Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 03-11-2014

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iOS 8 en route to make Apple Maps the service Google should fear Mar 11th 2014, 14:55, by Hugh Langley Like the changing of the seasons, iOS 8 arriving in 2014 is a certainty, and we're hearing that it's set to give Apple Maps a significant overhaul. Since its disasterous launch, the mapping service has been lagging behind Google's own, but according to 9 to 5 Mac, quoting "sources briefed on the plans", Cupertino is hoping to close the gap with the next update. The sources say that Apple plans to add public transit directions, for transport including "train, subway and bus", which will make it much easier to get from A to B. It'll also be adding improved directions to public airports. The feature is said to be rolling out for major US cities to begin with, and will then move beyond that – and potentially internationally – soon after. On track That's the biggest new feature said to be hitting Maps, but the same report also claims the app will also have more enhanced data to improve accuracy, while new points of interest and label, such as airports and train stations, will also be added. It's also claimed that the overall look of the maps have been improved "to make streets more visible". Finally, Sources say that Apple is already working on an augmented reality that will let you see highlighted points of interest on top of your live camera feed, though it's unlikely that we'll see it as soon as iOS 8. iOS 7 was very much a visual update, but it's sounding like iOS 8 could be bringing a lot more functionality. Especially if there's any truth to the rumours of Apple's Healthbook app making its way into the new OS too. In the meantime, here's everything you need to know about the latest update: iOS 7.1 New HTC One leak explains dual cameras, promises 'more depth' Mar 11th 2014, 13:30, by Kate Solomon A leaked ad for the all new HTC One has shed some light on why the handset will rock double cameras on the back. The idea behind "HTC Duo Camera" is to let your phone take photos "with more depth", it says. The two lenses allow for better low-light photography, as well as letting you switch the focus of a photo after you've taken it and add in 3D effects. Going down under The ad comes from a Telstra brochure, from which we've deduced that the Australian network will be offering the handset when it launches. Other features detailed in the ad include HTC BoomSound, Sense 6.0, an all-metal chassis and 5-inch full HD scratch-resistant screen. It all seems to fall in line with previous leaks, but we'll find out for sure when the new HTC One launches on March 25. Get ready for the launch by boning up on everything you need to know about the new HTC One Updated: iPhone 6 release date, news and rumors Mar 11th 2014, 13:08, by Gareth Beavis and John McCann Release date and design The new iPhone could be one of the most pivotal devices in the Cupertino brand's history - with the the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C simple updates to previous models, there's a lot of pressure heaped on the iPhone 6. As per usual, the internet is awash with rumor, speculation and downright lies over this next-generation handset, which is why we spend our time trawling through each nugget of info, debating its merits and curating it into this easy-to-read hub for all things iPhone 6. iOS 7: Apple's new look for iPhone and iPad Some of you might have been expecting the iPhone 6 to have debuted in 2013, but given the iPhone's history - from the 3G onwards, there's always been a half-step S model before the next numbered iPhone - we were never going to get the 6 until 2014. In fact, it will technically be the iPhone 8 by that point... but hey, who's counting these days? One thing is for sure, with the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One 2 and Sony Xperia Z2 just around the corner, Apple will need to be on its game with the new handset - and many believe a bigger screen is simply a must. Cut to the chase What is it? A major revision of the iPhone including entire design When is it out? September 2014, maybe as early as June for a larger 'iPhablet' What will it cost? Expect premium pricing for a premium smartphone iPhone 6 release date The iPhone 6 release date will be in 2014, although exactly when that will be in the year is still a little unclear. Here's what we think is most likely to happen: at WWDC in June this year we'll see the obvious release of iOS 8, but also a larger-screened iPhablet as Apple looks to bring itself to the fore in Asian markets and rivalling the likes of the Galaxy Note 3. We'd have usually given this kind of rumor a wide berth, but multiple reports have spoken of a larger