| In Depth: Bring your Note 3 to the big screen Oct 14th 2013, 14:35, by Your Mobile Life 
Your Samsung GALAXY Note 3 gives you access to an amazing range of movies, multimedia and games, perfect for entertaining yourself when on the move. But when you're at home, you might prefer to enjoy this great content on a larger scale. What you want is a way to integrate the Note 3 into your living room, so you can experience music, movies and more on a larger screen and through bigger speakers, using your Note 3 to control everything from the comfort of the sofa. Thanks to the GALAXY Note 3's innovative design and features there are a number of ways to get more from your multimedia. In this guide we will look at the gadgets, apps and built-in features that can help you achieve lounge nirvana. 
Share and share alike Provided you have a compatible TV or media player, by far the easiest way to connect a GALAXY Note 3 to your TV is to use Samsung Link, a Samsung service that helps you to share and play content across your smart devices anytime and anywhere. Samsung created Samsung Link to make it even easier to share multimedia content between its range of electronic devices. Using Samsung Link you can connect the Note 3 (and other compatible Samsung GALAXY devices) to Samsung's Smart TVs and Blu-ray players, wirelessly. You can even use Samsung Link to connect to a Windows PC running the client software. 
If you don't own a recent Samsung Smart TV or Blu-ray player then help is at hand in the form of Samsung's AllShare Cast Wireless Hub. This smooth, pebble-like box plugs into your TV and acts as a wireless connector for your Note 3, allowing it to connect with almost any HDTV. By going into Settings > Connections > Screen Mirroring your TV, Blu-ray or AllShare Hub should appear as an available device for you to select and allow you to begin sharing. DLNA in the DNA DLNA is a technology for sending video and audio from electronic devices to a compatible TV and the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 supports it out of the box. While not as fully-featured as Samsung Link, it works well if all you want to do is watch a movie or show a photo slideshow that you can control from your Note 3. DLNA sharing is built into the Video Player app on the Note 3 – just select a display device from within the app and any compatible DLNA display on the same Wi-Fi network will appear as an option. After a few seconds of buffering both pictures and sound will be sent to the TV rather than the Note 3's screen and speakers. 
A wired solution – MHL Most of the devices and apps mentioned here use Wi-Fi but if you don't mind wires then there is a low-budget alternative available. The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 supports the MHL protocol for connecting to an HD display via an HDMI cable. By attaching the Samsung MHL 2.0 Smart Adapter to the micro USB port (the same port you use to charge the phone or sync with a PC or Mac) you can plug in a standard HDMI lead from your TV and mirror the display of the Note 3 onto almost any HD-ready TV. The HDMI adapter requires its own micro USB power supply, which will also keep the Note 3 juiced up while you watch. This can plug in directly to the mains, but many TVs now support power over USB so you can simply connect it to a spare USB port at the back of the TV. Once connected, the TV will display exactly what is on the screen of the phone. By rotating the Note 3 you can get a full HD widescreen display – ideal for viewing photos, playing videos with stereo or surround sound or even playing games using either the Note 3's screen as a controller or a gamepad connected via Bluetooth. 
The audiophile's choice – Sonos wireless audio If you care more about the music on your GALAXY Note 3 than watching videos or browsing photos, you may not want to listen to it through your TV. For audiophiles who have spent time assembling their own Hi-Fi sound system with hand-picked components and even specially-made speaker cables, Sonos Connect is an easy way to play music from your Note 3 through your gear, wirelessly. Sonos Connect is a wireless device that connects to your stereo, Hi-Fi or home theatre set-up using standard digital, analogue or optical audio connectors and then to your Note 3 using Wi-Fi. You can control the playback of your music as well as sound levels using the free Sonos Controller app from Google Play. The app also allows easy streaming of thousands of internet radio stations and services like Spotify, Last.fm and Rdio. 
Google's little helper – Chromecast Google's forthcoming Chromecast dongle takes a slightly different approach to getting multimedia onto your TV using your Note 3. Rather than letting the Note 3 do all the work, this nifty little device slots into one of the HDMI ports on your TV and uses its own Wi-Fi connection and CPU to fetch content for you – freeing the Note 3 up to do other things once you have chosen what to watch. Compatible apps such as YouTube and Netflix offer support for streaming to the dongle. Chromecast is lacking a UK release date at the moment, although it is expected to launch in the next few months. 
