Facebook now has 1.19 billion monthly active users, mobile use is skyrocketing

Facebook is mobilizing

China, India and Facebook. If you go by the numbers, Facebook (again) has enough monthly active users to be the world's third largest country.

In reporting its Q3 2013 financials, the company boasted its monthly active users hit 1.19 billion as of September 30. That's an 18% increase year-on-year. Last quarter, Facebook notched up 1.15 billion monthly users.

So yeah, the social network has been very populous for awhile now.

More importantly for the "mobile first" company, Facebook marked staggering mobile numbers. According to CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the company's earnings call, 48% of people who use Facebook on a daily basic access it entirely on mobile. In fact, web usage numbers declined last quarter for the first time, albeit only slightly.

Mobile, baby

Monthly active users on mobile number 874 million strong, a huge leap of 45% from the same time last year. On average there were 507 million mobile daily active users scrolling through News Feeds and posting statuses during the quarter.

And if you don't think ads are here to stay or that they won't grow on mobile, think again. Zuckerberg said 49% of its $2.02 billion (about £1.2b, AU$2.12b) revenue came from the platform. This was the company's first two billion dollar quarter, by the way.

Zuckerberg wouldn't bit on answering when we'd see video ads in our feeds, but said the way video on Instagram plays "been very positive so far." Facebook is taking its time rolling out auto-play ads, he said, as the company wants it to be "a positive thing" for users.

• Facebook to buy BlackBerry? It could happen, and make sense.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/facebook-now-has-1-19-billion-monthly-active-users-mobile-use-is-skyrocketing-1195063

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Google Nexus 5 spotted out of the box

With the Nexus 5's release looming, this photo seems legit

Google's Nexus 5 was spotted out of its box today, hours before the new Android flagship is expected to go trick-or-treating officially with an announcement tomorrow morning.

The image of the powered-off Nexus 5 sitting next to its recognizable blue retail box appeared in a Photobucket album, though it's since been deleted.

When it emerged from its box Google and LG's Nexus 5 reportedly saw its shadow, which we believe means there are at least three months of winter ahead.

The Nexus 5 will likely be the first handset to ship with Android 4.4: KitKat, the newest edition of Google's mobile OS. It's been the subject of countless leaks, but we're expecting all that to end tomorrow.

More blips!

Get out of your box and read more of TechRadar's blips.

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• 'Moto G' makes Motorola site appearance before being pulled

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/google-nexus-5-spotted-out-of-the-box-1195061

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Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 specs may as powerful as the tablet is large

Slightly larger than this, believe it or not

You know what they say about large tablets... large specs. That's exactly what we are thinking now that the Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 is rumored to boast some of the most powerful tablet hardware available.

The 12-inch tablet has found enough room to pack in a speedy quad-core 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor and a healthy 3GB of RAM, reported Chinese-language benchmarking site AnTuTu.

The unconfirmed Galaxy Note 12.2 is said to also include an 8 megapixel camera in the rear and 2 megapixel camera in the front.

The total storage on the benchmarked device is said to be 32GB, though that could be just one of many configurations Samsung is planning.

The larger-than-normal Galaxy Note 12.2 is said to have a screen resolution of 2560 x1600, which is the same as the newly released Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition.

Android 4.3 on board?

The reported Galaxy Note 12.2 tests indicated that the device is running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, which is currently the latest version of Google's mobile operating system.

That out-of-the-box OS may be a little dated by the time Samsung launches its biggest tablet yet. Google is expected to announce the next version, Android 4.4 KitKat, tomorrow along with the Nexus 5.

Of course, for all that benchmarks are worth, none of the tentative data can tell us when the South Korean company plans to release the Galaxy Note 12.2.

The good news for display-deprived tablet lovers is that it seems to be only a matter of time before Samsung releases this 12-inch mega tablet to the world.

• Want a matching mega-sized phone? Check out our Galaxy Note 3 review

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-note-12-2-specs-may-as-powerful-as-it-is-large-1195049

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Nokia gunning for HTC One UK sales ban after major patent victory

One and done?

HTC is facing the prospect of a UK sales ban on flagship handsets like the HTC One after losing another round of its ongoing global patent war with Nokia.

The Finnish manufacturer says it will seek an import ban on the devices, including the HTC One, HTC One SV and HTC Wildfire, following the High Court ruling on Wednesday.

Nokia is chasing compensation as well as the sales injunction after the court ruled HTC had infringed on a patent (EP 0 998 024) governing the transmission of voice and text data over mobile networks.

It is now up to the court to decide the scale of HTC's punishment, with the Taiwanese manufacturer vowing to "immediately" appeal against the verdict.

