Friday, 3 May 2013

Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 05-03-2013

TechRadar: Phone and communications news
TechRadar AU latest feeds
Nokia talks hero phones and phablets while new rumours swirl
May 3rd 2013, 11:58

Nokia talks hero phones and phablets while new rumours swirl

It turns out Nokia wasn't kidding when it promised a mass 2013 phone rollout was on the cards, with a new hero device and new phablet just two of the handsets we're expecting.

As reported by MobileToday, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has opened up a little more about both these new devices.

The new flagship, which is expected to be the Nokia Lumia 928, will be launching by the end of June, with Nokia looking for an exclusive US network deal (and a similar deal is also on the cards in the UK).

Elop didn't open up much about the new handset, but did drop a few small hints:

"What we're trying to do is really make sure that we're shifting the focus towards hero experiences. So, you hear us talking a lot about imaging, and so, you should watch...for us to continue to advance the state of the art, like what is the best experience in imaging on devices."

Go big or go phone

As for the speculated phablet, all Elop said was that the company was looking into "broader form factors and different things that we can do".

Nokia is rumoured to be working on a larger Windows Phone 8 handset to take on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note line.

Mobile Today reports that the device will host a 6-inch screen, although we don't know where this information has come from.

If true, that would make the Nokia phablet bigger than the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, though possibly still smaller than the Galaxy Note 3 if we're to believe rumours of the Note 3 sporting a 6.3-inch display over the more recent talk of a 5.9-inch screen.

The phablet will reportedly be heading for a release in the fourth quarter of 2013. Sources say that the device may come priced between £400 (around $620 / AUS$600) and £500 (around $780 / AUS$760), which is a fairly sizable window for the mythical high-end device.

    


Three's a charm as LG Optimus G2 shows up not once, not twice, but thrice
May 3rd 2013, 11:36

Three's a charm as LG Optimus G2 shows up not once, not twice, but thrice

After the Korean firm cheekily teased the LG Optimus G2 during its press conference at MWC 2013 in Barcelona rumours surrounding its next flagship smartphone have ramped up.

The latest information spotted by Blog of Mobile comes via a set of benchmark results which cropped up on Android app Antutu - a seemingly growing source of handset leaks these days.

According to the reports three handsets have appeared on the app sporting the model numbers LG-F320K, LG-F320L and LG-F340L.

I AM OPTIMUS

While the F320L and F340L both appear to be running Android 4.2.2 and 2GHz processors, the F320K apparently sports a slower 1.5GHz chip and the slightly older Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean software.

Now there's no confirmation that any of these handsets are related to the mooted Optimus G2 smartphone and we'll probably have to wait a few months more before LG reveals its next fleet of phones.

The original LG Optimus G was only launched last year, but it witnessed a relatively restricted roll out and has already been usurped by the Optimus G Pro - which also isn't available in every major global market.

We hope that LG's next big smartphone will be further reaching than its predecessors and we lie in wait to see if it will be able to trump the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4 and rumoured iPhone 5S.

    


Blip: Apple releases thrilling iOS 6.1.4 update
May 3rd 2013, 10:12

Blip: Apple releases thrilling iOS 6.1.4 update

Apple has released iOS 6.1.4 for iPhone 5, which brings an updated speakerphone profile to the fifth Apple phone.

Do try to control yourselves.

That's all Apple is willing to admit to in this update, although with it weighing in at 11.5MB we'd expect there'll be some other bug fixes and the like included too.

More blips!

For more exciting tech titbits, get involved with TR's blip-sized news nuggets.

    


LG and Google plotting Nexus 5, Google TV?
May 3rd 2013, 09:43

LG and Google plotting Nexus 5, Google TV?

LG is pretty busy right now if these latest rumours are to be believed – the company is said to be working on a Nexus 5 and a new Google TV set.

The Korean Times states that Google CEO Larry Page recently met with Koo Bon-joon, LG's chief exec, and the two bashed out some important details regarding the successor to the Nexus 4.