House of the future – Samsung HomeSync Another device that is yet to receive a UK release date, but one we are particularly looking forward to. HomeSync is the innovative new media-streaming hub from Samsung that promises to act as a complete multimedia helper for your lounge. The HomeSync box plugs into your TV and connects to your home Wi-Fi. Using this, it can talk to the Note 3 – or other Samsung devices such as the GALAXY Note 8.0 – as well as accessing the internet directly to surf the web and stream video from third party services like YouTube. You can stream video, music and games straight from the Note 3 and HomeSync will display them at full 1080p resolution on your HDTV, also allowing you to use the Note 3 as a remote control or gamepad. HomeSync also supports using your phone as a motion-sensitive 'mouse', making it ideal for web surfing on the big screen. The Note 3's screen can even act as a touchpad to make it easy to play touch-centric games. HomeSync supports screen mirroring so almost any app running on the Note 3 can be used on the big screen. The HomeSync box will come with 1TB of local storage that you can fill up with your photos and videos as well as downloaded movies. Finally, the HomeSync app for the GALAXY Note 3 will automatically upload your files, and it supports up to eight login IDs for the whole family so you don't get your personal content mixed up.        |  | Create must-share Animated Photos on your GALAXY Note 3 or GALAXY S4 Oct 14th 2013, 13:38, by Your Mobile Life 
The animated GIF is one of the more unlikely successes of the internet age. Originally appearing way back in 1987 (ancient times in internet terms) this steadfastly unglamorous graphics file format has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity, becoming something of a web icon. That's for two reasons: firstly, because it's compatible with just about any device; and, secondly, because it supports animations. Yes, we've all seen them: those funny little videos on an endlessly repeating short loop, typified by a static background with just one small animated part. Generally created for comic effect – say, when a speechifying politician gets stuck in an embarrassing sequence of facial expressions, or a small animal makes a sudden and unexpected move, repeated ad infinitum. Animated GIFs, then, are the sorts of things you check out and think: "That's great – I wish I could make one." Well, guess what? You can! Very easily and on the go. Because all you need is a Samsung GALAXY S4 or Note 3. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g7oIXweg_s&feature=youtu.beStep 1: Select your subjectNot everything translates into an animated GIF: what you're essentially looking for is a scene in which either lots of things are moving, or just one thing. It doesn't matter if you don't have the perfect scene to start with – if you haven't made one before, it's a good plan to get some practice in, so that you know what to do when the perfect GIF-fodder arrives. But you do need at least one element in your pictures that moves. In this case, we had an ideal subject at hand: our cute little Boston terrier, Dolly. Unfortunately, Boston terriers are renowned for never standing still or posing as their owners might desire, so the resulting Animated Photos aren't exactly likely to become internet memes. However, you must admit she is cute… 
Step 2: Select Animated photo When you've spotted some likely-looking subject-matter, capturing it as raw material for an Animated Photo is simplicity itself on a GALAXY Note 3 or S4. All you need to do is launch the camera, touch the Mode button, and scroll to the "Animated photo" option. Now, set up your shot – framing is always important with an animated GIF – and when you're ready, hit the Shutter button. At this point, it's crucial that you hold your GALAXY device steady – the Animated Photo will record for a predetermined time, as if it were a video, and for it to work best, there should be a steady frame of reference around the moving elements. 
Step 3: View your animated area(s) Once your Animated Photo has been recorded, you'll find your GALAXY device instantly enters a mode which allows you to edit it into something more interesting than a mere video. Indeed, the "Animated photo" mode has an inbuilt intelligence, so that when you look at your Animated Photo, you will notice a lightened area of the screen. This is where it has detected movement. 
Step 4: Edit your animated area(s) and set static area(s) Of course, you probably only want one part of your Animated Photo to move. So you need to pay close attention to that particular area of the frame (obviously, watching the animation play in its entirety, which it does automatically, helps). Once you've spotted your animated area, simply rub the other lightened parts of the screen with your finger so they become greyed-out. Now just the lightened area will support movement. Since you're dealing with a touchscreen, you can have several animated areas, if you want. If there's a lot of movement going on in your frame, and you want to freeze one particular area instead, that's easily done. At the top of the screen are two menu items: Animate and Freeze. Animate is selected by default. But to Freeze an area instead, just hit Freeze, then paint that area of the screen with your finger. 
Step 5: Trim your animation Once you're happy with the various moving and static parts of your animation, it's time to trim it down. Animated GIFs should be short and snappy, and the best ones have a jerky quality, which gives them a wonderful incongruity between the real-life photos and puppet-style animation. To the left, towards the bottom of the screen, you will see a scissors icon, labelled Trim. Hit this, and a frame-by-frame progression appears across the bottom of the screen. 
