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

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In Depth: Death of the app? How the web is taking charge once more May 5th 2014, 10:01, by Jamie Carter Death of the app? How mobile is taking charge Your smartphone is littered with apps for this and that, but how many do you actually use? With mobile websites becoming more responsive and with web apps mirroring the functionality of an app, the novelty of visiting an app store often seems like more pain than gain. The novelty has worn-off. So says Dan Yates, founder of outdoor accommodation booking company Pitchup.com (he also launched lastminute.com) who thinks that many apps will slowly die away in favour of mobile websites. "In the first three weeks of April, we had 13 times more activity on our mobile site than on our app," says Yates, who reports that the mobile site recorded 111,695 sessions while the app had 8,328. "Much of the publicity for apps focuses on downloads rather than actual use, giving a misleading impression of the popularity of apps," he says. "In reality users seem to spend their app time on a small number of popular apps, with acres of other apps rusting away on their home screens. It's far more convenient to fire up the browser." Benjamin Dyer, the co-founder & CEO of Powered Now, which is about to launch a mobile app for trades people, thinks he knows. "Apps usually suck!" he says, and it's very difficult to disagree. "And installing apps is a pain in the ass – there is a high bar and the reward has to be worth it." Too many apps Google's research suggests that apps across the board are declining in popularity, showing that although the average UK smartphone user has 28.5 apps installed, only 10 have been actively used in the last 30 days. However, it's not a clear picture at all; analytics company Flurry reported in April that app use in the US grew from 80% of peoples' phone use to 86% in the last 12 months. And here's the rub; we all use apps. All the time. Every time you listen to music on a smartphone, you're using an app. The camera? An app. Facebook, Instagram, What's App, Angry Birds … all, umm, apps. All incredibly popular – but huge exceptions to the rule. Apps might not be in decline in terms of total usage, but as a one-size-fits-all concept they're definitely being overlooked by some in favour of increasingly lavish and responsive websites. "Modern phones with quad-core processors and 4G networks, combined with modern browsers with extensive media support and local storage, allow great experiences to be delivered through sites," says Lorenzo Wood, Chief Innovation Officer at global marketing and technology agency DigitasLBi. "The FT famously abandoned its native app for an HTML 5 site because it could produce an equivalently good experience at much lower cost." Put an 'm' in front of a website, it seems, and it instantly kills the need to go off and download the app. "Navigating the web is a much more immediate activity than going into an app store, searching for something and than having to download it," says Phil Bennett, a web developer at Carswell Gould, which built digitalskills.com. "It's a process that people have become comfortable with from over 25 years of browsing the web." Richard Healy, Co-Founder and VP of Products at site builder BaseKit agrees. "Googling has not showed any signs of slowing in the shift towards mobile-first browsing," he says, adding that, "Apps that provide information, reference and information sourcing are surprisingly low in App Store downloads." There are exceptions; the Flipboard news aggregator works well as an app, though web-only approaches to news like Quartz (quartz.com) are increasingly common. Browsers 'open up' the web Advances in HTML, CSS and Javascript are allowing the humble browser to be just as powerful as custom-made apps while saving companies money. It's helping open-up the web, too. "Not only are development costs a problem, but big players such as Google and Apple want to be gate keepers for all, which does not sit well with many developers who champion an 'open web' approach,"says Giuseppe D'Antonio, Founder and CEO of the special interest social service CircleMe, which in May will become a fully responsive website for any type of device. "If our users start to step away from traditional apps then we need to provide another platform that is just as responsive and delivers the content they're looking for." Apps also often take an age to produce. "Sometimes companies are deterred by the app publishing cycle," says Jay Bopa Rai, Director Technical Services, EMEA at Kony, a mobile app development and testing platform. "It's a much more controlled process than tweaking a (mobile) website on the fly." "It also has to be programmed to run on iOS and Android devices," says Healy. "This complicated, lengthy process is only worth the time