 | LG G Flex's clever new features unveiled for all to see Nov 13th 2013, 11:14, by Thomas Thorn 
We all knew the G Flex could, well, bend, but it's got some other new features that LG has highlighted too to rival the other curved display handset, the Samsung Galaxy Round. The phone apes Samsung with multi-window capabilities as well as smart face tracking technology. A lot of focus is on the screen hardware too, and for good reason: those of you as clumsy as us will find that it absorbs drops better. LG also outed two cases for the phone, including one that is basically a small strip to show off the Wolverine-like 'self-healing' ability of the phone. LG has also changed the camera slightly, adding in a green LED along with the standard white option to make facial recognition that little bit more accurate. 
Its a curved LG G2, right?A lot of comparisons will be drawn with the LG G2, given that they both come with Qualcomm's quad-core 2.26GHz Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB RAM, but the LG G Flex is a very different device. It is both larger and heavier, packing a 6-inch HD screen. This means a 720x1280 display stretched over 6-inches, resulting in 245ppi, rather than the G2's Full HD 1080x1920 pixels over 5.2-inches giving 424ppi. That lower resolution appears to help the LG G Flex though, with benchmarks showing that onscreen performance is better than both the LG G2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 That's impressive as the latter is currently the world's most powerful smartphone, although a lot of the performance will be related to the lower screen resolution (720p) resulting in fewer pixels to drive. The LG G Flex will be making it over to Europe in 2014, so we're keeping our eyes more than peeled.        | | Moto G mid-range specs leaked ahead of launch Nov 13th 2013, 11:10, by John McCann 
The Moto G was already on our radar with the official launch of the handset imminent, but details on the Motorola smartphone have leaked out ahead of time. It appears Amazon UK and German retailer Phone House have spilled the beans, revealing the Moto G will sport a 4.5-inch, 1280 x 720 display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. That's not an awful line up, although the 5MP rear camera is a little disappointing; but the presence of a 1.3MP front snapper and microSD slot helps the cause. The listings have since vanished from both sites, and we're still remaining cautious on the legitimacy of the leaks as it could be nothing more than holding specs made up to fill in a field - although the symmetry across these separate sites suggests otherwise. Is the price right?The rumored Moto G price is touted at around $250 / AU$270, which would make the handset an affordable Android option for many. With Motorola now owned by Google there's a chance the Moto G could arrive with the latest version of Android - KitKat - which currently resides solely on the Nexus 5. We're still in the dark over a Moto G release date, but with the phone's launch just around the corner we should know more soon. TechRadar will be at the launch of the Moto G, and we'll be bringing you all the details on the handset along with a detailed hands on Moto G review.        | | Will the Apple iWatch really come in his and hers sizes? Nov 13th 2013, 10:25, by Thomas Thorn 
It seems that the much fabled iWatch may come in two sizes, catering to both male and female wrists. With male and female wrists varying in size, it appears Apple is looking at a 1.7-inch model for men, with the dainty 1.3-inch to sit on women's wrists. We've heard an awful lot about Apple's iWatch, despite the fact that we still don't even know if the device actually exists. Reports from the Korea Herald suggest that Apple will be making two versions, conflicting with earlier reports that three sizes would be on offer. You mean it's actually a watch?Current smartwatches don't cater massively to different genders, although the Sony Smartwatch 2 does offer the chance to customize with any standard 24mm watch strap. Apple has a track record of releasing products and making the world think "why didn't I think of that?", or more specifically "why didn't I think of doing it like that?". After all, portable music players, touch screen phones and tablets were around long before the iPod, iPhone and iPad. If these reports are true, it would mean that Apple is placing more design emphasis on the watch part, as we already know that Apple can do the smart.        | | Android KitKat is rolling out to Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 now Nov 13th 2013, 10:15, by Kate Solomon 
Google has begun the great Android 4.4 KitKat dissemination, with the software hitting Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 devices over the air. Until now, only the freshly-launched Nexus 5 handset could boast the latest version of Android, which bundles messaging into Google Hangouts and pushes Google Now to the fore. The Nexus 7 (both the 2012 and 2013 versions) and Nexus 10 will be getting the update imminently, although it'll be exclusive to the Wi-Fi only models for now. SoonThe Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 with mobile data will be getting the update "soon", Android's Google+ page claims. The roll-out is likely to be staggered, so don't be alarmed if your Nexus 7 or Nexus 10 is still languishing on an earlier iteration for now. Some users report that a couple of features are missing from the Nexus 7 and 10 version of KitKat - the Google Experience Launcher is gone from the home screen, replaced instead by the horizontal black bar at the bottom of the homescreen of yore.        | | Surface 2 sees better battery life, other patches in latest update Nov 12th 2013, 21:51, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
Happy Patch Tuesday, Microsoft device owners. And a very happy one to owners of the Surface 2. Microsoft is out with a half-dozen updates to improve the second-gen Surface running Windows 8.1 RT. The updates include performance enhancements to all Touch and Type Cover variants, updates to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers and boosts in battery life. Surface Pro 2 owners, which we're sorry to say didn't seem to receive any updates today, saw a firmware patch deliver considerably better battery life earlier this month. While there are no figures on just how much the Surface 2's battery is improved, it's a welcome mark in the juicer column. Surface 2 owners are also receiving camera and audio improvements, including the tablet switching to speaker playback after disconnecting a headset. Revolutionary, we know. Finally, system performance and stability improvements round out the slate's November 2013 updates. The Surface RT and first Surface Pro nabbed a few improvements too, as well as Surface Pros that have been updated to Windows 8.1. Windows Phone 8.1 spotted taking a testThere's more afoot at Microsoft than tablet system updates, and new evidence points to active testing of the Windows Phone 8.1 update. 
