New HTC One tries to secretly pass through FCC, cc's the rest of the world

HTC One 2 briefly outed on FCC website with familiar specs

The new HTC One smartphone made a regulatory appearance on the Federal Communications Commission's website this morning before the information was pulled.

Even though the device wasn't officially named and was accompanied by a crudely draw illustration, its limited specs made public do match all of the rumors that have led up to this point.

The HTC One follow-up features dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, low-powered Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC support.

And while so-called HTC One 2 hasn't officially been confirmed by any carriers, it appears to be AT&T-bound in the US thanks to an AT&T 4G LTE compatible wireless band.

There are also other wireless bands on board with 2, 4, 5, 7 bands getting the green light.

It's since been pulled, but we're always HTC One to remember

Other HTC One rumors

HTC's new flagship device, codenamed the HTC M8, has been the subject of plenty of rumors and photo leaks.

In addition to seeing the new phone through blurry spy shots, we're expecting there to be 3GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 800 processor and two cameras, one with 5MP "Ultrapixels."

Now that the FCC has given its stamp of approval, we're ready for the new HTC One to out itself.

That's thought to happen at HTC's March 25 reveal in New York City, not next week's MWC 2014 conference where we may see the Samsung Galaxy S5 launch.

• In other HTC news: HTC looks to dominate wearables with three devices

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/new-htc-one-tries-to-secretly-pass-through-fcc-cc-s-the-rest-of-the-world-1226882

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Meet Google's Project Tango, a phone equipped with Kinect-like sensors

Maps on your phone go to the next level

Imagine using your phone to create a 3D map of the world around you, one you could use to figure out how furniture will fit in a room or maneuver through an unfamiliar building or find an item on some lone supermarket shelf.

Thanks to a new Google endeavor, you may one day be able to do all these things and more.

Google's Advanced Technology and Projects group has announced Project Tango, a 5-inch Android phone prototype packing customized hardware and software to track its entire 3D motion, combining gathered data into a 3D map of the environment. It has definite Kinect undertones, and for good reason.

ATAP lead Johnny Lee used to work for Microsoft's Kinect crew. Of this Project Tango, Lee said its goal is "to give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion."

The phone's sensors can snag over a quarter million 3D measurements a second, and as it updates its position and orientation in real-time, it coalesces the information into a single 3D model.

It houses development APIs that send position, orientation and depth data to standard Android apps.
Though the days are still early, Google envisions Project Tango having applications in gaming, helping the visually-impaired, maps and navigation and other everyday scenarios.

Want to dance with Project Tango?

Not for you. Yet

As if you couldn't tell, Project Tango is firmly planted in the "early stages" sands. For now, Google is focusing on "exploration of what might be possible in a mobile platform."

That said, Project Tango does have a few known specs, including a 4MP camera, 2X computer vision processors, integrated depth sensing and a motion tracking camera.

Only 200 prototype dev kits exist, and Google hopes to get them out the door by March 14. The company is searching for professional developers to take a crack at "creating more than a touchscreen app."

Some of the dev sets have been set aside for indoor navigation/mapping, single and multiplayer games that use physical space and new algorithms for processing sensor data. There are also a number set aside for "we haven't thought of yet" purposes.

Check out ATAP's video explaining Project Tango and exploring its possibilities below. Looks pretty nifty, if you ask us.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/meet-google-s-project-tango-a-phone-equipped-with-kinect-like-sensors-1226848

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Kazam looks to work its magic in the smartphone market

Can Kazam pull a rabbit out the hat with its affordable smartphones?

Startup mobile manufacturer Kazam has finally announced the smartphones it'll bring to the UK in the second quarter of 2014, with six reasonably priced devices to choose from.

The first two phones are part of the mid-tier "Thunder 2" range - the 4.5-inch Kazam Thunder 2 4.5L and the 5-inch Kazam Thunder 2 5.0.

Looking at the Thunder 2 4.5L you get a 854 x 480 resolution display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 8GB of internal storage, 8MP rear facing camera, 1.6MP front camera and 4G connectivity.