Google was also apparently very interested to talk all things OLED and reports claim that an LG OLED with Google TV on board was another big topic of discussion.

Could a curvy Google TV be on the cards, now that LG has announced its 2013 rollout of curved displays?

Five alive

After the Nexus 4 supply issues, there were questions over LG's role in the delays although LG denied that it was in any way at fault.

Either way, it looks like both companies are keen to continue their partnership - but as for this Nexus and TV speculation, we'd take it all with a nice dose of salt for now.

But with Google I/O now very close, it might not be long until we hear more about what's in store for Google's partnership with LG.

    


BlackBerry retaliates as Z10, Q10 and PlayBook get Pentagon approval
May 3rd 2013, 09:14

BlackBerry retaliates as Z10, Q10 and PlayBook get Pentagon approval

Good news over in Canada where BlackBerry has confirmed its latest handsets, the Z10 and Q10, along with its long suffering PlayBook tablet have undergone successful testing at the US Department of Defense's (DoD) labs.

It was feared that the DoD had given BlackBerry the cold shoulder after it was revealed yesterday various Apple and Samsung devices had gained clearance for America's military.

However the new-found approval for the first two BlackBerry 10 devices and the firm's only tablet means all three can now be considered for purchase by those working at the DoD.

Battle stations

BlackBerry has long been the manufacturer of choice for the DoD and its 600,000 smartphone owners and this latest set of approvals will help it in the battle against the likes of the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4.

The BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 has also been given the go ahead for use on DoD Networks, which will help the US government keep control of all the BlackBerry devices it has - ensuring security is kept tight.

It's not clear which brand the DoD will favour, and it does currently use a mix of devices from all three manufacturers, with the current favourite being BlackBerry - but will it be able to hold onto its dominance?

    


Buying Guide: Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from
May 3rd 2013, 09:02

Buying Guide: Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Budget can't quite squeeze to a Samsung Galaxy S4? There's no need to fret. The Samsung Galaxy S3 still has a glorious 4.8-inch AMOLED display, a great camera and finally has Android Jelly Bean to justify opting for the S4 predecessor instead.

Helping you to keep that Android smartphone away from harm, and providing a sleek solution to adding a line of defence, are dozens of different phone covers. These offer a dizzying number of different designs and features that you may or may not want.

To help you choose the right cover for you, we've picked out the best Samsung Galaxy S3 cases to buy, and put them in order of current selling price.

1. Arkon Sports Armband - US$18 (around £11.50/AU$17.50)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

If you need some audio motivation outdoors or in the gym, this sweat-resistant neoprene case gives you a clear view of the screen and has cutouts at the bottom and top depending on how you like your headphones to hang. If you like to buy a drink on the way there's a storage pouch with enough room for some loose change.

2. Cygnett Tube Map Case - £12/AU$25/US$30

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Perfect for visitors to London or seasoned commuters who still get lost, the iconic London Underground map adorns this glossy, snap-on case. The slim-fitting case gives access to all ports and buttons with a screen protector and cleaning cloth to buff up that big, bright screen.

3. Elago G5 Breathe Case - £14/$25 (around AU$24)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Delivering style and protection in equal measures, the special coating on this smartphone-hugging case will fend off oil, dust and dirt, while the hard shell provides everyday protection. With the mesh-style design, it's light enough and slim enough to free up room in your pocket for other essentials.

4. Proporta Pencils Case - £15/US$20 (around AU$19)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

It's a pencil case, but not like the one you used to sharpen shavings into the bottom of at school. With access to all those important ports including the camera, this snap-on hard shell case sports a colouring pencil design - but don't be fooled, it will protect your S3 as well as giving it a creative look.

5. Griffin Reveal - £15/US$20 (around AU$19.50)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Adding less than 2mm of thickness to your Galaxy S3, this one-piece case will preserve the handset's slim body, and with a durable polycarbonate frame it will also guard against everyday bumps and drops. The hugging rubber lining adds another layer of cushioning and makes it even easier to get a grip of the Android smartphone in one hand.

