Stephen Elop set to run Microsoft's Xbox, gaming, devices and entertainment unit

Elop set to take on a massive role in the new Microsoft

Former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop will take charge of Microsoft's hugely important Devices and Studios unit, according to a purported leaked internal email.

Elop, who was thought to be in strong contention for the CEO position at Redmond before losing out to the eventual choice Satya Nadella, will still be given a pretty substantial remit within the new Microsoft.

The Devices and Studios department oversees the Xbox One games console, devices like the Microsoft Surface and (soon) Nokia smartphones, as well as the first-party gaming and entertainment studios.

The somewhat major news comes via the current leader of the division Julie Larson-Green, who is moving on to run the Applications and Services unit.

In good hands?

In an email sent out to her team, obtained by Geekwire, Ms. Larson-Green wrote: "I'll remain in role leading the DnS organisation in the interim until the Nokia deal closes and Stephen Elop makes his transition to Microsoft. We've been meeting regularly throughout and are making a lot of progress, ensuring our teams are ready for the Day 1 close and beyond.

"You are all in great hands with Stephen and already we've shared a lot with him and his LT from Nokia regarding all of the fantastic people, teams and products in DnS. I also know many of you are looking forward to welcoming the Nokia team and working more closely with them."

The as-yet-unconfirmed appointment puts Elop right in the centre of the action at Microsoft as head of, arguably, the company's most important division going forward.

Initially, there is sure to be some scepticism regarding Elop in charge of Xbox given that last year it was rumoured he planned to sell the gaming division if he became CEO.

Of course, we await official word from Microsoft on the reported appointment. We've reached out to the company for comment and will update this story if and when a response is forthcoming.

• The forgotten man: How Stephen Elop missed out on becoming Microsoft CEO

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/stephen-elop-set-to-run-microsoft-s-xbox-gaming-devices-and-entertainment-unit-1228194

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With Ford's help, is BlackBerry reinventing itself as an in-car tech company?

Ford Sync powered by BlackBerry?

When was the last time you heard of anyone dropping anything in favour of BlackBerry? Quite a while ago probably

Well, it appears Ford may be on the verge of waving goodbye to Microsoft Windows and and empowering BlackBerry to create its in-car Ford Sync technology.

Bloomberg reports the multi-year Ford/Microsoft partnership is coming to an end, with the automaker preferring BlackBerry's QNX operating system for the next generation Ford Sync system.

Ford Sync allows drivers to hook their smartphones, make hands-free, voice activated calls, have text messages read out, control entertainment content and other third-party apps via the AppLink tech.

N-Sync with BlackBerry

Ford's rationale, according to the report, is that BlackBerry's service will be cheaper on account of its service being cheaper, faster and more flexible for Ford's purposes.

Bloomberg's sources claimed the deal with BlackBerry is complete, yet hasn't been made public yet.

The news comes at a time when BlackBerry looks to capitalise on its valuable services and shift away somewhat from the hardware business.

Taking the front seat in all new Ford vehicles going forward would be a pretty decent start as the company seeks to find some way to stay afloat in the new era.

• Did you know TechRadar has an entire section dedicated to car tech?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/with-ford-s-help-is-blackberry-reinventing-itself-as-an-in-car-tech-company--1228192

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Sony SmartBand fitness tracker arriving in March with Lifelog app in tow

The 'Core' tech will track pretty much everything you do

Sony's shift from SmartWatch to SmartBand fitness tracker will reach the public month alongside an accompanying mobile application, the company confirmed at MWC 2014.

The Sony SmartBand SWR10, announced last month at CES, is the first gadget to be powered by Sony's new Core fitness tracking technology.

• Sony is taking fitness trackers to scary new levels with Core

The launch in 60 countries will also see bring the Lifelog app for Android, which promises to track not just your exercise routines, but also the places users visit, the songs they listen to, and books they read.

The Lifelog app, which connects to the SmartBand via NFC or Bluetooth, will present the info in a neat interface and will also help out with recommendations for future entertainment content.

Core strength

Going back to the SmartBand, which is yet to be priced, it is designed to be worn 24/7, is fully waterproof, a la the company's most recent Xperia smartphones.

The independent Core module means it can also be detached and carried rather than worn.

Can Sony's entry into the burgeoning fitness tracker world match high profile entries from the likes of Jawbone, Nike, Adidas, Fitbit, Fitbug and more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

• Check out the 10 best health and fitness accessories for your smartphone

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/sony-smartband-fitness-tracker-arriving-in-march-with-lifelog-app-in-tow-1228179

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BBM to collide with Facebook Messenger on Windows Phone later this year

The BBM 4 All movement continues

BlackBerry has confirmed its ever-popular BBM platform will spread its wings to a new platform later this year when it joins the Windows Phone fray.

On day one of MWC 2014, the company announced it will also support the new Nokia X Android/Windows Phone hybrid.

BlackBerry said the Windows Phone expansion comes as a response to demand from users following the rollout on Android and iOS late last year.

Currently, the company is hard at work on the new apps and said the Windows Phone version will arrive sometime this summer.

BBM vs FBM

The rollout comes just 24 hours after Microsoft announced Facebook Messenger would be arriving on Windows Phone in the near future.

During that event Microsoft promised a host more high profile apps would arrive to plug the gaps. It seems like BBM and Facebook Messenger will be the first of many.