and money should the app be searched for, downloaded and used … thanks to HTML 5 and CSS, one website fits all." Efficient and searchable Websites are also incredibly efficient. "If all a company is wanting to do is provide the most amount of information, to the most amount of people, a website is the best route to take," says Mark Mason, CEO and founder of app developer Mubaloo, whose clients include EE, Aviva, Met Office, RAC, Scania and Hargreaves Lansdown. Apps are closed-off to search engines, which makes them highly unsuitable for some uses. "Mobile apps work within closed environments and therefore can't be indexed by search engines," says Chris Van Aurich, Director at Artlines Media, which produces responsive HTML 5 websites. "Mobile friendly websites are also universally accessible, with one code-base which works on whatever device you might be using." Death of the app? How apps dominate Apps dominate traffic That's the argument against them, but the fact remains that some apps are doing well – very, very well. "If you look at mobile traffic the vast majority of it is done via apps," says Dyer. "Facebook is absolutely crushing it, its traffic is insane, and what's more, it plans to launch more standalone applications. There are seven online properties that have over a billion users; Google owns four of them and delivery via the app channel continues to grow." One of the areas where apps make far more sense than websites is messaging. "Messaging still seems to be the major growth area," says Bennet, who think that the likes of Facebook, Apple, Google and Microsoft are desperate to crack emerging markets. "It will be interesting to see if other small and independent developers can take advantage of this 'space race' like WhatsApp did," he says. Ah yes, WhatsApp, the app that proves that the global obsession with apps is alive and well. "The rise of messaging apps seems to know no limits at the moment," says Dyer. "If you want to know why Facebook valued WhatsApp at US$19 billion then look no further than its 500 million active users – it hit that milestone last month." WhatsApp users are sharing over 700 million photos and 100 million videos each day. "The most impressive thing is it has only just got started," adds Dyer. It also depends on the service being offered; if you're constantly accessing a service, an app is unbeatable for convenience. "An app is only successful if the company itself already has repeat customers," says Healy, stating that it's the Facebook and Twitter apps' timesaving that makes them smash hits. Apps push integration Another area where apps trump mobile websites is when integration with a device is all-important. "They're perfect when tight integration with phones' built-in functionality is important," says Matthew Graham, Software Engineer and Technical Consultant at app developer Apadmi. "For example, a VoIP app could not be implemented via a mobile website." The boom in photography and photo editing apps are all about a smartphone's built-in camera, SoundHound and Shazam use the microphone, and stargazing apps like Sky Safari and StarWalk use a phone's built-in GPS sensor to create a service that a website just can't match. "There are unique benefits to developing dedicated apps if you want to make use of smartphone functionality like the camera, GPS or accelerometer for example, which websites can't access," says Van Aurich. Crucially, they all of these work offline. "A mobile website will provide nothing when there is no data connection whereas an app can be written to show cached information to the user, while it waits for the latest data to load," says Graham. Games on the throne However, it's gaming that has perhaps the tightest grip on the concept if the app, claiming a whopping 32% of app usage time (social networking accounts for 28%). "Browser-based mobile games simply are nowhere near the popularity of regular apps and I believe they never will be," says Rich Albon, Co-Director of Two Creature Studios. "With apps, designers can develop games in a beautiful, 3D environment, whereas most web-app games tend to be more restricted to a 2D format due to browser limitations." We may be far from the end of apps, but it's clear that the landscape has changed from 'apps are good' to 'do I need another app?'