Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 04-22-2014

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In Depth: Forget waterproof phones: which handsets could survive in space? Apr 22nd 2014, 13:30, by James Rogerson Forget water: which phones could survive space? It's an age old question, one which has troubled scholars almost as much as the issue of whether cats can count. But it's a question which we finally aim to answer: can a smartphone survive a trip into orbit? Firstly, let's get the obvious out of the way: no, a smartphone can't make or receive calls in space, as it's reliant on ground based antennas. So you can't use it as a phone, but what we want to know is whether a smartphone would still work after being left floating in space or whether that harsh, alien environment would prove too much for a device which in many cases can't survive a little water or a fall off a table. Satellite phone You may be surprised to learn that it's already been put to the test, sort of. Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) launched a Nexus One into space last year as part of a nano-satellite called STRaND-1. The nano-satellite doesn't just consist of a Nexus One, but the phone has been mounted to one of the satellites panels and sent into space in its entirety. While in space a number of apps have been run from the phone, both to collect data and for fun, and the handset's camera has been used to take pictures. NASA has a similar ongoing project called PhoneSat, which first involved launching a satellite which used a Nexus One as its onboard computer and then later launching a second satellite which used a Nexus S. You might think that answers the question but it's a bit more complicated than that as the satellites contained precautions to protect the phones. For example the onboard computer on STRaND-1 would monitor the temperature of the battery and if it started getting too cold it would trigger a processor intensive program to warm it up. Not to mention the fact that the phones were largely enclosed by the satellites they were a part of, giving them a certain amount of protection. It's a good start but it still doesn't tell us whether a smartphone could survive unassisted. Hot and cold Space can get as cold as -270.4 degrees Celsius, while simply being in direct sunlight in high Earth orbit can lead to temperatures of around 120 degrees Celsius. Those are some extreme temperatures and a smartphone could potentially experience both extremes while in space. Phones just aren't built to withstand that, which is understandable, since short of diving into a volcano followed by a trek across the Arctic to cool off those aren't temperatures that you're likely to encounter on Earth. Though even within comparatively normal temperatures many smartphones don't fare brilliantly. The iPhone 5S for example can, according to Apple, withstand temperatures of between 0 and 35 degrees Celsius when turned on and between -20 and 45 degrees Celsius when off, which is nowhere near the extremes you'd potentially encounter in space. Some phones are more resilient, but in a temperature resilience test of 15 of the most popular smartphones carried out by TechHive in 2012, all of them had shut down by -35 degrees Celsius. Even a phone designed specifically to be durable and withstand the elements, like the Cat B15, can only be operated at between -20 and 55 degrees Celsius. Smartphone screens may also malfunction in extreme temperatures, while if it's cold enough there's even a chance the screen could shatter. Gorilla Glass has made our screens stronger but they're still not immune to the elements. The bigger problem though is a phone's battery. If it gets too hot it will degrade faster and at extreme temperatures like those found in space the electrolyte in the battery could even ignite, while cold temperatures can cause the battery to drain rapidly. So whether hot or cold, both coniditions can potentially cause a phone to shut down or break altogether. Random radiation events But it's not as simple as the phone just being hot or cold, as rather than being at a fixed orientation it's likely to be tumbling, exposing each side both to the heat of the sun and the cold reaches of space, in which case it may actually fare rather better, as it wouldn't have time to reach either temperature extreme. As Dr Malcolm Macdonald, Associate Director of the Advanced Space Concepts Laboratory at the University of Strathclyde explained: "The temperature of the phone would depend on a range of factors including its construction (emissivity and absorption) and whether it was turned on. "I think we can assume the phone is slightly more emissive than absorptive and if you assumed the phone is tumbling, rather than in a fixed orientation with respect to the Sun, then I'd expect the temperature to be close to the lower ends of any quoted operational temperature range, but probably above the survival limit so it would probably work once it had warmed up again. "The battery would be the primary concern as this will likely get too cold, certainly for 'optimal' performance and may even cause a leak or burst but it might work once the phone had warmed up. "If the phone is operating then that might be enough to keep everything warm enough. But then of course you have the increased chance of failure from random radiation events." Risk of rays Speaking of radiation events, cosmic rays can wreak havoc on electronic