| HTC One mini could arrive at the same time as Galaxy S4 Mini Jun 5th 2013, 10:40 
The HTC One mini, a rumoured cut-down version of the flagship HTC One, could arrive this summer pretty much at the same time as its Samsung rival. According to hit-and-miss Taiwanese site Digitimes and its dubious "industry sources" the HTC One mini is set to roll off the production line in July, but may be announced sometime this month. This would see it go head to head with the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini which we expect to also go on sale in July, and sets both handsets up for an almighty tussle for market dominance. The sources go on to claim that the HTC One mini will have a 4.3-inch 720p display, dual-core processor, metal chassis and come running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. That's not all folksApparently HTC is also lining up a number of other smartphones for this year and we've already heard mutterings on a super-sized handset currently dubbed T6. The same report cites sources revealing the T6 will sport a metal chassis as well as a 5.9-inch full HD display and punchy 2.3GHz quad-core processor. We've already seen the HTC Desire 600 launched by the Taiwanese firm, but the industry insiders go on to reinforce reports that an entry-level HTC Desire 200 is also on the cards. We're not getting too carried away with this news however, as Digitimes' sources are often pretty unreliable, so we'd suggest taking everything here with a decent pinch of salt.     |  | UK will get treated to Samsung Galaxy S4 Active this summer Jun 5th 2013, 09:39 
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active will be coming to the UK this summer, so if you like the idea of the Galaxy S4 but feel it's just too fragile then you're in luck. Samsung has confirmed that the UK will be treated to all three colour variants of the Galaxy S4 Active which have been lovingly-named Urban Grey, Dive Blue and Orange Flare - fancy. There's currently no word on the S4 Active price, but if we were to take a guess we'd expect it to cost pretty much the same as the normal Galaxy S4. Phone for youHigh street retailer Phones4U has already come out and confirmed it will be stocking the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, although there's no word on tariffs or which networks it will offer the rugged device on. You can register your interest on its website if you fancy getting your hands on the dust- and water-proof S4 Active which features a 5-inch Full HD display, 1.9GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 8MP camera and Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2. Make sure you keep an eye out for our hands on Samsung Galaxy S4 Active review, which will be going up towards the end of this month after we check out the handset at Samsung's June 20 event in London.     | | Samsung Galaxy S4 Active officially announced Jun 5th 2013, 08:35 
Samsung has finally announced the Galaxy S4 Active - a rugged phone that brings top-end specs but lets you throw it in the bath. Clearly intent on squeezing as much cash out of the Galaxy S4 brand as possible Samsung has overhauled its best-selling flagship smartphone and given it a tougher exterior which includes IP67 dust and water-proof protection and a fully sealed design. In terms of specs the Galaxy S4 Active is almost identical to the Galaxy S4 with a 5-inch Full HD display, 1.9GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 2MP front camera and 2600mAh battery. One difference between the two however is the rear facing camera, with the Galaxy S4 Active sporting an 8MP snapper instead of the 13MP version on the standard handset. 
S4 gets toughThe Samsung Galaxy S4 Active retains the 4G connection and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system however, and of course the Korean firm's TouchWiz interface is laid on top. Thanks to the rugged features on the Galaxy S4 Active - which includes three physical buttons below the screen - the handset measures a slightly porkier 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm and tips the scales at 151g, 21g more than the Galaxy S4. 
In terms of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active release date all we know is that it will go on sale sometime this summer in select markets. We will get to check out the handset a Samsung's event in London on June 20, so keep an eye out for our hands on Samsung Galaxy S4 Active review later this month.     | | Aussies keen to welcome wearable tech overlords Jun 5th 2013, 03:08 
With the emergence of Google Glass and smartwatches, technology analysis firm Telsyte has revealed that nearly a quarter of Australians are becoming increasingly more open to wearable technology. Wearable technology, or "smart accessories", includes glasses, wristbands and watches that can send and receive information from smartphones. Paired with a smartphone, smart accessories have so far been used for alerts, geo-tagging and fitness and health monitoring, but it is a developing market. Google Glass, for example, could be used for "lifelogging". " ... there is really no limit to what can pair with a smartphone. If it can house an electronic circuit, it can become a smart accessory," Telsyte research director Fadaghi said. According to the research firm, the Australian smart accessories market is set to exceed $1 billion by 2016. A boom for smartphone-makersTelsyte's research has indicated that nearly two in three Australians currently use a smartphone. The emerging smart accessory market could help smartphone-makers expand and retain customers as they invest in the add-ons and accessories available for their phone. "As smartphones become the new commodity mobile device, smart accessories provide vendors with an opportunity to expand their market and keep customers close to their respective device ecosystems," Fadaghi said. Telsyte also noted the possible opportunities for the local app market, as most wearable tech requires complimentary apps.   | | 41-megapixel Nokia Eos codenamed 'Elvis' shimmies in latest leaked specs Jun 4th 2013, 21:53 
The long-rumored Nokia Eos, said to sport a 41-megapixel camera and a quad-core processor, is on schedule to be released this summer on AT&T, said a new report today. The PureView-packing Nokia Eos (or EOS) was detailed in a report at Windows Phone Central, which claimed to have spoken with numerous sources who have seen the phone themselves. According to the site, the Nokia EOS with PureView will feature 32GB of storage, a 720p OLED display, FM radio, and a yellow polycarbonate body. Don't forget that gorgeous 41-megapixel camera with Xenon flash, which this report said will take two versions of every photo - one at 35MP and one at 5MP for sharing online. Elvis will enter the buildingThe rumored Nokia EOS reportedly carries the internal codename "Elvis," though other than the phone's obvious swagger there's no clear reason for it. In reality it's most similar to Nokia's 808 PureView; it's essentially a Windows Phone'd version of the 2012 device. It's also about 1 millimeter thinner than the Lumia 920, though with a larger bump in the body for the souped-up PureView camera. Unfortunately, that means no room for an SD card, according to the WPC's sources. The Nokia Eos "Elvis" is also said to feature Nokia's new Nokia Pro Camera app with manual focus and other fun photography functions, plus a "flip-to-silence" feature that lets you send incoming calls to voicemail by flipping the phone upside-down. WPCentral said from what they've seen a July launch makes sense, lining up nicely with what we've previously heard as well. Finally, it added that AT&T won't be the only carrier to get it, though it will likely be the first. - Photography isn't Windows Phone 8's only strength. Check out TechRadar's list of the top WP8 apps.
