Google is fixing its latest Android update. Then it's fixing its lawn.
The Google Play versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One are again demonstrating that stock Android phones have all the perks, as they have been upgraded to Android 4.2.2 today.
Granted, this is a minor update to Google's mobile operating system with the release notes indicating it's a security patch full of bug fixes, noted Android Community, as was the case with 4.4.1 a few days before it.
Android 4.4.1 had also fixed the Nexus 5 camera on December 5, adding auto focus, white balance and HDR+ to the previously mediocre camera software.
But that really doesn't matter to Galaxy S4 and HTC One owners. For them, today's Android 4.2.2 updated is all about fixing more glitches.
Ap Ops was an app oops
Android 4.4.2 features one less menu with the controversial removal of Android 4.4 KitKat "App ops" interface in settings.
Introduced in Android 4.3, it allowed users to restrict apps from accessing their location, reading their contacts and modification their contacts.
Users were able to configure these settings on an app-by-app basis, but Google said "App ops" was "released by accident," according to the disappointed privacy hawks at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Still, it's a good feeling to get an over-the-air Android update on time as opposed to phones bought through a carrier. They typically have to wait a couple of months before updates roll out.
What could this possibly mean? (credit: Motorola Mobility)
There have been rumors about a wood chassis for Motorola's Moto X for months, and the company is finally acknowledging them officially - albeit cryptically.
In a Google+ post Motorola published an image of the Moto X's silhouette dotted-lined onto a slab of wood, with the caption "Put this DIY project on hold. Trust us."
The intent behind the message is clear, though details are still scarce. But we'll be keeping an eye out for the wood option to hit Motorola's Moto Maker customization platform soon.
Of course the real question now is, if a Moto X is called in the woods with no one around to hear it, does it still ring?
More blips
Why do TechRadar's blips float in the water? Because they're made of wood!
Will the real phone live up to the rumored legend?
It's been a week since we heard any murmurings about the Samsung Galaxy S5 and right on cue, the South Korean media says we'll see the first over 1080p resolution phone at Mobile World Congress.
The Galaxy smartphone maker is rumored to unveil its first QHD device with a 2560×1440 resolution at Mobile World Congress 2014, according to ZDNet Korea. The reports don't specifically label this QHD device as the Galaxy S5, but it's unlikely this screen will make its way into something other than Samsung's flagship phone.
According to the Korean media's sources, Samsung's ultra HD screened phone will also feature an iris verification system that scans user's eyes as a security measure. The pairing of this retinal scanner and the ultra HD strongly suggests the phone in question is the long rumored Galaxy S5.
In another connected report from ET News, another Korean new affiliate, suggested the world would see a Galaxy S5 launch by March or April. Connecting all the dots it would make sense, especially given the Galaxy S4 rolled onto shelves a month after it's original unveiling.
Are the rumors true?
After months of rumors and speculation, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting handset's we've seen in a very long time. If the rumors are true.
Besides it's ultra HD screen the Samsung Galaxy S5 is speculated to come packing a 2.5GHz processor that's also the first 64-bit part ever for an Android smartphone. In another first, the 5.5-inch device has 4GB of RAM, the most ever seen on a mobile device.
Again, there are still too many rumors flying around to not take many of these reports with a grain of salt. Much like a unicorn, we'll believe it when we see it – and luckily we won't have to wait very long with MWC 2014 just around the year's corner starting from February 24 to the 27.
Leaked benchmark scores are once again outing a trio of forthcoming handsets from Sony, suggesting the Japanese manufacturer may be about to take a good thing and multiply.
PhoneArena reported Sunday that Sony has not one, not two but a full three variants of its popular Xperia Z1on the way, judging from leaked benchmarks recently discovered on the AnTuTu app for Android.
The first of the handsets popped up at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) late last week as the Sony D5503, a model expected to be marketed as the Xperia Z1 Mini or Xperia Z1s.
That particular model put smiles on the faces of Sony fans with an impressive 34,193 score on AnTuTu - an impressive speed considering this is a smaller model of the company's flagship handset.
Wait, there's more!
Judging from the FCC filing, the Xperia Z1 Mini is downsized in only three areas: A smaller 4.3-inch display, lower 1280 x 720 resolution and a shrunken 2300mAh battery.