6. Proporta Union Jack Samsung Galaxy S3 Case - £15/US$20 (around AU$19.50)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Patriotic British and Anglophile Galaxy S3 owners can sport the Union flag with this clip-on hard shell case that is made from a robust material that should also serve as decent smartphone protection. If you're American, there's also a US equivalent to pop onto the back of your Samsung handset, for the same price.

7. Gear4 Thin Ice Liquid Rubber - £15 (around AU$23/US$23)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Keeping the extra smartphone bulk down to the bare minimum, the ultra-slim rubber case clips onto the back of the S3 and shows off the body with access to all ports and buttons. There is a variety of bright colours to choose from if you don't want to go down the transparent protection route.

8. Belkin Shield Sheer - £15/US$25 (around AU$24)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

If you don't want to cover up your S3 to the point that it's unrecognisable, the slim polycarbonate case has a transparent tint so the smartphone body is still in view but more importantly will protect against scratches and bumps. There's a cut out for the rear-facing camera and a host of outlandish colours to choose from.

9. Incipio Feather - US$25 (around £16/AU$24)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

If you want to keep smartphone bulk down to a minimum, this ultra-thin Plextonium case clips onto the back of your phone, adding just 1mm of extra thickness. S3 owners will also appreciate that this slender case will still offer protection against dents and everyday commuting carnage.

10. BoxWave Unicolor - £18/US$17 (around AU$16.50)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Ideal for those on a case-buying budget, the hard plastic case protects the back of your phone while a bumper will guard against scratches on the screen when it's placed on its front. All key cut outs are present, giving you full access, while the textured back means it should stay put in your hand.

11. Belkin EaseFit Plus Armband - £18/AU$30/US$25

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

If you want to take your S3 to the gym or out for a run, this comfortable and lightweight armband will hold your handset in place and has a pouch big enough to keep a key or some cash. Most importantly, it's water-resistant and hand-washable so you can keep it fresh for the next sweaty workout.

12. Tech21 Impact Snap - £19/US$31 (around AU$30)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Providing a military-grade shield for your S3, the shock-absorbing D30 material - which has been used in armour by the US Ministry of Defence - should provide a suitably tough exterior. There's access to all ports, including the speaker grille, while the rear-facing camera is free to fire off as well.

13. Overboard Pro-Sports Waterproof Arm Pack - £22.50/AU$30/US$36.50

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Beach and swim-friendly, Overboard's Slide Seal System keeps water firmly away from your smartphone and even has enough room for money and keys. The waterproof design has also been built to float on water and will keep sand, dust and dirt at bay.

More info on the Overboard Pro-Sports Waterproof Arm Pack

14. Urban Armour Outland - US$35 (around £22.50/AU$34)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

This case looks like it can take a knock or two, and the tough armour shell complemented by an impact-resistant soft core should provide serious protection from all angles. Oversized buttons add extra durability, and a screen protector will combat scratches, with a raised bumper helping out when the smartphone is lying flat.

15. Case-Mate Pop! Case with Stand - £23/US$35 (around AU$34)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Hiding away a built-in stand, the Pop enables you to watch video on that vibrant display in portrait and landscape mode. Covering the back and corners of your S3, the plastic and soft rubber shell provides impact-resistant protection even when you have left your smartphone lying on the table.

16. Speck PixelSkin HD - £25/AU$29/US$30

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

This light, polymer-built case hugs your handset and shows off a matt and glossy pixel finish that will make the back of your smartphone look a bit like a minesweeper board. A raised bezel will help keep the screen out of harm when lying flat, while rubberised button covers should add another layer of protection.

17. Case-Mate Tough - £25/US$35 (around AU$34)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

The clue is in the name - this hard shell case is all about keeping your S3 in one piece using a silicone inner and durable polycarbonate shell to sure up the defence and make it easier to keep hold of. If you are a heavy-handed phone user or like to take your phone hiking, this case is designed for you.

