Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 05-24-2014

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 set for pre-IFA launch on September 3? May 24th 2014, 12:11, by Chris Smith How quickly they grow up, eh? It doesn't seem like five minutes ago that we welcomed Samsung's Galaxy Note phablet in to the world, but we're already talking about the fourth edition. According to Android Geeks' sources, the next-generation Galaxy Note 4 will once again arrive in its now-traditional pre-IFA slot on September 3. The information comes from the same folks who nailed the September 4 launch date in 2013, the report states in order to back up the claim. Invites to the latest Samsung Unpacked event are expected to go out in mid-August. Show us the curves While this new information is good to have, it certainly isn't a stretch to pinpoint September 3 as the potential launch date given Samsung's previous form. What'll be more interesting to mobile fans is speculation over how the Note 4 will look when it eventually arrives. Recent rumblings have suggested the device may have a flexible screen with a wraparound-style design. It is also thought the display will be larger, perhaps growing to 5.9-inches in size. Other speculation has opened up the possibility of a 64-bit processor, with 4GB of RAM under the hood. Will the Note 4 have a flexible, three-sided screen? Inflame: Apple fury over nixed messages May 24th 2014, 10:00, by Gary Cutlack A very small chink was found in Apple's ecosystem armor this week, as a long-running glitch in its iMessage data-based chat system hit the headlines. The gist is that customers who used iMessage occasionally found Apple's servers refusing to remove their vice-like grip on their mobile numbers. This lead to SMS messages disappearing into the ether when users dumped their iPhones for rival smartphones. This could be an innocent bug that's lain unreported and unfixed since it first appeared in iOS 5 a few years ago. Or it's proof that Apple's deliberately trying to undermine rival smartphone operating systems by making it look like people's non-Apple phones aren't working as well as their old iPhones did. It all depends on which comments you read. Deserters will be shot Over on Engadget, the very first comment hinted that it's obviously all a conspiracy, orchestrated by the preserved head-in-a-jar of Steve Jobs that resides deep inside Apple. Reader PrasadTiruvalluri asked: "Any reason why they are taking so long to fix this long standing issue? Is it because it does not affect the existing 'loyal' users or is it because it punishes the 'Disloyal' deserters?" He continued: "Does it not give an incentive for Apple to not fix it so that people stay with Apple if such a basic function could not work if they switch?" A claim that would seem outlandish, were it not for the fact that Apple has somehow managed to rustle up a quick bug fix for the problem as soon as it started generating negative headlines. Apple's suspiciously quick fix is of no use to reader MartyMcFly, who complained: "After numerous calls to Apple support and getting transferred to the geniuses they told my wife the only fix was to change phone number." A little further down, reader Jherms claimed he used to work for Apple and it is indeed all a genuine conspiracy, saying: "It's almost anti-competitive. People who switch out would be frustrated enough to return their phones and buy an iPhone again." Go on, make me Over on Recode, commenter MalcolmTucker is equally unimpressed by Apple's sudden leap into action, saying: "A company that requires legal action to restore functionality its product takes away isn't really a company worth doing business with." He continued with a car analogy to put into terms the common man might understand, adding: "They'd rather sell you a new car, or pay for an engine replacement (more revenue) if your engine is filled with sludge. This seems to be Apple's business model." Reader Zathras took issue with the way the author of the report claimed this flaw was a "horror" for Apple, saying: "Horror is what happens in the Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Steve Ballmer lectures. Not a bug that is being fixed." Connection error On Ars Technica, the readers were fantasising about a joined-up future in which Apple open-sources everything and lets everyone play together. LOL. The comedy scenario was offered by reader Chronos42, who imagined: "I'm still dreaming of the day when Apple allows iMessages to be received on Android, therefore alleviating the most significant downside of using it: switching from it." But that won't happen. Not just because they're entrenched enemies, but because their financial genitals are simply not compatible with each other. This was explained neatly by RedTiger, who said: "Apple develops iOS and runs iCloud (not cheap that's for sure!) from what you pay for your iPhone. Google, in contrast, does not charge you anything but tracks your most private things to sell them to advertisers. The business models are simply not compatible." Don't blame it on me, sunshine The sympathy for the afflicted wasn't strong over on Gizmodo, where reader BeowulfRex blamed those hit by the bug for not managing their digital lives properly, summing it up with: "Getting upset because you switched away from using a phone OS provided by Apple and now can't use a service provided by Apple: problem." This aggressive internet opinion generated stacks of mostly furious engagement, with commenter Mutinous goading: "This really should not be that big a deal but then again iOS users are not the most adaptive folks. Let's face it, three buttons vs. one confuses them." What else has been going on the tech world this week? Behind-the-scenes iPhone 6 part tells of phone's expanding size May 23rd 2014, 20:49, by klee It seems like every piece of the iPhone 6 will leak out before its official reveal. We've already caught a glimpse of the handset's metal frame, an entire dummy model and now - wait for it - its display backlight. It's not the most intriguing part of the handset, but this is the first time we're seeing images of the iPhone 6's backlight thanks to a Weibo user named '顾Gooey.' While there isn't much we can draw from the images, the backlight's shape adds further credence to next-gen iPhone's wider 4.7-inch screen. In February we heard the iPhone 6 would utilize a 2-milimeter thinner "0.4t side-view type" LED backlight. The new backlight would be a step up from the thicker "0.6t side-view type" LED