Asus Padfone 2 may arrive sooner than expected

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's some kind of smartphone-tablet thing

The Asus Padfone 2 may arrive in stores sooner than expected after reports suggest the smartphone-tablet hybrid will go on sale in Germany on December 1.

According to German site Inside-Handy, it has received confirmation that the Asus Padfone 2 will be in stock from the beginning of December, although we've spoken to the Taiwanese firm and it is yet to confirm or deny this.

The original Asus Padfone failed to make it out of Asia but the Padfone 2 has been pegged for a European launch at least.

Christmas comes early

It's currently thought the Padfone 2 will arrive in Europe at the start of 2013 but this latest news does raise hopes of an earlier arrival.

You'll need some serious cash though if you fancy getting your hands on the Padfone 2 with the 32GB model reportedly sporting a price tag of €799 (around £642/$1020/AU$980), while the 64GB version will set you back €899 (around £720/$1150/AU$1105).

The Padfone 2 smartphone packs a 4.7-inch Super IPS+ HD display, quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 4G connectivity, NFC and 13MP camera.

The tablet dock offers up a 10.1-inch HD display and a 5000mAh battery, which will charge the phone when it's docked.

We're still unsure if the smartphone-tablet hybrid concept will be a success - with the high asking price Asus may find it hard to shift the combo.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/asus-padfone-2-may-arrive-sooner-than-expected-1113582

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Little brother escapes: get the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini today

Now available, but do you really want it?

The Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini has finally turned up at stores and the handset is being shipped from today.

Announced at the beginning of October, the Galaxy S3 Mini brings the styling of its older, larger brother the Galaxy S3, but don't expect to find the same power and performace.

Online retailer Unlocked-Mobiles has confirmed it is now shipping the Galaxy S3 Mini, which can be yours for the rather princely sum of £294.98 SIM-free, while elsewhere on contract you can pick it up free starting at £25 per month.

Sure you want this?

Why do we reckon the Galaxy S3 Mini price is a little on the steep side? Well thanks to Google and LG, there's a more powerful alternative on the market.

That handset is the Google Nexus 4 – which is £55 less, although you'll have to wait until November 13 to get your grubby little mitts on it.

If you're still interested the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini sports a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 5MP rear camera, NFC and comes running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

On paper it doesn't sound like a bad phone, but it's got the almost impossible task of trying to match the excellent Nexus 4.

You will be able to find out how well it does in our Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini review, which we'll have up soon.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/little-brother-escapes-get-the-samsung-galaxy-s3-mini-today-1111421

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DC Comics brings entire weekly line-up to iBooks, Kindle Store

Superman flies onto the Kindle store

Batman and Superman publisher DC Comics has launched its entire portfolio of weekly titles on the major digital book stores.

Brand new weekly editions are now available to download and keep through Amazon's Kindle Store, Apple's iBooks Store and the Barnes & Noble Nook Store.

All DC and Vertigo comics, including the likes of Justice League, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Detective Comics and Action Comics will be available on the same day the paper editions go on sale.

The titles were available to purchase digitally through the dedicated DC and Vertico apps for iPhone, Android and from the readdcentertainment.com site.

Take that, Spider-Man!

By launching weekly titles on the three major digital book stores, DC has beaten rival Marvel to the punch. The publisher says its all about convenience for users.

"As e-readers and tablets continue to explode in popularity it's important for us to offer consumers convenience and choice in how they download digital comics," said Jim Lee, co-publisher, DC Entertainment.

"We're very excited to work with Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble to bring bestselling DC Comics and Vertigo periodicals to their e-bookstores."

The titles, which join the existing trade issue collections, are all available to download now from the respective ebook stores.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/dc-comics-brings-entire-weekly-line-up-to-ibooks-kindle-store-1110897

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Starbucks rolls out test of wireless charging stations in Boston

Definitely more convenient than hunting down a power outlet while holding a latte, Starbucks and Duracell are testing wireless charging at retail stores.

Detailed on Boston.com earlier today, the Seattle-based coffee giant Starbucks is launching a pilot program that will install wireless charging stations at seventeen franchise locations around the city of Boston. Partnering with Duracell, Starbucks management is utilizing inductive charging technology and installing large Duracell Powermats within the tables at retail stores. In order to take advantage of wireless charging, customers will either need to purchase a Power Matters Alliance (PMA) compatible wireless power case or borrow a loaner case from a Starbucks employee. Duracell currently makes PMA-compatible cases for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S as well as the Samsung Galaxy S III Android smartphone.

When asked about the new technology rolling out at Boston locations, Starbucks chief digital officer Adam Brotman stated “We’re building the Powermat technology into some of the tabletops, just to get a sense for how our customers will react, compared to having to plug their mobile devices into the wall. A few weeks into the test, we’ll do some in-store giveaways, and we will have some behind the counter available to loan out.” 

Starbucks plans to roll out a minimum of eight Powermats per store in order to gauge customer demand and the first stores to receive the upgrades are located within Boston’s financial district. As more people start using the wireless charging stations instead of the power outlets within each store, it’s likely that it will free up charging space for customers with laptops or other devices.

AT&T has also started to sell PMA-compatible cases and Delta airlines has started installing wireless charging spots around gates at major airports within the United States. Earlier this year, General Motors announced that the company would be adding a PMA-compatible powermat station into Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Buick automobiles. In addition, popular venue Madison Square Gardens in New York City has added hundreds of wireless charging locations as a service to visitors.  

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/starbucks-wireless-charging-boston/

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Bad manners? UK store stops serving customers yakking on mobile phones

Staff at a store in England have become so annoyed with people talking on their mobile phones at the cash register that they're now refusing to serve them.

