LG G3 Stylus shows up to challenge the Galaxy Note 4 Aug 5th 2014, 13:36, by Hugh Langley 
Watch out Samsung, you're not the boss of phablet town anymore - the LG G3 Stylus has just been teased in a brand new video. We don't know a lot about it, but LG's phablet appears at the end of a promotional video for the LG G3 Beat, so it seems more of a question of when, not if, we'll see an official announcement. The phablet is rumoured to have a 5.9-inch display - 0.4 inches than the LG G3 - and seeing it stood near the flagship, we'd say that looks about right. And living up to the name there is, of course, also a stylus included. This town is probably big enough for the both of usSo back to the question of "when". It seems a good bet would be IFA 2014, where Samsung is expected to reveal the Galaxy Note 4 at a September 3 press event. That would also get in ahead of Apple, which is believed to be planning a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 as its own stake in the phablet arena. YouTube : www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozhlNmb4_OE      | BlackBerry eyes growth and acquisitions following end of restructuring process Aug 5th 2014, 11:30, by Kane Fulton 
Blackberry has come to the end of a three-year restructuring notification process and is once again eyeing growth, according to an internal memo addressed to its employees. Obtained by Reuters, the memo, penned by BlackBerry CEO John Chen, confirmed that the company's restructuring efforts are now complete and that the sale of assets and layoffs have come to a halt. It read: "We have completed the restructuring notification process, and the workforce reduction that began three years ago is now behind us. "More importantly, barring any unexpected downturns in the market, we will be adding headcount in certain areas such as product development, sales and customer service, beginning in modest numbers." Big chopThe Waterloo, Ontario-based company has axed around 60% of its workforce over the last three years as it ceded market share to Apple's iPhone and numerous devices powered by Google's Android OS. The company now has 7,000 employees, according to Chen, down from a peak of more than 17,500 in 2011. The BlackBerry chief added that the company, which is once again in a position to make strategic acquisitions to boost future sales, is well on its way to recovery and is aiming to be cash flow positive by the end of 2014. BlackBerry recently acquired Germany enterprise mobility management firm Secusmart, which makes a microSD card-sized computer that allows electronics manufacturers to add voice and data encryption to devices. Chen, who joined the firm around eight months ago, has a reputation for turning around tech companies ailing fortunes and was responsible for lifting software vendor Sybase out of the red in the late 90s.       | Samsung Galaxy Alpha specs leaked by retailer and tipster Aug 5th 2014, 09:55, by James Rogerson 
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha may still be the stuff of rumours, but that hasn't stopped one retailer from putting it up for pre-order, complete with a list of alleged specs. Mobile Fun is the online store in question -although the listing already seems to have been taken down - but not before The Inquirer managed to grab all the juicy details. The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was listed at a flagship-worthy £549, for which you'd apparently get a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 320ppi, an octa-core Exynos processor, a 12MP camera with 'super-fast autofocus' and a 2.1MP front-facing snapper. It's also said to come with 32GB of storage, 4G capabilities and a fingerprint scanner, though there's no mention of the heart rate monitor found on the Samsung Galaxy S5. Metal mentionAs for the build of the Galaxy Alpha, there's no image included but it's described as having a 'metallic design.' As with any pre-announcement listing we'd advise a healthy helping of salt with this, but it's a fairly detailed listing, so if it is guess work they're some quite comprehensive guesses. 
In fact the specs match up with another leak that appeared shortly after, this time from @culeaks, which claims the device will have a 4.7-inch 720p display, an Exynos octa-core processor and a 12MP camera, as well as mentioning a few things which Mobile Fun didn't, specifically that it will have an 1850mAh battery, 2GB of RAM and run Android 4.4.4. 
