If Sept. 10 is too long of a wait to see how the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C look next to each other, leakers are more than happy to help spoil Tim Cook's surprise with a sneak peek.
Side-by-side photos of what are billed as the two forthcoming Apple smartphones appear on the website of known Apple leaker Sonny Dickson.
"You're looking at our most extensive iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C part leak yet," claims Dickson on his blog.
There are a total of 68 photos of the nearly complete iPhone hardware, with up-close pics of what he alleged are parts like the screen, back housing, SIM tray and front and back cameras.
It's what's on the inside that matters
Sonny admits that while nearly everything is intact, both the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C in these photos are missing the all-important logic board.
That means there's no photographic evidence of the full iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C specs in these new pictures.
Nevertheless, previous rumors fill in the gaps, pointing to an speedy Apple A7 processor for the iPhone 5S. That's a step up over the A6 SoC used in the current iPhone 5.
The higher-end smartphone is also said to contain a fingerprint sensor and NFC technology, but it may stick with the 1GB of RAM and an aluminum body.
This is where the cheap iPhone is said to differ. Instead of an aluminum frame, it will reportedly be made of plastic to bring the cost down. Internally, the iPhone 5C specs are thought to resemble the iPhone 5.
All eyes on Sept. 10
These latest iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C photos offer a clearer view of what Apple's next device will look like, far better than the quality of the blurry snapshots from factory floors in China.
However, we won't know the final specs of the two smartphones until the expected launch event on Sept. 10.
On that date, we're bound to know it all of the vital details, including how much the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C will cost.
With so many leaks, Apple may surprise us with the iWatch
BlackBerry Messaging on iOS and Android: is it still happening?
It's been a long time coming, but BlackBerry Messaging could finally be launching on iOS and Android.
The company formerly known as Research in Motion published the manuals for BBM on iOS and Android online before promptly taking them down, reports Pocketnow.
Those who caught a glimpse say the manuals featured instructions for sending messages and voice messages and references to location services and statuses.
The site reports that screen sharing, voice communication, and video will be there eventually as well, though not at first.
There's been even less word on BBM for iOS, but all signs seem to point at the fact that both versions of the BlackBerry Messaging app are still on their way.
Whether anyone still cares is a different question, and one that will only be answered when it finally comes out.
Is Tizen's genie the wish-granting or the soul-devouring type?
It's been a long time since we received any official word on Tizen, the open source smartphone OS based on Linux.
Unofficial word will have to do, then, and the blog Tizen Indonesia has just that.
Samsung will launch Tizen officially at its first global developer conference at the end of October in San Francisco, according to the site.
Given all the times we've expected Tizen to be right around the corner and not heard a peep, though, we'll believe it when we see it.
Conflicting reports
We've asked Samsung to clarify whether Tizen will indeed launch in October, and we'll let you know if they give us anything concrete.
As early as fall 2012 we thought Tizen was about to drop, as sources were claiming Samsung's first Tizen phone was due "in the near future."
Turns out their definition of "near" may be different from ours, since it's been a year with nary a peep on the Tizen front.
Reports last month claimed that Tizen will launch anywhere from IFA 2013 in September to this year's holiday season, a much longer wait than we would have thought even at our most pessimistic.
It's definitely still happening, unless Samsung has changed its tune since July, when the Korean company and Intel (another Tizen proponent) announced a $4 million app incentive for Tizen developers.
It will be interesting to see what kind of results they got when the OS finally launches.
Sony looks certain to abide by its recent preference for making mobile gadgets resistant to the wet stuff, judging by a Twitter teaser posted to the social network on Friday.
The Japanese company is expected to unveil its next flagship device, the Xperia Z1 (previously known as 1i and Honami) at an event prior to the the IFA tech show, which gets underway in early September.
With that in mind, the company tweeted: "About to make a splash... #bestofSony," accompanied by a photo showing liquid falling on the slim device we've seen appear in previous teasers and leaked snaps.
Of course, if the Xperia Z1 arrives able to withstand the odd accidental dunk in the toilet bowl, it wouldn't be a surprise. Both the Xperia Z and Xperia Z Ultra were also IP57 and IP58 certified respectively.