• Still in deep with Android? Check out our Samsung Galaxy S5 hands on

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/bbm-to-collide-with-facebook-messenger-on-windows-phone-later-this-year-1228164

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Samsung announces Galaxy S5 US market availability

Samsung announced details on the US availability of the Galaxy S5. The Android flagship will make its way to the United States in April, joined by the Samsung Gear family of wearable accessories.

Unsurprisingly, the list of US carriers which will officially carry the smartphone is extensive. It includes AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, MetroPCS, and U.S. Cellular.

Furthermore, the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be available in major retailers such as BestBuy, Amazon, Costco, RadioShack, etc. The Samsung Gear family will be available through carrier and retail channels.

Pricing of the smartphone is yet to be confirmed. We reckon that it will be somewhere in the ballpark of $199.99 with a two-year contract. The increasingly popular monthly installment payment options are also certain to be available.

You can find out all about the Samsung Galaxy S5 in our extensive hands-on.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_announces_galaxy_s5_us_market_availability-news-7925.php

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Meet the privacy-minded Blackphone, an encrypted Android smartphone

Black, unassuming, and encrypted like crazy

Geeksphone is out with a new privacy promising smartphone that aims to subvert all NSA spy rings in the world.

Dubbed the Blackphone, it's an unassuming little 4.7-inch Android smartphone. Geeksphone hasn't divulged the exact resolution of the screen but its been listed as a HD IPS display.

Android users will also find the same specs they've come to expect on handsets including a 2GHz Quad Core CPU backed up by 2GBs of RAM, 16GBs of storage, LTE, HSPA+, and a 8-megapixel camera.

But underneath this glossy screen Silent Circle, a security and encryption software developer, has done some serious Android OS tweaking to secure it into a new platform called "PrivatOS."

Digital Fort Knox

With a mix of secure applications and Android modifications, PrivatOS gives users more insight and control over how third party applications are doing with their data.

Silent Circle's solutions drill down to replacing some of the basic communication apps to offer encrypted VoIP calls and silent texting. Meanwhile, the stock Android app has been replaced with Silent Contacts to block apps from scrubbing your virtual phonebook.

Additionally the Blackphone comes with SpiderOak, a plan for 5GBs of "zero-knowledge encrypted data backup." Users will also be able search their musings on Google and Bing with the Disconnect search provider, which routes Internet queries through an anonymous VPN client.

The bottom line fees

Dark and stealthy

However, in order for Silent Circle's applications to provide all this peer-to-peer encryption goodness, both devices receiving and sending information need to be enrolled in the service. Even the Blackphone itself comes with two years of service for all the encrypted apps.

For everyone else not using a Blackphone, the software company has the encrypted apps available for download for iOS and Android devices that come with paid subscriptions. Blackphone buyers are given three additional one-year licenses to Silent Circle's security suite they can hand out to their friends.

Once the terms are up, Silent Circle users can continue paying to use the suite for $10 (about £6/AUS $11) a month, buy a Blackphone themselves, or go back to regular phone calls and text messages.

Of course the Blackphone can also call out to unsecured connections like their calling up the local Dominos and anyone else unlikely to enroll in Silent Circle's secure network.

You can order the Blackphone today for $629 (about £377/AUS $ 695) and it's expected to ship in June. Stay tuned for our hands on with this privacy-protecting phone.

• For a little more security, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is the latest phone to have a fingerprint scanner.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/meet-geeksphone-s-privacy-minded-blackphone-an-encrypted-android-smartphone-1228049

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Samsung Galaxy S5 vs iPhone 5S

Can the S5 outshine the 5S?

If there's one company which can stand up to the might of the iPhone it's Samsung, and the new Galaxy S5 should be enough to strike fear into Apple's core.

The iPhone 5S sits at the very top of the market and it's tremendously popular. However, it's a 2013 phone and Samsung's come into 2014 all-guns blazing by both improving on what it achieved with its Galaxy S4 flagship and even taking some features from the 5S itself.

Both phones will exist at the top of the market as direct competitors, at least until the iPhone 6 arrives. The biggest differentiating feature is the operating system that each uses, but the Galaxy S5 is newer and that can count for a lot.

Screen

The iPhone 5S has a 4-inch 1136 x 640 IPS LCD display with a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. It's a great screen, but we've seen better and the Galaxy S5's 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED 415 ppi display certainly falls into the better camp.

Design

If there's one thing Apple knows, it's design. The iPhone 5S's two-tone aluminium and glass back looks great. Our only real complaint is that it's much the same design as we saw on the iPhone 5.

Unfortunately the Samsung Galaxy S5 just can't compete here, as it's still rocking a plastic back like its predecessor. That said it has an attractive perforated design and feels fairly solid.

OS

This is probably the biggest difference between the two phones. The iPhone 5S runs iOS 7, which is slick, intuitive and takes some of the best ideas from Android to create its Control Centre while remaining just as easy to use as iOS of old.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 runs Android 4.4 KitKat overlaid with the company's TouchWiz interface. It's arguably not as intuitive or good looking as iOS 7 but as its Android it's a lot more customisable and open.

Battery

While the iPhone 5S doesn't have bad battery life its 1560 mAh juice pack isn't great either. It can potentially last for weeks on standby but actually using the thing sees it drop far faster than the likes of the HTC One or LG G2.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is likely to fare better, as it has a far bigger 2800 mAh battery and also includes a powerful battery saver mode, which can bring the power usage down to the absolute minimum when activated.