Meanwhile the Thunder 2 5.0 comes with a HD 720 x 1280 display, 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 4GB of internal storage, 13MP rear cam, 5MP front cam, but no 4G support.

Kazam Thunder 2 5.0

Both handsets feature 1GB of RAM, microSD and dual-SIM slots. Kazam was unable to confirm pricing, but both handsets are likely to fall comfortably below the £300 mark.

Take 2

"Trooper 2" is Kazam's low-end range which comprises of four dual-SIM handsets in screen sizes 4, 4.5, 5 and 6 inches.

These handset share lots of the same specs - a 1.3GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, stock Android 4.2.2, 5MP rear camera and 0.3MP front facing camera.

Kazam Trooper 2 range

The Kazam Trooper 2 4.5, 5.0 and 6.0 all have the same 854 x 480 screen resolution, while the Trooper 2 4.0 has a 800 x 480 setup.

Fresh approach

Kazam's focus however, is less on the specs of each individual device and more about offering customers an affordable handset with additional benefits.

For now those benefits are one free screen replacement if you break it within the first year and its free Rescue service which can be called upon if you run into difficulties with your device.

Kazam announced its presence back in November 2013, but it's taken until now to rally the troops and get its devices through the UK's lengthy approval process.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/kazam-looks-to-work-its-magic-in-the-smartphone-market-1226827

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Rumour: Samsung Galaxy S5 may be on sale within three weeks

T-minus 4 days 'ti Galaxy S5 reveal

The Samsung Galaxy S5 will be on sale by the middle of March, according to reports on Thursday.

The new flagship handset is set to arrive at the Samsung Unpacked event at MWC on February 24 and will be on store shelves just a couple of weeks later, 'inside sources' speaking to GSMArena have claimed.

A mid-March launch, which doesn't seem too much of a stretch, would give Samsung an opportunity to greet shoppers before its biggest Android rival HTC is able to get 'The All New HTC One' in front of the public.

That handset, which has already leaked out several times this week alone, won't have its coming out party until March 25, potentially giving Samsung 1-2 weeks before consumers are presented with a choice.

Joining the dots

The Galaxy S5 is expected to arrive with Android 4.4 KitKat, an all-new version of the TouchWiz UI, a Snapdragon 800 or 805 processor (with octa-core in some regions) and 3GB of RAM.

The device is also likely to retain a 5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, while speculation has also pointed towards a dust and waterproof metallic casing and a potential fingerprint scanner a la the iPhone 5S.

The most recent rumours also suggest a 16-megapixel camera into play as well as the ability to shoot 4K video, while the hardware could feature a dedicated camera button for the first time in the series.

• Not interested in HTC or Samsung? Check out our LG G2 review

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/rumour-samsung-galaxy-s5-may-be-on-sale-within-three-weeks-1226833

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Canonical CEO says Apple bought a boat load of sapphire screens

The iPhone 5S has sapphire in its camera and home button

Rumors that Apple will turn to expensive but high quality sapphire for screens in its future devices are looking less and less like rumors all the time.

Now Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth has said publicly that Apple has purchased a huge supply of sapphire displays. And how would he know?

"Apple just snapped up three years' worth of the supply of sapphire screens from the company that we had engaged to make the screens for the Edge," Shuttleworth said in a public town hall meeting discussing Canonical's proposed high end Ubuntu smartphone.

Of course, the Edge missed its Kickstarter goal by $20 million (about £12m, AU$22m), so why shouldn't Apple swoop in on its sapphire deal for the iPhone 6's benefit?

Bitter much?

Shuttleworth does seem sort of bitter, though. "Isn't it interesting that how many of the things we said the future needed to include are showing up on other people's roadmaps?" He asked.

He continued, "Apple also has started describing their latest-generation mobile CPUs as desktop-class. That's another thing we said we needed to have in the Edge was a desktop-class CPU.

"And we're starting to see the roadmaps for the devices from Samsung and others that have the same amount of RAM that we were proposing to put in the Edge."

Apple and sapphire sitting in a tree

Apple already used sapphire in the rear camera lens glass and the fingerprint sensor home button on the iPhone 5S, but rumors that its love for the tough stone might go much further began in November.

