Google admits current Motorola devices not up to their standards

About nine months ago when Google acquired Motorola, the company also inherited about 18 months worth of product pipeline. This included models such as the RAZR HD and the RAZR M. It seems, however, that none of these products are up to Google's standards.

While talking in a conference, Google's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President Patrick Pichette said that the current products in Motorola's pipeline are "not really to the standards that what Google would say is wow — innovative, transformative."

That's an awfully honest thing to admit. But Pichette did not stop at that. He also said that "We've inherited 18 months of pipeline that we actually have to drain right now, while we're actually building the next wave of innovation and product lines".

We have been hearing rumors of Google working on an X Phone with Motorola, with some even expecting it to be announced at this year's Google I/O. However, now that we know that Google still has several months to go before they empty Motorola's current pipeline of products, this mythical X Phone won't be coming any time soon.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/google_admits_current_motorola_devices_not_up_to_their_standards-news-5630.php

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Cheaper iPhone rumors flare afresh, said to have 4.5-inch display

Clues to the budget iPhone keep emerging

Fresh speculation is afoot, with a rumor coming from a Japanese blog of a fairly reliable reputation about an entry-level iPhone hitting the market in 2014.

Macotakara (via AppleInsider) reported Thursday that Apple is developing a polycarbonate iPhone measuring 4.5-inches, a few stitches more than the 4-inch iPhone 5. Despite the bigger screen, the phone is said to largely take after the rest of the iPhone family - home button under LCD display and all.

With nary a mention of sources, the blog reported that the material used to make the new phone's body will be similar to the glossy shell of the discontinued white plastic MacBook. Because of the material, it's likely this iPhone (iPhone plastic?) will be thicker than current models, though it should pick up some extra durability.

While larger than its current handsets, Apple is said to be targeting a price of US$330, though it's unclear if that is an unsubsidized price for the phone or not.

Hope you're thirsty...

Like the rim of a margarita glass, take this info down with a few grains of salt.

As we said, no sources were named whatsoever, so the validity of this info is questionable.

However, it does raise some interesting ideas about what Apple has planned next.

There have been disparaging reports about the size of the "cheap" iPhone's screen, with rumors pegging it as similar to the iPhone 4S' display, the iPhone 5's and even larger, at 5 inches.

The most recent report had it copying the iPhone 5's 4-inch form, but today's rumor places it a little closer to the trend we're picking up that a budget iPhone will have a screen larger than any current model.

We won't know size details for sure until (and if) Apple ever introduces this polycarbonate device, but where things stand we wouldn't be surprised at all if a lower-priced iPhone housed a bigger screen.

The idea that this iDevice will be made with cheaper materials and priced at such a dramatic drop from the unsubsidized iPhone 5 plays into Apple's move into emerging markets like China and Brazil.

What's more, as Android seemingly continues its stomp across the globe and starts to saturate the U.S. market more thoroughly, Apple likely feels the pressure to hit more price points in order to compete.

For the right phone, US$330 could strike the sweet spot for customers in every country who've always been interested in an iPhone yet were turned away by price.

iPhone 5S snippet

Though most of the report focused on this entry-level iPhone, there was a takeaway related to Apple's rumored iPhone 5 follow-up, the iPhone 5S.

According to the report, the 5S will include a dual-flash LED module on the rear of the device. Stacked atop one another and to the right of the camera, the two flash ports will aid in, you guessed it, picture taking.

It's not the biggest piece of news, but we'll take it.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/cheaper-iphone-rumors-flare-afresh-said-to-have-4-5-inch-display-1134658

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YouTube iOS app update lets you send content to compatible devices

Mobile to Google TV: get connected

Veteran YouTubers with iOS devices will be happy to learn the most recent update (v. 1.2.1) to the YouTube app finally adds "send to TV" functionality.

The update will allow iPhone 5, iPad 4, and iPod touch users to pair their mobile devices to a television set equipped with Google TV, which will make it possible to control content streamed to the TV from any compatible device.

The feature was already available on Android, but at least now there's one more feature iOS users can claim as their own.

Stream line

Though there are only a handful of Google TV compatible sets on the market, there are even more manufacturers readying such devices for later this year.

Fortunately, if you don't have a compatible HDTV, the YouTube app also allows you to pair your mobile device with an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, though the process isn't as simple on the gaming consoles.

The new "send to TV" feature even allows for anyone else on the same Wi-Fi network to control what's streaming, or add new content to a playlist.

The addition of iOS devices for this feature makes a great deal of sense for YouTube, as more than 25 percent of its views now come from mobile users.

With companies like Bang and Olufsen, LG, Panasonic, Sony, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, and Western Digital all onboard the Google TV train, we're sure to see even mobile-to-TV cross compatibility take place in the future.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/youtube-ios-app-update-lets-you-send-content-to-compatible-devices-1134611

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YouTube iOS app update lets you to send content to compatible devices

Mobile to Google TV: get connected

Veteran YouTubers with iOS devices will be happy to learn the most recent update (v. 1.2.1) to the YouTube app finally adds "send to TV" functionality.

