| App updates tease arrival of Android 4.4 KitKat and Nexus 5? Oct 30th 2013, 10:50, by Thomas Thorn 
With numerous Google apps all being updated, it seems there is something brewing over at Mountain View, something that could give us a bit of a break. Nearly all of the Google suite of apps are gaining updates, with that number currently sitting at 16, an increase from the original 12 that were spotted. This could signal the imminent arrival of Android 4.4 KitKat, the OS update that we are heavily expecting to launch alongside the LG-built Google Nexus 5, and perhaps the new Nexus 10 tablet. App updates usually pass by unnoticed, but when 16 updates are all being spotted at once, there's definitely something fishy going on. 
Is this apocalyptic news?These updates have also not rolled out to devices, and there are no change logs (just an updated date in the Play Store), so what is Google waiting for? The easiest and most obvious answer here is Android 4.4 KitKat. We're all starting to get excited, as November 1 is a date that has been touted, and that is the day after tomorrow. We'd bet all our savings on this launching alongside at least one Nexus device: the Nexus 5.        |  | Apple concedes that the battery life is dodgy on some iPhone 5Ses Oct 30th 2013, 10:02, by Kate Solomon 
If you've noticed that your iPhone 5S battery is quick to drain and slow to charge, you could be the owner of one of "a very limited number" of handsets that has a battery defect. Apple has conceded that some of the new iPhones have a problem with their batteries, although it's not saying how many are affected beyond "a very limited number". The company's spokeswoman, Teresa Brewer, told the NYT, "We recently discovered a manufacturing issue affecting a very limited number of iPhone 5S devices that could cause the battery to take longer to charge or result in reduced battery life." Circle backApple is "reaching out" (contacting) those with affected phones to provide replacement handsets. In our full TechRadar iPhone 5S review, we deemed the battery to be a little better than that of the iPhone 5's - specifically when it comes to standby life. However, actually using the handset still gulps that juice down like a hyperactive toddler on a hot day. There's good news for non-defective iPhone 5S handsets though: "The iPhone 5S charges phenomenally quickly." Phenomenally.        | | Samsung to bring the Galaxy S4 Zoom to Australia Oct 30th 2013, 07:02, by Farrha Khan 
Samsung has announced that the Galaxy S4 Zoom will be joining the ever expanding Galaxy S4 family in Australia from next week. The unusual smartphone-camera hybrid may not be the prettiest phone you'd have come across, and it almost looks like someone just glued a Samsung Galaxy Camera to the back of a Galaxy S4. Internally, it isn't too bad, sporting a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1.5GB RAM and 8GB of storage. But with Samsung's many apps running on top of Android 4.2, you'll only have access to 5GB. However, there is a microsSD card slot and a slew of connectivity options in the form of 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC. A large 2330mAh battery powers the whole thing, while you also get a 1.9MP front facing camera and a 4.3-inch qHD display. What is it good for?On the camera side of things, there's a 16MP offering complete with 10x optical zoom, which means more bulk however. The device's measurements get pushed to 125.5 x 63.5 x 15.4mm, with a weight of 208g. Though it isn't a complete camera-replacement, and though it makes wielding the Zoom like a phone a little awkward due to its dimensions, its 10x optical zoom and decent sensor will definitely give you more than your standard smartphone camera. And with 4G and your social network apps already hooked up, it'll make your Instagram photos share-able more quickly too. Perhaps one of the more interesting features is the in-call sharing option using the zoom ring, allowing you to take a picture and share it via MMS while still on a call. "We believe that the Samsung GALAXY S4 zoom is the ultimate tool for people who want to use their smartphone to capture and share high quality images quickly and conveniently," said Tyler McGee, Vice President for Telecommunications at Samsung Australia. "It's a device that is engineered to offer flexibility and give people a wide range of capabilities in a smartphone." Available from next week, the newest addition to the Galaxy family in Australia will cost you $699.        | | Blip: 'Moto G' makes Motorola site appearance before being pulled Oct 29th 2013, 23:01, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