4K making the headlines?
Indeed, unless the device becomes waterproof to 200m or something equally ridiculous, the phone's resistance to the elements is unlikely to be a headline-maker when it is announced on September 4.
The Xperia Z1 has been tipped to tout a powerful 20-megapixel camera and the ability to capture 4K video support, making it the first smartphone to boast that functionality.
It's also expected to arrive with a 1080p, Full HD 5-inch display (or Reality Display as Sony likes to call it).
The LG Optimus L7 II was unveiled in Black and White color variants and now, the company has officially announced a new limited edition of the smartphone with flower-covered panels.
The new design looks elegant and comes with floral prints on the front and back panel of the smartphone. Apart from the design, there are no changes on the hardware specifications of the device.
To refresh your memory, the LG Optimus L7 II sports a 4.3-inch LCD display with a WVGA resolution and the smartphone features a 1 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor along with 768 MB of RAM, 8 megapixel rear camera, 4 GB inbuilt memory, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and a 2,460mAh battery.
The limited edition LG Optimus L7 II is priced at RUR9,990 (about $302). Unfortunately, there is no word on the global availability of the flowery designed smartphone.
Despite Samsung's recent attempts to delay a November retrial to resolve two lawsuits with Apple, the Federal judge overseeing those cases says enough is enough, the show must go on as scheduled.
Foss Patents today reported that Judge Lucy Koh is ready to wrap up a pair of Apple v. Samsung lawsuits once and for all, clearing the way for a limited damages retrial scheduled for November.
A case management order filed Thursday evening effectively denies two Samsung motions which would have held up the resolution of its most high-profile legal scuffles with Apple in the Northern District of California.
Apple's legal team has been quoted as saying "[t]his case is within striking distance of a true final judgment," and it appears that Judge Koh agrees with that sentiment.
Monkey wrenches
According to the report, a pair of Samsung motions filed in July were little more than a method of throwing "a monkey wrench or two into the works of Apple's pursuit of actual, enforceable remedies for infringement."
The first motion attempted to convince Judge Koh that Apple violated court orders by seeking "vastly greater damages" for the 13 infringing products that are the focus of the November retrial.
Samsung also filed a motion seeking a new trial to determine its liability over U.S. Patent No. 7,469,381 - better known as the "rubber-banding" patent, and one that has racked up a number of Apple victories all around the globe.
Judge Koh's case management order sets a jury trial for November 12, with a pretrial conference to be held October 17; Samsung will also get one last shot to derail the retrial during a motion hearing to be held in early October.
Sony sets a date: Find out when you can buy the new PlayStation 4!
Motorola's recently announced Moto X flagship smartphone is the first to be developed entirely under Google's supervision. The smartphone is now available from AT&T in USA and the 16GB variant of the device costs you $199 and the 32GB unit is priced at $249, both with a two-year contract.
The unlocked version of the Moto X will also be up for grabs and the SIM-free variant carries a price tag of $580.
The Moto Maker customization site is also live now. It allows you to choose the color combination for your Moto X along with its storage space and the matching accessories. The site also offers you to link your Google account even before the smartphone is shipped to you.
However, the service is not offering online purchases just yet. The Moto Maker's engraving feature will not be initially available due to some technical difficulties.
Stay tuned for our detailed Moto X review, which will come out later tonight.
I'm excited. Really excited. I'm looking at my watch constantly – not because I'm counting down to something, but because I'm trying to get my money's worth before it gets chucked.
Because I just know that in the next few months I'm going to be waving my left arm around like a newly engaged bride waves her finger about, showing off my Samsung Gear smart watch and inviting (if not subtly, then with a smack in the face) people to say 'Ooooh, what's that?'
Yes, I'm traveling ahead in time and jumping the gun, I know, I know. But we're all aware it's coming and, along with the rumoured Apple iWatch, it's going to be a great time for wearable tech, and as a mad runner, I can't wait to replace my Jawbone UP with something that not only keeps a track of every pace but also gives me discreet alerts and adds extra functionality to my tablet and smartphone experience.
