How to watch, tweet, and follow the 2013 Presidential Inauguration online

From now until Tuesday, the 2013 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama will take over Washington D.C., cable news, and much of the Web. Here are all the live streaming video feeds, hashtags, Twitter users, Facebook pages, and apps you need to know to get your Inauguration on.

The 2013 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama is a confusing one. Obama will be sworn in this year not once, but twice (and no it’s not because Chief Justice John Roberts is going to screw up again – not that we know of anyway). He’s being sworn in twice because the U.S. Constitution stipulates that the Inauguration must take place on January 20. But this year, that date falls on a Sunday. And that means Obama will be officially sworn in during a private shindig at noon on Sunday, and then take a public oath of office during the Inauguration ceremony at noon on Monday in front of a crowd of around 700,000 people.

In addition to the public swearing-in ceremony, there’s a whole bunch of other Inauguration festivities, which start on Saturday and run until Tuesday. So prepare yourself for a weekend of non-stop Inauguration – because that’s what your’e going to get.

With all that out of the way, here is a quick, not-confusing guide to how to watch, tweet, and follow the 2013 Presidential Inauguration online.

Watch on the Web

Unlike the Olympics, broadcast of the Inauguration will not be locked down by television networks. In fact, it’s going to be available all over the place. Here are a variety of places you can watch the Inauguration online. Pick your poison:

• C-SPAN: The best option if you don’t want to listen to a bunch of talking heads, C-SPAN will start streaming the Barack Obama Inauguration pagentry starting on Saturday and provide an Inauguration stream all the way through Tuesday. C-SPAN’s broadcast of the ceremony and parade will start at 7am ET on Monday.
• Hulu/Fox: Broadcast will run from 12 to 2pm ET, using the Fox News feed. You can also watch a rerun of the ceremony after it concludes.
• ABC News/YouTube: Broadcast starts at 9am ET, and will run until 11pm ET. ABC will also feature Obama’s signing in on its website from 11:30am to 1:30pm ET.
• Fox News: Not so happy about Obama’s second term? Then Fox New’s live stream is the way to go. Broadcast will start at 8am ET on Monday.
• NBC News: Video stream will begin at 10am ET, and run all day. NBC pundits will be providing “full analysis” of the ceremony, so get excited for that.
• CNN: We assume CNN is going to be all over this Inauguration (it already is), but there are few details about it’s broadcast schedule. If you’re a diehard CNN fan (anybody, anybody?), just check out this page. And we’re sure the stream will pop up on CNN’s live feed sometime Monday morning.
• CBS News: Live broadcast starts for CBS News at 10am ET. The channel will also cover it again in its 6:30pm CBS Evening News broadcast, which will be followed by an hour-long Katie Couric special.
• Livestation: If you’re looking for an outside perspective, Livestation will provide coverage of the Inauguration on Monday from a variety of foreign news outlets, like BBC and Sky News.

Twitter

Twitter is going to be an Inauguration clusterfudge on Monday. But if you want to dive in to the 140-character madness, here are the hashtags and some accounts to follow:

Hashtags

• #inaug2013: Official Twitter hashtag for the Inauguration.
• #inauguration: Another popular hashtag for the Inauguration. Other probable variations include #innauguration #inageration #innaugeration and #ernageracion.
• #iserve: For tweets centered around the National Day of Service (Saturday)
• #tcot: Conservative commentators are apparently tweeting under this hashtag.
• #p2: Liberals are using this one.

Note: You can pretty much assume something strange, hilarious, slightly off, or completely wild will happen during Monday’s ceremony, which will immediately trigger some “viral” hashtag that will suck up all the action. Be on the lookout for that – or, better yet, create one yourself.

Who to follow

There are a ton of Twitter accounts to follow, but here are the main ones.

• @obamainaugural: Official Presidential Inauguration Committee twitter account.
• @PRZInauguration: Unofficial Inauguration account that has been around since 2009, and is back up and running this year.
• @jccic2013: The account of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, which is putting on this year’s bash.
• @BarackObama: President Obama’s account – though we doubt he’ll be taking time to tweet himself.
• @MichelleObama: The First Lady’s official account.
• @WhiteHouse: Official White House Twitter account.
• @PeteSouza: Official White House photographer, Souza has shot some of the best pictures of President Obama in existence.
• @marineband: The Twitter account of the National Marine Corps Band, which performs at the Inauguration every year.
• @SecretService: The official account of the Secret Service; where to watch if things go haywire.

For news networks, don’t follow every one individually. Just subscribe to this comprehensive list by Reuters Social Media Editor Anthony De Rosa, which includes “every news organization in the world.” And here are lists for every news blog, “great” news editors, and every political reporter on Twitter. (Thanks, Anthony, for saving us all a bunch of legwork!)

Facebook

Of course, there will be a whole lot about the Inauguration going on over at Facebook. Here are some of the Facebook pages to “Like” before Monday (if you’re into that kind of thing). Keep in mind that a lot of the news organizations will be hosting Inauguration-related chats on their Facebook pages, just in case you want to throw even more on top of this pile.

