Apple rolls out not one, not two, but three iPad Mini ads

With any new product comes a new advertising campaign, and the iPad Mini is no different. Apple wasted no time in getting the show on the road, with the launch of three ads featuring its new, smaller iPad.

Apple’s new iPad may be small but there’s nothing mini about its advertising campaign, with the tech company rolling out not one, not even two, but three ads featuring the new device.

The first is short and sweet, running for just 30 seconds. It starts out with someone playing the opening notes to Hoagy Carmichael’s Heart and Soul with two fingers using a piano app on a full-size iPad. The new Mini then slides into view with the same piano keyboard displayed on the screen, whereupon a duet commences, with the iPad Mini pianist using one finger to play along. And that’s it. The short skit gives consumers a clear idea of how much smaller the new iPad is, while planting the idea that anything you can do on the big one, you can also do on the small one.

The second ad also runs for about half a minute and focuses on the iPad Mini’s new Smart Cover, protecting the screen from damage while adding a splash of color to the device. Incidentally, this Smart Cover is without the aluminum hinge found on with the iPad’s Smart Cover. Again, the ad is simple and slick, with a piano-based soundtrack, lots of iPad Minis and Smart Covers, and no voiceover.

Finally, there’s the full-on, look-what-we-have-here, meat-and-bones ad, coming in at just under five minutes. It’s in Apple’s familiar style, you know the type – white, brightly lit sets, talking heads, and a number of inserts showing the new product in everyday use. Now Tim Cook and his team just have to wait and see if anyone buys it….

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-rolls-out-not-one-not-two-but-three-ipad-mini-ads/

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Rumor: Sony to launch MyXperia cloud service

Send in the Clouds

A "MyXperia" trademark filed by Sony possibly points to the company putting together a new cloud service for its Xperia mobile devices.

The European Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market-registered trademark is intended to enable the "upload, storage, retrieval, download, transmission and delivery of digital content and media."

Trademark 011197332 says that these functions apply to "mobile phones, smart phones, digital or electronic tablets, PDAs and/or portable and handheld digital electronic devices."

The forecast for Sony's cloud-based service is backed up by the existence of MyXperia.com. Going there forwards users to the subdomain MyXperia.Sony.com, which asks for credentials.

Cloudy with a chance of "Me Too"

Sony is just the latest mobile device manufacturer with a desire to capitalize on cloud storage.

Apple iCloud and Google Drive are already helping users sync files between their devices and computers. Both offer 5GB of free storage with the ability to expand for a fee.

Microsoft is trying to up the storage ante by offering 7GB for free. Its SkyDrive service is also the only one that is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

Dropbox doesn't have a horse in the mobile device game and only offers 2GB initially. But the popular storage-only service allows users to expand (up to 16GB) with referrals.

But Sony has XPERience

Sony is late to the cloud storage game when it comes to mobile devices, but its experience in video games is once again a help to its technology division.

One of the features of PlayStation Plus, the paid service for PlayStation Network users, is the ability to sync 1,000 save files (up to 1GB) with Sony's servers.

Sony's gaming cloud has been running on PlayStation 3 for one year and is slated to come to the handheld PlayStation Vita next month with an extra 1GB of storage.

There's no word on a release date for the company's MyXperia service. But given the fact that MyXperia.Sony.com is already up and running, it may not be long.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/storage/rumor-sony-to-launch-myxperia-cloud-service-1106668

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iPad 3 vs iPad 4: Spec Showdown

Making a far quieter entrance into the market than its Mini counterpart, the iPad 4 has arrived. It's the fourth refresh the iPad has had in two years. Check out its specs alongside its predecessor and see if the iPad 4 is worth it for you.

Every company with a tablet on the market wants its product to be the “iPad Killer.” Unfortunately for its competitors, Apple has a tendency of killing its own products and bringing them back to life with improvements that leapfrog the last benchmark. In its nearly regular refresh — the fourth in two years — to the iPad, Apple is making some small changes. Visually, nothing changes as the device holds steady at the same dimensions and identical Retina display that was introduced on the iPad 3. The processor got a slight boost to a 1.3GHz A6X dual-core and the front-facing camera gets clearer with a 1.3-megapixel lens. The charging port is also changed out for the new Lightning Connector. Take a look at the full side-by-side spec breakdown below.

