Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 03-01-2014

TechRadar: Phone and communications news TechRadar UK latest feeds

Grow your customer base. Start a lead gen campaign on LaunchBit and cost-effectively grow your company today! From our sponsors

Nokia X Android phone already hacked to run Google Apps, Now and Play Store Mar 1st 2014, 16:09, by Chris Smith The Nokia X, the company's first-and-potentially-last handset running the Android operating system, doesn't really have much to identify it as a handset running Google-based software. There's no access to core Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, Hangouts, Google Now and users are unable to download items from the Google Play store. Everything is decidedly Windows Phone flavoured. However, thanks to a little bit of ingenuity from one of the clever folks on the XDA Developers forum, anyone can access those Android essentials on the new handset. Forum member Kashamalaga has unveiled a pretty easy - the man himself called it rudimentary - method for restoring the phone to its Google roots. Holy Grail Microsoft hopes the Windows Phone-style user-interface, with the likes of Skype and OneDrive front and centre will give users an incentive to jump on board with the company's own OS next time they're in the market for a phone. However, what users really wanted from this release was the smartphone Holy Grail of a Nokia handset running full-fat Android. This little exploit doesn't offer that, but it brings the dream a little closer to reality. Microsoft needs to stop worrying about Android and learn to love the Nokia X. Apple to launch iOS in the Car with Ferrari, Mercedes and Volvo next week? Mar 1st 2014, 14:18, by Chris Smith Apple will finally unveil its in-car version of iOS at next week's Geneva Motor Show, according to reports this weekend. The Financial Times brings word Apple has enlisted auto giants Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, whose next-generation connected cars will be fitted with iOS in the Car functionality. Those manufacturers, and others according to the FT, will reportedly roll-out vehicles carrying the embedded software before 2014 is out. iOS in the Car will allow iPhone or iPad owners to see Apple Maps mirrored on a dashboard display, use Siri voice commands, make iPhone calls through the car system and receive notifications. Apple vs Google in the car The company first announced the technology in June 2013 after its unveiling within iOS 7, but all has been quiet since, aside from a few pieces of code within recent Beta builds. Apple's reported move comes at a time when Google is also making a play to control the future of connected vehicles. At CES, the web giant announced it had joined forces with Audi, Honda and General Motors in order to bring Android into the car. Is everyone set for another Apple vs Google battle? This time for the right to control the infotainment within our four wheeled friends? Let us know your thoughts below. Did you know TechRadar now has its very own Car Tech section? In depth: 10 tips to make your phone more secure Mar 1st 2014, 10:30, by Thomas Thorn 5 top tips to stay safe with your smartphone... Your smartphone is more precious than your wallet, your keys and in some cases, your actual computer when it comes to sensitive information - but we all have that nagging guilt that we don't do enough to protect our devices beyond perhaps having a four digit pass code. Thankfully we are here to help with some top-level tips to help make your phone more secure, protecting those all important messages and images that you don't want falling into the wrong hands. With around 314 mobiles stolen a day on the streets of London, the risk of things getting out is extremely high. Of course if you're looking to keep your phone safe from international spies, or snooping networks, you can always check out the BlackPhone... but if you're just the average smartphone user who wants to be a little safer, follow some of our tips below. 1. Update your software Whether you are running iOS, Android or Windows Phone we will always advise you to grab the latest version of the OS available. This can be a little difficult with Android updates often taking a little while to go through manufacturer and network testing but is well worth it. Part of the reason we suggest grabbing the latest OS is because it comes with all the added bonuses whether it's the Control Center of iOS7 or the clear bars on Android KitKat, but also because a lot of security loopholes will have been closed. These updates don't just pop up in major iterations either; Apple is currently pushing out iOS 7.0.6 in order to close a problem associated with using Apple devices on an unsecured network. Most manufacturers allow you to set your phone to check for updates automatically, so always make sure this box is ticked. 2. Use a secure lock screen It seems almost nonsensical in this day and age to not have a basic password on your lock screen, even if it is a basic one. One of the first things we'd suggest is to navigate into your device's security settings and enable a pass lock. There are obvious benefits to having even a basic lock, but whilst face lock of Android might seem fun it isn't the most secure system out there, with many Google devices rating the effectiveness of each security system so you can make an informed choice. Pattern unlocks and pins are some of the most secure but if you can handle the hassle we'd always suggest a full alphanumeric password. Also ensure that any boxes that say "make passwords visible" are also unticked. If you want to take it one step further then we'd also recommend changing your pass code regularly in case someone spots what you've typed in over your shoulder. 3. Install antivirus software One of the biggest threats that could see data leaked is the less-than-humble virus. The problem isn't as widespread as on desktop computers, and if you don't download dodgy software chances are that within a 2 year contract you won't come across anything malicious, but there is still a credible threat out there. The problem appears to be less hazardous for iPhones thanks to Apple's strict controlling of the App store. The open source nature of Android makes it a lot more vulnerable, as malicious apps can be sideloaded onto the device without being checked by Google. In both cases this is something that can be countered through the use of mobile Antivirus software. The likes of McAfee, AVG and Lookout grace both the iOS App Store and the Google Play store for added security, but obviously be careful of any apps that seem a little suspicious. If you're really worried check out the manufacturer's website as most will come with a link to their mobile app. 4. Disable apps from untrusted sources and don't root or jailbreak Whilst it can often be a nice idea to download and install apps that aren't found on the App Store or Google Play Store, these apps tend to be the ones that are less secure. Google, Apple and Microsoft, as well as the likes of BlackBerry, keep tabs on the apps that are on their app portals. This means apps that contain malicious code are likely to have been removed before you install them. Rooting your Android phone or jailbreaking your iPhone can also prove really dangerous, especially if you don't know what you're doing. This is because it breaks down your OS and provides you access to the basic code within and if you can get access, malicious code has a much easier route to making changes too. If you're more familiar with the world of rooting and jailbreaking then you'll have taken measures to ensure the security of your device - so make sure you're certain you know what you want when altering your handset. 