Significant

Nokia, which has filed suit against HTC in over 50 countries called the victory "a significant development in our dispute with HTC.

The soon-to-be Microsoft-owned company believes the verdict also relates to the HTC One Mini, the HTC Desire X and the Windows Phone-packing HTC 8S and 8X as they also use same chip.

A spokesperson for HTC said: "Naturally HTC is disappointed by the decision that the UK court has reached in this case and we will be seeking to appeal the finding immediately."

Any ban would be a giant blow for HTC as it struggles to challenge Samsung at the top of the Android tree, despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews bestowed upon the HTC One.

• Speaking of positive reviews, did you know the HTC One sits proudly at the summit of our 20 best mobile phones in the world today chart?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/nokia-gunning-for-htc-one-uk-sales-ban-after-major-patent-victory-1195017

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Amazon phone may arrive in 2014 with 3D gesture and eye tracking

Eye see you

There's been plenty of buzz around a possible Amazon phone, and just when we thought the rumours had run out, they pull us back in.

The latest word, according to AppleInsider, is that the phone will use 3D gesture and eye-tracking control for input and will arrive in the second quarter of 2014.

The phone will apparently have six camera modules, four of which will be VGAs, one on each of the device's four corners. These will be the ones that detect 3D gesture and eye tracking.

There will also be a 13-megapixel camera on the rear and a 12-megapixel front-facer, while the phone is said to have a 4.7-inch touch display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor.

This all comes from people "familiar with the company's plans," but AppleInsider states that the same sources have been on the money with their information in the past.

No TV box for 2013

The Amazon phone isn't all we're hearing about though. AllthingsD is reporting that Amazon's adventure into our living rooms is facing delays, with the rumoured Amazon TV box apparently not touching down until, most likely, spring 2014.

There are a number of possible reasons for the delay, but the favourite going around right now is that Amazon doesn't believe its effort is distinguished enough from its competitors right now.

The Amazon TV was believed to be arriving towards the end of this year but time is quickly running out. Still, we'd rather wait and see a stronger contender that really gives Apple TV and Roku a run for their money.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/amazon-phone-may-arrive-in-2014-with-3d-gesture-and-eye-tracking-1194983

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Intel's holdout against making ARM chips comes to an end

Unable to break through with its own mobile Atom chipset, it seems that Intel finally raised the white flag and has decided to begin manufacturing 64-bit ARM chips of its own.

The ARM architecture's supremacy in the mobile market has been a result of the varied and competitive core licensing terms provided by ARM Holdings. This has allowed a variety of manufacturers - including Samsung, Apple, Nvidia and many more - to use ARM's core designs to create integrated SoC's of their own. In 2010 alone, an incredible 95% of smartphones shipped with ARM-based CPU's.

It was obviously in Intel's best interest to stop resisting the adaptation of ARM in the mobile realm, and its decision to enter into the fray against other semiconductor foundries (most notably Samsung and TSMC) brings up some interesting permutations.

First, will Intel's historic rival chipset manufacturers like Nvidia and Qualcomm be willing to do business with it over rival foundries? Second, what sort of advantages will Intel's 64-bit architecture offer?

This also opens up some interesting possibilities for Apple, who would love to be able to break ties with Samsung as the primary supplier of the ARM-based Ax SoC found in its iPhone smartphones and Apple tablets (including the upcoming A8 chip). It's a process that's been hinted at in the past, and estimated to take as long as a year and a half and cost Apple between $1 - 3 billion.

Intel's potential ability to make high quality 64-bit ARM CPU's may be enough to entice Apple into taking the plunge, and perhaps even get an exclusivity agreement in the meantime.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/intels_holdout_against_making_arm_chips_comes_to_an_end-news-7097.php

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ZTE unveils a trio of Blade Q smartphones

ZTE has announced three affordable smartphones for the European market, which it hopes will help it grow its market share on the Old Continent.

The three new additions to the ZTE lineup are the 4.0" WVGA Blade Q Mini, the 4.5" FWVGA Blade Q and the 5.0" FWVGA Blade Q Maxi.

All three phones share similar internals. They are all powered by the MT6572 chipset with a dual-core 1.3GHz Cortex-A7 processor, Mali-400 graphics and 1GB of RAM. The trio also comes with 5MP rear cameras capable of 720p video recording, VGA front snappers, 4GB expandable internal storage, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean in charge of operations.

ZTE Blade Q Mini • ZTE Blade Q • ZTE Blade Q Maxi

The connectivity options for Blade Q Mini, Blade Q and Blade Q Maxi are also identical - you get 3G with HSPA support, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi b/g/n, GPS and FM radio.

