| iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6L: What will be the key differences? Sep 3rd 2014, 15:05, by James Rogerson 
While the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6L are likely to be broadly similar there may be more separating them than just screen size. Already rumours point to some significant differences and it makes sense too that Apple would try and differentiate the two handsets as much as possible. So while nothing is known for sure these are the main things that we expect to be different between the two phones, based on rumours and analysis. ScreenThis is the obvious bit, the iPhone 6L's USP is that it's bigger than the iPhone 6, which of course means the screen is bigger. At this point almost every rumour reports that the iPhone 6 will have a 4.7-inch display, while the iPhone 6L will have a 5.5-inch one, so we're almost certain this will be the case. 
While there's a chance that the two phones will sport different resolutions (to keep the sharpness of pixel density) we expect they'll be the same as that should ensure that it's easier to get applications up and running on both. On the flip side it would mean that the iPhone 6L has a lower pixel density than the iPhone 6, but if the resolution is high enough then that won't much matter. Current resolution rumours veer from 1704 x 960 to 2560 x 1600 and while we're sceptical that it will be quite as high as the latter of those even the former would mean that both the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6L would have higher pixel densities than the iPhone 5S. DesignWe expect that the iPhone 6 and 6L will look very similar, with the new curved design that we've seen in so many leaks, but they may not be identical. The main difference that we might see is a slimmer iPhone 6L. Both handsets are tipped to be thin, but while rumours point to a 7.0mm thick iPhone 6 there's talk of the iPhone 6L being just 6.7mm thick. That's a negligible difference really, but it should just about be noticeable. 
It makes sense too, after all the iPhone 6L has a larger footprint overall for obvious reasons but we're not expecting it to be much if any more powerful than the iPhone 6. As such there should be more space inside for components and Apple could potentially spread them out across the length of the device and thereby make it slimmer. PowerHaving said that the iPhone 6L probably won't be much more powerful than the iPhone 6, there are rumours that there might be some differences in the grunt on offer as Apple tries to make distinct use cases for both. Several rumours point to a 2GHz dual-core Apple A8 processor in the iPhone 6, but according to Apple Insider, supply chain checks suggest a more powerful processor will be included in the iPhone 6L, though there's no word on how powerful. But we're a little sceptical of that. While it makes sense that Apple would want to differentiate the iPhone 6L from the main iPhone 6 making it more powerful could lead the normal iPhone 6 to be seen as an inferior device, which wouldn't be a good way to position it given that we imagine many buyers will gravitate towards the smaller screen size and not want to feel penalised for doing so. So there might be differences in power, but we're going to say it's unlikely. BatteryThe iPhone 6L will almost certainly have a bigger battery than the iPhone 6, that's just common sense given that it's a bigger device and therefore both has room for a bigger battery and could probably use one since its larger screen will eat up more power. If more evidence were needed just look at existing Apple devices. The iPad Air has a bigger battery than the iPad Mini 2 which has a bigger battery than the iPhone 5S, so there's no reason to think things would be any different here. Aside from it making all kinds of sense that the iPhone 6L would have a bigger power pack there's also some evidence for it, as IT168 reports that the iPhone 6 will have an 1800 mAh juice pack and the iPhone 6L will have a 2500 mAh offering. PriceThis is another obvious difference. We don't know exactly how much either handset will cost yet, but even if the iPhone 6L were identical to the iPhone 6 in all ways other than screen size it would still make sense for it to cost more and given that there might be other differences besides it makes even more sense. 
