| New Windows Phone 8 features leaked, multitasking gets an upgrade Sep 8th 2013, 12:04, by Chris Smith 
The next update to Windows Phone 8 - known commonly as GDR3 - will incorporate a host of new features, including the ability to close apps within the multi-tasking view, it has been revealed. The word comes from a WPCentral message board user who claims to have purchased a device from Craigslist running the as-yet-unreleased update that's scheduled to land later this year. The heavily-requested multitasking boost will make it easier for Windows Phone users to manage open apps on their device. Also part of the update, there'll also be a new Driving Mode, which will mute calls and texts when paired with a bluetooth headset, either automatically, or manually through the phone's options. Textual orientationMore tidbits from GDR3 (General Distribution Release 3) include the option to control screen orientation, as well as create custom alerts for emails, messages, social networking notifications etc. The update will also enable backups to be restored to phones over Wi-Fi, rather than USB, during the phone's initial set-up. The software bump is likely to arrive alongside the rumoured Nokia 1520 (codenamed 'Bandit') 6-inch phablet, which is set to arrive before 2013 is out.        |  | Microsoft's first act of business as Nokia owner? Cut the Lumia 1020 price Sep 8th 2013, 11:02, by Chris Smith 
The headline-making Nokia Lumia 1020 smartphone-cum-camera is now available for $100 less in the United States, potentially a sign that Microsoft is already ringing the changes at Nokia. The Microsoft Store stateside is now selling the 41-megapixel Windows Phone 8 handset for $199 (around £127, AU$216) on a two-year contract, compared with Nokia's lofty $299 (around £191, AU$325) launch price. The price is being matched by the AT&T network, but Microsoft is going one better (for a limited time) and chucking in the camera grip accessory for everyone who picks up the device. Early indications are that the heavily-hyped Lumia 1020 hasn't been flying off the shelves, so perhaps this price cut can offer Microsoft a boost in the early stages of its Nokia stewardship. Unrelated to sale?The device is yet to enjoy a full launch in the UK, despite being on sale since late July in the United States. So far, the device is only on sale in Britain through the independent Expansys site, for the not-insignificant SIM-only price of £599, and there is little support from networks as yet. It is, of course, entirely possible that the price cut is unrelated to Microsoft's buyout of Nokia's devices and services unit, but the timing is rather convenient. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.        | | Purported iPhone 5S retail box leak shows silver ring around Home button Sep 8th 2013, 10:38, by Chris Smith 
The new iPhone won't be revealed for another 48 hours or so, but if you need a fix in the meantime, here are some alleged pictures of the retail box it'll arrive in. Chinese site C Tech posted the photos this weekend, sent by an unnamed tipster, claiming to showing the iPhone 5S name and the device in all its glory, running the new iOS 7 software. If the pics are real - and we have our doubts - it would confirm the expected iPhone 5S as the naming convention for the new handset. However, perhaps more interesting is the depiction of a silver ring around the iPhone's classic Home button, which has been rumoured in recent weeks. IntegralIt has long been speculated that the iPhone 5S' Home button will have an integrated fingerprint sensor, allowing users to unlock the device by placing a digit on the button rather than using a passcode. Previous reports have suggested the silver ring is simply there to distinguish those iPhones with the security tech and those without. However, an AppleInsider report this weekend speculated that the ring's addition is integral to the workings of the fingerprint sensor rather than an aesthetic choice. All will be revealed at the iPhone 5S launch event on Tuesday at Apple's Cupertino campus. In the meantime, do you reckon those photos are legit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.        | | INFLAME: Who's giving Android's KitKat the finger? Sep 8th 2013, 10:01, by Gary Cutlack 
The carefully laid SEO plans of thousands of tech sites were shredded by Google and Nestle this week, as the Android creator and the chocolate company formed an unlikely alliance to change the name of the next version of Android from 'Key Lime Pie' to 'KitKat'. When it was announced, amazement turned into... more amazement. Feelings then stayed as amazement. Everyone is still amazed. It's amazing. It's also completely ludicrous, as Google has now turned its world-beating mobile OS and covert advert delivery mechanism into one huge, very obvious ad for an admittedly quite nice chocolate bar. Apparently no money changed hands, although both will be expecting some serious returns thanks to the vast amount of marketing cash that'll be blown on promoting the name change, the competitions, the future phone updates and more. But did the internet give the shock Android name change one big chunky thumbs up, or did the commenters of the world