Don't look back in anger
I shouldn't need to be excited though - we should have loads of smart watches on the market already, with the market littered with concepts that petered out into abject failure.
The obvious one: the Pebble. Pebble fans are a diehard lot, and you won't find many that will admit they may as well have changed their Kickstarter funding into coins and thrown them into wishing wells, although that probably would have yielded the same result.
I'm talking from experience here. I bought a Pebble earlier this year. It was one of those moments when I sat on eBay with a glass of wine (times three) and days later a plain cardboard box turned up.
Not only did it look clunky and horrible, but the integration with apps was awful. You'd get numerous notifications, but only the top one would work and the screen was pretty crap. It went back on eBay the next day.
Clock up the miles
But why has it taken even this long? The idea of a smart watch on a wrist has been around for decades. So why has it never really taken off. Does it mean even the technology behemoths of Apple and Samsung are doomed to fail?
The biggest chance came from LG about three years ago. Never known for being too conservative, the LG GD910 (and what a slick name) was when the firm was arguably going through its wackiest phase.
See through keypads, widescreen slabs and then a watch phone. But it was totally screwed up by two things: firstly, the fact that you could get yourself to Disneyland for the same price and secondly, you couldn't actually use the damned thing without fingers as small as pins.
It wasn't a smart watch (i.e. a device that complements the phone) but a watch phone. A watch. And a phone. In one. Independent of anything else.
It meant that texts, calls and some of the other tasks you need a larger screen with were just useless. And it ran LG's proprietary OS. Pointless. Yuk.
So now it's all change. It's the chance to make things that look sleek, fit as neatly on the wrist as a standard digital timepiece, but one imbued with the best bits of our favourite gadgets.
Like most boys, I have a dream of looking like Dick Tracy with a cool little timepiece that secretly lets me do more than tell what o'clock it is. Trouble is, the current crop leaves the user looking less Tracy and more just Dick.
Don't screw it up, eh?
I've reviewed dozens of phones and tablets for TechRadar over the years – each time putting them through their paces in the most unbiased, rigorous way possible.
But as well as being a professional, I have a love/hate relationship with tech, and that's what these columns are all about: the passionate howlings of a true fanboy. Tell me why I'm right, wrong or a hopeless idiot in the comments below or by tweeting @techradar or @phillavelle.
We're currently putting the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active through its paces in our in-depth review process, but we've updated our hands on with what we've made of it so far.
What do you do when you create an incredibly lucrative brand? Milk it for everything it's worth, and that mentality has led to the creation of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.
The S4 Active arrived alongside the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and Galaxy S4 Mini a short while after the flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 as the Korean firm looks to get the maximum from its internationally recognised brand.
As you may be able to guess from the name the Galaxy S4 Active is aimed at the rugged market with its key selling points being its dust and water resistant. It's IP67 certified which means it'll survive being dipped into fresh water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 metre.
Unlike its brothers the S4 Mini and S4 Zoom, the Galaxy S4 Active hasn't seen its specs slashed viscously by Samsung and thus it makes it a much closer relation to the stock Galaxy S4.
Some changes have been made however, with the camera on the S4 Active only 8MP compared to 13MP on the S4, and the 5-inch screen is a TFT affair instead of Super AMOLED, but it still boasts a full HD resolution and looks smashing.
On the inside you still get the powerful 1.9GHz quad-core processor which adorns the flagship, plus the same 2GB of RAM and Android 4.2 OS which zips along nicely.
When it comes to price then there's little surprise that the S4 Active will set you back £490 (around $765, AU$830) SIM free, while on contract you can pick it up for free from £29 per month over two years.
The price, coupled with its decent line up of specs means the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active goes up against the likes of the also water resistant Sony Xperia Z as well as the other stalwarts at the top of the smartphone game such as the HTC One, Nokia Lumia 925, BlackBerry Z10 and even its brother the Galaxy S4.
As part of the effort to make the Galaxy S4 Active waterproof the handset is slightly chunkier than the S4, measuring 9.1mm in depth compared to the 7.9mm chassis of the original.
It's also wider, taller and heavier with vital statistics of 139.7 x 71.3mm and 153g making the S4 Active a more substantial device in the hand, although it's still just about manageable.