. "The initial excitement surrounding 'having an app' has now passed and it's now about taking a more strategic approach," says Mason. "We wouldn't necessarily say that HTML5 websites are overtaking apps, more that responsive websites are becoming commonplace." Before anyone gets carried away and predicts the 'death of the app', they would be wise to remember something. It may be ubiquitous and pre-installed on every smartphone, but it's worth considering what that Chrome or Safari browser on your home screen actually is. It's just an app. Play then pay: Optus now lets you buy Google Play apps on your phone bill May 5th 2014, 05:55, by Rob Edwards Optus customers looking to splurge on apps for their new Sony Xperia Z2 now won't have to pay a cent until their phone bill arrives, thanks to today's announcement of direct carrier billing from Optus. From Wednesday, Optus postpaid customers will be able to download apps, movies and magazines without their credit cards taking a beating. The charges will simply appear on their next monthly bill. In order to make sure you don't get too carried away - or that the kids don't go on a spending spree - Optus has implemented a maximum spend of $49.99 per transaction and $200 per month. Customers will also be protected from buyer's regret or accidental purchases via a 15-minute window for cancellations. Sign up now, pay later Optus customers can access direct billing through a quick one-time registration and validation process through Google Play. The service can also be used for in-app purchases, so you can buy more Candy Crush lives now and curse your lack of patience later. Of course, Optus is not the first telco with such an offering. Telstra's direct billing service launched at the end of 2012. Want Android apps on your Optus bill? These are the best Android phones on the market today. Almost a tenth of Android devices have broken off a piece of KitKat May 4th 2014, 23:36, by Michael Rougeau Android 4.4: KitKat continues to grow in use, now accounting for 8.5% of all Android devices, according to Google. The company measures OS usage numbers by collating the devices that access the Google Play store through the latest version of the app, and releases its findings in monthly reports. Using this technique Google can tell that KitKat is now on almost a tenth of devices counted, while Jelly Bean still has the majority by far with a total of 60.5%. Meanwhile the older Gingerbread - top of the list just two years ago in 2012 - is still on 16.2% of devices, and Ice Cream Sandwich has 13.4%. Everyone gets a piece Bear in mind that Google's process does not take into account devices like Amazon's Kindle Fire line, which use Amazon's app store, or the Nokia X, an Android phone filled with Microsoft bric-a-brac. In addition devices running OS versions older than Android 2.2 aren't counted. Regardless, it's clear that KitKat is gaining speed at a respectable clip; Its usage has jumped from just 2.5% in the past two months. There are two factors to thank there: KitKat is rolling out steadily (if slowly) to existing devices, and more new flagships are launching with the latest Google OS built in. Those new devices include the HTC One (M8), Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2. Android Silver: everything you need to know Here's the first official-looking shot of the alleged HTC One Mini 2 May 4th 2014, 20:37, by Michael Rougeau We've been anticipating the successor to the HTC One Mini for some time, though the details remain up in the air. Now frequent Twitter tipster @evleaks has published what could be the first official look at the new HTC One Mini in dark grey, silver/white and gold. Check it out below. He or she calls it the HTC One Mini 2, though we've previously speculated on other monikers, like the HTC One M8 Mini to match the HTC One (M8). To be fair, that name also came from @evleaks, but it seems the leaker has come across some new information in the meantime. A slow reveal The last time we saw the HTC One Mini successor it was wrapped up in a case, so we couldn't get a clear look at it. That was also when @evleaks first indicated that the miniature phone would drop the "M8" from its name. A high-quality shot like the one above is a welcome glimpse. The tweet also says the HTC One Mini 2 will arrive this year, which is no surprise. It's expected to sport a 13-megapixel camera rather than the HTC One (M8)'s 4-ultrapixel snapper, but that's really all we've heard at this point about what's likely to be the next HTC handset on the market. Until something more official surfaces we'll keep an eye and an ear trained on the rumor mill for more on the HTC One Mini 2. Speaking of mini sequels, here's TechRadar's review of the iPad mini 2 Buying guide: Phone buying guide: which phone should I buy? May 4th 2014, 12:00, by Simon Hill Introduction and 5 things you need to know Smartphones have evolved incredibly quickly in the last few years. They allow us to stay connected with friends and family, to capture important moments in our lives, and to access the boundless knowledge of the Internet. Throw in a huge range of apps for virtually every purpose imaginable and you've got the kind of technology that we could only dream about a couple of decades ago. If you still haven't picked one up then, well, you're in a dwindling minority and you're really missing out. But whether you're finally taking the plunge, or you're looking to upgrade, finding the right phone is never easy. There's