• 2013 Obama Inaugural
• CNN
• Fox News
• CBS News
• ABC News
• NBC News
• C-SPAN

Instagram

On Instagram, the best bet is to follow the same hashtags listed under the Twitter section. But for some possible behind-the-scenes shots, check out the (currently underused) official Barack Obama Instagram feed.

Apps

If you want to enjoy the 2013 Inauguration on the go, your best bet is to download one of the many related apps. They are as follows:

• Inaugural 2013 app: The official app of the Inauguration will carry a live stream of the ceremony. But be warned: Some say that this app, released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, will collect data on users, and possibly sign them up for left-leaning emails and other literature.
• NBC Politics app for iOS (iTunes): You’ll be able to watch a live stream of the Inauguration from this app, as well.
• CBS News app
• Fox News app
• CNN app
• ABC News app

And that about does it. Have some other account, hashtag, live stream, or website you think should be on here? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll add it to the mix.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-watch-tweet-and-follow-the-2013-presidential-inauguration-online/

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Best Samsung Galaxy S3 screen protectors

Looking to protect your new Samsung Galaxy S3 without the bulk of a full-fledged case? Here are top picks for some of the best screen protectors money can buy.

Smartphone cases can be a hassle to say the least – they are expensive, bulky and often unnecessary. A case that can stand the test of time may be great in the long run, but what if you’re looking to simply protect your smartphone’s screen and nothing more?  Those found below in our best Samsung Galaxy S3 screen protectors list do just that. They protect your phone from the stress of everyday life – from your standard key nick to a little excess heat from the sun – and leave your phone looking just as fresh as the day you bought it.

We cannot guarantee it will save your phone from certain death on all occasions, but it may help.

If you’re looking for complete protection, check out our guide to the best Samsung Galaxy S3 cases.

Spigen Steinheil Ultra Nano Clear Screen Protector ($14) Spigen’s Ultra Nano isn’t the most heavy-duty screen protector out there, but it looks great and doesn’t dramatically interfere with touch-screen responsiveness. Like many screen protectors on the market, the 50-micron thick strip is hard coated with anti-UV ray protection to help deter electromagnetic rays and protect your screen from the various woes it will surely encounter. The adhesive is strong to prevent lifting around the edges and the additional oleophobic coating helps keep annoying fingerprints and smudges to a minimum. Be sure to check out Spigen’s Ultra Crystal screen protector if you’re looking for something with a little more resilience.

Zagg invisibleSHIELDs ($15-$30) Zagg’s award-winning invisibleSHIELD lineup is a solid screen protector choice with a variety of options to choose from. The screen protectors feature 0.2-mm thick strips that cover your Galaxy S3’s screen and frame, offering a bit more coverage and protection from the elements. Zagg’s Nano-Memory technology adds durability, maintains clarity, and reduces glare. The screen protectors vary in price by whichever model you choose, whether it is the original version or the EXTREME, but the style and fit remains the same. And who can complain about a lifetime guarantee?

Tech Armor HD Clear Screen Protector ($4) Tech Armor’s screen protector proves yet again that you don’t have to spend a fortune to obtain peace of mind. The company made a point to emphasis its “no compromise on clarity” approach to the film, adding screen protection that remains clear and maintains the responsiveness of your iPhone’s display. It’s not top-notch, but the price is incredibly affordable and the product comes in a pack of three just in case.

Skinomi TechSkin Screen Protector ($12) Working on a tight budget? Skonmi’s TechSkin screen protector has got you covered. The film does a decent job of protecting your screen from any typical wear-and-tear it may face without breaking the bank. The first layer of film is scratch resistant and protects your iPhone from harmful UV rays that can lead to yellowing. The second layer gives you a bit more puncture protection. It may be listed at $12, but you can usually score the screen protector at various online retailers for around $10.

XtremeGuard Screen Protector ($5) XtremeGuard’s screen protector is another ultra-thin option that comes at an affordable price. The durable full-body wrap protects your phone from the typical wear-and-tear it may face while retaining the transparency and brightness of your phone at the same time. It even comes with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee so you can simply send it back for a full refund if it’s not to your liking.

What do you think of our picks for the best Samsung Galaxy S3 screen protectors? Is there one you find to be the top dog for both protection and clarity? Let us know in the comments below.

 

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-samsung-galaxy-s3-screen-protectors/

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Galaxy S4 benchmark looks to reveal Exynos 5 Octa inside

Paving the path of the next generation?

Rumors surrounding Samsung's Galaxy S4 smartphone have become more and more frequent the past few weeks, giving some credence to the idea an announcement of on some sort of SIV front is forthcoming.

Of course, reports on the successor to the incredibly popularGalaxy S3 have been making the rounds since that device hit the market, so maybe we're just in an upswell right now.

Today's look at the S4 comes from benchmarking site Antutu Benchmarks, revealing a little bit more about the highly anticipated handset's specs.

It would appear that not only will the S4 run Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean, but there could even be an eight-core processor providing all the horsepower.