It doesn’t seem like Apple will be chasing too many current iPad owners with the iPad 4. The upgrades are fairly minimal from what the 3rd generation offered and likely won’t convert iPad 3 owners. More than likely, the iPad 4′s market will be for folks that are still without a tablet in their possession or for people who passed on the last two refreshes and still own the original iPad or the iPad 2. Assuming the price for the iPad 3 drops similarly to how the iPad 2 did (currently $400 in the Apple Store), it may become an attractive entry level tablet for people that prefer the Apple brand. The iPad 4 feels like it got pushed out to market to make the Lightning connector the universal offering in Apple’s mobile line. It may still be an option for hold outs, but iPad 3 owners may be wise to skip this generation.

(*A quick note: We use the words iPad 3 and iPad 4 to mean 3rd generation and 4th generation iPad.)

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ipad-3-vs-ipad-4/

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Samsung and LG smartphones reportedly going 1080p in 2013

HTC J Butterfly leads the 1080p movement

A recent report says Samsung and LG have big plans for smartphones in 2013, at least when it comes to screen resolution.

According to Korean news site MK News, both manufacturers are hoping to launch smartphones with 1080p displays within the first half of next year.

Earlier this year, LG showed off a 5-inch mobile display at full 1080p resolution. The screen featured a 16:9 aspect ratio and pixel density of 440ppi, making it an improvement over the already crisp iPhone 5's 326ppi retina display.

Samsung, according to the report, is developing a new smartphone screen with a pixel density of 400ppi. While a 400ppi display would still look fantastic, technically it would still be slightly under full HD resolution.

First out of the gate

If Samsung and LG do launch 1080p smartphones next year, the companies will hardly be the first.

That distinction belongs to the Oppo Find 5, which will sport a 1080p display when it launches in China.

However, there seems to be little chance of the Find 5 ever finding its way overseas, so your first glance of a 1080p smartphone may be to the rumored HTC DLX.

While the HTC DLX is still unconfirmed, rumors suggest that the 5-inch Jelly Bean handset is coming soon, with recently leaked images showing the purported smartphone with branding for U.S. carrier Verizon.

Taking a step back from rumors, HTC actually has already confirmed a 1080p smartphone with the HTC J Butterfly in Japan.

Conveniently, the J Butterfly shares similar specs with the rumored HTC DLX, indicating that it could even be the same phone, just under a different name for the different geographies.

Whatever HTC calls its 1080p handset, it sounds like it will only be the first of many as more manufacturers embrace full HD resolution for the next generation of smartphones.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-and-lg-smartphones-reportedly-going-1080p-in-2013-1106623

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Asus Windows 8 lineup features dualscreen ultrabook Asus Taichi

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Amidst Apple iPad announcements, Asus took charge to unveil its own line of Windows 8 computers, featuring the dualscreen Taichi ultrabook. The 11 incher boasts screens on both the inside and outside of the cover, allowing you to use your laptop in a more social setting.

Asus founder Jonney Shih took to the stage this afternoon in New York City to unveil a slew of Windows 8 computers, including a dockable tablet (Asus Vivo Tab RT), a lightweight notebook (Asus VivoBook), and an all-in-one PC. But the star of the show was clear the Asus Taichi dualscreen convertible ultrabook/tablet that can display two screens simultaneously, making even the laptop a social gadget.

The 2.75-pound Asus Taichi features an 11.6-inch screen that’s equipped with Intel Core i5, 128GB of solid state drive, Intel graphics, 10-finger touch capacitive display, and a resolution of 1920 x 1080. It’s also got a 5-megapixel front-facing camera capable of capturing 1080p HD video while the inside cam records in 720p. Did we mention an integrated Bang & Olufsen ICEpower speaker? Battery life takes a backseat for powering two screens, however, coming in at just five hours per charge.

While most Windows 8 laptops have a button on the keyboard that takes you to the Windows Metro UI, once you close the laptop, the outer screen will automatically switch on to whatever you were working on from the inside screen. You have the option of turning this off, of course, as well as the ability to lock auto-screen rotation. At the top corner of the display, you can also jump into the Asus’s own UI which will let you select screen sharing options. Here, you can choose Display Modes, such as turning on just the outer or inner screen, or a Mirror Mode that turns both screens on at the same time with the same content. The fourth option lets you display two different screens between the outer and inner screens, making it easy to share the laptop between two people or play games with one laptop.