so much choice and a lot to learn about smartphone tech. You're probably going to be spending the next two years together, so you definitely want to think on it before you pull the trigger. Don't worry though, as we're here to help with a straightforward look at everything you need to know to make an informed decision. What types of phone are there? Want to get a new phone? It doesn't have to just be a question of whether or not to get the latest iPhone or Galaxy handset - there are many types of telecommunication device out there, so here's a simple list of what makes a phone smart, and at what point it really becomes a tablet. Smartphone Standard smartphone screens range from 3.5 inches up to around 5.5 inches, and are mostly button-less. You'll see the odd keyboard-toting exception to the touchscreen rule, but largely the physical key is dying, except for power and volume. We're hoping a new world of flexibility (as in screens that can bend) will unlock new form factors, but this is definitely the age of the rectangle when it comes to phones. Beyond the basic shape there's a sliding scale of hardware that dictates the price. Cheaper generally means a poorer performance, but not necessarily too bad that you shouldn't be thinking of purchase. Smartphones are all-rounders and they're designed for everyone. Phablet If you want something bigger, but not as big as a tablet, then you can find some giant phones pushing beyond 5-inch to go all the way up to 7-inch screens, where tablets officially start. To be a true phablet a device should combine features of a phone and a tablet. The most successful example is the Galaxy Note series with its handy stylus (although Samsung prefers 'S Pen') and range of software features to take advantage of that extra space. If you're more interested in the other features of a smartphone, beyond calls and communication, then super-sized phones and phablets could be right up your street. Feature and basic phones Some people just want a phone to make calls. You can pick up basic mobile phones for £30 and they'll suit luddites who need a phone. There are also still a number of feature phones available that attempt to emulate smartphones and fail badly. The truth is that budget phones running Android and even Windows Phone nowadays are so cheap you shouldn't ever consider taking a step back to the land of feature phones unless you truly only want to make calls or texts - or need a phone to last the week at a festival. Five things you need to know It can be daunting entering the world of the smartphone, or even choosing a decent feature phone, if all you've ever known is a rubbish Nokia from decades ago. Here's our little cheat sheet explaining the top things you should be looking out for: Screen size and resolution The bigger the screen you go for, the better your experience will be for reading, gaming, browsing the web, and watching videos, but the trade-off is extra weight and size. The general trend has been towards larger screens and 5 inches is common for flagship Android smartphones. The resolution determines how sharp your screen will be and it will impact on everything you do on your phone. If you're coming from an older device then 720p will probably impress, but the latest high-end phones are boasting full HD 1080p resolutions as standard. Processor and RAM A fast multi-core processor will be able to handle all the latest games. If it's backed up by a decent amount of RAM then you'll be able to switch in and out of apps quickly and efficiently. Generally speaking higher is better, but some manufacturers get more from the hardware than others. A quad core processor can make lighter work of video recording, dual core devices will largely be better on the battery. For RAM always look for at least 1GB - anything less (unless you're paying peanuts and don't care) will garner you a sluggish handset) Platform The obvious choices are Android and iOS. Both platforms are slick, easy to get to grips with, and have huge libraries of apps to buy and download. Windows Phone is a distant, but credible third, with some nice customisation options and a reasonable choice of apps. We can't really recommend BlackBerry any more - although if it does stage a remarkable turnaround, we'll let you know. Storage You'll be surprised how quickly your smartphone fills up with new apps and games to enjoy, photos and videos, and various other bits and pieces. It's rarely a smart move to take the lowest option in terms of storage, and you'll find that microSD cards and cloud storage options are no match for more internal storage. As a rule of thumb go for 16GB unless you're adamant that you'll never download an app or two or listen to music - in which case, question if you really need a smartphone. Making sure there's a microSD slot will also give you peace of mind for the future - it won't help with app space but will