In January an unearthed patent revealed that Apple could use sapphire on more than just screens, including sticking it on processors and other components.

Apple CEO Tim Cook the very next day confirmed the company's interest in an Arizona plant tinkering with sapphire, though unsurprisingly wouldn't get into specifics.

Meanwhile, although they may not be the killer Edge that Canonical envisioned, the first Ubuntu smartphones look likely to hit stores in 2014.

• Here's TechRadar's review of the iPad Air

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/canonical-ceo-says-apple-bought-a-boat-load-of-sapphire-screens-1226813

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Vodafone leak confirms gold Samsung Galaxy S5

There's been a leak at Vodafone, and it confirms that the mobile carrier will indeed be carrying a gold version of Samsung's upcoming flagship: the Galaxy S5.

The proof is in the pudding: you can see the Gold S5's name and model number amongst its other golden smartphone brethren: the iPhone 5S and HTC One 4G.

It seems that gaudy variants of these popular smartphones are in style these days. Anybody interested in picking up a bling'ed-out Galaxy S5?

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/vodafone_leak_confirms_gold_samsung_galaxy_s5-news-7881.php

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BlackBerry 'Windermere' handset could bring gestures to physical keys

One keyboard to rule them all? (credit: BGR, BlackBerry)

Remember BlackBerry? They haven't forgotten about you, and are apparently hard at work on a new smartphone that could combine the best of software and hardware keyboards in one device.

BGR is back on the BlackBerry beat again today with the first rumblings of an all-new smartphone out of Waterloo with the code name "Windermere" - but it may live or die at the hands of an outside partner.

According to "multiple trusted sources," the top secret Windermere project is something of a departure for BlackBerry, with a wider frame that consolidates the hardware keys into three rows instead of four.

But that's not all: The loose-lipped sources claim the physical keys will also be imbued with the power of touch sensitivity, allowing for gesture-based typing described as similar to the Swype app on Android.

Twice the fun

This wouldn't be BlackBerry's first foray into gesture typing - after all, the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Z30 handsets are capable of accessing numbers, symbols or accent keys the same way, only with an on-screen keyboard.

The unique form factor may also extend beyond just physical keys, with BlackBerry said to be toying with the idea of running "two apps on screen simultaneously side by side."

BlackBerry fans may want to cool down any impulse to buy, however: The fate of Windermere may rest with a single unconfirmed "large partner" who could put the kibosh on the hardware before it ever leaves the prototype phase.

Assuming this rumored partner likes what they see, however, we could be looking at the first significant revision to the once-mighty BlackBerry brand in quite some time.

• Speaking of unique smartphones, read TechRadar's take on the LG G Flex!

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/blackberry-windermere-handset-could-bring-gestures-to-physical-keys-1226803

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Oppo Find 7 will have a removable battery

Thanks to yet another teaser by Oppo we now know that the Find 7, successor to the Find 5 will feature removable back in order to access and change the battery. Despite that the smartphone will retain the feel of a unibody phone, the company said through its Weibo account.

The Find 7 will premiere in two versions - with 1080p and 2K screens . Inside will probably tick a Snapdragon 805 chipset along with 3 GB of RAM.

The Oppo Find 7 will cast the mists aside on March 19, when it will debut at a dedicated event in Beijing.

The Find 7 will be the more compact Oppo flagship and, in addition to bringing the bulk down, it will significantly outperform its bigger, dual-ROM-touting N1 sibling.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_find_7_will_have_a_removable_battery-news-7880.php

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Samsung unveils Android 4.4 update list, Galaxy S III missing

Samsung's US team released a list of devices that are getting the Android 4.4 KitKat update, putting their users' minds at ease. What about the international versions of the phones though? A blogger in Poland got in touch with a local Samsung representative and found out.

Here's the list:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 3
• Samsung Galaxy S4
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
• Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom
• Samsung Galaxy Note II
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 .0
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1
• Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3
• Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8
• Samsung Galaxy Grand
• Samsung Galaxy Express 2

The Samsung Galaxy S III is conspicuously missing from the list, even though its phablet counterpart – the Note II – is on it. Reportedly, the reason is the amount of RAM, the Galaxy S III has "only" 1GB.