That's about where the reduced specs end, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB RAM which makes the diminutive model one worthy of consideration for Xperia fans who don't require the larger screen real estate of the full-sized Z1.
A second variant which scored an even higher 35,485 on AnTuTu is believed to be simply a refresh of the existing Xperia Z1, presumably with the requisite spec bump in tow.
Last but not least, the so-called Sony Xperia Z1 LTE (C6916) topped out with an AnTuTu score of 36,257 and could be inbound for the US market on T-Mobile.
The Sony Xperia E was nothing to write home about, but had a price tag to match
Sony will release a successor to the Xperia E appropriately dubbed the Xperia E2 in 2014, according to a recent report.
The Japanese site EMSOne said the Xperia E2 will feature LTE compatibility, unlike its predecessor, which launched in March 2013 with 3G only.
Other than that we know literally nothing about the possibility of an Xperia E2, including any hints about its specs.
But the original Xperia E featured a 3.5-inch 320 x 480 display, a 1GHz Cortex A5 processor, 4GB of storage, and 512MB of memory - so hopefully the E2 comes with a specs upgrade as well.
Rise of the budget phones
Even with a specs upgrade, though, the E2 will surely retain its budget price tag. Sony's got enough going on on the high end with the flagship Xperia Z (and possibly the Xperia Z2).
There's also hope that phones like the Xperia E2 will come with Android 4.4: KitKat, since the latest version of Android isn't dependent on powerful hardware.
Does that mean the age of budget phones is upon us? Maybe not for that reason, but it's true that budget phones are thriving alongside their high-end, flagship counterparts.
And one can hope that we'll start seeing the new Android version on budget and low-end devices like the Xperia E line out of the box as well as the high-end devices that usually get all the OS love.
Speaking of budget phones, Samsung showed off its first Tizen phone in November - and don't forget that Sony has promised a Firefox OS handset in 2014 too.
The Lumia 822 has a grogeous screen and now a nice camera app to back it up
Nokia has been slowly building up its reputation as a photography focused smartphone maker and now it's extending those perks to everyone using its handsets.
The Nokia Camera app thus far has only been available to high-end, pro-shooter models such as the Lumia 920 and Lumia 925 and Lumia 928 and Lumia 1020. Now the Finnish phone maker is opening up the application to all Windows Phone 8 Lumia handsets with its latest beta release.
Announced at Nokia World 2013, the application update is available in the Windows Phone Store Pureview Lumia devices with the Lumia Amber or Black software release. After a quick download, Lumia users can turn on full manual mode for precise shutter speed control.
Nokia's Smart camera mode also allows smartphone shooters to take a sequence of photos they can alter afterwards to emphasize things like movement, to remove objects from an image, or select the best snap.
In the same statement the Finnish phone maker says DNG support will be added to more phones as Lumia Black update becomes available. The software update will also allow the camera app to run underneath the lock screen, allowing Nokia snappers to capture an image without pounding in a keylock code first.
Notification Center needed as much as Windows needs a start button
The forthcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update may prove that 8.1 is Microsoft's lucky number, as it's reportedly adding a notification center and Siri personal assistant to its mobile devices.
The Windows Phone 8.1 notification center is to revealed through a swipe-from-the-top gesture, according to unnamed Microsoft sources cited by The Verge.
Quick settings can be accessed with a short swipe down, while the most recent notifications are listed with a longer swipe in the same direction.
This matches how which matches how the Android notification center works and it's a combination of Apple's iOS notification center and command center.
'Contra' to band together a Siri clone
Even faster than changing setting through the new notification center may be asking the Windows 8.1 personal assistant to do it for you.
Microsoft has been testing out its "Contra" for a number of months, according to the same report, with the intention of launching a rival to Google Now and Apple's Siri technology.
It's said to be able to anticipate appointments and map out the time it'll take you to get there, according to data that it reads in a non-Scroogled way.
Talk that Nokia is working on Android-powered devices was met with great excitement, even when the rumors stated that the company is looking to fork Android. Chinese site CTechnology has some insider info about the status of the project, though, and the news isn't good.
The Android development was led by Peter Skillman, former VP MeeGo UX and Services Design and current Head of Design for HERE. Skillman was also VP of Design at Palm until 2010 around the time the Palm Pre came out.