    | | Updated: Samsung wins US import ban of some Apple iPhones, iPads Jun 4th 2013, 21:50 
The U.S. International Trade Commission today threw the book at Apple, ruling that some of its older iPhones and iPads infringe on a patent owned by Samsung. The ITC issued a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order against Apple that prohibits the U.S. importation of infringing products. Should the import ban go into effect, FOSS Patents noted Apple would be prohibited from selling violating products as covered by the cease and desist order. The products affected are the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3 and iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G, all on U.S. carrier AT&T. There's a "grace period" over the next 60 days where the Commission's decision will head to President Obama for approval or veto. If the White House disapproves of the decision, it will have no effect, while an approval leaves the door open for Apple to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. A presidential veto of a Commission decision is rare: The last president to do so was Ronald Reagan. Aw, ApplesAccording to Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Apple speaking to AllThingsD, Cupertino plans to appeal. In the meantime, she noted the ITC's orders will have no impact on the availability of Apple products in the U.S. She also took a jab at Samsung, which Apple contended had agreed to license its patented technology under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms to avoid a legal dispute such as this. "Samsung is using a strategy which has been rejected by the courts and regulators around the world," Huguet said. "They've admitted that it's against the interests of consumers in Europe and elsewhere, yet here in the United States Samsung continues to try to block the sale of Apple products by using patents they agreed to license to anyone for a reasonable fee." This particular dispute between Samsung and Apple has been going on since 2011 and involved four patents (allegations surrounding a 5th were withdrawn), with the ITC finding Apple to have infringed on two parts of one. U.S. patent No. 7,706,348 covers a method of encoding and decoding a transport format combination indicator, or TFCI. Essentially it helps a cell tower understand the data rate at which a cell phone sends information. We've reached out to Samsung for comment and will update this story if and when the company responds.   | | Windows 8.1 will let you lock folders with your fingerprints Jun 4th 2013, 20:31 
Microsoft has recently spilled plenty of Windows 8.1 beans, but one thing it failed to mention was fingerprint reader support. That doesn't mean Windows 8.1 won't allow fingerprint scanning as a security measure, though, and a new report today suggested that it in fact will. According to The Verge, Windows 8.1 will up Microsoft's native support for biometrics and fingerprint recognition technology. It will even include the option to lock folders to individual fingerprints. Nifty, eh? Fingerprint reading: more useful than it soundsUsers will be able to associate their unique fingerprints with their Windows 8.1 Microsoft Accounts, the publication reported. That fingerprint will then allow them to log into or purchase apps, lock folders, and more. It sounds like fingerprint reading will be possible both with external hardware peripherals and as a feature built-in to some Windows 8.1 devices. In fact, Microsoft's Senior Product Marketing Manager Michael Niehaus said during the company's Tech-Ed talks this week that the company is working with hardware manufacturers to have it included. The company is also reportedly working on getting more OEMs to build the technology directly into their own tablets, laptops, mice and keyboards. We've asked a Microsoft spokesperson to clarify exactly how fingerprint recognition technology will be implemented in Windows 8.1, and we'll update this post if we receive more information. Windows 8.1 is almost hereIt's been rumored for months that Apple is about to get big into fingerprint reading, but this is the most we've heard about it talked about for Microsoft's newest OS. The company plans to unleash Windows 8.1 on the public June 26 as part of Build 2013. We hope to play around with this fingerprint tech, plus figure out just what the heck is up with the Start tip. - Can't wait for Windows 8.1? Here's 12 key changes coming in the Windows update.