Looking at the S4 Active from the front or side reveals it shares the same design as the Galaxy S4, with a polycarbonate body wrapped with metal rim round its circumference providing a rigid and relatively premium look and feel.
The big difference on the front are the buttons below the screen, with the touch keys present on the rest of the S4 range replaced with chunky physical alternatives.
These add to the rugged nature of the S4 Active and are present due to the fact the touch options are less responsive in wet conditions.
The keys themselves do require a decent amount of pressure to register, so if you're used to just lightly tapping a touch button then this will take a little getting used to.
Take a look at the edges and on the right you'll find the power/lock key while on the left there's the volume rocker switch.
Both buttons have been given a textured finish making them easier to find and providing more grip if you're handling the S4 Active is slippery conditions.
Placement of both is good and you're able to hit both one handed without too much issue, which is great for such a large device.
Up top there's a headphone jack, but unlike the Sony Xperia Z there's no tricky cover to fiddle with here.
Samsung has made the port water resistant without the need of a flap, so if you invest in some waterproof headphones you can take the Galaxy S4 Active swimming and still listen to your tunes.
Something which hasn't been given the water resistant treatment is the microUSB port on the base of the device which does sport a plastic cover which you'll need to pick off every time you come to charge the S4 Active, which gets a little annoying after a while.
We also fear for the structural integrity of said flap, as it feels like something which could easily break after a number of uses and thus ruining the Galaxy S4 Active's water resistant credentials.
Flip the Galaxy S4 Active over and you'll find things are a little different here compared to the rest of the S4 range, with a more industrial design adding to the rugged tag the handset sports.
Four large, metal rivets adorn each corner of the handset although their function appears to be purely cosmetic, but nether the less they look good and the rubber strips which run between them at the top of the bottom of the S4 Active provides some additional grip.
We'd have liked to see the rubber also make its way onto the removable back plate which takes up the majority of the rear of the phone and its slick plastic finish does little in terms of grip.
Now you didn't just read that wrong, we did indeed say the back of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active was removable while still being a water resistant device - something the Xperia Z and even the Panasonic Eluga can't boast.
Peeling it off reveals a microSIM port as well as the welcome presence of a microSD slot and even a removable battery, which will no doubt please many of you power users out there.
Once again we're a little wary of the water resistant credentials of the S4 Active with all that exposed tech hidden away under the exceedingly thin back plate which has a tiny seal running all the way around it.
The Galaxy S4 Active does come with warning stickers on the back notifying you that you need to ensure the back plate is fully engaged - especially below the camera lens - before you even think about taking it for a dip.
There have been reports of water leaking into the device, so if you're planning on taking the S4 Active into the bath with you make sure everything is properly sealed before sliding in.
We didn't experience any leaks when we took our Galaxy S4 Active for a splash in the bath and shower, and it managed to stay water tight when we were caught in heavy downpours.
The Galaxy S4 Active does live up to its rugged nature as we did drop it several times - thanks to a recently broken finger - and it survived every hit with no visible damage.
Overall the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is the macho version of the firm's flagship smartphone. The camera and screen may not be quite as stellar, but if you can get over that and the slightly larger dimensions it's certainly an attractive proposition.
Sure it doesn't have the same sultry design of the HTC One, but remember you're getting a water resistant mobile with the added benefit of a microSD slot, removable battery and just one annoying flap which trumps the Xperia Z.
Its solid build and additional heft makes the S4 Active feel like it could take a number of bumps and go on trips we'd think twice about taking our HTC One or iPhone 5 on, but at the end of the day there's no escaping the plastic finish.
Steve Ballmer has officially announced his decision to retire as the CEO of Microsoft in the next 12 months. However, Ballmer will continue to work until his successor is chosen and will then bid a farewell to a position that he held from January 2000.
Microsoft's board of Directors have already appointed a committee to direct the process of selection of a new candidate to fill the big shoes. The special committee will be headed by John Thompson, the board's lead independent direct, Chairman of the board Bill Gates, Chairman of Audit committee Chuck Noski and Chairman of the Compensation committee Steve Luczo.
