Growing phones, shrinking tablets, and the return of Windows: 2012 in mobile hardware

Before 2012 is over, we thought we'd take a look back. The world of smartphones, tablets, and e-readers continued to evolve this year. Book readers light up, phones continue to grow, and new technologies are invading the market.

This year brought many new advancements in technology, and opened the door for older innovations to come to the forefront. 2012 has seen a lot of trends, some more ridiculous than others, but a few stood out by sheer force in numbers. We may wish some patterns in mobile tech would kick the bucket, but most of these deserve to be popular.

Let’s take a look at this year’s hottest mobile hardware trends and celebrate surviving yet another supposed apocalypse.

Smartphones keep growing

Remember when the 5-inch Dell Streak seemed huge? Not anymore. Now that size is pretty much standard – even the iPhone got taller this year. Samsung’s successor to the Galaxy Note, the aptly named Galaxy Note 2, packs a 5.5-inch screen and people are actually buying it, lusting over it even. These days, a 4-inch iPhone seems tiny. Even Windows Phone 8 has joined the party with the Nokia Lumia 920 reaching 4.5 inches, unashamed of its larger body and heavyweight status. In 2012, phones continued to get bigger, from an average of 4.3 inches to 4.7 or 5 inches and consumers responded by throwing down some cold, hard cash.

Computers become tablets and vice versa

Back when the Motorola Atrix was ‘da bomb, we all thought smartphones would be the new computers. It turns out we aren’t quite there yet. However, the tail end of 2012 has seen a whole herd of hybrids – previously teased at tech events earlier in the year — finally strut their stuff in the limelight. Tablets are either the new computers or computers are the new tablets … we don’t know yet. Microsoft has the Surface RT, a well-intentioned but ultimately flawed attempt at creating a tablet experience that is equal parts production and consumption. Lenovo brought us the Yoga 13, a reimagining of the laptop, bestowing upon it the ability to transform into a tablet using a nifty 360 degree hinge. Then we’ve seen devices like the Samsung Smart PC and HP Envy X2, 11-inch tablets that connect to matching keyboard docks when a laptop is needed. It will be interesting to see how this trend evolves (or flops) in the New Year. 

The 7-inch tablet army

This year we saw a flood of 7-inch tablets, from the Nexus 7 to the Kindle Fire HD, but the form factor was truly legitimized when Apple went back on its word and released the iPad Mini. It was more expensive than its Android competitors, though that didn’t stop it from becoming a hot ticket item in 2012. With the 7-inch tablets winning blend of portability and affordability, we can see this tablet size persevering alongside its 10-inch counterpart. Let’s just hope the market shies away from 6 and 9 inch tablets; two sizes is enough.

Tech giants, Google and Microsoft, join the competition

Until this year, Apple was the only company in control of an entire product line including smartphones, tablets, and personal computers. Google had the smartphone and tablet bases covered before but its own Nexus line only dealt with smartphones. In 2012, however, the Nexus line grew into the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 – two tablets. Add those to the Chromebook laptop and Google can finally go toe-to-toe with Apple, competing on almost every level. Microsoft has a 10-inch tablet in the Surface line, as well as revamped Xbox software to compete with iTunes. Microsoft hasn’t started manufacturing its own smartphone yet, but the rumors are already circulating. All it needs now is a mini tablet to complete the trifecta. Regardless, compared to last year, Microsoft definitely takes home the award for “Most Improved.”

Rise of 1080p

As these things tend to go, screen resolutions continued to climb this year. 720p is now the standard and high-def 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixel) screens are the newest trend. HTC has the Droid DNA, LG and Sharp has announced 1080p displays. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the smartphone world joins in.

Clover Trail

Intel is almost completely shut out of the mobile processor market by its competitor, ARM, but it hopes the Clover Trail will change all that by combining long battery life with fast performance. Clover Trail hasn’t been around quite long enough to be sure it will live up to its promise, but that didn’t stop manufacturers like Samsung and HP from placing the technology in the latest Windows 8 hardware. This year, if the device focus was on superior mobility, then you could bet Clover Trail would be a part of the plan. Let’s hope 2013 brings good news as far as Clover Trail’s real-world performance. 

The iPhone is challenged

Love it or hate it, Samsung’s Galaxy S3 was the first phone to truly match the iPhone in terms of brand identity and consumer interest. 2012 was the first year I heard people seriously considering an Android phone over the latest iPhone. It wasn’t just Samsung either. HTC release the One line and tightened up its product offerings, making the One X a memorable and extremely attractive Android device. Then there is the HTC 8X and Lumia 920, both Windows Phone 8 devices that actually have people considering Microsoft. The iPhone 5 may arguably be the most beautiful handset available but the decision is no longer cut and dry, not with Android and Windows Phone 8 finally delivering the goods.