device from Apple at the June event, so we're starting to give them some credence. At the very least, Apple is definitely testing it, but may not bring it to market. After that, Apple will launch the iPhone 6 in September, along with the iWatch and the first view of iOS 8, to allow it to both bring a new product to market as well as keeping its schedule safe. This is backed up by KDB Daewoo Securities, which does have a decent record in Apple early leaks. Apple has launched the last few iPhones at a special event in September, so the smart money is on September 2014 for the iPhone 6's arrival but won't be the only mobile hardware we see from the firm this year. FutTv : k5C7uNPo0Lkau Lost home button? According to Business Insider, of the many iPhone 6 prototypes Apple has made, one has a giant Retina+ IGZO display and a "new form factor with no home button. Gesture control is also possibly included." It will surely include Apple's new Touch ID finger print tech though? The Retina+ Sharp IGZO display would have a 1080p Full HD resolution. It's also been widely reported that Apple could introduce two handset sizes as it seeks to compete with the plethora of Android devices now on the market - with both being a lot thinner thanks to big improvements in LED backlight technology to reduce the thickness. We reckon there will be two screen sizes and resolutions, as mentioned above. A Full HD display makes perfect sense for the iPhone 6, especially if it grows to a 4.7-inch screen as mooted, and the iPhablet will push things even further to preserve the Retina experience on a larger display. In other areas, patents show that Apple has been thinking about magical morphing technology that can hide sensors and even cameras. Will it make it into the iPhone 6? Probably not. That said, there's still a small possibility of the iPhone 6 sporting a flexible wraparound display after more patents were uncovered, but we reckon that's more likely to feature on the iPhone 7 or 8 instead. Back in September last year, rumors pointed to a 6-inch display, with further talk of a phablet sized 6-inch iPhone claiming it might arrive as early as May 2014 - which jives nicely with the above chat on an iPhablet. Case and healthcare iPhone 6 casing It's been suggested that there could even be three size variants of the new iPhone - check out these mocked up images by artist Peter Zigich, and that makes sense seeing as the iPhone 5C will need a sequel. He calls the handsets iPhone 6 Mini, iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 XL (these look rather like the iPhone 5C variant though). However, as ZDNet rightly points out, different size variants aren't exactly easy to just magic out of thin air. You can expect more premium metal to come your way with the iPhone 6 too, and Apple patents for liquidmetal 3D printing suggest there may be a new way to form the sultry chassis on the new iPhone. Writing in early January 2014, MacRumors quotes a batch of liquidmetal patents reportedly filed by Apple employees. This has been doing the rounds for a while though, and apparently it's a tricky material to work with. That chassis could well be the thinnest yet (thanks to that LED backlight we mentioned earlier) - with word that Apple will slim down the svelte 7.6mm 5S body for the iPhone 6, and if leaked images of the phone's case are legit the handset may well be shockingly slender. Apple has now been officially granted a patent for a flexible, curved handset design which sports a screen which wraps round the sides of the device. It's highly unlikely that the iPhone 6 will bear the fruits of this patent, as we expect the technology is still a few years off coming to market - but it could just be the curve ball Apple is looking for to inject the iPhone range with. An unbreakable display Here's an interesting one: Apple looks like it's signed a big deal to use a lot of sapphire glass in its phones, with the company buying up the technology to use the super-hard technology for its displays. Sapphire is already used by the Cupertino brand for its TouchID sensor cover and the camera glass, so extending it out makes a lot of sense. Whether it will be cost effective remains to be seen - but given iPhones are one of the top device for broken screen repair, reducing this problem would go down nicely. However, there's an issue here: it's really expensive, and as such seems like it would bump up the cost of the phone too much for Apple, even though its customer base expects to pay a premium. Canonical's CEO thinks that the Cupertino firm has been buying up swathes of the material - could this be for the iWatch? Seems more likely than an entire phone screen. And it could even self heal, with Apple trying to patent a special screen coating that could heal