Taking it Octa notch

Though it was originally believed the Exynos 5440 quad-core processor would find its way into the Galaxy S4, the new specs tell a slightly different story.

The processor inside might still be an Exynos, but based on the benchmarking, it would appear the new Octa 5 eight-core processor is running the show.

The Exynos Octa 5 was clocked at 1.8GHz, meaning the S4 should have plenty of juice to make the most of the rumored 4.99-inch Super AMOLED HD screen with 440 ppi.

To make things even better, the processor was supposedly identified in both the Korean and international versions of the Galaxy S4.

There's still no precise date or timeframe for the Galaxy S4's release, and even though Samsung hasn't technically announced the phone's existence yet, the company did say it wouldn't be out before May 2013.

If this benchmarking ends up being on point, Samsung could have quite the beast of a smartphone on the horizon, and one that both Google and Apple will be taking note of before releasing either companies' latest devices.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/galaxy-s4-benchmark-looks-to-reveal-exynos-5-octa-inside-1126069

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Final Fantasy All the Bravest Review (iOS): Prepare to be nickel and dimed

The Final Fantasy series is beloved by the masses, but has lost its footing over the last few installments. After a couple ports of classic parts of the franchise to mobile devices, Square Enix has given Final Fantasy a true mobile makeover with Final Fantasy: All the Bravest. Too bad you’ll have to pay console game prices for all its content.

Square Enix started out with plenty of positives when it decided to put together Final Fantasy: All The Bravest. One of the most popular video game franchises was going to get a title tailor made for one of the most accessible gaming platforms around. Best yet, the game consists specifically of the most memorable moments and epic battles in Final Fantasy history. It’s even got gorgeous pixel art that feels right at home on iOS and captures the nostalgic feeling of plugging a SNES cartridge in and firing up a game. All the Bravest carries a $4 price tag, a pretty accessible entry price into a series that usually sells for $60 on it traditional console home. Don’t worry, though, because this game will give you the chance to pay almost every penny of that console price for absolutely none of the fun.

Fans of Final Fantasy found themselves drawn to the game thanks to an innovative combat system and party management options. Wanting to give All the Bravest a distinct feel that would make it right at home on iOS, Square Enix stripped out the standard means of operation and simplified everything in a way that is way more tap heavy. That would be fine, except it essentially removes anything one would consider “game-like” from the game. It also strips the series of the formula that made it popular in the first place, which seems like a bad call this far into its existence.

Your party can consist of an upwards of 40 characters. You will have no control over who they are, the formation they take or attacks they perform. You simply tap on them and they perform a default action. Once you tap to attack, the character will take a few second to recharge before you can use them again. No problem, as you’ll have plenty of other characters to tap in the meantime. That’s how you’ll have to occupy yourself in battle, because that is literally the only thing you have control over. Sometimes you will reach a Fever mode, available only once every three hours. This takes the recharge time out of the picture completely, so you can tap totally at will. It vaguely resembles something that is fun, but don’t be fooled by it. It’s really not.

Sometimes, over the course of your battles, you will face an enemy who is too powerful to be defeated by your current party. Fear not, as Square has a solution for you. Use the handy party renewal hourglass in the upper right and you’ll get a refresh of your original group. You’ll get a couple free to start the game, though the tutorial forces you to use one and you will stumble into a battle that will essentially be too hard to overcome without a renewal in under an hour of gameplay. If things are too challenging after that point, you’ll either have to wait for members of your party to respawn at a rate of one every three minutes (remember, your party can be as big as 40 characters deep) or fork over a buck to bring everyone back at once.

Feel like spending a bit more money? We hope so, because Square Enix appears to be hard up for cash given the in-app purchases in All the Bravest. Aside from the characters you unlock over the course of your gameplay, there are also a list of premium characters to be acquired. This isn’t done by skill or dedication or even just by dropping some cash. No, these 35 extra characters, the big names from the FF universe that are no doubt the reason you’re playing this baren excuse for a game in the first place, can be yours for a $1 a pop – but they are delivered totally at random. Get one that you don’t particularly like? Too bad, they are defaulted to one of your party slots anyway.

This game is supposed to be all about nostalgia, of course, so you’re going to want to take those beloved stars of previous FF games and drag them through a re-imagined version your favorite moments in the series’ history. You can unlock the worlds of Final Fantasy VII, X, and XIII for $4 a pop, or the same price you paid just to download this travesty in the first place.

If you’d like to experience everything that Final Fantasy: All the Bravest has to offer, you will fork over at least $51. $4 for the download, $35 to unlock every character, then $12 to get yourself all the moments the game promised you’d be able to relive in the first place. That doesn’t account for the possibility you’ll have to revive your party for a $1. There doesn’t have to be anything wrong with in-app purchases. There is something very wrong with what’s happening here. We can’t imagine that people who want to relive their favorite Final Fantasy memories, people who have already invested a fair amount of their money into this franchise in previous installments, have any interest in forking over $50+ to play a totally stripped down, tappable movie version of the game they love. You want to have this same experience for far less money and get about the same amount of enjoyment out of it? Load up the trailer for Final Fantasy: All the Bravest on YouTube and tap the screen occasionally as it plays. The video is a minute and twenty-seven seconds long, which is about how long you’ll enjoy this game.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/final-fantasy-all-the-bravest-review-ios-buy-a-game-piece-by-piece/

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Galaxy S4 benchmark looks to reveal reveals Exynos 5 Octa processor

The Exynos Octa 5 could pave the path of the next generation

Rumors surrounding Samsung's Galaxy S4 smartphone have been more and more frequent the past few weeks, giving some credence to the idea an announcement of some sort is forthcoming.