Steve Ballmer's sense of humor while presenting the keynotes was one of the highlights of his career and will definitely be missed.
We have also managed to get hold of Steve Ballmer's "internal mail" sent to the staffs of Microsoft. You can check it out below.
Moving forward
I am writing to let you know that I will retire as CEO of Microsoft within the next 12 months, after a successor is chosen. There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our transformation to a devices and services company focused on empowering customers in the activities they value most. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction. You can read the press release on Microsoft News Center.
This is a time of important transformation for Microsoft. Our new Senior Leadership team is amazing. The strategy we have generated is first class. Our new organization, which is centered on functions and engineering areas, is right for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Microsoft is an amazing place. I love this company. I love the way we helped invent and popularize computing and the PC. I love the bigness and boldness of our bets. I love our people and their talent and our willingness to accept and embrace their range of capabilities, including their quirks. I love the way we embrace and work with other companies to change the world and succeed together. I love the breadth and diversity of our customers, from consumer to enterprise, across industries, countries, and people of all backgrounds and age groups.
I am proud of what we have achieved. We have grown from $7.5 million to nearly $78 billion since I joined Microsoft, and we have grown from employing just over 30 people to almost 100,000. I feel good about playing a role in that success and having committed 100 percent emotionally all the way. We have more than 1 billion users and earn a great profit for our shareholders. We have delivered more profit and cash return to shareholders than virtually any other company in history.
I am excited by our mission of empowering the world and believe in our future success. I cherish my Microsoft ownership, and look forward to continuing as one of Microsoft's largest owners.
This is an emotional and difficult thing for me to do. I take this step in the best interests of the company I love; it is the thing outside of my family and closest friends that matters to me most.
Microsoft has all its best days ahead. Know you are part of the best team in the industry and have the right technology assets. We cannot and will not miss a beat in these transitions. I am focused and driving hard and know I can count on all of you to do the same. Let's do ourselves proud".
Ballmer at the recent Microsoft Build event in San Francisco
So the recent Microsoft reorganisation really was Steve Ballmer's last throw of the dice. In the biggest news to hit the PC industry for some time, the CEO has decided now's the time to go.
But in what shape does he leave the company?
Ballmer is a sales guy, so figures first. Microsoft recorded a whopping $77.85 billion in revenue, with operating income at $26.74 billion during the financial year just passed. That's not the earnings of an unsuccessful company, and Ballmer has played a role in Microsoft's rise and rise that only William Henry Gates III can better.
I'd be surprised if Ballmer wouldn't have wanted to stick around at a successful Microsoft, so there are several possible conclusions – firstly that he was pushed. Secondly, he doesn't want to stick around for the long haul and wants to go fishing. Thirdly, that he doesn't think the future for Microsoft is that rosy.
Finally, and most unlikely, he could have been at odds with its new direction. This final point is a little moot. Microsoft was clear in its One Microsoft vision statement that it wants to be more of a "devices and services" company. Ballmer played a big part in this reinvention.
Ballmer on stage at CES 2012 with Nokia's Stephen Elop
But certainly this news puts question marks over the wisdom and reasoning of removing key personnel during recent times, most notably head of Windows Steven Sinofsky late last year just a month after the release of Windows 8 and the so-far, so fail Windows RT.
Lost confidence
The aim of the reorganisation was to be more siloed, more able to react to developments in the industry.
Microsoft has lacked the ability to be lithe and react quickly - exactly the opposite of key competitors like Google.
It didn't put much stock in smartphones until it was a bit too late, the same with online cloud services and tablets. Microsoft now has sizeable offerings in these spaces, but they often don't hang together as well as the competition.
Ballmer introduces what eventually became Windows RT
This is not an organisation that can't make money, but it is one that is losing some confidence from customers. And, crucially, investors.
As the Associated Press succinctly put it in its article about the Microsoft reorganisation, "During Ballmer's reign, Microsoft's stock has slipped by nearly 40 percent even as the company's annual revenue has roughly quadrupled from $20 billion to nearly $80 billion."
A lot of people are still buying PCs. A lot of people are still buying Windows and Office. We and many others love Windows Phone and it is destined for a (albeit decent) third place behind iOS and Android. Office 365 is a really compelling offering. Despite the Xbox One shenanigans, it'll still sell bucket loads of consoles.