It’s unlike many laptops we’ve seen, and certainly have its unique perks. Those who are afraid of getting scratches on their laptop might want to think twice about being extra cautious around using the Asus Taichi. The hybrid laptop slash tablet ships in November, and starts at $1,300 while the maxed out version with Intel Core i7, a stylus, and 256GB of SSD bumps up to $1,600.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/asus-windows-8-lineup-features-dualscreen-ultrabook-asus-taichi/

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iPad mini vs Kindle Fire HD vs Nexus 7: Spec Showdown

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.

It’s rare that Apple is late to the game. The 7-inch tablet market has been able to offer a smaller portable platform without having to take the direct comparisons to Apple’s offerings. That is no longer the case thanks to the announcement of the iPad Mini. Apple has done its best to make a big splash into the smaller size market to make up for lost ground. The Cupertino company has managed to get a bigger screen and lighter weight than its major competitors. Its storage starts at where most max out, and it features 4G LTE capabilities. Of course, all of those selling points come at a price. The iPad Mini starts at $330, easily making it the most costly option in the 7-inch market. Does its features justify its price tag? Take a look at the specs and draw your conclusions. 

Looking at the numbers, Apple doesn’t fare well here. It has half the RAM, less processing power, and a much higher price than the Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HD. The key to iPad’s value is its content. Neither Google nor Amazon can match the number of apps available on the iPad by a long shot. The new iPad also has a Lightning connector, a la the iPhone 5, which puts it on a somewhat level playing field with the Fire HD and Nexus 7 when it comes to accessories, though you can use any Micro USB charger on Nexus and Fire. Google is expected to announce a 4G version of the Nexus 7, but for now the iPad mini takes a lead in that category as well. Will people pay more for a less spec intensive piece of hardware? We’ll soon find out.

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

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No Call of Duty before bed! Study finds that video games disrupt sleep

Flinders University has published findings that suggest playing video games before bed can cause significant sleep problems, but the study doesn't distinguish whether it's the games or the screen that's causing trouble.

For those Madden NFL and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 players sinking hours into their consoles this fall, the best time to play is in the evening. Whether it’s down time post school or at the end of the work day, it’s the scant hours before bed that are ideal for gaming with other people. Unfortunately, according to one medical study, that’s the absolute worst time for you to be playing video games.

A report at MedicalXpress (via MCV) detailed a study that found “prolonged video gaming immediately before bed caused significant sleep disruptions in a group of teenage boys, even when they fell asleep at their usual bedtime.”

Australia’s Flinders University Sleep Lab used a test group of 17 people who played a “newly released, fast-paced, violent video game” for between 1 and 2.5 hours over two nights. Those that only played for 1 hour didn’t see their sleep disrupted significantly, but those that played for up to 2.5 hours lost about 27 minutes of sleep, and a 39 minute delay in actually falling asleep. The worst impact is the loss of quality REM sleep, though.

“While they went to bed at their regular bedtime, the adolescents’ still experienced significant sleep disruptions caused by frequent awakenings throughout the night,” said Sleep Lab’s Dr. Michael Gradisar, “Sleep is made up of many different stages and the REM sleep, also known as the dreaming sleep, was reduced by 12 minutes among the teens who played for over two hours. This may not seem like a significant reduction but REM plays an important part in helping us remember content we learnt that day so for adolescents in their final years of school who are revising for exams, winding down at night with a video game might not be the best idea.”

Any parents reading this shouldn’t rush off to tell their kids that Xbox rules are about to change, though. It’s difficult to say whether it’s the games or the actual screen technology that’s causing the problems reported in the Flinders study. A National Sleep Foundation survey conducted in 2011 found that there is a significant correlation between sleep disruption and using any electronic device with a backlit screen—including gaming machines, smartphones, televisions, and computers—before bed. Those findings weren’t new either. A study conducted at Osaka University in 2007 found that “media use before sleep can trigger (self-perceived) insufficient sleep.”