All in all, if we had to pick someone to do a fork of Android, Peter Skillman sounds like the guy for the job. And Nokia was reportedly working on several Android devices, including a 7" tablet powered by Snapdragon 400.
These developments were done separately from the division that is going to Microsoft, but as part of that deal Nokia can't sell Nokia-branded phones for two years and a new brand may be hard to push now that Nokia has lost the magical clout it had a few years ago.
So phones are out of the picture for now, Nokia will instead focus on wearables – augmented reality and flexible displays, wireless power transmission and electromagnetic energy generation are quoted as the things that will set a Nokia wearable apart from the competition. A Nokia smartwatch may not be part of the package though as that project is reportedly headed to Microsoft.
Keep in mind that this is not official info, so there's no way to tell if it's true. The whole Android-powered thing is just a rumor so far.
Taiwanese-based smartphone manufacturer HTC has been struggling recently, having just announced its 25 straight month of declining year-on-year sales.
In order to right the ship, current CFO Chialin Chang has been appointed as the new global head of sales. According to a statement posted by HTC, Chang's previous experience in sales should be an asset in his new position, and the move is part of an internal restructuring that hopes to consolidate operations.
Chang takes over for Jason Mackenzie, who had previously headed both marketing and sales for HTC. Mackenzie will now be North American chief after earning the position back in 2011.
Since his appointment as CFO in April of 2012, Chang has cut R&D spending and helped reorganize HTC's China operations, but has still hot been able to stop the bleeding. HTC shares have fallen short of expectations for nine consecutive quarters amid manufacturing delays and quality control problems.
Hopefully HTC will be able to turn things around next year, with rumors of its alleged HTC One flagship sequel set for an early 2014 release.
Word has begun circling that LG has plans to hook up with Huawei in order to boost its smartphone business, but LG says that's nonsense.
One analyst told the Korea Times that the partnership is being considered, with LG keen to parley in order to "revive its smartphone business."
But LG has denied the claims, saying it is not pursuing a deal with the Chinese firm.
Hell no
The company says it has had "no discussion now or in the past with Huawei on any aspects of LG Electronics' business."
It's unusual for a company to come out and deny a rumour so forcefully - we're more used to hearing the go-to PR line that they do not comment on speculation.
That's not to say that LG doesn't think it's got a bit of a smartphone problem. A spokesperson told the Korea Times, "Gaps in our smartphone portfolios used to be one of the biggest problems that prevented us from succeeding in the market for the past few years.
"But this problem has been fixed. Attention is being shifted to how we see an external growth in handsets."
That "problem" was fixed by a number of launches over the past year, with the LG G2 flagship handset grabbing plenty of critical acclaim - but whether those good reviews will translate into good sales is another matter.
IS the LG G2 the start of LG's comeback? Read our full review to find out
The Samsung Galaxy Core Advance has been officially announced, bringing a big screen to the budget end of the mobile market.
While the "Advance" extension to the handset's name may intrigue you, there's been little added to the original Galaxy Core which arrived in May 2013.
The main difference is the screen size, up from 4.3-inches to 4.7-inches on the Core Advance, although it still slums it with the same 480 x 800 resolution, which we can only assume will deliver an incredibly pixelated experience.
This puts the Galaxy Core Advance up against the Nokia Lumia 625, which has the same screen size and resolution as well as a low price tag.
More of the same
Inside the Galaxy Core Advance you'll find a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a microSD slot - exactly the same set up as the original.
Round the back the same 5MP camera resides and you do get a single LED flash, which is new.
The handset runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean but don't hold out too much hope of an Android 4.4 KitKat update - Samsung has often overlooked its budget handsets in this respect in the past.
The Galaxy Core Advance does appear to be well connected however, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Low Engery, GPS and NFC all onboard - there's no 4G though.
Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Core Advance will be making it to the UK, although "availability (and price) will be announced in due course."
Once upon a time there was only one firm on the lips of any business' IT team when it came to company phones – BlackBerry (formerly known as Research In Motion or RIM).
BlackBerry is still a big player in the enterprise market but the rest of the pack is hot on its heels, with the likes of Apple, Samsung, Nokia and HTC all eager to get a piece of the business pie.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 smartphones for business use and business users:
BlackBerry Z30
We're kicking off our top 10 with the latest handset from the firm once synonymous with business handsets – the BlackBerry Z30.