to dramatically enhance the appearance of the iPhone 6, as well as other Apple products. And what's this? NFC in an iPhone? About time too. Well, that's what iDownloadblog reckons, quoting Jefferies analyst Peter Misek. Many Android phones now boast NFC and Apple appears to have been happy to be left behind here, so we can't see it suddenly rocking the contactless technology when it appears to be on the wane. And what about a bit more space to sling our content? We've already seen a 128GB iPad, so why not a 128GB iPhone 6? Yes, it'll cost a fortune, but high-spending early adopters love this stuff. It could save your life - with iOS 8 With iOS 7 heading out of the traps now, who's betting against the next iPhone coming with iOS 8? We'd expect a September or October release date for iOS 8 in line with previous releases - although it's likely we'll see what the new software will entail from June this year. And owning one could definitely make you healthier, as Apple has apparently met with the FDA, according to the New York Times, to chat about the increased health-tracking software it will use in iOS 8. This will very likely be in association with the iWatch, which should debut at the same time as the new platform. However, the new iPhone will need to be a posterchild for the technology too, so from tracking your prescriptions to monitoring your health levels, we very much expect Apple to bring its new handset to the healthy fore as well. iPhone 6 processor Not a huge surprise, this one: the next processor one will be a quad-core A8 or an evolved A7. The big sell here is more power with better efficiency, which should help battery life. Anyone hoping for some juicy Samsung technology hidden under the iPhone 6 body will be disappointed though, as reports suggest Apple is looking to push its Korean rival further out of the iPhone picture with its eighth-gen handset. Apple is apparently cutting the amount of A8 processors it is having made by Samsung, although it hasn't severed ties completely just yet. Camera and wireless charging The best iPhone camera yet Apple's bought camera sensors from Sony before, and this year we're going to see a new, 13-megapixel sensor that takes up less room without compromising image quality. But that's not what everybody thinks. The China Post, quoting a tip from the country's Nomura Security, claims that the next iPhone won't go for a 12 or 16-megapixel sensor, instead sticking to the existing 8-megapixel unit. However, with more recent rumors believing that Apple has signed up to use a new material that will dramatically improve the quality of light trickling into the phone, a 10MP+ sensor could be possible. But why go for more megapixels if the pictures won't be any better? The notion that Apple will stick with an 8MP sensor might not be so good for marketing, but the news states the iPhone 6 will have an f/2.0 aperture and dramatically enhanced image processing, your snaps will look so good that most won't even care that the numbers are down. And you shouldn't - 5MP is enough to blow up a photo to A3 size, so when are you going to need more? On top of that, more impressive tech will also help make your snaps stand out. A patent confirms this, saying Apple's aim is to use "voice coil motor actuators" to move the lens around the optical axis. An Apple patent, uncovered by Apple Insider in May 2013, shows a system where an iPhone can remotely control other illuminating devices - extra flashes. It would work in a similar manner to that seen in professional photography studios. Interesting stuff. iPhone 6 Sapphire crystals GT Advanced Technologies provides crystal grow equipment and materials for consumer electronics, among other industries and has announced that it's signed a multi-year supply agreement with Apple to provide sapphire materials. Sapphire has figured prominently in recent Apple products - the iPhone 5S' Touch ID fingerprint reader features a cut sapphire crystal cover and the iPhone 5 was the first to feature a sapphire crystal lens.So what will we see in the iPhone 6? Certainly the Touch ID fingerprint reader, but also other scratch-proof materials - as we said, possibly the display, which makes a lot of sense. GT says it will own and operate the machinery to produce this stuff at a new Apple plant in Arizona - and as we mentioned above, Apple has bought a lot of this material, despite it being so goshdarn expensive that it might not be cost-effective to bring it as a screen cover. Apple has also filed a "Sapphire Windows" patent (discovered by Appleinsider) which details the numerous methods of growing, harvesting and polishing transparent sapphire wafers, then cutting them with advanced lasers. iPhone 6 wireless charging Wireless charging still isn't mainstream. Could