Nintendo to finally embrace smartphones and tablets as hope fades for Wii U

You just know this guy is itching to get with the times, right?

Nintendo boss Saturo Iwata has admitted the company is considering "a new business structure," which may involve branching out into the mobile arena it has shunned for so long.

After the company revised its 2014 Wii U sales forecast from 9 million to an unspectacular 2.9 million, the CEO suggested that it may be time for a change.

With Wii U games sales new predicted to hit just 19 million units, rather than the previously estimated 38 million, Iwata seemed to indicate that change could be on the horizon.

"We are thinking about a new business structure," Iwata told a news conference in Japan, while hinting the company is exploring the possibility of touchscreen handheld devices.

Studying...

Nintendo has long dismissed the possibility of launching versions of popular franchises like Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong on smartphones and tablets, largely through fears of watering down its top earners.

Now, with the company expected to post an annual lost of 35bn yen ($335m / £205m), Nintendo may finally ready to relent and answer the clamour for Mario and Link on iPhone, judging by Iwata's forlorn comments

"Given the expansion of smart devices, we are naturally studying how smart devices can be used to grow the game-player business. It's not as simple as enabling Mario to move on a smartphone," he said.

Could sharing Mario with a wider audience put Nintendo back in the spotlight? Or would opening up it's famous franchises beyond Nintendo hardware be an admission that Nintendo's on the way to becoming the next Sega? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

• Mario on iPhone? Not on my watch, said Iwata back in June last year. Has his tune changed?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/nintendo-to-finally-embrace-smartphones-and-tablets-to-revive-fortunes--1216453

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LG G3 could launch in May, throwing LG's whole schedule out of whack

LG could have a big first half of 2014 ahead of it

The LG G3 release date will arrive in May, says a new report.

The Korean site asiae.co.kr has reportedly heard from "industry sources" that the G3 will arrive in May, earlier in the year than its predecessor the LG G2, which dropped in September 2013.

This could offset other releases as well, such as the successor to the Optimus G Pro, which launched in April 2013.

So why would LG throw its whole schedule out of whack? Reportedly, to make sure the G3 isn't completely buried by Samsung's Galaxy S5.

G-unit

That said, the Galaxy S5 is rumored to be arriving in March, which would still place it months ahead of the G3. So who knows?

Meanwhile, contrary to what common sense might dictate, the Optimus G Pro 2 will apparently launch in February, ahead of the LG G3.

That's according to this same Korean industry source, at least.

Both the Optimus G Pro 2 and the LG G3 will sport 1440 x 2560 resolution screens, said the source. Further, the G3 will supposedly have a QHD display.

Other rumors have claimed the G2 successor will sport LG's new octa-core Odin processor, which could make it something of a behemoth.

For now we'll just have to wait and see, though.

• LG issued a battle cry as it promised its smartphone business isn't going anywhere

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/lg-g3-could-launch-in-may-throwing-lg-s-whole-schedule-out-of-whack-1216401

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Microsoft denies paying OEMs to support Windows Phone

Microsoft giving OEMs an offer they can't refuse?

According to rumour, Microsoft will give up to $2.6 billion (£1.6 billion, AU$2.9 billion) to OEMs to support building Windows Phone devices. The head of communications at the company, however, is calling that number "complete fiction" in answer.

The rumour had been started by Eldar Murtazin, chief editor of Mobile Review. In a Tweet, he claimed that a few OEMs that were coming back to Windows Phone in 2014 would get wads of cash from Microsoft in exchange. Out of those, Samsung was supposedly taking the lion's share with more than $1 billion (£600 million, AU$1.1 billion) of the payment.

Frank Shaw, Microsoft's head of communications, has come out and called the numbers "complete fiction" in a tweet yesterday. He instead admitted that Microsoft does spend money on OEMs, but in co-promotions. He claims that they're covering OEM's R&D costs and helping them to switch to Microsoft's OS in order to launch new devices.