Of course, reports on the successor to the incredibly popularGalaxy S3 have been making the rounds since that device hit the market.

Now the supposed Galaxy S4 has appeared on benchmarking site Antutu Benchmarks, revealing a little bit more about the specs.

It would appear that not only will the S4 run Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean, but there could even be an actual eight core processor providing all the horsepower.

Taking it Octa notch

Though it was originally believed the Exynos 5440 quad-core processor would find its way into the Galaxy S4, the new specs tell a slightly different story.

The processor inside might still be an Exynos, but based on the benchmarking, it would appear the new Octa 5 eight-core processor is running the show.

The Exynos Octa 5 was clocked at 1.8GHz, meaning the S4 should have plenty of juice to make the most of the rumored 4.99-inch Super AMOLED HD screen with 440PPI.

To make things even better, the processor was supposedly identified in both the Korean and international versions of the Galaxy S4.

There's still no precise date or timeframe for the Galaxy S4's release, and even though Samsung hasn't technically announced the phone's existence yet, the company did say it wouldn't be out before May 2013.

If this benchmarking ends up being on point, Samsung could have quite the beast of a smartphone on the horizon, and one that both Google and Apple will be taking note of before releasing their latest devices.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/galaxy-s4-benchmark-looks-to-reveal-reveals-exynos-5-octa-processor-1126069

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German video demonstrates BlackBerry 10's voice control, in German

It's time for BlackBerry to make a comeback

The nice folks at Telekom-Presse continue to regale the tech world with BlackBerry 10 leaks, on Friday publishing a video showing off the new operating system's voice recognition capabilities.

The German-language site tested out the BlackBerry Z10's voice-to-text dictation in Friday's video, in addition to making calls and playing music using voice commands.

It seemed like the BlackBerry 10 device really responded quite well to the user's voice commands, which is more than can be said for Siri half the time.

It seems every modern mobile OS needs voice controls, so it's no surprise that Research in Motion (RIM) apparently made sure that BlackBerry 10's speech recognition actually works.

BlackBerry 10 ready for launch

BlackBerry 10 is scheduled to launch on Jan. 30, and the BB10 leaks have multiplied recently as anticipation ramps up.

Just as it did on Friday, Telekom-Presse provided the most substantial leak on Tuesday when it posted the first hands-on video of the BlackBerry Z10.

Purported images of the QWERTY-equipped BlackBerry X10 appeared on Tuesday as well.

Prior to that, on Monday several reportedly leaked images showed off Google Talk and Twitter integration in the BlackBerry 10 OS's BlackBerry Hub notification center and inbox.

Plus RIM revealed that 15,000 apps had been submitted as part of a two-day port-a-thon that offered developers cash and other prizes for submitting their apps to the BlackBerry 10 application pool.

Earlier in 2012 we couldn't have told you whether BlackBerry 10 was ever going to come out at all, and now it's really happening.

Hopefully the wait proves worth it for all you hardcore BBers out there.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/german-video-demonstrates-blackberry-10s-voice-control-in-german-1126058

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Square-Enix explains why Final Fantasy games cost so much on iOS

Most iPhone games cost just 99-cents, but if you want to play one of the illustrious Square-Enix’s games, you’ll have to shell out more than that. The developers of Final Fantasy Dimensions explain why their RPGs cost what they do.

Apple’s meteoric rise from a non-entity in the video game industry to one of its most powerful players has everything to do with the economics of the iTunes App Store. The iPhone is an industry defining product, as are the iPod Touch and the iPad, but the secret sauce that keeps people spending on iOS games is low pricing. When a new, substantial game is just $5 or even 99-cents away, it’s not difficult to separate players from their money.

That’s why Square-Enix is such a baffling iOS publisher. The revered RPG maker has earned a reputation for its expensive mobile titles, with ports of old RPGs like Chrono Trigger priced regularly at $20 and up. With the new original Final Fantasy Dimensions scraping the upper range—it was originally priced at $29 before dropping down to $20—Square has shed some light on why it goes against the iOS grain.

“We are aware of both the positive and negative opinions on this matter,” reads a message from the Dimensions staff to Siliconera, “[Final Fantasy Dimensions] offers about fifty hours of gameplay, and we feel that our community can enjoy the contents of this game as much as they would a console title. Also, we have set the price where it is because this title was developed specifically for the mobile platform, as opposed to just being a port of an older console or handheld game. I hope our long-time fans will feel the nostalgia, while our younger fans will find this game to be refreshing and new.”