Apple help give it a push? CP Tech reports that Apple has filed a patent for efficient wireless charging, but then again Apple has filed patents for pretty much anything imaginable. The tasty bit of this particular patent is that Apple's tech wouldn't just charge one device, but multiple ones. Here are more details on the iPhone 6 wireless charging patent. Meanwhile, a further Apple patent seems to imply that future iPhones will be able to adjust volume as you move them away from your ear. IBM man thinks Windows Phone is best for business Mar 11th 2014, 12:37, by Alex Hamilton An official at Big Blue has told of how many of its enterprise customers overwhelmingly prefer for their employees to use Windows Phones. Jim Szafranski, senior vice president of Customer Platform Services at IBM, said that enterprises would like to see their workers using Windows Phone due to its integration with Microsoft systems. Windows Phone is still being outpaced by iPhone and Android devices though, with just 3 per cent of the market. It was the strong IT interest that caused IBM to add Windows Phone to its product lines. The company's new MaaS360 suite, which will include WP compatibility, lets IT separate personal apps and data from enterprise software and info on the phone. Match made in heaven? Windows Phone 8 also features enterprise-orientated features, like secure boot protocols, app sandboxing, and BitLocker tech that can encrypt the entire device. "IT likes Microsoft and likes Windows. They've made a lot of investment in things like Active Directory and Exchange and as a result they have a lot of interest in seeing Windows Phone used by employees," Szafranski told RedmonD Magazine. "I don't think anyone is going to be all Windows on mobile, but enterprises do want it and I think they have a strong opportunity when it comes to the enterprise side of purchase decisions." Whether IBM has put its hat in the ring for the mobile device war is unknown. Big Blue could certainly be a powerful ally for Microsoft, even with their previous histories. Everything you need to know about the upcoming Windows 9 Samsung Knocks On LG's door with new smartphone unlock idea Mar 11th 2014, 12:33, by James Rogerson Apparently being able to use a fingerprint, password, PIN, face or pattern to unlock a smartphone isn't enough as Samsung has now patented a new method. The patent explains that users will be able to wake up or unlock a phone when the screen is off by drawing a shape with at least one intersection in it. If that sounds familiar it's because LG has just launched a new unlocking method of its own called Knock Code, which again works with the screen off, but rather than creating a shape you tap out a series of knocks. Muscle memory According to Samsung's patent it doesn't matter what size, shape or orientation the pattern has, so it should be easy to draw. All that matters is that it has at least one intersection and by saving multiple patterns with different numbers of intersections users would be able to jump straight to specific apps or phone functions by entering a different pattern. So for example one intersection might just unlock the phone, while two intersections would launch the camera and three would take you straight to the web browser. At the moment this is just a patent, so it's anyone's guess if and when it will actually be implemented into the Galaxy S5 or any future Samsung phones, but on paper it makes a lot of sense, even if it is suspiciously close to LG's idea. Curious about Knock Code? It's on the LG G Pro 2 A powerful Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo could be on the way Mar 11th 2014, 10:25, by James Rogerson If Samsung's working on the Galaxy S5 Neo it's certainly stayed quiet about it so far, but now we've got some evidence that it could be on the way. A phone with the model number SM-G800F has appeared on Indian import site Zauba and while that letter-number combo doesn't ring any bells, the price difference between it and the Samsung Galaxy S5 is similar to the difference between the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Note 3 Neo, suggesting that the mystery handset could be the Galaxy S5 Neo. That's hardly a confirmation, but we wouldn't be surprised if Samsung is working on such a handset and just days ago the same logic was used on the same site to spot what might be the Galaxy S5 mini. Slim hope Even if this is the Galaxy S5 Neo it might not emerge for a while. The Zauba listing claims that it's being shipped for R & D purposes, so it may not be a finished product yet. Then there's the fact that the Galaxy Note 3 Neo never actually made it to the UK, so here's hoping the S5 Neo, if that's what this is, does. Whatever it turns out to be, the price difference between it and the