5. Use lock code apps and vaults One thing that can be particularly important for protecting vital messages and pictures is to add a second layer of security. If you've got a pass code that somehow manages to get into the wrong hands then all your data could potentially be at risk. With another app you can then add another layer of security by protecting apps with a second code. Vault apps also allow you to be safe by storing all the files that you want to secure within a dedicated area of your device or on an SD card, as well as being able to wipe the data after unsuccessful log in attempts. Samsung's new Galaxy S5 features a fingerprint scanner to hide certain parts of your phone too - it might not be the easiest thing to use, but at least you can be doubly secure that nobody can get into the places you want hidden. ...and 5 more to be even safer 6. Use kid/guest modes Kid modes, and to a lesser extent guest modes, are also vitally important. The last thing you want is for your child (or your friend) to be messing around on your phone and to stumble across private data, or to later find that they have inadvertently called your boss whilst you're sat discussing a job interview. These are now prevalent on most Android and Windows devices, as well as being downloadable via the App Store on iOS, but make sure you know how to get out of them when your child has finished - so many people must have spent minutes locked in a crocodile game because they forgot the PIN code. 7. Keep Location settings enabled This is something that is less about protecting your device from being stolen or having your data stolen and is much more about getting your handset back should you lose it. On iOS there is the 'Find my iPhone' app which is exceptionally easy to install and use, and a similar technique is available via Android. This doesn't require an app, just navigate to Google Play via a web browser, click the settings wheel and hit Android Device Manager. From here you can locate, ring, lock and erase your device if needed. For Windows Phone go via WindowsPhone.com and log in with your details to spot its location on a map and make it ring, display a message or erase the whole device. If you're still rocking a BlackBerry, you can use the BlackBerry Protect tool to achieve a similar thing. This needs to be preset on the BlackBerry device, however. 8. Use wearable tech One of the key features that can be found within the likes of the Sony SmartWatch 2 or the Galaxy Gear 2 is the ability to know when you've left your phone behind. As the Bluetooth connection is broken when out of range, the watch buzzes to let you know. It is also possible to make your phone ring if still in range. This is useful beyond being able to locate your phone when you've dropped it down the back of the sofa; if you know the phone is in reach and but not on your pocket then you can make it ring and track it down. 9. Set up a SIM lock On top of securing your phone, make sure that you've locked your SIM if this is important to you. A SIM lock (sometimes called a SIM PIN or SIM Security) is especially important if you're tied into an uncapped contract, less so if you're on PAYG. This is because it requires you to input a PIN before you make a call or send a message, vital if you want to ensure that thieves can't run up massive bills. It's not the most efficient way to use your phone, but if you're in a place that worries you, head into your security settings to enable it. 10. Keep sensitive files off your phone Even better than encrypting your SD card is to make sure the files are never on your phone in the first place. Having sensitive files on your phone might seem really easy, and with it being the device that you are going to have on your person all the time it seems logical to keep files on it. You might even want to be able to edit documents when out and about, and we see no reason not to. There is no reason these files need to be on your phone when editing them though. With phones like the HTC One, Galaxy S4 or iPhone 5S able to support external USB drives via a separate cable or through a wireless USB flash drive, there is no need for these sensitive files to ever be on your handset - so pick up a USB On The Go flash drive and you'll be able to have the best of both worlds. Opinion: Game changer: Why I'm excited for Project Ara and you should be, too Feb 28th 2014, 22:18, by Michelle Fitzsimmons When Ransom Olds developed the modern assembly line (a little history lesson to liven up your day), it sparked a revolution of process that we still employ. Ford went on to perfect the process, and since the early 20th century, cars and much more have been produced in a near-seamless fashion, all thanks to a change in manufacturing. I don't know why, but Google's Project Ara has me excited in a way I haven't felt about technology in a long time. No, scratch that, I do know why. The up-swell in my gut and tingling in my toes must have been what industrialists felt when the first four-wheelers started rolling out off assembly lines; this could change the way we do things forever. For me, Project Ara isn't so much about the hardware, though there is magic in mixing and matching your phone parts, than it is about revolutionizing the way we produce and access means of communication. Modern machines In discussing Project Ara with someone whose opinion on tech I trust, he played advocate for the pre-fab phone, "Why not just buy something that has all the pieces right there [points to his iPhone], and that works?" His point was fair and it's not like Project Ara and other modular gadgets will do away with integrated, self-contained smartphones. That'll never happen. But the fact that we are so close to having choice, real choice, when it comes to what parts constitute the things that live in our pockets is undeniable. And undeniably exciting. Google isn't the first or only