ZTE Blade Q Mini, being the smallest of the trio, has a 4.0" TFT display with 480x800px resolution. It comes with the smallest battery too - a 1500 mAh unit.

The ZTE Blade Q has a 4.5" TFT screen with 480x854px resolution and 1,800 mAh battery.

Finally, the ZTE Blade Q Maxi packs a 5.0" TFT display with 480x854px resolution and has the biggest 2,000 mAh battery inside.

The pricing and availability of ZTE Blade Q Mini, Blade Q and Blade Q Maxi is yet to be detailed.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_unveils_blade_q_mini_blade_q_and_blade_q_maxi_budget_trio-news-7096.php

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Google Nexus 5 aces BaseMark X gaming benchmark

If all the rumors and teasers are to be trusted, Google will be announcing the LG-made Nexus 5 this Friday. The flagship has leaked numerous times revealing all there is to know about its design, specs and even pricing.

We've already seen official pictures of the Nexus 5 and we know it will come with a 4.95" 1080p IPS display and Snapdragon 800 chipset. What we didn't know is how the Nexus 5 will be performing on benchmarks with its new Android 4.4 KitKat, previously rumored as Key Lime Pie.

Well, it seems nobody is trying to keep the gadget under wraps anymore. Someone subjected the Nexus 5 to the BaseMark X test and the results came out very promising.

LG Nexus 5 scores compared to LG G2 and LG Nexus 4

BaseMark X is a cross-platform benchmark, which aims to test how good a device is for gaming. As it turns out the LG Nexus 5 scores 8% higher than its LG G2 sibling running on pretty much the same internals but with Android 4.2.2 in charge of operations. The Nexus 5 is also twice as fast as its Nexus 4 predecessor, but that is to be expected.

In fact, the Nexus 5 ranked as the second best gaming device in Rightware's database, only beaten by the iPhone 5s (which only has about a third of its resolution).

Anyway, it seems the new Android version and Google's own optimizations matter and the Nexus 5 may have an edge over its competitors unit they get their own Android 4.4 updates.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/google_nexus_5_gets_first_benchmark_score-news-7095.php

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Xolo Q900 is a quad-core smartphone for €155

Xolo Q900, the company's latest quad-core smartphone, has launched in India. It comes with a 4.7-inch 720 display and is powered by the MT6589 chipset with four ARM Cortex-A7 cores clocked at 1.2GHz, PowerVR SGX544 graphics and 1GB of RAM.

The Xolo Q900 has 4GB of internal storage expandable via a microSD slot. There is an 8MP rear camera capable of 1080p video recording plus a 2MP front snapper. As is usually the case with Xolo phones, the Q900 is dual-SIM-enabled and supports 3G with HSPA. Finally, it comes with a 1,800 mAh battery that should be enough for 10 hours of 3G calls, at least on paper.

XOLO Q900

Xolo Q900 runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean version.

The smartphone is now available in India for INR 12,900 which translates to just €155.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/xolo_launches_q900_with_47inch_display_quadcore_processor-news-7094.php

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5 million Samsung Galaxy Note 3s sold in the first month

Analysts expect the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to take up the slack now that the Galaxy S4 has passed 40 million sales and demand is weakening. According to Korean publication Hankooki (quoting the president of Samsung Mobile), the Note 3 phablet is off to a good start, having sold 5 million units in one month.

For comparison, the original Galaxy Note took 5 months to just ship 5 million units (not the same as sales). Of course, that was quite an achievement, too, given that back then phablets were an unproven concept.

The successor, the Galaxy Note II, sold 3 million units in its first month of availability and took another month to make it to the 5 million mark. Combined, Note and Note II have sold over 38 million units to date.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 sold 10 million units in the first month, which makes the Note 3's sale numbers all the more impressive – the S4 has a much wider target audience as phablets are still somewhat of a niche market.

Source (in Korean) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/5_million_samsung_galaxy_note_3s_sold_in_the_first_month-news-7093.php

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App updates tease arrival of Android 4.4 KitKat and Nexus 5?

...or is it? We hope so!

With numerous Google apps all being updated, it seems there is something brewing over at Mountain View, something that could give us a bit of a break.

Nearly all of the Google suite of apps are gaining updates, with that number currently sitting at 16, an increase from the original 12 that were spotted.

This could signal the imminent arrival of Android 4.4 KitKat, the OS update that we are heavily expecting to launch alongside the LG-built Google Nexus 5, and perhaps the new Nexus 10 tablet.