Trimming is a simple process: at the extreme left and extreme right of the sequence of frames are two grey arrow-shaped objects. Think of these as buffers. Move the right one towards the left, and it excludes all the frames to its right; the same principle applies to the left one. Move them around until you've got to the core of your Animated Photo: a short, preferably jerky and hilarious-looking sequence. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvAm6CHXuuk&feature=youtu.beStep 6: Set your direction and you're good to go!With the essence of your Animated Photo created, there's one more thing you can do: set it to perpetually play forwards in a loop, backwards in a loop, or backwards then forwards in a loop. To do this, simply hit the Direction button towards the bottom-right of the screen, and select your preferred option. Hit Save, and you're good to go!        | | In Depth: Stress Testing the GALAXY S4 Active Oct 14th 2013, 13:13, by Your Mobile Life 
The rugged Samsung GALAXY S4 Active is the ideal all-action, peak-performance smartphone for ramblers, mountain bikers, sailors and fans of extreme sports. Not only that, this durable, dust-proof and water resistant phone is the ideal smartphone for the terminally clumsy! Toddler dropped your phone in the toilet? Hey, no problem! The GALAXY S4 Active can be submerged in up to a metre of water for a full thirty minutes. Here are another ten everyday situations in which the GALAXY S4 Active proves to be nothing less than a godsend 
Situation 1: The Beer TestThe first stress test does double duty as an amazing practical joke. The execution is simple: you need a pub, a couple of not-too-tech-savvy mates, and a pint. Making sure that the charging port on the GALAXY S4 Active is sealed (as you'll look a right fool if it's not), casually drop your phone into your ice-cold beverage of choice. Your mates, if all goes well, will freak out that you've just ruined your shiny new smartphone, which will make them look a bit thick when you casually continue sipping. Added points for downing the drink, then licking leftover froth off your phone!
Situation 2: Let's Get MuddySadly, the world isn't just filled with beautiful, amber-clear liquids; there's mud and grit out there too. The GALAXY S4 Active's IP67 rating equips it to handle this big, nasty world; but you don't need to just take our word for it. One thing to look forward to from our lovely British winter is the fact that you'll find the S4 Active stands up rather well to muddy puddles – you know, the sort that mountain bikers love to splash passers-by with. But now there's nothing you need to worry about (other than getting your trousers dirty). 
Situation 3: Sauna TimeThe S4 Active isn't just equipped to handle wet and dirty conditions though; it's also capable of performing perfectly well in extremely hot and cold environments. To test the former, why not try out a quick sauna. Even in the baking heat of a hot wooden shed, the S4 Active will outlast any mere mortal. Though watch out for those disapproving glances from the other members of your gym! 
Situation: Chill OutNothing does stress testing like going from the extremes of hot to the extremes of cold (fun fact: this is how the military stress-test the electronics that get bolted onto fighter jets). Chill-testing the S4 Active is both easy and rather pleasant (in warmer weather, at least): a couple of bags of ice, a bucket and the handset in question are all that's needed to prove that the S4 Active would handle the ski slopes with aplomb. Added bonus: once you've let the GALAXY S4 Active get hypothermic for a half-hour or so, there's ice left over for Pimms. Stress testing is very stressful, after all… 
Situation 4: The BeachMost smartphones are 50% silicone; so are the sand grains adorning Spain's lily-white beaches, but that doesn't mean that they'll play nicely together. To prove that the GALAXY S4 Active is a few smarts above other smartphones, a simple test is in order: a variation on the classic seven-year-old's sandcastle, but with the S4 Active acting as a neat supporting buttress in the very centre. Just remember to rescue it before the tide washes the whole thing away! Once it's free of the sand, the GALAXY S4 Active will go straight back to normal (which is more than you'll be able to say for your beach towel). 
Situation 6: The Power WashPower-washing your patio is once of those horribly boring chores that can be made infinitely better by the misuse of expensive power tools. Case in point: proving the GALAXY S4 Active's water resistance by giving it a thorough cleaning, but with a high-pressure power hose rather than a gentle microfibre cloth. (Again, remembering to close that charging port is probably a good idea). 
Situation 7: Underwater PhotographyThe GALAXY S4 Active doesn't merely survive underwater; it keeps humming along just fine. A good way to prove this is to take the S4 Active on a little stroll down to the swimming pool. Not only does the S4 Active stand up to a swim, but thanks to the exclusive Aqua Mode, you can keep on a-snappin' with that 8-megapixel shooter till the, erm, fish come home. 
Situation 8: The Dog BoneThe execution of "Doggie Feeding Time", as this particular test is known, is pretty darn simple: just pull up an image of a juicy, slobber-ridden bone on that 5-inch Full HD screen, plonk it in front of Fido, and hey presto, your dog's got a new chew toy, and you've got a perfect stress test. A dog's mouth is a double threat for the S4 Active – circuit-killer slobber oozing from saliva glands, and those sharp canines just begging to put a hole in expensive consumer electronics. Thankfully, the S4 Active passes both tests – the waterproofing keeps that nasty drool at bay, and hey, Gorilla Glass 2 is named after an animal for a reason. (Please note: while all the other tests here are based on thorough testing of the S4 Active, this one is purely theoretical - we didn't really give our S4 Active to a dog, and we don't seriously recommend that you do either!). 
Situation 9: The FestivalLab tests aren't any good without fieldwork; and for that, we hasten unto Glastonbury, which probably holds the record for "easiest place on Earth to ruin a fancy bit of technology." With mud, enthusiastic ravers and portable toilets to contend with, any festival is a challenge for a phone. But the S4 Active is a perfect festival phone. As we showed above, mud's no real problem; and as for the toilets, well, that IP67 rating should keep the smell out. We hope. Added bonus: the orange model is pretty easy to spot in a crowd. 