Maybe the solution is to take the classic old codger advice before bed: Read a book. A paper one.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/no-call-of-duty-before-bed-study-finds-that-video-games-disrupt-sleep/

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iPad 4th Gen. announced with double the power, same $500 price

In addition to launching the iPad Mini, Apple has also refreshed its full-size iPad range, bringing it in-line with the new tablet, the iPhone 5 and new iPods.

Apple has announced the fourth generation iPad. Introduced by Phil Schiller on stage at a special event in San Jose in California today, just prior to the new iPad Mini, the refreshed model falls in-line with the other new additions to Apple’s mobile range.

At first glance, the new iPad (should that be the new, new iPad?) looks identical to the iPad introduced earlier this year. Get a little closer and you’ll see that the 30-pin connector has been replaced by the new Lightning connector, just like the one featured on the iPhone 5, iPods and the new iPad Mini.

Externally, nothing else has changed, and the tablet still has the same 9.7-inch, 2048 x 1536 pixel ‘Retina’ display dominating the front panel. Inside though, there are a few more alterations.

The major change is with the processor, as the fourth-generation iPad uses the new A6X, which apparently doubles the graphics and CPU performance over the A5X. This should mean the tablet will be even faster, and Apple also promise improved gaming, quicker app launch times and sharper photos and videos.

Other new features include an updated FaceTime camera with 720p video, an improved 4G LTE radio, dual-band Wi-Fi and like the iPad Mini, even more 4G LTE network compatibility.

Apple has kept the pricing the same too, with the 16GB Wi-Fi model up for $500, or $630 if you want to add cellular connectivity. It’s not available through the Apple Store online yet, but should be up for pre-order on October 26, just like the iPad Mini.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/full-size-apple-ipad-range-refreshed/

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Apple introduces 7.9-inch iPad mini, coming on November 2

The Apple iPad mini rumors have been around for ages, but the slate finally went official. Apple has just introduced the latest iOS slate – the 7.9-inch iPad mini.

The late Steve Jobs famously slammed 7-inch slates for having no real-life application, but it seems Apple has changed its stance on the matter as the iPad mini is now a reality. It packs a 7.9-inch LED-backlit IPS screen with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels – the same as the first and second 9.7" iPads. This time around the pixel density goes higher at 163ppi thanks to the smaller display.

The iPad mini is powered by the older generation Apple A5 chipset we already met within the iPad 2. In case you need a refresh it has a 1GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, PowerVR SGX543MP2 graphics and 512MB RAM. The new Lightning port introduced with the iPhone 5 is here too.

The iPad mini also features a 5MP (iSight) rear camera capable of 720p video recording. A 720p front-facing FaceTime camera is onboard as well.

The iPad mini will be available in black and white and will come with 16, 32 or 64GB non-expandable memory.

The Apple iPad mini will go on pre-order next week with market availability scheduled to start on November 2. The base model costs $329, with the 32GB and 64GB version going for $429 and $529, respectively. The Wi-Fi+Cellular model pricing starts at $459 for the 16GB.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_introduces_7ich_ipad_mini-news-4987.php

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Apple announces iPad 4th generation with an A6X chipset

Everyone expected today’s Apple event to be all about the iPad mini, but it turned out that the Cupertino-based company had a surprise for us. Apple unveiled the fourth generation of its iPad iOS-running tablet.

The Apple iPad 4 comes with a new A6X chipset, which promises twice the CPU and GPU power of the A5X that the iPad 3 used. It also packs the new Lightning connector and its LTE version has now been updated to support the Sprint network in the US, among others.

Apple iPad 4th Gen

Other than those that the Apple iPad 4 is identical to its predecessor, which was announced at the start of the year. Sporting the same 10 hour battery life and 1536 x 2048 pixel display as the iPad 3, the iPad 4 base version will cost the same $499. The LTE-enabled units start at $629.

The iPad 2 will also stick around - it will retail, starting at $399 now. Shipping of the Apple iPad 4 Wi-Fi units starts on November 2, with the LTE-packing ones coming two weeks later.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_announces_ipad_4th_generation_with_an_a6x_chipset-news-4988.php

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Apple unveils new super-svelte 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac models

Apple has announced a new version of the iMac with a completely revamped design that ditches the optical drive, but has an edge that's only 5mm thick.

