| Microsoft kills Android for Nokia Jul 17th 2014, 15:30, by John McCann 
In the wake of Microsoft's announcement that it will be slashing 18,000 jobs from the business - including 14,500 from Nokia - it's been revealed it's also cutting Android out of its life. Nokia's first Android handsets arrived to much fanfare at MWC 2014 in Barcelona in February with the Nokia X, X+ and XL set to make waves in developing market. But less than six months since Stephen Elop took to the stage Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella closed the door on the project in an open letter to all employees. Nadella said: "we plan to shift selected Nokia X product designs to become Lumia products running Windows. This builds on our success in the affordable smartphone space and aligns with our focus on Windows Universal Apps." Android angstThis doesn't mean the current fleet of Nokia X products - including the recently announced Nokia X2 - will be transferred to Windows Phone. This decision affect models currently in development. The situation was explained further by Stephen Elop in an email to all employees. "We plan to deliver additional lower-cost Lumia devices by shifting select future Nokia X designs and products to Windows Phone devices," Elop wrote. "We expect to make this shift immediately while continuing to sell and support existing Nokia X products."        |  | Microsoft to cut 18,000 jobs Jul 17th 2014, 13:59, by Juan Martinez 
Microsoft will cut approximately 18,000 jobs within the next eleven months, CEO Satya Nadella wrote in an announcement to staff. This round of layoffs will be the largest in the company's history and the largest since former CEO Steve Ballmer cut 5,800 employees in 2009. Roughly 12,500 employees brought on as a result of the Nokia acquisition, which occurred in April, will be let go. The deal added 25,000 employees to Microsoft's payroll. At the time of the acquisition, Microsoft said it would cut $600 million (about £350.8 million, au$640 million) per year in costs. How will this affect Xbox and Nokia products?Although most of the cuts will be made within the Nokia division, approximately 5,500 jobs will also be cut across other lines of business, including marketing jobs in the Xbox unit, as well as marketing jobs in other divisions, according to Bloomberg sources. The layoffs are unlikely to impact how consumers experience Xbox and Xbox products. Nadella has insisted Xbox will be a top priority for Microsoft under his tenure. Additionally, Microsoft devices head and former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said "there will be limited change" for the Xbox and Surface divisions. The company-wide changes will dramatically affect Nokia products. In his July 17 memo announcing the cutbacks, Nadella said he is focused on integrating Nokia into the Microsoft business. As a result, select future Nokia X devices will be migrated from Android to the Windows Phone operating system. This tactic allows Microsoft to continue to compete in the budget smartphone market and ensures that budget smartphones users are running on Microsoft's platform of choice. Big changes to the enterpriseNadella is also expected to make changes to the engineering organization, which will likely consolidate the roles of software testers and developers, as cloud building has made it easier for developers to test and fix issues autonomously. Microsoft has more than 127,000 employees globally. The majority of employees who will be let go are expected to hear from Microsoft within the next six months, Nadella said in his memo. As a result of the layoffs, Microsoft will have to pay $1.1 billion (about £640 million, au$1.17 billion) to $1.6 billion (about £940 million, au$1.71 billion) in severance and related benefits costs and related charges over the next four quarters. Rumors of the impending layoffs began circulating earlier this week, shortly after Nadella outlined Microsoft's trajectory in an email to staff. In the email, Nadella said he is focused on driving Internet of Things, mobility and cloud innovation.        | | Future iPhones might know you better than you know yourself Jul 17th 2014, 11:34, by James Rogerson 
Our phones already know where we are, where we live and potentially a whole lot more depending on how we use them, such as where we shop and what we buy. But an Apple patent hints at a future where phones will learn our behaviour and habits too, essentially building a complete profile of us. The patent, published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and spotted by Apple Insider, details a system which monitors user's behaviour, covering everything from location and input gesture patterns to grammar, vocabulary and preferences, such as which orientation you tend to use the keyboard in. It could theoretically even gather information from motion sensor data, for example using the accelerometer to keep track of the speed and manner in which you tend to walk. More security, less privacyThere's a point to all this of course, the system is designed to add an extra layer of security to your iPhone, with a system in place whereby it would lock itself or send a warning to another device if it spotted a lot of unusual behaviour. The theory being that if it was operated in a way that deviated too much from your usual patterns it could be someone else using it. 
But while it's marketed with security in mind it also brings up security and privacy concerns. Many people are already uncomfortable with how much data is routinely gathered on them and this could take it to a whole new level. What if it fell into the wrong hands? And even if it stayed with Apple do we really want a company to know this much about us? There are certainly ways it could be leveraged to advertise at us if nothing else. Of course right now these are all hypotheticals and if the system ever was rolled out it would likely be optional and have controls to limit which data could be gathered, but the mere fact that a phone could one day gather all this about us is a little bit scary.        | | Android might finally be getting Amazon Prime Instant Video Jul 17th 2014, 10:20, by James Rogerson 
Amazon Prime Instant Video, the company's answer to Netflix, is available on just about every platform under the sun, from games consoles, to smart televisions, computers, set-top boxes, iPad's and Amazon's own Kindle Fire range of tablets. But so far Android devices have been left out. That might be about to change, as PC Advisor reports that Amazon Marketing Director Russell Morris told them its arrival on Android was "imminent." Unfortunately he didn't say just how imminent and nor did he shed any light on whether it will be available for both smartphones and tablets. Amazon itself hasn't officially confirmed that it's coming, but a comment from its marketing director seems pretty promising. It's good news too, as we'd wager there are quite a few Prime Instant Video subscribers who'd benefit from an Android app and quite a few other people who might now consider taking out a subscription. - Amazon Fire TV will give people yet another way to enjoy its instant video service.
       | | Apple's A8 chip for iPhone 6 will stay dual-core, but could radically increase speed Jul 17th 2014, 09:44, by James Rogerson 
Apple's never seemed very interested in the processor race. While Android phones are packing in quad-core chips and even starting to look at octa-core ones, Apple has long stuck with a dual-core processor and according to the latest rumours that's not going to change. Chinese site cnBeta.com reports that Apple's new A8 processor, which we're expecting to see in the iPhone 6, will once again be dual-core, but while the current A7 chip is clocked at 1.3GHz, the A8 will apparently be 2GHz or more. Apple's hardware has never felt lacking in power but a speed increase that big could give it a noticeable boost, though other reports suggest that Apple is focussing more on efficiency and battery life than increased power, so it remains to be seen how much of a performance increase it will really lead to, if it's even true. Smaller than everAs well as being faster the new chip will apparently be manufactured using the 20nm process, making it smaller than the 28nm A7 chips. That in turn means that the electrons have less distance to travel, which should both improve its performance and save energy. It's also reported, unsurprisingly, that Apple will be sticking with 64-bit architecture. All in all though it sounds like a pretty big upgrade, especially when you consider that the last two iPhone models had 1.3GHz processors, so it's the first speed increase in a while. On paper this will still leave it trailing behind Android and Windows Phone, but what the iPhone lacks in raw power it's always seemed to make up for in its marriage of hardware and software.        | | LG G3 Beat announced as largest 'mini phone' yet Jul 17th 2014, 08:10, by John McCann 
We've been hearing a lot about a potential mini version of the LG G3 and today it's become a reality in the form of the LG G3 Beat. The fact LG has followed in the footsteps of the HTC One Mini 2 and Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini is no surprise, but the sheer size of the G3 Beat is sure to raise a few eyebrows. That's because the LG G3 Beat sports a sizable 5-inch 720p display - the same size as the One M8, but lower resolution - dwarfing the 4.5-inch offerings on its rivals. It also packs a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, microSD slot and Android 4.4 KitKat. Laser focusRound the back you'll find an 8MP camera which inherits the laser auto-focus of its bigger brother, while on the front you get a 1.3MP snapper. The 2540mAh battery is larger than the HTC and Samsung competition, but the G3 Beat is also larger than both at 137.7 x 69.6 x 10.3mm - although there's very little between it and the One Mini 2 thanks to the slender bezel around the screen. The LG G3 Beat release date is pegged for July 18 in South Korea, and will then rollout globally in the following weeks including Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Pricing is currently unknown, but LG has made a point to say that the G3 Beat is a mid-tier smartphone so we'd expect it to match the competition in terms of cost.        | | Updated: Sorry, but the NFL Sunday Ticket cord cutting promo isn't new Jul 16th 2014, 19:29, by JR Bookwalter 
Update: A DirecTV spokesperson confirmed to TechRadar this is actually the same NFL Sunday Ticket service it's offered for the last few years, which is only available to customers where DirecTV service isn't. To be clear, we asked the spokesperson whether the streaming option is not a new service and the promotion that's been spotted is simply a new promotion of a current product. Their reply: "The service is not new. We have offered it to customers who do not have access to DirecTV for a few years now. There is some new marketing around the service that talks to new pricing and additional features, but the service itself is not new." More details are available from a FAQ page on the DirecTV website. Sad to say, the set-up still definitely isn't for everyone. "At this time, NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV is available to people in select areas, residence types, and enrolled in select universities," the site read. To find out if you're eligible, head here and click Get Started. What is new? The DirecTV Fantasy Zone Channel, described as a "live fantasy football show" airing exclusively on DirecTV. Original article below... Attention cord cutters who also happen to be football fans: Your dream of a satellite-free existence appears to be inching that much closer to reality thanks to a new streaming package quietly being offered by DirecTV. DirecTV appears to be answering the prayers of NFL fans across the US with the introduction of a streaming-only package tailored to computers, smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles, as spotted by AppleInsider. After putting the kibosh on streaming last season's Super Bowl, this NFL Sunday Ticket deal requires no satellite subscription, instead serving up all out-of-market games each Sunday, streamed live to connected devices over an internet connection. Available on a wide range of iOS, Android and Kindle devices with certain packages also streaming to Xbox or PlayStation consoles, the satellite-free offering can also be viewed on Windows or Mac computers running Adobe Flash. Sunday, game dayAccording to the NFLSundayTicket.TV website, live streaming football kicks off September 7. A trio of packages are available now starting with a one-time payment $199.99 for streaming from computers and mobile devices only. Also available is a $239.99 Console package, perfect for cable and satellite-free homes who just want to be able to watch NFL games from their favorite game console. For the football lover who has it all, a $329.99 Max package allows streaming from every compatible device, adding an exclusive Red Zone Channel for close-up action on every touchdown, as well as the new DirecTV Fantasy Zone designed for "the most avid fantasy fans." NFL Sunday Ticket packages are available to order for the 2014-2015 football season, but the fine print specifically states the deal is "only available in limited areas to non-DirecTV customers located in eligible ZIP codes/select properties." We've reached out to DirecTV for further details. - You may be able to watch football on your console, but should you get the Xbox One or PS4?
       | | Carphone Warehouse may sell own-branded contracts with assist from Three Jul 16th 2014, 19:08, by Chris Smith 
High street retailer Carphone Warehouse will try reportedly its hand at selling own-branded mobile services following the completion of its merger with Dixons. The Financial Teams brings word the new 'Carphones Dixons' brand is in advanced talks with Three to piggyback on its network and sell its own contracts for smartphones, tablets and other connected goods. Currently, Carphone Warehouse offers low-cost contracts through Vodafone, an arrangment the FT claims will continue, but those customers essentially belong to the network.
Under the proposed agreement with Three Carphone could become a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), just like Tesco Mobile's arrangement with O2 and Asda's with EE.
InsuranceThe FT says Carphone has put out feelers to all of the major networks, but talks with Three are furthest along. If an agreement couldn't be reached with, the retailer would continue to sell devices and contracts with other networks, if permitted. EE is currently in the process of deciding whether it wants to utilise third-party retailers anymore, so setting up a MVNO could be a good insurance policy against other networks walking away.   | | Windows Phone 8.1 handset and the newest HTC Desire are AT&T's latest Jul 16th 2014, 18:55, by klee 
AT&T is bringing three new devices made for Android lovers or Windows Phone 8.1 fans to its nationwide 4G LTE network. First up is Lumia 635 standing in as the blue carrier's first ever Windows Phone 8.1 device. Interested users can start picking up the device in green on July 25 as a pre-paid GoPhone for $99. The Lumia 635 also just hit T-Mobile shelves starting today for $99 as well. Beginning August 8, the Windows phone will come with black and orange back covers in the box for $139.99 and no annual commitment pricing. Users can also opt for finance pricing though AT&T Next 18 service for $5.84 per month or as little as $7 per month with Next 12. The budget Lumia packs a 4.5-inch 854 x 480 resolution screen. Underneath it's equipped with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory. Just don't expect to take selfies with the device unless you get really good at pointing its 5MP rear-facing camera blindly as it doesn't have a front-facing snapper. HTC's plastic phoneAT&T isn't leaving Android out of the fun. The long-rumored HTC Desire 610 is scheduled to start selling online and in stores on July 25 for $199 flat or as a pre-paid GoPhone. Other pricing options include getting the handset for $8.34 per month on AT&T Next 18 and $10 per month through Next 12. The Desire 610 features a 4.7-inch 854 x 480 resolution screen and sports BoomSound speakers, just like the HTC One M8. Similarly the low-price handset inherits all of the Sense 6 software features like the motion clip-capturing Zoe Cam and the Blinkfeed social newsreel. All these software bits come complemented with the device's quad-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM. The phone has a paltry 8GB of storage onboard but this can be easily expanded though the microSD card slot. Camera-wise the HTC Desire 610 won't wow anyone with high-resolution images, but it's decent enough with 8MP snapper at the rear and 1.3MP sensor up front. Galaxy bundle
Lastly the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 rounds out AT&T's latest device offerings. Users can order it now for $269.99 with a two-year contract. As a special offer, customers can knock $50 off the 8-inch Samsung slate's regular price when they bundle it with any Samsung Galaxy phone. Interested buyers who would like to see the Tab 4 before purchasing it can do so starting July 25. It too is available in installments of $18.50 per month for 20 months. The tablet displays Android 4.4.2 KitKat on a bright and saturated 1280 x 800 display. Tucked inside the Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 is a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU, 1.5GB of RAM, an expandable 16GB of storage and 4,450 mAh battery. The 3MP rear camera will definitely leave users wanting more but at least the tablet supports Samsung's multi-window view for using two applications side-by-side.        | | BlackBerry's answer to Siri, Cortana will arrive with BB10.3 Jul 16th 2014, 18:15, by Michael Rougeau 
A leak concerning the next BlackBerry 10 update, BB10.3, suggested way back in March that the Canadian company might be working on its own Siri rival. Now BlackBerry has revealed that that rumor is true, and the blandly named BlackBerry Assistant will indeed arrive in the BB10.3 update. Social Media Marketing lead and Editor Donny Halliwell says in an Inside BlackBerry post that he's been using BlackBerry Assistant for weeks on the square-shaped BlackBerry Passport, and he reports "you'll be pleasantly surprised at how accurate" it is. If that's not a dig at Siri, Cortana and Google Now, then nothing is. 'Would you like some ice for that burn?'Halliwell uses a number of anecdotes to illuminate some of BlackBerry Assistant's features. Apparently you can either use voice commands or simply type on the home screen to make requests of the app, from searching through your email and managing your calendar and events to searching the web for lyrics and checking Twitter. "The more I use it, the more it learns and adapts to me," Halliwell writes. "The more I speak with it, the more tuned-in to my queries it gets." BlackBerry Assistant is compatible with any Bluetooth device and will remind you of events and appointments and even send BBM messages for you. All of this can reportedly be done hands-free, if desired. Interestingly BBA also completes "most" requests, whether you're replying to emails, setting reminders, or just turning on the phone's flashlight, without leaving the Assistant app. Unfortunately the one thing Halliwell neglected to go into detail about is when BlackBerry 10.3 might arrive.        | | Kindle Unlimited looks a lot like Netflix for ebooks Jul 16th 2014, 17:59, by JR Bookwalter 
Read a lot of ebooks? Amazon customers may soon have access to more than 600,000 titles for a monthly subscription fee, a deal that could be right up your alley. GigaOM reported that Amazon may be planning to become the Netflix of ebooks as revealed by mistakenly leaked product pages advertising a new subscription service called Kindle Unlimited. The pages in question were first spotted by publishers and readers on the Kindle Boards early Wednesday, although most of that evidence vanished from Amazon's website as quickly as it first appeared. Thankfully, Google has come to the rescue, allowing those cached pages to be called up from the great beyond for further scrutiny ahead of Amazon officially launching the all-you-can-eat ebook subscription service. Freedom to exploreOne such screenshot touts "unlimited access to over 600,000 titles and thousands of audiobooks on any device for just $9.99 a month," which sounds a lot like what competing ebook subscription services Scribd and Oyster already offer. The price in straight conversions comes out to about £6 and AU$11. For the moment, available Kindle Unlimited content appears to be flush with titles already available through the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, which allows Amazon Prime subscribers who also own one of the company's tablets to "borrow" one ebook free each month. Conspicuously absent from the test pages, however, are major publishers like Simon & Schuster or HarperCollins, both of whom already offer titles to Amazon's subscription-based competitors. One web page entitled "KU Test," which is still live at the time of this writing, displays a total of 638,416 available ebook titles, plus another 7,351 Whispersync for Voice-enabled audiobooks, which could offer Amazon a competitive edge over rivals. - Check out our review of Amazon's Fire TV while you're here!
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