That can't be the real reason though – the Galaxy Grand has 1GB RAM too. Plus, KitKat is optimized for 512MB devices, it's more memory efficient than Jelly Bean so even the weight of TouchWiz can't be it (and again, the Grand has the same amount of RAM).

Note that the US version of the Galaxy S III will be getting KitKat, though that one has 2GB of RAM.

Whatever the reason, this puts Samsung's 2012 flagship in the same boat as the international HTC One X (though HTC blamed NVIDIA's chipsets) - remaining on Jelly Bean or go the unofficial ROM way.

Source (in Polish) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/international_samsung_galaxy_s_iii_not_getting_android_44_kitkat-news-7879.php

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Android 4.4 KitKat now hitting Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung has just started seeding the official Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Galaxy S4. The Exynos-based GT-I9500 is the first version of the device to get it, but we expect the Snapdragon 600-running I9505 to taste KitKat shortly after.

Naturally, the update process is gradual. Russia and India, being the two markets where the I9500 model is most popular, are the first countries to get it. If there are no hiccups with the update, more countries should join them shortly.

The new Android 4.4 firmware will bring you all KitKat improvements and enhancements (Project Svelte), better lockscreen with support for full-screen music album art and a dedicated camera shortcut, some minor UI updates (monochrome status bar icons) and improved stability.

The build date of the KitKat firmware is February 13, 2014 and you should have about 1GB free space in order to install and update.

Now that the official roll out has started, we expect even more Galaxy S4 models to jump on the KitKat bandwagon very soon. Samsung USA has announced which devices are going to get Android 4.4 KitKat, so if live in the US you might want to check this list.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/android_44_kitkat_now_available_for_samsung_galaxy_s4-news-7878.php

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LG G2 mini will come in three versions

LG G2 mini's official unveiling was a little light on details, but now we have the full picture and it's a bit confusing. The G2 mini has three major versions, which differ in several key components.

The first one is an LTE version powered by Snapdragon MSM8926 chipset (quad-core Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz, Adreno 305). This one will have an 8MP camera on the back, Cat. 4 LTE (150Mbps downlink) and NFC.

Then there's the 3G dual-SIM version, powered by a Snapdragon MSM8226 instead (same specs, different modem). This one has an 8MP camera too, 21Mbps HSDPA and no NFC.

LG G2 mini

Finally, there's a second LTE version, specifically for Latin America. This one isn't powered by Qualcomm at all, but instead uses NVIDIA Tegra 4i (quad-core Cortex-A9 @ 1.7GHz). It has a 13MP camera, Cat. 3 LTE (100Mbps) and again, no NFC.

All three versions weight the same, 121g. The first model to roll out will be the dual-SIM 3G one, launching in CIS countries this March. The other versions will launch soon after that in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

The compact smartphone will be available in a variety of colors: Titan Black, Lunar White, Red, Gold. The selection is region dependent though.

The LG G2 mini will be at the MWC so we'll get to meet it in person in just a few days!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g2_mini_will_come_in_three_versions-news-7877.php

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HTC Desire 8 (A5) will have a 720p screen

While the HTC One successor won't be coming to the MWC (it's getting a separate event instead) there's a good chance we'll see the Desire 8 at the show. There have been a number of leaks, including official-looking images but some details were still veiled.

Popular source of rumors @evleaks posted info on the HTC A5, a 5.5" phablet with BoomSound speakers and a 13MP camera, which sounds just like what we know about the Desire 8.

HTC A5: MSM8928 (1.6GHz x4), 5.5" 720p SuperLCD2, 1.5GB/8GB (+microSD), 13MP/5MP, Sense 6.0, BoomSound, black/white/red/yellow/purple.

— @evleaks (@evleaks) February 20, 2014

At 5.5" the 720p screen resolution will result in 267ppi pixel density. The chipset is a Snapdragon 400 with four Cortex-A7 cores at 1.7GHz and Adreno 305 GPU. This chipset is gaining popularity recently and powers Sony's Xperia T2 Ultra and Huawei's Ascend Mate2 4G.