As spotted by Nawzil, a social network specialist at Microsoft Kuwait, by way of WPCentral, FB Pages Manager was spotted on Windows Phone 8.1. A screen grab shows multiple versions of the updated mobile operating system. WP8.1 is expected early next year, likely launched with new hardware. With Nokia rumored to be developing several new products, it seems likely the company's latest gadgets would launch with the latest mobile OS (that's Windows-based, of course). - CES 2014 is right around the corner. Get caught up on all the latest for the show!
       | | BlackBerry Z30 making pilgrimage to the US this Thursday, but only online Nov 12th 2013, 19:44, by Michael Rougeau 
Verizon has provided an update on its plans to carry the BlackBerry Z30, informing the eager public that the new BlackBerry 10 handset will launch in the US two days from today. "The BlackBerry Z30 will be available online starting Thursday, November 14 for $199.99 with new two-year activation," the brief update read. The Z30 is BlackBerry's latest flagship running BB10, and although it lacks the QWERTY keyboard that many diehards live for it should still appeal to fans of the Canadian company's products. It's launching in the US exclusively on Verizon, where Verizon Edge users can also upgrade to the Z30 for $22.91 per month for 24 months. As the update noted, don't go looking for the Z30 in brick-and-mortar stores. A step upVerizon announced in October that it would release the Z30 this month, and it's making good on that with this week's rollout. The phone launched in the UK in September, but Thursday will be its first release in the US. The 5-inch BB Z30 comes with some improvements over its predecessor, the BlackBerry Z10, including a better battery and processor. The Z30 also comes with BlackBerry's 10.2 update right out of the box. BB hurrahWith the launch of the Z30, BlackBerry fans have another option to choose from the still-stifled stable of BlackBerry 10 handsets. Though it's only one handset, BlackBerry may see a flicker of life with the arrival of the Z30 in the States. It's unlikely to help the company regain its former glory, but after failing to find a buyer, the company could use a tiny victory.        | | LG G2 may come to Verizon all dressed in white Nov 12th 2013, 19:14, by Kevin Lee 
White phones were once the unicorn of the mobile world, but now they're coming out left and right. In fact, looks like the LG G2 is also getting the bleached electronic treatment. The prolific product shot leaker @evleaks posted a new image of the 5.2-inch screened G2 painted in pearl. Unlike evleaks' other tweets, this new product shot wasn't accompanied by a suggested release date or other details. Aside from the color, the white handset appears identical the black version currently on sale at Verizon. There aren't details about any changes under the hood, but we wouldn't be surprised to find the same hardware since the phone joined Big Red line up in September. Even if the handset is the same, it's still a lot of smartphone for your buck. The LG flagship packs a 2.26 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chip, 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, 13- and 2.1-megapixel cameras (with Optical Image Stabilization on the rear snapper), a 3000mAh battery and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. White is the new blackWhite phones are a popular color option; ever since the iPhone 4 first showed up in the shade, people have been clamoring for pearl-colored phones. Other phones that have received the whitewash treatment include the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Samsung's Galaxy S-line, and though not a phone, the Xbox One (if you're a Microsoft employee that is).        | | Vine finally climbs to Windows Phone, beats Instagram to the punch Nov 12th 2013, 19:04, by Michael Rougeau 
Because any video longer than six seconds probably isn't worth watching, Twitter's Vine app has finally arrived on Windows Phone 8. Vine climbs to Microsoft's mobile OS ahead of rival Facebook's photo-sharing Instagram app, which is expected to arrive on WP8 soon as well. Windows Phone users have been waiting for Vine and other popular apps to make the jump to their platform, but the going has been slow. With makers of the most popular apps finally taking notice of the platform, that could soon change. Get excitedThe Vine app for Windows Phone is nearly identical to the apps on other platforms, with one small extra that Vine designer Ryan Swigart mentioned in a blog post today. Vine users on Windows Phone can pin the accounts of other users to their home screens, making them easy to access. "We love to see what each person contributes to Vine, and we're excited to welcome Windows Phone users to the community," Swigart wrote. He invited Vine users to tweet their feedback to Vine's official Twitter account. Stepping up the gameVine and Instagram have been available for years on iOS and Android, but Windows Phone's customer base is still extremely small compared to the more popular mobile operating systems. Microsoft is doing everything in its power to change that, including buying up its main device maker, Nokia. Nokia just unveiled a new Windows Phone 8 tablet, the Lumia 2520, and the Finnish company is believed to have plenty of other WP8 devices in the works. These may include products with suspicious codenames like "Goldfinger," "Moneypenny," "Phantom," "Normandy" and "Spinel," according to a tipster's report November 11. Besides Instagram and Vine, we're also expecting Flipboard to arrive on WP8 soon, considering the aggregation app was shown off at Nokia's Lumia 2520 announcement.        | | Blip: Americans have no shame when it comes to using smartphones Nov 12th 2013, 18:46, by Lily Prasuethsut 
It's pretty obvious that smartphones are rarely used to actually call people. Instead they've become gizmos we can hide behind to use whenever, wherever. It can be a great when we're feeling antisocial, but there are definitely some cases where it's a little off-putting. LG commissioned Kelton, a research company, to conduct a national survey about when and where Americans use their smartphones. The survey found that 48% of smartphone owners are comfortable using their devices in places of worship, 75% of smartphone owners wouldn't mind using their phones in a public restroom and between 62-58% of people use phones while spending quality time with family and friends. Twenty-eight percent say they'll whip out a phone on a date. Though the results aren't all that surprising, they certainly solidify the fact that we need to cut our smartphone umbilical cords every once in awhile, don't you think? More blips!We'll understand if you get hooked on these addictive little blips.        | | Google+ Photos could replace Android's Gallery app Nov 12th 2013, 15:35, by Kate Solomon 
Some technological soothsayers have been reading the Android tealeaves and say that signs point to the brutal demise of the Gallery app. The future-gazers think that Google will axe Gallery in favour of Google+'s Photos, which gives you more control over your images across various devices. There's no evidence of this in the launch version of KitKat, but it could happen in future updates (like, say, Android 4.5), based on a couple of clues: leaked early builds of the OS did away with Gallery, for example. Also getting rumourmongers hot under the collar is the fact that Google separated the camera and gallery APKs for the first time on Android 4.4, making it easier to ditch the Gallery part and keep camera alive. Why don't you come on over, Gallery?What's more, the Gallery icon was snubbed in the KitKat upgrade: other app icons were given high-resolution pictograms but Gallery was not. Replacing Gallery with Photos could come in handy, allowing a Photostream style back-up of your device with images automatically sent to Google+. And Google has precedence here: SMS messages on Android are now auto-synced to your Google+ Hangouts. This is pure speculation for now, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Gallery go the way of the dodo in a later KitKat update. RIP.        | | Updated: Google Play Store to hit BlackBerry 10.2 devices? Nov 12th 2013, 14:22, by Thomas Thorn 
Update: BlackBerry has officially denied any link between the BlackBerry 10.2 software update and the inclusion of Google's Play store. A statement from the Canadian firm reads: "We can confirm that there is no planned support for Google Play on BlackBerry. "BlackBerry World remains the primary source for trusted and curated BlackBerry applications and we continue to support open standards and open source tools so BlackBerry developers can continue to create apps on any of the development platforms we support." Original article... Could we finally be able to see BlackBerry devices making use of the Jelly Bean Android runtime? Leaked screenshots taken from a rather grubby looking BlackBerry Z10, found on Crackberry, suggest that we could finally see the Google Play Store on BlackBerry 10.2. We always have to err on the side of caution here and point out that we could well be looking at some heavily Photoshopped images, but we already know that BlackBerry will support Android Jelly Bean. If this is true, this could prove a massive boost to the BlackBerry 10 OS, making it a more attractive option to consumers. 
Jelly Bean to make BlackBerrys more app-etising? It would open up a whole new world of apps, something that BlackBerry devices tend to suffer in comparison to both Android and iOS devices. We should note that the screen shots aren't of the most recent update to the Play Store that we've encountered, nor does it support Music. This could be remedied in a final release version, if or whenever that hits. With BlackBerry struggling at the moment, we would really hope that it makes its way over to BB devices soon. It might be just what the Canadian doctor ordered.        | |
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