Obviously the prices haven't been confirmed, but there are rumoured Chinese prices for both handsets, which equate to a starting cost of £500/$858/AU$915 for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and £563/$966/AU$1030 for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6L. In both cases those won't account for local taxes, so expect the final price to be a little higher, but either way it's clear, as you'd expect, that the iPhone 6L is likely to be the more expensive of the two. StorageThis is an odd one. There are rumours that the iPhone 6L might have a 128GB storage option but it looks like the iPhone 6 could cap out at 64GB. Having 128GB of storage would be great - 64GB has been the cap for a while on iPhones - but the iPad has a 128GB option and given that there's no microSD card slot it could certainly come in handy. But it seems a little strange that only the iPhone 6L would get the option since we can't imagine there's anything stopping the iPhone 6 getting that much too. Sure there might not be much space in the phone's innards for the extra storage, but then it shouldn't take up much more physical space either, so that shouldn't be a problem. On the other hand it could be a case of Apple wanting to further differentiate the iPhone 6L. We dismissed that when it came to extra power but extra storage is less likely to leave iPhone 6 users feeling neglected and with the bigger screen the iPhone 6L could be positioned more as a media device, for which the extra storage would certainly help to store videos, games and music. Early verdictWhile there are any number of rumours doing the rounds the only truly major difference that we expect to see between the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6L is the screen size. That's also the one thing that will almost certainly be different if Apple does launch two handsets. Other than that we'd expect the 6L will be a little slimmer and a little more expensive for the reasons outlined above, while the rumoured power differences are unlikely and storage could go either way.        |  | IFA 2014: Sony: we didn't want to make a round smartwatch Sep 3rd 2014, 14:48, by Gareth Beavis 
Sony's new Smartwatch 3 could have been created to rival the LG G Watch R and Moto 360, but the brand decided against it. Speaking at the launch of the new product, Calum MacDougall, Director of Product Marketing Programme, at Sony Mobile Communications, told us that while the brand did look at a round face for the new wearable, it decided that a square screen offered a better experience. "We felt in the design language [for the SmartWatch 3], that the choice we made with a square screen is the right one, particularly as a smartwatch." Two options"It's also a second screen for Lifelog, and gives this device more flexibility. We looked at a round screen, but this [design] offers the best user experience." While it seems to be that round screens are the new option most are looking for in terms of aesthetic pleasure on today's smartwatches, companies like Sony still believe that the square screen offers a larger and more expansive experience for using it as a touchscreen. It raises an interesting question of what the smartwatch's primary function is: should it be pleasing on the eye first, mimicking an actual watch which is as much a fashion accessory as a tool, or a second screen to work alongside your phone? Either way, Sony's new Smartwatch 3 is one of the more powerful wrist-based devices with GPS onboard too (something the rivals haven't added in yet) so will go at least some way to providing an answer as to what people are after.        | | Versus: Sony Xperia Z3 vs Z2 Sep 3rd 2014, 14:46, by Thomas Thorn -470-75.JPG)
Surprise surprise, Sony has announced the much-rumoured Xperia Z3 handset, replacing the already impressive Xperia Z2. Of course a lot of talk will revolve around whether or not Sony needs to replace its flagship so regularly. But perhaps Sony should be commended for its desire to ensure its customers are always offered the best specs available from the mobile world. Here's our look at what Sony has done to ensure its latest flagship can successfully build upon the work done by the already impressive Xperia Z2. DesignAs with every current Sony Xperia handset, the Xperia Z3 follows on with the omnibalance design. Laying the Xperia Z2 and Z3 side by side will leave you wondering whether you've got a new handset, but closer inspection does highlight a few differences. Some may see this as disappointing, but Sony has been consistent since the original Xperia Z, and deserves kudos for keeping to its design principles. The Xperia Z3 has been on a diet, coming in with a slightly smaller footprint. Vital statistics read 146.5 x 72.4 x 7.5mm and it weighs 154g. This makes it almost identical to the Xperia Z2, although the Z3 manages to be 0.7mm thinner and 9g lighter. Sony has also kept in the IP55 and IP58 water and dust proofing that has become a highlight of its flagships, something that we've become particularly fond of. ScreenAnybody thinking that the Xperia Z3 would come with a QHD screen will be left sorely disappointed. Sony has opted to stick with the same 5.2-inch Triluminous 1,080p screen (with the same X-Reality engine) as the Xperia Z2. This shouldn't be too much of a surprise though, the jury is still out on whether 2K or even 4K resolutions are necessary on such a small screen. Given that the majority of the competition still sports 1,080p screens (the LG G3 being the most notable exception), this certainly won't damage the Z3's chances. The biggest disappointment for many will be that the screen doesn't appear to have taken an upgrade from the Xperia Z2. However, a closer look does throw up something that will perhaps prove a