Samsung Galaxy S5 is very small, so we should be looking at quite a powerful device if and when it ever sees the light of day. Looking for a mid-range Galaxy and just can't wait? Check out the Galaxy S4 mini. Explained: iOS 7.1 vs iOS 7: what's new in Apple's latest OS update? Mar 10th 2014, 23:31, by Matt Swider If iOS 7 was a fresh coat of paint for Apple's operating system, then today's iOS 7.1 release is a much-needed touch up six months into the redesign. This essential software update fixes a number of unresolved bugs that complicated owning an iPhone 5S, iPad Air and iPad mini 2. iOS 7.1 also features a handful of user interface tweaks that alter the non-skeuomorphic design. They're still flat, but a little rounder than before. We poured over the official release notes and tested out iOS 7.1 to find that while there aren't a lot of major changes, its ability to remedy iOS 7 glitches makes it worth downloading immediately. Death to 'the white screen of death' The most pervasive glitch is what Apple is calling "an occasional Home screen crash bug." Users have more aptly nicknamed it the "white screen of death" glitch. By either name, it's an annoying software defect that randomly forced iOS devices into a soft reset. A blank screen with the Apple logo would suddenly show up for no apparent reason. While users have complained about this task-closing glitch since September 2013, Apple hasn't been able to fix it until now. It first acknowledged the problem and promised a solution in January. The company didn't reveal why this glitch occurred, but it's thankfully gone according to our tests today. Six months is far too long to wait for such a patch. iOS 7.1 revs up CarPlay Apple is putting iOS in the Car, even though its infotainment ecosystem doesn't go by that more direct name anymore. CarPlay is enabled through iOS 7.1 on any iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C or iPhone 5 as long as it's paired with a compatible vehicle. So far that includes the Volvo XC90 SUV, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Ferrari FF with more car models and manufacturers to come. The release notes indicate that CarPlay brings phone, music, maps, messages and third-party audio apps to the hands-free infotainment center. Users can also control everything through Siri or via the car's touchscreen, knobs and buttons. Design tweaks Flat circles are in and skeuomorphic boxes are out, according to Apple's iOS design tweaks. The look and feel of iOS 7.1 makes such alterations to the call and power-off screens. The answer and end button are now green and red circles. These smaller but more fashionable pair match the caller's round photo icon. The same treatment was given to the revised power off slide bar. Holding down the sleep button brings up a new white and red button, replacing the ugly reddish-orange bar. All animations have been sped up too, making iOS 7.1 instantly faster when sliding through and opening up apps. It's almost as if the processor got a speed boost without the necessary hardware upgrade. Siri and Touch ID Siri is easier to operate in iOS 7.1. Before, Apple's personal assistant would often cut you off mid-sentence, complicating it as a hands-free solution. Now, holding down the home button manually controls Siri so that you can drone on and on without having her interrupting your bloviating commands. Apple's release notes indicate that its Touch ID fingerprint recognition system has improved with iOS 7.1. Users have previously complained that the scanner forgets their fingerprints. The Camera and Calendar apps are the final tweaks Apple is highlighting in iOS 7.1. The iPhone 5S automatically enables HDR photos through the Camera app, while Calendar brings the much-needed ability to view events by month. All of these upgrades aren't significant and few iPhone users can take advantage of CarPlay, but today's minor update is a step in the right direction as we await bigger changes for iOS 8 this fall. Apple's iOS 7.1 update features support for unknown iPad models Perturbed by pricey Sony Xperia Z2 contracts? Vodafone offering free Bravia TV Mar 10th 2014, 17:26, by Chris Smith Vodafone has teamed up with Sony to give away a 32-inch Bravia TV with the first 3,000 pre-orders of the firm's new flagship Xperia Z2 handset. The network is making the phone available from April 10, but those wishing to reserve the 5.2-inch Android device can register and earn themselves a free telly in the process. The announcement comes amid a little bit of a backlash over the new device's pricing. Contracts with Vodafone start at a whopping £47 a month. Users will get a free phone, unlimited calls, texts and 3GB of 4G data on the company's Red 4G plans, but it's still a sizeable outlay over the course of two