BlackBerry has always been a firm favourite in the business arena, but recently people have begun switching en masse to Apple and Android offerings.
The Z30 builds on the BlackBerry Z10 which was used to launch the firm's BlackBerry 10 operating system, aimed at winning back the business market with an excellent messaging hub.
Offering up a larger, 5-inch fully touch display the Z30 is a more convenient size (compared to the Z10) for many, allowing you to get more information on screen at once. The big advantage with the BlackBerry Z30 is its excellent support for business users.
IT departments can take control of the handset using BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 (BES 10), with security provided by BlackBerry itself ensuring all your emails and messages are fully encrypted.
The Z30 has a feature known as BlackBerry Balance which allows you to flip quickly between work and personal profiles on the handsets, allowing you to keep the two separate with work controlling the business side while you have full control over your own area.
More and more businesses are turning to Apple's smartphone offerings, and while it produces great looking, powerful devices, they certainly come at a price.
The iPhone 5S is the latest in Apple's line up, and while it only builds fractionally on the iPhone 5, it continues to turn heads in every circle.
Apple offers a wide range of enterprise resources on the iPhone 5S with support for SSL VPN and data protection APIs, enabling third party app makers to produce fully secure solutions.
There's even a fingerprint scanner hidden beneath the home key on the iPhone 5S, adding another layer of security to the handset.
On the topic of apps, the iPhone family is best placed when it comes to business focussed software, with thousands of applications available on the App Store aimed at making work easier - not to mention Apple's own suite of business software which is now available for free.
You also get Siri, your own personal digital assistant who listens to your voice and brings you whatever you need, from meeting reminders to the latest footy scores.
The iPhone 5S runs Apple's latest software, iOS 7, which features a fresh new look allowing it to keep pace with the rapidly evolving Android platform.
If your company has already upgraded to the iPhone 5, there really is now need to make the switch to the 5S, you're better off waiting for the iPhone 6 at least.
If you're looking for all round smartphone perfection look no further than the HTC One. It's only the third ever smartphone to pick up a coveted 5 star TechRadar rating, and it fuses superb design with excellent functionality.
It's not a business minded as the BlackBerry Z30, but the One's full metal body puts it up there with the iPhone 5S in terms of premium style and boardroom presence.
The full HD, 4.7-inch display is the most defined in this list and the punchy quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM ensures you'll never be short of power.
There are plentiful amounts of bells and whistles on the HTC One and the Android Jelly Bean operating system allows for a wealth of customisation - although HTC has heavily skinned it with its Sense overlay.
You may find that overlay gets in the way of core business functions, so it's worth checking out the HTC One before hand, but if the interface is manageable you'll be more than happy getting this out in meetings.
The Windows Phone 8 toting Nokia Lumia 925 turns up with Microsoft's backing, which will sound attractive to businesses that rely on the firm's Windows software for its computers.
Building on its predecessor, the Lumia 920, the Lumia 925 sports a premium metal chassis and slimmer design making it more manageable in hand and in your shirt pocket.
Unsurprisingly, Windows Phone 8 plays nicely with its computer-based brothers – although companies running Macs may want to opt for the iPhone instead.
The unfussy Live Tile display on the home screen keeps things simple, allowing you to access your emails, messages or call log quickly, and the intuitive interface makes it an easy system to learn.
The Lumia 925 has one of the largest screens in the current Windows Phone 8 line up at 4.5 inches, which comes in handy when viewing documents and long email chains.
Microsoft's fully functioning Office Suite for mobiles - something which is currently only available on Windows Phone – is installed on the handset, making last minute amendments on the way to a meeting easy.
It may not have the same wealth of apps as Android or iOS, but if you can cope with that you'll enjoy the Nokia Lumia 925's powerful offering.
Working on your smartphone can be problematic due to the restrictive screen size, but manufacturers are looking to ease the issues with supersized handsets.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 arrives with a huge 5.7-inch, full HD display and its very own S-Pen stylus, merging the line between smartphone and tablet.
If your business is creatively minded then you may find the accuracy of the S-Pen and the ability to draw a real advantage.
You can also annotate documents, emails and anything else on screen using the stylus, allowing you to provide instant feedback to colleagues.