The nostalgia factor is born of Final Fantasy Dimensions’ style. Its two-dimensional sprite graphics and chiptune soundtrack were made to mimic the Final Fantasy games of the early ‘90s on Super Nintendo. The price shouldn’t make players nostalgic, though. Super Nintendo Square RPGs like Final Fantasy III often cost as much as $70 when they were first released two decades back. Square’s iOS releases are not just affordable by comparison but cheap.

Still the pricing of Dimensions demonstrates that the business of iOS game publishing is still very much in flux, changing with each release. Chilingo offers game like Puzzle Craft whose campaigns last for 30 hours or more for just 99-cents. By the same token, Square has sold games like Demon’s Score that are relatively short, but costs $44 for all the content. Considering how quickly Dimensions’ price has dropped, it appears that Square is rushing to find the sweet spot for iOS succes.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/square-enix-explains-why-final-fantasy-games-cost-so-much-on-ios/

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iPad sales may be slipping as demand shifts to iPad Mini (or Android)

iPad production rates are down. Is the full-size Apple tablet in trouble?

The launch of the iPad Mini may be bittersweet for Apple. According to folks at the production-side of things, sales of displays for the 9.7-inch iPad have slowed to a near halt, running at “the minimal level” according to a report from Reuters. While Apple’s current display manufacturer, Sharp, declines to spill the beans from a spokesperson, insiders from several sources claim production is down a lot, signaling bad news from the end of the food chain.

Declining iPad sales can be blamed on anything from over-saturation to competition from Android and Windows RT, but a smaller culprit could be at work: the iPad Mini. While the iPad’s sales are down, iPad Mini sales are climbing. High sales of the iPad Mini, as well as cheaper Android tablets, could be impacting iPad sales.

Reports indicate that the iPad’s Q4 predictions are not matching up to sales, and this contradicts with growing display panel sales from production in Asia. On the whole, tablet sales are up. However, on the bright side, the iPad Mini continues to perform well, as consumers see it as a cheaper, though equally qualified miniature tablet.

As Android tablets continue to get cheaper and the iPad Mini works its mojo, the good old iPad seems to be in for a rocky year.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ipad-sales-are-slipping/

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LG preps faster, bigger Optimus G Pro to join the wave of 1080p phones

Details have leaked teasing the upcoming Optimus G Pro, LG’s latest rumored Android flagship. Look at the specs, LG is planning on bringing its A-game to the Android battle.

Following in the footsteps of LG superstars, the Optimus G and Nexus 4, the company’s next Android device will be the LG Optimus G Pro. A leaked graphic was sent to Engadget today showing off the latest flagship’s killer specs.

What we’re looking at is a 5-inch 1080p display with a 1.7GHz Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon processor providing the horsepower. Even though the specs are impressive, we must say they are pretty standard for high-end Android devices in 2013 – assuming the graphic can be trusted anyway.

The Optimus G Pro will ship with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and pack in 32GB of storage, 2GB of memory, and support for LTE networks. As for the cameras, it looks like LG put a 2.4-megapixel up front and a 13-megapixel on the back. Again, very standard specs for a top-of-the-line Android device, not that we’re complaining. It is a definite step up from the Optimus G, which is already an outstanding smartphone.

Unfortunately, any information on availability or pricing was left out of the leak. The Optimus G is currently sold in the United States, Canada, Japan, and South Korea so it could be assumed the Pro would follow suit. Engadget confirms that certain features of the Pro hint at it being carried by NTT DoCoMo in Japan.

This leak accompanies another set of rumors that LG may release an Optimus G2 before the end of the year. Of course, since this latest leak pins the same features of the G2 (5-inch 1080p display, Android 4.1, etc.) it is possible the Pro and G2 are actually the same device. The identical feature set also doesn’t make sense as usually one device would take a more entry-level position, but it wouldn’t be the first time a tech rumor led us astray.

In any case, LG has a great track record with the Optimus G and the (almost identical) Nexus 4, with the latter being the subject of Android obsession. Today LG revealed that more than 1 million Optimus Gs have been sold in the four months following its debut, Yonhap News Agency reports. Those numbers will only grow as LG finishes plans to launch the phone in China and parts of Europe. From where we’re standing, Samsung better watch its back. LG may be the manufacturer to challenge the success of the Galaxy S3 and help put another Android device on the mainstream’s radar.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/lg-optimus-g-pro-details-surface-ahead-of-schedule/

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Sony is selling its New York HQ, then re-renting it

Sony announced it's selling its headquarters building, located on 550 Madison Avenue, New York. The sale price is $1.1 billion.

What's interesting is that under the conditions of the deal, which should go through some time in March, Sony's various businesses will stay in the building for another three years.

After repaying the debt related to the building and various other fees, Sony expects to net $685 million, which will be recorder as operating income. Nifty, we would say. It would come just in time for the end of the fiscal year (March 31) to boost the balance sheet Sony will have to present its investors. This would allow the company to finish up the year on the black instead of the projected $200+ million loss.

