Apple to hit the road with Tech Talks this autumn, following record WWDC sell-out

Apple is coming to a city near you this autumn

Apple has announced it will resurrect its Tech Talks roadshow later this year, after the annual WWDC developer conference sold out in a record time on Thursday.

The company shifted all 5,000 tickets, which cost a cool $1,599 (UK£1,035, AUD$1,556) a pop, in just two minutes, meaning most of the developers hoping to attend have been left out in the cold.

However the company says it'll be bringing the Tech Talks to 'a city near you' this autumn, in order to give developers assistance with the new products they intend to unveil at WWDC.

In a statement on the company's developer website, Apple wrote: "Enthusiasm for WWDC 2013 has been incredible, with tickets selling out in record time. For those who can't join us in San Francisco, you can still take advantage of great WWDC content, as we'll be posting videos of all our sessions during the conference. We'll also be hitting the road this fall with Tech Talks in a city near you. Hope to see you there."

Mastering iOS 7?

The Tech Talks last took place when Apple was pushing iOS 5 in 2011. The Next Web points out that those smaller events took place in Berlin, London, Rome, Beijing, Seoul, São Paolo, NYC, Seattle and Austin.

At those events, developers were given presentation on iOS 5 and attended lab sessions with engineers in order to address questions and problems.

The company is yet to announce the destinations for the 2013 iteration, which will likely centre around iOS 7, expected to be announced at WWDC in June.

Last year WWDC tickets sold out in two hours, but this year's rush was prompted by Apple announcing the precise time they'd be going on sale.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/apple-to-hit-the-road-with-tech-talks-this-autumn-following-record-wwdc-sell-out-1147452

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Next version of Android to be 4.3, still called Jelly Bean

Google I/O 2013 is less than a month away and if history is any indication, we are in for a new version of Android. But those waiting for Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie just might be in for a bit of disappointment.

According to some damning evidence from Android Police, Google is working on the next version of Android, but it's Android 4.3, not 5.0. Also, the build number is JWR23B, which suggests the update will continue to use the Jelly Bean moniker (the first letter of the build corresponds to the name of the update).

This particular update has reportedly shown up in server logs and was successfully traced back to Google employees. It has also shown up in comments in the Chromium bug tracker by a Chromium developer.

There is no evidence that suggests that Key Lime Pie won't be announced during this year's I/O but so far it hasn't shown up anywhere yet. On the other hand, 4.3 has made numerous appearances and the fact that it has a build number suggests that it is close to release. That Google would release a new version of Android this close to I/O and it not be the main highlight of the event would be strange, as would announcing two versions of Android simultaneously.

This leads us to believe that Key Lime Pie might be a bit further away than we imagined. Hopefully, it should be sometime this year, if not at this I/O.

You can find more information about this in the source link below.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/next_version_of_android_to_be_43_still_called_jelly_bean-news-5932.php

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This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is a hotly anticipated handset

This week we've got our full and final review of the Samsung Galaxy S4 as well as the bow of another smartphone at a slightly cheaper price point - the Nokia Lumia 720.

We've also taken a look at the rejigged and now final Jawbone Up fitness band as well as the excellent Samsung NX300 compact system camera.

Enjoy our reviews and, as ever, tell us below if you think we should be reviewing something we haven't.

Samsung Galaxy S4 review

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the most hotly anticipated smartphone ever from the Korean brand, and with a glut of top end features, it's the most powerful and desirable device Samsung has created yet.

One of the most impressive things about the phone is the fact the size hasn't changed from its predecessor - the Galaxy S4 comes in at 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, meaning there's no extra heft to try and work with in your palm.

However, despite this fact, the screen on the S4 has been increased once more, to a whopping 5-inch display with Full HD resolution. This means the same amount of pixels you'd have seen on a TV that cost well over £1000 four years ago is now riding around in your pocket.