The new Twitter tipster also revealed some more images of the phone, giving us a good look at the metal edges and matching up with other recent images. This is a new account, so it doesn't have any sort of track record, but the images look convincing and the specs line up with Mobile Fun's listing, so we may well be on to something.       | Updated: Nexus 6 release date, news and rumors Aug 5th 2014, 08:25, by John McCann and Simon Hill 
Nexus 6 release date, news and rumorsThe Nexus 5 arrived in the second half of 2013, continuing the brand's mantra of high specs, low cost and a pure version of Android. We're now well into 2014, so our thoughts are turning towards Google's next iteration of Nexus device, although the chance of the Nexus 6 actually appearing isn't guaranteed. There has been talk about Google's new Android Silver program, where the search engine is apparently turning to key smartphone manufacturers and offering resources to make high-end devices in collaboration with Google. Some are suggesting that this could be the death of the Nexus line, with @evleaks claiming: "There is no Nexus 6. Farewell, Nexus. Don't worry, there's a silver lining to this cloud... Android Silver, circa February 2015." But don't worry Nexus fans, as Android's head of engineering Dave Burke has confirmed the brand is still 'invested in Nexus'. Mentions of the Nexus 6 smartphone and Nexus 8 tablet have also been spied by eagle eyed devs who have been sifting through code for Google's Chromium browser - giving us hope the Nexus 6 is still on the cards. For now though nothing is confirmed and the Nexus 6 could still arrive this year. Cut to the chase- What is it? Google's sixth iteration of its affordable Nexus line
- When is it out? Going on the Nexus 5, probably October or November
- What will it cost? It's likely to start around $349, £300
Nexus 6 release date and priceThe Nexus 5 was announced on October 31 2013, hitting stores in November of the same year. In terms of the Nexus 6 release date we're expecting the handset to arrive around the same time in 2014. Considering the Nexus 5 launched at $349, £299 for the 16GB model we'd expect the Nexus 6 to inherit a similar pricing structure, although if it's rocking some serious tech it may come in slightly more expensive. Nexus 6 operating systemThe Nexus 6 could be the first device to run the next version of Google's operating system, which we now know to be Android L, after it was announced at Google I/O earlier this year. When Google launches a new major version of its software it usually offers up some hardware too. The Nexus 5 ushered in the arrival of Android KitKat and the Nexus 6 seems the sensible option for the next installment, although there's always a chance that'll we'll see the Google Nexus 10 (2014) or an updated Nexus 7 slate instead. Nexus 6 designKorean manufacturer LG was being hotly tipped for a third term as Google's Nexus smartphone producer, and while the Nexus 5 bore resemblances to last year's LG G2, some sources reckon the Nexus 6 will apparently be based on the LG G3. That's all been called into question though as LG has now denied any involvement in the Nexus 6. That begs the question of who then will be making it in LG's place, but it also kills most of the theories that had been circulating. They may have a point though, as Motorola is another manufacturer being linked to the Nexus 6, with reports of a handset codenamed "Shamu" doing the rounds. 
We may have now caught our first glimpse of the Nexus 6, as the Android Twitter account tweeted a photo featuring an unidentified Nexus handset. The phone wasn't the focus of the photo, so it's possible that it's just a generic mock-up, but that then begs the question of why they wouldn't just use a Nexus 5 for it. Either way there's not much to take away from it, all we can tell is that it's a black rectangle with curved corners, large bezels above and below the screen and small ones at the side. There's no sign of any buttons on it, which could mean they've been moved to the back, on the other hand they could just be flush with the edges or hidden by the fingers. The thin side bezels could mean that it's taking a similar approach to the LG G3, by packing a larger screen into a similar sized chassis, though again it doesn't look like LG itself has anything to do with the phone. Nexus 6 displayBeating the LG drum again, and one rumour pegs the Nexus 6's screen size at 5.5 inches, which is the same as the LG G3, but with LG seemingly not involved that's presumably just a coincidence if it's even true. Going back to the Motorola leak, and the "Shamu" handset apparently sports a sizeable 5.9-inch display which would push the device firmly into phablet territory. We reckon it's highly unlikely that the Nexus 6 will be a phablet offering, so unless Shamu arrives alongside a more conventional handset (around 5-inches in size), it probably won't see the light of day. Nexus 6 fingerprint scannerWith the iPhone 5S, HTC One Max and Samsung Galaxy S5 all sporting fingerprint scanners it's no surprise that other top-end handsets are being linked to the biometric tech. The Nexus 6 is no exception, with Android Geeks citing a "trusted source" who claims the handset will indeed come with a fingerprint scanner. The key features the Nexus 6 needsFans of the cutting edge vanilla Android experience were quick to fall in love with the Nexus 5. It ushered in Android 4.4 KitKat with a sexy Google Experience Launcher on top, but it wasn't perfect. Here's what our friendly neighbourhood search giant could do to get us excited about the Nexus 6. A bigger batteryBattery life has bossed the chart of complaints in the smartphone market for years now and last year's Nexus was a major offender, with a constantly weird amount of power suckage. Scraping through a day simply isn't good enough. If you're going to pack more and more irresistible features into a device with a gorgeous hypnotizing display, then please give it enough juice to fulfil our obsessive usage. A better cameraGoogle made some swift adjustments to roll out an update that fixed up the Nexus 5 camera, but it's still an obvious candidate for improvement. A new version of Android should handle the software side, but the Nexus 6 is going to need to pack some decent hardware. Nokia is the current gold standard with the 41MP-toting Lumia 1020, but the Android pack is pushing 13MP and upwards now. Of course there's more to a camera than the megapixel count, but there's a lot more than can be done here. 