More exciting budget phones 

So-called budget phones like the Nokia Lumia 820 and HTC One S no longer seem like bargain bin knock-offs. Rather, lower cost alternatives to flagship devices only got sweeter this year. Using the Lumia 820 as an example, the decision between it and the 920 was almost a question of personal preference based on design, rather than a pure spec battle. Similarly, the budget HTC One S – a subset of the One X – was more than enough for most people and the One X seemed almost an unnecessary expense. Of course, we would like to see Apple join the party next year and offer an option for a more affordable iPhone.

Cameras matter more

The Nokia Lumia 920 basically rode the waves of its camera hype when Windows Phone 8 devices were announced, relying on its Pureview technology to stand out beside the HTC 8X and Samsung Ativ S. Ever since the iPhone 4S put a focus on camera technology, photo snappers have been growing in importance. The iPhone 5 included a sapphire lens, Windows Phone 8 introduced photo add-ons called Lenses, and Android beefed up the stock camera app. This was definitely the year to leave your point-and-shoot at home and start posting to Instagram.

E-readers light up

It may seem like a small step forward, but this year, e-readers finally began to do what watches have done for decades: light up. Beginning with the Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight and then moving on to nearly every other high-end dedicated e-book reader, front-lit screens have taken over, allowing book fans to finally read in the dark. Even Amazon has responded to the trend, releasing the Kindle Paperwhite in recent months.

NFC hit the mainstream (sort of)

We can’t really say with any confidence that NFC (near field communication) has taken the world by storm, but it certainly is making a mark on the mobile industry, appearing in smartphones, tablets, and laptops alike. The idea behind NFC is stellar, sharing information between devices without annoyances like login names and Bluetooth pairing. The trouble lies in a lack of consumer knowledge on the subject and major players like Apple skirting the technology. For those of us that have used NFC, its inclusion on any smartphone seems like a no-brainer. Good thing so many hardware manufacturers have taken that first step as it is high time NFC hit the big time.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/top-mobile-hardware-trends-of-2012/

Read More

Android 4.1 arrived on Motorola DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX

Users of Verizon's Motorola DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX have received a lovely Christmas present from the manufacturer. Multiple reports have confirmed that Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean is now seeding to the first generation DROID RAZR family.

The update is available as a rather large over-the-air download. It brings a host of improvements to the devices including Google Now and Project Butter. The latter is bound to make the user experience on the duo of devices a lot more pleasant, given their ageing hardware.

Curiously, Verizon Wireless has been mum on the update for both devices. Still if you are an owner of either one of the two, fill up your battery and check for an update manually.

Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/android_41_now_seeding_to_motorola_droid_razr_and_razr_maxx-news-5251.php

Read More

Merry Christmas to you all from the GSMArena team

Christmas is one of the greatest holidays of the year and we'd like to use the occasion to send you our big Thank You for sticking around with us and sharing our passion for high-tech toys for yet another year.

On this day we want to tell you how much we appreciate you, our readers. If it wasn't for you we wouldn't be where we are today and it's only because of you that our job is so great.

We really hope these holidays will bring you lots of reasons to smile. May you and your loved ones have the best of times this holiday season and get lots of happy memories to carry over to the upcoming new year.

We'd also like to send our warmest wishes to those of you that don't celebrate Christmas at this time (or at all). We wish you, your friends and families all the wonder and magic you could hope for.

Thank you for being around!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/merry_christmas_to_you_all_from_the_gsmarena_team-news-5249.php

Read More

Boggle clone 'Wordament' is first iOS game with Xbox achievements

Xbox achievements have arrived on iOS

Microsoft doesn't typically extend its Xbox Live ecosystem beyond its own Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox platforms, but an exception has been made for the Boggle-like Wordament.

Well, it's either an exception, or the start of a new trend.

Either way, Wordament is the first iOS game to feature Xbox achievements, specific goals that result in the acquisition of "gamerscore" points.

That alone should provide some incentive for Xbox-obsessed gamers to download Wordament on their iPhones and iPads. It won't hurt that the game is free, as well.

The achievement obsession

A user's gamerscore has no actual effect on anything, besides being a measure of one's dedication to gaming.

That's been enough to spawn hundreds of groups and sites dedicated to helping gamers increase their gamerscores by publishing achievement guides for every Xbox game in existence.

And most gamers have fallen victim to the lure of achievements at one time or another, playing a game long past the point at which it was still fun just to feel the sense of accomplishment from unlocking a difficult achievement.

Of course, Apple added its own Game Center ecosystem to iOS in 2010, but it isn't nearly as unified and hasn't taken off the same way that Xbox Live has.