App updates usually pass by unnoticed, but when 16 updates are all being spotted at once, there's definitely something fishy going on.

Updated on 29 Oct 2013? But when will we get them?

Is this apocalyptic news?

These updates have also not rolled out to devices, and there are no change logs (just an updated date in the Play Store), so what is Google waiting for?

The easiest and most obvious answer here is Android 4.4 KitKat. We're all starting to get excited, as November 1 is a date that has been touted, and that is the day after tomorrow.

We'd bet all our savings on this launching alongside at least one Nexus device: the Nexus 5.

• What do we know about the Nexus 5?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/app-updates-tease-arrival-of-android-4-4-kitkat-and-nexus-5--1194879

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Dual-SIM HTC One Max crops up in Vietnam

Before the HTC One Max was officially unveiled, there were a few leaks showing a dual-SIM version. It showed up in Vietnam, although it was supposedly a unit headed for the Chinese market. It cost 21.6 million dong ($1,015), up from 17.9 million dong ($840) for the single-SIM version.

The specifications look exactly the same – 5.9" 1080p screen, Snapdragon 600 chipset, 4MP UltraPixel camera without OIS, 16/32GB built-in storage with microSD card slot and 3,300mAh Li-Po sealed battery.

HTC One Max dual-SIM

Except, of course, for the second SIM slot that's positioned symmetrically opposite the first SIM slot. The labels indicate that the first SIM is 3G-enabled, while the second SIM is 2G-only. The One Max has 4G LTE too and presumably that's SIM1-only as well.

There's no info on when – of if at all – the dual-SIM HTC One Max will make its way to the international market.

Source (in Vietnamese)

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/dualsim_htc_one_max_crops_up_in_vietnam-news-7091.php

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Apple concedes that the battery life is dodgy on some iPhone 5Ses

Not perfect after all

If you've noticed that your iPhone 5S battery is quick to drain and slow to charge, you could be the owner of one of "a very limited number" of handsets that has a battery defect.

Apple has conceded that some of the new iPhones have a problem with their batteries, although it's not saying how many are affected beyond "a very limited number".

The company's spokeswoman, Teresa Brewer, told the NYT, "We recently discovered a manufacturing issue affecting a very limited number of iPhone 5S devices that could cause the battery to take longer to charge or result in reduced battery life."

Circle back

Apple is "reaching out" (contacting) those with affected phones to provide replacement handsets.

In our full TechRadar iPhone 5S review, we deemed the battery to be a little better than that of the iPhone 5's - specifically when it comes to standby life. However, actually using the handset still gulps that juice down like a hyperactive toddler on a hot day.

There's good news for non-defective iPhone 5S handsets though: "The iPhone 5S charges phenomenally quickly." Phenomenally.

• This all begs the question: why are mobile phone batteries still so crap?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-concedes-that-the-battery-life-is-dodgy-on-some-iphone-5ses-1194863

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Apple admits a battery issue in a small number of iPhone 5s units

Earlier this month while going through our battery test of the iPhone 5s, we noted that on some occasions, the smartphone suffered from quick battery drain. Today, in a statement to The New York Times, Apple has acknowledged that a small number of iPhone 5s devices are indeed affected by such an issue.

According to spokesperson from Apple, a manufacturing issue sits at the heart of the problem. It has affected a “very limited number” (Apple has implied to The New York Times that there are a few thousand devices affected) of iPhone 5s devices and has caused their battery to take longer to charge, or have reduced endurance.

Apple has begun reaching out to users whose phones were affected. They will be given a replacement device.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_acknowledges_a_battery_issue_in_a_small_number_of_iphone_5s_units-news-7089.php

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'Moto G' makes Motorola site appearance before being pulled

Spotted! (credit: Droid Life)

First the Nexus 5, now this - seems companies can't keep quiet on their own websites when it comes to unannounced products these days.

Motorola looks to have spilled the beans as a listing for something called the Moto G appeared on its website earlier today. Engadget and Droid Life both made the spot, but the reference has since been removed. A moto-g.com link went to nowhere.

Recent reports have pointed to a budget phone known as the Moto DVX coming from the Google-owned company, and Motorola recently trademarked "Moto G." The trademark covered both phones and accessories, so the G in question could be the new name for the budget DVX or another item all together.

With a recent price drop of the Moto X in the US, all signs are pointing to a Motorola announcement of some sort coming down soon.

More blips!

Read our blips before they're gone! Just kidding - we won't pull these news nuggets.

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Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/-moto-g-makes-motorola-website-appearance-before-being-pulled-1194747

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