We want great quality shots, but also fast performance to help us capture those precious, spontaneous moments as they happen. A slightly bigger screenWith some clever engineering and some ruthless bezel slicing we're getting bigger displays without smartphones growing to ridiculous proportions, although phablets are now a thing. Perhaps the 6 will refer to the screen size. Realistically 6 inches might be pushing things too far, but we could always use more screen real estate. We'd like to see the Nexus 6 creep up a touch past 5 inches without becoming unwieldy. A slight increase in screen size without additional bulk would hit the spot nicely. An edge-to-edge display has long been a dream for smartphone fans. A 64-bit processorSince Apple made the jump to a 64-bit processor in the iPhone 5S it's inevitable that other manufacturers will want to follow suit. It doesn't matter if there isn't much obvious short term advantage. App developers and manufacturers will be able to realize the potential of this in years to come, but perception is important and that's reason enough for the Nexus 6 to need a 64-bit processor. Dual speakersThe front-facing dual-speaker setup on the HTC One M8 is undeniably nice and the more we consume media on our smartphones the more important it becomes to get decent sound. 
The Nexus 5 had one speaker at the bottom and it was less than stellar. It's another obvious target for a spot of improvement on the Nexus 6 and it would be nice if headphones weren't a requirement for enjoying music on your phone. A new formThe LG G Flex and the Samsung Galaxy Round have begun the transition to flexible displays which will enable new form factors. A gentle curve is not much to get excited about, and it's still probably too early for the full potential of flexible displays to be realized, but anything that takes smartphones away from the black rectangle convention could be good. 
A Nexus 6 with a really interesting design and some software innovation from Google could point the way for the evolution of the smartphone. At the very least a kind of secondary display portion on the edge for at-a-glance functionality and controls. Maybe even a dual-screen set-up with a low energy secondary display for notifications. Always listeningThe big USP for the Moto X was the voice recognition, allowing you to issue commands to Google Now without using your hands. The idea of hands-free operation has always been hampered by the need to press something first. If the Nexus 6 was always listening for its master's voice, we might be tempted to make better use of Google's fortune-telling digital butler. A 2K displayFull HD with a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution is still the standard for top-end Android smartphones, but QHD 2560 x 1440 displays are just around the corner. By the time the Nexus 6 is due to arrive the 5.5-inch QHD LG G3 will be on sale, and maybe even the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime and HTC One M8 Prime as well. 
