Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 09-05-2014

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Exclusive: Sony: no to bringing PS4 remote play to other phones – except our own Sep 5th 2014, 15:03, by Gareth Beavis Sony has confirmed it's considering bringing PS4 to other smartphones – but only Xperia devices. One of the big headlines of IFA 2014 was the news that the new Sony Xperia Z3 range would allow you to remotely play your PS4 games. However, it was limited to just the Sony Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. Pierre Perron, Sony Mobile president for North West Europe, told TechRadar that while there was no chance of the service coming to other phone brands, unlike the now-retired PlayStation Mobile app that was available on most Android phones. When quizzed on plans to roll the Remote Play service out further, Perron was unequivocal about the fact it would stay in the Sony family: "It is important to highlight that this functionality will be exclusive on Xperia, and there is no intention to roll out this on any other competitor device," he said. Golden oldies However, when asked about whether older Sony phones could also see the compatibility, he confirmed that while it was possible technically, the brand hadn't decided whether it would bring it to phones such as the Xperia Z2: "Today we cannot answer whether we will be [allowing older Sony phones to have PS4 remote play capabilities]; the Z3 series will be the only series compatible with the remote play, and then we will see in the next six months. "There is no reason technically [why we don't do it], the only limit we would have is the processing power of the smartphone. So depending on that, there is no reason why at a certain point we wouldn't bring the functionality as we did on other Sony features. "But for the time being we are committed to bringing this out on the Z3 series." Given the Sony Xperia Z2 has a largely similar internal architecture to the Z3, there should be no reason why it couldn't support Remote Play as well – here's hoping in six months time, probably when Sony launches the Z4, we see the Z2 shown some love as well. Exclusive: Nokia Lumia 1020 sequel still in the works? Sep 5th 2014, 14:49, by Gareth Beavis Microsoft still intends to bring out high-power cameraphones now the deal to purchase Nokia is complete, confirmed Jo Harlow, Corporate Vice President of the Phones Business Unit at Microsoft. The Pureview brand, which was first shown off by Harlow at MWC 2012, was the first phone to use the powerful 42MP sensor, a tool that has since been brought to Windows Phone on the Lumia 1020. However, it's been over a year since the 1020 launched, leading some to speculate that Microsoft was more focused on using the Pureview brand to improve lower-end devices. A clearer view But Harlow confirmed to TechRadar that the brand was still looking at the dedicated cameraphone space when asked if a phone with the power of the Lumia 1020 could still appear: "Absolutely – we're not end of the mission in camera technology, or in computational photography. "We continue to invest in that area to bring the next greatest thing in high end imaging." While Harlow predictably wouldn't be drawn on a timescale for such a device, its feasible that it could launch before the end of the year, given cameraphones can be seen a better gift in the holiday season, and it would make sense for Microsoft to launch something by November to take advantage of that. Deployment strategies for the iPhone 6 in the enterprise Sep 5th 2014, 13:00, by John Brandon The iPhone 6 is set to arrive next week, with a bigger screen (and a phablet version, by all accounts) and a brand new operating system called iOS 8 that (finally) has better security options and device management tools. With any new launch, from Apple or any other popular smartphone company, there's an excitement about the event among company employees and a feeling of dread among the IT staff. Which technical problems might occur with enterprise-grade apps? Will end-users experience technical glitches on the Wi-Fi network? Could there be new security challenges with the email encryption? The issues are not just related to employee acceptance but the policies, infrastructure, and device management related to the deployment. Here are six strategies for success to help specifically with the new iPhone 6 launch to make sure you have the pieces in place for a successful deployment in the enterprise. 1. Prepare your users and staff Apart from the debate about allowing employees to bring their own device versus providing corporate-approved smartphones, the iPhone 6 will show up in the enterprise, will attach to corporate networks, and will be used for daily productivity in the workplace. The IT industry has learned to deal with the reality of BYOD and found ways to work with that reality. With the iPhone 6, there's always an initial influx as employees purchase the device almost right away. Preparing departments for the launch, training IT staff on what to do about any potential pitfalls, and evaluating security issues are all important strategies. In some ways, a new smartphone launch presents a good opportunity to re-educate everyone. 