HTC M8 passes Wi-Fi certification, proving it has 802.11ac

The HTC M8 as we've imagined it

The HTC M8, otherwise known as the One 2, has surface again this time appearing with its Wi-Fi certification.

According to the Wi-Fi certification it just received, the HTC one will indeed come with a Wi-Fi antenna capable of switching between the 2.4 and 5GHz bands. It will also support all the Wi-Fi standards (a, b, g, and n) including the latest ac variety.

Also known as 5G Wi-Fi, 802.11ac can deliver ludicrously fast wireless connections with better everything in terms of range, reliability and power consumption.

Everything we know about the HTC M8

It's not the most exciting tidbit we've learned about the HTC One successor, but it another piece of the puzzle we'll take.

So far, we know the M8 will come with a punchier 2.26GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor paired with the Qualcomm Adreno 330 GPU and 2GB of RAM. Less verified rumors suggest HTC was looking to boost the M8 to an octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM.

On top of this, the screen is going to a solid 5-inches with the same 1920 x 1080 resolution and will come running Android 4.4 KitKat.

Externally, we posit the phone will look relatively the same and be made with a metal body. Flip the phone over and it seems as though HTC is skimping out on the once newfangled Ultrapixels for simply a lot more megapixels.

Phones going next gen

We hope everything we've heard about the S5 is true

The late release of the Google Nexus 5 pretty much wrapped up the new phone season for this year, but soon we'll have much to look forward to including the consistently rumored Samsung Galaxy S5.

Samsung's next phone could be the next generation benchmark setter complete with a metal frame and the first 64-bit processor for an Android smartphone. The slated chipset is rumored to be a Snapdragon 800 quad-core chip clocked at 2.5GHz alongside an Adreno 330 CPU with another first, 4GB of RAM.

If Internet speculation is right, the S5 very well could also be the one of the first smartphones to come equipped with a whopping 560ppi and 2560 x 1440 resolution screen.

Again, there are still a lot of unknowns and rumors flying about, but if these are true the HTC M8 will look awfully dull next to the Samsung Galaxy S5. Stay tuned to TechRadar as we are more than likely to see both phones at the Mobile World Congress if not before at CES 2014.

• Netflix says be cool man, binge watching is totally normal and healthy

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htc-m8-passes-wi-fi-certification-proving-it-has-802-11ac-1207920

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Samsung shuffles its camera division under smartphones

The Samsung Galaxy NX could be just the first in a long line of Andorid cameras

After creating smartphone-camera hybrid oddities such as the Samsung Galaxy NX and S4 Zoom, it seems the Korean electronics maker is doubling down by placing its camera division under the guiding wing of its Mobile division.

Samsung Electronics announced it would be integrating its Digital Imaging Business Division, which is in charge of cameras, with the Wireless Business Division. Korea IT News reports, the Galaxy phones maker hopes this move will create synergies between the two divisions in bid to capture the largest share of the global mirrorless camera market in 2015.

Samsung expects the mobile segment will share its knowhow to create better, wirelessly connected digital cameras. Like all partnerships that go both ways, there are also hopes this mash up will help "differentiate" its smartphones with better cameras.

Adapt or die

Hopefully photo serious Samsung smartphones will have thinner lenses

For years Samsung has mainly been pitching its Galaxy S line in direct competition with the iPhone. Meanwhile, the rest of the smartphone world caught up with phones that were just as impressive like the LG G2 and HTC One while the two giants duked it out.

This latest move is a smart one, for sure, and builds on what the company has already done with its smartphone-camera amalgamations.

Samsung only needs to look towards Nokia for a somewhat successful example of what doubling down on better cameras can do. Only time will tell if this corporate mini-restructuring will dramatically improve the quality of smartphone cameras for the Android market or creates a whole new line of smart and connected cameras.

We doubt we'll see any new products come out of this closer partnership until Photokina, the big photo gear show in September. But the tech industry has always held surprises before and we'll snap up anything we see at CES 2014 and Mobile World Congress.

• PS4 wins an early lead in the new console wars but Xbox One is quickly catching up

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-shuffles-its-camera-division-under-smartphones-1207888

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SlingPlayer app delivers early Christmas joy to Windows 8 users

Windows, get your Sling on!

Santa Claus may not be due to slide down the chimney for another 12 days, but the elves at Slingbox are bringing a little holiday cheer to PC and tablet users on the Windows platform.

Sling Media announced today the release of SlingPlayer for Windows 8, a native media player app first announced last month and now available for PC users running Microsoft's latest and greatest operating system.

