Corning can now make 3D Gorilla Glass for wearable tech

Corning announced that it can produce Gorilla Glass three dimensionally. A new manufacturing technique allows the company to make the product conform to different shapes and designs without sacrificing its strength.

Durability is certainly a question on consumer's minds when they purchase their latest tech, so expect wearable technology makers to begin implementing the use of 3D Gorilla Glass on various watches, bracelets, and any other devices they can conjure up this year.

There haven't been any partner companies named which will employ the use of 3D Gorilla Glass just yet. We will certainly keep you posted on any further developments.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/corning_can_now_make_3d_gorilla_glass_for_wearable_tech-news-7478.php

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Vine launches web profiles, planting seeds for six second satisfaction

The Vines are growing

Twitter-owned video sharing service Vine has rolled out its web profiles, allowing users to browser their feeds and visit the profiles of other users.

After announcing the plans, and inviting users to sign up for vanity URLs last month, the company has wasted little time in launching the profiles.

Users can now log in at the Vine.co page, where the experience is much the same as it is within the mobile apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

However, there is one major difference, a new TV mode, which allows users to browse through Vines in a neat full screen mode. Within TV Mode the videos will play in sequence, meaning no loops and no endless scrolling and stopping.

First step

Vine's online launch comes after Instagram made the leap with photos and then videos in 2012. Like Instagram, Vine users will be unable to upload videos directly to the website, with that feature remaining mobile only.

The company said the roll out of web profiles is just the "first step" so perhaps uploads shouldn't be completely ruled out?

"This release is just a first step toward bringing you a richer, more enjoyable web experience. We look forward to introducing more improvements in 2014," Vine wrote on its company blog.

• Vine actually has a bunch of really cool new editing features now... check them out.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/vine-launches-web-profiles-planting-seeds-for-six-second-satisfaction-1212004

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Galaxy S5 set for MWC launch? Samsung designer drops biggest hint yet

Early arrival for Galaxy S5 continues to appear more likely

Samsung's last major appearance at Mobile World Congress was in 2011, when it launched the Galaxy S2. Since then, the company has gone it alone with glamorous events and debatable success.

After the largely-mocked broadway-style Galaxy S4 introduction in New York last May, Samsung may be about to rejoin the chasing pack by revealing the Galaxy S5 at February's expo in Barcelona.

The rumour has been around for a while now, but it just a little more credence thanks to a hint from Samsung design director Dong-hoon Chang.

In an interview with reporters in Samsung's Korean homeland, Chang intimated that the handset will arrive with a new build material, while the possibility of a flexible display was "under review."

Stealing the show

Speculation has suggested Samsung will move forward the launch of the Galaxy S5 to counteract disappointing sales of the Galaxy S4 smartphone.

Should Samsung head back to Barcelona in February, the Galaxy S5 would undoubtedly steal the show.

MWC has lost some of its lustre in recent years as more and more manufacturers choose their own standalone events to launch their hero phones.

• Will the Galaxy S5 really have an eye scanner?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/galaxy-s5-set-for-mwc-launch-samsung-designer-drops-biggest-hint-yet-1211994

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Samsung chairman to employees: ditch hardware focus, innovate non-stop

The opposite of what Microsoft is trying to do

Samsung has been successful with record-breaking smartphones sales and a reported 95% of Android profits, but its chairman still wants to shake up its hardware concentration.

To do this, it has to “get rid of business models and strategies from five, ten years ago and hardware-focused ways,” said chairman Lee Kun-hee according to the Wall Street Journal.

His annual speech at the start of the new year is the latest indication that Samsung wants to improve its software and reduce its dependency on Android.

Right now, the company has its TouchWiz interface and a number of homegrown apps available on Google-powered devices like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3.

Teasin' Tizen

As Android users get accustomed to Samsung’s pre-installed software and sign up for its new services, the company’s developers continue to work on the Tizen operating system.

Tizen is Samsung’s Linux-based operating system that’s being prepped for its smartphone debut later this year. It’s already powering one Samsung camera in South Korea.

With HTC and LG trying to muscle in on Samsung’s Android territory and newcomers like Huawei threatening to do the same, Lee is asking his employees for constant innovation.

“Research & development center(s) should work around the clock, non-stop,” said the chairman.

That could bring us a Tizen-equipped smartphone sooner than ever, or at least the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 a little bit more quickly.

• Read: Looks like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lite will downgrade to a 720p display

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-chairman-to-employees-ditch-hardware-focus-innovate-non-stop-1211982

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Nokia Lumia 929 Icon appears wearing Incipio case

A purported Nokia smartphone allegedly being developed for US carrier Verizon has been spotted donning an Incipio case on the makers own site. The device is identified as the Nokia Icon, which has been confirmed as the codename for the upcoming Lumia 929.

It's reported that the Lumia 929 was initially slated for a pre-holiday release, but has suffered a delay and got pushed back to January 16 instead.

Another important caveat surrounding the Icon moniker is that sources indicate that it could be released directly under its nickname, which would be a first for Nokia, that has always outed devices with a name and model number. Perhaps this has something to do with the pending Microsoft merger?

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_929_icon_appears_wearing_incipio_case-news-7477.php

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Looks like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lite will downgrade to a 720p display

Going for the mid-range market

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lite, believed to be arriving in a matter of weeks, looks set to downgrade from a full HD to a 720p display.

"Hey, it's called the Lite for a reason, what did you expect?" we hear you cry. Well no, we're not exactly surprised by the information, which was spotted in a user agent profile for what is allegedly the non-LTE version of the phone.

The phone will still remain at the 5.7-inch size but the same profile says it won't be upgraded to Android 4.4 KitKat – still 4.3 for now. That may change when the phone actually launches, however.

Notable difference

The screen will also be switched from AMOLED to LCD, according to other reports, and will be bringing its 13MP camera down to an 8MP affair.

Let's hope it also gets a really tempting price tag to make the reductions worth it. If it does, Apple should probably hurry up and get a bigger iPhone out the door.

CES 2014 is just around the corner, but all rumours so far suggest the Note 3 Lite is holding off an appearance until MWC.

• But what do we think of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as it is?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/looks-like-the-samsung-galaxy-note-3-lite-will-downgrade-to-a-720p-display-1211940

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AT&T will give T-Mobile users up to $450 if they switch

AT&T is starting an offensive on T-Mobile today, offering users up to $450 per line if they drop T-Mobile. Reaching the full $450 may be difficult, but it's still a very salient – and aggressive – offer from the bigger carrier.

First, you can get $200 credit if you switch from a T-Mobile contract to AT&T's Next plan, activate a device you own or buy a new one at full retail price.

If you're getting a new device, you might also trade in your old one for up to $250. The carrier doesn’t say exactly which devices qualify ("the latest and most popular smartphones will qualify"), the exact amount you get will depend on the make, model and condition of the device.

If you opt out of trading and decide to keep your old device, you'll only get the $200 for switching carriers (as we said, getting the full $450 is tricky).

Keep in mind that these dollar amounts will be in the form of promotion cards, which can be used to buy eligible products from AT&T (phones included) or pay your bills with the carrier.

T-Mobile is said to unveil a similar deal for users switching away from other carriers, so this might a preemptive strike from AT&T.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/at_t_will_give_tmobile_users_up_to_450_if_they_switch-news-7476.php

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