A trend or an exception?

TechRadar has reached out to Microsoft to ask whether it plans to launch any more iOS games with Xbox achievements, but we're not really expecting a response until after the holidays at the earliest.

The bright green "Xbox" banner spanning the top of the Wordament app's icon could be an indication that more iOS games with Xbox achievements could arrive in the future - the banner could be applied to more games to create a unified look for Xbox-connected iOS titles.

The game itself tasks players with connecting letters in a 4x4 grid to form as many words as possible, much like Boggle - only with hundreds of other players competing in real time.

Wordament features ten achievements that in total unlock 50 gamerscore points when players log in with their Xbox accounts; by comparison, most full-scale Xbox 360 games feature 1,000 total unlockable points, while shorter, downloadable Xbox Live Arcade games often feature 200 points.

Wordament launched on iOS last Friday, and it's been available on Windows Phone and Windows 8 for some time.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/boggle-clone-wordament-is-first-ios-game-with-xbox-achievements-1121274

Read More

The best social apps – or the next best thing – for the inexplicable Windows Phone 8 user

Despite being a dark horse in the smartphone wars, Windows Phone may do well this holiday season. Here are some of the best social apps - and their requisite alternatives - for Windows Phone 8.

So, how is Windows Phone doing? It’s hard to say. As perhaps the last dark horse competitor in what would otherwise be an Apple-Android race, Microsoft’s mobile OS is a cipher. Despite much early praise for the “flagship” Nokia Lumia 920 and “signature” HTC Windows Phone 8X, commenters have been swift to write off any discernible aesthetic edge the devices may have because of the platform’s lack of serious developer support. That Google has refused to develop for Windows is a serious blow to the OS’s legitimacy.

Then again, Microsoft’s marketing clout cannot be denied. The brand has pumped untold millions into their PR push, daring anyone to say they don’t at least recognize these devices. And, while there have been numerous missteps along the way, it seems to be working. Even though hard numbers are a fiscal quarter away, Nokia’s shares are up and AT&T stores state demand for the Lumia 920 is high. Clearly someone is buying these things. But one large problem remains, and that’s the state of the Windows Phone app marketplace. If you’re buying a smartphone, you probably want to be able to use Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr… the list goes on and on. 

So what’s a new Windows Phone user to do? Sharing online is one of the first things you’ll ever do with your brand new smartphone. But Windows Phone is unique in that it simply doesn’t have as many top-shelf apps to get social with. But where there’s a will, there’s always a way. Calling all new Windows Phone users out there: Here are the social apps you’re going to need and want. Time to hit that install button. 

Official apps actually worth a damn

Much has already been said about how innovative and glanceable the People Hub and Me Tile combination is, and all that holds true. Windows Phone does a great job of aggregating your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Skype profiles in a way that feels much more natural than on platforms. So if you want to browse your feed or Timeline without bothering with all the extraneous dross or even just want  to — gasp! — call a friend, you can do it quickly and with ease.

But if you want to do more than that, you’ll need to download the apps.

Microsoft’s WP8 Facebook app is… good, mostly. It takes advantage of all the lovely UI flourishes of the OS, and it acquits itself nicely in terms of performance and stability thanks to a recent update. You shouldn’t have any trouble drilling down into friends’ profiles, but it has a learning curve seeing as it’s so wildly different from iOS and Android’s presentation.

Much the same can be said for LinkedIn–you can search for new contacts and explore colleagues’ profiles at a whim. As for Skype, well…  it can’t hurt that Microsoft owns the company. As such, they’ve baked some of its features into the OS by allowing you to make voice and video calls from within the People Hub, but you still (somewhat inexplicably) need to download the official app before that integration can happen. It’s strange, but Skype for Windows Phone 8 is still in Preview so hopefully future iterations will improve on said weirdness.

Tweeting with the best of them

Windows Phone’s Twitter app, on the other hand, is mediocre at best. It approaches tweeting in a rather bare-bones way, making it hard to do some of the things even casual tweeters have become accustomed to.

But, much like iOS and Android, Windows Phone doesn’t lack for a few great, full-featured Twitter clients for people who need a little more.

I’m recommending two.

First, Rowi is a fan-favorite among Windows Phone users, and the acclaim is well-deserved. It’s interface is clean and lightweight enough to get out of the way of your feed when you just want a quick look, but can edit photos, translate tweets via Bing, and save articles for later via apps like Instapaper and Readability.

Meanwhile, glƏƏk! gets points for trying to stuff as much functionality as it can into an already fine app. While it has lower information density, the app can do just about everything Rowi can do while throwing in voice controls, lock screen images, and a live tile for when you want to check what retweets you’ve gotten. And the dev team is very supportive.