Available globally from the Windows 8 Store, the SlingPlayer app offers a unified experience across all Windows 8 devices, including laptop or desktop computers, convertibles and tablets.

Although Intel-powered Windows 8.1 devices could previously access Sling's web-based player, the Windows 8 app delivers support for ARM-based Windows RT devices like Surface 2 and the Nokia Lumia 2520.

Sling it, touch it

SlingPlayer for Windows 8 app works equally well with a mouse or fingers, thanks to the touch-enabled user interface that offers universal support for all devices.

The app also includes an intuitive gallery view in keeping with the look and feel of other Windows 8 apps for easy discovery and navigation of live or recorded programs.

Should you need another incentive to upgrade to Windows 8.1, the SlingPlayer native app is as good as any, since it requires the latest version.

SlingPlayer for Windows 8 offers a free 24-hour test drive and is priced comparable to other versions at $14.99; a separate version is also available for Windows Phone 8 devices.

• No luck buying an Xbox One yet? Check out our extensive review instead!

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/slingplayer-app-delivers-early-christmas-joy-to-windows-8-users-1207695

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Qualcomm announces Steve Mollenkopf as its next CEO

Steve Mollenkopf, the current COO of Qualcomm will be the company's next CEO. The announcement comes a day after reports suggesting that Microsoft might be considering Mollenkopf as the potential successor to Steve Ballmer, who will be hanging his boots and vacating the CEO position at the Redmond giant.

Steve Mollenkopf will fill in for Paul Jacobs, the current CEO and the son of Irwin Jacobs, the founder of Qualcomm. Paul will however, remain as an executive chairman of the Qualcomm.

Steve Mollenkopf has been a part of Qualcomm since 1994 and is an integral part of the management team for almost two decades. In the recent past, he has also led the wireless chipset business unit of Qualcomm, which is known as QCT.

Steve Mollenkopf will take charge as the CEO of Qualcomm effective from March 4, 2014.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/qualcomm_announces_steve_mollenkopf_as_its_next_ceo-news-7365.php

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Oppo Find 7 will not have a 5.7 inch screen

There have been rumors about the display size on the Oppo Find 7. We reported earlier that the upcoming flagship from the Chinese manufacturer may sport a 5.7" screen. There were some people who believed that the display would be 7", seeing as the Find 5 had a 5" one.

However, Carl Pei, International Markets Manager at Oppo announced publicly that the Find 7's screen will not be either of these sizes. Here's the actual quote as pasted on Mr. Pei's Google+ account:

"Rest assured guys, the Find 7 will not have a 5.7" or 7" display."

This comment was made in response to many users complaining about the Find 7 becoming too large to handle, which is quickly becoming the case with more and more high-end smartphones.

So if you were bummed out that the Find 7 would become an iPad mini will phone capabilities, then cheer up. The Find 7 will have a big screen, just not too big.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_find_7_will_not_have_57_inch_screen-news-7364.php

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Google's Nexus 5 gets a hardware refresh

The LG-made Nexus 5 flagship by Google has received some minor manufacturing adjustments that aim to improve upon its build quality. New Nexus 5s shipped will feature larger speaker and microphone holes along the bottom of the display, as well as buttons which are more flush with the device.

The hardware updates were first noticed by an attentive Nexus 5 owner over at the xda-developers forums, who returned a defective Nexus 5 and received a slightly different replacement unit.

Not all is peachy on the updated models however, as despite their firmer buttons and larger grilles, there are reports of a display that is more hued in yellow, as well as some green stuck pixels.

Initial Nexus 5 purchasers will likely be left out in the cold as there's no word of Google offering an exchange program for first wave devices, but it's good to see Google and LG addressing some of the build quality issues that people were having with the Nexus 5 relatively early in the smartphone's life cycle.

Source | Via
Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/googles_nexus_5_gets_a_hardware_refresh-news-7363.php

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Sony Xperia Z1S Mini pops up in States as release beckons

About to get smaller?

The mini Sony Xperia Z1S has been involved in yet another leak, this time in the US, adding fuel to the fire that it will be arriving soon.

Apparent the smaller version of the Sony Xperia Z1 has recently passed through the FCC in America, although this time it's got a new code name, Amami.

According to the leaked FCC filing the Xpiera Z1S Mini is expected to roll out with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, rather than the newest Android 4.4 KitKat operating system.

Tiny power house

Other rumours point towards the Xperia Z1S being different to the likes of the Galaxy S4 Mini and One Mini, as it's hotly tipped to inherit the same processing power from its bigger brother.