    | | Lenovo extends its Reach with new cloud service Jun 4th 2013, 20:17 
There are a multitude of cloud storage options already widely available to consumers for safekeeping of documents, pictures, and other media that can be easily accessed anywhere. With tried and true apps like Dropbox, Mega, iCloud, and Google Drive already heavily favored by the on-the-go user, it's interesting to learn Lenovo will now enter the cloud arena. Like every other cloud service already available, Lenovo's Reach will allow you to remotely access your stored files from a multitude of devices, including Android, iOS, and Windows. What Lenovo plans to do to stand out from the crowd remains to be seen, but we should learn more when the beta for Reach begins on June 22. Reach for the skyAs with Reach's competitors, Lenovo's service will allow you access any of your stored files from any location or device, be it one manufactured by Lenovo or not. Though the beta is just a few short weeks away, Lenovo won't open Reach up to everyone until later this year, pending the user feedback it receives during the closed trial period. "Lenovo Reach plays a fundamental role in our plan to expand cloud services to consumers around the world," said Mark Cohen, vice president of software and cloud solutions at Lenovo, in a statement. Reach's interface is designed to work well with both touch and mouse/keyboard interactions, and will feature 5GB of free storage, which has become the new standard. The new service will also work with apps and websites like Facebook and Pinterest, and offers a modicum of customizability for the interface itself. It's not really clear just what the benefits are of saving an app to Reach, but perhaps we'll learn more once the beta actually begins. Sign-ups have already started for the beta on Reach's website, but you won't know if you got in until later this month.     | | Lenovo teases smartphone tie-up with mystery partner Jun 4th 2013, 16:31 
Smartphones are big business, and Lenovo plans to reach for a more generous slice of the pie with the help of a company that shall remain nameless - at least for now. Lenovo released a clarification announcement to shareholders Tuesday about the company's smartphone ambitions, though it didn't actually divulge the name of which firm would help those plans come to fruition. Citing "certain articles published in the internet" relating to "a possible joint venture arrangement" between Lenovo and an unnamed party, the so-called clarification only served to raise more questions than it actually answered. While the announcement makes it clear the proposed joint venture intends to bolster Lenovo's smartphone business, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Yang Yuanqing refers to the arrangement as a "potential transaction" and not yet a done deal. Mystery partnerEarlier this year, Lenovo expressed interest in BlackBerry, the onetime Canadian smartphone giant currently in the throes of a comeback in the very market it once pioneered. While BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins didn't completely dismiss the idea back in March, Lenovo has continued to launch its own Android-based hardware, most recently with the Intel-powered K900. According to Reuters, the joint venture partner could be NEC Corp., Lenovo's Japanese partner for personal computers that has acknowledged its own mobile ambitions are presently in "a difficult state." Lenovo is currently the second-largest manufacturer of smartphones in its home market of China, having ended 2012 with $1.6 billion (about UK£1 billion, AU$1.64 billion) in the bank.     | | Uh oh: another high-level HTC exec adds name to list of ex-employees Jun 4th 2013, 15:09 
HTC's employee turnover nightmare continues as its COO, Matthew Costello, steps down after less than three years in the post. In an email to employees, seen by Bloomberg news, Costello is said to be stepping down and moving to Europe. He will stay on, however, as an "executive adviser", although it's not exactly clear what that role entails. Fred Liu, who is president of engineering and operations, will be taking on Costello's responsibilities in an expanded role covering operations, quality, sales operations and services. Hopefully he'll stick around too. 1 step forward, 7 steps backwardThis will come as a blow to HTC, especially after they posted a much healthier financial forecast today - thanks in part to sales of the HTC One. But, despite a positive sales report for May, the reality is that HTC suffered a 98 per cent drop in net income in the last quarter. And, because of increased competition and poor sales results, HTC's shares dropped 76 per cent in the last two years. This may go some way to explain why HTC has failed to hold on to some of its key staff, who may feel that the ship is sinking. In recent months a number of high-level executives have left HTC, including; Lennard Hoornik, CEO of HTC Asia, Jason Gordon, Vice President of Global Communications, Chief Product Officer Kouji Kodera, Rebecca Rowland, Global Retail Marketing Manager, John Starkweather, Director of Digital Marketing and Eric Lin, Product Strategy Manager. Is this the beginning of the end for HTC, or is the out-flux of old staff going to breathe new life into the Taiwanese firm? We'll have to wait and see.     | | Blip: White Nexus 4 sells out in a flash in the States Jun 4th 2013, 14:01 
Now this sounds familiar: the white Nexus 4 has already sold out in Google Play over in the States - in its 16GB guise at least. You can still get your hands on the 8GB variant if you're not so precious over the amount of internal storage - but remember there's no microSD slot on the white Nexus 4, nor the black original. This latest stock outage will likely anger Nexus 4 fans again who were left frustrated when the original device, launched last year, experienced stock shortages and we expect a lot of finger wagging to occur in the direction of Google and the handset's manufacturer LG. The white Nexus 4 is expected to make its way to other territories in due course, so fingers crossed Google and LG can sort themselves out in time. More blips!In doesn't matter if your phone is black or white, anyone can read our all encompassing blips.     | |
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