Tumblr-ing along

Where else will you find your favorite gifs? Tumblr doesn’t have an official offering on Windows Phone, and that’s unfortunate. Thankfully, it isn’t really missed since Blueprints is such an excellent alternative. The app can handle multiple Tumblr blogs attached to the same account, and you can do anything from check your favorite longform blogs to trip down the meme rabbit-hole. Highly recommended.

We actually need those stinking badges…

If checking into new places is your thing, it’s a good bet you’ve used something like Foursquare before to find restaurants, venues, and night spots you and your friends might love. So it’s a good thing Foursquare has been on Windows Phone since forever. It’s less good that the official app itself is a laggy, buggy mess.

Luckily, the third-party app 4th & Mayor is a worthy surrogate. It’s minimal and nimble, letting you earn your badges and drink in peace. Exactly what the proprietary Foursquare app should be.

Redditors, rejoice!

If you truly understand and appreciate what it is to be a part of the Internet — as funny and scary a place as it can so often be — you must visit Reddit from time to time. You don’t have to be a Redditor or even a card-carrying member of 4Chan, but only understand that Reddit is a microcosm of the Web at large. Therefore, Windows Phone had to find its way there. It’s a rule.

Baconit accomplishes that with considerable aplomb. It has everything; you can login, contribute, and troll subreddits to your heart’s desire. The way it renders comments with content can be a little unwieldy at times, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better client than this.

 

Wherefore art thou, Instagram?

Ah, Instagram! Well, first and foremost, no, there is no Instagram client for Windows Phone. What’s more, the way Instagram handles its API means that there are no third-party apps that will allow you to contribute to the service. Seeing as Instagram is swiftly becoming one of the tentpole apps for both iOS and Android, that Windows Phone 8 has been left in the dark is a problem that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later.

Or maybe not. Considering the entire ToS imbroglio, maybe you don’t need Instagram anymore and want an alternative. Lomogram is probably the best you can do, and that’s not so bad. It has more than 40 filters, light effects, borders, and all the horrid hipster things we love, but without the iffy privacy issues users might be worried about.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/the-best-social-apps-for-windows-phone-8/

Read More

Sony Xperia T gets Jelly Bean update as a Christmas present

Sony has unexpectedly launched a firmware update for its flagship Android smartphone the Xperia T a couple of months ahead of what was initially scheduled.

The Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update then comes just like a Christmas present for Xperia T owners. It has hit the international version of the smartphone (LT30p) as well as the AT&T branded Xperia TL (LT30at).

As blog SonyViet reports, the update brings a significant improved in battery life, in addition to the smoothness added by Project Butter. Here are some screenshots from an updated device.

The update should be already hitting Xperia T devices all over the world, but in case it isn't just yet, hold on tight. Evidence show you should be getting the update soon.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/_sony_xperia_t_gets_jelly_bean_update_as_a_christmas_present-news-5250.php

Read More

New BlackBerry 10 phone with a QWERTY keyboard spotted

BlackBerry's new N-Series QWERTY smartphone has been spotted just a month left before launch day.

With a January 30th release date just over a month away, screenshots and photos of BlackBerry’s new OS 10 software, including a variety of device photos, are making their way to the web, giving us a preview of what RIM will be hoping to sell by the end of January. The BlackBerry N-Series, which has a QWERTY keyboard, hasn’t gotten much attention from the leaked images department, but it looks like the N-Series has got a shot. In these shots, found by CrackBerry, it looks like a taller, more handsome BlackBerry Bold with a larger display, full QWERTY keyboard, and front camera.

The N-Series, possible known as the BlackBerry X10, was also seen in a lineup alongside the BlackBerry Z-10, and another unknown QWERTY BlackBerry device. As per BlackBerry OS 10′s claims, all the new devices will feature a new sensual UI, powerful messaging features, and supposedly up to 30,000 apps on launch day. One things for sure: From now until January 30th, all eyes in the mobile world will be on RIM’s last ditch effort to amaze us with BlackBerry OS 10. Does anyone think Obama will upgrade?

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/new-blackberry-n-series/

Read More

Life and Tiles of a Windows 8 Convert: My Windows Phone honeymoon begins

In the second article in our weekly Life and Tiles of a Windows 8 Convert series, Andrew details his first days, and instant crush on Windows Phone 8 and the Nokia Lumia 920. But will this love affair last?

