| Forget about Chou: Beats buys its shares back from HTC Sep 27th 2013, 11:11, by Kate Solomon 
The rumours were true: Beats Electronics is buying back all its shares from HTC for $265 million (around £165m / AU$284m). The Dre-owned audio specialist still plans to work with HTC as a partner, but neither company is willing to explain why the official link-up failed to work out. HTC bought up 50% of Beats' shares as well as a generous slice of cool-factor two years ago, announcing the partnership at a star-studded, Lady-Gaga-attended party in London town. Will.i.am was there too, of course, which just goes to show. But the glitz faded quickly and HTC sold Beats 25% of its shares back last year. More than mobileBeats has its sights set on more than just mobile phone audio, after all: its headphone range is much beloved by kids these days and it has its eye on music streaming with Daisy set to in the next few months. HTC, meanwhile, could use the $265m cash injection after a rocky couple of years' financial results.        |  | QuickRadar: Video: iPhone 5S vs iPhone 5C Sep 27th 2013, 11:08, by Owen Hughes 
iPhone 5S vs iPhone 5C: which one is best? It's the questions many Apple fans will be asking now that the Cupertino firm has unleashed its latest handsets upon the world. Do you opt for the iPhone 5S with its classy hues and fancy fingerprint tech, or the iPhone 5C with its totally hip colours and (slightly) cheaper asking price? While we may not have all the answers, we can at least point you in the direction of an amusing argument that ponders the question but ultimately leads nowhere. Nowhere except a guest appearance from the Hulk himself. That's right - it's Friday, meaning it's time for another QuickRadar. So sit back, relax and let the madness begin. FutTv : 5f8p18h1kwU2TMore QuickRadar!Not had your fill? More QuickRadar below:        | | Combined Windows Phone and Windows 8 app store for early 2014? Sep 27th 2013, 10:30, by Kate Solomon 
Windows Phone and Windows 8 users could soon be shopping for apps from the same place after Microsoft execs seemingly confirmed the new unified app store at a private meeting. Cnet reports that the unified shopfront is likely to go live in the next version of Windows 8.1 slated for release in spring 2014, although a second source said there was no date in the calendar yet so don't get too excited. The unification of the app stores makes sense alongside Microsoft's new 'One Microsoft' strategy, and multiple Microsoft staff members have been hinting at it for some time. Easy rideA single app store would not only be handy for users, it would make life easier for developers too although its not clear whether Microsoft has plans to ensure that apps work on every platform or if there'll be separate departments for tablet, phone and desktop apps. One thing a combined app store will do is give Microsoft a general boost in the app quantities department. As well as Windows 8.1, there are reports that Windows Phone 8.1 will launch in early 2014 alongside the new app store. Stay tuned for more.        | | Galaxy S4 to support Galaxy Gear by end of October Sep 27th 2013, 09:41, by John McCann 
Eyebrows were raised when Samsung announced the Galaxy Gear smartwatch and revealed it would only initially work with the Galaxy Note 3 - luckily support for the Galaxy S4 is just weeks away. The Korea Times has quoted Samsung vice president Lee Young-hee confirming that the company will roll out an upgrade for the Galaxy S4 in October, allowing it to work with the Galaxy Gear. "All functions of the Gear will be connected to the Galaxy S4 smartphone by next month and the connection will be expanded to Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 by the end of December." Tablet loveIt's worth noting that the new Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition also plays nice with the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, but who wants to lug a tablet around with them all day? The Galaxy Gear sports a titchy touchscreen display, 800MHz processor and even a 1.9MP camera - allowing you to check messages, make phone calls and snap pictures without having to remove your phone from your pocket. Keep a look out for our full Samsung Galaxy Gear review which will be online soon.        | | Truphone lands in Hong Kong Sep 27th 2013, 01:26, by Farrha Khan 
As global roaming becomes more and more of an issue worldwide, Truphone has announced that it is launching its services in Hong Kong, which is the UK-based company's first expansion into Asia. Truphone provides customers with SIMs that can have multiple numbers connected it, as well as allow you to be charged at standard local rates rather than international roaming rates in countries where the company has partnerships with local carrier operators. "With Truphone, we now enable our customers to have a virtual local presence together with a Hong Kong phone number, making it easier to stay in touch with customers and suppliers in Asia," said Alex Blinko, the managing director of Truphone Australia. "As executives travel to do business in Hong Kong, Truphone keeps them seamlessly connected via a business class mobile network that offers the advantage of local calls, SMS and data rates." New roaming facesWhile all three major Australian telcos have looked at global roaming quite thoroughly this year, with Vodafone creating its Red plans, and Optus and Telstra restructuring their international rates and data packs, it doesn't do away with the extra charges entirely. Vodafone has created perhaps the closest to Truphone's offering, charging a $5 cap each day you use your plan as you would in your home country, with the UK, US and New Zealand the only counties available eligible for this Roam Like Home plan. Truphone on the other hand, has a "Truphone Zone", which includes Australia, Hong Kong, UK, US, and the Netherlands. These countries are treated as