BlackBerry 10 keyboard features edge-to-edge keys, predictive spacing

BlackBerry 10 keyboard innovations The BlackBerry 10 release date is less than two months from today, so smartphone developer Research In Motion is demoing how its touchscreen keyboard is going to make fans feel right at home. "We've really played close attention to make it look and feel like a BlackBerry keyboard," said RIM Head of Software Portfolio Vivek...

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Acer V360 may be the company's first Jelly Bean smartphone

A new flavor (credit: Amelbo.jp) After including Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with its Iconia Tab A110 tablet, Acer may finally be taking the jump to Jelly Bean with its next smartphone. Acer has already released several smartphones with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, including the CloudMobile S500, but had yet to release one with the latest Android OS. ...

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Google+ mobile app overflowing with updates

Share your full size holiday photos on Google+ Google rolled out an update to its mobile Google+ app as a holiday gift for both Android and iOS users. The Android Google+ app receives the bigger update, with users able to upload full resolution photos from their smartphone by using the instant upload feature. Previously, the app would compress photos...

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Google discontinues a bunch of calendar services, including Sync

Google has revealed a list of apps and services that will not make it to 2013. The year isn’t over yet, but Google appears to have already announced at least one New Years resolution. The search engine giant revealed a list of features that will not make it to 2013; a move the company has referred to as “winter cleaning.” “Last January we renewed our...

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Google axing 'less popular' products and features for 'winter cleaning'

Several Google Calendar functions are being discontinued, among other cuts Google announced on Friday that it will shut down several "less popular" products, features and services as part of a "winter cleaning" effort. Google Calendar will suffer several losses on Jan. 4, after which users will be unable to create new reservable times through appointment...

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Microsoft adds SD card app installs, universal search to Windows Phone web store

Windows Phone 8 app management just got easier Microsoft updated the Windows Phone store on Thursday to allow users to install Windows Phone 8 apps from an SD card, among other new and improved features. The Windows Phone store update came on the heels of the first update to the Windows Phone 8 OS, called Portico, which improved the HTC Windows Phone 8X's...

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Apple found to infringe MobileMedia patents in US

Apple lost a weeklong patent infringement case brought by a patent-licensing company MobileMedia Ideas LLC, a company in which Nokia, Sony and MPEG LA own about a 10% stake. It took the jury just four hours of deliberation to find that the iPhone 5 was in violation of three of the patents held by MobileMedia. The patents in question, which had been whittled...

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Alcatel One Touch View teased in promo video

One Touch, many colours Alcatel's One Touch View - its Windows Phone 7.8-running handset bound for Russia - has been teased in a promotional video. Well, the phone makes an appearance right near the end, anyway. The rest of it is taken up with a character going by the name of Ricky, who tells us about his life. Which isn't that thrilling, admittedly, but...

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Unofficial WP7.8 for first-gen Lumias available on Navifrim

The Windows Phone 7.8 update for first generation WP phones was neglected by Microsoft for a while, but the company committed to an early 2013 release and now builds for the WP7 Lumias have started to appear on Navifirm. The firmwares are version ****.****.8858.***** and are available for the entire first-gen lineup - that is the Lumia 510, 610, 710, 800 and 900. They...

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LG Nexus 4 hits Three UK, costs £29 with a £35/month contract

The Google Nexus 4 is now available for purchase over at Three UK. It will set you back £29 upfront if you agree to sign a two-year contract on "The One Plan" with a £35 monthly fee. For the duration of the contract you'll get 2,000 national minutes, plus 5,000 more minutes to use within Three's network, along with all you can eat data and 5,000 free texts....

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What’s So Special (And So Dangerous) About Snapchat

Snapchat is the hottest new app around, but it isn't as secure as users think, and it leaves young people vulnerable to cyberbullying. So is it worth the risk? If you haven’t heard about Snapchat, you will. The photo-sharing app is enjoying an explosive rise in popularity, especially among the coveted under-25 demographic, and this week the trendy phone program...