company working on modular phones, but it's certainly the most prominent. The Advanced Technology and Projects group spearheading the project is quite serious about making modular phones work, and addressed many of the questions surrounding the tech in a recent Time profile. For the questions it couldn't answer, like how do all the parts keep from scattering when someone drops their Ara on the train, ATAP assured that it's at least considering all the variables real life, not just lab tests, throws a phone's way. Democracy, now Still, innumerable question marks remain as to how this will all work, including making the components on a large scale and at a reasonable price. Google is working with a 3D printing firm to develop a system to crank out customized Ara parts, but developing and producing are two very different things. Perhaps even more pressing, as a Fierce Wireless column from October 2013 addressed, is whether people want modular phones to begin with. Consumers were taken with the Moto X's Moto Maker, but then they were only picking out case colors and accents. Do consumers, not just enthusiasts, actually want to take the time and take on the stress of choosing their phone's nuts and bolts? I can't answer that question, but I think once Google has a working model to show, it should sway many minds either way. At the heart of Ara is the issue that has influenced some major moves lately; how to reach the next billion-plus internet users. Just as Facebook spent a ridiculous amount of money to acquire WhatsApp, Google seems to be going whole-hog on a solution to reach people it hasn't already with mobile internet technology. Five billion people, to be exact. In the words of Project Ara lead Paul Eremenko, the platform is designed for six billion people: one billion existing smartphone users and the rest on feature phones. What's more, Ara is about opening hardware in the same way Android has opened software - put it in the hands of the many as opposed to the grip of a few. It's done this to some extent with the Nexus line, but Ara is about to take it several steps further. The assembly line of Industrial tycoons was about wresting control and turning greater profits for those in charge. Google will be far from a passive and non-profiting owner of Project Ara, but if it can bring more choice to consumers and more opportunity to get in the game to developers who want to make phone components, I say more power to you. Power play Of course, it can't be ignored that Project Ara phones would only expand Google's reach, slipping its fingers into corners of the world still untouched by the technology prevalent in developed countries. Gaining more Android, Gmail, Google Now, Google+, Google-whatever users would only benefit Mountain View and its advertising partners. The company thrives on hyping new tech that may be years away from public release. Whether it's genuine good-will and enthusiasm or a way to keep antsy investors satiated or both, the fact that a company as big as Google dares put its name and money on the line bodes well for the modular phone future. There's much bemoaning the lack of "wow" in today's smartphones, but from where I stand, a new kind of wow is right around the corner. Can Google succeed where other modular phone makers have failed? It has a better chance than most, though the hurdles are undeniable. Pieces still need to be fit, but Google has put squarer pegs into rounder holes before. It can do it again. Our Google Glass review is ready for your eyes right now In Depth: Is this the age of the ultra-secure smartphone? Feb 28th 2014, 20:11, by Michael Rougeau There was a time when BlackBerry was the phone maker of choice for those who wanted the best security the market could offer. Work in Washington or run a multinational corporation? Then have we got the QWERTY phone for you. It's no secret BlackBerry is no longer what it once was, yet even as the Canadian company's fortunes continue to fall, a new host of firms have begun making "secure phones" to take Waterloo's place. And these companies are already making smartphone security tighter than it's ever been before. Boeing and GeeksPhone, two very different contenders that are offering strikingly similar products, are leading this ultra-secure charge. They even have similar names; GeeksPhone introduced the Blackphone in January, while its main rival is the Boeing Black. Devices like these were once reserved for the rich and powerful, but now the conversation about security is louder than ever and consumers are bit by bit gaining super-secure smartphone access. Security as a selling point One need only look at Apple, arguably the industry's most prominent trendsetter, taking advanced security mainstream by adding a fingerprint sensor to the iPhone 5S. It's not exactly perfect, but it shows that smartphone security that goes beyond a simple passcode is a common concern. And given the events of the past year or so - what with the NSA and other governments' spy agencies apparently checking your phone, hacking into your webcam and reading your diary - it's not hard to understand why the stakes seem higher than ever. Just compare the language we used to describe the company Trustonic's efforts to make phones more secure back in 2012 with how the Blackphone was described this week. Back then we wanted phones to be "as secure as your bank," now they need to compare to Fort Knox itself. But can these new secure phones really help protect your personal info and private data from prying eyes? Into darkness In the black corner, we've got the Boeing Black. With a name like that and an introductory video with music like something out of a 007 flick, you've got to assume that this thing means business. And you'd be right - it will literally self-destruct if you try to tamper with it. The Boeing Black is not winning any contests when it comes to specs, with a 4.3-inch 960 x 540 display and a 1.2GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor. But what it lacks there it makes up for in security. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f927dJDTLJQ That's what we've been led to believe, at least. We can't really know, since Boeing wants its secure phone to be so secure that no one actually knows how secure it is. Boeing has been working on the Black for three years, the aerospace company told Reuters, and it's already offering the phone to select government agencies and contractors. The Black runs a custom version of Android that Boeing told The Wall Street Journal it built from scratch. And it has dual SIMs, though Boeing won't say who manufactures the phone or what carriers it's compatible with. It can even connect with biometric sensors and satellites, and attachments give it extra battery and even solar charging. The company hasn't outright stated that the Boeing Black won't become widely available, but there's also no word of a commercial release date or pricing. Perhaps these questions aren't ready to be answered (which seems likely), or perhaps it's all part of the plan - shroud the Black in mystery, leaving would-be identity thieves and other nefarious types in the lurch. Unfortunately, this also means consumers are left with a phone that may be harder to find than an America's Most Wanted suspect. Back in black In the other black corner, the GeeksPhone Blackphone is aimed squarely where Boeing and other ultra-secure phone makers haven't yet tread: at consumers. The Blackphone is the result of a partnership between GeeksPhone and Silent Circle, a company that specializes in encrypted communications. It runs another custom version of Android, this one called PrivatOS. It encrypts all your phone calls and texts, and all web browsing is anonymous. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psirMYyc77Q The Blackphone also gives you total control over how much access to your phone and network every individual app is given. If an app does something suspicious, you can stop it in its tracks. It also has a smart Wi-Fi manager that turns your Wi-Fi off when you leave trusted locations, and you get extra licenses to get friends and family hooked up with Silent Circle services so you can communicate with one another in private. In terms of specs the Blackphone sports a 4.7-inch HD display, a 2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of memory, 16GB of storage, and an 8-megapixel camera on the back. And it will go for $629 (about £377, AU$700) when it drops in June. Paranoia pays The smartphone security arms race is clearly just beginning to heat up. Boeing may one day decide to give the Black (or another phone like it) a wider commercial release, or it may not. It doesn't really matter in the scheme of things, because the GeeksPhone Blackphone is already there - and others aren't far behind. Motorola has a security-focused Android phone called the AME 2000 that's currently being used by federal agencies. Apple published a 33-page document this month detailing the security features of iOS 7. Following Apple, Samsung recently equipped the Galaxy S5 with a fingerprint scanner. The company also launched KNOX marketplace, a secure, business-oriented app store for BYOD clientele. Even the upcoming LG G3 is rumored to have a fingerprint sensor - or possibly something so sci-fi as an eyeball scanner. There will no doubt be many more phones down the road seeking to define security. And in today's age, when parties ranging from identity thieves to the government itself may try at any time to gain access to our personal and private data, that's more important than ever. Or perhaps smartphones are the weak link in security? In depth: Background noise reduction: one of your smartphone's greatest tools Feb 28th 2014, 20:00, by Thomas Thorn Noise cancellation - your secret smartphone friend In a smartphone world dominated by data speed and increasing storage, it seems almost archaic to laud a technology that wildly improves your ability to speak to another person. But background noise reduction, a feature found in nearly every high-end and mid-range smartphone, has quietly revolutionised our ability to conduct conversations on the go - here's what you need to know about this intelligent tech that stops you being drowned out every time a car goes past. The first thing you might not know is that your phone has more than one microphone. In most cases this will be a secondary or tertiary microphone, and will be placed at strategic points around your handset. From here, simple mathematics is used to create an algorithm that works out just what noise is present and how to eradicate it. A primary microphone is aimed to your mouth to record your voice, whilst also picking up any noise from around you. In a single microphone circuit, this comprises all the data that is sent via the air waves to the receiving handset. With a secondary microphone located elsewhere, usually near the top and on the back of the handset (so it doesn't pick up so much speech), a lot of background noise can be removed. One company making strides in noise reduction is Qualcomm. Its Fluence technology is built into a number of its chips. These chips are the same ones that are found within any number of the highest end flagships, whilst also making its way down to even a few budget handsets. All phones running a Snapdragon SoC, including the 800 and latest Snapdragon 801, include Fluence. This means that the HTC One, LG G2, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5 all include the technology. And even lower-end phones will be packing the noise cancelling technology, although many will be devoid simply because it costs more to chuck in another microphone or two. 2 is better than 1 Imagine a scenario when you're walking past some really loud roadworks whilst on the phone. Only a few years ago this would have meant that a mobile call would have been nigh-on impossible as you get drowned out by the machinery. Old feature phones particularly struggled in this area, unable to cope due to single microphones and the lack of power that sat underneath the hood. Today things are completely different as a second microphone can help remove the sound of those road works. As your voice hits the primary microphone, it comes in much stronger than when it hits the secondary. The two microphones send a signal to your handset's processor, and it compares the two soundwaves coming in. Working out which is your voice and which isn't is the tricky bit, but once that's done your phone will apply a negative sound wave to the call: put simply, it counteracts whichever sound is unwanted and makes it inaudible by reversing it. This ensures that only the sound of your voice is sent to your contact's handset. Bluetooth headsets also use the same technology so you aren't tied down to holding your phone to your head to get the same outcome. Another company pushing the cancellation technology is Li Creative Technologies, and they've got some comparisons on how noise cancellation can alter the way your call sounds - it's the hiss in the background that gets hit the hardest, as you can hear. Active cancellation Background noise reduction is also making another appearance on the likes of the Sony Xperia Z2, working in a different way to that of ensuring clear voices. This works instead in the same way as active noise cancelling headphones, designed instead to ensure that the music or video that you are listening to is delivered to your ear drums in the clearest manner, unobstructed by the noises of the world around you, but doing away with the clunky box that adorns most headphones that offer the same tech. To work, the Xperia