| HTC admits fixing One (M8) benchmarks, offers users High Performance Mode Mar 30th 2014, 14:10, by Chris Smith 
Prior to the launch of the HTC One (M8) last week, benchmarking results had the device blowing away rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S5, leading to suspicion in some quarters. Those suspicions turned to straight up accusations when the phone performed much differently depending on the benchmarking test in operation. Well, those inquisitive folks had every reason to be wary with HTC now admitting it optimises the performance of its smartphones when they detect the presence of benchmarking software like AnTuTu. The firm told CNET: "Benchmarking tests look to determine maximum performance of the CPU and GPU and, similar to the engine in a high-performance sports car, our engineers optimise in certain scenarios to produce the best possible performance. "If someone would like to get around this benchmarking optimisation there are ways to do so, but we think most often this will not be the case." High Performance Mode for allSo not only does the Taiwanese company have a pretty plausible explanation for cooking the books to make it appear consumers get a more powerful phone than its rivals, it has actually turned it into something phone buyers can access themselves. The company wrote: "For those with a need for speed, we've provided a simple way to unleash this power by introducing a new High Performance Mode in the developer settings that can be enabled and disabled manually. "The HTC One (M8) is optimised to provide the best balance of performance and battery life, but we believe in offering customer choice, as there may be times when the desire for performance outweighs the need for battery longevity." So there you have it. A neat high performance mode sits within the HTC One (M8) good luck optimising your HTC One (M8) to the full performance capabilities. Let us know how you get on in the comments section below.        |  | iOS apps said to crash more than twice as often as Android apps Mar 29th 2014, 19:28, by Chris Smith 
Apple's iOS 7.1 operating system has seen the lowest app crash rates yet, according to newly-published research, but it's still higher than apps running on Android. According to Crittercism, apps on iOS 7.1 crash a meagre 1.6 per cent of the time, which is the best performance ever for iOS. However, devices running Google Android 4.0 and up experience apps crashes just 0.7 per cent of the time. That means, for every app crash on Android, there's more than two on iOS devices. One billion servedCrittercism gets its stats by monitoring usage of over a billion iOS and Android apps, so it's safe to say the company has been extensive in its research. Does that mean apps for Android are better built than those for iOS? Does it mean Android plays nicer with third party apps than their Apple counterparts? Or is the report a load of hogwash? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.        | | Samsung Galaxy S5 has a hidden baby monitor feature for Gear watch owners Mar 29th 2014, 18:28, by Chris Smith 
The Samsung Galaxy S5 could become the smartphone of choice for parents with young children after a hidden baby monitor app was discovered within the phone's settings. When digging through the accessibility menus, the Soyacincau site found a baby crying detector, which listens out for infant unrest when placed around a metre away from the child. If the phone picks anything up, it'll send parents wearing one of the company's Gear smartwatches a vibrating alert. Of course, the feature will require Galaxy S5 owners to leave their flash new Android phone in another room in order to make use of the baby monitor feature as, sadly, slapping a smartwatch on the little ankle biter doesn't have the same effect. No substituteWhen switching on the feature Samsung warns parents it is intended as a patenting aid, "not a substitute for human care." That's for those parents who, you know, expected their S5 to pick up their offspring, bring it a bottle, nurse it back to sleep and sing it a pleasant lullaby. What other hidden delights sit within Samsung's new flagship device? We'll have a full review for you in the coming days.        | | Mozilla plunged into crisis as three board members quit over CEO appointment Mar 29th 2014, 15:32, by Chris Smith 
Half of the Mozilla board have quit their positions at the company following the appointment of new CEO Brendan Eich this week, according to the Wall Street Journal. The business bible claims former Mozilla CEOs Gary Kovacs and John Lilly, as well as Ellen Siminoff have left their positions, in protest at co-founder and former CTO Eich's rise to the top chair. Despite outcry over Eich's personal politics this week, that's not the reason for the mass exodus at the Firefox-maker's board level, according to the Journal. Those who have left are upset that a more mobile-focused candidate from outside the company wasn't selected to help boost the Firefox OS software. Poorly receivedThe arrival of Brendan Eich has not been received well at Mozilla, with protests over a campaign donation to an anti-gay marriage lobby in California back in 2008. Employees at the non-profit firm have urged Eich to step down from the CEO's position. In a blog post on Friday, the new boss claimed he was aware of "concerns about my commitment to fostering equality and welcome for LGBT individuals at Mozilla," but pledged they were unfounded. "I am committed to ensuring that Mozilla is, and will remain, a place that includes and supports everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, economic status, or religion," he wrote.        | |
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