Situation 10: The Toddler TestIf there's one test that should surpass all others, it's giving an expensive bit of electronics to a toddler. You probably wouldn't trust your little tyke with a regular S4 – imagine the potential for crayon-encrusted Gorilla Glass, or ice cream pushed just so down the headphone port. The S4 Active, though, should be fine for a few minutes' unsupervised playtime. That IP67 rating, as well as keeping water and dust at bay, should keep all manner of yoghurt, finger paint and other fluids out; while the Gorilla Glass 2 will stand up to even the most serious Lego attacks.        | | Update 3 for Windows Phone 8 launches with big screen support Oct 14th 2013, 12:05, by John McCann 
We've heard whisperings on the web that Update 3 for Windows Phone 8 was imminent and now Microsoft has officially spilled the beans on the new software. Top of the billing is support for larger displays with the update enabling manufacturers to throw Windows Phone 8 onto handsets sporting screens up to 6 inches in size (previously they were limited to 5 inches). With those bigger screens also comes support for full HD 1080p resolutions, meaning future Windows Phones will be able to tackle the likes of the Galaxy S4 and LG G2 as well as the 'phablet' army including the One Max, Note 3 and Xperia Z Ultra. Quadruple the powerThat's right, Update 3 really is a big deal for Microsoft and Windows Phone, as it now also bring in quad-core processor support - although it's only compatible with Qualcomm's 8974 chip. This will allow handsets to operate more smoothly and run more applications and processes at the same time, resulting in a better user experience. The first handset tipped to rock a plus size screen and quad-core processor is the Nokia Lumia 1520, which we expect to launch next week at Nokia World on October 22. While this is all well and good for future handsets, current Windows Phone 8 toting devices won't be benefiting from these advancements - luckily there is more to Update 3. More, more, moreMicrosoft has introduced a new Driving Mode in Update 3, which when enabled will allow you to focus on driving by limiting the amount of notifications you'll be alerted to while on the move. New internet sharing options means when you enable the Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone and pair it via Bluetooth to a Windows 8.1 PC or tablet it you can connect to the network without having to enter your password. There are numerous smaller tweaks and enhancements which come in Update 3, including improved Bluetooth connections, better storage management, a range of new, more useful ringtones and a screen rotation lock option. Update 3 for Windows Phone 8 will be rolling out to devices over the coming months - kicking off in the next few weeks.        | | Early view: HTC One Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra Oct 14th 2013, 11:28, by Thomas Thorn 
So, today is the day that we have all been sat waiting for. The talk of trios and leaked imagery are now behind us as the HTC One Max has been officially announced, joining the HTC One and the HTC One Mini. The HTC One Max is launching into an ever increasingly crowded market, one that was arguably started by the original Samsung Galaxy Note. With the latest iteration the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 having recently been launched, and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra just around the corner, where does that leave the HTC One Max? HTC One Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra: OSWith there being little other OS to speak of in the phablet market, the OS of choice for all three phablets is Android. The HTC One Max manages to sneak alongside the Galaxy Note 3, as it comes packing Android 4.3 with Sense 5.5 laid over the top, giving access to the likes of the revamped HTC BlinkFeed. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with Samsung's proprietary TouchWiz overlay, and as for the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, it comes with Android 4.2 and Sony's TimeScape overlain. HTC One Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra: ScreenThe screen of any phablet is bound to be the talking point, if only for the sheer size that these devices offer. The HTC One Max comes packing a 5.9-inch Full HD screen with 367ppi, making it a whole 0.2 inches larger than the Korean offering. The Samsung Galaxy Note coming in at only 5.7 inches, with a 1080 x 1920 Full HD Super AMOLED display. This means that it comes with 386ppi. By far the biggest of the bunch though, is the 6.44-inch screen that comes on the face of the Xperia Z Ultra. That does mean that the pixel density comes in at 342ppi, but is backed up with Sony's Triluminous display. HTC One Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra: ProcessorOut of all the three processors on offer, the HTC One Max comes in at the smallest. Qualcomm's older Snapdragon 600 processor is sat underneath, giving the One Max a respectable 1.7GHz quad-core inside. To aid this, HTC has put in 2GB of RAM. The Galaxy Note 3 and the Xperia Z Ultra are both packing larger processors, the upgraded Snapdragon 800 chip. This is clocked at 2.2GHz in the Sony, with the Koreans edging out the Japanese by a whole 0.1GHz, at 2.3. The Galaxy Note 3 also packs in the largest amount of RAM, with a whopping 3GB making it the most powerful smartphone in the world. This dwarfs both the 2GB found in the One Max and Xperia Z Ultra. HTC One Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra: CameraOne of the hottest topics when it comes to modern smartphones is the camera tech sat inside them. Of the most interesting was probably the UltraPixel technology that first graced the HTC One. Thankfully this has also made its way over to the HTC One Max. HTC Zoe is also on the HTC One Max, coming with Sequence Shot, Always Smile and Object removal. You'll be pleased to know that the HTC One max does also come with a forward facing camera, although it would be sacrilege not to, measured at 2.1MP. Both cameras are able to record in Full HD. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with a whopping 13MP, technically making it the biggest camera out of the three, although the front facing camera is only 2MP, making it the joint smallest with the Sony. Samsung's many photo modes are included in the Galaxy Note 3, with Beauty Face, Best Photo and Drama modes being included. The interesting Sound and Shot mode is also popped on. Again, recording can be done in Full HD. The Sony Xperia Z only packs in an 8MP camera, although that is backed up with the Exmore RS sensor that has made its way onto many Sony Xperia handsets of late. As with both the HTC and the Samsung, Full HD video recording is supported. HTC One Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra: Battery LifeBattery life is also something that is looked at quite heavily these days. Out of the three, the HTC One Max comes in with a fairly respectable 3300mAh battery. This means that there is a quoted 3G talk time of 25 hours, with 585 hours of 3G standby time. Samsung's Note 3 comes in with a whole 3200mAh battery, making it slightly smaller. This is also reflected in the call time, giving it only 21 hours 3G talk and 420 hours standby. As for the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, it comes in with the smallest battery size. This is measured at only 3000mAh, giving it the smallest talk time at only 16 hours. However, the standby time is far more impressive, measured at 820 hours. That's over 34 day, apparently. HTC One Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra: StorageComing in 16 and 32GB options, the HTC One Max comes with a fair amount of storage. It also differs from the HTC One in one key feature, microSD support. HTC has said that there will be support for up to 64GB, meaning a whopping 96GB is potentially on offer. Samsung has long supported microSD, meaning that the 16 and 32GB that is on offer is also backed up by another 64GB. The Sony Xperia Z Ultra comes with only 16GB of storage, putting it in line with the lowest storage options of the HTC and the Samsung. There is no 32GB model, however. Thankfully, 64GB of microSD is supported, so you're not left wanting. HTC One Max vs Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra: Dimensions and WeightSize wise, the HTC One Max comes in at 164.5 x 82.5 x 10.29mm, weighing 217g. This makes it the heaviest of the three, although some of that heft can be put down to the fact that is the only phablet of the three with an aluminium chassis. The lightest and smallest of the three is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, with a weight of only 168g. Vital statistics put it at 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3mm. With the largest screen, it is unsurprising that the Sony Xperia Ultra is the largest of the three. Measuring in at 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5mm, it also manages to keep the weight lower than the HTC, at 212g        | | More evidence that the Samsung Galaxy S5 chip aims to ape the iPhone 5S Oct 14th 2013, 11:25, by Thomas Thorn 
New rumors are again suggesting that the 64-bit chip that sits in the iPhone 5S will be joined by a 64-bit chip inside the Samsung Galaxy S5. More speculation coming out of Korea appears to back up previous suggestions that the Galaxy S5 might launch a lot earlier in the product cycle than previous Galaxy handsets. Could a January release really be on the cards? Naver also goes into a little more detail, giving away that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will come with a 64-bit Exynos processor, as well as an upgraded 16MP camera. 64-bit phones are the future?Qualcomm recently retracted statements that called the iPhone 5S' 64-bit chip a 'gimmick', which may suggest that it is traveling down that rout itself. With the 64-bit chip looking likely then, today's rumors also shed a little light on some other features that might show up in the final Galaxy S5 model. We hope you still have enough room for a little more salt in your diet, as other suggestions are that a 16MP camera will appear, meaning that the upgraded 13MP sensors that we've heard about might only be the beginning. Naver also hints at a fingerprint scanner, which wouldn't seem too unlikely given that the HTC One Max just arrived with one - just like the iPhone 5S.   | | Sense 5.5 heading to HTC One in 'coming weeks' Oct 14th 2013, 11:18, by Kate Solomon 
The Sense 5.5 update will be rolled out to the HTC One at some point in the next few weeks, HTC has confirmed. That means that the HTC One will get the more social, personalised Blinkfeed, with the ability to add in RSS feeds and other content you fancy, and improved Video Highlights that are currently only found on the HTC One Max. HTC Zoe has had some love in the Sense 5.5 software, with a revamped interface making it easier to find highlight reels, as well as the ability to add any music you have stored on the phone. Animation stationsBig news for Buzzfeeders: you can also make animated GIFs once the new software lands on your phone. Blinkfeed's updates include new integration with "premium content" from Instagram and Google+ as well as offline viewing of up to 120 articles at a time. HTC told us that the Sense 5.5 features "will be coming to the One family in the coming weeks" - so keep your eyes peeled for an update if you're the proud owner of an HTC One or HTC One Mini.        | | Reaction: TechRadar Reacts: HTC One Max Oct 14th 2013, 10:36, by TechRadar 
The HTC One Max hasn't so much arrived as stomped on to the scene with its giant 5.9-inch screen and iPhone 5S-aping fingerprint scanner. So is big beautiful or baffling? Can a Snapdragon 600 processor provide enough grunt to last you the next two years? Can the battery realistically keep up with that giant full HD screen? - For more in-depth thoughts on the handset, check out our hands on HTC One Max review: coming soon.
