Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 04-14-2014

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HTC One M8 Mini release date, news and rumors Apr 14th 2014, 14:16, by James Rogerson The HTC One M8 has only just gone out the door and already we're hearing rumors of an HTC One M8 Mini. Initial mention of the Mini appeared mere hours after the M8's launch, as reliable tipster @evleaks tweeted "M8 mini: Check." Several days later a blog post by Swedish mobile network Telia briefly popped up, listing the HTC One M8 Mini. None of which is really surprising, aside from how soon after the M8's launch it all happened, as HTC released an HTC One Mini, so an M8 Mini was always likely. Must read: HTC One M8 review Since, more rumors have emerged and these later ones are starting to shed some light on what we can expect from the device. So far these rumors are fairly few in number, but there are whispers surrounding the size, build, specs and release date of the HTC One M8's smaller sibling and as that release date gets closer more rumors and leaks are bound to flood in. So keep your eyes glued to this page, because we'll be updating you every step of the way. Cut to the chase What is it? A smaller, cheaper version of the excellent One M8 When is it out? May is the popular option What will it cost? Probably sub-£400, $600, AU$700 SIM free HTC One M8 Mini release date and price An unnamed source inside a UK retailer has told 3G.co.uk that the HTC One M8 Mini will be with us in May. Obviously since the source is anonymous it's hard to say how reliable that information is, but with rumors about the device emerging the very same day as the HTC One M8 launched it's believable that the Mini could be here that soon. May has shown up again in relation to the HTC One M8 Mini release date, with Taiwanese site ePrice claiming the handset will hit the market then. There's no word yet on what the phone might retail for but the HTC One Mini launched at around £380+ (around $600, AU$700) SIM free, so there's a fair chance the HTC One M8 Mini will do the same. HTC One M8 Mini display It looks like the HTC One M8 Mini will have a 4.5-inch display, as both @evleaks and 3G.co.uk's anonymous sources have said as much with no dissenting voices. @evleaks went on to suggest that it would have a 720p screen, which would make it both slightly bigger and give it a slightly lower pixel density than the 4.3-inch 720p HTC One Mini. HTC One M8 Mini processor @evleaks had things to say about the HTC One M8 Mini's processor too, claiming that it would be a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 affair, which would be a substantial boost over the dual-core HTC One Mini. It still doesn't quite match the 2.3GHz quad-core monster of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, which sports exactly the same power setup as its bigger brother, the Xperia Z1. That said the Z1 Compact is a touch more expensive to compensate. HTC One M8 Mini chassis The build of the HTC One M8 Mini is likely to be quite similar to that of the HTC One M8. That seems a fairly safe assumption as the One Mini kept most of the styling of the HTC One intact, so expect a premium aluminium design. If proof were needed though an anonymous source speaking to 3G.co.uk also claimed it would have the same aluminium uni-body design as its big brother. Meanwhile @evleaks claims the HTC One M8 Mini will have on-screen buttons, which seems likely given the One M8 does. More recently @evleaks posted an image of what he claimed was the "HTC M8 Ace," so given the name this may be not be the Mini, but whatever it is it looks like it has a similar design to the HTC One M8, complete with dual front-facing speakers. HTC One M8 camera Rounding out a surprisingly comprehensive specs listing, @evleaks claims that the HTC One M8 Mini will have a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP one on the front. This claim dated back to before the HTC One M8 was revealed and in light of that sticking with a 4 UltraPixel snapper we'd be surprised if the Mini had a 13MP sensor, though @evleaks is generally fairly reliable. The 5MP camera on the front is more believable as that matches what the HTC One M8 has. If these camera specs sound familiar you're not wrong, as the HTC Desire 816 sports the same 13MP and 5MP package. The One M8 Mini is likely to carry a higher price tag than this plastic clan, 5.5-inch mid-ranger though. Want a phone which combines a small size with flagship features? Consider the iPhone 5S. Paypal launches fingerprint payments app for Galaxy S5 Apr 14th 2014, 13:40, by Stu Robarts Samsung Galaxy S5 