Behind the scenes

Despite this, there is certainly a strong incentive for Microsoft to pander to OEMs at the moment. Nokia is heading into the sunset, and its current dominance of the Windows Phone market will be transferred back to Microsoft.

A precedent was also set when Nokia received sums of money every quarter for their investment in the platform. Nokia is a premium partner but now that has been done it's not unreasonable to assume Microsoft would try to entice other companies.

The money doesn't have to be cash either. It's likely that this will include discounted or free licensing on the operating system, direct development support and other perks that Microsoft might be giving away.

Even though the company is denying it, there's a strong possibility that behind the scenes cash and promises could be being swapped between Microsoft and OEMs for the future of the Windows Phone.

• Microsoft 2014: What to expect

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/microsoft-denies-paying-oems-to-support-windows-phone-1216180

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Looks like Google is working on a 'Chromoting' remote desktop iOS app

Chromoting was originally billed as a feature for Chrome OS

A recently spotted message has revealed that Google is working on a "Chromoting" remote desktop app for iOS.

Chromoting is essentially a remote desktop client that will allow users to control their computers from their Android and, it seems, their iOS devices.

The message popped up on Google's developer site for Chromium, the open-source browser that's at the heart of Google Chrome.

It appears to be from one developer to another, discussing the iOS and Android versions of the Chromoting app.

Self-Chromotion

The Chromoting app is related to the Chrome browser's own remote desktop and screen sharing features, which as TechCrunch points out graduated from beta in 2012.

There are plenty of similar services, like LogMeIn and TeamViewer, but Google's is free and works natively with Chrome.

But according to the developer post, the iOS and Android apps are in need of an aesthetic overhaul.

"As noted, the iOS version is very unpolished at this stage," developer Hannah S. wrote. Icons, toolbars and more apparently need to be re-designed and re-organized.

In addition the iOS version is reportedly further behind than the Android version, which will ship first, though no time frame is given.

TechRadar has asked Google to share any additional details about Chromoting, and we'll update this article if we hear anything useful.

• Here's 21 brilliant iOS 7 tips and tricks

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/looks-like-google-is-working-on-a-chromoting-remote-desktop-app-for-ios-1216380

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Sprint Wi-Fi calling rumored to launch soon on two Samsung smartphones

Samsung devices get Sprint Wi-Fi calling first

Sprint could be getting ready to introduce Wi-Fi calling for two Samsung devices at launch.

According to a training manual obtained by Android Central, Wi-Fi calling and texting will first come to the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Mega at an unspecified launch. This feature supposedly will be unlocked with a downloaded "maintenance update."

In addition to the two Samsung handsets, new devices running Android 4.2 and above will be able to cash in on Wi-Fi calling.

As the name suggests, Wi-Fi calling allows users to get off the Sprint Network and make VOIP calls and texts at no additional monthly charge. A useful feature when you're running low on minutes or in the basement of a building with no bars and a healthy Wi-Fi connection.

The training manual documents that users enable the feature by visiting http://sprint.com/manage on a compatible device. To turn it off, users can toggle the feature in the settings of "approved" Sprint Android devices.

Fine print

While that's good and all there are still restrictions. Wi-Fi calls will only be supported domestically within the continental United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Android users will also have to turn on their Location Services in order to ring in over the net. In one last line item, calls started over CDMA can't be switched over to the Wi-Fi channel or vice-versa.

Precious voice minutes

If Sprints Wi-Fi calling really happens, the yellow carrier will join the ranks of T-Mobile and Virgin Wireless.

Virgin is able to serve both Android and iOS handsets through its SmartCall App. Meanwhile, T-Mobile has had free Wi-Fi calling for Android devices since 2010.

Sprint has not released an exact timetable for when it's roll out Wi-Fi calling. But, it has a lot of catching up to do if it can't retroactively enable the feature on older devices.