little more useful than a few more pixels. Where the Z2's brightness manages to hit brightness levels of 460 nits, the Xperia Z3 can reach 600 nits. Consequently the Xperia Z3 should prove a lot easier to see in direct sunlight, something that we've all been craving since the very first touchscreen. CameraPerhaps unsurprisingly, Sony has chosen to leave the 20.7MP camera that adorns the Xperia Z2 well alone on the Xperia Z3. Given that the Japanese firm already had the most powerful camera, at least in terms of resolution, this is perhaps one area that didn't need a lot of attention. Even the flash has remained the same, with Sony sticking by its single LED. In our in depth Xperia Z2 review, John McCann commented that the Z2's camera "performs better than both the HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5 in low light conditions" as well as having "a fantastic macro mode, allowing you to get really close up to an object and capture it in all its glory" so we can hardly describe the Xperia Z3's camera as lacking. CPU / RAMWhen a flagship phone line has been updated one of the first things that we take a look at is how much more power has been squeezed under the hood. While we know that this is a poor indication of the overall performance, we can't help but get a little excited by bigger numbers. Let's start with the RAM on offer. Sony hasn't upped the RAM in the Xperia Z3, although as the Xperia Z2 already offered a whopping 3GB of RAM that is unmatched by the Galaxy S5 or the HTC One M8. The same can't be said for the Xperia Z3's CPU, clocking in at 2.5GHz compared to 2.3GHz in the Xperia Z2. OK, so the difference between the two isn't all that great in terms of speed, but Qualcomm's latest iteration of its Snapdragon 801 chipset has taken boosts elsewhere. Of these, the most important has to be battery life. We are never going to turn our noses up at more power, but we'd certainly forsake a little power for more battery life. Thankfully, Qualcomm and Sony have you covered here, offering much better power efficiency, which might well be needed given the battery. BatteryWhy is power efficiency more important on the Z3, we hear you shout. Well, perhaps the biggest surprise of all is the battery sat behind the Xperia Z3: it's smaller. Where the Xperia Z3 has generally improved the areas that needed looking at, the battery seems to have taken a hit. Where Sony popped a 3200mAh battery behind the screen of the Xperia Z2, it has chosen to replace this with a smaller 3100mAh battery for the Z3. Just what effect this will have remains to be seen though. The aforementioned Snapdragon 801 SoC upgrade not only provides more power, but also offers more power efficiency, meaning the potential for a much longer battery life. However, Sony has also upped the screen brightness so we're betting on a similar battery performance all round. PriceGiven that the Xperia Z3 is going to be Sony's flagship handset, it makes sense that it is going to come with a flagship price tag. In the UK, this means a SIM-free price of £549 (around US$900, AU$975), with 24 month contracts likely to start at around £30 to £35 per month. This matches the Xperia Z2, although expect the Z2 to take a slight price drop now its younger brother is on the scene. Given that the specs between the Z2 and Z3 are still fairly similar, the pricing will in all probability also be rather similar. Early VerdictThere will definitely be those who wonder whether or not Sony really needed to update the Xperia Z2 that debuted at MWC earlier this year, especially as the Xperia Z3 appears to be a very incremental update. Sony's commitment to providing the latest in mobile tech as soon as possible should be applauded, but it's worth wondering about the effect this will have on the Xperia Z range. A brighter screen and the more powerful, power efficient Snapdragon 801 SoC are both massive positives, building upon the already impressive hardware that sat inside the Xperia Z2. With very similar specs though, we could be looking at the ultimate decider being the price. Keep the prices as similar as the internal hardware and Sony is on to a winner, but drop the Z2 by a little too much and Sony could end up undercutting its own product.        | | IFA 2014: Meet the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, king of the cut-down flagships Sep 3rd 2014, 14:45, by John McCann 
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is the natural successor to the impressive Xperia Z1 Compact, which managed to squeeze flagship specs into a smaller frame. And there's good news, as Sony has repeated the trick with the Xperia Z3 Compact. Launching alongside the headlining Sony Xperia Z3 at IFA 2014, there's no question which handset the Z3 Compact is inheriting a lot of its values from. You'll find the same 2.5GHz quad-core processor, Adreno 330 GPU and new wide angled 20.7MP camera inside the Compact as the Xperia Z3. There always has to be some compromises and the main one here is the display which has been reduced from a 5.2-inch full HD offering to a more manageable 4.6-inch 720p screen on the Xperia Z3 Compact. The slender frame of its bigger brother is also lost, which the Z3 Compact coming in at a slightly more chunky 8.6mm, although it is still water and dust resistant. RAM has also been downgraded from 3GB to 2GB, but that shouldn't be a problem and the inclusion of a microSD slot means storage is also taken care of. Lots on offerA 2600mAh battery is locked inside the sealed unit, and Sony's battery stamina mode is available in the Android 4.4 KitKat interface to help you get the most out of it. If you're lucky enough to own a PS4 the Xperia Z3 Compact has another neat trick up its sleeve for you, allowing you to use the handset as a controller. 