users can now log in to the Paypal app using their fingerprints as authentication. The functionality is aimed at providing a secure and convenient means of making payments. Paypal announced that it would be the first payments provider to support the S5's fingerprint authentication technology at Mobile World Congress in February. It is also involved in the Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) Alliance, a non-profit organization aimed at creating standards to replace passwords with other secure means of authentication. According to a recent survey that the company carried out in association with the National Cyber Security Alliance, 53% of Americans are comfortable with the idea of replacing passwords with newer security technologies such as fingerprint authentication. Hill Ferguson, Chief Product Officer at PayPal, noted this in a blog post making the announcement. Convenience "Not only is this way more convenient than typing in a lengthy username and password on a tiny mobile device, it's also more secure," writes Ferguson. "In fact, it's a convenience that many consumers are ready for." In addition to its new authentication functionality, Paypal has also announced a new app for the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear Fit smartwatches. Users will be able to make payments, check their PayPal balance, get payment notifications and save offers from local businesses. Windows Phone 8.1 release inches closer as devs get their hands on Cortana Apr 14th 2014, 13:37, by Hugh Langley Windows Phone 8.1 isn't expected to arrive in full until later this year, but Microsoft is pushing out an early version for developers that can be downloaded right now. If you're not a dev but just can't wait to get your hands on the Windows Phone 8.1, you can quite easily set up a developer account and download the update now - although we wouldn't advise it. Chances are there will be a few bugs in the software, and Microsoft says you won't be able to revert to a previous version if 8.1 doesn't play nicely with your phone. 8.1 is a bigger update than its incremental name suggests, introducing Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana (if you're in the US) and a new notification centre, among other things. So what has Microsoft packed into Windows Phone 8.1? HTC might pull an iPhone 5C with a cheaper, plastic One M8 Apr 14th 2014, 10:20, by Hugh Langley As stunning as the HTC M8's metal body is, it's possible that HTC could be unleashing a variant of the phone that sheds its aluminium chassis in favour of a plastic coat. The latest word is that HTC is plotting to release a plastic HTC One M8, possibly next month, that will be quite a bit cheaper than the latest flagship. According to the source of this report, the plastic handset will fall into HTC's extended M8 series, in which we also expect a Mini and a Max to feature down the line. Therefore it seems more likely that this will be a whole separate entry in the range, rather than a case of HTC just giving us the option to buy its flagship in plastic. Budget buster There's also the possibility that this more affordable phone could be the next in the Butterfly series. The source says that the phone will be priced at around £288/$483/AU$514. That's quite a considerable price drop, especially as the source also says that the guts of the phone will be the same as the new M8. Stay skeptical folks, but it wouldn't be the most absurd move for HTC to make. See why the HTC One M8 is the best phones in the world Apple's courtroom battle shows Android wasn't intended for touchscreens Apr 14th 2014, 09:17, by Kate Solomon Confidential documents used in Apple's latest courtroom battle have backed up stories that Android was not envisioned as a touchscreen OS until the iPhone was launched. Documents being used in the Apple v Samsung courtroom clash of 2014 have revealed that Google's mobile OS was, as previously mentioned, heavily leaning towards a Windows Mobile-esque keypad input rather than the swizzy touchscreens that it ended up with. The 2006 document, which refers to Android as "the Product", says, "Touch screens will not be supported. The product was designed with the presence of discrete physical buttons as an assumption. However, there is nothing fundamental in the Product's architecture that prevents the support of touchscreens in the future." As such, the 2006 version (0.91) required a host of keys - a minimum of "Numeric, Star, Pound, Send, End, Home Back, 2 Soft Keys, 5-way navigation (up down left right select)." The basic design was that of Google's original 'Sooner' device, which was in essence a cross