CPU

The iPhone 5S uses Apple's dual-core 1.3GHz 64-bit A7 processor and 1GB of RAM. That 64-bit chip ensures that it's far faster than previous iDevices and stands up well to high-end Android phones too.

On paper the Samsung Galaxy S5 should be quite a bit better as it has a 2.5GHz quad-core Krait chip and 2GB of RAM, but until we've put it through its paces we won't be able to say for sure.

Features

Aside from the 64-bit processor, the biggest selling point of the iPhone 5S is probably its Touch ID fingerprint scanner. Just rest your finger on the home button and it will unlock the phone and it can also be used to replace your iTunes password, so tedious password typing is a thing of the past. The M7 motion co-processor is pretty cool too as it allows the phone to double as a fitness tracker, registering all your movements without draining the battery.

The Galaxy S5 takes a leaf out of Apple's book by including a fingerprint scanner of its own. It also has a heart rate monitor and an improved S Health app, making it similarly useful for fitness fanatics, a download booster which combines 4G and Wi-Fi for extra speed and it's IP67 certified dust and water resistant.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s5-vs-iphone-5s-1227958

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Samsung Galaxy S5 release date, news and features

Here's what the Samsung Galaxy S5 looks like

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is old news. Sure, it's a great smartphone - as you'll see in our in-depth review - but now all eyes are firmly locked on the Samsung Galaxy S5.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 was launched at MWC 2014, with Samsung's fifth Unpacked conference packed with journalists looking to see what the latest Galaxy device holds.

• Read our hands on: Samsung Galaxy S5 review

In Barcelona Samsung revealed that the Samsung Galaxy S5 was indeed its latest smartphone. It was never in doubt that the tech giant would deviate from the highly lucrative Galaxy S prefix. But given what happened with the Samsung Gear – anything could have happened.

So it launched with the GS5 monicker but is it the best phone in the world? Read on where we reveal all the specs you need to know and what we thought of the device.

Cut to the chase
What is it? The sequel to the Galaxy S4 - a more refined phone with fewer gimmicks
When is it out? The Samsung Galaxy S5 is available globally from April
What will it cost? The Galaxy S5 will cost around £550 / $650 / AU$700

If you're one of those interneteers that likes to skim read things in the hope someone will go through all the rumors and create a video render with them all thrown in together, well, you're in luck.

Samsung Galaxy S5 release date and price

All the big smartphone manufacturers are relatively entrenched in annual product cycles now, which means we can usually predict when they will launch their headlining products.

Early rumors did peg Samsung as bringing the Galaxy S5 launch forward to February after the S4 failed to sell as many as predicted - this could have also been due to the company being reportedly told to scale down its launches and make Android more of a star of the phone by Google.

And that was made official with the teasing invite for Samsung's "Unpacked 5" event on February 24 - and it's that "5" which has caught everyone's attention - that as we know now meant the Galaxy S5.

A 'toned down' launch was likely after the New York Times reported that Samsung was going to lose the theatrics for the next launch of its handset - something which would have made a lot of us very happy after the awful 'Broadway' unveil for the S4.

But we did have to sit through at least two songs by an orchestra, which was lovely but seemed to take forever.

And you will be waiting a little bit for the Galaxy S5 too. Samsung won't be doing an Apple-style one week turnaround. Supply chain sources originally claimed the S5 won't be ready until the end of the March at the earliest - and the official Samsung Galaxy S5 release date is actually April.

In terms of price there's no point hoping that Samsung might offer the Galaxy S5 at a more competitive rate than its predecessors. One report reckons Samsung will lower the price, but we'd be very surprised if this actually happened. Although the Samsung Galaxy S5 has been officially announced there is no word on pricing just yet.

The Galaxy S5 is crammed full of new tech and thus will carry a price tag which will see it sit right at the top of pricing tree - SamMobile has gone as far as to claim it'll set you back €800 (around £542, $888, AU$983).

The rivals
New HTC One | Sony Xperia Z2 | iPhone 6

Samsung Galaxy S5 design

There was talk of a whole new design language for the Galaxy S5 with some hoping that Samsung would break away from the similar styling of the Galaxy S3 and S4.

This hasn't happened as such. Design wise, well you can't call the Samsung Galaxy S5 ugly, because Samsung does know how to put a phone together well.

But at the same time it's the same tired story on the design front: taking some elements from the predecessor, adding in some bits from the current Note and calling it all new.

The 'metal' surround is almost identical to the Note 3, to the point I was looking for an S Pen to start poking out. But the back is the main change and we would go as far to say that it is lovely.

No more shiny plastic or laughable attempts to make it look like a leather notebook – while it is still plastic, it's a lot more grippable and feels a lot, lot nicer in the hand.

While there was some rumor of Samsung ditching the bezel altogether to make an edge-to-edge design that will really push the envelope in what a handset can really do in terms of design and power.

This wasn't actually the case but The overall construction is again more solid, but the device is markedly bigger compared to the Galaxy S3 and S4. There's a lot more Note DNA in the Galaxy S5 than ever before, that's for sure.

