' Corporate Vice President told TechRadar: "Asus is very close to Google, so once they have Android 4.1 I think there will be a high possibility that we will be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update."

The Transformer Pad 300 has now been given the Jelly Bean treatment - so make sure you hit software update check if you're still on Ice Cream Sandwich.

Update: A post on the Asus Facebook page has confirmed that it will be bringing the Android 4.1 update to the Transformer Pad Infinity and Transformer Prime "soon".

TechRadar spoke to Asus, and a spokesperson said "the Jelly Bean rollout to the Infinity and Prime will happen in days rather than weeks."

Some lucky soles in Sweden have already started to get Android 4.1 on their Transformer Prime tablets.

Android Jelly Bean: Sony

Sony has confirmed that a host of Sony Ericsson Xperia handsets from 2011 will not be getting an update to Android 4.1, which means the likes of the Sony Xperia Arc Sand the Xperia Mini Pro will miss out.

As far as Sony's plans for Jelly Bean go Sony Mobile's UK product manager, John Cooper said: "We currently don't have anything to announce regarding Jelly Bean for the Xperia S."

Update: However fear not, as Sony has now retracted this comment, posting the following response on the official Sony Xperia blog.

"A quick note – during a Q&A session last week on our Sony Mobile GB Facebook page, a local spokesperson gave information out in error on our Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software development and rollout for 2011 Xperia smartphones.

"We are actively investigating Android OS upgrades for all devices, but in the meantime, our Ice Cream Sandwich rollout for Xperia S and 2011 Xperia smartphones continues as planned."

Android Jelly Bean: Acer

According to Dutch site Tablet Guide, Acer will be updating some of its Android tablets to Android 4.1, although it was unable to say which models would be lucky enough to get it and when it would start rolling it out.

Android Jelly Bean: Toshiba

Toshiba has confirmed that it will be providing Android Jelly Bean to its AT200 and AT300 tablets, although no time frame was given for the roll out.

We spoken to Toshiba, who said it was unable to comment on the Jelly Bean update at this time.

Android Jelly Bean: ZTE

A ZTE spokesperson has told TechRadar: "Although Google has released information about Jelly Bean, Google is yet to publish the source code release date.

"Therefore it is currently impossible to estimate a date for the ZTE Jelly Bean upgrade at this point in time. Based on historical forecasts, Google requires 1-2 months to complete the source code release before manufacturers can begin to develop Jelly Bean based versions of devices."

Not wanting to be left behind, ZTE has launched the first Android Jelly Bean handset in China, and third in the world, in the form of the ZTE N880E. It's unlikely to make it to other territories, but it shows manufacturers can get Jelly Bean out the door quickly.

Android Jelly Bean: Intel

Intel has confirmed that it is working with Google on a Jelly Bean port for its Atom processors, which will allow the latest version of Android to run on handsets and tablets with Intel inside, such as the Orange San Diego.

There's currently no sign of a release date, so we're going to have to wait for more information on the progress of this project.

And the rest

We're stilling waiting to hear from other Android device manufacturers including Huawei and Panasonic.

Make sure you bookmark this page, as we'll be updating this article as and when we hear back from manufacturers regarding their plans for the Android 4.1 update.

In the meantime, take a look at our hands on Android 4.1 review to see what the jelly Bean update will be bringing.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-4-1-jelly-bean-release-date-when-will-you-get-it-1087344

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Spotify vs Rdio vs Deezer: battle of the streaming services

Deezer enables you to manage a collection of your favourite artists, albums and tracks

After the CD came the MP3, then the streaming subscription -- but where should you spend your £10 a month? For UK music lovers old favourite Spotify has recently been joined by the US-based Rdio and the France-based Deezer. Which offers best value for money?

We tested out all three packages based on the higher £9.99 (USD $9.99, AUD $11.99) monthly subscription. Each service also provides a £4.99 (USD $4.99, AUD $6.99) plan that excludes mobile use.

There are some variations with the Australian Dollar (AUD) pricing: Deezer is AUD $14.49 and $7.49 for each package and is not available in the US. Rdio is AUD $12.90 and AUD $8.90 for each package.

Spotify is the only platform that provides a free level, with listening limits and advertising, though both Rdio and Deezer offer free trials you can use to test the water.