The HTC Desire 8 packs great camera specs for a mid-ranger though we still have nothing on video capture (the chipset is capable of 1080p though and it'd be strange if a 13MP camera isn't).

The Desire 8 is expected on February 24, probably at the MWC.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_8_a5_will_have_a_720p_screen-news-7876.php

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Samsung Galaxy S5 to go on sale in three weeks

Those of you who've eyed the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5, mark your calendars. We've spoken to a Samsung executive, who has confirmed the Galaxy S5 will go on sale in three weeks.

Samsung's Unpacked 5 event at the Mobile World Congress is scheduled for next week - February 24, Monday at 20:00 CET. This gives Samsung just two weeks to get the device in stores before it's finally ready for customers to purchase in the middle of March.

The information was also confirmed by other trustworthy sources of ours. Earlier in January, we also received information that aligns with what we now know.

The specs of Samsung's next flagship suggest 3 GB of RAM, Snapdragon 800 or 805 chipset, with a quad-core Krait CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz, 16 or 21 MP camera, 5.25" QHD (2560 x 1440) display. Soon enough we'll see if it's a bezel-free one.

The TouchWiz user interface will receive a plethora of enhancements with the introduction of a new cleaner and flatter look.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s5_to_go_on_sale_in_three_weeks-news-7875.php

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HTC looking to dominate wearables with three devices

HTC's getting in on the wearables game

HTC has not one, not two, but three wearable devices in the works according to an unnamed person with 'direct knowledge of the plans'.

One of the two smartwatches apparently in development is based on Qualcomm's Toq according to Bloomberg, which spoke to the anonymous source, and it could challenge the likes of the Galaxy Gear.

It will feature Qualcomm's low-power Mirasol display technology, a music player, Bluetooth connectivity and will apparently be previewed to carriers at MWC, though it's not likely to be shown in public.

Fighting fit

The second smartwatch is based around Google Now and will have an AMOLED screen, while a third wearable - a smart wristband - will have a thin touchscreen display, activity tracking features and a music player, so by the sounds of things it will be gunning for the Fitbit Force and the Nike FuelBand SE.

Don't get too excited about seeing these things as HTC has yet to decide whether any of them will go into final production according to the source.

HTC has previously confirmed that it plans to bring its first wearable out by Christmas, so with that in mind it seems likely that at least one of these will make it out the door.

• If you want a smartwatch now you might want to check out the Samsung Galaxy Gear

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/other-devices/htc-looking-to-dominate-wearables-with-three-devices-1226558

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Acer's high-spec Liquid E3 won't send you into liquidation

The E3 appears to be pretty good on paper

As with many of the manufacturers attending MWC 2014 this year, Acer has jumped the gun and announced the new smartphones it'll be bringing to the show.

It has launched the Acer Liquid E3 and the Liquid Z4, both of which sport low price tags and half decent spec sheets.

First up is the Liquid E3 which boasts a 4.7-inch HD display (that's 720p rather than 1080p), 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, microSD slot, 13MP rear camera and 2MP front facing snapper with LED flash for selfies.

That's not a bad package considering Acer is quoting €199 (around £165) for the Liquid E3, which will launch with Android 4.2.2 in April, but an Android KitKat update is confirmed for later in the year.

The Acer Liquid E3

Cheap as chips

The Acer Liquid Z4 is even cheaper, coming in at €99 (around £80), and features a 4-inch display, 1.3GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of internal storage, 5MP rear camera and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean.

The Acer Liquid Z4

The Liquid Z4 release date is also marked as April, and it'll be available in black and white.

• What you need to look out for at MWC 2014

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/acer-s-high-spec-liquid-e3-won-t-send-you-into-liquidation-1226607

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Nokia X A110 photo gives us first peek at new UI

For a company that purposefully steered away from Android, Nokia sure is making a lot of fuss about its upcoming Android phone.