And then there is the little fact that it is waterproof. Last year we saw the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active turn up after the S4, adding a rugged dust and waterproof body to the design, and the Galaxy S5 has come with these features as standard - bringing it inline with the likes of the Sony Xperia Z1.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s5-release-date-news-and-features-1146930

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Samsung CEO: Galaxy S5 upgrade not about eye-popping technology

JK Shin unveils the Samsung Galaxy S5 with reasonable features

As Samsung pulled back the curtain on the Samsung Galaxy S5 at MWC 2014, it pulled back on its ambitions to deliver needless technology that only seemed cutting-edge.

"Our customers do not want eye-popping technology, or the most complex technology. Our customers want durable design and performance," said co-CEO JK Shin.

"Our consumers want a simple, yet powerful camera. Our consumers want faster and seamless connectivity. And our customers want a phone that can help us stay fit."

Samsung hit on these points with the introduction of its new Samsung Galaxy smartphone, which focuses on design, camera, connectivity, staying fit and lifestyle.

Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S4

Samsung is certainly used to including all of the bells and whistles with its flagship smartphones. That's exactly the song and dance of last year's Samsung Galaxy S4 unveiling.

The company's Broadway-styled unveiling revealed features like Smart Stay, Smart Pause and Smart Scroll that weren't all that smart in the end when they didn't work 100% of the time.

The Samsung co-CEO signaled that his company is responding to customers who want innovation with such over-the-top technology.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-ceo-galaxy-s5-upgrade-not-about-eye-popping-technology-1227963

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Samsung reveals global Galaxy sales numbers: 200 million served so far

That number looks even bigger spelled out

Samsung revealed during its Samsung Unpacked keynote at MWC 2014 that it's sold 200 million Galaxy devices around the world so far.

The figure came from the mouth of Samsung's Head of Mobile Communications, President and CEO JK Shin, just before he unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S5.

"I truly appreciate the 200 million customers around the world who have chosen our Galaxy devices," Shin said.

Leading up to the Galaxy S5 reveal, he continued, "Our consumers do not want eye-popping technology or the most complex technology. our consumers want beautiful design and performance. Our consumers want a simple yet powerful camera. Our consumers want faster and seamless connectivity. And our consumers want a phone that can help them stay fit."

More Samsung Unpacked news

The presentation opened with a lengthy orchestra concert and an intro video that showed attractive-looking people working out, getting married and biking through New York while using Samsung products.

Samsung also took this opportunity to unveil the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit.

But the company spent most of its time describing the new features of the Galaxy S5, with a focus on fitness and the phone's camera. Samsung Vice President of European Telecommunications Operations Jean-Daniel Ayme said it has the fastest auto-focus of any smartphone.

In addition, Samsung is upgrading the original Galaxy Gear to Tizen OS.

Keep checking TechRadar for all the latest new from MWC 2014 as the show goes on!

• TechRadar went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S5

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-reveals-global-galaxy-sales-numbers-200-million-served-so-far-1227971

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Samsung unveils Galaxy S5 with 5.1-inch screen

One of the highest-caliber debuts at this year’s MWC, the Samsung Galaxy S5 was just unveiled at the Unpacked 5 event. The flagship opens a new chapter in Samsung's design – the back is still leather-like, but with a brand new look.

We’re looking at a longer feature list fifth year in a row – IP67 certification is a big one and so are the fingerprint sensor and heart rate monitor.

The core features too were duly updated to put the Galaxy S5 ahead of its S4 predecessor – a 5.1" Super AMOLED screen of 1080p resolution, Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2GB of RAM, 150Mbps LTE and a 16MP camera.

The camera only records 1080p video, much to the disappointment of everyone who took rumors to heart. With the new chipset and camera sensor, we were kinda expecting 2160p too.

Another thing that didn’t turn out as whispered was TouchWiz – it's new and based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat, but not as flat as some Holo fans would have hoped.

No switch to on-screen buttons either – the Galaxy S5 has three keys below the screen, this time an App Switcher button replacing the Menu key.

Check out our hands-on for more info.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_unveils_galaxy_s5_with_51inch_screen-news-7924.php

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Watch the Samsung Unpacked 5 press conference here

Samsung's dedicated press event at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona is about to get underway. There is less than an hour left before we see the global market leader announce its latest flagship smartphone and you can watch all the action live here.

Apart from the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S5, the company might showcase a couple of new tablets and wearable products.

The press event is scheduled to begin at 8 PM CET (7 PM GMT), and you can watch how things unfold right here, without even having to leave our site.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/watch_the_samsung_unpacked_5_press_conference_here-news-7921.php

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Android on Nokia: what you need to know

The Nokia X: just a hint of Android about it

This week's launch of Nokia's new X handsets has generated more headlines than you'd expect for a family of fairly low-end devices.

That's because the Windows Phone-supporting, soon-to-be-part-of-Microsoft phone firm has embraced Android. Here's what you need to know: tech first, and then what it means for Nokia, Windows Phone and Microsoft.

Which Nokia phones are running Android?

So far we've seen three. The four-inch Nokia X and X+, and the Nokia XL – which is a five-incher.

What does the X represent?

It's the cross between Android apps, Microsoft services and Nokia hardware, apparently.

What's the pitch?

Nokia design for cheap-Android money.

How much will they cost?

The Nokia X is €89, the X+ €99 and the XL €109.

Are they any good?

They're not going to delight specs fiends - you're looking at 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragons with 512MB of RAM (768MB on the X+ and XL), and you can forget about PureView cameras or wireless charging - but that's not who they're aimed at. They're perfectly decent phones with rock-bottom prices and nice design.