Even if your TV is in use you can stream your PS4 games to the handset and use a Dualshock 4 controller to continue playing. The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact has considerably more grunt that the HTC One Mini 2 and Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini, although we expect it to cost slightly more than its rivals. The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact release date is pegged for autumn 2014 globally, so keep an eye out for it, coming to a shop near you soon.   | | IFA 2014: Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact takes fight to the iPad mini Sep 3rd 2014, 14:45, by Hugh Langley 
If the Xperia Z2 Tablet is proving a bit too sizeable for those hands, Sony's just delivered a solution to that problem in the form of the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. Sony's sized-down slate is out to strike at the iPad mini, rocking an 8-inch full HD display and weighing a respectable 270 grams. In that small frame you'll find a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, LTE support, Android 4.4 KitKat, and up to 16GB of internal memory with an option to boost it to 128GB via microSD. On the back is an 8.1 MP camera if tablet photography is your thing, offering video recording at 1080p. Meanwhile you'll have a 2.2 MP snapper on the front, which also gives 1080p for video chat. The IP 65/68 rating also means this micro slab is equipped for the elements, as every Sony product seems to be these days. Don't you (forget about E3) Sony's not been a big player in the low-end handset market, but it's used its platform at IFA 2014 to launch a more affordable smartphone offering - the Xperia E3.
Arriving with the same design as Sony's flagship line, the E3 replaces the Xperia E1, flaunting a 4.5-inch 854 x 480 resolution display, a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and comes with Android 4.4 out of the box. A 5MP rear camera will provide adequate snapper duties, while a VGA front-facer is nothing to write home about. Expect this one to arrive later in the year. - IFA 2014: what else has been going down?
  | | IFA 2014: Sony Xperia Z3 is leaner, meaner and plays with your PS4 Sep 3rd 2014, 14:45, by John McCann 
The Sony Xperia Z3 has been officially unveiled at IFA 2014, and it sees the Japanese firm launch its fourth flagship smartphone in less than two years. Eyebrows were raised when Sony announced the Xperia Z1 in the same year as the Xperia Z, and then quickly followed it with the Xperia Z2 five months later, but it remains determined to hit the two key product cycles in a year. The Sony Xperia Z3 is more iteration than innovation, with Sony fine tuning the Z2 from earlier this year to create a leaner, meaner handset. Sony's Omnibalance design persists on the Xperia Z3, but it's been slimmed down and rounded to a rather attractive 7.3mm (Xperia Z2 is 8.2mm) frame. The Xperia Z3 isn't quite as wide or tall as its predecessor either, with the handset measuring 146 x 72mm. It still sports a 5.2-inch full HD display which means it's the bezels that have been reduced in size. Something for your eyesIt's a little disappointing not to see a QHD resolution display, but while the screen may appear the same as the Z2 on paper, Sony has done a lot of work behind the scenes. The screen on the Xperia Z3 boasts Sony's brightest Triluminos display, giving it much more punch over previous Z flagships and making it easier to see in direct sunlight. Under the hood you'll find a powerful 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 330 GPU, ensuring there's enough power to run even the most demanding apps and games. Sony's 20.7MP camera remains on the rear of the Xperia Z3 with the ability to shoot 4K video, but it features a new 25mm wide-angle Sony G lens allowing you to fit more into each shot. There are flaps covering the nanoSIM and microSD slots (which supports cards up to 128GB in size) on the side of the handset and that can mean only one thing - the Xperia Z3 is water and dust resistant with an IP68 certification. 
