| Blip: Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom saunters through States after Middle-East leak Jun 3rd 2013, 12:48 
The arrival of the much rumoured Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is becoming more and more likely as details on the handset begin to leak around the world. Earlier today we saw Samsung Kazakhstan apparently reveal details of the S4 Zoom alongside the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 on its site - and this has now be followed by information obtained from the FCC in America. Although the leak doesn't give away a great deal, it looks like the Galaxy S4 Zoom is set to sport a 125.3 x 63.3mm frame with NFC, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 all inside - although 4G compatibility remains a mystery. More blips! Ahead of Samsung's June 20 event in London, why not focus your attention of some more blips.     |  | Samsung accidently announces Galaxy Note III in Kazakhstan Jun 3rd 2013, 12:11 
Samsung's official Kazakh website has accidentally confirmed the existence of the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note III. On a page about a special VIP service, Samsung also confirmed other unannounced products including the Galaxy S4 Zoom and the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, as well as the Note II This is not the first piece of information to escape from Samsung: TechRadar previously reported that the Note III is expected to include a 13mp camera with an "anti-shake" feature. The Note III will also reportedly include a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor from Qualcomm, LTE, 802.11ac W-Fi and a 5.99-inch 1080p display running Android 4.2.2/4.3. Open door policySamsung has a history of leaks. In May, the much rumoured Galaxy S4 Mini appeared on the UK Samsung apps page, but it was quickly removed. The Galaxy Note III is expected to be launched at IFA 2013 in Berlin this September. The Galaxy S4 Mini, Zoom and Tab 3 are expected to be launched at a special event in London on the June 20 - check back with TechRadar for more information. Via Techtastic     | | Samsung Galaxy S4 Active shows up in range of new colours Jun 3rd 2013, 10:20 
We're pretty certain to be seeing the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active at the pseudo-mysterious 'Galaxy and Ativ' event in London later this month, and more colours are now emerging. It's obviously super-easy to change the hue of a device with any version of Photoshop, but we'd expect to see the black version of the device – and that teal colouring looks pretty neat too. The black version has been pegged as only coming to AT&T in the US, but that seems really unlikely seeing as it's the colour that should be launched as the worldwide flagship. 
Show offGood ol' tipster @evleaks is responsible for the unveiling of the two pictures of the forthcoming handsets, which corroborates the fact it will share many similarities with the original Galaxy S4. One of the big questions is whether there will be a removable battery and microSD slot – and while it doesn't look obvious, we'd expect something like the screw that holds the cover on the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 to be concealing these goodies. You won't have to wait too long to find out what's going to be announced at the Early's Court event – in the meantime, why not take a look at our Galaxy S4 review and work out what all the fuss is about – and whether that fragile little phone needs a bit of toughening up.     | | Tab-attack: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 launched in 8- and 10.1-inch sizes Jun 3rd 2013, 09:06 
Samsung has decided the public needs more tablet confusion so has launched more variants of its Galaxy Tab 3 range. Joining the already-announced 7-inch version of the Galaxy Tab 3, Samsung is now set to offer an 8-inch and 10.1-inch option for its new top-end tablet. Except, well, neither is particularly top end. The 8-inch variant features a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, a 5MP camera and 1.5GB of RAM. The screen comes in at a middling 1280 x 800 resolution, which is 189ppi for you sharpness-fans out there. The Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 sadly keeps the same resolution, and thanks to the scaled-up screen will be down at a fuzzy 149ppi. Given the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen is around three times sharper, we can't see this being an accessory to your new high-end handset, unless you want to be annoyed at seeing pixels left, right and centre. Power to the TabsBut both tablets do offer some decent extras on top: both come with Android 4.2, IR blasters to control TV (as well as Samsung's WatchON service for changing channels without having to scroll through TV planners) and have advanced Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connections and audio enhancements for media improvement. -420-90.jpg)