Apple has announced a new stunningly, slim iMac in two sizes – one with a 27-inch display and one with a 21.5-inch display.

The new iMac is 80 percent thinner than the last model with a 5mm edge. Apparently this incredibly trim form factor is thanks to something called “friction stir welding.” The display comes in two sizes: The 27-inch model has a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, and the 21.5-inch model has a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.  There’s a 178-degree viewing angle and over 300 nits of brightness (that’s really bright). It’s also fully laminated so it’s less reflective. It’s not a Retina display, but it looks good.

This svelte all-in-one is sporting a built-in FaceTime HD camera (720p), dual microphones, and left and right speakers. The specs make it a tempting proposition. The 21.5-inch model comes with a 2.7GHz quad-core Core i5 with 8GB of RAM, a GeForce GTX 640M, and a 1TB HDD for $1,300. The 27-inch model has a 2.9GHz quad-core Core i5 with 8GB of RAM, a GeForce GTX 660M, and a 1TB HDD for $1,800.

There’s a 128GB of flash storage and 1TB or 3TB of HDD storage in the form of an Apple Fusion Drive. You get the speed benefits of SSD and bags of space for file storage in this hybrid drive. Core apps and the OS remain on the SSD for fast launching and documents and files will go on the HDD. It can even switch your most used apps on to the SSD to maximize speed and performance.

There are also 4 USB 3.0 ports, a headphone port, SD card slot, Gigabit Ethernet port, and two Thunderbolt ports. Naturally, it comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse. It is also energy efficient and Apple claims it uses 50 percent less power than its predecessor when idling.

It’s been a while since Apple updated the iMac line. The iMac is the best-selling desktop model in the US, according to Apple. There have now been seven generations of iMac. The last one came out in May 2011 so this new version will be a welcome release for many.

The smaller iMac ships in November, the larger model will start shipping in December.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-unveils-new-imac-2012/

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Microsoft Windows RT vs. Windows 8: What’s the difference?

On Thursday, Oct. 26, Microsoft is releasing its Windows 8 RT Surface tablet, but what's the difference between Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 Pro, and what do you need to know before buying a Windows 8 tablet?

Microsoft Surface RT tablets are set to hit shelves this week. The tablet is beautifully designed and competitively priced to go head-to-head with the iPad, Kindle Fire HD, and the legions of Android tablets currently on the market. But buyer beware: Microsoft and other Windows partners also plan to release Windows 8 Pro tablets that run the full version of Windows 8. To the untrained eye of a consumer looking to buy a new tablet, the differences between the two types of devices may be a bit confusing. We break down the difference between Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro tablets to help you avoid buyer’s remorse. Let’s take a deeper look at the two tablets to help you choose the right one for your needs.

Processor

When Windows RT was announced, it was originally called “Windows on ARM,” denoting the type of processor it uses. In short, the ARM processor enables RT tablets to be cheaper and use less power when running — which means a longer battery life for your tablet. Microsoft touts 8 to 13 hours of battery life for its Surface RT tablet. The Windows 8 Pro tablets will have Intel or AMD processors that are more powerful and can run more applications, but will be more expensive than an RT tablet with just an ARM processor. The battery life of Pro devices also won’t be as good as RT devices, with an estimate of 6 to 8 hours of battery life.

Software and apps

Microsoft claims that both RT and Pro devices are extensions of the PC, but to make things less muddy, RT is the “tablet OS” that only runs touch-friendly mobile apps available through the new Windows Store. This means that an RT tablet will only be able to use apps downloaded from the Windows Store, in which there are currently about 5,000 apps (90 percent of which are compatible with RT). RT users won’t be able to download any third-party apps from the Web, which currently includes popular apps such as Facebook and Spotify. There will be developers that only create apps for RT, and there will be some developers that will also make an RT version of their desktop applications so people with RT devices can use a streamlined mobile app version instead of the full-blown software application.

Microsoft will offer a mobile version of its popular Microsoft Office suite that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for its RT tablets, which will give those who choose an RT tablet the ability to do many (but not all) of the operations they’ve come accustomed to on their desktop or laptop running the full software. 

Pro tablets will run the full desktop version of Windows 8 (32 and 64 bit), so consumers can use all of the RT apps, plus any of the software they currently have on previous versions of Windows all the way back to XP. Windows 8 Pro will allow users to download any third-party app, as well as anything from the Windows Store. 