Due to circumstances beyond my control, securing a Nokia Lumia 920 in Canada (my Northern home) was an unfairly hellish affair. It was two full weeks before I finally held that hulking, black slab in my sweating palms, but it was worth it. I was in love. Though my knuckles dragged on the pavement, unable to support the tremendous weight of Nokia’s latest brick, I was assured it would get easier by my sales rep, Kelly, who flashed her own Samsung Galaxy Note 2 at me. A week or so later and it seems her prediction has come true. Not only have I adjusted to the Lumia, but I am flourishing. I’m enjoying the Lumia’s bulky build and actually find it more comforting than a lighter device. The Lumia 920 feels solid, built to last, meant to conquer.

The whole experience has been surreal, like I have been let into an exclusive, underground club. I show my phone off at every opportunity, making sure I check my Twitter feed in the most conspicuous way possible. I smirk as friends marvel at the Lumia’s bold design and rainbow-colored operating system. They ask things like “What kind of phone is that?” “Is that the new iPhone?” “Can I hold it?” and I humor them, handing my Lumia over so they can swipe through the foreign-looking Live Tiles. As kindly as possible, I break the news that what they are holding is not the next iPhone. Most are surprised to hear Microsoft is behind the operating system.

This all sounds very self-absorbed and ostentatious but coming from an iPhone 3GS – after a brief affair with a Nexus S – the Lumia 920 is paradise. At least, for now. Why shouldn’t I share that experience with everyone that comes within ten feet of me? Yes, it’s obnoxious and probably annoying as hell, but I feel like it’s my duty to spread the word.

My Lumia and I have our own fun too, it’s not all about the glitz and glamor of popularity. I have spent hours downloading new apps and experimenting with Live Tile configurations. The core software is speedy with hardly a hiccup. Most of my core app needs are met as well: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc. It’s not all perfect. Some of my favorite apps, like Pocket and Dropbox are missing, which I am struggling to live without. I bought Angry Birds Star Wars (my new favorite version of the popular physics game) and basked in the supersized screen. Obi Wan “Bird” Kenobi soared effortlessly through the air before blasting through a tight group of piggies. It was like freedom in on a 4.5-inch screen.  

The standout aspect of Windows Phone 8 is its fluidity. WP8 is leagues ahead of Android in terms of stutter-free animations. Apple’s iOS is generally smooth as well, but WP8 still feels faster, even if it is grounded more in perception than reality. Not only is WP8 it fluid, but it’s also one of the most visually consistent operating systems on the market. Design elements like the cut-off text and a focus on typography remain prevalent throughout the user experience. Core apps like Phone, Mail, and Messaging all showcase this minimalist approach to smartphone software with impressive results. Some third-party apps succeed at this, but others need work. Even with a lackluster turnout from developers, it is an impressive feat for a relatively new mobile platform – Android only recently implemented a cohesive design. Consistency was never a problem in iOS, and Windows Phone is finally up to snuff.

The cloud storage offered by Microsoft Office has already proven itself to be useful. The other day I was in a coffee shop working on an article and instant messaging with my editor. In the middle of our in-depth discussion, catastrophe struck (an event I will delve into at a later article) and I was forced to hastily vacate the premises. I had no time to alert my editor of the situation as I quickly slammed my laptop shut, grabbed my bag, and ran out. On the way to another, more secure location, I pulled out my Lumia 920 from a pocket and picked up right where we left off. The conversation was synced with the cloud so I was able to tell my editor what happened. And as we continued to chat, I used my Lumia to open the document I had been working on along with some point form nonsense in OneNote. This might seem commonplace, files syncing in the cloud, but it was the way it came together that has me falling for the platform. I didn’t have to specifically save my document to SkyDrive because that happened automatically. My smartphone knew it was the most recent document I had been working on and provided a link to it when I opened the Office app.

It may be too early to tell, but it feels like this is truly Microsoft’s time to shine. 

Stay tuned next Monday for the next edition of Life and Tiles, where Andrew’s WP8 honeymoon comes to a halt. To catch up, read the entire Life and Tiles of a Windows 8 Convert series.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/life-and-tiles-2-windows-phone-8-honeymoon/

Read More

ZTE confirms 5-inch FHD Grand S devices ahead of CES arrival

ZTE seems to be quite eager to unveil that Grand S beast smartphone. So much so in fact that the company jumped the gun and spilled some beans on its upcoming 5-inch device ahead of its CES debut on the event's website.

The Grand S will be joining the 5-inch, full HD smartphone club and ZTE says it will be the slimmest device at the party. It's photo has also been leaked, courtesy of an Engadget tipster.

The ZTE Z753, as it's also known, is rumored to feature a quad-core CPU and run on Jelly Bean, but which version exactly is unknown for now. However, ZTE is happy to share a concept drawing of the smartphone showing its inception.

That concept art is unveiling that the phone is going to have a bump on the back where the camera resides. In addition, it's also expected to be crafted in an unibody fashion giving it a premium look and feel.