But investors clearly haven't been impressed over recent years by Microsoft's pace compared to Google and Apple. And Microsoft hasn't helped itself through several big booboos that have not endeared it to the public, analysts press and investors – but have been music to the ears of rivals.
Although it will come good and the idea has merit, the Ballmer/Sinofsky tenure has seen Windows now transformed into a confused and conflicted operating system with huge numbers of terrible apps – not least those from Microsoft itself.
Windows 8 head Sinofsky left late last year
Efforts in the tablet market have been a disaster. Surface Pro is a thoroughly decent mobile PC, but Surface RT has been so poorly marketed, received and thought-out that it is impossible not to wonder how a company with such a wealth of resources can get something so very wrong.
The CEO of the new One Microsoft needs to clear up the mess of the Windows/tablet strategy and capitalise on Microsoft's other strengths. Clearly Steven Anthony Ballmer feels he's not the right guy to do it. "There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time," he says. It's probably for the long term good of the company that he's stepping out before Microsoft is too far into its new era.
Whoever picks up the baton will take charge of one of the most remarkable and profitable companies the world has ever seen, yet one that has multi-billion dollar challenges ahead.
A new broom could be the very best thing for it. But, whoever it is, they probably won't do this.
Yesterday Sony took it to Twitter to promote the "smartphone everyone's been talking about," which the rumor mill unanimously agrees is the Xperia Honami or Xperia Z1. Today UK's EE retweeted that message, which is a strong hint the carrier will offer the 20.7MP cameraphone.
One of the most curious rumors about the Honami / Xperia Z1 is that it will record 4K video with its 1/2.3" camera sensor. Other specs include a 5" 1080p screen, Snapdragon 800 chipset and it will be water resistant like its Xperia Z predecessor.
The second #bestOfSony teaser the company sent out was on Facebook and EE's Facebook page hasn’t re-shared that yet.
Windows Phone is surely already a pull for the hipster crowd what with it not being mainstream, dull as dishwasher Android or iOS, but it's about to gain another feather in its incredibly trendy hat in the form of the official Instagram app.
The lack of some big-hitting apps from the Windows Phone store has seen the platform shunned by some but according to Nokia's Executive VP Chris Weber, Instagram is on its way to the platform.
There's currently no word on a release date for the app, but it's certainly good news for Windows Phone and will hopefully encourage other big names currently missing from the platform to get on board.
Following yesterday's teased Twitter image of the power button on the upcoming Xperia Z1 "Honami" flagship, the latest Facebook shot from Sony highlights the smartphone's underwater capabilities.
The sheeramountofleaks surrounding the Honami officially qualifies as a boatload, so it's only fitting that Sony should add a few press shots to churn up some excitement for its upcoming pre-IFA press event.
Check back with us for our full IFA coverage next month, where all sources indicate the Xperia Z1 will be officially announced, alongside its 20MP shooter, 2.2 GHz quad-core Krait 400 CPU, and 3000 mAh battery.
Android devices can be complex for company IT teams to manage
As many IT departments struggle to keep up with yearly technology changes, company employees increasingly want to use their own devices to access corporate data.
It's part of a growing trend dubbed Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), which encompasses similar Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT), Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) and Bring Your Own PC (BYOPC) initiatives. All of them have evolved to empower workforces through the so-called 'consumerisation of IT'.
As part of this consumerisation, BYOD encourages company employees to work on the device they choose - accessing corporate email on their iPhone 5 or using a Google Nexus 7 to view text documents. The goal for SMBs? Increased productivity and reduced costs.
But BYOD also has a darker side. If not fully understood and regulated, it can threaten IT security and put a company's sensitive business systems at risk.
Why BYOD matters
The driving force behind BYOD is a new IT self-sufficiency among company employees who already own and use personal laptops, tablets and smartphones.
These mobile devices are often newer and more advanced than the equipment deployed by many IT departments. It's hardly surprising that the rapid adoption of lightweight Ultrabooks, iPads and large-screened phones are changing the way that people want to work.
iOS is still the preferred mobility platform in the enterprise
IT departments are playing catch up and could easily refuse to embrace the BYOD idea. Surely it's simpler to provide approved hardware and software applications so you can retain full control over them?