Time to playAnother key feature on the Sony Xperia Z3 (and Z3 Compact) is support for PS4 Remote Play, allowing you to use your smartphone as a controller. You can even stream your game to your smartphone if the TV is in use, and use a Dualshock 4 controller to play the game from your handset. There's a separate mount available to buy to clip your smartphone to your Playstation controller to make the gaming experience easier. In terms of a Sony Xperia Z3 release date the handset is due to hit stores in autumn 2014.   | | IFA 2014: The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has arrived, and its QHD screen is stunning Sep 3rd 2014, 13:31, by Hugh Langley 
Samsung has just launched the much-anticipated Galaxy Note 4 at IFA 2014, and while it might not attract as many initial "oohs" and "aahs" as the Galaxy Note Edge, this is another solid effort from the South Korean company with plenty to get excited about. Leaving the big design alterations to its edgey sibling, the Note 4 arrives with the same 5.7-inch screen that was attached to the Note 3. But Samsung has boosted the viewing quality with a Quad HD Super AMOLED (2,560 x 1,440 resolution) display, which will adapt to different lighting conditions. And it's just as well, because the camera has also jumped up from 13MP to 16MP and now lets in 60% more light for improved images, so you should have some decent snaps to make use of that rich display. And making all that magic happen is a 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage on the inside, also powering the latest version of Android, 4.4 KitKat. Note to selfThe Note 4 also comes with a more premium design than its predecessor, sporting a metal rim around the outside of the phone, though the back is still a faux leather affair, which might not be music to everyone's ears. As you might expect following the Galaxy S5 and Samsung's wearables, the Note 4 now comes with a built-in heartrate monitor on the rear, though we're still not convinced this is a hugely useful feature. And this being a Note device, Samsung has given the S Pen more reasons to exist with two new pen options - fountain and highlighter - to give off that extra bit of calligraphic realism. Samsung says the device will be available in October but hasn't announced a price yet - we suspect we'll be hearing one very soon. Want the full rundown? Read our Samsung Galaxy Note 4 hands on review        | | Versus: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5 Sep 3rd 2014, 13:31, by Gary Marshall 
Samsung is often accused of making stacks of slightly different devices to fit every conceivable market niche, but the Galaxy Note isn't one of them. It's designed for a very specific task: to combine smartphones and tablets together to deliver the best of both worlds, giving you a phone that you don't have to squint at when you watch videos and a tablet that doesn't require enormous cargo pants to lug around. This year's Note, the Galaxy Note 4, improves on its predecessor in several key areas. It has a better screen, a faster, 64-bit processor and more RAM, a better GPU, a better camera and a fingerprint scanner. Some models will even get flexible, curved screens. Even the S Pen has been improved. That means Samsung has not one, but two mobile flagships: the Galaxy Note 4 phablet and the Galaxy S5 smartphone. They're both impressive devices but there are significant differences between them. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: designWhen we reviewed the Galaxy S5 we liked it a lot, but we weren't exactly impressed by its "creaky" design: "it certainly isn't up to the same level as the likes of Apple and HTC". The standard Note 4 is similarly functional, although there will also be a premium version that swaps the plastic chassis for a metal one. In addition to the standard black and white options there will be two colours: Electric Blue and Copper Gold. Like the Galaxy S5, the Note 4 is dust and water resistant. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: displayBoth the Galaxy S5 and the Note 4 boast Samsung's superbly bright and readable Super AMOLED displays, but where the S5 has a 5.1-inch, full HD display the Note 4 has a 5.7-inch quad HD (QHD, aka 2K) screen - not the 5.9-inch screen many rumours predicted. That delivers a resolution of 2560 x 1440 compared to the S5's 1080x1920. QHD screens don't make a lot of sense in smaller devices, but once you start getting into the high five inches and above they make a big difference to video and photos. Samsung is also reportedly working on a Note equivalent of the Samsung Galaxy Round, which would have a three-sided display using a curved AMOLED screen that wraps around the side of the device, removing the bezel and enabling additional swipes to control the device. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: cameraThe Galaxy S5's camera is a speedy 16MP model, and the Note packs the same number of megapixels while adding optical image stabilisation and a 3.7MP front-facing snapper for selfies. That's a big improvement over the Galaxy S5's 2.1MP front-facing camera. Samsung reportedly considered an even bigger 20MP sensor for the rear camera, but couldn't slim it down enough to work with the super-skinny chassis design. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: batteryThe Samsung Galaxy S5's battery life is excellent thanks to the combination of battery saving technology and a 2800mAh battery pack. The Note 4's battery is bigger still at a whopping 3600mAh, although of course its bigger screen draws more power than the one in the Galaxy S5. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: CPU, RAM and storageWhere the Galaxy S5 has a snappy Snapdragon 801 processor and Adreno 330 GPU, the Note 4 gets a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 805 paired with an Adreno 420 GPU (in the US and Asia) or an Exynos 5433 with quad-core Cortex A-53 and A-57 (everywhere else). The Exyonos model of the Galaxy Note 4 is 64-bit. With 3GB of RAM, the Note 4 has 1GB more memory than the Galaxy S5. The Note 4 comes in 16, 32 and 64GB varieties and its microSD card slot supports cards of up to 128GB. The Galaxy S5 can also handle 128GB microSD cards, but its internal storage options are limited to 16GB and 32GB only. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: featuresThe Galaxy Note 4 runs Android KitKat (Android L will follow when it's officially released by Google) and features the familiar S Pen, but there's a new addition: the fingerprint scanner and heart rate sensor we've already seen in the Galaxy S5. The heart rate sensor is part of the growing S Health system, and on the Note 4 S Health also gets UV sensing to warn you if you're spending too much time in the sun. The sensor works by holding the phone to the sun at a 60-degree angle and tells you just how dangerous the rays currently are. A reading of 0-2 means there's minimal risk of skin damage while a rating of 11+ means you're probably on fire. While the fingerprint sensor is familiar, the Galaxy Note 4 has two new uses for it: Fingerprint Shortcuts turn individual fingers into app launchers, so for example a flick of your index finger might launch one app and your ring finger another, while Web Sign-In will use the fingerprint scanner as a way to login to websites without having to enter user IDs and passwords. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: priceThe Galaxy S5 currently costs around £550 SIM-free (US$650, AU$900), and while Samsung hasn't announced prices for the Note 4 yet a listing on Indonesian site Erafone predicts roughly £490 (US$810, AU$870). That sounds about right, as it doesn't take local taxes such as VAT (currently 20% in the UK) or sales taxes into account. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: release dateThe Samsung Galaxy S5 is widely available, but while the Galaxy Note 4 was released on the 3rd of September it hasn't reached shop shelves yet. Expect to see it in late September.        | | IFA 2014: Samsung Gear VR headset will give you Note 4-powered virtual reality Sep 3rd 2014, 13:30, by Chris Smith 
The Samsung Gear VR has been officially announced, and as expected it's a virtual reality headset accessory that uses the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 as its display. As one of this year's more out-there announcements, the Gear VR is a virtual reality headset onto which you attach your phone. The Samsung Gear VR is designed for use with the Galaxy Note 4. The phone clips onto the front of the Gear VR headset, providing the display that would otherwise add substantially to the cost of the thing. What the Samsung Gear VR does provide are the lenses that make the screen seem like it's further than a half-inch away from your corneas. Predictably enough, given your eye effectively gets half of the Note 4's screen to itself, the Gear VR is able to deliver stereoscopic 3D, which is where independent images are delivered to each eye. Jumping on the Oculus bandwagonSamsung has managed to snag itself 'powered by Oculus' status for the Gear VR, which means that it uses software produced by the guys over at Oculus VR. Exactly what this will get buyers longer-term remains to be seen, though. Whether a cheap way to find VR nirvana or a naff phone accessory, the Samsung Gear VR does offer a pretty compelling excuse for the ridiculously high pixel density of QHD phones. Because, let's be honest, to tell the difference normally you'd have to get so close you risk making your eyes explode.        | | IFA 2014: Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is a smartphone with a bendable OLED display Sep 3rd 2014, 13:30, by Matt Hanson 
Samsung has announced an impressively unique smartphone at IFA 2014, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, which takes advantage of the Korean company's impressive bendable OLED technology. Taking the same 5.7-inch display found on the Samsung Galaxy Note, the new Galaxy Note Edge drapes one inch of the screen over the left-hand side of the handset. Not only does this give the Galaxy Note Edge a strikingly attractive look, but Samsung is promising that the side part of the screen could have game-changing implications for how we interact with our smartphones. Though the screen drapes over the side of the phone, it can be used independently, showing off media controls, messages and updates from apps such as Twitter. Edge of reasonSamsung announced that it is working with a number of software partners to expand the functionality of the side screen when it launches. Aside from the screen, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is identical to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, which was announced alongside the new handset at IFA 2014. New features for both the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 include a chassis that includes a build-in heartrate monitor and an improved S Pen stylus. Samsung hasn't currently announced a launch date or price for the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, but we're hoping that the unique screen doesn't lead to a limited run and inflated prices.        | | IFA 2014: Acer Liquid Z500 is a low-cost 5-inch smartphone Sep 3rd 2014, 09:06, by Patrick Goss 
Acer has announced a low cost smartphone at IFA 2014, with the Liquid Z500 very much focused on the music-loving youth market. 
