Microsoft launches Windows Phone ad blitz with Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani

In an attempt to use the power of celebrity endorsements to promote the Windows Phone, Microsoft has rolled out new ads featuring prominent women. Taking an aggressive approach with the promotion of the Windows Phone platform, Microsoft has launched two new advertisements starring actress Jessica Alba and No Doubt musician Gwen Stefani. Airing...

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Facebook rolls out the share button to mobile users

Designed to encourage mobile users to share more types of content with their friends, Facebook is rolling out a new share button for the mobile interface. Detailed by Techcrunch earlier today, Facebook has launched a share button on the mobile version of the social network and is planning to add sharing capabilities to both the iOS and Android applications...

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That was fast: Google already launches Android 4.2 update to fix Google Voice bug

Google has already released an update for Android 4.2 that fixes bugs with Google Voice. Android 4.2 may be Google’s newest mobile operating system update, but new doesn’t always mean perfect. The latest iteration of Jelly Bean has reportedly caused issues with Google Voice, but the search giant has already issued a fix. Within 24 hours of its release, Google...

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Google+ update lets users instantly install Android apps

Google has introduced a new feature that allows users to install Android apps shared via Google+ with a single click. In an increasingly competitive social media ecosystem, Google has made a new addition to Google+ that could separate its social network from the rest. Google has integrated its online store and its social networking platform even more closely...

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Is text messaging becoming obsolete? New study shows texting drop in Q3

The number of text messages sent in the US has seen a drop in this year's third quarter. Could services like iMessage and Facebook Messenger replace texts? Text messaging has arguably eliminated the need for phone calls on a day-to-day basis. It has enabled users to communicate concise messages without sitting through forced (and sometimes painful) conversations. But...

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Square now processing $10 billion in payments annually

Jack Dorsey can do the Dr. Evil impression 10 times over Square, the mobile payments startup founded by Jack Dorsey, is now processing $10 billion in payments annually. Since Dorsey is also the co-founder of Twitter, the announcement of this milestone came not from a press release, but from a tweet. "Today we're processing $10 billion in payments annually,...

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Square now processing $10 billion in payments annually

Jack Dorsey can do the Dr. Evil impression 10 times over Square, the mobile payments startup founded by Jack Dorsey, is now processing $10 billion (UK£6.3 billion, AUD$965,158,000) in payments annually. Since Dorsey is also the co-founder of Twitter, the announcement of this milestone came not from a press release, but from a tweet. "Today we're processing...

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Google Nexus 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3: In-depth comparison

If you're in the market for a new Android smartphone and you want something truly top of the line then the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Google Nexus 4 are bound to be in your sights. The question is: which is better? We put the Galaxy S3 and Nexus 4 head-to-head in this detailed comparison and try to pick a winner. The Samsung Galaxy S3 has been the relatively...

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Texas Instruments to cut 1,700 jobs in cost reduction effort

Cutting mobile, cutting jobs Texas Instruments announced Wednesday it will be cutting its worldwide work force by 1,700 in an effort to cut costs. The semiconductor company said that as it moves away from its historical focus on the mobile market and focuses on OMAP processors and wireless connectivity solutions, it requires fewer resources. "We have...

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Samsung said to be ramping up flexible AMOLED screen production

Samsung's flexible AMOLED screens could arrive early next year Though delays have seemingly slowed production of Samsung's flexible AMOLED screens, a new report points to production of the screens starting in early 2013. An anonymous source told the Wall Street Journal the screens were in the final stage of development at Samsung Display, and that the manufacturer...

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Samsung, Nokia dominate third quarter mobile phone sales

Samsung and Android continue to outpace Apple and iOS A look inside the quarterly sales numbers showed smartphones are up 46.9 percent over the same period in 2011, and revealed Android phones outpaced Apple's iOS phones by 5:1 during the third quarter. The sales figures, as reported by the analysts at Gartner, show mobile phone sales have decreased by 3...

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UpTo Calendar comes to Android: Hands on with the social calendar

The Mayan calendar ended on December 21, 2012, but if those guys had UpTo, the calendar would never end. UpTo is a social calendar app that made its mark on iOS and has now moved to Android. We go hands on with the app to see if it's worthy of celebration. One of the more popular apps for iOS devices has made the transition over to Android, as UpTo popped...