Z2 needs headphones that come equipped a secondary microphone on each ear, that track the noises from the world around you. These then are sent to the phone, which inverts the sound wave before throwing it back up to your ears with the external noise reduced. Unfortunately this is only possible on the Xperia Z2 (at least for the moment) with its proprietary MDR-NC31Em headphones. Hopefully this technology makes it across to other handsets and earphones, as it should theoretically be possible to use the microphone on most hands free headsets to deliver the same tech. This technology doesn't come without its dangers though, as it is used to actively cancel the noise of the world around you to make your audio come through clearer. As with every set of headphones, be wary when out and about - look both ways before you cross the street and all that. And it's not just noise cancellation that these microphones bring: on the higher-end handsets, such as those from Nokia and Apple, these mics help dramatically when recording at gigs or other venues with high ambient noise. These HDR microphones (or high amplitude audio capture) have a special membrane that means you don't get that hideous distortion on your home movie, and the placement of up to three mics means that the phone can actually process the sound spatially, giving a more targeted priority to that which you're actually trying to film. Combined with the noise cancellation abilities of your phone, this means that you'll mostly hear the artist rather than the screaming fans around you - and when things get a little louder, it won't sound like muddy audio mess. So next time you're walking down the street, pass some noisy roadworks and cars and still can hold a conversation... you'll know why. In depth: Background noise reduction: one of your smartphone's greatest tools Feb 28th 2014, 20:00, by Thomas Thorn Noise cancellation - your secret smartphone friend In a smartphone world dominated by data speed and increasing storage, it seems almost archaic to laud a technology that wildly improves your ability to speak to another person. But background noise reduction, a feature found in nearly every high-end and mid-range smartphone, has quietly revolutionised our ability to conduct conversations on the go - here's what you need to know about this intelligent tech that stops you being drowned out every time a car goes past. The first thing you might not know is that your phone has more than one microphone. In most cases this will be a secondary or tertiary microphone, and will be placed at strategic points around your handset. From here, simple mathematics is used to create an algorithm that works out just what noise is present and how to eradicate it. A primary microphone is aimed to your mouth to record your voice, whilst also picking up any noise from around you. In a single microphone circuit, this comprises all the data that is sent via the air waves to the receiving handset. With a secondary microphone located elsewhere, usually near the top and on the back of the handset (so it doesn't pick up so much speech), a lot of background noise can be removed. One company making strides in noise reduction is Qualcomm. Its Fluence technology is built into a number of its chips. These chips are the same ones that are found within any number of the highest end flagships, whilst also making its way down to even a few budget handsets. All phones running a Snapdragon SoC, including the 800 and latest Snapdragon 801, include Fluence. This means that the HTC One, LG G2, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5 all include the technology. And even lower-end phones will be packing the noise cancelling technology, although many will be devoid simply because it costs more to chuck in another microphone or two. 2 is better than 1 Imagine a scenario when you're walking past some really loud roadworks whilst on the phone. Only a few years ago this would have meant that a mobile call would have been nigh-on impossible as you get drowned out by the machinery. Old feature phones particularly struggled in this area, unable to cope due to single microphones and the lack of power that sat underneath the hood. Today things are completely different as a second microphone can help remove the sound of those road works. As your voice hits the primary microphone, it comes in much stronger than when it hits the secondary. The two microphones send a signal to your handset's processor, and it compares the two soundwaves coming in. Working out which is your voice and which isn't is the tricky bit, but once that's done your phone will apply a negative sound wave to the call: put simply, it counteracts whichever sound is unwanted and makes it inaudible by reversing it. This ensures that only the sound of your voice is sent to your contact's handset. Bluetooth headsets also use the same technology so you aren't tied down to holding your phone to your head to get the same outcome. Another company pushing the cancellation technology is Li Creative Technologies, and they've got some comparisons on how noise cancellation can alter the way your call sounds - it's the hiss in the background that gets hit the hardest, as you can hear. Active cancellation Background noise reduction is also making another appearance on the likes of the Sony Xperia Z2, working in a different way to that of ensuring clear voices. This works instead in the same way as active noise cancelling headphones, designed instead to ensure that the music or video that you are listening to is delivered to your ear drums in the clearest manner, unobstructed by the noises of the world around you, but doing away with the clunky box that adorns most headphones that offer the same tech. To work, the Xperia Z2 needs headphones that come equipped a secondary microphone on each ear, that track the noises from the world around you. These then are sent to the phone, which inverts the sound wave before throwing it back up to your ears with the external noise reduced. Unfortunately this is only possible on the Xperia Z2 (at least for the moment) with its proprietary MDR-NC31Em headphones. Hopefully this technology makes it across to other handsets and earphones, as it should theoretically be possible to use the microphone on most hands free headsets to deliver the same tech. This technology doesn't come without its dangers though, as it is used to actively cancel the noise of the world around you to make your audio come through clearer. As with every set of headphones, be wary when out and about - look both ways before you cross the street and all that. And it's not just noise cancellation that these microphones bring: on the higher-end handsets, such as those from Nokia and Apple, these mics help dramatically when recording at gigs or other venues with high