hold up some slightly smaller fingers in response? Class actionOpinion has not been mixed on the matter. Virtually everyone is aghast. Google may as well have announced that the 'S' iteration of Android will be known as Sarin. Even on AdWeek, a site devoted to the marketing world, commenters were baffled. Michael Barnathan echoed the thoughts of many, saying: "I kept refreshing the page expecting the date to change to April 1." But it remains September. We've just, for the tenth time, refreshed it to make sure. And if you're planning on criticising the plan, make sure you keep the confectionery experts out there happy as well as the phone nerds, as Al Shaw on AdWeek complains that the site's report was an: "Awful bit of US centric reporting given that Kit-Kat is owned by Nestle and only produced under license in the US by Hershey. Do your research!" And you do yours as well, Al, as you have incorrectly hyphenated KitKat there. Wave the fingerOver on Wired, which rather led its readers down a certain path by having "WTF?" in its own headline, reader The Gnome wasn't happy with the new corporate dream team either, saying: "Good to see Google innovating on things like... er... more stupid Android names and even more fragmentation. I guess the fat chocolate eating nerds that buy their phones will eat this up though." A comment which was rightfully pulled up as being a bit dumb by ElyasM, who responded with: "As opposed to the gullible, elitist hipsters that buy iPhones? I'm not sure which stereotype is worse..." Eh? to ZIt also didn't take more than 30 seconds after the announcement for the history of Nestle to be called into question, a company which, alongside its joyous range of sugary snacks and convenience foods, has battled complaints about darker ethical dilemmas faced by some of its practises. But for fear of lawyers, they won't be repeated here. But there was on of the more baffling comment made by TechCrunch reader ElleryFamili who complained thusly: "I hate Google's decision to formally name their Android OS versions. How am I supposed to remember if eclair came before cupcake when dealing with QA issues." You'd think a QA person would be a bit more on the ball than that, as user KunalBhat politely and gently pointed out that: "It's alphabetical... 'e' comes after 'c'." Totally brokenSome people found it funny, though. In the minefield of YouTube comments, where no opinion is left unhad no matter how wrong or embarrassing, user Michael Atia revealed he enjoyed it and totally got the references in KitKat's satirical video, saying: "LOL... this is like the Apple keynote when the English guy (John Ive) is talking, similar music too!" to which Eric Santos responded with the classic "Thank you, Captain Obvious." YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKOrkLxOBoY       | | EU proposes flat rate for calls as mobile roaming saga rumbles on Sep 6th 2013, 16:45, by Chris Smith 
The ongoing struggle to eliminate mobile roaming charges in the EU will see new legislation put forward next week, proposing a flat rate for calls across the region. The new plans from Neelie Kroes, the European Commission's vice-president who speaks on digital affairs, aim to end the woes for travellers saddled with huge bills upon their return from travelling in the region. If the legislation is passed, it would force networks to offer the same rate for calls, texts and internet use as mobile users enjoy on their home turf. Effectively, it would create a single market for telecoms in the EU with a view to completely phasing out roaming by July 2014. Stiff oppositionNaturally, the proposals have been met with stiff opposition from Europe's largest networks, including Vodafone, Orange and Telefonica - the owner of O2 - according to a Guardian report. Eliminating the "cash cow" as Kroes puts it, could cost the networks £5.9 billion in lost revenue, with that cash instead being passed onto the customers. Back in June, the EU enforced cuts to roaming charges as well as caps on how much users could be charged, but these new initiatives could end the extra charges for good. Three UK has already by-passed the European red tape by offering its customers the same rates they enjoy in their homeland, in 7 countries around the world. Pay as you go customers aren't charged extra, while pay monthly customers are able to use their monthly allowance to make calls and texts and use the internet.   | | WIN! A year's Sky subscription, Sigma DSLR, Sony home theatre and more in our £10,000 giveaway Sep 6th 2013, 09:15, by TechRadar 
TechRadar's parent company Future is giving away a massive stash of tech worth £10,000 in our biggest ever prize draw. The prize pool includes a year's Sky+HD subscription, £2,000 Sigma D-SLR camera, Sony BDV-N590W home theatre system, a JVC GCXA1 Action Camera, Pure Jongo S3 and lots more gadgets besides. There's even a mountain bike and Garmin Edge 810 Bike Computer! There are 45 prizes which will all go to one lucky winner. To be in with a chance of winning, simply text the code TRR to 87474 (texts cost £1 plus standard rates of approx. 10-12p). Find out more at greatgadgetgiveaway.com   | |
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