between Symbian and BlackBerry with a swirl of Windows Phone thrown into the mix. Change of plan The first iPhone was introduced in 2007 and it's claimed that it sent Google and the Android team back to the drawing board and a new document was drawn up (0.99.3) in November 2007. This one had a whole section dedicated to the touchscreen, which backed multitouch and dismissed the stylus. The first Android phone, the HTC Dream / T-Mobile G1, was released with a touchscreen (albeit also with a slide-out keyboard) in 2008 and the rest, as they say, is patent-warfare history. The Path of the One - the headline hits and flagship flops from HTC Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom hopes to capture our attention on April 29 Apr 14th 2014, 09:04, by Hugh Langley Samsung has just announced a media event that will take place in Singapore on April 29, and there's one big K-shaped hint that the Galaxy S5 Zoom will be the guest of honour. Going by all the leaks so far, the Galaxy K looks like the codename for the Galaxy S5 Zoom. Doing the maths, it's pretty safe to say that Samsung's "Kapture the Moment" invitation is a big nod to this. The Galaxy S4 Zoom was announced two months after the S4 flagship, so the S5 Zoom has been written in the stars. However we reckon Samsung will drop the whole 'K' business come launch and follow tradition by giving the phone the name we all expect: the Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom. Snappy snappy Meanwhile over at the FCC, it looks like the Zoom has already been flaunting its wares. As spotted by Phone Arena, the FCC has just approved a Samsung phone going by the moniker of SM-C115, a name that's already come in up prior leaks. And if those leaks are to be believed, the 'K' will have a smaller housing than the S4 Zoom, alongside a 20-megapixel camera with 10x optical zoom. A 4.8-inch display has also been touted, along with NFC and Android 4.4 KitKat. But if you're not all about the camera, perhaps the Galaxy S5 is good enough just the way it is Sony's 6-inch Xperia T2 Ultra dual lands Down Under this week Apr 14th 2014, 06:27, by Farrha Khan Sony's mid-range, dual-SIM touting Xperia T2 Ultra is all set to go on sale in Australia starting this week with a $499 price tag. While an exact date hasn't been given, keep an eye on retail stores around the country, along with Sony Centres, kiosks and Sony's online store for the phone to pop up. There will also be the option to pick up the phone packaged with a BlueAnt Endure Bluetooth Headset from some retailers as well for $549. With Z-style While the T2 Ultra is stationed at the mid-range, it still boasts Xperia Z-like style with 6-inch 720p display that eats into the bezel, coming in within 2.5mm. However, unlike the Xperia Z series, it isn't water resistant. What is does have, of course, is the dual-SIM option, along massive 3000 mAh battery The handset isn't without some power as well, with a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, a 13MP camera on the back and a 1.1MP snapper stuck to the front. For something more water resistant, check out our Sony Xperia Z2 review Vodafone Smart 4 Mini is a proper smartphone with a tiny price tag Apr 11th 2014, 08:00, by John McCann The Vodafone Smart 4 Mini has been officially launched, and the key selling point of this Android handset is its rock bottom price tag. Vodafone is asking just £50 for the PAYG Smart 4 Mini, which is obviously locked to the Big Red's network. For your money you'll get a 4-inch 480 x 800 display, 1.3GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage with microSD support, 3.2MP rear camera and the slightly older Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS. There's no front facing camera, rear flash, 4G connectivity or NFC on board, but you do get Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth 4.0. Competition Those specs aren't exactly going to get pulses racing, and the design of the Smart 4 Mini is reminiscent of last year's Huawei Ascend Y300, but the low price Vodafone has set makes it an appealing proposition. At this end of the market the Smart 4 Mini has the £40 Nokia Asha 503 for company which does boast a 5MP snapper, but also a restrictive feature phone OS. If you can stretch your budget towards the £100 mark you can always pick up the Samsung Galaxy Young or the excellent Motorola Moto G if you fancy a bit more bang for your buck, while EE has recently launched its 4G enabled Kestrel for £99. Holding out for something more? The iPhone 6 and LG G3 are on their way Samsung Galaxy S5 goes on sale today, along with extended Gear family Apr 11th 2014, 