ambient noise. These HDR microphones (or high amplitude audio capture) have a special membrane that means you don't get that hideous distortion on your home movie, and the placement of up to three mics means that the phone can actually process the sound spatially, giving a more targeted priority to that which you're actually trying to film. Combined with the noise cancellation abilities of your phone, this means that you'll mostly hear the artist rather than the screaming fans around you - and when things get a little louder, it won't sound like muddy audio mess. So next time you're walking down the street, pass some noisy roadworks and cars and still can hold a conversation... you'll know why. Lenovo and Ashton Kutcher are about to punk the smartphone industry Feb 28th 2014, 19:33, by Michael Rougeau Playing iPhone creator Steve Jobs in a film doesn't qualify you to design actual smartphones yourself, but don't tell that to Ashton Kutcher and Lenovo. The actor who "Punk'd" people in the early days teamed up with the tech company in 2013, and now he's helping it design a line of smartphones that will come out later in 2014, Lenovo has announced. Lenovo Chief Marketing Officer David Roman dropped this unlikely news on Recode, telling the site that Kutcher is actually the real deal. "I know on one level, it sounds corny, but it is real," Roman said. "He not only sees himself as an engineer, but he is an engineer. If he sees a problem, he wants to solve it." If you say so Kutcher signed on as a product engineer with Lenovo in 2013, appearing in ads and helping the company develop and promote its Yoga Tablet line. When it comes to the new Lenovo phones, Kutcher will have a heavy hand in designing the user experience, Roman said. The actor best known for his role as Kelso on That '70s Show may not have any design credentials, but in fact he has been involved in the tech world for a number of years, having invested in start-ups like Foursquare, Airbnb and Uber while co-founding the venture capital group A-Grade. He even gave a impressive talk about social media and tech investments at CTIA 2013, and he studied biochemical engineering in college before leaving to pursue a modeling career. Does that mean he can help design a decent smartphone to follow up Lenovo's Vibe Z? For that, we'll just have to wait and see. At least Kutcher isn't designing the iPhone 6 (as far as we know). New HTC One price revealed? Feb 28th 2014, 16:15, by Hugh Langley The new HTC One is the next big anticipated phone of 2014, and the price of the handset might have just been leaked online. Mobile Fun is pricing the phone at £579.99 (around $968, AU$1080), however the validity of this pricing is unfounded beyond the claims of the site itself. A spokesperson from Mobile Fun told TechRadar that the price had been confirmed by one of the site's suppliers who will be shipping the phone the moment it goes on sale. Less than a month to go Given the lack of any other source information, we'll remain cautious about this one for now. The HTC One went on sale for about £500 when it launched last year, so this price is a little higher than expected although not ludicrous enough to be totally unbelievable. Not long to go now, anyway. The new HTC One will be revealed on March 25. Everything else you need to know about the new HTC One right now In depth: Flight alteration: how the smartphone is invading your air travel Feb 28th 2014, 10:30, by James Rogerson The phrase that brings dread at the start of a flight: "Please turn off all electronic devices during take-off and landing. Limited use is allowed during the flight." That wasn't so bad when all you had to do was switch off your Gameboy for a bit (although the lack of saving RUINED Super Mario Land) but nowadays, in our smartphone-addicted times, it's akin to being imprisoned in the 1980s for umpteen hours. It means flights are dead time, with no communication with the outside world, limited ability to work or play and during take-off and landing you were all but forced to read the in-flight magazine, which is a fate we wouldn't wish on anyone. There were reasons for this, beyond perhaps the hope that passengers might resort to overpriced alcohol in desperation. Take-off and landing are the most dangerous parts of a flight. If anything's going to go wrong it's likely to happen during your ascent or descent, so airline staff want you to pay attention to the safety information and not be distracted. There were also concerns that electronic devices might interfere with radio frequencies used by the cockpits navigation and communication equipment or degrade the signal strength of landing systems. The times they are a-changin' But things are finally changing, as it turns out that electronics might not be such an issue after all. Some US airlines recently carried out a series of tests which showed that electronic devices don't actually affect a plane's systems and restrictions are being lessened as a result. What does that mean for passengers? Well first of all you may soon be able to use phones, tablets, e-readers and other handheld devices during take-off and landing. The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has already allowed BA to make the change and other airlines might soon follow. This means on British Airways flights you no longer have to turn electronics off before boarding or before the descent, instead simply switching them to aeroplane mode and they can stay on for the duration of the flight. That applies to any handheld item that has a flight safe mode, though larger devices such as laptops can still only be used when the plane is cruising, which is more to do with keeping the seating area clear in the event of an accident. The relaxation of restrictions also means less downtime as you'll actually be able to use your phone and tablet during take-off and landing, giving you an average of 30 minutes extra use on every flight. It's a change which airlines seem to be happy about too. Madhu Unnikrishnan, a media relations manager for Virgin America, told us that "the FAA [previously] restricted the use of personal electronic devices (PED's) during take off and landing, and we complied with the rules. We are pleased that the agency has relaxed the rules to allow the use of PED's from gate to gate." The fact that people are using personal electronics more and have more freedom to use them has also played into a rethink on in-flight entertainment. For example Lufthansa has created a service which will stream movies, music and other content straight to passengers phones and tablets, removing the need to have screens built into planes and improving the quality of what you're watching - if you invest in a new smartphone or tablet with a decent screen, of course. Wi-Fly Even better, Wi-Fi is now available on