Where will they be sold?

For now, the X range will be sold in Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. There are no current plans to bring it to Western Europe, North America, Australia, Korea or Japan.

Is Nokia using the same Android as Samsung?

No. There are actually two Androids: the one we're all familiar with that comes with Google Maps and various other Google services, and the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), which doesn't.

AOSP is available to anybody who wants it, and they can do what they like with it - but if they want to include key Google services such as Google Maps or Chrome, they need to pay for a Google Mobile Services (GMS) license. Nokia is using the AOSP version of Android.

Has Nokia paid for a GMS license?

No. Instead of Google services, the X phones will use Nokia and Microsoft services such as Skype, Here Maps, Bing, OneDrive and so on.

Which version of Android is Nokia using?

Nokia's fork is based on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. The skin is based on FastLane, the interface already used in Nokia's Asha devices. It looks rather like Windows Phone, which is entirely deliberate.

Jelly Bean? That's quite old, isn't it?

It is: it's been out since late 2012. The more recent KitKat, Android 4.4, has been specifically optimized for low-end hardware and would run better: we found the phones were "a little jittery". The use of a comparatively old Android suggests that Nokia has been working on this for a while.

Do the phones use Google Play?

No. Nokia has its own app store.

Will it be a crap app store?

Nokia says no: it promises hundreds of thousands of apps.

Will there be lots of third party apps to choose from?

Nokia says developers will find it simple to port their apps to its flavor of Android. It's produced three APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for maps, app notifications and payments to replace the Google services its version of Android lacks.

Can I get apps from elsewhere?

Yes. In addition to the Nokia store you'll be able to download apps from third-party app stores, and you'll be able to sideload apps too - although of course, as with any sideloading it's important to make sure you're getting your apps from trustworthy sites.

Has Nokia basically 'done an Amazon' here?

Yes, it's the same thing Amazon did with the Kindle Fire. It's an interesting move, because a forked Android is essentially yet another mobile OS for customers to consider.

Has Nokia dumped Windows Phone?

No. The official line is that the low-cost Android devices will introduce "the next billion" users to Nokia kit and Microsoft services. The reality is that Windows Phone is getting stuffed in the low end market by increasingly impressive and affordable Android devices, and that's still an important sector for Nokia. By making low-cost Android devices, Nokia believes, it can get new phone buyers to develop a Nokia habit.

How does Microsoft feel about it?

That's a very good question. Windows Phone vice president Joe Belfiore was asked specifically about it at MWC, and after an awkward pause he said that as far as Microsoft was concerned, "some things [Nokia does] we're excited about, some things we're less excited about."

If this were Old Microsoft, we'd expect Nokia's Android adventure to end as soon as the ink was dry on the contract making Nokia a Microsoft subsidiary.

Now that Microsoft's under new management, we're not so sure. These phones might not be shipping Microsoft operating systems, but they will be connecting to Microsoft services such as email, messaging and search. If they prove to be a hit, killing the range might not be the best move for Microsoft to make. That's a very big if, however, and the X range could end up as not just the first Nokia phones to run Android, but the last too.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-on-nokia-what-you-need-to-know-1227827

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MWC 2014: all the latest news

MWC 2014 is the show where the mobile magic happens.

It's the show where most of the hottest mobile devices of the year are seen first. And it's the show that TechRadar loves over all others!

Apple never shows at MWC of course, but this year we've got all the other big brands launching exciting phones, tablets, smartwatches and more.

We've even got the promise of the Samsung Galaxy S5 - a headline launch from Samsung at MWC for the first time in a few years.

You can catch up on every single story from MWC at techradar.comhttp://techradar.com/mwc but why not stick around here for a while and browse our brand-by-brand guide to everything that's happened in Barcelona so far...

Samsung at MWC 2014:

Samsung Galaxy S5 launch: The live blog!

Samsung's getting ready to unpack the Galaxy S5 over at MWC 2014, and we'll be live at its press shindig to bring you all the juicy details as they break. It's not getting its own all-singing all-dancing launch away from the bright lights of MWC, but does that mean we're in for a disappointing S5? Will we see that long-rumoured fingerprint scanner? Has Samsung done away with the plastic casing and gone all-metal for the first time?
Read: Samsung Galaxy S5 - live blog

Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo revealed

Gearing up for another rack at smartwatches

Samsung has decided that even though the first Galaxy Gear launched just a few months ago, it's time for a new version - and on top of that, a cut down option as well. Surprisingly, Samsung has actually removed the 'Galaxy' part of the new smartwatches' moniker, presumably as it's running Tizen rather than Android. At least it's made our headlines look a little cleaner. They've arrived in the shape of the Samsung Gear 2 and the Samsung Gear 2 Neo - and come with some nifty technology that actually looks like it might give them a chance of being more impressive at launch.
Read: Samsung's wrist reboot: Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo unveiled

Samsung Gear 2 vs Gear 2 Neo vs Galaxy Gear

Key features and differences between the three smart watches

Samsung's had another stab at owning the wrist – but what's the difference between the two? We all expected Samsung to launch a new Galaxy Gear at MWC 2014, but to have two come along at the same time is a little odd. If there was a vast difference between the spec sheets, we'd understand the logic, but there are many similarities between the two watches, which will make it hard for the prospective buyer.
Read: Samsung Gear 2 vs Gear 2 Neo vs Galaxy Gear