The device in question, the Nokia X A110, was caught in China. It's supposed to join the Asha line and it looks the part – it has a single back button below the screen. That's because the A110 will run a customized version of Android.

Nokia X A110 spy photos

The UI certainly looks quite different – obviously inspired by Windows Phone's live tiles. The Store shortcut will lead to an separate app repository (not the Play Store) but so far little is known about it.

Nokia will also be replacing Google's Maps with its own HERE suite and the Nokia X A110 will come with a free navigation license for one country. Nokia also has its own music service, so we'll probably be seeing that too.

Heavily customized Android with Nokia services replacing Google's

Anyway, this is clearly the dual-SIM version of the phone, but there will be a single-SIM option too. The price target is under CNY 700 ($115 / €85), and there should be a minimal price difference between the single and dual-SIM models.

Meanwhile, Nokia's Weibo account posted another teaser image – this time it features a UFO (with the ubiquitous green X) abducting a puppy. Hopefully, the idea behind these images will be explained when Nokia unveils the X at the Mobile World Congress in less than a week.

Source 1 (in Chinese) • Source 2 (in Chinese) | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_x_a110_photo_gives_us_first_peek_at_new_ui-news-7873.php

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Facebook and WhatsApp: if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em

Facebook: now with added WhatsApp

It's 1999 and Mark Zuckerberg is CEO of Microsoft, despite only being fifteen. Microsoft's board is rapt as they await his decision.

"Buy it," he says. "Whatever it costs. Whatever they ask for. Buy it."

He's talking about Google, a small company that's doing clever things with search. Like Hotmail, which Microsoft bought the previous year, it might be the shape of things to come - and if it is, it's a business Microsoft wants to be in.

The Google sale wouldn't be the last time Microsoft appeared to pay over the odds for technology firms.

Zuckerberg would go on to arrange the purchase of Android Inc and Flickr in 2005, YouTube in 2006 and Firefox - or at least most of its key engineers via financial offers they'd be mad to refuse - in 2008. It acquired Twitter in 2008, Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014.

The companies were very different, but the rationale for buying them was always the same. As Zuckerberg put it: "If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em."

It's made Microsoft the most valuable company the world has ever seen.

Back in the real world...

Facebook buys WhatsApp

What did it pay?
What's in it for Facebook?
Best iPhone messaging apps
Best Android alternatives

None of that happened, of course, but if it had then today's technology industry would look very different - and that's because Facebook is a very different company to the tech giants of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Facebook has both enormous scale and huge paranoia, and that means it does interesting things such as buying WhatsApp.

Facebook may have overpaid - although at around $40 per user what it's paying for WhatsApp is much the same as what Microsoft paid for Hotmail; most of the deal is in stock, so if we are indeed in a bubble then Facebook won't be too out of pocket if the market crashes - but it makes complete sense if you're absolutely loaded and worried about younger, smarter competitors eating your lunch.

By buying WhatsApp Facebook isn't just making a fairly safe investment - WhatsApp's fee of $1 per user per year is serious money if its current explosive growth continues, and the $4bn of actual cash Facebook is shelling out will be recouped in a couple of years even if it doesn't - but neutralising and monetising a potential competitor.

I've written before that Facebook cannot possibly be the best, most popular service in every sector. What it can do, though, is buy the best, most popular services in every sector: Instagram in photos, WhatsApp in messaging and so on. And if it's smart, it won't try to assimilate them, integrate them or otherwise mess them up as the previous generation of tech giants - *cough* Yahoo! *cough* - so loved to do.

Mark Zuckerberg is trying very hard to make Facebook an unkillable business. It might not work - even Facebook can't buy everything, and it might not necessarily buy the right businesses; some pundits are already suggesting that instead of WhatsApp, LINE might have been a better buy - but the beat 'em or buy 'em strategy makes it very tough to compete with.

Rivals don't just have to invent a better product and attract millions of users: they also need to be unbuyable at any price.