There's no word on the planned expenses for renting the building in the three years to follow.

Since a new management team took over Sony last year, the challenge for the company has been to strengthen up, to reduce expenses and get rid of losing businesses.

Source (PDF) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_plans_to_sell_its_new_york_headquarters_then_rerent_it-news-5370.php

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Samsung sweetens Android 4.1 update for the Galaxy Note 10.1 with special features

Samsung has announced the impending availability of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for the Galaxy Note 10.1, plus the inclusion of Premium Suite, which adds a variety of new features to the tablet.

If you own a Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, then Samsung has a pleasant surprise for you, as an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean should be ready to download very soon. What’s more, the update doesn’t only include Project Butter, an improved interface, faster performance and all the other Jelly Bean features, but Samsung’s Premium Suite, too.

Premium Suite elevates the Android 4.1 update from being vaguely interesting to truly intriguing, as it adds a clutch of new features to devices on which it appears. Premium Suite has been added to the Galaxy Note in the past, and should be arriving on the Galaxy S3 soon. As for the Galaxy Note 10.1, here’s a breakdown of all the new features you’ll discover after applying the update.

First up are three enhancements based around the Note 10.1’s ability to run two apps, side-by-side, at the same time. Using Cascade View, certain apps can be pinned to the screen, resized, and moved around, while still allowing them to run at the same time or for users to play around on the home screen. It sounds a lot like Pop-Up Play, only not just for video playback.

With Quick Command, scribbling a shortcut on screen using the S-Pen stylus provides fast access to often used apps, while Air View lets you hover the S-Pen over a gallery or video to show a preview of its content. Both of these features can be seen in use on the Galaxy Note 2. The same is also true of Paper Artist, an app which turns photos into pencil sketches using the stylus, now added to the Galaxy Note 10.1 as well.

Premium Suite makes the S-Pen an even more integral part of the Note 10.1, as it adds several new features based on how we would use a normal pen. For example, notes can be written on the “back” of saved pictures with Photo Note (another feature culled from the Galaxy Note 2), while Easy Clip adds a fast copy/paste and share menu to its repertoire. The S-Pen has been integrated into S Planner – the device’s built-in, multiple source, calendar app – and notes written using the stylus can easily be sent through email. Finally, removing the S-Pen from its holder now wakes the tablet up.

The Android 4.1 with Premium Suite update should be available very soon on all Wi-Fi versions of the Galaxy Note 10.1. The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 should also start to receive an Android 4.1 update, though Premium Suite won’t be included.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/samsung-galaxy-note-10-1-updated-with-android-4-1-and-premium-suite/

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LG sold 1 million Optimus G units and counting

LG just announced it has sold worldwide more than a million units of its flagship smartphone - the Optimus G. A similar recent announcement put their L-series sales in the range of 10 million.

The LG Optimus G sale numbers come in a stark contrast with Apple and Samsung flagship sales, but then again, there's a reason these guys are high on the list of the top mobile phone manufacturers.

LG has had some troubles in the past few years, but their last Q3 results have shown the company is back on its feet, ready to fight back the big dogs.

A leak from earlier today, showing the LG Optimus G Pro, may suggest they already have the right weapon in their armory.

Source | Via | Photo source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_sells_1_million_units_of_optimus_g_in_four_months-news-5369.php

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Nokia Lumia 620 goes on sale, Russia gets it first

Nokia Lumia 620 is now available in Russia. It costs about €300 (11990 RUB) and, is the most affordable Windows Phone 8-powered smartphone by the Finnish company yet.

It is available on the official Nokia Store for Russia in all of its color versions (white, black, yellow, green and magenta colors).

We already had a close encounter with the Nokia Lumia 620 in green and you can find everything we learned from it right here.

Since the device is already on sale in Russia, we can probably expect it to hit Europe and Asian markets in the following weeks.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_620_goes_on_sale_russia_gets_it_first-news-5368.php

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Nokia releases 3D printer kit for home-made Lumia 820 cases

Get printing

Nokia has published the files necessary for people to 3D print their own Nokia Lumia 820 cases.

Harking back to the days of the 3310, when interchangeable fascias were the height of cool and the Baha Men were stumped over who allowed some canines to escape, the files allow you to design your own case for the Windows Phone phone.

The files come as part of a 3D-printing Development Kit (3DK), with added advice on what materials work best and design tips.

Cost effective?

Since you're unlikely to have a 3D printer kicking about at home, you may want to try a 3D printing service - however, neither option really comes cheap.

Still, it's a nice little bonus if you have the cash and the know-how to design your own case; and it's certainly not difficult to foresee a future where phone accessories are printed at home instead of bought from questionable little booths in shopping centres.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/nokia-releases-3d-printer-kit-for-home-made-lumia-820-cases-1125952

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LG goes one step further, blames Google for Nexus 4 supply disaster

An LG executive has blamed Google for the lack of Nexus 4 stock, saying the company underestimated the demand for the high-spec, low-price smartphone.