Gareth - Phones and Tablets EditorHTC has clearly made a phone to tick a box here. The One Max offers nothing that the One didn't have apart from a larger screen and battery. It's not a bad phone since it's based on such a good model, but there's definitely a missed opportunity here. HTC seems to have done the minimum amount possible to serve the Asian market. The fingerprint scanner is almost farcically bad compared with Apple's refined and integrated offering and, because the handset is likely to command a higher price and its new Blinkfeed and Gallery features are coming to the One in the near future, it's hard to recommend the One Max despite it initially looking so impressive. Knee-jerk score: 3 Follow Gareth on Twitter John - Phones and Tablets Writer (UK)The One Max announcement has surprised no one, but I'm still intrigued by this handset. A larger One with a microSD slot and a fancy fingerprint scanner makes it an appealing proposition - yet I fear its size and especially its weight (at 217g/7.5oz) is going to make it an unwieldy device in the hand. What the One Max will do is give the Galaxy Note 3 some stiff competition, and from first impressions it's a better looking smartphone and one I'd be tempted to pick up. Knee-jerk score: 4
Follow John on Twitter Kate - News Editor (UK)Looks nice, sounds nice, smells nice (probably) but the HTC One Max is too big. Way too big. As the old saying goes, if I wanted to use a tablet as a phone, I'd buy a tablet and use it as a phone. Knee-jerk score: 3
Follow Kate on Twitter Hugh - Staff Writer (UK)I'm still not sold on the whole phablet idea but after spending a lot more time with the Galaxy Note 3, I'm coming around to it. The HTC One Max looks like it could be another one to win me over to more sizeable handsets, but it's the fingerpint sensor I'm most intrigued by. I certainly wasn't a fan of what the LG G2 did with putting its volume and power buttons on the reverse, but given that my middle finger tends to rest there, it might make a lot of sense. At least the volume buttons are staying where they belong. It's a bit of a shame it's not coming with the Snapdragon 800, but life goes on. Knee-jerk score: 3.5
Follow Hugh on Twitter Patrick - Editor in Chief (UK)I've always been a bit split about phablets anyway - but I have to admit that the envy I feel for Note 3 users simply will not transfer to the HTC One Max. Why not? Taking the HTC One shell and making it bigger must have seemed like a good idea at the outset, but it actually leaves the Max with significant problems. It's too heavy, too chunky and the addition of a removable battery cover makes it feel less premium. A real shame. Knee-jerk score: 3
Follow Patrick on Twitter Kane - Staff Writer (UK)After nearly picking up a HTC One but instead opting for a Note 2 last year, I don't think I'll be able to resist the HTC One Max's larger-than-life charm this time around. Its gorgeous chrome-tinged phablet body has drawn out my magpie tendencies, and I can imagine its monstrous battery, which beats the Note 2's, being all kinds of useful. My only concern is that at 5.9in/15cm and 7.5oz/217g it may be a bit too cumbersome to be comfortable, so I'll reserve judgment until I've given it a try. Knee-jerk score: 4
Follow Kane on Twitter Total knee-jerk score out of five: 3.41Sure we're maxin' but we're also relaxin' all cool with these other reactions for your enjoyment:        | | HTC One Max officially announced with 5.9-inch display Oct 14th 2013, 10:09, by John McCann 
It's not exactly the most surprising news of the year, but the HTC One Max has been officially unveiled - giant screen and all. The numerous rumors, leaks and speculation over the past months seem to have been pretty much on money, with the headlining feature of the One Max being its 5.9-inch, full HD display. Other goodies include Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 processor (which is a slight disappointment as we were hoping for the newer 800 model), a 1.7GHz quad-core chip backed up 2GB of RAM and the choice of 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. There's good news for expandable storage fans too, as unlike the HTC One, the rear of the One Max can be removed providing access to a microSD slot. Give it the fingerRather interestingly the HTC One Max is the second smartphone this year, after the iPhone 5S, to sport a fingerprint scanner - although it's placed on the rear of the device instead of the front. We're not sure how easy that's going to make usage. Other features included the same Ultrapixel rear camera as found on the One, 2.1MP front facing camera, NFC, 4G and a 3300mAh non-removable battery. It comes running Android 4.3 and HTC's new Sense 5.5 overlay, while the full metal chassis measures a palm stretching 164.5 x 82.5 x 10.29mm and weights a hefty 217g. In terms of a HTC One Max release date the handset will be available globally between the middle and end of October - although exact dates for regions are yet to be confirmed. There's currently no word on a One Max price, but considering its specifications you can be sure it's going to be at the top end of the scale.   | | HTC One Max officially announced with 5.9-inch display Oct 14th 2013, 10:09, by John McCann