07:30, by Hugh Langley Ready those fingers, steady that heart rate - the time has finally come for you to get your hands on a shiny new Samsung Galaxy S5. The phone is available to buy starting today, but if you're still working out where the best deal is, we've compiled a list of all the retailers and networks that will be offering the handset. Or if you'd prefer, you can go buy the phone directly from Samsung SIM-free for £649 in white, black, gold or blue. But it's not just about the hues. The Galaxy S5 rocks a gorgeous big screen, tonnes of battery life, a fingerprint scanner, and a dedicated heart rate monitor on the rear. And the S5 is just one part of the family - the Samsung Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit all launch today as well. 5 alive We've already put the phone through its paces and brought you our extensive S5 review. Spoiler alert: it's no revolution, but we still think it's pretty damn good. TechRadar's Phones and Tablets Editor Gareth Beavis said: "Samsung has done enough with the Galaxy S5 to still be one of the top smartphones of 2014, and I would still recommend it as a solid, if unspectacular, smartphone that ticks the boxes it needs to and very little more." Read the rest in our Samsung Galaxy S5 review Samsung announces Endomondo tie-in ahead of Galaxy S5 launch Apr 10th 2014, 14:14, by Kate Solomon The Samsung Galaxy S5 is bringing a bit more than just a high-end smartphone to the party when it goes on sale tomorrow - anyone buying the handset will also get free access to a host of subscription services. The most exciting of these is probably Endomondo, with Samsung throwing in a year's subscription to the sports community app with each S5. The brand also told us that it's working to integrate Endomondo further into its S Health app and wearable devices - AKA the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit - in a bid to stop consumers having to flop around with different apps all the time. Fit as a fiddle Given its focus on fitness to make you want to buy a smartwatch, it's no huge surprise that Samsung is going big on fitness apps - the S5 also comes with Samsung's own S Health app, and it's offering free subscriptions to Run Keeper, Map My Fitness, Skimble, Lark and Instructor Live as well as the Endomondo offer (all great names, guys. Good work). You'll need some music to listen to during all that working out, though, so Samsung's also giving customers six months of free access to Deezer's Premium music streaming service too. The S5 also brings 50GB of free storage on Dropbox for two years, three months of Evernote and some special offers from PayPal. Should you even buy one though? Check out our Samsung Galaxy S5 review Samsung admits only 4% of us are using wearable tech Apr 10th 2014, 10:51, by Gareth Beavis Apparently the UK isn't bothered about smartwatches yet – but when fitness trackers are added in, we'll be all over them. While smartwatches, fitness bands and Google Glass are quite niche right now, Samsung believes the demand is about to nearly quadruple. According to research Samsung undertook with YouGov, which polled 3500 people, around 4% of the UK currently owns a wearable - that's anything from Nike's Fuelband, Fitbits and Jawbone fitness bands to smartwatches from Samsung and Sony. "When we talk to consumers, 4% of the population own a wearable device," James White, Samsung Mobile's Head of IM Strategy & Mobile Product Marketing told us. More on their way "The intention to purchase is about 14% but awareness [of what wearables actually are] is 60% and rising." He added that the single most important thing that consumers are looking for with wearables is fitness, which explains why Samsung added heart-rate monitoring to the new Gear 2 and Gear Fit, and beefed up its S Health app too. White likened what's happening with wearable tech to the explosion we've seen in tablets in recent years. "[The wearables space] is akin to the tablet market, in that the technology is there and there are lots of wearable products to choose from," White said, adding that it falls to manufacturers to make it clear which product is best for what you'll want to use it for. The tablet analogy used above implies that same thing will happen to the popularity of wearables when Apple launches its own iWatch later this year as did with the iPad. But this time Apple will be on the back foot, jumping into a fierce competition with existing products like the Sony Smartwatch, Gear range and Pebble devices. If the iWatch is the iPad of wearable tech, what are we expecting it to do?

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