Samsung NX300 review

There's lots of action right now in the compact system camera (CSC)segment, which pairs compact camera bodies with interchangeable lenses for a DSLR-like experience without the internal mirror or associated bulk. It's an area where Samsung has been making steady headway with an expanding range of lenses that now includes a new 45mm prime lens for shooting 3D stills and movies. It works exclusively with the latest arrival - the faux leather-clad Samsung NX300.

Jawbone Up review

At its core, the Jawbone Up is a pedometer, but with pretensions of being much more. Within its "medical grade" rubber casing, the Up houses a number of motion sensors and shares the information it collects with a smartphone app for iPhones and Android. Beyond counting your steps, Jawbone believes the Up is capable of monitoring your sleep as well. Using proprietary algorythms, the wristband and its software tell you how well you slept based on how you moved, sensing a difference between light and deep sleep and acknowledging when you wake up.

This week's other reviews

Laptops

HP Envy TouchSmart 4T-1102 review

Gadgets

Transcend Wi-Fi SD Card review

Media streaming devices

Bayan Audio StreamPort Universal review

Mobile phones

Nokia Lumia 720 review

Storage

LaCie XtremKey 32GB review

Panasonic TX-L55ET60 review

Edimax EW-7822UAC Wireless AC Adaptor review

Fitbug Air review

It's Mine Bluetooth bracelet review

Controllers

Razer Hydra review

Logitech Harmony Touch review

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/this-week-s-hottest-reviews-on-techradar-1146991

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Samsung Galaxy S4 easier to repair than HTC One, iPhone 5

Lying broken on the floor

A phone these days can't properly make it to customers without an iFixit teardown, and the industrious folks at the site wasted no time breaking into the Galaxy S4.

Let's just say, it got a big thumbs up from the iFixit crew.

When all was said and done, the S4 walked away with a high-five worthy eight out of 10 on the reparability scale.

That compares to the one out of 10 bestowed on the brilliant yet unfixable HTC One and one more point than the iPhone 5. The whole reverse-repair was so straightforward, the entire S4 iFixit guide is one perusable page long.

'I passed!'

The S4 needed no tools to take of the back panel, while the battery was a quick snap away from exiting and entering the device, meaning consumers shouldn't have to slap it against their palms or do whatever other methods they employ to extract the 2,600mAh juicer.

Peeling off the layers of the S4 was relatively effortless, and as many components are modular in nature, users need just replace something like a kaput microSD card instead of swapping out their phone entirely.

There were parts stuck together with adhesive, so iFixit knocked it's reparability score for those. The screen's glass is fused to the display and display frame, which while not a big surprise would lead to more charges in a fix-it job.

However, the relative straightforwardness of the phone's components make this Galaxy easy to navigate and, at the end of the day, easy to repair.

Now, happy smashing! No, wait, please don't do that.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-easier-to-repair-than-htc-one-iphone-5-1147399

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iPhone users could elbow past disloyal Android fans by 2015

Will brand loyalty decide the battle between iOS and Android?

Android toppled iOS last year in terms of raw users, but Apple may soon take back its throne.

A new survey of 16,000 U.S. smartphone users found that almost one quarter of Android users had no plans to upgrade to another Android phone.

The survey was conducted over the past 12 months by research firm Yankee Group, which determined that "Apple's 'black hole' ecosystem captures subscribers who never leave" and that "at the checkout counter, Apple continues to eat Samsung's lunch."

The group said that one out of every six Android customers will eventually switch to other systems, which should allow Apple phone ownership to leapfrog past Android by 2015.

Drops in a bucket

The survey found that over the last year 50 percent of the smartphone owners used Android, while 30 percent were on Apple's iOS.

The numbers are evenly split for those thinking about getting any kind of new phone in the next six months, with 42 percent saying they intend to get an Android device and another 42 percent planning to pick up an iPhone.

It's not the biggest drop, but it's worth pointing out that more phone owners plan on purchasing an iPhone than currently own one, while the exact opposite is true for Android.

Even more telling is that fact that 91 percent of iPhone users surveyed planned to buy another iPhone when the time came to upgrade, while 6 percent intended to switch to Android. When the same question was asked of Android users, only 76 percent planned to stay loyal to Android, while 18 percent expressed a desire to switch to iOS.