We'll have more information on the ZTE Grand S once CES 2013 kicks in on January 8.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_confirms_5inch_fhd_grand_s_devices_ahead_of_ces_arrival-news-5248.php

Read More

BlackBerry N-Series smartphone shows up in a live photo

Only a few days after its touchscreen sibling made a couple of appearances, RIM's BlackBerry N-Series smartphone emerged in a duo of live photos. The soon to be revealed BlackBerry 10 smartphone packs a hardware QWERTY keyboard in addition to its capacitive touchscreen.

As you can see in the photos above, the BlackBerry N-Series looks a lot like the currently offered Bold 9900, save for the lack of navigation and menu buttons, which have given way to a larger screen. The QWERTY appears to be unsurprisingly well-made and comfortable, so the BlackBerry purists should have a good reason to look forward to the device.

The BlackBerry N-Series is all but certain to launch alongside the BlackBerry Z10 on January 30 in New York City. We will update you should we hear more about the upcoming device.

Source (translated) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_nseries_smartphone_shows_up_in_a_live_photo_-news-5247.php

Read More

Best Windows Phone - which should you buy?

Find the Windows Phone that's right for you

When it comes to Windows Phone there's a new player in the starting line up in the form of Windows Phone 8 – Microsoft's latest attempt to make a significant dent in the mobile market.

While Android and iOS lead the way when it comes to mobile operating systems, you can draw many similarities between the two which may leave you feeling like you want some new. A fresh start, a new perspective.

That's exactly what Windows Phone, both versions 7 and 8, offers with a completely new way of providing you with your smartphone fill.

1. Nokia Lumia 920

What's better than a top Windows Phone 7 handset? A Windows Phone 8 one, and we've got no qualms about telling you this is the best Windows Phone out there.

Simplicity is the key here, the Lumia 920 does the basics well, from contact integration and calling, to web browsing and messaging – oh and it's 4G enabled

The 8MP camera on the back of the Lumia 920 is one of the best we've used and for anyone looking to get a top end cameraphone you need to seriously consider this Nokia.

The 4.5-inch display is also a good'un, crisp and clear it makes watching movies, surfing the web or Facebook stalking an enjoyable experience, thanks to the PureMotion HD technology on offer.

And you can even use it with gloves on... what more could you want? You're right: holograms. But they don't exist yet.

• Read: Nokia Lumia 920 review
• See the best Nokia Lumia 920 deals

2. Nokia Lumia 820

If you're pockets aren't so deep, or your hands are a little smaller you may want to take a look at the Lumia 820, which still provides you with the full Windows Phone 8 experience, albeit on a slightly smaller screen.

It still has the fancy tricks of Lumia 920, including wireless charging, 4G, NFC connectivity, but it also brings changeable covers so your phone can reflect your mood – exciting times.

• Read: Nokia Lumia 820 review
• See the best Nokia Lumia 820 deals

3. HTC 8X

Microsoft decided to shun Nokia when it came to championing Windows Phone 8, instead choose the HTC 8X to be the signature device for its new operating system.

While the 8X is by far the best looking of the Windows Phone 8 bunch it unfortunately doesn't have the prowess under the hood to match the powerhouse which is the Lumia 920.

You do get Beats Audio technology and a couple of amplifiers to enhance your tunes through the internal speaker as well as the headphone jack, plus the slender frame fits comfortably in the hand.

It's by no means a bad phone, it's just not the best Windows Phone 8 handset out there.

• Read: HTC 8X review
• See the best HTC 8X deals

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/best-windows-phone-which-should-you-buy-964329

Read More

Apple in 2013: what to expect

Maps will improve in 2013. It has to.

Because TechRadar's powers-that-be inexplicably rejected a perfectly sensible expenses request for a fully working TARDIS, we're stuck merely putting on our 'informed guessing hat' again, to figure out what's coming from Apple over the next 12 months.

This year, such predictions are perhaps tougher than usual: Apple's meticulous regularity regarding release schedules was thrown to the wind during 2012, most notably with the iPad 4 following the iPad 3 after only six months. Also, we were a year ago totally wrong about the iPod Classic finally bowing out - it's still on sale.

Still, we are heroically soldiering on regardless, with a list of 'Apple in 2013' predictions. They perhaps aren't as bonkers as some of those you'll find elsewhere on the web, but they are therefore probably more likely to come to pass!

1. An early iPhone 5S

You'd be crazy to think Apple wouldn't update the iPhone in 2013, given that it's responsible for much of the company's revenue. Judging by iPhone release patterns to date, it's likely to be a smaller bump this time round: an iPhone 5S, perhaps, with incremental improvements to speed, battery life and the camera. What's less certain is when it'll appear. With the recent autumn event suggesting a new iPad next October or perhaps every six months, the next iPhone might well arrive in the spring.

