The HTC Opera UL will be the first official Facebook smartphone, so says a "very reliable source".
According to Pocket-Lint, an unnamed insider spilled the beans on social network's first handset, claiming that it was indeed in development and that we'd already got the first glimpse of it in a benchmark test.
It's claimed the HTC Opera GL is the name for the handset which is being developed specifically for Facebook, although little else is known about it at this time.
Delays
The benchmark result which the informant refers to reveals the Opera UL sports a 1.4GHz processor, 720x1280 HD display and comes running Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.
The source did reveal the Opera UL has been subject to delays, it's not clear what the reason is behind this, or indeed how long the handset has been pushed back.
There have been many, many rumours about a potential Facebook phone, none of which have come to fruition, so we're taking this latest news with a heavy dosage of salt.
Pocket for Mac is officially released, and makes viewing multimedia easier, faster, and more refined for those saving on the go.
From commuting to appointment waiting to leisure, people are always looking for different ways to kill time by reading, viewing, and saving things from the Web. Read-it-later apps like Instapaper and Readability have dominated the market, but Pocket — formerly Read It later — continues to push ahead and win over users with its simplicity. If you’re one for saving articles on top of multimedia, Pocket may be your best bet at a beautiful way to save webpages for later viewing, complete with a tagging system to help organize your links. Now that the app’s come to the Mac platform, you can sync your iOS or Android accounts so saved pages can be viewed on-the-go, or saved on your mobile device to be read back on your desktop.
Pocket for Mac is as intuitive an app as you can imagine when it comes to saving pages. To get started, simply copy the link of the webpage you’re trying to store, and click File > Save Item from Clipboard, or shortcut Command+S. Your list of saved pages displays on a vertical screen to the left of the Pocket window, with the content on the right when you select.
Neat additions to the Mac version of Pocket is definitely the one-key shortcut, such as A for Archive and F to Favorite. You can also tag each page so they’re easier to search the more you accumulate saved links. Videos also translate nicely onto Pocket, especially if you already have Flash installed on your Mac. The app allows you to view the video straight out of its interface, otherwise requesting that you download necessary plug-ins to play multimedia. I personally haven’t run into file type errors, as most publications will post videos from YouTube or Vimeo anyway, and those seem to work just fine.
If you want to share a link after already viewing the content, the Item > Share button also does a good job of sending the item out to Twitter, Facebook, Evernote, and Buffer. It’s even got a tweet attribution when you send it from Pocket, which is a small but useful touch.
Overall, Pocket does a good job recognizing pictures in an article, article link, headline, byline, and publication. One function I wish was available is the ability to rename files, such as a photo I saved from a blog that didn’t have a get an assigned name, according to Pocket. Between constantly traveling and attempting to save things to read later, Pocket makes a nice alternative for those who enjoy minimal design with multimedia capability, and the willingness to learn some cool shortcuts and make saving for later quick and painless. Pocket for Mac is available now for free via the App Store.
Protect your iPhone 5 with one of these recommended cases
So you bought an iPhone 5. That's at least £500 worth of tech in your back pocket; £700 if you plumped for maximum capacity. Not exactly cheap, then.
Now imagine dropping it. Apple's new baby stands up to knocks fairly well, but even a scuff or a scratch on a half-grand device is going to grate. Isn't it time you put a case on it? Here's our pick of the best iPhone 5 cases available now.
1. Griffin Protector - $19.99 (£12.50)
The Griffin Protector case acts as a middle ground for those wanting increased protection without the military-spec and bulk of the Griffin Survivor. The reinforced silicone boasts extra thickness at the edges, providing added assurance that your device is safe from mid-grade knocks, while the matte finish ensures a decent grip.
2. QDOS Smoothies - £19.99
This more elegant option marries a lush fascia with a clear polycarbonate, bevel-edged surround that offers decent covering for the edges of your phone. The QDOS case feels rigid enough to stand up to at least mild abuse, but steers well clear of the camera lens and doesn't impede access to buttons.
3. Griffin Survivor - $50 (£31)
Griffin's über-protective technology is already renowned for its Defense Standard specification, and this iPhone 5 version doesn't buck the trend. Shatter-resistant polycarbonate as well as hinged button and dock plugs cloak the phone, while a built-in screen protector seals in your device, keeping it safe from dirt, sand, rain, shock – pretty much anything the world can throw at it. The equivalent of wrapping your phone in cotton wool.
4. Scosche rawHIDE g6 - $30 (£19)
Suave yet simple, the rawHIDE is cut from hard black polycarbonate and wrapped in a layer of genuine leather. The case shell is stiff enough, but those wanting added protection with a little give on the rim and corners may want to look elsewhere.
5. Speck PixelSkin HD - $30 (£19)
Soft and durable grippiness defines the PixelSkin HD. Its rubbery, flexible casing pops on and off with ease, but only when you need it to. The raised bevel protects the front panel well, and shields the buttons from dings without impeding access.