It wouldn't be a shock if the Nexus 6 brought us a new level of pixel density. It's probably too soon for 4K displays, but we're heading in that direction, and this would at least give a Nexus the headline grabbing features we love. Of course, only if it can be done cheaply. We don't want to lose the low prices we've become accustomed to. Biometric securityFace Unlock was a gimmicky feature that arrived in Android Ice Cream Sandwich. It didn't always work and it was easy to spoof with a photo but finding new ways to effortlessly, but securely, unlock your smartphone is still on the agenda. Apple's Touch ID uses your fingerprints and there's a digit scanner in the Galaxy S5 too. If this kind of security is set to become a new standard, then the Nexus 6 needs to jump on board. IndestructibilityWe've seen Kevlar coating from Motorola and waterproofing from Sony and Samsung, and there's no doubt the Nexus line could stand to toughen up. You only need to glance at any Nexus 4 or Nexus 5 forum to find tales of woe from hapless owners with shattered screens. Flexible display technology could put an end to cracked and broken screens. Waterproofing has left the rugged category behind and broken into the mainstream. A Nexus 6 that can survive a dunk and doesn't need a polycarbonate overcoat is surely on the cards.       | In Depth: Meet the tiny device that can tell you more than you ever wanted to know Aug 4th 2014, 20:51, by Jessica Naziri 
How many grams of sugar are in this gin and tonic I'm about to drink? While our smartphones have made it easy to research facts, capture images and navigate street maps, they have their shortcomings. If only they could reveal the inner secrets of objects in the physical world, too. Thanks to a scanner device called SCiO - after the Latin verb "to know" - you'll soon be able to get answers to life's most pressing questions, like the chemical makeup of foods, medications, plants and other items we use on a daily basis. "We designed SCiO to find applications where people have the most visceral connection to the world," said Dror Sharon, CEO and co-founder of Consumer Physics, the Israeli company behind SCiO. This tiny USB-shaped device fits in your hand and looks like something straight out of Star Trek - only it will tell you more information about the world around you than you ever wanted to know. The molecular levelSCiO uses spectrometry to read the "molecular fingerprint" of an object, shining near infrared light which stimulates the objects molecules and records their reactions. The product promises to be a "sixth sense" that will one day scan the chemical makeup of just about anything. It's currently limited to food, plants and medications with accompanying applications on iOS and Android to relay information. The plan is to one day expand SCiO's scanning powers to cosmetics, flora, soil, jewels, leather, plastics, oils, clothes, precious stones, rubber and even pets. The current iteration of SCiO can tell whether the watermelon you want to buy is ripe, what's in the pills your doctor prescribed, how many calories are in your meal, or whether your plant needs more water. A skeptic by nature, I had to test out the device for myself while on a recent trip to Israel. What I found was a truly mind-blowing piece of technology with possibilities that are as exciting as they are endless. SCiO helps make our smartphones less about separation from real life and more of a tool to interact with the physical world. I pointed the SCiO scanner at a watermelon purchased before my appointment with the company and learned through its accompanying app the fruit's nutrient values and carbohydrate levels, right to the milligram. Next, I tested SCiO's ability to detect the difference between a branded Advil and a generic ibuprofen pill. This was a blind test and the device passed. SCiO correctly identified the chemical makeup of the unmarked white pill as ibuprofen. How SCiO scans the worldTo use SCiO, a user holds the device between their index finger and thumb close to the object they want to scan. There's a button to press which shines a blue light onto whatever they're testing. It also works through some clear plastic wrappers. SCiO then transmits the data to the cloud using Bluetooth technology, and the sample is analyzed in a database of objects in a distant data center. When it gets a match - usually within seconds - it sends the results to the user's smartphone. The SCiO food app also measures fat, protein and overall quality - think ripeness, and spoilage for foods like cheeses, fruits, vegetables, sauces, salad dressings, cooking oils and more. The spectrometer figures out what the object is based on an infrared light that reflects back to the scanner. YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C83tbuBmWYDatabase of matterWhile molecular scanners are used in labs around the world for quality control of oil, sewage and chemicals, they are bulky and expensive pieces of equipment. Consumer Physics has taken the same technology and designed a device from the ground up to be mass-produced at low cost. SCiO, developed by engineers from leading institutions such as MIT and Harvard, has been tested in live demonstrations with high accuracy. Still, Sharon believes the device has its limitations. For food, the device only scans a small nickel-sized area and penetrates a