The update will allow iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users to pair their mobile devices to a television set equipped with Google TV, which will make it possible to control content streamed to the TV from any compatible device.

The feature was already available on Android, but at least now there's one more feature iOS users can claim as their own.

Stream line

Though there are only a handful of Google TV compatible sets on the market, there are even more manufacturers readying such devices for later this year.

Fortunately if you don't have a compatible HDTV, the YouTube app also allows you to pair your mobile device with an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, though the process isn't as simple on the gaming consoles.

The new "send to TV" feature even allows for anyone else on the same Wi-Fi network to control what's streaming, or add new content to a playlist.

The addition of iOS devices for this feature makes a great deal of sense for YouTube, as more than 25 percent of its views now come from mobile users.

With companies like Bang and Olufsen, LG, Panasonic, Sony, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, and Western Digital all onboard the Google TV train, we're sure to see even mobile-to-TV cross compatibility take place in the future.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/youtube-ios-app-update-lets-you-to-send-content-to-compatible-devices-1134611

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Motorola's upcoming products fall short of 'wow,' according to Google CFO

Motorola's current and upcoming products fall short of Google's standards

Google has certainly had an interesting week, what with co-founder Sergey Brin touting Google Glass as the next big thing for alpha males, and moving up the release date of the augmented-reality specs.

Not to be outdone by Brin, Google's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President Patrick Pichette took time during his talk at the Morgan Stanley Technology Conference to put Motorola on blast.

Yes, even though Google purchased Motorola Mobility back in 2011, the internet search giant and Android OS provider isn't exactly thrilled with what it's inherited, according to Pichette.

Wow factor

Motorola, Pichette said, had 18 months worth of products to roll out when Google took over formally last year, which included the already announced Droid Razr Maxx HD and Droid Razr M. We've heard about this 18-month backlog before as part of the reason why Google hasn't yet produced a phone with its acquisition.

Though both these Droids have fared well enough both critically and commercially, Pichette didn't shy away from expressing his exasperation with what he's seen and what's yet to come.

"The case with Motorola is that we've inherited a pipeline," Pichette said, according to The Verge.

"Motorola has a great set of products, but they're not really like 'wow' by Google standards. Dennis Woodside [CEO of Motorola Mobility] and his team have inherited 18 months of pipeline that we have to drain right now."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the company rumored to be helping Google develop its own device dubbed the X Phone.

Relationship woes

That Motorola hasn't impressed Pichette isn't necessarily surprising, but the way in which he acknowledged his disappointment so publicly was a bit shocking, especially considering whispers that Google and Samsung are on rocky ground.

Pichette, however, was quick to dismiss any controversy brought about by the claims Google and Samsung aren't seeing eye to eye, and claimed both companies have a "terrific relationship."

Needless to say, we're curious what Google has planned for Motorola after that 18-month pipeline has been drained, particularly with Samsung's Galaxy S4 slated to unveil at the Unpacked event on March 14. The bar could be raised rather high, and Google is certainly going to want to show up with its next phone, or maybe consider getting a new manufacturing partner.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/motorolas-upcoming-products-fall-short-of-wow-according-to-google-cfo-1134603

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Sense 5.0 confirmed for HTC One X, One X+, One S and Butterfly

HTC One - the only Sense 5.0 handset, but only for now

HTC has confirmed that it plans to upgrade a select number of handsets to the newly-announced Sense 5.0. The news came first through the phone makers Facebook account, then via an HTC statement.

Currently only running on the HTC One, Sense 5.0 should be coming to the HTC One X, HTC One X+, HTC One S and HTC Butterfly in various guises.

Not all the handsets will be able to support all the features of the upgraded UI, however, so you won't necessarily be getting the full HTC One experience on your aged hardware.

Sensible

Sense 5.0 brings a new menu layout and a raft of new apps like Simplicity and Blinkfeed to the HTC Android line-up.

No word from the phone maker as to exactly when the software updates will hit beyond "in the next few months," but we'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, check out what we made of the software in our hands on HTC One review.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sense-5-0-confirmed-for-htc-one-x-one-x-one-s-and-butterfly-1134567

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Sense 5.0 confirmed for HTC One X, One X+ and One S

HTC One - the only Sense 5.0 handset, but only for now

HTC has confirmed that it plans to upgrade its One Series of handsets to the newly-announced Sense 5.0.

Currently only running on the HTC One, Sense 5.0 should be coming to the HTC One X, HTC One X+, HTC One S and HTC Butterfly in various guises.

Not all the handsets will be able to support all the features of the upgraded UI, however, so you won't necessarily be getting the full HTC One experience on your aged hardware.

Sensible

Sense 5.0 brings a new menu layout and a raft of new apps like Simplicity and Blinkfeed to the HTC Android line-up.

No word from the phone maker as to exactly when the software updates will hit but we'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, check out what we made of the software in our hands on HTC One review.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sense-5-0-confirmed-for-htc-one-x-one-x-and-one-s-1134567

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