First the Nexus 5, now this - seems companies can't keep quiet on their own websites when it comes to unannounced products these days. Motorola looks to have spilled the beans as a listing for something called the Moto G appeared on its website earlier today. Engadget and Droid Life both made the spot, but the reference has since been removed. A moto-g.com link went to nowhere. Recent reports have pointed to a budget phone known as the Moto DVX coming from the Google-owned company, and Motorola recently trademarked "Moto G." The trademark covered both phones and accessories, so the G in question could be the new name for the budget DVX or another item all together. With a recent price drop of the Moto X in the US, all signs are pointing to a Motorola announcement of some sort coming down soon. More blips!Read our blips before they're gone! Just kidding - we won't pull these news nuggets.        | | Oculus Rift to launch VR headset for Android mobile gaming Oct 29th 2013, 22:57, by Lily Prasuethsut 
Just last week, John Carmack was waxing poetic about an untethered Oculus Rift experience powered by Android and a system-on-a-chip. Well, seems like the Oculus Rift CTO's vision has come to fruition. CEO Brendan Iribe announced today at GamesBeat 2013 that the company is definitely working on a lighter mobile virtual reality headset aimed at consumers. The headset will use the Android device's processor, according to Iribe. If that isn't exciting enough, the team is shooting to launch the mobile version with the PC headset in 2014, which means we would see the device next year as opposed to our previous 5-year estimation. The Oculus blog further elaborates a standalone headset as the future of virtual reality noting that an Oculus Android software development kit is already running, with the team "working on core optimizations for mobile chipsets now." No iOS?While the Android SDK is merrily frolicking with the Oculus, it seems like iOS has been left in the dust. The lack of Apple support hasn't been addressed by the company yet, though it's apparent the Android OS is a more open platform for console gaming devs - with the Android powered Nvidia Shield, Ouya and Mad Catz Mojo being a few notable examples. Rift doesn't see Apple's absence as a hindrance, either. As quoted by Venture Beat, Iribe said, "We have some exciting plans on the mobile VR side as the PC VR side ... It's pretty incredible what [John Carmack has] been able to do." Iribe also echoed Carmack's sentiments about watching television and movies in virtual reality home theaters as a possibility. Seeing that a mobile Rift system is almost here when we thought it would take much longer to hit the market, this concept doesn't sound too far off either.        | | Twitter's 'more visual tweets' look and feel like Instagram Oct 29th 2013, 22:54, by Michael Rougeau 
Twitter announced some changes to timelines today that make it easier to interact with tweets, as well as putting photos and Vine videos front and center. The changes apply to Twitter's mobile apps on iOS and Android, as well as Twitter.com, and they take effect today. Users scrolling through their timelines will now see previews of tweeted photos and Vine videos, and a tap or a click reveals the full version. In addition, the buttons to reply, retweet or favorite a tweet are now available from the timeline itself on mobiles, rather than requiring users to tap through to the message to see those options. Enriching tweetsTwitter revealed the changes on its blog and posted a Vine video showing the improvements in action. "So many of the great moments you share on Twitter are made even better with photos or with videos from Vine," Twitter VP of Product Michael Sippey wrote in the blog post. "These rich Tweets can bring your followers closer to what's happening, and make them feel like they are right there with you. We want to make it easier for everyone to experience those moments on Twitter." Overall, the changes make Twitter look and feel a lot more like rival Facebook's photo-focused Instagram service, though tweeted Instagram photos still won't appear in users' timelines. There's no word on any changes to the Windows Phone Twitter app.        | | Facebook said to have met with BlackBerry over possible buyout bid Oct 29th 2013, 21:26, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
The list of potential BlackBerry suitors grew by one today thanks to whispers from "people familiar with the matter." According to sources of the Wall Street Journal, Facebook (yes, Facebook) met with execs from BlackBerry last week. The folks from the hard-luck hardware maker reportedly jetted to California to get a read on the social network's interest in putting down an offer for the Canadian company. That's about all there is on the matter, and it's unclear if Facebook is serious about bidding beyond taking the meeting. Could we see a BlackBerry-flavored Facebook phone?At first glance a deal between the savvy Facebook and sapped-out BlackBerry sounds doubtful, but if the cards fall into place, it could make a heap of sense. Many consider the next logical step for Facebook is to develop its own branded hardware, and having BlackBerry's patents and assets would be a massive step towards making this happen. The HTC First was a Facebook phone of sorts, but owning BlackBerry would give Facebook the chance to go whole hog. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has called developing a handset "the wrong strategy" for the company, but statuses, as it were, can change. The Journal speculated Facebook would be most interested in BlackBerry patents covering security-network technology and smartphone components. BlackBerry is reportedly open to selling parts of its business. Facebook could also be keen on the sizzling BlackBerry Messenger, which has raked in 20 million users on Android and iOS in one week. The upsides are legitimate, though Facebook would have to deal with BlackBerry's limp image. The company reportedly has no debt, which is big check in the plus column. We'll keep an ear out for further developments.        | | iPhone 6 screen reportedly set at 5 inches, due in September 2014 Oct 29th 2013, 20:01, by Michael Rougeau 
A Japanese magazine claimed recently that the next Apple phone will feature a 5-inch screen and launch in September 2014. That's right - the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are barely out, and the iPhone 6 hype train has already left the station. The report comes from is Mac Fan, and while the mag's 5-inch iPhone 6 rumor is just one of many circulating, it builds on previous reports that Apple is experimenting with different display sizes. Choo chooThose reports said that the new iPhone could go as big as six inches, but Mac Fan claimed that the iPhone 6's screen size is now set in stone at five inches. That's still up from the current iPhones' 4-inch displays. The new 5-inch iPhone 6 display will allegedly be a full HD 1080p Retina screen. It's unclear where the magazine that issued the original report got its information, but this claim seems as likely as any other we're hearing about the iPhone 6. Other iPhone 6 rumors have claimed that the next iPhone will feature NFC and wireless charging, among other new features.        | | Facebook amping Messenger app, lets you text your non-FB friends and more Oct 29th 2013, 19:55, by Lily Prasuethsut 
Facebook is upping its messaging game in a bid to win you over. The social media site announced that staring today a select amount of Android devices will see a new Facebook Messenger system - one that is faster, easier on the eyes and best of all, provides more functions. Facebook's main aim is a better "mobile-to-mobile" system where it can stack up more competitively against other messaging clients like WhatsApp. The good news for FB is that it may actually succeed in this as the changes seem to drastically improve the Messenger experience. What's new?The biggest and perhaps best change is how Facebook Messenger now lets you use the system to text everyone you know, like that friend who refuses to give in and get Facebook. 
Confirming phone number seems to be the only obstacle to chatting with contacts. To make texting faster, the lightening bolt Messenger icon will let you know which friend is also using the mobile app, allowing messages to be sent and received instantly. The icing on the cake is the new color scheme attached to the revamped app - Messenger is now dressed up in a new blue hue to help you better differentiate between Facebook apps. TechRadar asked the social networking giant for info on a wider release for more devices, but we were told the app is being tested with a limited amount of people with it coming to "everyone on iOS and Android in the coming weeks."        | | Google watch could enter mass production 'within months' Oct 29th 2013, 17:27, by JR Bookwalter 
If it's up to Google, Samsung and Sony won't have the smartwatch spotlight all to themselves - the search giant is believed to have its own device in development, and it may be headed to manufacturing soon. The Wall Street Journal is out with a new report that Google is "in talks" with various Asian suppliers about an Android-powered smartwatch that could land in an growing market early next year. According to unnamed sources familiar with the Google watch plans, the wearable device will integrate existing personal assistant features from Google Now, such as answering questions, predicting information based on what the user is doing and offering recommendations. Like the current Samsung Galaxy Gear and Sony Smartwatch 2, Google's smartwatch would also be capable of communicating with other devices like smartphones, while also tapping into information from the wearer's Google account. OK, Google Watch?Google is said to be in the late stages of developing its smartwatch, which could be readied for mass production "within months," according to one source. First, the Android maker will need to shore up manufacturing plans with Asian suppliers, a process sources claim is well under way. Meanwhile, Google is reportedly looking a methods to reduce the power consumption of its prototypes in an effort to cut down on how frequently the wearable device would need to be charged. According to ABI Research cited in the report, wearable devices are expected to hit 485 million units by 2018, a market that Google has already been exploring with its Google Glass eyewear.        | | Samsung Galaxy S5 may be world's first phone with 4GB of RAM Oct 29th 2013, 16:10, by Hugh Langley 