years. Worthy improvements Announced at MWC 2014 last month, The Xperia Z2 brings a host of worthy improvements over its predecessor. Alongside that 5.2-inch Full HD display, it also packs Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box. It's also one of the first handsets to deploy the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU, which, when combined with 3GB of RAM, makes the device one of the speediest on the market. Does the offer of a free gogglebox soften the blow of the contract price for you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Sony Xperia Z2 release date: Where can I get it? Apple releases iOS 7.1, complete with CarPlay support and UI changes Mar 10th 2014, 17:11, by Michelle Fitzsimmons Apple has unleashed iOS 7.1 into the wild, bringing a number of tweaks and additions to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users. Chief among the features riding along with the update is CarPlay, Apple's "iOS experience designed for the car." There are no CarPlay-capable cars on the road right now, but those in the market for a new Ferrari (or Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes or Volvo) will be able to integrate their iPhone apps with their roadster some time this year. Users will also notice iOS 7.1 brings UI changes, squishes bugs and speeds up animations and transitions, among other improvements. What's new in iOS 7.1 The iOS 7 update brings with it a few Camera add-ons, such as an indicator when auto-flash will kick in and a new auto HDR mode for the iPhone 5S. Siri is seeing some love too as she now supports push-to-talk. FaceTime call notifications will vanish automatically once a user answers a call on another device. There's also a fix for a bug that "could occasionally cause a home screen crash" - the infamous white screen of death - as well as improvements to Touch ID fingerprint recognition. Further changes include more accessibility options, new button borders and a toggle to turn down "harsh white elements" throughout the system. The green of Messages, FaceTime and Phone apps is less radioactive, too. Users will have the option to toggle the Parallax options on the lock screen wallpaper. Finally, the keyboard has managed to see a design tweak between iOS 7 and iOS 7.1. iOS 7.1 is available over the air through the Software Update section in Settings, or via iTunes on a Mac or PC. iOS 7.1 vs iOS 7: what's changed? Vodafone Germany rolls out sim(ple) data encryption Mar 10th 2014, 17:00, by Stu Robarts Vodafone Germany has announced that it is to offer SIM card-based end-to-end mobile communications encryption to public sector and corporate customers. The move is aimed at providing organisations with a means of protecting sensitive data as mobile working becomes more prevalent. The Secure SIM Data service allows users to encrypt data for emails, documents, data carriers and VPN connections using a pin and a digital signature before sending it. The recipient can decrypt the data using the same pin. By using a pin and corresponding signature, the need for additional hardware is avoided. Secure SIM Data uses S/MIME encryption for email exchanges and PGP encryption is planned. The service can also be used to encrypt storage devices such as USB sticks or hard drives, ensuring that employees can keep data secure when travelling even in the event of a device being lost or stolen. Effective protection "We created Vodafone Secure SIM Data as a simple, cost-efficient and above all secure value-added service based on the Vodafone SIM card for the telecommunications group's corporate customers," said Carsten Ahrens, Group Senior Vice President of Vodafone Germany's Server Software and Services division. "It regulates access to sensitive data while also protecting mobile data communication effectively against attack." The Secure SIM Data technology is provided by Giesecke & Devrient. It is being demonstrated this week at the CeBIT show in Hannover with a Windows 8-based Lenovo notebook. Simple solutions for message encryption Interview: Jolla: apps are making our smartphones dumb Mar 10th 2014, 16:59, by Hugh Langley A different approach "Brave" is the word we used to describe Jolla's go-it-alone smartphone in our hands on review. According to the company's co-founder Marc Dillon, we're far from the first. "It was something we had to do. It takes a lot of work and a lot of passion and really bringing everything that we have into this. We've put our whole lives into this company," he said. Jolla is the David against Goliath. It's a phone that wants to prove we can have options beyond Android and iOS, that things have got stale in a world where Google and Apple have the stranglehold on the smartphone market. But the Jolla phone itself is just a vessel - it's