that's used in the current iPhone 5S and 5C. Everything we've heard thus far points to the iPhone becoming a more slender smartphone this go 'round as it takes design cues from the iPad Air and iPad mini 2 with Retina display. Coming real soon Unfortunately, the screen backlight images weren't accompanied by ones showing off a larger 5.5-inch form factor, so any concrete evidence of an even larger iPhone 6 still remains illusive. But for the 4.7-inch model, early reports have Apple's new flagship phone featuring a higher-resolution 1704 x 960 display and more powerful A8 processor. On the software front, it seems iOS 8 will be a more toned down refresh compared to iOS 7, though the new Healthbook activity tracing app is something to look forward to. Will we see the Apple iWatch at WWDC 2014? Microsoft introduces Windows 8.1 with Bing for low-cost tablets and phones May 23rd 2014, 18:10, by klee The days when there was just one version of Windows are long gone. With a phone and RT version of Windows 8.1 out already, Microsoft is adding yet another variant made specifically for hardware manufacturers. First teased at Build 2014, Microsoft announced a Windows 8.1 with Bing - yes that's really its name – designed for low-cost hardware platforms. In a blog post the Richmond company detailed that these affordable devices could be equipped with as little as 1GB of memory and 16GB of storage. Microsoft is also offering this new version of Windows for free to all hardware developers for phones and tablets with screens smaller than 9-inches. While regular consumers might not be able to take advantage of this free version of Windows, we could see many more Windows devices in the near future. Microsoft also went on to hint there could be new Windows devices in the coming weeks announced at Computex in Taipei. I love free stuff Although the vanilla version of Windows 8.1 comes with Bing integration baked in, this new variant will come with Internet Explorer set as the default browser using Microsoft's search engine from the get go. Users will likely be able change IE's default search engine, but there's always the option to install another browser like Chrome or Firefox. As an extra perk devices, and especially tablets, also may come with Office preloaded or an included one-year subscription to Office 365. Otherwise the Windows 8.1 with Bing seems to be largely the same operating system and Microsoft promises it will run just as fluidly on the lightly specced platforms. It may be even more interesting to see how many new phones and tablets, decide take advantage of this free Windows offer. Stay tuned as we bring you more Windows-powered hardware news from Computex in the coming weeks. Windows 8.1 with Bing may have just gotten here but we want Windows 9 LG jumps the gun, gives us more G3 revelations via videos May 23rd 2014, 17:51, by Michael Rougeau LG is really embracing its new strategy of taking the wind out of its own sails when it comes to announcements. The latest "official leak" comes from a Korean teaser site set up by LG to show off the LG G3 before its upcoming May 27 announcement. The site features the familiar image of the LG G3 in its innovative Quick Circle case with the May 27 reveal date featured prominently. But more importantly it has three new videos showing off the new LG flagship's camera and Quad HD display, as well as providing a great look at the phone's overall appearance. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGR34U76QiU The art of the tease Admittedly the first video doesn't show much, besides what looks like a man running in a giant hamster ball. But the LG G3's camera is rumored to have a laser-guided autofocus system, which would theoretically help it take a clear shot of such a bizarre spectacle. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsv6tpand0Y The second teaser video is slightly more useful, confirming that the LG G3 will feature a 2560 x 1440 display. Not sure what the neon bikes have to do with it, though. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYLM_YFoD1g Finally the third clip shows a revelatory (if brief) look at the G3's design, including its brushed metal appearance. Removable battery LG's previous G3 teases included an extended look at the phone's unique case and some leaked ads showed more specs and possibly gesture controls. Meanwhile the ever-vigilant @evleaks recently posted some new photos of the G3 wrapped up in a view-obstructing shell. That's not to say the leak shows nothing of note - one photo does illuminate the G3's removable battery, after all. Expect to see more very soon when the LG G3 is officially unveiled in full May 27. Will the Samsung Galaxy S5 be able to compete? Samsung reportedly has a call-making, standalone smartwatch simmering May 23rd 2014, 16:15, by Chris Smith Samsung is planning to launch a standalone smartwatch that can make calls independently of a smartphone, according to a fresh report. The company is said to be planning a summer launch for a Tizen-equipped watchphone to join its existing range of Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo wrist accessories. Those devices are also capable of making phone calls, but only when connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The Wall Street Journal reports Samsung's forthcoming launch will secede that need. That would mean the watch would require a SIM card of its own and potentially a voice and data plan, suggesting it'd be a smartphone replacement rather than accompaniment. Time for a real Watch Phone? The Journal claims a June or July launch is on the cards, although given the company's recent form, it would seem more likely Samsung would wait until the IFA tech show in September. Watchphones have been attempted before, of course, most notably with LG's 2009 effort, the somewhat unimaginatively-titled LG Watch Phone. The neat-and-tidy watch enjoyed a brief buzz period, during which some observers predicted the beginning of the Dick Tracy tech era, before fading into obscurity having never enjoyed a widespread release. With that in mind, and the merits of smartwatches still very much up for discussion, such a launch would certainly represent a surprise. Especially given the limited critical and commercial success enjoyed by Samsung's smatwatch efforts so far. Would you be up for ditching your Galaxy for a watch? Convince us why this is a good idea below. Review: Samsung's makes a fitness play with the Gear Fit

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