It's not exactly the most surprising news of the year, but the HTC One Max has been officially unveiled - giant screen and all. The numerous rumours, leaks and speculation over the past months seem to have been pretty much on money, with the headlining feature of the One Max being its 5.9-inch, full HD display. Other goodies include Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 processor (which is a slight disappointment as we were hoping for the newer 800 model), a 1.7GHz quad-core chip backed up 2GB of RAM and the choice of 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. There's good news for expandable storage fans too, as unlike the HTC One, the rear of the One Max can be removed providing access to a microSD slot. Give it the fingerRather interestingly the HTC One Max is the second smartphone this year, after the iPhone 5S, to sport a fingerprint scanner - although it's placed on the rear of the device instead of the front. We're not sure how easy that's going to make usage. Other features included the same Ultrapixel rear camera as found on the One, 2.1MP front facing camera, NFC, 4G and a 3300mAh non-removable battery. It comes running Android 4.3 and HTC's new Sense 5.5 overlay, while the full metal chassis measures a palm stretching 164.5 x 82.5 x 10.29mm and weights a hefty 217g. In terms of a HTC One Max release date the handset will be available globally between the middle and end of October - although exact dates for regions are yet to be confirmed. There's currently no word on a One Max price, but considering its specifications you can be sure it's going to be at the top end of the scale.        | | Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 update leaks, should be out soon Oct 14th 2013, 09:46, by Kate Solomon 
The Android 4.3 update should be making its way to the Samsung Galaxy S4 soon given that a near-final version of the software has made its way into the world. Sammobile has worked out how you can try the Samsung-sanctioned update for yourself ahead of its official roll out. The firmware is dated October 8 so it's basically what R Kelly would describe as hot and fresh out the kitchen. Tall treeS4 users can install the leaked software update by following the instructions over on Sammobile but be warned that you do so at your own risk and you could well end up wiping all your data and bricking your handset. Once Samsung is happy with the software, network-free Galaxy S4s should receive the update fairly quickly; locked handsets will have to hang on until the networks give the go ahead. - That's all well and good but we're ready for a new version of Android to launch - good job Android 4.4 KitKat is likely to be unveiled later this week.
  | | Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.3 update leaks, should be out soon Oct 14th 2013, 09:46, by Kate Solomon
The Android 4.3 update should be making its way to the Samsung Galaxy S4 soon given that a near-final version of the software has made its way into the world. Sammobile has worked out how you can try the Samsung-sanctioned update for yourself ahead of its official roll out. The firmware is dated October 8 so it's basically what R Kelly would describe as hot and fresh out the kitchen. Tall treeS4 users can install the leaked software update by following the instructions over on Sammobile but be warned that you do so at your own risk and you could well end up wiping all your data and bricking your handset. Once Samsung is happy with the software, network-free Galaxy S4s should receive the update fairly quickly; locked handsets will have to hang on until the networks give the go ahead. - That's all well and good but we're ready for a new version of Android to launch - good job Android 4.4 KitKat is likely to be unveiled later this week.
       | | Android 4.4 KitKat may bring 'always listening' feature to phones Oct 14th 2013, 09:42, by Hugh Langley 
One of the Moto X's headline acts is its "always listening" feature and it doesn't look like Google was just throwing it out as a one-time thing. A leaked build of Android 4.4 KitKat running on a Nexus 5 suggests that it will come packing the same feature. While its been available via Google Search until now, KitKat could see this moved to the forefront. The function would work with an "Ok Google Now" voice command, or even just a simple "Ok Google" as the leaker claims to have made work from the home screen. Wakey wakeyAs with the Moto X, we suspect you'll be able to switch the feature off, meaning the NSA-fearers among you needn't start panicking. Right now it's not clear whether it will also function when the phone is asleep. Plus, it's worth nothing that this will probably also have certain hardware requirements as well, so this ability may just be limited to the Nexus 5 for now. What's more, Android Police reports a new launcher called Google Experience will be arriving on Android 4.4, so this could all be tied together. Right now though, it's all smoke and mirrors. But it won't be long to wait, as Android 4.4 KitKat will arrive later this month.        | | HTC One Max getting more official by the day Oct 14th 2013, 09:26, by Thomas Thorn 
With all of the HTC talk being of famous trio's, the upcoming HTC One Max is getting less secretive by the second. Maybe we're jumping the gun a little here, but our calculator says that adding the latest leak of HTC One Max photographs to previous rumors and reports of a mid-October event, does indeed make something that looks a lot like super sized handset coming our way soon. Today's image leak comes courtesy of Chinese site Xuite, and shows the heavily rumored phablet in all its official looking glory. 
Beats Audio Missing?Although Beats Audio has been heavily rumored to come on the HTC One Max, but today's images are very short of any branding. Then again, there is lack of any official battery status or safety certifications, all missing from the bottom of the One Max. 