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Android and Samsung build on their market shares in Q3 2012

Android's market share increased significantly during the third quarter of 2012, with the Google OS powering 72.4% of all smartphones sold in the three months' period. Apple's iOS came a very distant second with a market share of 13.9%. This is an impressive accomplishment for Google's mobile OS, considering Android's market share was 52.5% in Q3 of 2011. ...

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Barnes & Noble announces free Nook app for Windows 8

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble have teamed up to offer Windows 8 users a free Nook app for books, magazines, newspapers, and comics. Readers with Windows 8 PCs have a new free option for enjoying their literature. Barnes & Noble’s subsidiary Nook Media announced the release of a Nook app for the Microsoft operating system. The free app holds all of...

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RIM introduces BBM Voice to help convince you and your friends to come back to BlackBerry

Research in Motion has added an interesting new feature to BlackBerry Messenger named BBM Voice, which lets you call fellow BBM users for free provided your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. It's a great idea, provided your friends also use BlackBerry phones. Research in Motion knows it needs to win back the general public’s support, and it also knows that...

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T-Mobile releases Jelly Bean for the Galaxy S III

T-Mobile is the second US carrier to unleash Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to its Galaxy S III customers. Last month Sprint started seeding the Jelly Bean update to the Galaxy S III units on its network. The update is available OTA or from Samsung's Kies software. Users who are rooted and don't want to wait can download the update from here and then manually flash...

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Samsung Galaxy S4: what we want to see

The S3 still could do with a few tweaks It certainly feels like Samsung is taking over the world right now – at least, the Android world. There's no doubt that last year's Galaxy S2 was arguably the phone of the year. And not in recent times, discounting Apple of course, can we remember the anticipation and expectation of a phone as much as the Galaxy S3....

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Samsung remains steadfast as it vows to continue legal battle with Apple

Samsung will not follow HTC's lead and come to a peaceful conclusion to its ongoing legal battle with Apple, vowing not to negotiate with the firm. HTC and Apple shook hands earlier this week, having decided to put all their patent disputes behind them, and get on with building smartphones instead. This was good news for us, as it’s one less lawsuit to hear...

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Samsung defiant: 'We don't intend to negotiate with Apple'

Settle? Oh hell no. Samsung has said that it is not looking to negotiate with its fierce rival Apple, with an HTC-style settlement looking increasingly unlikely. Speaking to the Korean media, Samsung's mobile president Shin Jong-kyun revealed the firm was sticking to its guns in its continuing battle with its Cupertino-based rival. Jong-kyun was quoted...

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Verizon considering adding free Windows Phone 8 device to its line-up

Verizon could be planning to introduce a free Windows Phone 8 device to its line-up of smartphones, potentially made by Samsung, as it continues to put its weight behind Microsoft's new operating system. Verizon never really took to Windows Phone 7 and last year offered just one phone with Microsoft’s operating system onboard. This has changed with the introduction...

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BlackBerry Messenger gets free voice chat feature

Voice chat: a welcome addition BlackBerry owners are now able to voice chat with each other for free over BlackBerry Messenger. The new feature, included in the BBM 7 update for the popular service, allows users to talk free-of-charge provided they are connected to a Wi-Fi network. This addition will be welcomed by those with top-up phones and the frugal...

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Android 4.2 Jelly Bean hits Nexus 7 and Galaxy Nexus

Coming to a Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7 near you The latest version of Android is hitting the Google Nexus 7 tablet and Galaxy Nexus smartphone right now. So if you're the proud owner of either, you should be able to get your hands on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. It's not all quite as simple as one rollout though. No, that would be too easy. Selected models...

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Samsung Ativ S and Ativ Tablet appear to be delayed

Samsung is playing the waiting game The Windows Phone 8-toting Samsung Ativ S and Windows RT-sporting Samsung Ativ Tab have apparently been subject to delays. Stock was scheduled to arrive in November but, according to UK-based online retailer Expansys, Samsung's Windows smartphone and tablet have been pushed back. The new release date for both these products...

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Nexus S and Motorola Xoom to remain on Android 4.1.2

While announcing the availability of Android 4.2 on AOSP, lead Android developer at Google Jean-Baptiste Quéru confirmed that the Nexus S and the Motorola Xoom will not be updated to Android 4.2 and will remain on Android 4.1.2. We honestly can't say we didn't see this coming. Both devices, the Nexus S in particular, had started struggling while running...

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