| Fighting talk: Apple: make an iPhad or get ready to iPhail Jan 3rd 2014, 12:00, by Gareth Beavis 
Come on Apple, you've got to admit it: if you don't make a bigger iPhone things are going to get REALLY tricky. I don't mean to sound alarmist, but 2014 could well be the year that Apple makes its biggest mistake in recent history. No, I'm not talking about the iWatch - I still think that could actually be rather good - no, Apple has to, HAS TO, bring out a large screen version of the iPhone or it's going to really struggle to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. This isn't a cry for a phablet based on the screen being too small (although anyone that's tried a Galaxy S4 or HTC One and gone back to an iPhone will realise that 4-inch displays are cramped) but more that if it sticks at its current size, Apple will be missing out on market share and, ultimately, revenue. The phablet, like it or loathe it, is here to stay. Stats from IDC last year showed that one in five smartphones were a large screen option - that's 20% of the market that Apple is unable to capture. Sure, that segment ranges from 5 to 7-inch devices, so will include things like the Galaxy S4 and LG G2, but in markets like China the larger screen device is becoming a real must-have device, and with lots of potential subscribers there, Apple has to throw away its pride, having maintained for years that 4-inch displays are big enough, and start playing in the big leagues. A phablet isn't about a phone that you can use with one hand. It's a 'happy' (I use that word loosely) medium between a smartphone and tablet. It's the best of a bad situation. But one that the world is getting on board with. The fact is that the Android bandwagon is careering out of control, and all of those that are nabbing even a modicum of profit after Samsung has snaffled it all up have at least one phablet in their portfolio. The One Max, the G Pro, the Oppo N1 - these are all well-respected devices (mostly) that at least give these companies a foothold in fast emerging markets. Cash incentiveAnd if you need any more incentive, Apple, here's one: you can charge more for a phablet. The average selling price of a smartphone is dropping year on year as the consumer realises that you don't have to fork out hundreds just to have a half decent experience, a fact that's forced Apple to try and at least nod towards the budget market with the iPhone 5C. The phablet has around a 33% premium on a 'standard' smartphone, thanks to the larger screen and generally better internal specs. So, given that this is a vibrant market sector and a chance to make a little cash, what's stopping Apple? Well, the good news is it seems possibly nothing. The rumours of a 6-inch iPhone have been around now, and today we're greeted with the news that Apple is thinking about raising the size of its screens to 4.7- and 5.7-inch, which will solve a lot of problems for a company haemorrhaging users looking enviously at their Android counterparts with a more expansive and generous display to type into, watch movies on and generally get a better browsing experience from. I'm not saying Apple should lose the 4-inch option - this is something that I'm happy to see on the market, as we should have choice as consumers, and I can't count the amount of people moaning at me that 'phones are getting too big these days'. But the clock is ticking. If Apple doesn't end 2014 with a phablet in its ranks, then all its efforts to crack the Asian markets, as well as ticking the box of power users looking for an upgraded experience, will be for nothing. The only question is what to call it... iPhad doesn't seem right, somehow.        |  | Expect 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch iPhones this year, claim insiders Jan 3rd 2014, 10:04, by Hugh Langley 
Ongoing speculation suggests that Apple is set to go bigger in 2014, but we're still unsure whether it's the iPhones or the rumors themselves that will prove to be inflated. Back in June we heard that Apple was mulling over both a 4.7-inch and a 5.7-inch iPhone, and sources from within Foxconn are allegedly now claiming the same thing. The same insiders also said that the new handsets will come with a form of biometric sensor, which we'll assume to be Touch ID. By the numbersIt's a bit of a 'guess the number' game at the moment. We recently reported (once again) that Apple was testing a 6-inch iPhone that could be launched as early as May. It may be the case that Apple deemed 6 inches too big for our hands and has opted for a 5.7-inch model instead, which would go up against the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The 4.7-inch model could theoretically replace the 4-inch iPhone 5S. Or, alternatively, these sources at Foxconn don't know what's really going on. After all, the story claims that the anonymous source spilled the beans at a Christmas party, so there's a good chance that these claims came from nothing more than a cocktail of alcohol and factual inaccuracies,        | | Samsung curved screen patent could find use in Galaxy Note 4 or Galaxy S5 Jan 3rd 2014, 01:26, by Matt Swider 