• Remember when Facebook tried to buy Snapchat?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/facebook-and-whatsapp-if-you-can-t-beat-em-buy-em-1226539

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Upcoming HTC One 2014 flagship pictured in gray

Prominent leaker @evleaks gave us the first "official" glimpse yesterday of the widely leaked upcoming HTC flagship, the All New HTC One. Now, to accompany the gold-colored flagship spotted yesterday, we've got a second look at the device, this time in gray.

Despite being called The All New One, the 2014 HTC flagship obviously takes many of its design cues from its predecessor.

The smartphone is tipped to sport a 5-inch 1080p flagship with a Snapdragon 800 CPU ticking inside, and will also come in silver. The most notable addition, of course, is the dual-camera, dual-LED setup on the back.

Although we won't see the new One next week at MWC next week, HTC has announced a major event for March 25, so we'll likely get to see it in flesh in less than a month.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/upcoming_htc_one_flagship_pictured_in_gray-news-7872.php

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Samsung Galaxy S5 set to get serious about photography

Samsung's bringing the camera button into the 21st century

If everything pans out the Samsung Galaxy S5 could have a camera to be reckoned with as a new report suggests that for the first time, Samsung will apparently put a dedicated camera button on its new Galaxy flagship.

But it's not just any button, there will be an invisible sensor built into the bottom right of the phone which you simply tap to take a picture, according to SamMobile.

It's claimed to be called 'Side Touch' and removes the need to tap the screen to fire off snaps. There are some limitations though as supposedly it won't work in portrait mode or when shooting video.

The report also claims the Samsung Galaxy S5 will have a 16MP sensor - which has long been rumoured - as well as the ability to shoot 4K UHD video at 30fps and 1080p video at 60fps.

Snap happy

The information doesn't end there, as SamMobile also kindly listed the camera modes we're likely to see on the Galaxy S5.

These include old favourites like Sound & Shot, Panorama and HDR alongside new ones such as 3D Tour Shot, which can be used to create interactive virtual tours of your surroundings, Continuous Shot, which takes numerous photos in rapid succession, and Focus Select, which makes subjects stand out against the background by adjusting the depth of field.

There will also be numerous camera effects, such as monochrome, sepia, vintage and cartoon.

Just the other day we heard from Samsung itself that the Galaxy S5 will have an improved LED flash, so if all this other information is accurate it looks like the camera is going to be a key feature of Samsung's new flagship.

• Samsung got even more serious about camera phones with the Galaxy S4 Zoom.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s5-set-to-get-serious-about-photography-1226538

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Acer announces Liquid E3 and Liquid Z4

Acer has just announced the mid-range Liquid E3 and the entry-level Liquid Z4 smartphones.

Acer Liquid E3

The Acer Liquid E3 packs a 4.7" 720p IPS display and runs on a quad-core 1.2GHz processor coupled with 1GB of RAM. There is no info on the CPU architecture, but Cortex-A7 seems like a safe bet. The rest of the specs include 4GB of expandable storage, Wi-Fi and GPS. There is also this Acer RAPID key at the back of the device, which can answer calls, launch the camera or unlock the phone with just one press.

Acer Liquid E3

The Liquid E3 has very interesting camera department. Acer has equipped the device with a 13MP main snapper at the back and a LED flash. The manufacturer promises "ultra-fast" focus time. The front snapper is 2MP, also accompanied by a LED flash for better selfies. Now that's a first!

The smartphone is running on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, but Acer promises an update to KitKat shortly after launch.

Acer Liquid E3 is scheduled to hit the shelves in Europe this April on €199.

Acer Liquid Z4

The Acer Liquid Z4 is an entry-level droid featuring a 4.0" TFT screen (the screen aspect suggest WVGA) and powered by a dual-core 1.3GHz processor (again we are going to bet on Cortex-A7). There is also a 5MP snapper with a LED flash and 4GB expandable storage.

Acer Liquid Z4

Acer Liquid Z4 is also relying on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean though no upgrade plans was shared. Acer will be pre-loading its own launcher, which is going to offer four different UI modes (Basic, Eastm Classic and Keypad) for better experience.

Even though there is nothing official, a closer inspection on the official pictures suggest the Liquid Z4 might also come with the Acer RAPID key we've mentioned above.