Yankee Group Vice President Carl Howe compared the two mobile operating systems to leaky buckets with customers dripping in and draining out; in his analogy, Android's is leaking just a tad faster than Apple's.

It's clear that Apple inspires (or demands, depending how you look at it) a significant amount of loyalty from users, something that so far, Google's Android has been unable to match.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-users-could-surpass-disloyal-android-fans-by-2015-1147362

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Samsung's rugged Galaxy S4 reportedly isn't the only tough device in the works

When the tough get going, Samsung gets tough

The Samsung Galaxy S4 proper hasn't even arrived everywhere globally yet, but rumors of Samsung readying a newer, more durable version of its flagship are already making the rounds.

Those initial reports gained a little more traction on Friday, when sources revealed to the Wall Street Journal Samsung was indeed working on a tougher Galaxy S4.

The brawnier Galaxy S4 is believed to be aimed at business and government clients looking for a bit more ruggedness from their phones.

However, the news doesn't end there, as those same sources claimed Samsung was also readying a new 8-inch Galaxy tablet for June, as well as a smaller Galaxy S4 mini for July.

Hangin' tough

Unfortunately for Samsung Galaxy S4 hopefuls in the U.S., supply demands have caused the standard variation to be delayed at carriers Sprint and T-Mobile.

According to the WSJ's sources, that's due to the Galaxy S4 receiving an overwhelming four-times the amount of pre-orders as the Galaxy S3.

By the time the Galaxy S4's actually arrive, the tentatively-titled Galaxy S4 Active may be closer to release, which could ease the burden of supply and demand around the world.

Also, the addition of the smaller (4.3-inches according to the sources) Galaxy S4 mini could also shoulder some of the intense demand for Samsung's top-tier smartphone throughout the rest of the year.

The only other comparable device due to arrive this year would be Sony's Xperia Z, which too will be dust- and waterproof, but doesn't quite carry the same recognition as the Galaxy line of smartphones.

Samsung is also looking to take a bit of the business clientele away from BlackBerry, whose Q10 is aimed squarely at the same corporate market.

In spite of the Galaxy S4 shortages, Samsung has still been tearing up sales charts around the world, and the added variety and options reportedly in the works should only help distance the Korean manufacturer from rival Apple.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-s-rugged-galaxy-s4-reportedly-isn-t-the-only-tough-device-in-the-works-1147355

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Samsung Galaxy S4 hit by delays in the UK

S4 - but not for you

If you've pre-ordered a Samsung Galaxy S4, you may have more of a wait on your hands than expected as Samsung is struggling to provide enough handsets to meet demand.

The handset is meant to be landing in stores and on the doormats of organised pre-orderers on April 27 (tomorrow) but some will be disappointed.

"There has been unprecedented demand for the Galaxy S4 in the UK," Samsung told us in a statement.

"Samsung is working hard to ensure that pre-orders and sales across all channels are fulfilled as soon as possible."

Price of popularity

What does that mean for you? We've had a word with all the UK networks to see what's what.

An O2 spokesperson told us that some handsets should be on time: "For us, some customers (who've pre-ordered their handset before 19 April) will get their handset on 26 April. These customers will receive an SMS to let them know, if a contact number has been provided at point of order.

"For other customers who've ordered their handset before 19 April they'll receive their handset from 27 April." - from being the operative word, there.

Over at Three, it's a similar story in that some customers will get their handsets on launch day.

The network's spokesperson told us, "As Samsung have stock issues, we're unable to deliver the S4 to all customers who have pre-ordered. We're working closely with Samsung to do everything we can to get the S4 to our customers as soon as it's available."

We're waiting for word back from EE, Vodafone and Virgin so we'll keep you posted on those networks as and when we hear from them.

To find out more about when and where you can get a Samsung Galaxy S4, get involved with our comprehensive round up.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-hit-by-delays-in-the-uk-1147322

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