integrated circuits by altering the states of the elements in them. This can lead to errors, corrupted data and incorrect performance of CPU's. Cosmic rays can occasionally cause problems for electronics on Earth, but out in space they're a very real threat, so a phone would ideally need shielding from them if turned on. Of course a simple solution is just to turn the phone off. Macdonald explained that "leaving electronics turned off makes them 'harder' against the space environment, i.e. single event upsets, bit-flips, latch-up, etc. "Failure rates are as much as 80% reduced to when they are turned on, so the electronics is more likely to work if it is switched off, but it will be subject to lower temperatures as the on-board power consumption will, in-effect, provide an on-board heater." Assisted living So could a phone survive in space? Sure, but it might need some help. Inside the International Space Station or a shuttle where it's not subject to the harshness of space it would have no problem and indeed astronauts have been known to take phones with them. A smartphone can even fare pretty well as part of a satellite if STRaND-1 and PhoneSat are anything to go by. But without certain protections and precautions it would be subject to a lot of hazards and leaving it turned off would probably give it its best chance overall. Still, while you're never likely to find astronauts using smartphones to take photos of a quick game of space cricket they may have a real future as the brains of satellites. The STRaND-1 and PhoneSat tests were in large part carried out to see if smartphones could function in that capacity, because in many cases they have faster CPU's and more memory than conventional satellites, yet because they're mass produced they're also a lot cheaper than a typical satellite computer, making them an appealing alternative. If projects like this continue then smartphones may soon be giving us an eye on the solar system and beyond, but even in their current, fragile form, smartphones could potentially fare far better in space than you might imagine. The temperatures and radiation would likely stop the phone from working properly while actually in space, but if the phone was then retrieved and returned to a normal temperature back on Earth or in a shuttle it might still work - although sending up a rocket to just reclaim the HTC One you forgot probably isn't worth the cost. NASA's involvement with Google goes beyond sending phones into space. Industry voice: Unified communications: getting the whole team onside Apr 22nd 2014, 12:39, by Duncan Higgins The benefits of 'flexible working' - increased productivity, business continuity and happier staff all round - are more recognised than ever. It also makes a real difference when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. For Generation Y employees, it's a must have. But even if these benefits are understood by those outside the IT department, taking a leap of faith and implementing unified communications (UC) is still a major challenge. The desk culture is a comfort blanket for bosses and employees alike. And despite all the hype about 'IM-ing' colleagues and working from home, most companies just aren't getting it. Our research found that more than half of UK workers still aren't able to work remotely. The fact is that much of the technology may already be there – whether it's instant messaging or video-conferencing. Yet it's not really understood how these can make a difference to employees' everyday lives. Where the CIO can help is cutting through all the noise around flexible working and giving a clear vision about how it can make a difference to that particular organisation today and in the next five or ten years. UC in a nutshell So what's the 'UC in a nutshell' message for CIOs to get across? In simplest terms, it's about accessing your entire working life wherever you are. It means having one single phone number across your mobile, desktop and other devices. It means sharing ideas across continents and time-zones. And ultimately, it means more productive employees who can work anywhere and collaborate better. Clearly it's not the CIOs that need convincing. When asked what technology they'd most like to see introduced into the workplace, most CIOs said the integration of voice and data over a single network. What's missing is the buy-in from everyone else about how all this technology can lead to a more collaborative culture that doesn't completely disrupt the status quo. We've identified some advice for CIOs when it comes to making UC a reality rather than just a buzzword in 2014. Put the benefits of UC in terms that everyone can understand. Avoid the techy explanations and instead talk about a future with no more clogged inboxes, dodgy conference lines or information disappearing down a rabbit hole of email chains. To simplify the IT infrastructure, as well as cutting out the headaches of juggling different people, CIOs need to reduce and consolidate their number of suppliers. This is currently one of the biggest hurdles that CIOs face when it comes to delivering UC Reassure senior executives that they won't be adopting an 'ad hoc' approach, which could lead to security risks and uncertainty about budgets. Instead provide a formal framework about how UC can be implemented, including clear policies about what is and isn't allowed If IT managers can lead the charge, employees could be working almost entirely independently of their swivel-chair before you know it. Duncan Higgins was appointed as director of marketing for Virgin Media Business in May 2012. He leads the Business Division's product, marketing and pricing teams. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could have a flexible, three-sided screen Apr 22nd 2014, 10:44, by James Rogerson There are only so many times you can make a device bigger and more powerful before people start to get bored, or at least that might be Samsung's thinking if the latest rumour about the Galaxy Note 4 is true. According to ZDNet Korea the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 may be equipped with a "Youm" flexible display, which is thought to be a more advanced version of the technology used in the Galaxy Round's display. Perhaps even more interestingly the same site claims that "industry insiders" have told it that the Galaxy Note 4 will have a three-sided display, which would likely mean the sides of the phone would also have a small readable screen. Three times the fun? If this pans out then it's a huge design change for the Note line, which makes us a little skeptical that it actually will happen. Then again, Samsung has already claimed the Note 4 will have a "new form factor" and it's been experimenting with curved screens for a while. Plus a curved screen patent from Samsung popped up earlier this year. If it really wants them to take off then equipping a major handset like the Note 4 with one might be its best shot. LG has experimented with curved screens too. Google accidentally reveals that the Android dialer is going blue Apr 22nd 2014, 10:14, by James Rogerson It looks as though Google is making some changes to Android's dialler, as a screenshot of the new design was leaked on Twitter. And who did the leaking? Only Google's own official Nexus Twitter account, which accidentally revealed the picture in the process of answering a user's question about how to see the duration of calls. The image shows a more colourful version of the dialler, with a blue bar at the top and a blue default image, replacing the light grey colour scheme of the current dialler. Adding a bit of colour is no bad thing and this is the latest in a line of Android design changes that have been leaked, following on from a Gmail makeover and redesigned icons. Android could be in for a whole new look in the coming months. iOS is in for some changes too The Samsung 'R&D phone' that could herald an all-metal Galaxy phone Apr 22nd 2014, 09:21, by James Rogerson A while back we caught wind of a possible Samsung Galaxy S5 variant with a blisteringly hi-res Quad HD screen and now it's appeared again. This time around the mystery handset, currently known as the Galaxy S5 Prime, has been listed on Indian import site Zauba. The site lists four 'SM-G906K' units as having been shipped from South Korea for "R&D purpose." This is the same Galaxy S5 'Plus' that's been mooted for a while - despite being dismissed as fiction by Samsung mobile head JK Shin - and would finally bring that much-vaunted metal body to the Galaxy S line-up. The import seems legitimate, coming with a bevy of other phones from Samsung for the same purpose, with a variety of monikers and carrier designations that show the company is looking at all ranges. However, it's also worth noting that this kind of movement is pretty normal for companies of this size as they look to test handsets with different carrier specifications, so there's a good chance this is just another variant of the current S5. Prime potential The leak on the import site doesn't shed any more light on the specs of the possibly newer Galaxy phone, but it does further suggest that the thing actually exists. Current specs rumoured include: a 5.2 inch 2560 x 1440 display a 2.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor 3GB of RAM, an Adreno 420 GPU a 16 megapixel camera 2 megapixel front facing snapper 32GB of storage Android 4.4.2. If true then it's certainly a phone to get excited about, but it means Samsung is muddying the waters a little by removing the Galaxy S5 from the top spot in its line up. We don't yet have any information on when the Galaxy S5 Prime (or whatever it ends up being called) will launch or how much it will cost, but the Galaxy S5 is already hovering around the £550 mark SIM free, so expect it to be very expensive. The LG G3 is also expected to have a Quad HD screen. Google Hangouts update finally merges SMS and IM conversations on Android Apr 21st 2014, 21:42, by Matt Swider Google Hangouts, and Google Talk before it, were once the poor man's iMessages, but a steady number of tweaks have put the Android app on par with Apple's all-in-one service. The latest update, Hangouts 2.1, finally brings together SMS and Hangout messages into a single conversation window. There's no longer a need to flip back and forth between texts and instant messages now that they're merged based on contact information. Google indicated that it will be easy to tell if it's an SMS and Hangouts message and that the contacts list will be broken into two sections: "People you Hangout with" and "Phone contacts." Other improvements in Hangouts 2.1 include a new home screen widget for quickly bringing up recent conversations, better video call quality and more reliable message performance. Almost better than iMessages Google Hangouts has almost been tweaked to perfection. The Android app merges SMS and Hangouts on Google-powered