Samsung Gear 2 release date, news and features

Everything to know about the second wave of Samsung smartwatches

If you just want to get the latest on all things Samsung smartwatches, this is the page for you. The Samsung Gear 2 is a surprising addition to the MWC 2014 party, not just because it's predecessor has been on sale for such a short amount of time but because it's been joined by a little brother: the Gear 2 Neo. The Gear 2's got the same 512MB of RAM as the first iteration, but with a dual-core 1GHz processor, which is much needed over the original.
Read: Samsung Gear 2 release date, news and features

HTC at MWC 2014:

HTC Desire 816 revealed

1080p recording and built-in amplifiers as standard

Among the glut of phones at MWC 2014, HTC revealed what it is calling its 'flagship mid-range' device, the HTC Desire 816. We knew that HTC wouldn't be offering up information on its successor to the HTC One - you have to wait until 25 March for that - but what we did get from HTC was a decent mid-range device that comes equipped with some rather impressive specs.
Read: HTC Desire 816 hoeps to tempt you before the One 2 is released

• The All New HTC One: what you need to know

Nokia at MWC 2014:

Nokia X and Nokia X+ Android phones revealed

Nokia has revealed at MWC 2014 that it is no longer a pure Windows Phone handset manufacturer but an Android one too, with the launch of the Nokia X and the Nokia X+. In a move that will surprise no one – there has been leak after leak about Nokia jumping into bed with Android – Nokia revealed the Nokia X on stage, with CEO Stephen Elop saying that: "The Nokia X is built on Android open source software. We have differentiated and added our own experience."
Read: Nokia reveals Nokia and Nokia X+ Android handsets

Nokia goes big on Android with 5-inch Nokia XL

Goes big, then goes home

If you thought Nokia was going to stop at two Android phones, you were wrong: enter the Nokia XL, a 5-inch Android-based almost-phablet. Specs are a bit sparse at the moment, but we do know there's a 5MP camera with flash and auto-focus, and a 2MP front-facing camera. That 5-inch screen is a WVGA affair, too. Like all the Android-based Nokia X range, the XL comes without Google's Cloud services - instead, it focuses on Nokia and Microsoft's services like Skype (as you'd expect from a company in the process of being bought by the Windows-maker).
Read: Nokia goes big on Android with 5-inch Nokia XL

Hands on: Nokia X review

Nokia's first Android phone under the microscope

The Nokia X is a hard phone to work out – on the one hand, it's a super cheap handset and as such has the budget specs you'd expect. On the other, it seems to be not much better than the Lumia 520, which is a Windows Phone handset and supposed to sit above it in the product line – on current prices, it's also cheaper. There are some worries here even for the developing nations: that 4GB of storage could get eaten up quickly, and while Nokia is touting the ability to add third party apps through other stores, new phones can live and die by app availability and that could kill the Nokia Android project. The Nokia X is constructed well enough, has a interesting new UI and is breaking new ground – but as a new phone, it seems a bit expensive for what's on offer.
Read: Hands on: Nokia X review

Hands on: Nokia XL review

The super-sized Nokia Android handset

The Nokia XL is aimed at a narrow area of the market and it's a smartphone which will likely have big appeal in emerging markets, but less of a presence in more developed areas. A look at the price point and the spec sheet confirms this, but the fact Nokia has done a big screen device which has its roots in Android could be a sign of things to come from the Finnish firm.
Read: Hands on: Nokia XL review

Sony at MWC 2014:

Sony launches Xperia Z2

It's the flagship 4K handset we've been waiting for

The Sony Xperia Z2 just got official as the company unveiled the new 5.2-inch flagship smartphone over at MWC 2014. The phone's headline feature is Sony's 20.7MP camera - it's an Exmor RS for mobile image sensor featuring the award-winning G Lens - basically, it's pretty good and your photos should look sweet. Videos shot on the Z2 shouldn't be too shabby either, as the handset can capture in 4K resolution. Those photography smarts are backed up by Android KitKat, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor - a 2.3GHz quad-core Krait CPU - as well as 4G LTE connectivity, NFC, 3GB of RAM and a 3200mAh battery.
Read: Sony Xperia Z2 is the waterproof 4K handset we were hoping it would be

Hands on: Sony Xperia Z2 review

Sony's super-powered phone is in our hands

The Sony Xperia Z2 is a phone that can be viewed in two ways. On the one hand, it's an excellent upgrade over the Xperia Z, and features all the top end technology you could want in a very premium-feeling chassis. On the other, it's too much like the Xperia Z1, which is only a few months old – albeit a much better version. I'm still not a fan of all that bezel above and below the screen, nor am I confident the camera will be excellent in low light. But for a flagship phone, Sony has made a very well thought out device that ticks nearly every box you can think of, and then some.
Read: Hands on: Sony Xperia Z2 review

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is the world's lightest and slimmest

Powerful and waterproof - much like David Hasselhoff

Sony is pushing out its waterproof technology once more with the arrival of the Sony Xperia Z2 tablet. Announced at, surprise surprise, MWC 2014 the Sony Xperia Z2 is a slim and lightweight tablet that is also waterproof. But just how light and thin is it we hear you cry? Well, it measures 6.4mm and weighs in at 426g. If you want a bit of LTE and 3G functionality then the weight is upped to 439g. Sony is also saying that its tablet is the world's most powerful too. This is because it is packing a Snapdragon 801 processor with 2.3GHz quad-core Krait CPU and to round it off an Adreno 330GPU.
Read: Sony announces the Xperia Z2 tablet