Boasting what Acer is calling "CD quality" audio and "powerful and advanced" front facing speakers - which do, in fairness, bring DTS Studio Sound. Specs wise, the phone has a 5-inch IPS screen and an 8MP camera - which may well appeal to its target demographic. It's 8.6mm thick and comes in three colours: Titanium Black, Sandy Silver and Aquamarine Green. We're most impressed with Sandy Silver. Price-wise it's been pegged at 149 euros - which is around £118 or $195 and launches in Europe on September 15.        | | Phone network opens up iPhone 6 pre-orders, outs Apple secrets early Sep 3rd 2014, 09:00, by Chris Smith 
Someone had to go too far and spoil the party: China Mobile has reportedly opened-up pre-orders for the iPhone 6, seemingly confirming Apple's next phone will come in 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch varieties. Invites for the 9 September launch of the iPhone 6 have already been sent out, but China Mobile has reportedly jumped the gun by launching a pre-order campaign for the new phone, according to China Daily. It's the Beijing branch of China Mobile that launched the contentious campaign, which asks prospective buyers to choose between 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch versions of the phone. While we haven't been able to locate the web page for the pre-order, we're told that it doesn't also spill the beans about when the two phones will actually start shipping. A China Daily source suggests we'll see iPhone 6s start to arrive by mid-month, although this is merely the standard for Apple launches. Once an Apple device is unveiled, you can be sure it'll be available within a couple of weeks. Racking-up ordersThe pre-order campaign has apparently attracted 33,000 orders as of Tuesday 2 September, even though it's only available in Beijing, and is for a phone that doesn't officially exist yet. While we have not heard of any Apple reaction to this early leaking of the iPhone 6's core design specs, you can bet if it happened in the UK we wouldn't be looking at slapped wrists – more like cut off hands. These long-rumoured specs come as no surprise, but we're still none the wiser as to whether the reported production issues for the larger 5.5-inch iPhone will result in a staggered release, or limited availability of the large iPhone. via Mac Rumors        | | In Depth: Testing sapphire: how tough is it, really? Sep 2nd 2014, 22:51, by Kevin Lee 
A sapphire screen has been on the tip of almost every rumor we've heard about the iPhone 6 for the last six months. While there have been many promises that this new material will be even more scratch-resistant and shatter-proof than Gorilla Glass, we've been lacking real-world evidence to back up those claims. We've seen one video putting a purported iPhone 6 sapphire display through the ringer, but I set out to find proof of the material's resiliency in a product you can buy right now. Meet the Kyocera Brigadier. I got my hands on a Brigadier courtesy of the Japanese handset maker and took the opportunity to rigorously test it in ways that would break a fragile iPhone 5S in two. To fully batter the sapphire screen I used knives, steel wool and even bounced it off a manhole cover. It might all sound a bit excessive, but read on to find out how the Brigadier fared. Scratch test
One of the biggest promises behind sapphire is the material is significantly harder than the more commonly used chemically strengthened Gorilla Glass. Sapphire is the second hardest gem on the planet just behind diamonds. On paper this crystallized form of aluminum oxide should be impervious to scratches. The underlying problem behind so many sad, shattered smartphone screens is Gorilla Glass develops micro-scratches, or tiny nicks, which end up weakening the screen. Once a screen has developed enough microscopic lacerations, one hard impact - such as dropping your smartphone on the floor - is enough to shatter it. In my tests I found that the sapphire screen on the Kyocera Brigadier never developed a single scuff despite repeatedly trying to claw at the display. I tested keys and coins, typical items that would rattle against the glossy screen in users pockets. For a few more serious challenges I also tried to rough up the perfectly pristine screen with steel wool and 100 coarse-grit sandpaper also made of aluminum oxide, the same elements that comprise sapphire. Even cutting into the screen with a knife and straight-up stabbing it had no effect. Drop test