phones and tablets, but it doesn't do the same for computers. That's something Apple gets right with iMessages, which work across iOS devices and Macs. The latter is really convenient if you're typically working on a computer all day. Google can best iMessages if its app comes to computers and to iOS. The company has a history of working across all platforms, including iOS, Mac and Windows, something Apple is unlikely to do. For now, though, Hangouts 2.1 is scheduled to roll out to Android users starting today via the Google Play Store. One of the best Android phones out there is the: HTC One M8 In Depth: Scratch it, throw it, pound it, shoot it: meet the Holy Grail screen protector Apr 21st 2014, 19:19, by Jessica Naziri I like to carry my phone naked. As in, without a case. The problem? I always drop it, scratch it or somehow shatter my screen, causing some costly damage. Cue the Holy Grail Screen protector made, according to maker Sir Lancelot's Armor - from "bulletproof" laminated tempered glass. Is this a screen protector worthy of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table? Read on to find out. Is it actually bulletproof? I just don't have the guts to risk damaging my iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 in a manner that clearly wouldn't be covered by my insurance. Plus, I don't own a firearm. Even though manufacturer Sir Lancelot's Armor says the screen protector is made from "bulletproof" glass, we don't recommend you firing a rifle at your smartphone wearing only the Holy Grail in your front shirt pocket. It probably won't save your life. You can see shots fired at the Holy Grail below. While the protector itself is blasted into pieces, the iPhone's screen remains unscathed and, just as importantly, the phone continues to function properly: YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW3v0ciu8UU Hammer time I did test the Holy Grail with a few household items, hammering, scratching and scissor-stabbing away at my phone's screen. For all the cracking and smashing, the Holy Grail was able to absorb the fractures, and the protector added an extra layer of strength, saving my iPhone from damage. Needless to say, the Holy Grail could stand up to the impact. The glass broke, but managed to protect the integrity of my phone. The good Rather than the standard clear screen protector, the Holy Grail is black or white at the top, bottom and sides. This lines up perfectly with the colored areas of an iPhone. The adhesive is only under the colored areas of the screen protector, and the clear portion simply sits on top of the actual screen. It's also super thin and barely there noticeable. The Holy Grail will give your gadgets top-notch protection, especially for tablet and smartphone users looking to use their device in the nude. Unlike other plastic protectors, the Holy Grail is easy to put on, remove and reuse. If you don't get the protector on just right, you can move it. Just pry it up with your fingernail at one corner and lift. It's also bubble-free. For users who purchase a Holy Grail screen protector, you will be happy to know that the product comes with a lifetime warranty. So if it does break, you can contact the company and have it replaced. Now, if only they would also replace your phone. The not so good The Holy Grail measures 0.40-mm thick, making it one of the thicker screen protectors out there. Especially compared to the Belkin TrueClear InvisiGlass Screen Protector ($40), a 0.22 mm screen that also protects your device from the usual scuffs, scrapes and impacts you'll likely encounter on a daily basis. The TrueClear InvisiGlass Screen Protector also claims its screen protector is nine times stronger than the competition, with a lifetime replacement warranty to match. Because the Holy Grail's tempered glass covers the entire front side of your phone, this causes the home button to feel stuck in between the glass screen, and you will need to hold down on the home button with more force. Additionally, the thickness of the glass might make it less compatible to use with all cases. Unfortunately, the Holy Grail doesn't completely protect your smartphone, and the thickness of the glass might make it less compatible to use with all cases. If you are looking for more coverage, the ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD Extreme, a film-based screen protector, offers full-front protection as well as back protection. The full front-and-back package sells for $49.99. The Holy Grail is priced from $30 to $55, depending on which device the user wants to protect, including Apple's latest iPhone and iPads to Samsung's Galaxy S and Galaxy Note smartphones. Jessica Naziri is a tech expert, online media personality and accomplished journalist covering the intersection between technology and culture. She is a self-proclaimed "chic geek," who turned her passion into a career, working as an technology reporter. You can follow her on Twitter @jessicaziri or email her: iamjessicanaziri@gmail.com. The LG G3 appears to already have a Mini sibling in the works Apr 21st 2014, 18:55, by JR Bookwalter Not so long ago, it took months for big-screen smartphones to be joined by a mini-sized edition, but LG appears to be putting such plans on the fast track when it comes to its forthcoming flagship handset. PhoneArena managed to dig up some additional intel on the as-yet unannounced LG G3, but this time the focus is on a smaller, less intimidating