Hands on: Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet review

Great power and a lovely screen promise a high asking price

Apple didn't need to add much to the iPad Air, and proved the case with a slightly improved processor and an overhaul on the design front. Sony had already overachieved on that front in 2013, so the sequel was never going to scale the same heights. However, it's still a really great tablet, shaving weight off to make it feel nicer in the hand and giving the upgraded CPU that will keep the spec-heads happy. Is it worth the higher price that it will command when the prequel is going to be much cheaper? It's hard to say yes from a purely fiscal standpoint - but there's enough in terms of design, technology and power here to say it will probably be the most impressive tablet on show at MWC 2014.
Read: Hands on: Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet review

Affordable Sony Xperia M2 lands with 4.8-inch qHD screen

The "slimmest and lightest" handset in its class

Sony's new Xperia M2 comes boasting hardcore processing power in a slim, impressive-looking package. It's not up there with its twin, the Xperia Z2, but the M2 comes with a 4.8-inch qHD screen and 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor under the hood, at a price point that Sony describes as 'mid-range'. Not to be sniffed at either is the 8MP camera - not exactly the 20.7MP sensor of its bigger brother, but it does come with Sony's Exmor RS for mobile and bespoke Xperia camera apps so you should still be able to eke some pretty decent shots out of it.
Read: Sony launches Xperia M2 budget handset

Hands on: Sony Xperia M2 review

A first look at Sony's mid-range handset

It's very difficult to rate mid-range handsets, because on one hand they seem very poorly-built compared to their high-end brethren, and it's really tricky to work out if the money you'll save is worth the drop in build quality. On the other hand, the likes of the M2 still have a quad-core processor, some nifty technology on board and have more than a modicum of thought gone into the design, so it's hard to lambast them too hard either. In summary: the Sony Xperia M2 is a solid, if unspectacular, phone that ticks the boxes and brings enough of the Japanese brand's tech to make it feel wanted. However, it's unlikely to be number one on any prospective buyer's wishlist.
Read: Hands on: Sony Xperia M2 review

LG at MWC 2014:

Hands on: LG G2 Mini review

The LG G2 Mini is a decent smartphone, but it may have arrived a bit too late to really make the same sort of impact as the S4 Mini or One Mini. If the G2 Mini does rock a similar price tag to its rivals then perhaps its larger screen and big battery will help it get some grounding in the market - but we're just going to have to wait and see.

Read: Hands on: LG G2 Mini review

Hands on: LG G Pro 2 review

LG's new phablet to take on the Galaxy Note

The LG G Pro 2 is a decent supersized smartphone and if it does manage to make it out of Asia then it will give the current crop of phablets a real run for their money. The various camera enhancements will attract a certain crowd, while we could see the innovative Mini View crop up on rival devices as manufacturers look to squeeze every last bit of usability from their smartphones. The LG G Pro 2 is definitely one to watch, and one to hope for.
Read: Hands on: LG G Pro 2 review

Huawei at MWC 2014:

Huawei makes 4G affordable with new tablets and smartphone

Huawei is back in the tablet game after an absence of over a year, and it's bringing CAT 4 4G connectivity to the masses with its two news slates. The 8-inch MediPad M1 sports a 1280 x 800 display, 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 768MB of RAM, 8/16GB of internal storage, 4800mAh battery and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean - and of course 4G connectivity. The more interesting of the two tablets is the MediaPad X1, which sports the same resolution, full HD display as theNexus 7, 1.6GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 4G support and a huge 5000mAh battery.
Read: Huawei's superfast new devices

Huawei TalkBand is a smartwatch with a Bluetooth headset built-in

It's a wristy business

Huawei has unveiled the TalkBand B1 over at MWC 2014 - a wristband with a 1.4-inch flexible OLED display. Its main focus is fitness, and it promises to track sleep patterns as well as steps taken, calories burned and so on. As well as the wrist-based business, the TalkBand B1 comes with a detachable Bluetooth earpiece that you can use for taking calls.
Read: Huawei's new TalkBand smartwatch

Hands on: Huawei Ascend G6 review

The affordable alternative to the P6

Last year Huawei launched its flagship Ascend P6 smartphone, and now at MWC 2014 the Chinese firm has added to the range with the Huawei Ascend G6. As you may have guessed the G6 isn't a replacement to the P6, rather it's a more affordable option which shares the same design ethos as its bigger brother. The key facts about the Ascend G6 are its price and connectivity. While Huawei was unable to give me a firm price, I was told that it will come in at under £200. Not bad for a handset which is sporting the latest version of 4G technology - CAT 4 - giving you a super speedy internet connection.
Read: Hands on: Huawei Ascend G6 review

Hands on: Huawei Media Pad X1 review

This is the Huawei tablet to watch

If Huawei can sort out the lag in the interface and improve the image quality from the camera the MediaPad X1 is set up to be a serious contender in the 7-inch tablet market. Its Achilles heel however could be its time to market, as by the time it's managed to get into stores the competition may have introduced their next-generation tablets - putting the Media Pad X1 out of contention before it's even started.
Read: Hands on: Huawei MediaPad X1 review