But Richard Absalom, an analyst at Ovum, believes that BYOD will happen whether a company plans for it or not. He says: "Trying to stand in the path of consumerised mobility is likely to be a damaging and futile exercise." The best thing that an SMB or enterprise can do is be aware of the benefits and understand the risks.
BYOD benefits and advantages
There are some key advantages to operating a BYOD strategy, including increased employee satisfaction (they can work more flexibly), cost savings (reduced hardware spend, software licensing and device maintenance) plus productivity gains (employees are happier, more comfortable and often work faster with their own technology).
As Mark Coates, EMEA VP at Good Technology, points out: "By enabling employees to securely and easily access corporate data on their own device, productivity levels will naturally increase. In terms of cost savings, there are huge benefits, since SMBs will not have to manage and fund a second device for employees."
Shaun Smith, technology practice director at Xceed Group, agrees. "At Xceed Group, allowing the use of consumer devices has helped improve both productivity and staff motivation," he says. But he also strikes a note of caution. "For a company to decide if a BYOD strategy would work for them they need to ensure due diligence is conducted - simply evaluating the benefits versus risks."
BYOD risks and disadvantages
While BYOD sounds attractive, businesses need to consider the full implications of allowing corporate data to be accessed on personal devices that they could have little or no control over. What data can employees have access to? What security measures are in place if an employee's device is lost, stolen or compromised?
This is where convenience clashes with security. "Security and the loss of devices with limited password protection is naturally a key concern," adds Smith. "Increased consumerisation in the workplace can bring with it an increased risk from threats such as hackers and viruses."
Generally we're yet to see much take-up of Chromebooks
There might also be cost implications. Even though IT hardware spend can potentially be reduced with a BYOD approach, it may cost more for a company to integrate and support a diverse range of employee devices. As Coates points out: "Android devices can be complex to manage as there are just so many different flavours - a huge variety of devices and a number of different versions of the operating system."
By far the biggest risk is not having any sort of BYOD policy in place. "Businesses need to recognise the importance of taking action," says Smith. "After all, by ignoring the problem they may unwittingly expose themselves to attack and, as a result, legislative or reputational threats."
Planning a BYOD policy
Mark Coates: "BYOD is about being innovative and helping your employees to work better"
The advent of BYOD is forcing IT departments and IT managers to develop and implement policies that govern the management of unsupported devices. Network security is paramount. Beyond passcode-protecting employee devices, these policies might involve encrypting sensitive data, preventing local storage of corporate documents and/or limiting corporate access to non-sensitive areas.
"The first step for IT managers is to truly understand the problem they are trying to solve," suggests Coates. "And find the solution that matches. In addition to addressing immediate needs, the right solution will be scalable and manageable, and can grow with an organisation as its mobility strategy evolves and changes."
Coates outlines three stages for implementing a BYOD policy, starting with secure device management. "This is the basic functionality of managing devices, both those employee-bought or company-supplied. Let employees work on mobile devices and make sure nothing catastrophic happens. This leads to great improvements in productivity and loyalty.
"However, it's at stages two and three where true mobile productivity and insight comes in, as the focus shifts to mobile applications and data. First by tracking and deploying mobile applications and then establishing mobile collaboration through secure app-to-app workflows, where mobility can be a true catalyst for change."
Implementing a BYOD policy
There are already several key players providing BYOD solutions, ranging from complete sandboxed access through to more lightweight (but user-friendly) solutions, which are policy-driven. The key issue is to guard against data loss or leakage.
Smith has some practical advice for anyone trying to develop a BYOD policy: "Where any device accesses or stores corporate data, a full risk assessment should be carried out against a variety of threats, and appropriate mitigations put in place. This could include anti-malware, encryption, passcodes, remote wipe, preventing jailbreaking, and sandboxing.