Price

If you’re looking for a price-point comparable to that of the third-generation iPad, Microsoft Surface RT will be $499 with 32GB of storage without a Touch Cover or Type Cover. No word on how Microsoft will price the Surface Pro when it arrives in approximately three months, but Windows partners who have thumbed their noses at Microsoft and will compete with Win 8 Pro tablets of their own (in all sorts of shapes, fashions, and forms) are starting around $800, which puts Pro tablets directly in competition with traditional laptops. Is this the real start of the post-PC era?

Windows RT or Windows 8 Pro?

Since Apple redefined the tablet category three years ago, people have primarily used tablets as media consumption devices — with a smidge of productivity thrown in. Tablet screens are larger than smartphones (with the exception of some Samsung mobile devices), so doing things like Internet browsing, shopping, reading, and viewing videos and movies is ideal on a tablet. There are some pretty powerful apps out there that will help you get some work done and even create content, but a tablet hasn’t come along that has made us rethink the idea of a tablet being more than a consumption device… yet. So for those people who use tablets just as a means to break away from the daily grind, a less-expensive Windows RT tablet with strong mobile roots will be the best bet for their needs.

With all the power that current mobile devices are packing, there appears to be an evolution on the horizon, where a desktop or laptop may not be the only way to get real work done. Consumers want speed and power, but in a lightweight and compact form factor. A tablet with all the capabilities of a laptop may just be what people are referring to when they mention the post-PC era. For those who are looking forward to that do-it-all, all-in-one device that’s a workhorse at the office — but still has the convenience of consumption device — a Windows 8 Pro tablet capable of handling all of what Windows 8 has to offer is the obvious choice.

Whichever side you’re on, it looks like Microsoft and its device partners have you covered. Remember, you do have a choice if you decide to purchase a tablet powered by Windows, and you may just have to calmly convince the retail associate, who is determined to sell you an extended warranty plan, of that choice.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/microsoft-windows-rt-windows-8/

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EE launching its LTE network in UK on Oct. 30, pricing revealed

EE is calling its new service 4GEE and it will launch commercially stating next Tuesday (October 30). 4GEE stands for the services offered by EE's LTE network, which will allow the usual calls and texts, with the addition of mobile data speeds of about 8-12Mbps.

The 4GEE service will be initially available in only 10 UK cities (London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Glasgow), but you would be able to buy it throughout the country nonetheless.

Six new cities will be added before Christmas (Southhampton, Belfast, Derby, Hull, Nottingham, Newcastle) with plans to cover 98% of the population by the end of 2014.

All LTE smartphone plans include unlimited calls and texts, user simply pick a data allowance of their choosing. The prices of the new plans start from £36/pm (offering up to 500MB traffic) and going north to up to £56/pm (which gets you up to 8GB of traffic). So, yes, there are no unlimited plans just yet, but the offered plans are expensive enough as they are.

To make use of the 4GEE service, you would need an LTE-enabled handset purchased directly from Orange or T-Mobile or any of their partner retail stores. The only exception is the iPhone 5, which (if unlocked) would operate on 4GEE no matter where you got it from.

EE is not only launching its 4G LTE service next week but it will also be rolling out its new corporate identity. Starting on October 30, all existing Everything Everywhere, Orange and T-Mobile stores will be re-branded as EE stores.

Existing customers will keep their plans and will continue to use the combined 3G network of T-Mobile and Orange without any change (though the network identifiers on their phones will start showing EE).

However, to become a new EE subscriber, you would need to pick one of the 4GEE plans. This is a quite odd move as not that many people have the phones to utilize the LTE network. In the same time there are no EE plans without LTE connectivity and LTE coverage is pretty limited for now.

Source 1 | Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/ee_uk_lte_network_launchin_on_oct_30th_pricing_revealed-news-4986.php

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Google’s “Playground is open” event: What will be revealed October 29

Google always seems to have something up its sleeve, but at least some of its cards are already turned. The company's October 29 event looks like it will reveal a refresh to the Nexus 7, a 10-inch tablet, the LG Nexus 4, and a new installment of the Android OS.