Spotify vs Rdio vs Deezer: Apps and third-party support

Spotify has always existed solely as a desktop client, though rumours from TechCrunch suggest the launch of a browser-based app is imminent. Perhaps this is due in part to the influence of Rdio and Deezer, which both run through a browser. Rdio also has a desktop app available, though it doesn't offer much more than the online version.

All three services offer competent mobile apps for iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry, though the Deezer app feels more rough around the edges than the other two. In addition, iPad-specific apps have been released for each of these services; Android tablet users have to make use with a one-size-fits all app, at least for the time being. In terms of mobile compatibility, all our contestants are on a level playing field, with Spotify just edging it for the most mature and classy client.

Spotify is the oldest service here, and you'll find support for it baked into hardware like the Sonos speaker line-up and online platforms such as Tumblr. It also has an app eco-system of its own, though for us this doesn't really bring anything of particular use to the table. Spotify, Rdio and Deezer all support scrobbling to the popular listening history tool Last.fm.

Spotify vs Deezer vs Rdio: Look, feel and ease of use

Rdio has recently revamped its interface and it's a real thing of beauty, particularly if you like a minimal approach (and pale blue). Spotify's app feels somewhat dark and foreboding by comparison, and could take a leaf out of Rdio's use of spacing and album art. Again, Deezer has a few rough edges -- a phrase that keeps cropping up with this service -- and there's something vaguely 80s about its appearance. Still, it's not a complete eyesore.

Moving around all three apps and controlling playback is smooth and straightforward. There's little to choose between them for ease of use, though Rdio would be our winner for the cleanest, most intuitive interface, the one that beginners will be able to pick up the quickest.

Spotify vs Deezer vs Rdio: Catalogue and audio quality

Assessing a catalogue of millions of tracks is difficult and more than a little subjective. All three services claim a catalogue of "more than 18m" tracks, though we found disparities, so it can't be the same 18 million songs. Artists such as Coldplay, Beyoncé and the Beach Boys are everywhere; digital hold-outs the Beatles and Oasis are nowhere. Where we did find gaps, it seems to be the smaller labels involved -- you'll be able to get a flavour of our music taste when we say Canadian rockers Arcade Fire and pop duo Sleigh Bells were on Deezer and Spotify but not Rdio, while Sufjan Stevens' latest LP is only on Spotify, and Pink Floyd (surprisingly) appear on Deezer but not the other two services.

From our enquiries with press contacts, all of these services claim a maximum quality of 320kbps when streaming music. To our layman's ears, there isn't a great deal to choose between them, both streaming tracks and playing from the offline cache. If you have a serious music setup at home, you'll have to test Spotify, Rdio and Deezer in turn for differences in listening quality.

Spotify vs Deezer vs Rdio: Playlists and sharing

Smart playlists have yet to appear in streaming subscription land, but Spotify, Rdio and Deezer make it very straightforward to create and build playlists manually. Rdio and Deezer make it easier than Spotify to manage your 'collection' -- think iTunes Library vs the whole iTunes Store -- but Spotify was our favourite for managing a queue. If you prefer to add on songs, albums and playlists to the end of what you're currently listening to, in one long uninterrupted stream of music, Spotify does this a little better than the others.

If you want to work on collaborative playlists, this is possible in each service. Spotify and Deezer give you more control over shared playlists, enabling you to choose specific users who can make changes. In Rdio, playlists are either private, public (can be edited by anyone), or accessible to everyone you are following. In terms of simple, non-collaborative sharing, this is again available on all three of these platforms, whether you want to use Facebook, Twitter or the service's built-in user-to-user sharing capabilities. Deezer and Spotify really push their friction-less Facebook sharing capabilities, though it is just about possible to keep your listening habits private if you tweak the relevant settings.

Rdio vs Spotify vs Deezer: Offline syncing/local files

Offline syncing is pretty essential for mobile use, and Spotify, Rdio and Deezer all have this functionality built into their mobile apps. It can also come in handy on the desktop, should your Internet go down or you want to use your bandwidth for another task -- Spotify's desktop client can cache files for offline use, and so can Deezer's web client, if you install the official browser extension. Rdio doesn't currently offer offline syncing on the web or in its desktop application.