just one territory for voice, data and SMS, though regional bundles for cheap roaming rates can also be applied for in Asia Pacific, North America and European regions. "We want to see an end to 'second SIMs' and make connecting globally a seamless part of everyday life," Blinko said. Global business edgeTruphone believes that its expansion into Hong Kong means a big boost for businesses too. "Hong Kong is a major financial hub which attracts multinational corporations looking to expand the reach of their business beyond Hong Kong into Asia and China," said Dr Alex Ip, senior vice president for Asia Pacific, Truphone. "I believe we offer a unique and highly innovative product to bring customers closer to their international contacts, and to make them more productive. We want to see an end to 'second SIMs' and make connecting globally a seamless part of everyday life. Beyond fighting bill shock and relying on Wi-Fi when roaming for all customers, multinational business will be able to people from different countries onto one global, multi-currency bill. "Truphone is the only network which can provide this global service to enable customers to truly connect their businesses globally," Ip said.        | | If the iPhone were a company, it would still beat Google, Microsoft in sales Sep 26th 2013, 18:49, by Matt Swider 
Apple could be a one-trick pony and get away with it, as iPhone brand sales reportedly trumped the revenues of whole companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Dell. During the last four quarters, meaning even before iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C launched, Apple's smartphone took in $88.4 billion (about £54.9b, AU$94.1b) on its own, noticed Businessweek. That puts the imagined "iPhone Inc." above 474 other companies on Standard & Poor's 500 stock market index. It fits right in there between banking giant Wells Fargo and oil corporation Marathon Petroleum. On the Dow 30, it would be the ninth-biggest stock, according to the report. While Google controls nearly 80% of the smartphone market with its Android operating system, iPhone Inc. would even best its Mountain View rival. Oh right, iPhone Inc. would beat Apple, tooIf iPhone were its own company, however, there's another firm it would beat: Apple. The company's other products like the iPad, Mac computers and iTunes, made up $81 billion (about £50.6b, AU$86.6b) in sales in the last year. A spun-off iPhone Inc. would therefore best its own creator in this theoretical scenario. The recent 9 million sales of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C during the first three days of availability is only going to further drive Apple's smartphone above the rest of its portfolio. Maybe it's time for an iWatch to help diversify the company's producing offerings.        | | Sponsored: Why you need 4G and how to get the best deal Sep 26th 2013, 14:28, by TechRadar 
4G has properly arrived in the UK after Vodafone and O2 joined EE at the end of August to offer customers super-fast services, but what does this all mean? We're becoming more and more dependent on our mobiles and the current 3G network we're all using wasn't built for the complex, data intensive tasks we now demand from our phones on a daily basis. 4G is built for these tasks, allowing you to make full use of internet on the go and fully utilise everything today's smartphones have to offer, making your life easier and more efficient. With a 4G smartphone you'll be able to access internet speeds which are up to five times faster than 3G, allowing you to download apps, stream your favourite TV shows and browse the web quicker than Lewis Hamilton in a F1 car. The super fast network allows you to perform the data heavy tasks you usually reserve for a Wi-Fi connection, meaning you don't need to worry about a hefty app download or a Netflix movie marathon on the bus. If you haven't got an enabled handset yet there are plenty of 4G smartphones to choose from, including the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, iPhone 5S and Nokia Lumia 925. Getting the best 4G dealAs well as a 4G phone you'll also need a 4G tariff and with three networks all vying for your custom, and with Three launching its service in December, there are a lot of options to consider. Carphone Warehouse has a comparison hub on it's site letting you compare all the 4G tariffs and handsets offered by O2, Vodafone and EE. It does the hard work allowing you to compare all the offers so you can save money. You'll also soon be able to check the 4G coverage of all the networks in one place, making it easy to see who has 4G near you. So let's recap - to take advantage of the new super-fast 4G service you'll need three things. A 4G enabled smartphone, a 4G tariff and you'll need a 4G network in your area. Don't worry if your area hasn't got 4G yet, all three networks are committed to rolling out the service to more regions over the next two years.   | | O2 and Vodafone switching on 4G in five more cities Sep 26th 2013, 09:58, by J Rogerson 