18. Samsung Galaxy S3 Flip Case - £25/AU$35/US$40

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

This official Samsung case comes in an array of colours and replaces the battery cover and guards the AMOLED display against scratches and dirt. By covering the whole of the front, it stops you from accidentally pressing buttons or swiping, and with an NFC chip built in, it means you can still share images and videos by tapping it against another S3.

19. ElementCase Atom - US$45 (around £29/AU$44)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Made up of a polymer and carbon fibre backplate, the Atom also sports rugged, robust corners to absorb impact and make it more comfortable to hold. Buttons are moulded over and integrated into the case, while a speaker port means the sweet S3 sound doesn't get trapped.

20. Otterbox Defender Series - US$50 (around £32/AU$48.50)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Offering a triple layer of S3 protection, the Defender wraps itself around the handset and guards against bumps and drops with the combination of a polycarbonate shell, an impact-resistant silicone inner cover and a screen protector up front. There's also a belt holster if you want to free up some pocket space.

21. Proporta Barbour Quilted collection - £40/US$55 (around AU$53)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

The iconic British clothing line Barbour has teamed up with Proporta for this stylish S3 case offering that is made from soft quilted material and leather and features an internal slot to hide away cards. Aside from its waxed jacket looks, the case will still protect your expensive investment and give you access to charge, turn up the volume or use the camera.

22. Incipio OffGrid - US$70 (around £45/AU$68)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

Providing some back-up juice for your Samsung smartphone, the 2,000mAh charging capacity of this case will bump up the phone's power, with a row of LED lights notifying you how much battery you have left. Clipping onto the back and bumper, the OffGrid is made from Plextonium to fend off dents and scratches to the body, and is housed in surprisingly slim body.

23. Pong - £56/US$60 (around AU$58)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

If smartphone radiation is a concern, this snap-on case has been designed with an antenna system to deflect radiation away from your head when you are chatting. But that's not the only trick up its sleeve. It can also increase talk time battery life, improve signal strength and won't get in the way of any NFC transactions.

24. Mophie Juice Pack - £80/US$100 (around AU$97)

Best Samsung Galaxy S3 case: 24 to choose from

A slim solution to make sure the S3 makes it through the day, the 2,300mAh capacity case will deliver an extra 32 hours of audio or nine hours of web browsing. It can charge both smartphone and case at the same time, with LED notification lights displaying progress. Plus NFC and S-Beam support means you can still enjoy one-touch sharing.

    


If a Motorola prototype sounds like the X Phone, is it the X Phone?
May 3rd 2013, 00:45

If a Motorola prototype sounds like the X Phone, is it the X Phone?

The elusive Motorola X Phone, the rumored first smartphone under the Google-Motorola partnership, may have just been shown off in prototype form thanks to a four-photo leak.

The device in question has markings that back up several rumors about the hotly rumored Android phone, first and foremost being the AT&T logo in the top left corner.

Another hint is that this composite photo, posted by @evleaks, depicts the purported X Phone with a screen that isn't too large.

That's important because it would fit into the "sweet spot" screen category that Motorola design chief Jim Wicks said the company found to be "just about right" for consumers.

Motorola X Phone back

X-Fone Home

A second leaked photo of the supposed Motorola prototype gives further, albeit blurry, credence to the fact that this is the Google X Phone.

The backside photo reads "Model: XFon-ATT," which almost seems too good to be true.

Of course, this is different from the model number that was floating around the internet this week, XT1055.

A benchmarking app that caught the XT1055 claimed it to be a 1.7GHz quad-core processing smartphone running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, which sent X Phone rumors swirling.

Whether or not this AT&T-bound Motorola prototype is the X Phone remains to be seen, as the U.S. wireless carrier and Google have not yet responded to TechRadar's inquiry. We doubt we'll hear anything definitive on this speculative device, but we'll keep you posted.

Confirmation of what the X Phone looks like, instead, may come at the Google IO conference, which kicks off on May 15.

    


Virgin snaps up Sony Xperia SP
May 3rd 2013, 00:30

Virgin snaps up Sony Xperia SP

If you're in the market for a new phone, but not about to spend the big bucks on a new HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4, then the latest phone to the Virgin Mobile range might be for you.