Both Spotify and Deezer let you import your own tracks into your collection, though the process is much easier with Spotify, which can monitor particular folders or libraries on your hard drive. Deezer uses a clumsy browser-based upload system -- it's not ideal, but it works. However, there's no ability to do this in Rdio, perhaps the biggest black mark against it. Its desktop app can scan and match what's in your iTunes or Windows Media Player library, but anything that isn't matched isn't available.

Spotify vs Deezer vs Rdio: Verdict

It's a close run race between Rdio and Spotify at this moment in time, though both services are introducing new features on a regular basis. In many ways we found Rdio to be the best-looking, easiest-to-use, most intuitive platform. It has a Collection feature to beat Spotify's, but there's one huge problem -- no local file support. That means the gaps in Rdio's catalogue (like Arcade Fire) can't be filled, so you'll still have to start up iTunes if you want to listen to something Rdio doesn't have. There's also no offline caching on the desktop, and for these reasons our £10 a month is staying with Spotify. Its desktop and mobile apps have improved in recent months, and it has matured into a stable and comprehensive service. If the rumours of a browser-based app are true, we'll love it even more. Deezer is a decent bronze medal winner -- in many ways it offers the best of Spotify and Rdio, but it was too fiddly and too unintuitive in too many areas. It has potential, but it's not up to the level of the other two yet.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/spotify-vs-rdio-vs-deezer-battle-of-the-streaming-services-1100175

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iPhone 5 processor faster in US than UK?

iPhone 5 - faster than you think

The A6 processor in the iPhone 5 apparently clocks at 1.3GHz, not 1GHz as was originally thought.

If you've been lucky enough to get your hands on an iPhone 5 you'll know that it's a smooth operator, no doubt thanks in part to Apple's own dual-core processor housed inside.

Primate Labs reckon the A6 chip actually runs a 1.3GHz, with its updated GeekBench app revealing the increased power packed inside the sixth generation iPhone.

US only?

Apparently GeekBench previously had trouble determining the clock speed of the iPhone 5 processor, reporting it as 1GHz, but the latest update to the app has put that issue to bed.

However when TechRadar installed and ran GeekBench on its UK iPhone 5, we were left with a sour taste in our mouth as apparently our handset, model ID iPhone5,2 only sports a 1.1GHz dual-core processor.

The model ID of the American handset is iPhone5,1, so there's definitely something afoot here, although the difference could just be support for different 3G and 4G frequencies.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-5-processor-faster-in-us-than-uk-1100176

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Goodbye OMAP? Texas Instruments to stop investing in mobile processor business

Texas Instruments has announced it will stop investing in mobile chips, and turn its attention to the "embedded processor" market instead.

The saying goes “when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” however it appears Texas Instruments took it in a slightly different way to the rest of us, as it has announced it’s taking a step back from the incredibly competitive mobile processor market.

It was TI’s Senior VP of Embedded Processing Greg Delagi who announced the news at an investor meeting on September 25, saying “the [smartphone] opportunity is less attractive as we go forward,” and talked about the market being “dominated by a couple of players.”

While Texas Instruments may not be as well-known as Qualcomm or Nvidia, it is America’s second largest chip manufacturer and its OMAP processors can be found in devices such as the Amazon Kindle tablet, B&N’s new Nook tablets, a wide variety of Huawei smartphones, the Panasonic Eluga, several Motorola Droids and Kobo’s new range of Android tablets too.

Texas Instruments may be taking a step back, but it’s not a total retreat, as Delagi promised that it would continue to support smartphones and tablets that use OMAP chips, but wouldn’t be dedicating the same level of investment as it had done in the past.

What this will mean for the forthcoming OMAP 5 isn’t clear. This exciting chip is expected to start appearing in devices towards the end of this year or early next, and uses ARM’s dual-core Cortex A15 architecture, much like Samsung’s Exynos 5 Dual. A video showing an early test indicated the OMAP 5 was set to be quite a beast, so let’s hope it’s still on its way.

So what will Texas Instruments be doing instead? It’s going to concentrate on something called “embedded processing,” where chips are used in appliances, big industrial machinery and most importantly, cars. Delagi showed the embedded processing market to be worth $18 billion, and that the automotive slice of that pie was worth $6.5 billion alone.