The month of October appears to be “steal your competitor’s spotlight” month, with almost every major mobile company participating in press conference one-upmanship. Trying to get the last word in before the month closes is Google, with an unveil that is scheduled for the same day as Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 event. Google is tagging its event with the phrase, “the playground is open,” and will likely have a lot of hands on available for attendees. October 29 will be a busy day, so here’s a cheat sheet of what to expect from the search engine turned major mobile player.

Nexus 7

As many expected, the Nexus 7 will be one of the stars of the show with a 32GB model.  It appears that may not be the only change to the internals on seven inch tablet, as a 32GB with HSPA+ (3G) support is expected by some sources. This likely won’t be the Asus manufactured $100 model that was previously rumored, but the Nexus has been a leader in the budget-friendly tablet category.

10-inch Samsung-made Tablet

Hiding behind the internal alias of Codename Manta is a 10″ tablet manufactured by Samsung. This project has been the source of rumors for the past month, and it looks as though it may be confirmed at the October 29 event. According to sources reported on by The Next Web, the taller tablet will feature 300 pixels per inch spread across a 2560 x 1600 resolution display. The third generation iPad has 264ppi by comparison. The 10-inch device is also said to come running Android 4.2.

LG Nexus 4

 While the handset has been cycling around the rumor mill for the Google event, it appears the LG Nexus 4 has RSVPed. The smartphone will be made by LG and will run with a quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor. That, along with 2GB RAM, will power the 4.7 inch device and its 1280×768 display. The device will also sport a 8-megapixel rear-facing and 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and 16GB of on-board storage. The Nexus 4, like the 10-inch Samsung tablet, is believed to run Android 4.2.

Android 4.2

The operating system formally know as Key Lime Pie will likely retain the Jelly Bean title of Android 4.1. The OS appears as though it will go at iOS 6 head on by including a panoramic camera feature with support for both vertical and horizontal settings. It will also aim to surpass its competitor with a feature called “content in the center,” which will allow for Play Store access from a widget. Tablet Sharing will also be introduced, essentially creating profiles for tablets that are used by multiple people. 

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/googles-playground-is-open-event-what-will-be-revealed-october-29/

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Apple's overscroll-bounce patent has been invalidated in the US

The tide of the patent war seems to be turning against Apple lately - the latest victim is the patent of the rubber band effect when you reach the end of a list while scrolling (most often referred to as overscroll-bounce).

Apple used that patent to force Android makers to remove the feature from their phones. That's also why Google went with the glow at the end of lists. This patent was used in the big Apple vs. Samsung case too.

Anyway, as of recently, the patent was rejected by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the grounds of lacking novelty and being obvious (that is, it's nothing new and it's an apparent consequence of something that already exists).

It's important to note that this decision isn't final and can be appealed, so it can't be enforced just yet. But it's entirely possible that it will have an effect on the Apple vs. Samsung case (the judge could overrule the parts of the case that relate to that patent).

HTC and Motorola have been under fire over this patent too. In Moto's case, it's over an equivalent patent Apple has registered in the European Patent Office. This one hasn't been overturned yet, but the office is looking into it.

Apple has many more patents in its war chest, so the battle is far from over. Still, this decision is bound to slow its assault on Android and we might even start seeing previously removed features making a comeback.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apples_overscrollbounce_patent_has_been_invalidated-news-4985.php

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SmartGlass to share Windows 8 release date

Very smart

October 26 will be a busy day for tech fans as Microsoft's SmartGlass app hits as the Windows 8 hardware goes on sale.

The free app transforms your tablet or phone into a second screen for the Xbox 360, and will be available on Windows 8 and Windows RT from October 26.

It'll be coming to Windows 8 PCs, Windows RT tablets, Windows Phone 8 handsets and iOS and Android devices eventually, but iOS and Android users may face a wait of several months.

Dashboard

SmartGlass will work with the new Xbox 360 dashboard (which is currently rolling out to all Xbox Live users) and offer web browsing as well as a place to track your gaming facts and figures.

As well as the stat attack, SmartGlass actually allows you to use your tablet or phone as part of certain games – titles like Forza Horizon and Ascend have already integrated the external devices.