That would mean the Xperia Z1S would pack a punchy 2.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and an Adreno 330 GPU, plus it should also carry the same 20.7MP camera.

Of course the main difference between the two handsets is the screen size, with the Xperia Z1S tipped to pack a 4.3-inch display, rather than the 5-inch offering on the flagship phone.

Sony could well take the covers off the Xperia Z1S Mini at CES 2014, and TechRadar will be reporting live from the event to bring you all the latest news.

• What's the Xperia Z1 like?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sony-xperia-z1s-mini-pops-up-in-states-as-release-beckons-1207590

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Nexus 5 gains sturdier build as LG tweaks production

New, but the same

Early adopters of the Nexus 5 look away now, LG and Google have tweaked the production process of the handset making it a slightly sturdier offering.

Some users had complained about the rattling sound made by the power/lock and volume keys on the new Nexus 5, and according to a post on the XDA Developers forum LG has returned to the drawing board to solidify those buttons.

It's not just the buttons which have been given some attention. There's also been a subtle change to the speaker grille on the base of the Nexus 5, with the machine drilled holes now ever so slightly larger than on earlier models.

All change please

There's no obvious advantage to be gained here for end users, perhaps the larger holes will allow for a slightly higher volume, but we don't expect much of a difference between old and new phones.

This isn't the first time LG and Google have altered the manufacturing process of a handset, with the Nexus 4 gaining two dimples on its rear a few months after launch, designed to lift the handset off a surface allowing for better volume from the rear speaker.

Of course this will all come as little comfort to those who did pick up a Nexus 5 early on, as there's no sign of a trade in program from Google or LG.

• Find out what we think in our Nexus 5 review

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/nexus-5-gains-sturdier-build-as-lg-tweaks-production-1207547

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Black HTC One Max unveiled in Hong Kong

While we'd really prefer seeing a Snapdagon 800-powered version, HTC gave us a new color option of its One Max phablet.

Unveiled in Hong Kong is a black-colored HTC One Max. The device has appeared on the local market sporting a second color to go with its initial Silver option.

The device will be available in Hong Kong alongside the gold-colored HTC One. The latter is not to be confused with the actual gold units, both of which we've handled - this one is an aluminum-clad HTC One with a new paint job.

The black HTC One Max will be available for sale in Taiwan as well. Currently the One Max is priced in taiwan at the equivalent of around $800 while the gold-colored One is roughly $660. Rumors suggest that a red-colored HTC One Max may also be joining in the mix soon.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/black_htc_one_max_unveiled_in_hong_kong-news-7362.php

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Sony's CES press conference scheduled for January 6

New Year's Eve is approaching and with it time for celebration and, of course, CES. Today Sony confirmed its event will be held the day before CES officially kicks off on January 7.

The Sony press conference will be held on January 6 (Monday) at LVCC, Central Hall. For those that won't be there, it starts 5pm local time and will run for 45 minutes, so you can expect the news of the new devices to roll in by 6pm PST.

Sony's schedule lists 15 device categories, including tablets, netbooks, photography equipment and accessories, e-books, 3D video, portable and high-performance audio.

So, we could be looking at a new Xperia Tablet or a Windows 8 tablet, but there's nothing in the rumor mill. Smartphones weren’t called out by name, but the rumor is that the Sony Xperia Z1s / Z1 mini will be unveiled at CES.

Anyway, we will be attending CES and we'll bring you news and hands-on impressions of whatever Sony does announce at the conference.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sonys_ces_press_conference_scheduled_for_january_6-news-7361.php

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Illuminating deal for ARM as it snaps up games lighting specialist

Battlefield 4 uses Enlighten

Chip design giant ARM has snapped up gaming light specialists Geomerics, the company that has helped illuminate big titles like Battlefield 4 and EVE Online.

ARM's focus on graphics is clearly growing, and the acquisition (for an as-yet undisclosed fee) represents another step forward for the company.

Geomerics makes Enlighten - which is a popular dynamic lighting solution used in some of the biggest blockbuster games.

Mobile gaming

The company's move under ARM's umbrella will see it continue its developments for console and, crucially, mobile platforms as well as look ahead to the next waves of devices.

The upshot is that we're likely to be seeing a hell of a lot more gorgeous dynamic lighting in our next-next-gen mobile phones and tablets, as gaming on the go hits critical mass.

If somebody could solve the whole physical buttons versus touchscreen problem ahead of that point that would be great.

• Like tech? Like gaming? Check out all of gaming news

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/mobile-computing/tablets/gaming/illuminating-deal-for-arm-as-it-snaps-up-games-lighting-specialist-1207514

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