some flights. For example BA offers it through its currently rather exclusive and limited OnAir service, keeping passengers connected to their world for the duration of a flight. In the US, on-board Wi-Fi is more widely available. It's a common feature of domestic flights, where there's a hotspot on board the plane, which transmits to specially built mobile phone masts on the ground. Since whatever device you're using is connecting to the plane rather than directly communicating with antennas on the ground it doesn't interfere with normal phone masts, while the masts that the aircraft communicates with operate at a lower transmitting power than normal ones, to avoid any interference with the plane's navigation systems. There are still problems to overcome though; for one thing there tends to be a cost attached to the service, which can put people off. Then there's the fact that heavy Wi-Fi use could drain your battery, especially on long flights, yet many planes still don't have power sockets for every seat. On-board Wi-Fi also poses problems for international travel, as right now it relies on more of a 3G / 4G hotspot on the plane (if available - many are still stuck on 2G / EDGE, which are nigh-on useless to most connected phones), which requires passengers to use data roaming and can have major costs attached. Phoning home from 30,000 feet It's an exciting step in the right direction though. It's bringing the in-flight experience into the 21st century and allowing your time on board to be less boring and more productive. The one thing that's still mostly not allowed is phone calls, but airlines are even starting to experiment with that, although there are obvious barriers. Mobile phone masts don't broadcast very far upwards, not to mention the fact that planes travel so fast that even if you could get a connection it would likely cut out as you move between towers, so even if you were allowed to use your phone on a plane you wouldn't actually be able to make calls the way things are now. But the solution is simple: airlines would just have to install a 'picocell' on the plane, which is a small cellular base station that basically does the same job as a mobile phone mast. Then the only hurdle is to ensure that passenger's phones connect to the network at their lowest setting, so as not to interfere with the on-board electronics. But new technologies have solved that problem and some airlines have already implemented them. Virgin Atlantic for example is experimenting with in-flight calls, while text messages are already sort of possible on Wi-Fi equipped planes, as Unnikrishnan told us that "we do not permit voice calls on board our flights, but guests may send text messages when connected to Wi-Fi through apps, such as iMessage and WhatsApp." So what does all this mean for aeroplane mode? Well, where it once turned off all connections it may soon be redesigned to allow for Wi-Fi and in the not too distant future it may not be needed at all. What do you think? Should we lament the loss of that peaceful flight time, or will the end of rubbish screens, lonely hours in the air and nothing but the hiss of the engines be a wonderful thing? Let us know in the comments below. The skies could soon get a lot busier if Amazon's vision of a drone delivery service takes off. In depth: Firefox OS: could your next smartphone cost just $25? Feb 28th 2014, 08:00, by James Rogerson Firefox OS: What is it? Part 1 Android accounted for 81% of worldwide smartphone shipments in the third quarter of 2013 and iOS mopped up most of the rest according to a study by IDC. With that in mind it could be easy to think that Mozilla's new Firefox OS is doomed to fail; after all, how can it hope to compete with the sales figures of Apple and Google, especially when veterans like BlackBerry and big names like Microsoft's Windows Phone are struggling to make much of a dent in global sales? But Firefox OS isn't just another smartphone operating system. It's fundamentally different in creation to any of the major players and Mozilla's tactics and aims are somewhat different too. App freedom The goal of Firefox OS is primarily to create a truly open ecosystem, one where all apps can run on other operating systems and on almost any hardware. In other words: do away with the walled gardens that we've all become so accustomed to on phones. Other smartphone platforms require apps to be developed specifically for them, so if a developer wants to put an app on multiple device types then it has to be manually ported each time. It also means that if a user ever abandons one operating system for another they won't be able to access their apps anymore. They'll have to find and buy them all again and that's if they're even available. Firefox OS handles apps more like the internet handles web pages. Rather than proprietary tools they're built using open web standards like HTML5 and JavaScript, so they can run on just about any computing device that has access to Firefox, meaning Android phones and PCs alike can make use. In other words they're platform agnostic and as both Firefox OS and its apps have low hardware requirements you can access them on very affordable devices, designed to make the mobile web more open with minimal barriers to entry so the maximum amount of users can get involved. It's a lofty goal, but if Firefox OS wasn't so ambitious and so different it would have little hope of attracting any attention at all in the congested smartphone market - although it's worth noting that this project is as much about offering something new to the developing markets as it is trying to break the smartphone stranglehold in the more mature areas. Firefox OS is also about trust and community development. As a truly open source OS it's very transparent, allowing tech-savvy users to see how their personal data is handled, while both individuals and organisations are free to build on and modify Firefox OS to improve it and make it available for other platforms. Adaptation Firefox OS has another trick up its sleeve too and it's called adaptive app search. It's a search screen which is used both to find apps and documents that are already installed on your phone and web apps that you might be interested in, essentially combining a web search with a search of your phone storage. Simply type a word out and it will bring back all the relevant results from both local and online content. Web apps can then be used immediately or downloaded to your phone and the results will even adapt to your location when relevant, ensuring you always get the best results possible. This web-facing approach doesn't mean any phone running Firefox OS has no similarities to your Android or iPhone. It still uses a lock screen, home screen and notifications bar and handsets which run Firefox OS come with a