Multitasking has always been tricky on smartphones, partly due to the screen size and the fact that it's not really possible to have two apps on screen at once.
Samsung has overcome this problem on the Galaxy Note 3 by allowing you to run two apps side by side on the screen, so you could be looking at the latest financials while tapping out a quick email to the shareholders.
Of course, the size of the handset may hamper some as it isn't the most pocket friendly of devices, nor is it the lightest.
Also, some of the applications, especially those designed for use with the S-Pen, are overly complicated in places so intensive training may be required for some staff.
This just in from India - Micromax has introduced the Canvas 2.2 A114, which is currently selling on Flipkart.com for INR 12,999 (around $210).
In addition to dual-SIM support, the smartphone brings a 5" qHD (960 x 540 pixels) display on tap, MediaTek MT6582M chipset with a quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU, 8 MP snapper on the back and a 2 MP one on the front, 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of expandable storage built-in.
Miromax Canvas 2.2 A114 (click to enlarge)
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G but naturally lacks LTE support. There's also a 2000 mAh battery inside. The device runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean that looks very close to stock.
Mobile operator O2 launched new 4G tariffs on Thursday for new and existing customers with specific packages for small businesses. The company also revealed that it had hit its LTE coverage ahead of schedule.
O2's 4G 'Refresh Airtime' tariffs start at £17 a month, coming with unlimited texts, minutes and 1GB of data. On top of this the mobile company has added £22 and £27 alternatives which offer 5GB and 8GB of data. The selection, which is available on pay monthly, lease and SIM only, does not include the price of the handset.
Small and medium-sized companies will have access to individual and shared 4G tariffs as well as 4G ready devices to help support their business and enable them to "do more on the move". O2 has also announced new 12 month SIM-only tariffs priced at £21, £26 and £31 respectively. What's more, existing 3G customers of O2 will be entitled to an upgrade to 4G at no extra cost.
"Unleash the possibilities"
General Manager of Marketing Phil Maple said, "We are committed to helping our customers unleash the possibilities of 4G, which is why we're introducing these new tariffs designed to give even more people the chance to experience the very best in mobile technology."
Following O2's launch of the 4G network on 29 August, the firm has reached its coverage target six weeks ahead of schedule. The service covers 14 cities and 130 surrounding towns, and now has more than 18 million users, almost a third of the UK population. "They can now experience the remarkable things O2 4G has to offer, thanks to the fastest network rollout in our history," said Maple.
O2's expansion of its 4G network sees it compete against rival operator Everything Everywhere, who launched the UK's first 4G mobile internet service in September last year.
Samsung has added yet another smartphone to its mid-range club and has extended its Galaxy Core lineup. The South Korean manufacturer has officially announced the Galaxy Core Advance, after unveiling Galaxy Core and Core Plus earlier this year.
Samsung Galaxy Core Advance features a design similar to the previous Core series devices, but comes with enhanced hardware specifications. The Core Advance sports a 4.7-inch TFT display with WVGA resolution.
Under the hood of the Galaxy Core Advance, there is a dual core processor clocked at 1.2 GHz, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory with the ability to expand it via microSD. The latest mid-range smartphone from Samsung measures 133.3 x 70.5 x 9.7 mm and weighs about 145g.
The 5 megapixel rear camera and the VGA front facing shooter complete the camera department. As usual, the smartphone has a wide range of connectivity options, but does not include LTE support. Samsung Galaxy Core Advance runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and packs a 2,000mAh battery.
Unfortunately, there is no official word on the the pricing of the smartphone at the moment, but we know it will go on sale in early 2014 in Deep Blue and Pearl White versions.
Sony has started rolling out the Android 4.3 update for the Xperia Z1 and the Xperia Z Ultra (yep, that's Jelly Bean, not KitKat. That would arrive later.) The update brings with it all the changes that Google introduced with the 4.3 update along with several of Sony's own enhancement.
Sony has added the Smart Social Camera to the Z Ultra that was previously added the Z1 through this update. Other than that, both phones get an updated version of stock apps, from the Walkman, to Messaging, Track ID and MyXperia. Sony has also introduced Xperia Themes, with support for downloadable UI packs.
The update is now rolling out to both phones and should be available for download on yours shortly.