A few days ago, an LG representative told a Chinese news source its South Korean manufacturing plant was running smoothly, and that it had no problem supplying Google with all the Nexus 4 handsets it could need. Although it didn’t come right out and say it, one could interpret this to mean LG was transferring blame from it to Google for lack of Nexus 4 stock.

Now, in an interview with the French website Challenges, Cathy Robin, the Director of Mobile Communications for LG France has gone one step further and said Google severely underestimated the demand for the Nexus 4. By how much? She says Google’s initial estimates for the UK and Germany were 10 times lower than demand, which then impacted other countries as attempts were made to fulfill orders. The phone is still a rarity because the current delivery rate only matches Google’s pre-orders. This could be changing next month though, as LG is about to increase the production of the Nexus 4, a process which takes around six weeks.

Robin attempts to calm the waters with Google by saying she, “doesn’t want to throw stones,” and the relationship between the two companies is good. LG’s James Fisher said something similar at CES 2013, and confirmed the Nexus 4 was the first in a line of devices the two firms would produce together. Let’s hope they both learn from their mistakes.

While LG may have suddenly started to address the lack of Nexus 4 stock more vocally, Google hasn’t been silent on the subject, having called supplies, “scarce and erratic” at the end of last year. These outbursts may be interesting to read, but they don’t excuse both companies getting it so wrong in the first place – it’s only Google and LG who’re surprised by the Nexus 4’s popularity – and why LG is only now starting the long process to speed up production.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/lg-blames-google-for-nexus-4-supply-disaster/

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LG Optimus G Pro with a 5" 1080p screen leaks

The LG Optimus G is one of the most powerful phones on the market right now and it got the honor of being the basis of the latest Google Nexus phone. Yet, LG may already be working on an improved version, the LG Optimus G Pro.

Blog of Mobile came upon some info that points to the Optimus G Pro joining the 5” 1080p fight. The quad Krait CPU will be clocked at 1.7GHz (up from 1.5GHz) and the battery capacity has been bumped up to 3000mAh. It might also pack an IR port, similar to the Sony Xperia ZL.

The rest is pretty much the same – 13MP camera, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, LTE connectivity, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, NFC, wallet and a couple of digital TV standards (presumably, those won’t make it to the worldwide version).

The LG Optimus G Pro will measure 139 x 70 x 10mm and weigh 160g according to rumors.

A couple of things lend some credence to the G Pro rumors - the image above was sent to Engadget by an anonymous tipster and Piet Zweegers, who sent this in to us, found out LGOptimusGPro.nl is registered by LG Electronix Benelux (there's nothing at that domain at the moment).

This isn't the first time we're hearing of such a device - it sounds very close to the rumored specs of the LG Optimus G2.

If it pans out, it will be interesting because the G Pro will depart from the 16:10 aspect ratio of the Optimus G (unless the Pro has a 1200 x 1920 screen, which was mislabeled as 1080p by the rumors) and it will undoubtedly spark rumors of a Nexus 5.

Thanks to Piet Zweegers for sending this in!

Source 1 (in Japanese) | Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/rumored_lg_optimus_g_pro_to_have_a_5_1080p_screen-news-5366.php

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BlackBerry 10 apps may suck on the QWERTY handset

The curse of the QWERTY keyboard

The first QWERTY keyboard-toting BlackBerry 10 device may be at a disadvantage with apps not optimised for its display.

According to Canadian news site the Financial Post, Victoria Berry from RIM has said the firm won't release the SDK for its QWERTY handsets until after the January 30 launch date.

This would mean developers cannot adapt their applications for the smaller display ahead of time meaning devices will go to market without properly coded native apps.

App-oh

It's not like the QWERTY keyboard has gone off the boil with RIM Senior Director Bob El-Hawary telling Vodafone recently the firm "will also be announcing a physical keyboard device" at the January 30 launch event.

El-Hawary was also quick to point out that the number of new apps being submitted to BB 10 is breaking records: "we're confident that we'll launch with tens of thousands of apps, a record for the launch of any new mobile platform."

With so many apps apparently ready to go it's even more surprising that the physical keyboard device - currently referred to as the BlackBerry X10 - won't be able to take full advantage of them from the word go.

We're sure all will become clear at the end of the month when RIM finally launches BlackBerry 10 and hopefully gets its business back on track.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blackberry-10-apps-may-suck-on-the-qwerty-handset-1125931

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UK network O2 sees success selling the HTC One X+ without a mains charger

O2 has published the results of its “Charger out of the box” scheme, where it offered the HTC One X+ to customers without a mains charger, in an effort to cut down on environmental waste.

Following a trial which began in October last year, UK network O2 is celebrating the success of its “Charger out of the box” scheme, where it partnered with HTC to provide customers purchasing the One X+ the chance to opt out of having a mains charging adaptor included. The idea is to reduce the amount of environmental waste these chargers produce, as according to O2, there are 100 million of them laying around in the UK already.