Liquid Z4 will hit the EU markets in April and will cost €99. You will be able to choose between Essential White and Titanic Black flavors.

Those two smartphones will premiere at the MWC in Barcelona in a few days. Another Liquid smartphone that was recently teased is expected to go official in Barcelona too. We will be on spot covering everything for you.

Source 1 | Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/acer_announces_liquid_e3_and_liquid_z4-news-7870.php

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Best messaging apps for iPhone

Start warming up your keyboards

Whether you've purchased yourself a iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C, or whether you're tied into a lengthy contract on the ageing iPhone 4S, chances are you are going to want to use your iPhone for more than just web browsing or taking pictures.

With Apple's App store currently populated with over one million apps, there are bound to be some real gems, as well as some duds across all categories. We've searched through and picked out what we feel are the best in order to connect with your friends and family, as well as a look to some alternatives.

Obviously, there are some in built options like the Messages app that is tied in so seamlessly with iMessage, Facetime or Apple's preinstalled email application. There are, however, a variety of apps available on the App store designed to complement or replace these.

WhatsApp (First year free, $0.99 per year thereafter)

Facebook spending $19 billion on WhatsApp has shot this messaging service into the stratosphere. There is no way of completely replacing the messaging app within your iPhone. Being a locked down system means that Apple has total control, so completely replacing the SMS app on the iPhone is nigh on impossible.

WhatsApp was designed to replace standard SMS apps across multiple OS', so is a very comprehensive app and comes with the same features that you would expect from any decent messaging app, with the same features being familiar to anyone that has used WhatsApp before.

Rather than using a username or password, WhatsApp works with your mobile number and uses the web rather than the mobile network, therefore meaning that there are no international messaging charges (as long as you're on Wi-Fi while abroad).

WhatsApp is very popular across multiple OS' for a reason. Its highly customisable, and very easy to use to message others on the service as it connects via your mobile number.

If you decide that WhatsApp isn't for you, why not try Samsung's ChatON? Now available across multiple OS' ChatON is a well designed, comprehensive messaging app that even features a built in translator.

Skype (Free)

Skype is possibly the most well known and popular video calling service that is available on both iOS and across both mobile and desktop OS'.

Now part of the Microsoft family, Skype provides both a comprehensive messaging and calling service that almost renders Apple's FaceTime pointless.

Being more than just a video and voice calling service, Skype fully supports IM with Skype's custom array of smileys, albeit without the accompanying fun animations that we love so much. Group messaging is supported, as is the sending of media files and video messages.

Connection to Skype can be done through a dedicated username and password or through an existing Microsoft account, something you might have created to use Windows Live or Windows 8. Since the merge with Microsoft, the Redmond based firm is pushing to connect any existing Skype accounts to your Windows account.

If neither Skype not FaceTime are the apps for you, why not try ooVoo? Also free to download, ooVoo features video chat at its heart, whilst also supporting group messaging, video statuses and a speed dial.

Facebook Messenger (Free)

Facebook Messenger has to be one of the most useful messaging apps that you can get for the iPhone, purely down to the large user base that it comes with. Connection to your Facebook account means that you can easily message your closest friends, family and colleagues.

Unlike the Android version, Facebook Messenger for iOS doesn't come with Chat Heads. What it does come with is the ability to send voice messages, photos, smileys and the new 'stickers' feature, which comes with massive smileys and cute kittys.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/best-messaging-apps-for-iphone-1187113

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Google I/O kicks off June 25 in San Francisco

Google's I/O Developers Conference is coming on June 25 through June 26. It will take place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. The news was shared by Google's SVP Sundar Pichai.

Google has changed the registration process, so you won't need to be among the fastest to reserve your spot. Sundar Pichai says Google is working on a new system, where you will submit your interest and then the invites will be sent randomly to people.

It's unclear if Google is planning to out a new gadget or a new Android version, or will choose focus on updating existing features.

Anyway, Google I/O 2014, as usual, will offer live streaming so even if you are not participating, you will be able to watch everything in real time.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/google_i_o_kicks_off_june_25_in_san_francisco-news-7869.php

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