2. Apple TV or Apple iTV

Tim Cook recently referred to TV as "an area of intense interest" for Apple, adding: "When I go into my living room and turn on the TV, I feel like I have gone backwards in time by 20 to 30 years." So obviously this means a literal Apple iTV, right? Not necessarily. TVs aren't updated regularly, yet Apple likes to refresh hardware often. Smart money is instead on the existing Apple TV box in 2013 becoming more than a mere hobby, and disruption coming from further integration with iOS devices, bespoke Apple TV apps, and an iTunes Match-style service for video, along with other deals with broadcasters and TV companies.

2013's Apple TV will be this same Apple TV, but with apps and more services

3. Something for the pros

We last year predicted the last ever Mac Pro would arrive in 2012. Instead, we got a half-hearted update and a promise from Tim Cook that the company was "working on something really great for later next year". Macs remain the minority of Apple's revenue, desktops are the minority of Mac sales, and Mac Pros sell in lower quantities than the iMac and Mac mini. Still, if Cook's true to his word, we will see a new Mac Pro next year - and we reckon that will be the last one Apple releases before it concentrates entirely on appliance computing.

• Has Apple abandoned pro users?

4. iOS and OS X interface changes

In October, Apple fired Scott Forstall, and Sir Jony Ive, senior vice president of industrial design, was given the role of leading and directing all Apple's 'human interface', including software. We doubt we'll see a wholesale shift from overblown textures to sleek minimalism, but by the end of 2013, Ive will make his presence felt on OS X and iOS. We hope whatever the result it will at the least mean more usable Apple operating systems, and potentially more beautiful ones as well.

Apple to date has used plenty of textures in its apps — something Ive might soften now he's leading all of Apple's human interface

5. Innovation question marks

Apple's expected to revolutionise an industry about every eight seconds or tech pundits get all huffy. In reality, though, Apple has always been a company of iteration, only occasionally making breakthroughs: the Apple II (1977), the Mac (1984), the original iMac (1998), the iPod (2001), the iPhone (2007), and the iPad (2010).

Nonetheless, expect question marks to be raised during 2013 if Apple doesn't disrupt another market, regardless of how well its other devices are selling. Also expect people to remark a lot how the company's not the same now Steve Jobs isn't around, despite the company being a corporate-sized embodiment of the man.

6. Map attack

Having ditched Google Maps data, Apple rolled its own mapping solution for iOS 6. The results were problematic and error-strewn. Tim Cook apologised, Scott Forstall in part got the boot for the mess, and Apple doubled down, yet still didn't fix things fast enough for the Australian state of Victoria's police force, reportedly concerned about people becoming stranded. (That last story was a tad overblown, as it turns out, with only one person actually stranded. Still, it showcased the system's inability to make sensible assumptions when two places have similar names.)

Apple's pretty hopeless when it comes to online services, but maps are an area in which it cannot afford to fail, and so we've two predictions: first, Apple Maps will improve at a rate of knots; secondly, the service will be under close scrutiny, and so will ostensibly appear to remain broken but will in reality be less so as time moves on.

Apple Maps: not as good as it should have been. Expect that to change in 2013

7. Super Siri

Siri arrived on more devices through iOS 6 and also learned some new tricks in 2012. Although it doesn't yet do everything people want, the voice-control system is a little more intelligent regarding finding information, and it can now launch apps. Apple needs to up its game to compete with the impressive Google voice search, though, and so 2013 will see major enhancements to Siri, primarily in terms of speed, but also regarding the information it can access. Also expect Apple to increasingly use Siri to circumvent the need to search online — much to the chagrin of Google.

8. Release cycle changes

For a time, Apple's release cycle was like clockwork, especially when it came to iOS: new iPads in the spring and an iPhone in late summer. The iPad 4 changed all that, arriving a mere six months after its predecessor. Expect competition from rivals to further disrupt Apple's release schedule, with some devices moving to six-monthly rather than annual updates, and others shifting from previous cycles. Also, given Apple's launch/shipping misses regarding the new 27-inch iMac (which launched alongside the 21-inch new iMac) and iTunes 11, we won't be surprised to see the company revert to simply not announcing future products unless they're pretty much ready to ship that day.

The iPad 4: six months early, by 2012's schedule. 2013's will be more turbulent

9. More profits and less market-share

We don't think we're in for a repeat of Windows/Mac OS when it comes to Android/iOS, but cheap Android tablets and smartphones will nonetheless continue to have an impact on Apple's market-share during 2013. Figures will, however, continue to show iOS has the lion's share in terms of ongoing usage and profits. Another prediction: pundits will fail to realise Apple's stalling or falling share of a rapidly growing market nonetheless equals growth, and continue to lump Android into a single group, despite, as Ian Betteridge recently noted, it being "a set of semi-compatible platforms, built around the same technology".