Design wise, the HTC One Max looks set to complete the trio, being an up scaled version of the HTC One, with the same plastic outline that we first saw on the HTC One Mini. Other rumors appear to be holding true, though, with the large black fingerprint scanner sat just below the camera. Can the HTC One Max really give the iPhone 5S a run for its money here? 
       | | How to track your smartphone data usage in Australia Oct 14th 2013, 05:27, by Darren Yates 
Watch any of the 6:30pm current affairs shows and you'll see that people getting caught out by expensive smartphone bills - often called bill shock - is quite common. Provided you stay in Australia and don't do any international roaming where the bills skyrocket, it's actually pretty easy to keep track of your data usage through Android apps. Unfortunately, not all phones come with an app for this built in, as it generally depends on the phone provider. While more recent versions of Android - since version 4.0 do let you track data, older phones running Android 2.3 don't. However, most of the major Australian telcos have apps on the Android Market that will help you monitor your usage. Know your limitsThe key with all of these is to make sure you know what your monthly data limit is. Because the telcos offer different data limits on different plans, it's up to you to know your limit and stick within it to avoid any nasty surprises at the end of the month. Unfortunately, not all telcos have official apps and those that do aren't always as good as some of the user-created versions. Android users can grab data usage apps from the Play store for Telstra, Optus, Virgin, Vodafone and Amaysim.        | | LG Flex shows off its curves in new renders Oct 14th 2013, 05:06, by Farrha Khan 
A new report is showing off the LG Flex – or G Flex - in three press renders, boasting a more detailed view of the curved smartphone. Engadget purportedly obtained the press renders of the 6-inch smartphone, which is set to go head to head with the Samsung Galaxy Round. LG previously confirmed that the new OLED panel will be 0.44mm thin and weigh just 7.2g, "even with a 6-inch screen", lending further proof to the Flex's rumored size. The flexible panel will use plastic substrates instead of glass, allowing it to be bendable and "unbreakable". Engadget's sources are also saying that the new smartphone will be ready for launch next month, which isn't the first time November has been named for the LG Flex's launch. Though nothing official has come from LG in terms of pricing and availability for the Flex, LG has already confirmed that a 6-inch curved OLED display and curved batteries are already in production, so a November launch may not be too far off the mark. The right kind of curveWhile both Samsung and LG have competing curved smartphones readying to be launched, the above renders show again that LG may be curving differently to Samsung. Earlier rumors for the LG showed a similar designed, where the Flex is curved from the top to bottom, essentially curving from the ear to jaw if you were to hold it to your ear. Samsung's competing curved smartphone, the recently announced Galaxy Round, curves from the left to right, hugging around your cheek if held up to your face to take a call. The question then becomes: which will be more comfortable and organic to hold? Until LG releases official photos and, more importantly, we get hands-on time with both curvy phones, we won't truly know.        | | Forget cookies, accelerometers could be a potent tracking tool too Oct 13th 2013, 19:08, by Chris Smith 
The accelerometer motion sensors within most smartphones could potentially be used to track the web activity of individual device owners, it has been claimed. Stanford University phD student Hristo Bojinov says that because the accelerometers work 'imperfectly' they provide a unique ID when idle. That's potentially enough for advertisers to follow users around the web. According to Bojinov, the method is similar to the 'cookie' files that are used to track web activity, except, unlike cookies, the accelerometer data cannot to switched off or disabled by the user. The researcher said he was unaware of whether marketeers or advertisers had already exploited the loophole, but would be surprised if the possibility wasn't already being investigated. See for yourself...The 'alarming' discovery is part of research investigated whether the various sensors sitting within smartphones can be used for tracking purposes and will be published in the coming months. To illustrate its findings, the team of researchers has set up a website, showing users how they can generate their unique sensor ID data. The method involves navigating to the Sensor-ID.com site, touching the screen, flipping it face down and flipping it back to reveal the identifying numbers. Repeating the experiment generates identical (or very similar numbers). "People need to consider the whole system when they think about privacy," Bjinov told the SFGate site.        | | Alleged Nexus 5 hands on video leaves less to the imagination than Miley Oct 13th 2013, 17:02, by Chris Smith 
A hands on video posted to YouTube this weekend apparently gives us the clearest look yet at the forthcoming Google Nexus 5 from LG. The 7-minute clip, posted by french site smartphone.sfr.fr, puts what appears to be an earlier prototype version (there's no 'Nexus' branding on the back as in other leaks) of the device through its paces. The video shows the Android build as Key Lime Pie (since renamed Android KitKat), offering more evidence that this leak probably isn't the most recent version of the device. However, rather than focus on what's not there, there's plenty to enjoy in the lengthy hands-on clip. The video shows the device's lockscreen, homescreen and the app drawer while taking a look at the Chrome, YouTube, Camera, Calendar, Google Keep, Google Earth and the Google Play store. Coming soon?The Nexus 5, which is expected to be officially unveiled alongside Android KitKat at a yet-to-be-announced event within the next week or so, has appeared plenty of times over the last few months in leaked photos. This is the first time we've seen the device showcased on video, so dive in and take a look for yourselves. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ksOJl0PDDg       | |
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