Sailfish OS, lying within, that's the open source game-changer. So why didn't the Jolla team just push out its operating system to existing devices rather than having to build a phone as well? "I thought about it a lot," says Dillon. "Especially in the early days when we lost our chipset [the company moving to Qualcomm in late 2012]. But the fact of that matter is that you need to have a flagship device, and an iconic device, in order to make it real. Why would someone take it into use, especially coming from a small company, if there's not a proof that it can turn into a consumer product?" Weird fishes With its gesture-based design, Sailfish OS is built so users can operate it with one hand. It's also designed to be more intuitive in the way it uses multi-tasking and live information on apps. You might already know that Sailfish began its life as the Linux-based operating system MeeGo, which was ditched by The Linux Foundation in favour of Tizen. And with Nokia also turning its back on the OS after the N9 (its first and last MeeGo device), it seemed dead in the water - until a few characters from the MeeGo team broke away from Nokia to form Jolla. Though only loosely based on MeeGo, Jolla is considered by many to be a spiritual successor to the N9. "I think that we did some evolution and some revolution on top of those ideas," says Dillon when we ask to what extent that's true. But Jolla is here to prove more than that it can resurrect a dead OS. To put it bluntly, it's here to show us why smartphones have become boring. Why do we need apps? "It's absolutely ridiculous that there was the internet and you could get everything that you wanted everywhere, and then applications took that away from you," says Dillon. "They put it into a box. And somebody controls what goes in and out of that box. It should be more open than that." The Jolla phone uses apps - its own and Android APKs - but the bigger vision is to move away from applications as we currently understand them. "There's not a lot of deep integration that makes it seamless for you as a user," says Dillon. "You don't think in terms of this app or that app. You think in terms of 'what do I want to do today?'. "We have a tunnel vision with applications now - you're either in this app or you're in that app. So we started with the multitasking, so you can see all the things in your digital life at the same time." Jolla's ambitions are rather aligned with Google Now then, something that Dillon reinforces with when we ask him where he wants to see Jolla - and other smartphones - in a few years time. "I'd like to see it more where the smartphone is actually smart, not just running applications," says Dillon. "And where it can help you with suggestions, saying things like 'you haven't called your mother in a while' or 'Did you know that, while you're travelling, one of your favourite shops is just around the corner?'. "Make it user focused instead of having companies that are just pushing their advertising to you and pushing things that aren't always relevant, even though they know everything about you because they're selling your data." Ok, so more like Google Now without all the data-gobbling. But whether or not Jolla can truly shake up the smartphone market, it deserves recognition for going against the grain and attempting to inject life into a market that's becoming increasingly unexciting and predictable. "Everything now is being pushed down to commodity level because it's all the same," says Dillon. "So the operators are a commodity, all they are is an internet connection now, there's no reason to pick one or the other than price. "The hardware is in two segments: there's this low-end stuff that doesn't really offer anything new, then there's this high end so stuff that's all about flash. It's about make it bigger, make it shinier, add more processor cores.. It's the perfect time to create something that's different." TechRadar goes hands on with the Jolla phone Google wants Android to be your wearable OS of choice Mar 10th 2014, 16:10, by JR Bookwalter Just because Google plans to make its own smartwatch doesn't mean developers have to avoid Android when making their own. In fact, it'll be a relative breeze to use the platform in just a few short weeks. Google is planning to release a software development kit (SDK) later this month that will make it easier for manufacturers to power their future smartwatches with Android. During a South by Southwest conference speech March 9, Google Senior Vice President Sundar Pichai announced the search giant's intentions to dominate the wearables market much in the same way it has smartphones. To accomplish this task, Google plans to borrow from its own Android playbook by making a free SDK available to manufacturers and