There's also a microSD slot on board and each will have a 3G and LTE version on offer, and the weight isn't massive: the Galaxy Tab 3 8-inch will be 314g, and the 10.1-inch comes in at 510g. And while price could mitigate these average specs, the Galaxy Tab range has traditionally been at the higher end of the cost bracket- last year's model will set you back more than an iPad mini. So if you can get past the confusing offering of having to choose between a 7- and 8-inch version of a tablet, don't mind a lower spec and possibly have to put up with a higher price… then this could be the tablet for you. Samsung is staying tight-lipped on any kind of release date or price for these new tablets, so it's entirely likely some markets will get the 7-inch version and others the 8-inch… stick around and we'll let you know when this info is forthcoming.     | | Apple's Spotify and Pandora rival takes a big step closer to reality Jun 3rd 2013, 07:02 
Apple's answer to Spotify and Pandora looks to have taken a big step closer to reality, with growing rumours that a deal with Warner has been done ahead of a big reveal at WWDC. Locally stored music is being squeezed by streaming services like Spotify, with subscriptions allowing access to huge music libraries and cool things like discovery based on your favourites and tracking what your friends are listening to. Apple, whose iTunes software has been dominant because of the dominance of the iPod and the rise of the iPhone is aware of this evolution and has been planning its own streaming service often dubbed iRadio. Wheeling and dealingThe negotiations with the music companies appears not to have been straighforward, but the sealing of a deal with Warner, following on from Universal Music Group gives it two of the biggest companies with music rights. There are major deals to be done - not least with Sony Music Entertainment, which obviously brings a new frisson of rivalry. But Apple is expected to join the streaming music party soon, albeit late, with what is widely expected to be a free but ad-funded service.     | | Vaya acquires competitor Live Connected Jun 3rd 2013, 06:08 
The mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Vaya Mobile has bought out its competitor Live Connected for an undisclosed sum, acquiring with it 25,000 subscribers. The purchase pushes its combined subscriber base above 70,000. At this stage, Vaya plans to run each as separate business entities, meaning that the acquisition will not directly effect Live Connected customers. Vaya is assuring Live Connected customers that rates and plans will remain the same. Change in ownershipBoth companies provide services through Optus' network, however only Vaya offers 4G services at this time. But as part of the takeover, the Live Connected business will move from Sydney to Fortitude Valley in Queensland, where Vaya is based. It isn't yet known how the change in ownership will affect Live Connected staff in Sydney, but Vaya is currently advertising new positions for it in Queensland. Via: WhistleOut     | | Computex: First Acer phablet floats into view with the Liquid S1 Jun 3rd 2013, 03:30 
Kicking off Computex in Taiwan today, Acer unveiled its first phablet handset, the Liquid S1, previously hinted at during MWC. With a 5.7-inch HD 1280 x 720 display, the all-in-one is powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz processor, running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. An 8MB cameras on the back can shoot 1080p video, while the front 2MP snapper can grab 720p. A feature Acer is really underlining is the Float UI, which can have various widgets running on top of apps for a seemingly more efficient multitasking experience. Float onAcer claims the Liquid S1 will pack "a day's worth of battery power" - though we wouldn't say that's an awful lot to brag about. According to Acer, we can expect this one to land in the UK in Q3, with a price tag of €349 (about £300, US $455, AUS $475). No US release announced just yet, but we'll let you know if and when that changes.     | | HTC One gets Android 4.2.2 bump, but there's plenty of Sense in that Jun 2nd 2013, 14:22 
Some owners of the flagship HTC One handset have received a software upgrade this morning, but it may not be the one they were looking for. Amid hints that HTC was planning to make the stock Android experience available to everyone, the company has instead rolled out Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean for some existing users of the handset. The changes are mainly aesthetic, but are headlined by the return of the Android 'Menu' key to proceedings. It's hardly the return of Start to Windows, but now HTC One owners can long press the Home key and bring up the old Menu options as well as Google Now. Sense-less option coming soon?The minor bump also brings the Daydream screensaver experience, while users will finally be able to enable a percentage view of their battery life. The release, which is yet to hit all users, comes as Google announced an HTC One Google Edition with the Nexus experience, which comes without HTC's love-it-or-loathe-it Sense UI. In the aftermath of the launch, HTC said it was "examining the best way to support early adopters of the One," which means those who would prefer the raw Android experience may get that option soon enough.     | | Sky's Android apps make triumphant return to Google Play following hack May 31st 2013, 18:43 