The Samsung Galaxy S5 news is picking up the pace, with more whispers on the sorts of specs we might be getting on the next flagship. Last week it was looking more hopeful that the S5 will come with a 64-bit Exynos processor to rival the iPhone 5S, with word that the chip was in the final stages of development. Now Digital Times Korea says that this will be the first of the Exynos 6 series, and will also come paired with 4GB of RAM - double that of the Galaxy S4 - making it a world first (so long as no one beats Samsung to it). The only other phone to come close to 4GB was the Ubuntu Edge which, sadly, died an early death on Indiegogo, unable to raise enough funds to get off the ground. Burning the applesThat could be a serious burn for the iPhone and its mere 1GB, especially considering the criticism launched at Apple's phone for offering 64-bit architecture without the sufficient memory to really put it to use. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 hosts 3GB of RAM and that's mighty speedy, so we're looking at the possibility of Samsung pushing out an absolute powerhouse in a few months time. There's no further word on the release date, with Digital Korea Times claiming "the first half of next year". However we've heard it could be here as early as January. Here's hoping.        | | Verizon nabs BlackBerry Z30 for $199 on contract, 'coming in November' Oct 28th 2013, 20:05, by Lily Prasuethsut 
Not much info was given when we last heard Verizon say "coming soon" about the BlackBerry Z30, but the company has been more generous with details this time around. The carrier announced today that the Z30 will arrive some time in November online for $199 on a two-year contract and $22.91 per month for 24 months on Verizon Edge. Yes, the actual date hasn't been released, but at least we know how much the Z30 is and when to expect it. Touting that Z30 screen, among other thingsThe BlackBerry Z30 has quite a bit of improvements on its predecessor the Z10. Along with a better 2880mAh battery and Snapdragon S4 1.7GHz processor under the hood, the phone will come with a BlackBerry 10.2 OS update in the box and "hyper-connected"-ness. But BlackBerry seems most proud of the Z30's 5-inch Super AMOLED screen, and despite only sporting a 720p display its at least in the same range as the popular Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, LG G2 and Nokia Lumia 925 group.   | | Samsung Galaxy Gear expansion clocks in, works with 3 more devices Oct 28th 2013, 17:28, by JR Bookwalter 
Judging from reviews, Samsung's smartwatch has yet to live up to its full potential, but owners of three previous Galaxy devices can find out for themselves thanks to a new software update. Samsung has announced the rollout of a Premium Suite software update for a trio of its most popular devices, which makes them compatible with the company's Galaxy Gear smartwatch. Available for the Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2, delivery of the Premium Suite software update will vary depending on carrier, with some seeing it today. All users should be able to download it "in the coming weeks." Earlier Galaxy devices will then receive real-time updates and notifications on their Samsung Galaxy Gear, including the same hands-free calling, music control and S Voice features that current Galaxy Note 3 owners enjoy. And there's moreThe timing of the update couldn't be better for Samsung amidst rumors that the Galaxy Gear is experiencing higher than normal returns, some of which can be attributed to the fact that the smartwatch only worked with one device at launch. Owners of three earlier Galaxy models have extra incentive to install the Premium Suite update on their devices, which delivers Android 4.3 Jelly Bean as well as a pair of workplace security options, Samsung for Enterprise (a.k.a. SAFE) and KNOX, which securely separates personal and business data. Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 owners will also receive some of the Galaxy S4's coveted features, including Easy Mode, Multi Window and advanced camera options. Last but not least, Samsung confirmed that Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy Mega owners will be next to receive Galaxy Gear compatibility, an update that's planned "in the coming months." - Get a hands-on look at Apple's latest iPad Air!
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