Hands on: Huawei MediaPad M1 review

The slightly less exciting Chinese tablet

The Huawei MediaPad M1 is a solid 8-inch tablet, but it doesn't exactly excel at anything - if you want a cheap tablet the feature packed Nexus 7 would be a better option, although it does sport a smaller screen. Of course if you fancy a bit more screen real estate check out the G Pad 8.3, iPad Mini 2 and Galaxy Note 8.0. If those are out of your price range the Huawei MediaPad M1 is shaping up to be a decent affordable alternative - plus the option of 4G is a nice one to have.
Read: Hands on: Huawei MediaPad M1 review

ZTE at MWC 2014:

ZTE Grand Memo II is another 6-inch Android beast

On show at this week's MWC 2014 in Barcelona is the 'ultra-slim' 6-inch Grand Memo II LTE handset, a successor to the original device launched at the event in 2013. The phone features a new version of the MiFavor UI it uses to paint over Android, with KitKat being the flavour of the day. It also comes with a Snapdragon 400 processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB of storage. There's LTE nous, as well as a 13MP rear-mounted camera and a 5MP front-facing one. The 6-inch HD display comes in a 7.2mm frame, backed up with a 3200mAh battery that ZTE reckons should last you for 16 hours playing HD video. The Grand Memo II should hit China in April before setting out for Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. No word on pricing yet though.
Read: ZTE Grand Memo II is an Android beast

Lenovo at MWC 2014:

Lenovo launches three new Android smartphones

Just because Lenovo recently acquired Motorola, doesn't mean it plans to stop pushing its in-house smartphones, something evidenced by the launch of three new handsets at MWC 2014. The company has unveiled the S860, the S850 and S660 Android handsets, promising a little bit of something for all sectors of the market. The S860 is the flagship device, with a 5.3-inch, as-yet-unspecified 'HD' screen, 2GB RAM and a MediaTek quad-core processor, but the real kicker is the promise of all true all day battery life.
Read: Lenovo launches smartphones for everyone

Lenovo announces Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ Android tablet

No KitKat just yet, though

Lenovo's latest tablet continues its flexible approach with the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ bringing a Full HD screen to the repositionable slate. Landing today at MWC 2014, the tablet comes with a 10.1-inch display that rocks Full HD 1920 x 1200 resolution, and the cylindrical battery means you'll be able to use it in the same 'hold', 'tilt' and 'stand' modes as its predecessor, the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10. Under the hood we're looking at a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor backed up by 2GB of memory and 32GB of storage.
Read: Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ bends and twists but doesn't come with KitKat

Google at MWC 2014:

Google is on the list of MWC 2014 exhibitors, although it's likely to spend most of its time and square footage pushing the general Android ethos and giving away stickers than actually revealing any new Nexus hardware.

That said, we're expecting a new Nexus 10 to appear any day now, so if that one doesn't pop before Christmas, perhaps it could be saved as an MWC headline-stealer to detract from the stacks of enhanced tablets that Samsung is bound to show up with.

There's also some suggestions of an 8-inch Nexus 8 tablet sneaking out at MWC, with an Intel chip inside.

The best of the rest at MWC 2014:

WhatsApp to offer free phone call feature

WhatsApp is adding voice calling to its popular instant messaging app, with iOS and Android the first two OSes to get the new features. At WhatsApp's MWC press conference, CEO Jan Koum said that some BlackBerry and Nokia phones will be next in line for the voice messaging update.
Read: Soon you'll be able to call people using WhatsApp

RealPlayer Cloud takes private video-sharing global

Taking a leaf from Dropbox's book

RealPlayer Cloud just went global, with the software for moving, watching and sharing videos now available around the world. With apps on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows 8, Kindle Fire, Roku and Chromecast, RealPlayer Cloud describes itself as the "Dropbox for video" while ignoring the fact that Dropbox is already pretty much Dropbox for video.
Read: More about RealPlayer Cloud

HP launches Pavilion x360 convertible PC

Slate VoiceTab is making its way to Europe

HP has announced a new convertible laptop PC at MWC 2014, and it's been taking a few style cues from Lenovo's Yoga range by the looks of things. Called the HP Pavilion x360, it takes the form of a touchscreen-equipped convertible that totes a 360-degree hinge, allowing you to use it as a laptop or a tablet. It features an 11.6-inch HD display with 10-point capacitive multi-touch and also includes built-in Beats Audio with dual speakers and HP Connected Music.
Read: HP Pavilion x360 is a Yoga-inspired convertible PC

Emporia handsets aim to push the right buttons

Aimed at older generations

Emporia Telecom has announced four new mobile handsets at MWC 2014 that get physical by bringing tactile buttons back from the wilderness. The company, which services and sells phones for the 60-plus generation, aims for orientation and simplicity over features with its new emporiaEUPHORIA, emporiaGLAM and emporiaPURE handsets. The news may be also welcome to those in business fed up with fumbling to call contacts and type out longer messages and emails, as an accompanying survey found.
Read: Emporia handsets launch for older people

SanDisk Ultra microSDXC 128GB proves less is more

Memory card's bark is as big as its bytes

SanDisk has built the world's smallest 128GB microSDXC card using proprietary technology, making the stress of mobile back-up a thing of the past. Being shown off at MWC 2014, the SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I is being billed as the world's smallest microSDXC card with the largest capacity.
Read: SanDisk's new microSDXC cards

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/mwc-2014-news-and-highlights-1204074

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