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Microsoft gets its Surface tablet into UK retail stores, just in time for Christmas

Microsoft has hammered out a deal with UK department store John Lewis, enabling them to start selling the Surface RT tablets. It's the first retail store to do so in the UK, as up until now the Surface has only been available through Microsoft's online shop. Microsoft sells its Surface tablets through its online store, its smattering of retail locations and...

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Sony signs deal with Watchdata to bring NFC to more mobiles

Pay up, buddy Sony obviously thinks mobile payments are the way forward. It's signed a deal with smart card specialist Watchdata to bring NFC (Near Field Communications) tech to more mobile devices. Sony will integrate Singapore-based Watchdata's contactless tech into SIMpass solutions starting next year. SIMpass is a SIM card-based mobile payment technology...

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And the winner is….Apple selects best iPhone/iPad apps of 2012

Apple has chosen its favorite apps and games of the year, with Paper and Action Movie FX among them. With some 700,000 apps available for download from the iTunes store, it can’t have been easy for Apple to choose the ‘Best of 2012’. Not that I’m suggesting they looked at each and every one, of course, but with so many decent downloads now vying for space on...

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Huawei prepare for a big CES showing, with Windows Phone 8 and a 1080p device both on the list

Huawei could be preparing to launch several new phones during CES 2013, including its long-awaited Windows phone 8 devices, and a smartphone/tablet hybrid with a 1080p screen, The latest rumors point to Huawei gearing up for a busy CES 2013, as it will potentially announce at least one of its long-awaited Windows Phone 8 handsets as well as the current must-have...

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BBC supercharges iPlayer quality for Android

'Is it supposed to be that colour?' Good ol' Beeb: just in time for Christmas it's made video streaming on your Google phone and tablet that much better. The new update to the platform is designed to make sure those receiving Android devices from Santa won't be short changed in the experience of watching Strictly Come Dancing. The first phase of the plan...

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Google Maps iOS vs. Apple Maps: An In-depth comparison

Google Maps is finally back and available for download on iOS. Since the switch to iOS 6, Apple's first-party created Maps app has been the default for navigation on Apple's mobile devices. With Google Maps now available again, will it be able to reclaim its throne? Back in June of 2012, Apple made the announcement that it would no longer use Google’s services...

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Sony C530X HuaShan surfaces, likely to be mid-range droid

An image uploaded to Picasa has unveiled an upcoming Sony device carrying the C503X model number with the codename HuaShan. The info comes from the EXIF data of the photo. The data further reveals that the model number is likely to have some versions just like the Sony C650X Odin, hinting at eventual global availability. According to XperiaBlog sources, the device...

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Apple reintroduces app gifting to iOS, includes new ‘delivery date’ option

When iOS 6 launched in September, the ability to gift apps from Apple's mobile devices disappeared. Well, it's back – and now you can choose the exact date of delivery. Those keen to gift apps from their iOS devices this holiday season will be pleased to know Apple has recently restored the ability to do just that. When iOS 6 was rolled out in September,...

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Apple rolls out red carpet for top App Store apps and games of 2012

Apple's App Store has come a long way Apple revealed its lists of the top-selling apps and games of 2012 Thursday, dividing the installations into top free and paid iPhone and iPad apps. On the iPhone side, Google's YouTube was the most popular free app of 2012. Given YouTube's popularity, maybe Apple shouldn't have dropped it from iOS 6? Instagram and...

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More than half of U.S. shoppers would buy an iPhone 5, but most Americans own Android phones

A survey from Piper Jaffray has indicated that the iPhone 5 will be most popular among smartphone shoppers. However, more Americans own Android handsets. With the holidays just around the corner, shoppers are scrambling to snag smartphones, tablets and other gadgets that sit atop their loved ones’ wish lists. According to the analysts at Piper Jaffray,...

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