Sky has announced that its suite of Android apps have been restored to the Google Play store, following last weekend's hacking incident at the hands of the Syrian Electronic Army. The company had temporarily removed the likes of Sky Go, Sky+, Sky Wi-Fi and Sky Movies when the Google Play pages were compromised, with logos and app descriptions replaced. The broadcaster's Twitter support account was also taken over, with tweets sent out advising users to uninstall the apps until further notice. Later that day Sky itself issued a statement, telling users not to do so. The company affirmed that the apps themselves had not been affected, but only the Google Play pages housing them. Now the apps are back, with the @SkyHelpTeam Tweeting: "All our Android apps, which we removed from the Google Play last weekend, are now available to download!" Who's next?The hack was the latest in a series of attacks on the western media, believed to be perpetrated by the Syrian Electronic Army, a group sympathetic to the country's government. The Financial Times, BBC, The Guardian and US-based network NPR also fell victim. Where will the group strike next?   | | Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini release date and price: where can I get it? May 31st 2013, 11:55 
Arriving a little earlier than anticipated, Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy S4 Mini, the fresher, younger, and of course smaller version of its flagship, which will offer a slightly more budget-friendly option that keeps in line with Samsung's high-end design. But where might you be able to get your tiny hands on the scaled-down handset, and when will it actually arrive on UK shelves? While we don't have a firm release date right now - though we'd say July is looking pretty good - we do know of a few names who will be stocking the Galaxy S4 Mini when it arrives. ThreeFor those hankering for something better than still photos, operator Three has posted a video giving an up-close-and-personal look at the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, putting it side by side with the standard Galaxy S4 and the 6.3-inch Galaxy Mega. Unsurprisingly, the network has also confirmed that it will be offering the phone, though it hasn't spilled anything on date or price yet. YouTube : www.youtube.com/watch?v=efE2k2gGFPMPhones4UPhones4U became the first UK retailer to announce it be offering the new handset, and has given the phone a tentative release date of July. You can "register your interest" over on Phones4U's dedicated Samsung Galaxy S4 mini microsite right now to be alerted with updates as soon as they happen. EEEE confirmed to TechRadar in a statement that is plans to stock the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini "from launch". It also stated that the phone will be available on its speedy 4GEE service, as well as on the 3G-only Orange and T-Mobile networks. EE's keeping schtum on price and availability for now though. Carphone WarehouseCarphone Warehouse will of course be offering the Mini too. It's not spilling anything on price or release, but it's also launched its own S4 Mini microsite for those keen to get in line right away. O2O2 has confirmed it will be offering the handset when it arrives, but like all the rest, there's nothing more concrete than that for the time being. VodafoneVodafone is much the same, confirming it will be stocking the phone but not giving any details beyond that. The bad news is that the Mini will be too early for Vodafone's 4G rollout, which is now being delayed until the end of the summer.   | | O2 customers losing access to five million free BT Wi-Fi hotspots in UK May 30th 2013, 21:55 
The number of free Wi-Fi hotspots O2 customers can connect will fall dramatically from July 1 when the network's four-year partnership with BT Openzone comes to an end. Until now, those who get their smartphone service from the Sean Bean-voiced carrier have been able to log-on to BT's five million Wi-Fi hotspots around the UK, completely free of charge. However, once the month of June comes to a close, O2-ites will have to make do with the 8,000 O2 Wi-Fi hotspots dotted around the nation, if they wish to save monthly data allowance while on the move. The company has added a page to its website, detailing the switch, and promises that its Wi-Fi network, which is free for all to use beyond its customer base, will continue to grow. Forget the networksCurrently O2 Wi-Fi is available in retailers like McDonald's, Debenhams, Costa Coffee, All-Bar-One, House of Fraser, Café Rouge, Toni & Guy and at O2 Stores around the country. However, it's a pithy return given the scope of BT's offering. The company has fiendishly built Wi-Fi hotspots into the routers of residential and business routers, which has allowed it to create a mammoth network. On its web post O2 has included instructions for users to prevent smartphones automatically attempting to join BT hotspots whenever they're in range. Basically, the instructions consist of telling the device in question to forget all of the networks they're familiar with, almost as if they never happened. Somehow the "Goodbye BT Openzone. Hello O2 Wi-Fi" boast doesn't quite seem like something the network should be shouting about at this stage.   | |
No comments:
Post a Comment