• The HTC One Two could make it's appearance in March with two rear camera sensors

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sprint-wi-fi-calling-rumored-to-launch-soon-on-two-samsung-smartphones-1216370

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Still the One: Updated HTC One rumored for March release

Better camera, bigger display

Apparently hoping to avoid the possibility of crude jokes being made by calling their next-generation handset the number Two, HTC is rumored to be prepping yet another variation of its flagship handset for early 2014.

Bloomberg today reported there could be a new HTC One on the way in the coming weeks which will retain the well-received exterior design but potentially offer some welcome component changes inside.

The most notable change is a screen said to measure "at least five inches," according to an unnamed source familiar with the Taiwanese manufacturer's plans.

Powered by a more recent flavor of Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor, the 2014 HTC One will reportedly be slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on the current One model, but smaller than the HTC One Max at 5.9 inches.

Wonder twins

One area HTC appears to be targeting for improvement aside from the display is the Ultrapixel camera, which is designed to take higher resolution images with a lower megapixel count.

Bloomberg's source claims HTC is planning to use twin sensors on the rear-facing camera, which "will provide better focus, depth of field and image quality" when it launches in late March.

Despite critical acclaim for last year's HTC One, the smartphone maker has floundered in the market against the might of South Korean rival Samsung, currently the 300-pound gorilla of Android handsets.

HTC may need more than just a refreshed One handset to stave off the competition, as the big-screen HTC One Max failed to make stem the tide of losses in the company's second quarter earnings.

• Is Apple's new Mac Pro right for you? Find out in our comprehensive review!

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/still-the-one-updated-htc-one-rumored-for-march-release-1216359

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Obama orders changes to NSA phone data collection, end to spying on foreign friends

Obama delivering his first speech on the NSA

President Barack Obama has called for an overhaul to how the US National Security Agency collects and uses citizens' phone records and an end to eavesdropping on foreign heads of state.

In the second speech addressing the controversial NSA policies that have come to light from documents in the hands of Edward Snowden, Obama said Friday that he's "ordering a transition," one that will end "[the] bulk metadata program as it currently exists and establish a mechanism that preserves the capabilities we need without the government holding this bulk metadata."

He maintained that the NSA's data collection program is an important tool in identifying and preventing terrorist threats. While he hasn't seen any cases of abuse in the agency's phone collection activities, Obama said he recognizes the potential for abuse.

So what will change?

Obama has asked US Attorney General Eric Holder and intelligence officials to hand in a plan by March 28 that outlines how phone record data will change from the hands of the government to a third-party agency.

Who that third-party record keeper will be has not yet been determined.

Starting now, the government will only investigate phone calls "that are two steps removed from a number associated with a terrorist organization instead of the three," the president said.

Also effective immediately, the NSA will need a court order to obtain phone records.

Holder has been asked to reform the use of national security letters, used as a subpoena to obtain business and other records, so that the gag order usually tacked on doesn't last indefinitely.

The president plans to consult Congress on appropriate boundaries for phone records collection, and has tasked the legislative branch with forming a panel of public advocates to represent privacy interests to the FISC.

Looking off shore

Obama also ordered a cease to the eavesdropping on foreign leaders and governments considered friends or allies. In October 2013, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Obama after information arose the US had tapped her private mobile phone.

Pending a significant national security reason, the US "will not monitor the communications of heads of state and government of our close friends and allies."

Foreign citizens were also granted more privacy protections against NSA surveillance.

The president's speech comes after months of revelations of how the NSA collects and keeps information, raising alarms from those within the US government, global governments, private citizens, the tech community and privacy advocates.

On January 16, new claims arose that the agency indiscriminately gathers up to 200,000,000 text messages daily. The UK's GCHQ reportedly has access to the texts.

While steps forward, Obama's NSA reforms are likely unsatisfying to the agency and government's harshest critics.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/obama-calls-for-end-to-mass-phone-record-data-collection-spying-on-foreign-leaders-1216330

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