offer a good spot for movies, music and photos in the future. Trust us: storage fills up faster than you might think. Camera For most of us our smartphone is also our main camera, so you'll want to think carefully about how your prospective purchase handles photos and videos. Don't just check the megapixel count. Higher is not necessarily better. You also want to think about low-light performance, shutter speed, and a host of other settings. If it's a vital factor for you then make sure you compare the quality of shots on different phones before you decide. Price guide, jargon explained and our recommendation How much will I need to spend? You can walk away with a brand new smartphone for no money down if you sign up to a two-year contract, but make sure that you do your sums first. These deals are not always particularly good and it's easy to forget that £35 per month for 24 months is £840. Check the price of the smartphone as an unlocked standalone purchase and look at the level of service you need. If you're going for a smartphone then the 16GB Moto G at £160 is really great value for money. You can also get near cutting edge power with the Nexus 5 at just £299. The majority of flagships, like the iPhone 5S, the Galaxy S5, and the Xperia Z2 are going to cost you at least £550. If you're willing to go for last year's top smartphone then £400 should be enough, and prices just keep on dropping the further you go back. Smartphones have improved so rapidly that the Galaxy S3 will still cater for most people's needs in style and it can be snapped up for as little as £200. What phone does TechRadar recommend? If you want something beautiful and slick then we recommend the brand new HTC One (M8). It's the kind of phone that anyone could fall in love with. For people with limited cash the Moto G is a truly unbeatable option. But if you're struggling with so many phones to choose from check out our top 20 best mobile phones for a detailed look at all of your best options right now. And even if money's tight, you don't have to forgo having a smartphone. You'll find some irresistible options at low, low prices as we delve into the realm of the best cheap smartphones on the market. What other things should I consider? You should definitely choose your carrier carefully and think about the contract you sign up to. There's a lot of excitement about 4G speeds, but if you live outside the coverage area, your phone doesn't support 4G, or you've only got 250MB of data to burn through each month, then it's an added expense that you simply don't need. Battery life is always important, but there are some major differences between the top phones. Don't just look at the mAh (milliampere hour) rating. You should consider other power-saving features too. If you like to carry a spare, make sure that your prospective new phone has a removable battery. It's worth remembering that some of the latest phones support wireless charging as well. There are lots of connectivity features that might prove important. The latest Bluetooth 4.0 LE (low energy) is required by a lot of the new fitness tracking devices, and it's good for streaming music too, so that's something to watch out for if you intend on using a lot of accessories. If you want to be able to pay for things with your phone then you might want NFC (near field communication) support. The best way to make sure that the phone you're considering ticks all the boxes is to make a list of those features that you can't do without. Phone jargon explained Operating System, OS, or Platform: refers to the software running on your phone, so either Android, iOS, or Windows 8. 3G or 4G: 3G is the third-generation of mobile phone technology, 4G is the fourth-generation. Each generation is faster than the last. Coverage: this is the area where you can get a mobile signal. Resolution and PPI: resolution dictates how sharp the screen is as a measure of the pixels. Full high definition (HD) is 1920 x 1080 pixels, but size factors in too, so you'll often see PPI, which stands for pixels per inch. The higher it is, the sharper the screen will appear. Processor, GPU or CPU: dictates the hardware that runs the system. The more powerful it is, the faster your phone will be able to run. Apps: software programs that run on your phone, they can be anything from Facebook to Flappy Bird. RAM: Random Access Memory enables you to switch in and out of apps more quickly. The higher it is the better your phone will handle multitasking. Internal storage: how much room you have for files, apps and movies. It's always measured in GB and the higher the number is, the more room you'll have. Enough! Show me the reviews! Okay we hear you, it's time to move along and start reading up on individual devices. You can get some really in-depth insight into the options with our smartphone reviews.

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