depth of a few millimeters. Proteins are the hardest to detect, followed by carbs, while fats are the easiest to scan. Essentially, SCiO can only identify elements between "'0.1% to 1%' of [an object's] overall chemical makeup," according to Sharon. Additionally, the sensor can be diverted or somewhat inaccurate by the packaging and items comprised of various different materials, like a fruit tart. You'll get different readings if you first scan the topping then the custard underneath. Transparent materials, such as clear liquids also present serious trouble when it comes to identifying molecular structures. But in the end, Sharon says, all these materials are within SCiO's reach. The device launched with an open API, so third-party developers can extend the list of materials covered by the Consumer Physics database as well as create apps suited to specific use case. Sharon envisions a device that will one day compile a massive collection of data to let users analyze the physical matter existing around them, thus "creating the world's first database of matter, and putting the means of discovering it in the palm and pocket of the user's hand." The first SCiO scanner batch won't be shipped to Kickstarter backers until January next year, and it will go on sale in March 2015 for $249 (about £147, AU$266). The project set out to raise $20,000 (about £11,860, AU$21,422) in April, a goal it reached in 20 hours. As of this writing, the SCiO Kickstarter counted over $2,700,000 (about £1.6m, AU$2.8m) in backer money. 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 @jessicanaziri or email her: iamjessicanaziri@gmail.com.       | Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 goes live for devs but you can get it, too Aug 4th 2014, 19:14, by klee 
Windows 8.1 update 2 release might be rumored for next week, but users holding onto Windows Phone 8.1 devices are getting their own software patch starting today. Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 is still slated for an official release in the coming months, but in the meantime anyone can nab the developer preview for free through Microsoft's App Studio program. You don't have to be a developer or make Windows Phone apps to take part in the program - though, you do need to register and agree to certain terms. The update brings a host of new features, including a Live Folder feature to hold multiple Live Tiles in the same location. Cortana calledAnother key improvement in the update is that voice-controlled Cortana is finally making it over to other countries, including the UK and China, as a beta. Microsoft's virtual assistant will also be available as an opt-in alpha to users in Australia, Canada and India. Meanwhile, stateside Windows Phone 8.1 users will be able to preview Cortana's new acting skill by asking her to do celebrities impersonations. Small tweaksThe Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 brings a host of other improvements such as the ability to delete or forward multiple selected SMS messages at a time. Also on the docket are user-customizable snooze alarm settings and a better performing Xbox Music application with a flashier Live Tile. Enhanced security will improve the new Apps Corner for businesses, and the Store Live Tile will have the added functionality of displaying updates for the latest apps. - Here's our look at one of the latest Windows Phone 8.1 devices, the Nokia Lumia 930
      | In-flight calls could be permanently grounded by one government agency Aug 4th 2014, 18:52, by Michael Rougeau 
The US Department of Transportation is currently working to maintain air travel regulations that have already been deemed obsolete by other agencies. The Federal Communications Commission determined last year that decades-old rules banning cell phone calls during flights are unnecessary, but the DOT has its own ideas. It plans to publish a notice in December arguing for the ban of cellular calls during flights, allowing the public and the air travel industry to add their own arguments before making a final decision in February 2015, according to the The Wall Street Journal. Naturally airlines would rather have final say on what's allowed on their flights and what's not, and the FCC has made its position clear, but the Department of Transportation's ruling would override both. Tray tables up!The proposed rules wouldn't affect texting or data use during flights, only actual phone calls. The Federal Aviation Administration lifted restrictions on electronics use during flights in 2013, and the DOT won't reverse that entirely; it just wants to ban people jabbering on their phones during flight. The rules banning cell phone use on planes have been in place for years and were originally intended to minimize cell phones' interference with ground networks, but the FCC said in late 2013 that's no longer a problem. Nevertheless US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has apparently been working on making sure cell phone calls during flights stay banned since as early as February 2013, and he reportedly believes that airline personnel and most passengers are on the department's side. Pick an aisleIt's worth noting this is currently more or less a moot point anyway, since most carriers don't offer cell service above certain altitudes. But one argument is that carriers should be allowed to offer this if they choose. One carrier, the UK's AeroMobile, does offer in-flight cell service during international flights, but it said in July that most passengers don't use the service for calls and those who do keep their conversations short. In addition flight crew can turn the service off at any time during a flight. But the DOT believes it has a responsibility to ban in-flight cell use on consumer protection grounds. Wireless industry groups, air transportation organizations and the general public have several months left to get their arguments together, but come December, when the department publishes its notice, this could turn into one hell of a dogfight.       | AT&T offers G Pad 7.0 LTE for a buck with select LG smartphones Aug 4th 2014, 18:31, by JR Bookwalter 