Virgin today has added the Sony Xperia SP to its line-up, with prices starting from AU$34 per month on a $29 Big Plan. The plan includes $250 worth of calls and 250MB data.

Impressively, the Xperia SP is a 4G phone; one of the few available at this price point so far. It has a 4.6-inch display, a dual-core 1.7GHz Qualcomm processor and 1GB RAM. There is 8GB onboard memory and a microSD card slot.

Big phone, little money

This is a lot of phone for the price. Especially when you consider than the big name phones all start at about $60 a month, including Sony's Xperia Z on Virgin's sister network, Optus.

Also considering that the Xperia SP shares some of the highlight features of the flagship Z. It has the same Sony Exmor RS camera tech, despite its lower resolution 8-megapixel camera. There's also dual-band Wi-Fi and a decent 2300mAh capacity battery.

You will miss out on the 1080p screens found on the top-end models, and these are a treat to look at. Though the 720p screen on the SP isn't too shabby, especially at this price.

    

LinkedIn profile outs new Google game designer
May 2nd 2013, 21:56

LinkedIn profile outs new Google game designer

The LinkedIn profile for a veteran computer games designer has popped up on the radar, leading to speculation the search giant may be getting serious about mobile gaming.

TechCrunch reported Thursday that Google appears to have quietly filled a new position for "Chief Game Designer," with longtime computer game designer Noah Falstein tapped for the job in April.

The discovery was made from a change to Falstein's current job description on business-centric social network LinkedIn, where Google is now listed as his current employer.

Falstein's former employers include legendary game companies LucasArts, Dreamworks Interactive and 3DO, with his last position listed as freelancer for his own shingle, The Inspiracy.

Mobile gaming ambitions?

While the LinkedIn profile is scant on details of exactly what the designer may be doing at Google, an earlier cached draft of his new job title could provide a clue.

Falstein originally listed himself as "Chief Game Designer at Android Play Studio," a rather specific title that would appear to put the designer in very close proximity to Google's mobile OS.

While the report speculates Falstein could be involved in designing "Google Glass-related augmented-reality game" titles, the executive's main field of interest - "Serious Games" - may indicate otherwise.

Described as "using Games, Game Technology, or Game Industry Techniques for a purpose other than pure entertainment," Falstein's work spans health, financial projections and even education - all of which sound rather lofty for a so-called "Android Play Studio" hire.

    


Apple patents curved battery design, could hint at next-gen iPhones
May 2nd 2013, 21:48

Apple patents curved battery design, could hint at next-gen iPhones

Until now it's mainly been Samsung beating the drum for oddly-shaped phone technology with its flexible displays, but Apple may soon join in if two recently unearthed patents are any indication.

The Apple patents (1 and 2) in question are titled "curved battery cells for portable electronic devices" and "non-rectangular batteries for portable electronic devices, respectively.

Unearthed by AppleInsider, the patent filings don't point to any specific technology or indicate any particular plans on Apple's part.

Rather they simply hint at where Apple's design language might go in the future.

Curves ahead

The patents dug up today were filed in October 2011 and describe the processes by which curved and irregularly-shaped batteries might be designed and created.

For the curved battery, a flexible pouch housing the battery's layers is exposed to pressure and heat in a process that could take up to four hours to set it into a curved shape.

The patent claimed that the purpose of the curved battery can be "to facilitate efficient use of space inside a portable electronic device," though by the literal looks of things, the device itself could have an added curvature.

The non-rectangular battery, on the other hand, can feature rounded corners and might fit more snugly inside a similarly shaped device (like an iPad).

Apple archeology

These two latest Apple patents are hardly the first patents to hint at where Apple's mind is wondering.

As AppleInsider pointed out, these unique battery designs might even have something to do with a previous Apple patent for an iPhone with a wraparound display.

That's pure speculation, of course, but it's interesting to consider how Apple might try to shake things up in a market increasingly filled with similar-looking devices.

    


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