O2 and Vodafone have decided the time is right to extend their 4G offerings to more cities in the UK. Following its launch in London, Leeds and Bradford, O2 is rolling 4G out to Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield, bringing the total number of cities covered by O2's 4G network up to eight. Those eight cities account for more than 9.5 million people, but that's just the start for O2, which plans to have 4G switched on in five more cities by the end of the year. Vodafone has similar plans, with the same cities all set to get access to its 4G network from 28 September. Following on from that, Vodafone plans to switch on 4G in Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester by the end of October. If you're wondering about the symmetry in the two networks' plans, it's a pretty simple answer: the networks have a deal to share mast locations around the country, and it seems that synergy is extending to the rollout of 4G networks too. Onwards and upwardsUltimately both O2 and Vodafone plan to bring their 4G networks to 98% of the UK's population, with an aim of it happening by the end of 2015 - although both reckon they can manage it a little sooner. If you're lucky enough to have woken up in Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham or Sheffield you can pickup an O2 4G contract from tomorrow from £26 per month. Alternatively, from Saturday you can get 4G at the same price with Vodafone. Don't forget though that O2 and Vodafone aren't the only players in the 4G game. EE has been plying its trade for around a year now and has far more coverage than anyone else, while even Three is set to dive in soon.   | | BlackBerry Z30 release date September 27, price revealed Sep 26th 2013, 08:37, by John McCann 
The 5-inch BlackBerry Z30 release date has been announced (it's September 27), although you'll only be able to pick it up from Selfridges on that date. If you're tempted to run out and grab a Z30 you'll need to take £529 with you for the SIM-free handset, or you can pick yourself up one for free on a two year contract starting at £32 per month. O2 and Vodafone tariffs will be available from Selfridges, although we're told the BlackBerry Z30 will also be coming to EE at a later date. 4G for allThere's good news for 4G fans, as the BlackBerry Z30 supports the superfast networks of all the major UK carriers. The Z30 rocks up with a 5-inch, 720p Super AMOLED display, 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, 2880mAh battery and the firms latest software, BlackBerry 10.2 If you don't fancy dragging yourself to Selfridges then you'll also be able to go to Carphone Warehouse from September 30 for a Z30, or Vodafone from sometime in October. Make sure you keep an eye out for our hands on BlackBerry Z30 review, which will be online soon.   | | T-Mobile to stop stocking BlackBerry phones in its retail locations Sep 26th 2013, 00:45, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
BlackBerry can take one U.S. carrier off the list of retail locations where its phones are stocked. T-Mobile is done keeping BlackBerry smartphones inventory in its retail stores, Reuters reported today. The publication spoke with David Carey, executive vice president for corporate services at T-Mobile, who laid out T-Mo's plan. The nation's No. 4 carrier will continue shipping devices directly, but will forgo stocking BB handsets in brick-and-mortar stores. "[K]eeping stock in the retail distribution system was inefficient," Carey said, for the simple matter that customers weren't buying them. Most T-Mobile BlackBerries are bought by businesses, he explained. He added, somewhat confusingly, that phones will still be displayed and sold "for those customers who would like to see one." A T-Mobile representative told AllThingsD that devices will still occupy shelf space in T-Mobile stores, and if the device isn't in stock, it can be ordered in the store. In other words, if a store happens to have the BlackBerry you want, you're free to buy it, but if it's out of stock, your only option is to order it online or through the store. Shriveling, but not gone for goodBlackBerry announced last week that it would pull back from the consumer market, instead focusing on enterprise and prosumer products. It will cut its future smartphone lineup from six to four devices. The company is also in the early stages of going private, with a $4.7 billion offer on the table from a group led by Fairfax Financial Holdings. As BlackBerry restructures, at least two carriers - Verizon and AT&T - plan to keep selling BlackBerry devices in stores. The carriers gave their assurances to AllThingsD that sales would continue, while Sprint declined to comment.   | | Pebble smartwatch skips its way into AT&T's exclusive pond Sep 25th 2013, 17:43, by JR Bookwalter 
Before the Samsung Galaxy Gear, a different kind of smartwatch made waves with a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign. Now, that watch will land on retail shelves this week. AT&T announced a carrier exclusive deal to carry the Pebble smartwatch, an accessory that pairs with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth. Pebble first made waves by raising more than $10 million as part of a crowd funding campaign, so it's no surprise that AT&T chose to lock up a carrier exclusive on the wristwatch, despite already offering Samsung's own take on the same technology, the Gear. Priced at $150, AT&T will begin offering the Pebble on its website and in roughly 500 retail stores starting this Friday, Sept. 27, with wider availability expected next month. Gear who?Like the Samsung Galaxy Gear, Pebble allows smartphone owners to receive call alerts, emails and text notifications from their wrist - perfect for on the go users who prefer to keep their handset out of sight in a pocket. Unlike Samsung's connected accessory, the Pebble features a water-resistant, e-paper display that works equally well outdoors as it does inside as well as a rechargeable battery that lasts up to seven days. "As the exclusive carrier for the hot new Pebble smart watch, this innovative device adds to AT&T's extensive lineup of industry leading accessories for today's connected world," said AT&T Mobility Director of Accessory Portfolio Michael Cowan. The Pebble can also be customized thanks to downloadable apps available from an increasing number of third-party developers aimed at runners, cyclists, golfers and other on-the-go users. It's a nice score for Pebble, too - especially after it was beset by launch delays before finally heading out to customers. Will it lap up more wearers thanks to its deal with AT&T? We'll know Friday. - We've updated our hands-on review of the new Samsung Note 3, so have a second look!
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