The news has seen Texas Instruments’ stock take a fall, and analysts voice their concern over the decision. That said, others predict that if embedded processing takes off, the move could be very profitable.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/texas-instruments-stops-mobile-processor-investment/

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Google brings Chrome browser to Intel smartphones

Chrome has made friends with Intel

You can now enjoy Chrome for Android on your Intel-powered smartphone, as the browser now supports x86 devices.

In the UK, the Motorola Razr i will be the first phone to take advantage of the new app, as its Ice Cream Sandwich software is compatible with Google's own-brand browser.

However anyone with an Orange San Diego won't be able to reap the rewards of the updated browser, as it only runs Android Gingerbread, and the Chrome app demands ICS or higher.

Limited appeal

Although this is a positive step forward from Google, the reality is that there are just a handful of smartphones with Intel inside in the world, but we expect more handsets to arrive next year.

Intel phones still suffer from app compatibility issues, as a number of applications in Google Play have been specifically coded to run on handsets with ARM chips.

This means only about 70 percent of apps in Google Play work with Intel phones, however we're told Intel is working closing with developers on porting over the remaining 30 percent.

The Intel-compatible version of Chrome is now available to download in the Play store for free.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-brings-chrome-browser-to-intel-smartphones-1100124

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Samsung launches Galaxy Note II in India and Germany

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Note II in India and Germany. In India the phone is being priced at ₹39,000 whereas in Germany the phone will be sold for €599.

In case you're not aware of this device, the Galaxy Note II is an updated version of last year's Galaxy Note and is basically a stretched Galaxy S III. It has a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, up from 5.3-inch on last year's model and comes with the same pressure sensitive S-Pen stylus from the Galaxy Note 10.1.

Other features include a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos processor, 2GB of RAM, 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, 16/32/64GB internal memory with microSD card slot and the latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

You can check out the live stream from the Galaxy Note II release event over here:

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_launches_galaxy_note_ii_in_india_and_germany-news-4863.php

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LG announces the Optimus Vu 2

LG has announced the Optimus Vu 2, which boasts an upgraded processor, more RAM and the addition of VoLTE too.

The LG Optimus Vu was officially announced back in February, but has only recently reached the US as the LG Intuition, released on Verizon at the beginning of the month. Still, that’s more than many other countries can say, as LG decided not to launch it at all this year in the UK.

Despite the device’s relative newness, the Optimus Vu 2 has been unveiled in Korea, which boasts various performance tweaks, some welcome new features, plus a very odd — but potentially useful — new feature too.

LG has chosen to stick with the unusual 4:3 ratio, 5-inch screen for the Vu 2, and once again it has a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution. The first major change comes with the processor, which may have the same 1.5Ghz clock speed as the Vu, but is now a latest generation MSM8960 dual-core Snapdragon. The RAM has been doubled to 2GB, and the battery expanded to become a 2150mAh cell.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is still the operating system of choice though, with no mention of an upgrade to 4.1 Jelly Bean to be found, plus it comes with LG apps such as the Q Translator and Q Memo, which makes use of the included stylus — or the Rubberdium Pen 2.0 as LG insist on calling it.

VoLTE support

The Optimus Vu 2 supports VoLTE, the accepted industry standard for sending voice calls over a 4G data connection — much like VoIP — instead of using a 2G or 3G connection solely for voice calls and 4G LTE for data as it works now. It’s supposed to be the next big thing, but to use VoLTE requires both your device and network to support it, and due to the changes it will bring, there is reluctance inside the industry to adopt it quickly.

Other features of the Optimus Vu 2 include wireless charging (although the pad is sold separately), Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and a choice of colors such as black, white and pink. An IR transmitter has been fitted so you can use the Vu 2 as a remote control for other electronic devices around your home. The dimensions of the device have slightly altered too, with the Optimus Vu 2 now measuring 132 x 85 x 9.4mm and weighing 159 grams. For reference, the original Optimus Vu weighed 168 grams and measured 139 x 90 x 8.5mm.

Finally, the Vu 2 has a feature called One Key, which requires you to purchase a special keyring, with a button that when pressed, makes the phone beep to help you locate it. Bizarre, very 80s and probably quite useful.

LG’s press release doesn’t provide a release date for Korea, where the Optimus Vu 2 will make its debut, and if the first Vu is anything to go by, we shouldn’t expect an international rollout just yet either.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/lg-announces-the-optimus-vu-ii/

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