Those buying the One X+ without a charger will get the standard microUSB to USB cable, enabling them to use a compatible wall charger they already own, or to charge their new phone through a computer. In 2010, the European Commission and 14 mobile manufacturers approved a plan to standardize mobile phone chargers, and all agreed to use the microUSB system. A clause allows manufacturers to provide an adaptor if they really don’t want to convert over to microUSB charging, which is how Apple deals with the rule.

O2 became the first network to conduct a trial run of selling a phone without an A/C adaptor, as its research showed 70-percent of its customers already owned a suitable charger and therefore didn’t need another. Now the trial has ended, it has revealed 82-percent of people who purchased the One X+ chose not to take a charger, showing its research was on the conservative side. In case you’re wondering, O2 will still supply a charger to anyone who wants one, but they have to pay cost price.

With 30 million phones sold in the UK annually, if every network and manufacturer adopted a similar practice, it would result in 24 million fewer phone chargers being added to the pile, based on O2’s results. O2’s CEO Ronan Dunne said, “The results of the trial demonstrate a clear willingness among consumers to consider and respond to the environmental argument for taking a phone charger-free.” Dunne also pushed others to follow its example. The trial is the first part in O2‘s plan to ultimately sell all its phones without a charger by 2015.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/uk-network-o2-sees-success-selling-phones-without-a-mains-charger/

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LG Optimus G2 set to be a Jelly Bean powerhouse

A new flagship on the horizon, but what will it be called?

Specs have appeared online for a new smartphone dubbed the LG Optimus Pro - but is this a new handset or just the Optimus G2 in disguise?

The details have cropped up on Japanese forum 2Channel, so it's not exactly the most legit leak we've ever seen, but still let's see what it's saying.

According to the unknown source, the Optimus Pro will pack a 5-inch full HD display, 1.7GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, 13MP camera and a 3,000mAh battery.

G2 or Pro?

These specs are pretty similar to the rumourswe've seen surrounding the Optimus G2 which has led many to believe they could be the same device.

The original Optimus G didn't make it out of Asia, but we're hoping LG's next flagship handset will go global especially after the success of the Google Nexus 4.

The LG Optimus G2 or Optimus Pro - or both - could arrive at MWC 2013 in Barcelona and we'll be there to bring you all the latest from the Korean firm.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/lg-optimus-g2-set-to-be-a-jelly-bean-powerhouse-1125919

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Newsstand news: Apple offers Hearst magazines before print edition, Rolling Stone arrives

Apple and major magazine publisher Hearst are trying something new in an effort to get more iPad users to buy content from Newsstand….

Apple has struck a deal with publishing giant Hearst to give iPad users an extra incentive to hit the buy button for one of its many magazine offerings. The New York-based publisher is now giving readers of its titles – which include the likes of Car and Driver, Esquire, Elle and Cosmopolitan – early access if they purchase it through Apple’s Newsstand store. Twenty titles are currently by the New York-based publisher.

Hearst’s Alexandra Carlin told AllThingsD Thursday that Apple came up with the idea – an idea that Hearst executives evidently liked the sound of. “It’s a great offer they can provide to their Newsstand users,” she said, adding, “We’re always working with our retail partners on unique ways to drive consumer sales and engagement.”

According to Carlin, the offer will apply not only to subscriptions but also to single-edition purchases made through Newsstand. How many days ahead of the print publication readers can get access to the magazine will vary from title to title, Carlin said.

The early access feature is new to Newsstand, though if it proves popular we can expect to see other publishers following in Hearst’s footsteps before too long.

Hearst is one of the world’s biggest publishers of monthly magazines, with 20 titles in the US and over 300 international editions.

With more and more people jumping online for their news fix, newspaper and magazine publishers around the world are frantically searching for ways to get Web users to pay for content as print circulations plummet. Paywalls, per-article-payments and various subscription options are among the different methods being tested. Newsweek recently consigned its print edition to the waste paper basket, choosing to invest all of its its resources in its online edition, most of which sits behind a paywall.

Rolling Stone

And guess what – even Rolling Stone magazine, whose owner said in 2011 that publishers were “crazy” to be so keen to get their publications on the iPad, has, you guessed it, just turned up on Newsstand. The digital edition offers instant streaming of tracks by artists mentioned in its articles.

The music magazine, which is published twice a month, costs $4.99 for a single issue. Two subscription options are also available: one month for $1.99, or one year for $19.99.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-offers-hearst-magazines-before-print-edition/

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Titanium Gray Samsung Galaxy Premier launched in Taiwan

You may remember the Samsung Galaxy Premier that was announced back in October last month. The phone has a 4.65-inch, HD Super AMOLED display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 8 megapixel camera and Android Jelly Bean, and is essentially a variation of Google's Galaxy Nexus, also manufactured by Samsung.

The phone has now gone on sale in Taiwan, where it is being sold in a new color called Titanium Gray, as seen above. The phone is now available for purchase for 15,900 Taiwanese Dollars, which is approximately US$549. The phone is expected to go on sale shortly in other Asian markets.

You can get some details hands-on pictures and videos and some benchmark scores in the link below.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/titanium_gray_samsung_galaxy_premier_launched_in_taiwan-news-5365.php

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