If you happen to be in the market for a late-model LG smartphone from AT&T, you'll soon be able to also pick up the manufacturer's latest seven-inch Android tablet at the same time, and wind up spending next to nothing for it. AT&T today announced a pretty sweet deal for anyone in the market for an LG G3, LG G2 or LG G Flex smartphone, allowing customers to toss an LG tablet into the same bag for only a dollar more. Starting Friday, August 8, AT&T retail and online stores will begin offering the LG G Pad 7.0 LTE, a slim, seven-inch Android 4.4 KitKat tablet priced at $149.99 with two-year agreement, with the option to pay $12.50 per month for 20 months on an AT&T Next installment plan. However, buyers choosing from a trio of the aforementioned LG smartphones can add the LG G Pad 7.0 LTE for only 99 cents more, assuming the devices are purchased at the same time along with qualifying wireless activation for both. Better togetherPairing the G Pad with one of LG's latest handsets isn't a fluke on AT&T's part: The tablet features LG QPair technology that allows users to answer smartphone calls or even receive and reply to messages without ever looking up from the tablet. The LG G Pad 7.0 is also equipped with multitasking chops such as Dual Window and QSlide functionality, allowing split-screen viewing and the ability to run two compatible apps on top of the main screen. Needless to say, the G Pad 7.0 comes standard with AT&T 4G LTE support, which can be added to an existing Mobile Share agreement for only $10 per month; the tablet can also be purchased outright for $250. Assuming you're in the market for a new smartphone anyway and will actually use the required 4G LTE service, this is a no-brainer - but be sure to read the fine print, because you could wind up owing more on the tablet, should you cancel wireless service before the handset is paid off.       | The Galaxy Note 4 looks a lock for pre-IFA launch Aug 4th 2014, 18:26, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
Days after a report revealed Samsung planned to unveil the Galaxy Note 4 on September 3, the Korean company has gone and sent out invites to an event on that very day. Samsung plans to host its regular Unpacked powwow in the days leading up to the official IFA 2014 kickoff, and it's during this event we expect to see the Galaxy Note 3 follow-up finally show its face. Of course, Samsung makes no mention of the Note 4 in its invitation, or any other device for that matter, but months of rumors and a historical tendency to reveal Notes during its IFA showcases make it a safe bet. The Note 4 is expected to feature a 5.7-inch QHD screen, and it may even curve, though not as drastically as the Galaxy Round (remember that phone?). It will likely run a Snapdragon 805 processor in some regions while a Exynos variant will be available elsewhere. Look for 3GB of RAM and the latest version of Android 4.4, too. Samsung isn't known to harp on a single device during its get-togethers, so we'll be keeping an eye out for the Galaxy Alpha, Gear VR headset and more wearables - including a Moto 360-inspired design - at Unpacked. - Is the Galaxy S5 worth your time, or should you wait till the Note 4?
 | Optus adds $1 Prepaid Daily option Aug 4th 2014, 05:06, by Farrha Khan 
Optus has introduced a new $1 Prepaid Daily plan, which joins the newly named, but previously available $2 Prepaid Daily Plus plan. While the $2 option gives you unlimited standard national calls and SMS, and 500MB of data per day, the $1 Daily plan gives you 30 minutes of standard national talk, unlimited SMS and 40MB of data per day.' These options can be automatically bumped up by an extra $2 for the $2 Prepaid Daily plan to give you an extra 524MB of data, totalling 1GB of data for the day - but only once per day. For the $1 Daily plan, a 50 cents automatic bump will give you unlimited standard national calls and 50MB more, but you can add 50 cents for more data up to a maximum of $5 per day, or 430MB of data. Prepaid gets flexibleOn Daily plans, you will only be charged for the days you use your plan. With recharges available from $10-$100, credit will also now only expire after six months, with all remaining credit rolled over if you recharge before expiry. Prepaid monthly options are available at $30, $45 or $60 options, with 1GB, 2GB and 5GB of data allowance, respectively, though expiry remains at 30 days. While the lowest option gives you unlimited SMS and 350 minutes of talk for the month, talk and SMS is unlimited for all other monthly plans.  | |
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