camera complete with style filters, a music player and FM radio. On top of that there's the obvious suite of software: maps, the Firefox web browser, Firefox Marketplace for apps, an email app and built in integration with Facebook and Twitter to make users coming from other smartphones should feel right at home. Firefox OS: What is it? Part 2 Starting small But even with all the positive aspects of Firefox OS it's not really ready to take on Android and iOS. Both of those operating systems have been around for years and gone through numerous changes, while Firefox OS is only on version 1.2. It also has far fewer apps than either of the big two and so far it's only available for a handful of phones, most of which are pretty low end. So it's not likely to tempt too many consumers on these shores in its current state, but then it's also not easily available in many of the more developed smartphone nations yet and that's a very conscious decision from Mozilla. Smartphones are enormously popular in the UK, for instance, where 62.2% of the population has one according to a study by Statista. Disposable incomes are higher too, so expensive flagship phones are in great demand and the super-cheap aspirations of Firefox aren't being touted beyond finding some hardware available on eBay. As such it's incredibly unlikely that Firefox OS could make much headway in this area, with users entrenched in iOS and Android and looking for high end handsets. It's a similar story in the US and other wealthy nations, which is why Firefox OS is not available in them for the most part either. But there are some parts of the world where it's a very different story. In Peru, for example, smartphone penetration stands at just 17%, according to a study by Ipsos Peru, leaving the vast majority of its 30,475,144 strong population without a handset and likely to be more open to an iOS and Android alternative. This is true when you consider the availability of very affordable phones such as the ZTE Open and could soon be available for phones which cost as little as $25, which puts it in direct competition with the feature phone price range. Just because it's cheap, doesn't mean it's great though: check out our hands on: ZTE Open C review to see what we thought of the new hardware. In case you haven't guessed, Peru is one of the places where you can currently buy Firefox OS phones, showing Mozilla is instead trying to capture new and developing markets where the fact that it's so new won't be such a problem and the fact that it's affordable will be a huge advantage. With Firefox OS running on just 128MB of RAM it's going to be an appealing option for both customers and manufacturers, who can squeeze the OS into increasingly cheap handsets. In an interview Mozilla's Head of Engineering, Jonathan Nightingale, told us that "our CEO talks about how we're going to have 2 billion people joining the web for the first time and we've got about two billion on the web now, so the two billion coming in is going to look really different. "A lot of people are asking whether Firefox OS is designed for the emerging market and whether that's our segment. Certainly, that's an important place for us to be. We're non-profit, we're mission driven so we look at it and think, if those people are coming online, they're not going to be doing it on a $700 smartphone. We have a real opportunity to introduce something there." By focusing on developing markets Mozilla is also working towards its goal of bringing the web to more people, as it will get internet enabled phones into the hands of those who may never have owned a smartphone or computer before. It's a strategy mirrored by the likes of Nokia, which has had plans to build phones that connect the next billion users to the internet and explains why it's adding a version of Android (with the Nokia X) to its range to service this market segment which has access to 3G but no fixed landlines. Other brands, such as Sony, Huawei, LG and Alcatel are all getting behind the open OS, committing to launching hardware with a smattering of devices in the market, with more to come. It's not a huge, sweeping effort to enter the market, but shows that there is at least some intrigue there. So far things seem to be going according to plan for Mozilla's new OS, as back in October it was reported by Telefonica that Firefox OS accounted for more than 12% of smartphone sales in Venezuela and almost 9% in Colombia. Onwards and upwards Ultimately, once the OS matures (assuming it survives that long), there's every chance that it will spread to the UK and beyond and until it has matured you probably won't want it anyway. Even if or when it does go global Mozilla doesn't necessarily need it to compete with Android and iOS. As a non-profit organisation it doesn't need to be number one, all it needs is for enough people to be using Firefox OS that it's a known entity and that developers are making a large number of applications for it, applications which can then be run on other devices, keeping the mobile web open and accessible, which are two of the key stated goals in Mozilla's Manifesto. Firefox OS's use of HTML5 should make it easier for developers to get on board too as many will already know HTML5 and won't have to learn a new programming language. In the words of Nightingale: "There's 200,000 iOS developers, 600,000 Android developers and there's 8 million web developers out there. If you're not betting on HTML5, you're making a mistake." But Firefox OS isn't even just about phones. Panasonic for example plans to use Firefox OS in some of its smart TV's, while in the future Mozilla wants to see Firefox OS and the principles of openness that come with it make their way to smartwatches, cars and anything else with an internet connection. As Firefox OS is an open source system that other companies and individuals are allowed to adapt and use for their own purposes there's no reason it couldn't power stereos, fridges, vacuum cleaners and just about anything else in the future. In fact it's ideally positioned to capitalise on the ever growing number of smart devices. There's no doubt that it has an uphill struggle, but by taking a different, altogether more altruistic approach to things Mozilla and its Firefox OS might just stand a chance, particularly in developing nations. But with its focus firmly on the low-end of the market for now it's unlikely to be making waves in the more developed nations for the next few years - then again, at such a low cost, it's not unfeasible even now that you could pop online and buy an unlocked handset running the platform instead of upgrading to that hyper-expensive flagship model. Firefox OS isn't the only mobile upstart. Tizen is looking for a slice of the pie too.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions