Monday, 7 July 2014

Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 07-07-2014

TechRadar: Phone and communications news
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Sony's launching a selfie phone tomorrow, and it's probably the Xperia C3
Jul 7th 2014, 15:44, by Hugh Langley

Sony's launching a selfie phone tomorrow, and it's probably the Xperia C3

Sony has teased a "selfie"-focused phone, which is set to be announced alongside the launch of the Xperia Z2a in Taiwan tomorrow.

And while Sony is keeping tight-lipped on any details about what the phone might be, it looks like the surprise has been spoiled with ePrice posting several photos and a video of the phone in action.

Meanwhile one poster on Esato has uploaded a couple of pictures of the C3 (codenamed "Gina), one of which shows the back ripped off.

The Sony Xperia C3, as it's been outed, has a 5-inch display and a front-facing camera with its own dedicated LED flash - an obvious necessity for any 'selfie' smartphone.

Self-centered

Xperia C3

No word on the camera resolution but we'd expect it to be pretty good if it's the feature Sony's selling the C3 on.

We can also see the phone will at least be coming in black and turquoise flavors. Expect the full details tomorrow.

YouTube : www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1XafrxPo1o






Get ready for the first Bentley smartphone
Jul 7th 2014, 14:28, by Hugh Langley

Get ready for the first Bentley smartphone

If you like your smartphones premium - and we're talking 'do the colors coordinate with my yacht?' premium - then listen up: snazzy phone maker Vertu has teamed up with car creator Bentley to make a range of smartphone so luxurious that they'll probably be coated with your financial advisor's tears.

If you're already closing the browser window, we can understand why. The Vertu Signature Touch costs a cool £6,750 (most of which probably goes towards its absolutely-necessary solid sapphire screen coat) and it's not like the Bentley name is going to remove any value.

The first of the 'Vertu for Bentley' phones will arrive this October, with four more handsets to arrive over the course of the duo's five-year partnership.

We expect these will be running Android like the rest of Vertu's smartphones.

The phones will also come with some exclusive Bentley content that'll be delivered via an app. Perhaps it'll be some handy tips on how to save pennies by recycling those old shampoo bottles. Or maybe it'll be the coordinates to your complimentary island.








Nokia Lumia 930 release date confirmed for July 17
Jul 7th 2014, 13:55, by John McCann

Nokia Lumia 930 release date confirmed for July 17

The Nokia Lumia 930 will touch down in the UK on July 17, and you'll be able to pick it up for free on contracts starting at £33 per month.

This is one of the most powerful Windows Phones to date sporting a 5-inch full HD display, 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, 20MP rear camera, 1.2MP front camera and a 2420mAh battery.

That makes it almost identical to the Lumia 1520, which sports a larger screen and battery, but the kicker for the Lumia 930 is that it arrives running Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft's latest incarnation of its mobile platform.

Keeping pace

It also means the Lumia 930 manages to keep pace with the Android crowd, although the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, Sony Xperia Z2 and LG G3 all sport the newer, more efficient Snapdragon 801 chip and are slightly cheaper on contract.

You'll be able to pick the Lumia 930 up in orange, green, black and white - the latter of which is an exclusive to Phones4U. There's currently no word on PAYG and SIM-only prices, but we'll keep you updated.








Blackberry boss mocks Google, Samsung Knox announcement
Jul 7th 2014, 12:33, by Desire Athow

Blackberry boss mocks Google, Samsung Knox announcement

There's an unwritten rule in business that says companies should never mention their competitors because it gives them unwanted publicity. Blackberry's CEO, John Chen, just did that by pointing to Google's security announcement from Google IO 2014 last month.

In a rather odd slide, he commented on the Google's decision to adopt Samsung KNOX for the next generation of Android, called L, saying that while they applauded the plans, they didn't think it was enough for security-minded enterprises.

Instead, Chen encourages us to look to technology companies that have invested 30 years in advancing security and productivity, and one that, in particular, has "proven repeatedly it can walk the walk". No prizes for guessing who that is.

Why Chen chose to do what is a PR exercise when Google IO 2014 has faded is unclear but it is interesting to see that Blackberry considers Android to be a competitor to be reckoned with.

Both companies have had a love-hate history. Blackberry launched its popular BBM for Android and opened up its Blackberry OS platform to run native Android apps.








In Depth: Microsoft's Android-powered Lumia may give us the best of both worlds
Jul 7th 2014, 10:25, by Hugh Langley

In Depth: Microsoft's Android-powered Lumia may give us the best of both worlds

Microsoft's already dabbled in Android with the Nokia X, but the relationship may be about to get more serious with rumours of an Android-powered Nokia Lumia phone beginning to swirl.

It seems that the X was to mark the start of something much bigger, if word from @evleaks is to be believed. The tipster posted: "Big news: Android-powered Lumia incoming, from Nokia by Microsoft."

Though recently caught out by a hoax claiming the existence of a OnePlus Tab, @evleaks has a pretty bang-on track record, so we're inclined to pay attention.

X-citing prospect

We also quite liked the budget Nokia X. While it placed Android at the centre, the handset had the unmistakable colourful design of a Windows Phone. All in all, it took the best aspects of both worlds.

An Android Lumia will hopefully do the same, giving us a taste of a more premium Google-Microsoft phone.

Meanwhile, a Nokia Lumia 830 render has seemingly surfaced, showing off a 13MP camera Pureview camera.

What's also interesting is the "Nokia by Microsoft" logo, hinting at how Redmond plans to transition to a Microsoft brand name for its phones.

But as this is just a render there's no guarantee as to what it is. Could it even be the rumoured Android-based Lumia? Who's to say...








Vodafone slashes roaming charges in 8 countries, but it'll still cost you
Jul 7th 2014, 09:03, by John McCann

Vodafone slashes roaming charges in 8 countries, but it'll still cost you

Vodafone has taken a leaf out of Three's "Feel at Home" book with its WorldTraveller service allowing customers to use their UK minutes, texts and data allowances abroad.

WorldTaveller launches today for Vodafone's pay monthly customers, but unlike Three's offering it's not free of charge.

Instead you'll have to pay £5 per day for the privilege of using your contracted minutes, texts and data in the USA, India, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Ghana, Qatar and South Africa.

You'll also be able to receive calls and texts for free when you sign up to WorldTraveller - which can be done by dialling 5555 from your Vodafone mobile and opting into the service.

Step in the right direction

While it may not be as value for money on paper, it's still a big step forward in reducing roaming charges in long haul destinations as they can be exceedingly steep.

Recently we've seen roaming charges slashed for all operators across the European Union, and Vodafone has its EuroTraveller service which provides the same features as WorldTraveller in most European countries for £3 per day (it's only £2 per day until the end of August 2014).








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