Invest in VMware or Citrix virtual clients for tablets
"Invest in a solution such as Good for Enterprise that offers BES (Blackberry Enterprise System)-like functionality to Apple and Android devices, partition all corporate applications and data on devices to restrict the ability to 'cut and copy', enforce eight digit alpha-numeric passwords with a special character and install VMware or Citrix virtual clients on tablets."
An effective BYOD solution will enable you to secure the data, not just the device. With this approach, IT departments need not worry about compromising security in the name of usability.
"All in all, [BYOD] is about being innovative and helping your employees to work better," says Coates. "Employees want to use the devices that they are comfortable with in the workplace. They want to have the same experience at work that they have at home. People are used to using applications now, rather than browser-based solutions. By giving employees what they want, companies will ultimately benefit."
With Microsoft expected to launch the Windows Phone 8 GDR3 update by the year's end, rumors regarding its features are starting to accumulate. The latest one suggests Nokia India is already testing the GDR3 update internally, especially the new features the release brings.
One of them is a Notification center, which according to many WP8 users is a major shortfall of the OS.
According to the tip that was sent to nokiapoweruser.com, the GDR3 update also packs a feature dubbed "Appetitte". However, nothing is clear about it at this point. Judging from the name suggests some kind of app-recommendation service, but we can't know until more information surfaces.
Another alleged feature of the GDR3 update for WP8 is the updated start screen grid, allowing you to fit even more tiles in a row. This aligns with the recent rumor of a 6" Nokia phablet that's in the works. It's expected to be officially announced in September, and that's why Nokia India has been allegedly testing the GDR3 update so vigorously.
September is just around the corner and is promising to be one heck of a ride with all major manufacturer preparing some amazing smartphones.
After hearing that Samsung was planning two variants of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 – the quad-core Snapdragon 800 version and the eight-core Exynos 5 Octa – we're now told that the latter is being put on hold.
This is reportedly due to some pesky overheating issues that have left Samsung waiting on more stable Exynos processors that won't burn our hands off.
Brits were on the leaked list of those in line for the Exynos 5 love, so this is sure to get a few people frustrated if true.
However the UK, US and Australia will still be be able to get their fingers on the Snapdragon 800 should it be the only version to launch on time.
Colour us annoyed
And while we're on the subject, it looks like Apple isn't the only one discover that the world isn't just black and white. Samsung is said to be bringing the Galaxy Note 3 in black, white and – get ready for it – pink.
Whether or not this third one will make it past Korea remains to be seen, but it's claimed that the pink variant won't be available until a few weeks after the Galaxy Note 3's rumoured launch.
Apple's security policies seem to have become very lax because more and more photos of the two incoming iPhones are leaking and they are starting to look more and more convincing. A new batch of gold iPhone 5S photos have emerged, this time from a more complete unit.
This Apple iPhone 5S has had its plastic panels on the back installed and they appear to be white – the lighting in the photo isn't great but the panels really don't look gold-colored.
iPhone 5S will allegedly come in Gold, have a dual-LED flash
Also, the top panel gives us another look at the hole for the dual-LED flash next to the camera. The SIM card tray and the buttons that were missing from the previous photos are in the shot too (but not installed on the device).
The photos show a peek at the inside of the device too, which is slightly different from the iPhone 5.
Another look at the inside
It's also interesting to note that the font of the "iPhone" label on the back is different – thinner than before. After all, the font in iOS 7 is thinner too. The required FCC labels at the bottom are missing but they might come further down the assembly line or this could be a sample not intended for sale.
Well, come September 10 we'll find out if Apple's security has really become that poor or we are all being pranked.
The HTC One has finally been released on Verizon in the US. If you are a fan of Verizon's network and have been waiting to get the One on your favorite network, you can now head over to Verizon's website and purchase the phone for $199.99 with a two-year contract or for $599.99 without a contract.
The phone is identical to the GSM version apart from the CDMA connectivity but it does run on Android 4.2.2, unlike the other carrier locked versions of the phone that are still on the older version of Android and Sense.
The smaller HTC One Mini is also hitting the US shores, this time on AT&T. The One Mini is up for grabs from AT&T for $99.99 with a two-year contract, $349.99 with a one year-contract and $429.99 month-to-month.
You can check out both the phones from their respective carriers from the links below.