After my full-hearted attempts to cut into the screen, I moved on to dropping and throwing the phone on the ground. This included tossing the phone onto pavement, cement sidewalks, cobble stone bricks and a metal manhole cover. Once again the Kyocera Brigadier bounced back without any issue whatsoever, even when sent flying down a flight of stairs. The Brigadier has a slightly raised lip on its front to help protect the screen when it's flat on its face. However, this shouldn't really bolster the sapphire's screen resistance to cracking. More often mobile phone screens shatter due to the lateral force from landing on their sides rather than belly-flopping onto the street. It's important to note the Brigadier is far tougher than most smartphone customers might typically pick up from the store. The Kyocera handset has been ruggedized to survive spills on top of being water- and freeze-proof. That's a far cry from the soft, waterproof plastic finish of the Samsung Galaxy S5. What's more, while the iPhone 6 will likely feature a stronger screen, the rest of the phone won't follow in the Brigadier's design footsteps. Impact test
Aside from scratching and dropping our phones, another common accident is dropping something on your handset. With this in mind we dropped stones over the Brigadier and stomped on it with our foot. After seeing the phone survive with nary a flinch, I ratcheted up my tests. I proceeded to stuff the Brigadier face down into the bottom of a school bag while I filled the bag to the brim with thick and heavy organic chemistry textbooks before dropping it from shoulder height (about 5-feet). Once again, the phone and its sapphire screen survived. Hammer test
At this point the Kyocera Brigadier seemed to be virtually indestructible, so what's left? Hammer time! This is truly a test that no smartphone is ready for, including military-standard ruggedized handsets designed for the harshest of conditions, and the Brigadier finally met its match. As expected, a few taps with a metal hammer created hairline fractures in its screen. Meanwhile, a full-on, hammering-down-a-nail strike shattered the screen. 
Obviously this is never an accident that will occur unless users are unfortunate enough to lose their phone in a series of Final Destination-style occurrences. But I wanted to test the sapphire screen against a challenge that would easily shatter the screen of any handset on the market, whether the HTC One M8, LG G3 or current iPhone 5S. It's sad to see that sapphire isn't hammer-proof, but it is ready to take a battering from every other mishap that would break your phone regularly. We doubt the iPhone 6 will be as resilient, but a scratch-proof display is a step in the right direction. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZL-X2wrUZk       | | Microsoft teases Lumia 730 with a selfie Sep 2nd 2014, 17:03, by klee 
Microsoft's Lumia 730 selfie phone is nearly here and now the Windows Phone maker has teased the new phone with - what else - a selfie. According to the teaser, the Redmond company has more Lumia in store of us on September 4 at 10 a.m. Eastern. Considering the image is a selfie, we're likely to see the Lumia 730, rumored to prominently feature a 5MP front snapper. Aside from taking gorgeous pictures of yourself, early reports surrounding the Windows Phone 8.1 handset have suggested it will be a middle-range successor to the Lumia 720. The mobile device will purportedly arrive in black or white sporting a 4.7-inch HD ClearBlack display. As for internals the Lumia 730 is said to carry a quad-core Snapdragon chip, 1GB of memory, 8GB of storage with microSD support as well as a 6.7MP rear camera. Middle-range through and throughWhile most of the Lumia 730's specs might sound a step up from a mid-range handset, the smartphone will supposedly only operate on 3G bands even though there's room for a dual-SIM. According to another rumor, though, Microsoft will also introduce the Lumia 735. This phone will supposedly ride on 4G LTE wireless networks. Stay tuned to this space as we bring you all the latest announcements from Microsoft's big Lumia event during IFA 2014.        | |
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