10. Baffling survival of the iPod Classic

We last year predicted the iPod Classic's luck would run out in 2012, given Apple's shift to the cloud, its focus on iOS, and dropping flash memory prices potentially enabling larger-capacity iPod touch devices. Amazingly, it survived. Therefore, we're going to predict the iPod Classic will bafflingly remain in play for another year, in part because we were wrong last time, but mostly in an attempt to dare Apple to do otherwise.

The iPod classic, still going strong, against the odds — although that's probably because it is relatively cheap

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/apple-in-2013-what-to-expect-1120544

Read More

iPad 5 to debut in March with iPad Mini-inspired design, report claims

Apple is preparing to release another update to its iPad in March, less than six months after launching the fourth iteration of its popular tablet, a new report claims. The fifth-generation iPad is said to be lighter and smaller than the current model, possibly with narrower side bezels like those on the iPad Mini.

In what surely has to be one of the final Apple-related rumors of 2012 – and there have been more than a few of them this year – the Cupertino company is reportedly just months away from unveiling yet another update to its full-sized 9.7-inch iPad. The claim comes from Macotakara, a Japanese website that has previously called it right with a number of Apple-related predictions.

Macotakara says that according to “an inside source” the fifth-generation iPad will be unveiled in March 2013, less than six months after the launch of the current version. The updated device will be 2mm thinner, 4mm shorter and 17mm narrower, a significant decrease that appears to suggest the side bezels of the next iPad will resemble those of its little brother, the iPad Mini.

With the third- and fourth-generation iPads actually thicker and heavier than the iPad 2, you can bet engineers at Apple have been looking at ways to shrink down the extra internal tech required to power the device’s high-resolution Retina display in order to get the tablet back down to size.

The website failed to note any under-the-hood changes we might see with the next version. The current iPad is powered by a 1.3GHz A6X dual core processor, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, all of which could be improved upon the next time the product receives a refresh.

The expected March date makes a certain amount of sense, with the first three iterations of the iPad following a March/April release cycle. But could it really come so soon after the fourth-generation iPad, which launched just last month? In many ways it’s easy to see that Apple would want to move towards a more frequent release cycle, keen as it is to maintain its dominant position in the tablet market.

Macotakara’s report also says the tech giant is currently working on the next iteration of Apple’s smaller iPad, the Mini, expected to launch with a Retina display and faster A6X processor, which backs up other recent reports suggesting the same.

[via 9to5mac]

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ipad-5-coming-in-march/

Read More

Newsweek tweets cover of its final print edition as it dives into digital age

For Newsweek, the future is digital. After nearly 80 years, the print edition of the venerable news magazine is rolling off the presses for the last time. The final cover was tweeted by Newsweek on Sunday just prior to it hitting newsstands.

Newsweek’s print edition is about to hit newsstands for the final time after rolling off the presses for almost 80 years. The publication will continue as a subscription-based mobile app and web magazine called Newsweek Global.

Newsweek tweeted its final December 31 cover on Sunday, showing a full-page black and white photo of its former Newsweek offices which the organization vacated in the mid-’90s. It goes with the hashtagged headline “#LastPrintIssue”, seemingly a nod to its all-digital future or simply an attempt to create some Twitter buzz.

The venerable news magazine announced its decision to scrap its printed offering in October following reports that the company was losing somewhere in the region of $40 million annually.

Explaining the move in a piece titled A Turn of the Page for Newsweek, editor Tina Brown wrote, “We are transitioning Newsweek, not saying goodbye to it. We remain committed to Newsweek and to the journalism that it represents.”

She continued, “This decision is not about the quality of the brand or the journalism – that is as powerful as ever. It is about the challenging economics of print publishing and distribution.”

A tie-up with web-based news site The Daily Beast in 2011 saw online traffic to its joint site increase markedly as a result. A selection of Newsweek articles are available on the free Daily Beast site, while entire digital editions are currently available – for a fee – to those with iOS, Android, Kindle and Nook devices.

Earlier this month it was reported The Daily Beast was examining the idea of introducing a metered access model that would allow readers to view a number of articles for free before requiring payment for continued access, a move that would no doubt come as a big disappointment to its mass of followers.

For Newsweek, the decision to change was simple – with more and more readers going online to seek out its journalism, a print-edition readership half of what it was 20 years ago and costs spiraling out of control there really was only one way to go.

On Sunday Brown tweeted, “Bitter sweet! Wish us luck!”

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/newsweek-final-print-edition/

Read More