developers, part of the company's "vision" for a wearables market where its mobile OS is on everyone's wrist. Feedback welcome Google is reportedly working on its own smartwatch to be manufactured by LG that could debut in June, but Pichai calls the early release of an Android wearable SDK an opportunity to get "plenty of feedback" in advance of the annual Google I/O conference. But smartwatches may be only the beginning as Pichai teased the possibility of other wearables such as a "smart jacket," which could incorporate sensors for a variety of unspecified uses. Pichai also told SXSW attendees that Google's Chromecast will soon branch out to countries other than the US after racking up sales "in the millions" there. The Android, Chrome and apps executive also answered a query about Google's recent Nest acquisition, saying it could deliver a future "mesh layer" of software designed to help devices interact with each other. Check out our review of the first wearable from Mountain View, Google Glass! In Depth: Sony Xperia Z2 release date: where can I get it? Mar 10th 2014, 09:51, by John McCann The Sony Xperia Z2 was officially unveiled at MWC 2014 and if its impressive 5.2-inch full HD display, quad-core processor, 20.7MP camera and dust- and waterproof chassis has taken your fancy you've come to the right place. We've we scouring the web for the best deals, as well as hunting down the official Sony Xperia Z2 release date. There isn't a firm date set for the Xperia Z2 just yet, but Sony's official site say it expects to start shipping the handset to customers "at the beginning of April." Sony If you want to cut out the middle man of a retailer or network you can go direct to Sony and pre-order your Xperia Z2 in white or black right now. It will cost a wallet busting £599, but Sony does chuck in a free wireless NFC speaker (worth £119) to try and sweeten the deal. That said, if you're not bothered about the speaker you can get your mitts on the SIM-free Xperia Z2 for a little bit less elsewhere. Read on to find out more. Vodafone The big red network has popped the phone on pre-order and quotes April 10 as the Sony Xperia Z2 release date. You can pick yourself up a free Sony Xperia Z2 if you commit to a two year 3G contract at £42 per month giving you unlimited calls and texts, but a rather average 1GB of data. If you fancy harnessing the power of 4G you'll need to part with £47 per month for two years giving you unlimited calls and texts and a more palatable 3GB of data. There's no sign of any PAYG or SIM-free deals for now though - it's contract or nothing over at Vodafone. Oh, and the first 3000 people to pre-order with Vodafone also get a 32-inch Bravia TV thrown in for free. O2 The bubbly network is offering the Sony Xperia Z2 in black and purple and while it has confirmed you'll be able to snap it up on a 4G deal, there's no word on pricing or release date. You can click "keep me in the loop" to register for more information, but there's no pre-order just yet. EE EE has confirmed that it will be bringing the Sony Xperia Z2 to UK shores, but for now all you can do is register your interest and await more details. Carphone Warehouse While some of the networks are still getting their acts together, over at Carphone you can pre-order the Xperia Z2 on contract or SIM-free for £549.95. It's currently offering contract deals on O2 and Vodafone, with a two year deal on the latter giving you 3GB of 4G data each month for £47, but pay £1 more each month and O2 will give you 5GB. The high-street retailer also quotes the week commencing April 7 as its Xperia Z2 release date. Phones 4U Pre-orders are also alive and kicking over at Phones 4U, with the retailer quoting April 11 as the date it will be getting handsets into hands. There are no Pay as you go or SIM-free options available, but in terms of contacts you can currently choose from either EE or Vodafone. If you're prepared to part with £99 upfront you can get unlimited calls and texts plus 4GB of data for £42.99 per month on EE, while Vodafone will give you a free handset and 5GB for £52 per month. Online retailers Just want a SIM-free Sony Xperia Z2? Well Unlocked-Mobiles has it for £544.98 and is throwing in a speaker, noise cancelling headphones and a content package to draw you in. Interestingly Unlocked-Mobiles is stating April 1 as the Xperia Z2 release date - but perhaps it's just an April fools. The speaker and headphone bundle continues over at Clove where you'll find a SIM-free asking price of £550, and the site reckons it will receive stock on the week commencing April 7. Expansys also has the Xperia Z2 up for pre-order at £549.99, but it doesn't offer up any indication of when it expects to ship the handset.

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