Samsung is so bent on reducing the amount of bezel on its devices, it may actually bend its next Galaxy Note or Galaxy S smartphone. New sketches from the US Patent and Trademark Office indicate that the company is interested in manufacturing a phone with curvature that slopes at the edges. This would make the device look as if it contains no bezel on the sides, according to Samsung Today. It's being speculated that the Samsung patent could be applied to either the unannounced Galaxy Note 4 or the Galaxy S5, both of which are expected to be announced later this year. No buttons, but the pen S mightierIf used, this patent from August 2013 would be a new way for Samsung to incorporate its curved phone technology as it appears to be different from the Galaxy Round. The illustrations match more of what is expected from the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 successor, even though the follow-up to the Galaxy S4 is thought to be launching first. The drawings map out where the S Pen fits in at the bottom of the device. So far, the stylus has only appeared in Samsung's Galaxy Note line of smartphones and tablets. Surprisingly, the on-paper concept didn't make room for any buttons on the front of the device, opting instead to elongate the screen and a feature a near-zero-bezel design. Other possible Galaxy Note 4 featuresA curved screen isn't the only feature that could come to the Galaxy Note 4. It's possible that the unconfirmed phone will have a 20-megapixel camera and long-distance wireless charging, too. There's also a rumor that both the Galaxy S5 and Note 4 have will ditch their predecessors' AMOLED displays in favor of more cost-effective LCD screens. Samsung has yet to respond to TechRadar's inquiry into today's patent discovery, but we'll update this story when we hear back.        | | HTC M8 specs spouted, point yet again to juicy HTC One follow-up Jan 3rd 2014, 00:25, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
A prolific leaker has thrown their hat in the HTC M8 spec rumor ring. @evleaks, in typical cryptic fashion, tweeted out what it called "Preliminary HTC M8 specs" for the handset alternately referred to as the HTC One Two. We're not sure what @evleaks means by "preliminary" in this context (and of course there's no explanation), but the specs sound pretty set for a high-end phone. It will flaunt a Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974) processor, 5-inch 1080p display and 2GB of RAM, according to the Twitter tipster. The rear camera will be of the UltraPixel variety while "2.1MP front cams" will occupy the opposite side. It's said to house 802.11a/b/g/n/ac connectivity, Android 4.4 KitKat and Sense 6.0. Have you heard the one about the HTC smartphone...We've heard just about all these specs before, but with its solid track record, we'll weigh @evleak's pronouncements with some heft. HTC has yet to confirm the phone, and we likely won't see the M8 until at least MWC 2014. Still, it's looking all the more real - and all the more a worthy follow-up to the 5-star HTC One.        | | Blip: Alicia Keys can wipe her hands of BlackBerry on January 30 Jan 2nd 2014, 22:40, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
This girl is ... out of a job. BlackBerry is bidding adieu to its global creative director, a.k.a. Alicia Keys. Her role doing whatever it was she was doing for the ailing phone maker ends January 30. Now-gone CEO Thorsten Heins announced Keys' appointment in January 2013, but the yearlong duet has apparently run its course. The tweeting-from-an-iPhone scandal was probably a sign her heart never really belonged to BlackBerry in the first place. More blips!Our blips will never leave you high and dry.        | | Archos 45 Helium and 50 Helium 4G lift off with stock Jelly Bean Jan 2nd 2014, 20:05, by klee 
Archos just joined the "cool" smartwatch collective and now it's announcing its first line of LTE smartphones powered by Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and offering full access to the Google Play Store. Archos proclaimed its "grand entry" into the 4G era smartphone market with the Archos 45 Helium 4G and 50 Helium 4G. The 45 Helium features a 4.5-inch, 854 x 480 resolution IPS screen. The moderately sized handset comes running a Qualcomm 1.4GHz quad-core Cortex A7 processor. The phone is also equipped with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. Camera-wise, the 45 Helium 4G is not all that interesting - it holds a a 5MP snapper on the back and a front-facing VGA for video calling and selfies. Big brother
The French phone maker also announced the Archos 45 Helium 4G's slightly larger sibling, the 5-inch Archos 50 Helium 4G. A slightly more premium device, the Archos 50 Helium 4G features a 1280 x 720 screen. It's also been slightly beefed up with 8GB of storage, an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP sensor in the front. Otherwise the two handsets are identical with the same processor, GPU and microSD slot. There's also a healthy smattering of WDCMA and GSM radio bands to chatter around the world. The two phones come unlocked along with Archos' promise that the handsets can be upgraded to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. There isn't word yet on a release date for either of Archos' first stock Android handsets, but we know the 45 Helium 4G will be available for $199.99/£189.99 (about AU$224.21) and the 50 Helium 4G for $249.99/£229.99 (about AU$280.26). You can bet your lunch money that we will get our hands on these smartphones at CES 2014, so stay tuned for more.        | | ZTE Grand S II hitches ride to CES, smartwatch and phablet ride shotgun Jan 2nd 2014, 18:25, by Kevin Lee 
After much speculation and some media leaks, we can finally confirm that the ZTE Grand S II is the real deal and will be appearing at CES 2014. ZTE has announced its second-generation flagship smartphone, touting that it features the latest in intelligent voice control tech. The additional voice command upgrades will enable recognition unlocking and voice-to-phone photography, similar to snapping a photo with Google Glass. To help the Grand S II deliver high-precision audio features, the handset comes equipped with a triple-microphone setup and built-in noise reduction for natural and clearer voice recording. Beyond the audio features, if a Chinese telecom certification is to be believed, the ZTE flagship will also feature a large 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 screen backed with the Qualcomm's Snapdragon 600 chipset and 2GB of RAM. The phone could very well come with an 8MP rear camera as well. More phones heading to VegasBeyond the Grand S II announcement, ZTE said it has even more lined up with two other handsets named the Nubia 5S and Nubia 5S mini. The Nubia 5S features a 5-inch 1080p FHD display from Sharp and 13MP camera with a Sony RS sensor. The camera is particularly tuned for photography with a F2.0 aperture and DSLR-like photo options, plus 4K Ultra HD video capture. The smaller Nubia 5S mini meanwhile comes rocking a 4.7-inch Sharp IGZO display and an array of colorful shells. Both phones are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processors. In partnership with Aio Wireless, ZTE plans to bring out the Sonata 4G, a seemingly mid-tier phone with 4-inch screen. Other specs include the 1.4 GHz Dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, 1,780mAh battery, and a 5 MP camera for 720p video capture. Plus a tablet, smartwatch and projecting hotspot to bootZTE is also set to debut its very first Iconic Phablet at CES. That's not word play - Iconic is actually the name of the device. The Chinese smartphone company wants to make a splash with a 5.7" HD screen device that straddles the line between phone and tablet. It's listed to come equipped with a dual-core processor, Dolby Digital Sound, and a wireless charging feature. In another first, the ZTE BlueWatch will be the Chinese phone maker's inaugural smartwatch. The wrist-worn device features a built-in pedometer as it records and analyzes data around the clock to give users access to essential "quantified self" information like body fat percentage. The watch does require tethering to a smartphone via Bluetooth, but this enables on-wrist control of calls, content and photography, as well as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Curious and curiouser, ZTE has a hybrid Wi-Fi hostpot that can double as a mini projector. Called Projector Hotspot, it will provide 4G connectivity for up to eight devices whilst streaming video and images wherever it goes. Finally ZTE said it is working in tandem with AT&T to develop the US carrier's Wireless Home Base. It's a device that allows users to connect their home telephone to AT&T's wireless network instead of a telephone jack. For $20 (about £12, AU$22) a month, callers will receive unlimited local and long distance talk time. Stay tuned to TechRadar as we take our first spin with these products at CES 2014 next week.        | | Word on a metal Samsung Galaxy S5 surfaces again Jan 2nd 2014, 13:05, by Thomas Thorn 
We keep hearing rumors that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will come wrapped in a metallic chassis, and today is no different with ETNews reporting that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will sport the much sort after metal body. It also suggests the Korean firm will launch a second metal handset in the form of the super-premium Samsung Galaxy F. Why has it taken Samsung so long to create an all metal handset? Well apparently it faced issues creating a metal device which kept the removable battery function that is present on its current handsets. 3 really is a magic numberThat problem must have been solved, as the Korean firm is set to release its first and second metal handsets at the same time, with the Galaxy F to launch alongside the Galaxy S5 this year. In another report, ETNews suggest that the Galaxy F range is being created as a way for the Korean firm to keep up with the continual advances in mobile tech, with two major launches a year being insufficient. The new Galaxy F handset, designed in Europe and now in production in Vietnam, could be set to blitz the Galaxy S5 in terms of specs, however. We'd advise taking that with a pinch of salt though, as we don't see Samsung ousting the Galaxy S series from the top spot, and rumors of a 16MP camera, octa-core processor and 2K display linked with the Galaxy F have also been touted for the Galaxy S5. How long we're going to be left waiting to see these devices is unclear, although with an earlier launch of the Galaxy S5 rumored for February, it might not be too much longer.   | | Apple denies 'backdoor' iPhone NSA access Jan 2nd 2014, 12:01, by Alex Hamilton 
Apple has stated in an email to AFP that it "has never worked with the NSA to create a backdoor in any of our products, including iPhone". Security researcher Jacob Applebaum told a security conference in Germany that a program named DROPOUTJEEP allowed the NSA to intercept SMS messages, access contact lists, locate a phone using cell tower data, access voice mail and even operate the iPhone's microphone and camera. He described it as an 'iPhone backdoor' that allowed the NSA to access any iPhone. Apple said it is "continuously working to make our products even more secure, and we make it easy for customers to keep their software up to date with the latest advancements... and will continue to use our resources to stay ahead of malicious hackers and defend our customers from security attacks, regardless of who's behind them." Security researcher Graham Cluley wrote in a blog post that Applebaum's presentation and the documents show a "broader range of tools that the NSA apparently deploys against other technology companies and products, including HP servers, Cisco firewalls, Huawei routers, and so on." A huge problemDROPOUTJEEP was initially supposed to be installed via "close access methods," according to one of the NSA documents, from 2008, that was leaked by Der Spiegel. That suggests iPhones had to be physically close to get the snooping software on the devices. Cluley wrote the document "does not mean that the NSA has complete control of your iPhone" because physical access to the device would be needed. "It may be that they have since found unpatched vulnerabilities in iOS to install the spyware onto targeted devices remotely... but that's not what the leaked documents say," Cluley wrote. Cluley also noted that the document dates from 2008. He added: "Let's hope that Apple has improved its software's security since 2008. And if it's not true, we've all got a huge problem."   | |
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