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SmartGlass can also act as a remote for when you're watching films through your console, streaming other content from the internet or using the newly-launched Xbox Music service.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/smartglass-to-share-windows-8-release-date-1106436

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Samsung reportedly working on a 1080p Super AMOLED screen

The first 1080p smartphones are a reality and regardless of whether a 400+ ppi pixel density is great or overkill, the next generation of Android flagships will most probably feature FullHD screens.

The HTC J Butterfly is already official and it packs a 5" Super LCD3 screen with 1080p resolution (440ppi). There's also the Oppo Finder 5, which also promises 1080p resolution on a 5" screen.

Those seem to be the specs of choice as both LG and Sharp are making 5" 1080p displays. The Sony C660X 'Yuga' might have a 5" 1080p screen too, made by Japan Display (a merger between Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba).

MK News is reporting that Samsung is also working on a FullHD display, which will use the company's trademark Super AMOLED technology. It's too early to tell what kind of matrix they'll use (PenTile like on the Galaxy S III or full RGB like on the Note II) and how big the display will be (though it should have a pixel density of at least 400ppi, meaning 5" or bigger).

Pantech will also be joining on the 5" 1080p smartphone action, with both theirs and Samsung's and LG's expected some time in the first half of next year. It will be an interesting, tack-sharp battle next year it seems.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_reportedly_working_on_a_1080p_super_amoled_screen-news-4984.php

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EE shows us the cost of 4G LTE in the UK

With a week to go until EE turns on the UK's first 4G LTE network, the operator has finally revealed its tariffs, all of which include unlimited calls and SMS and are differentiated by the amount of data included.

EE is almost ready to launch the UK’s first 4G network, having already revealed the phones and the switch-on date, leaving citizens waiting for the most important details of all — how much it would all cost.

Today, EE has published its 4G LTE tariffs, so for the first time we can judge whether it’s affordable or prohibitively expensive. The good news is that it’s all very easy to understand, as EE have made the tariffs all about the data that’s included each month, instead of complicating things with calls and SMS.

It has achieved this by giving each contract unlimited calls and texts, so the only difference between them is the amount of data provided. Here’s the breakdown:

• 500MB per month will cost £36.
• 1GB costs £41.
• 3GB costs £46.
• 5GB costs £51.
• 8GB costs £56.

These are all for 24-month contracts, although if you only want to sign-up for 12-months, you can add another £10 per month to the above costs. The 500MB plan obviously gives EE a good base figure to advertise, but sensible users will want to look at 1GB or more if they’re going to grab an EE 4G plan, as high speed data tends to disappear quite quickly.

Once you’ve chosen your tariff, you’ve got to add the price of a compatible phone. EE offers the Apple iPhone 5, the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE and the Note 2 LTE, the HTC One XL and the Huawei Ascend P1 LTE. Nokia’s Lumia 820 and 920 will soon be available too.

The cheapest option will be the Huawei P1 Ascend, which is free on all but the 500MB package, where it’s £19.99. A 16GB iPhone 5 is £179 on the same plan, but only £19.99 if you go for the 8GB per month tariff.

Choosing the 1GB per month tariff at £41 means the 16GB iPhone 5 will be £109, the Galaxy S3 and the One XL £49, and the Galaxy Note 2 a hefty £139. Buyers wanting to grab a 4G iPhone 5 will be pleased to know it works out at £5 extra per month over Orange’s standard 3G tariff.

Bonuses and a comparison with AT&T

Here’s a comparison with an equivalent US 4G contract. According to AT&T’s website, a 1GB data plan with unlimited calls and texts gives a monthly charge of $85 and a $199 (plus tax) charge for the phone. EE charges £41/$65 per month and £109/$174 (no tax) for the iPhone, and doesn’t have an activation fee either.

For all tariffs above the 1GB plan, EE will provide either 19 live streaming TV channels, a music streaming service or two free game downloads each month, plus on all tariffs, there will be a free film download each week until February next year too.

Finally, EE offers a SIM-only plan that starts at £21 per month, and gives Orange and T-Mobile subscribers the chance to swap their 3G phone for its 4G equivalent, and move to a 4G plan, all for £99.

EE will turn on its 4G LTE network on October 30, when it will be available in Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Liverpool, Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and Sheffield.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ee-shows-us-the-cost-of-4g-lte-in-the-uk/

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