model that will presumably arrive as the LG G3 Mini. The connection between the two smartphones comes down to an internal LG codename, with the G3 known as the "B2" while the latest detective work has outed a "B2MINI" bearing the model number LG-D725. It's too early to know firm details since no actual images or official spec sheet of the device have leaked yet, but the G3 Mini is said to come sporting a 720p display somewhere in the neighborhood of 4.7 inches in size. Bound for the States? According to MyLGPhones.com, the so-called G3 Mini appears headed to US carrier AT&T, which is also said to be a lock for the full-sized G3 bearing the model number LG-D850. Little brother should also arrive swaddled in Android 4.4.2 KitKat, although LG apparently plans to lather Google's mobile OS with its own Optimus skin along the way. Last but not least, the G3 Mini has been tipped with an 8MP rear camera, as noted by the leaked document's confirmation of a 3264 x 2248 pixel resolution. The smaller G3 is expected to arrive "a good few months" after LG finally confirms the full-sized version, which is said to arrive before July on all four major US carriers. Get up close & personal with the new Samsung Galaxy S5 in our full review! Nokia will officially join Microsoft this Friday Apr 21st 2014, 18:00, by JR Bookwalter Steve Ballmer may be gone, but his legacy at Microsoft will likely be remembered for some time after the Windows maker announced plans to gobble up Nokia. The deal, months in the making, will finally wrap this week. Nokia Corporation has announced that the keys to its Devices & Services kingdom will officially be handed to Microsoft on Friday, April 25, just shy of seven months after the two companies confirmed months of rumors about a possible sale. Nokia noted "the transaction is now subject only to certain customary closing conditions," but the tentative tone of the exceptionally brief press release appears to be strictly a legal formality. Microsoft and Nokia announced the €3.79 billion ($5.2b, £3.11b, AU$5.6b) acquisition on September 3, 2013, and the deal quickly breezed through regulatory approval last December in both the US and Europe. Now what? Neither company has been very open about what they plan to do once the deal is wrapped up, although former Nokia Chief Executive Officer Stephen Elop will be heading up Redmond's own devices division after receiving a controversially big payday for his services there. Microsoft General Counsel & Executive Vice President, Legal & Corporate Affairs Brad Smith also announced in a blog post that his company will manage Nokia's website and social media sites "for up to a year," presumably to make the transition easier for customers. "We look forward to introducing the next billion customers to Microsoft services via Nokia mobile phones," Smith added, curious wording considering suppliers and end users were notified last week that "Nokia Oyj" will be rebranded "Microsoft Mobile Oy" and operate as a Finland-based subsidiary of Microsoft. Nokia retains a vast patent portfolio and will continue to own and operate its HERE mapping platform (which Microsoft will license for the next four years), and is expected to turn its attention to the company's less consumer-focused Solutions and Networks businesses. What's the latest on iPhone 6? Find out with our up-to-the-minute news! Video: Cortana vs Siri vs Google Now Apr 21st 2014, 16:56, by Marc Flores Now that Cortana, Windows Phone 8.1's new personal assistant, is out, we decided to put it up against the field - Siri and Google Now. For some time, Windows Phone struggled to keep up with iOS and Android in many areas, especially with having a decent and usable notification system. Now that Windows Phone 8.1 brings the platform into the modern age, Microsoft saw it fit to throw in a personal assistant, too. Like Siri's early days, Cortana is in a beta stage. That means it has a long way to go as far as Microsoft is planning, but we were pleasantly surprised with the results that it gave us. It's pretty clear that Microsoft has put the work into its personal assistant before releasing it in its beta stage. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8mjR1TCNs&feature=youtu.be Any good personal assistant will keep track of your schedule, reminders and take note of the things you're interested in. Cortana mostly nails all of those things, and then some. When you open up Cortana, it shows you news, traffic and other bits of information that might be useful to you, just like Google Now. Siri doesn't really do that. Talk to me, Cortana But like Google Now and Siri, Cortana will also take your orders via voice recognition. You can ask Cortana to do simple things, like setting alarms and calendar appointments. However, like Siri, Cortana will also take on more advanced questions, with a few Easter eggs in its set of responses. Once Windows Phone 8.1 becomes available to the public, everyone will be able to try out the voice-recognition system on Windows Phone handsets. Accessing it is easy - you just press and hold the search button on the home screen and Cortana is reatdy for your every whim and command. You'll have to watch the video to see how Microsoft's new Windows Phone 8.1 personal assistant holds up against the competition, but we will say that we're very curious to see just how much Cortana will get better over time. It's already great.

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