6. Griffin Reveal - $20 (£12.50)
If you've got it, flaunt it. Griffin's Reveal stays true to the maxim with what at first appears to be a classic bumper. Closer inspection, though, reveals a transparent polycarbonate shell lined with a rubberised edge, providing fair-to-middling protection without veiling the machined beauty of your superior tech.
7. Proporta Leather Style - £24.95
If toughness isn't your thing and you can live with faux-leather then this Proporta case is a decent enough take on the 'c-clip' style cover. It's lightweight, soft to the touch and covers the front and rear completely without interfering with button access or camera operability.
8. Proporta Quiksilver - Blue Checks - £19.95
This snug-fitting hard case from Proporta really looks the part without smothering the iPhone's sleek aesthetic. The logo of outdoor sports fashion brand Quiksilver sits front and centre in its blue check design, although the protection on offer can't be said to match such ideals. It'll keep knocks and scratches at bay no problem, just keep it far from the surf.
9. Scosche kickBACK sport g6 - $30 (£19)
Scosche doubles down on protection with its latest sports cover, combining a textured polycarbonate outer case with a rubberized interior to absorb shock. The open design ensures connections and controls remain accessible, while an integrated kickstand only adds to the slick feel. The screen and chamfer do feel a little over-exposed for active lifestyles though.
10. Griffin Animal Parade - $20 (£12.50)
If you're looking for a cute and crazy option you could do a lot worse than this Griffin series. Thick silicone encases the handset, while a lovely round rim envelopes the display, which also serves to protect the screen from falls. The goofy design is perfect for kids – if you can trust them with a £500+ device…
11. Piel Frama iMagnum2 - 85 Euros (£69)
If you're willing to spend a little more to protect your phone then definitely check out this offering from Piel Frama. The Spanish company's handmade cases only use the highest quality cow skin leather, and it really shows. The inner lining is as luxuriant as the outer cover, which folds over the screen and stays there, secured by hidden magnets. It even comes with a removable belt clip.
12. Cygnett UrbanShield - £24.99
The close-fit and smooth bevelled edges of the UrbanShield emphasize the solid protection it gives your phone against keys and coins in your pocket. Meanwhile the rubber rim around the front panel protects the glass from falls, and dips into a nice carbon weave detail on the aluminium rear. A screen protector seals the look.
13. Otterbox Defender - £39.99
The Otterbox weds industrial protection with style in its multi-layer defence against heavy knocks and falls. A candy-coloured polycarbonate skeleton houses a solid inner shell with built-in screen protector, and a large belt clip holsters the entire unit for a third layer of protection. Not too slim then, but very secure.
14. X-Doria Dash - $34.99 (£21.60)
Rocking an oblong rear window and polka-dot fabric, X-Doria's Dash looks straight off the haute couture fashion line. It's not delicate either, thanks to its hard polycarbonate shell and rimmed edges, offering good resistance against everyday impacts.
15. Snugg Squared - £14.99
The Snugg Squared is made of rubberized silicone that stands up well against drops and shocks and feels grippy in the hand. The rounded rim puts ample space between the display and the floor to protect the glass and limit impact shock. Mould size has been known to vary on this range, so try before you buy if possible.
Samsung announced the Galaxy S Duos and Galaxy Y Duos Lite for India. Both smartphones have already been announced on the international market as the Galaxy S Duos S7562 and Galaxy Pocket Duos S5302.
Samsung Galaxy S Duos • Samsung Galaxy Y Duos Lite
Galaxy S Duos
The Galaxy S Duos is Samsung’s best dual-SIM droid up to date. It runs on a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A5 processor with Adreno 200 graphics, and packs a 4-inch WVGA TFT touchscreen, 5MP camera with VGA video recording, 768MB RAM, 4GB storage and the usual connectivity options.
The Galaxy S Duos supports 3G with HSPA on both SIM cards, but you can’t have two data connections simultaneously.
The handset also features Smart Dual SIM function which allows you to take calls from one of the SIM cards while the other is active as well. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is in charge of the Galaxy S Duos.
Unfortunately, the dual-SIM handset doesn't come with the SuperAMOLED screen of its original and has a regular LCD screen instead.
Samsung Galaxy S Duos will hit India soon at Rs. 17900 or €256. We guess the European price should be about the same. Price-wise, it's about the same price segment as the HTC Desire V, its direct competitor.
Galaxy Y Duos Lite (Galaxy Pocket Duos)
The Galaxy Y Duos Lite is the Indian version of the Galaxy Pocket Duos. It is a less capable fella with a 2.8-inch QVGA capacitive touchscreen, an 832MHz processor, a 2MP snapper, 3GB internal storage and 3G support only on the primary SIM card. The Android OS ticking inside is 2.3 Gingerbread, but it also supports the Smart Dual SIM function we mentioned above.