The County Stores in south-west England says on its website that visitors will be able to find, among its many offerings, “a bakery, our delicatessen counter, a small and friendly butcher, quality chocolates and coffee.” They’ll also find a notice informing them that should they approach a cash register while talking on a mobile phone, they won’t be served.

Staff at the store, which has been in business since 1836, have become so fed up with distracted customers yakking away on their handsets that in the end the notice seemed like the only solution.

“Quite simply, if someone’s on their phone, we’ll serve the next person,” store assistant Sharon Kidd told the Daily Mail. “People refusing to hang up when it’s their turn to be served is happening increasingly, and…..the queue can get quite long.”

Kidd said that on the whole that the policy has been well received by customers, with only one or two visitors getting upset after being ignored.

The owner of the store, Hugh Duder, understands his workers’ disgruntlement at visitors who appear unable to take a break from their mobiles, saying, “It’s disrespectful to be on the phone when you want to get served, and the counter assistants shouldn’t have to put up with it.”

The store isn’t first in the UK to adopt such a policy. Earlier this year Darren Groom, owner of a coffee shop in Norwich in eastern England, decided to “strike a blow for basic manners” by putting up a sign indicating that he would refuse to serve customers talking on a phone.

Groom explained that he’d become fed up with people expecting him to be able to lip read their order.

“In the shop we need to ask a few questions, like whether they’re having it in or taking it away, whether they want whole milk or not, sugar or not,” he told the BBC, adding “When people come in we like to say ‘hello’. It’s nice if people respond to that. They should have the basic manners to converse with us.”

In the case of retail stores, it’s possible the issue of customers talking on their phone while at the cash register is a bigger annoyance than many people realize. However, beyond sticking up notices, there’s little staff can do. If only cell phone jammers weren’t illegal….

[Image: Arcady / Shutterstock]

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/bad-manners-uk-store-stops-serving-customers-yakking-on-mobil-phones/

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Walmart taking iPhone 5 pre-orders Friday morning, cheaper than competitors

Walmart will be taking pre-orders for the iPhone 5 at its US stores from Friday morning – for a price that undercuts its competitors.

Following the unveiling of the latest iPhone in San Francisco on Wednesday, it’s possible many owners of the 4S are already looking at their device like it belongs in a museum. It’s a safe bet many will be chomping at the bit to rid themselves of their ‘ancient’ handset in favor of the new one, with its bigger screen and faster processor.

If you happen to be one of these people, or if your current phone is on its last legs and the iPhone 5 seems like a fine replacement, you may be interested to know that Walmart will be taking pre-orders for the new handset at its US stores from Friday morning – for a price that undercuts its competitors.

The retail giant is offering the 16GB version of Apple’s new phone with a $189.97 price tag, as part of a two-year contract. Meanwhile, Apple, AT&T and Verizon will be selling the same phone for 10 bucks more – $199. Walmart’s prices for the 32GB and 64GB versions aren’t known.

Those choosing to buy the new handset from the store are asked to pre-order in person. In return for a $25 deposit, you’ll be given a reservation card, needed for when you collect the phone a week later.

Walmart is also slashing the price of the old iPhone 4S from $148 to $89.97, with a two-year contract. Even cheaper is the iPhone 4, going for just 97 cents with a two-year contract. That’s down from $48.88. If the iPhone 5 seems a little on the pricey side but you’d still like to bag yourself an iPhone, you have choices.

Many analysts believe sales of the Cupertino company’s new smartphone will break all records, selling 10 million units even before the end of the month. The iPhone revolutionzed the handset market when it burst onto the scene in 2007, and in the intervening years has sold a staggering 244 million units.

Users upgrading from an earlier iteration to the new model will gain a lighter, slimmer device with a larger screen, a faster processor, 4G LTE compatibility, and a better camera.

It’ll be available for pick-up on September 21.

[Source: Bloomberg, LA Times]

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/walmart-taking-iphone-5-pre-orders-friday/

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RIM's shelf space shrinks, BlackBerry sales at zero in some stores, analyst finds

Some carriers' stores are unable to sell BlackBerry devices

RIM's BlackBerry line isn't seeing the same shelf space that it used to in carriers' retail stores, according to an analyst.

Worse, some of these locations are unable to sell a single Blackberry in a 30-day stretch.

"In terms of sell-through, we believe that current run rates are roughly one-fifth of those we saw in the United States just eight months ago," Pacific Crest analyst James Faucette told AllThingsD.

"Further, we found a meaningful number of carrier retail locations which had not sold a single BlackBerry in over a month."

This trend stands in contrast to what both RIM and carriers have recently said about 2013-bound BlackBerry 10 devices.

RIM is quoted as saying that networks are "visibly enthusiastic" about BB10 and Verizon's CEO Lowell McAdam said he wouldn't count BlackBerry out.

The vote of confidence from McAdam is a good sign, as is the commitment from another Verizon executive who said that the company will launch BlackBerry 10 devices next year.

RIM's rocky holiday without BB 10

However, none of this helps get RIM through the holiday season. Its older phones and tablets like the Playbook will likely be sitting next to the iPhone 5, the iPad Mini and a host of Android phone running the Jelly Bean OS.

TechRadar reached out to a RIM spokesperson who remained optimistic about next year's BB10 launch:

"We remain focused on the successful launch of BlackBerry 10, scheduled for the first quarter of calendar 2013, and believe the delivery of high quality, fully-featured BlackBerry 10 smartphones will be an attractive offering to our customers."

But with studies that indicate current BlackBerry devices account for just 1% of mobile traffic (down 25% over a year), RIM may have a difficult time recapturing that shelf space in retail locations.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/rims-shelf-space-shrinks-blackberry-sales-at-zero-in-some-stores-analyst-finds-1096479

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