2. Focus on security Lysa Myers, a researcher with security firm ESET, says one of the best approaches to deployment is to prep users about security issues prior to launch, even if all of the details about form and function are not known. (At least IT admins know a lot about iOS 8 features, which promises to offer better encryption for apps like the Calendar and Mail client.) "Employees and IT should update software as promptly as possible, encrypt sensitive data in files sent across the network, backup important files, and enable security features within the operating system (especially related to remote wipe and auto-lock)," she advises. "You may wish to limit apps to an approved list to minimise the possibility of employees installing leaky apps." 3. Create policies before launch Of course, the time to create use policies is not after the device becomes available online and at the Apple store. Because the iPhone 6 is often seen primarily as a consumer device, one that people purchase on their own and then use at work, it's critical to develop policies now. "By establishing policies, you can determine what needs to be done and you'll have something to point to when employees have questions," says Myers. "In creating the policy, you want to assess potential risks and address them. And once this is taken care of, you can have a list of tasks ready to go when the new phone is released." 4. Tweak policies after launch Once IT knows more about the actual device, it's important to tweak policies for the specific features available. Nicholas Lee, the senior director of end user services at Fujitsu America, an information and communications technology company, says the policies should be as specific as possible when it comes to employee usage. There should be information about user responsibility for the device, parameters for mobile carriers, liabilities and limitations imposed for the iPhone 6, a knowledge base, and end-user training available shortly after launch. Policy and device management should be an ongoing part of your deployment strategy, not just something you do at the launch of the new device. As you learn more about the encryption features, new apps for business, and any hardware features, the launch strategy should be adjusted accordingly. One example of this from the iPhone 5/5s launch; IT had to learn quickly about the new fingerprint reader and its capabilities as an added security benefit. 5. Be ready with Mobile Device Management (MDM) One critical aspect of deployment for any new smartphone is to use a robust MDM (Mobile Device Management) tool, one that enforces your policies and allows IT to track the devices within the enterprise. "Having a proper MDM solution will ensure you maintain the standard level of security and policy control over the devices," says Lee. "As new features are enabled via the MDM console, you can assess whether they add value or risk to your corporate strategy." These features typically pertain to the approved business apps on the device, data retention policies, Wi-Fi access from the device when it is not being used on a mobile network, and other data and network issues related to that smartphone model specifically. 6. Look for the gotchas Lee noted one final thought about Apple iPhone 6 deployment strategies: Be careful about any surprises. For example, when the iPhone 5 launched, many IT admins tasked with developing deployment strategies and policies were surprised to find out about the new Lightning port. This meant the device connected to computers using a non-standard connection. Although the actual impact proved negligible (the device still connects over USB), it wasn't an expected change. With the iPhone 6, there is still no clear indication about whether it will have brand new software and hardware features never seen before in IT, and that's one of the great challenges when it comes to Apple devices – the company does tend to invent new tech enhancements. Being aware of the potential for innovation is key – and then reacting accordingly with the policies. Image Credit: Apple Exclusive: 'Nobody wants a smartwatch that looks like a calculator,' says Moto exec Sep 5th 2014, 09:23, by Patrick Goss Motorola believes that it will remains a step ahead of its rivals in the smartwatch world, despite the first round competitors for the Moto 360 beginning to surface. Speaking to TechRadar at the UK launch event for the 360, corporate vice president for EMEA & APAC, Magnus Ahlqvist, expressed his joy at the smartwatch's early impact and told us about the decision to back a round design that has captured the imagination. "I think the cool thing about Motorola as a company is that it is very focused on what the consumer wants," said Ahlqvist. "Lots of companies say that they are but we actually care. "The early smartwatches looked like gadgets - like small calculators on your wrist - and that's not what people wanted. "They wanted their smartwatch to look good to wear and to be proud of it, so that was the basis of what we did for the Moto 360. "A lot of craftsmanship went into the design - to maximise the screen size and make the display so vibrant and there is a lot thought gone into the details." Round, round baby Given the attention the 360 garnered it is no surprise that a number of manufacturers are now jumping on a more traditional watch shape for their next generation of smartwatches. The LG G Watch R was announced at IFA 2014 in Berlin, and many other options are in the pipeline, but Ahlqvist is not fazed. "First of all we are well positioned," he said. "I personally don't think there is anything as beautiful and well-crafted as the Moto 360 in the market. "And we are not sitting still so we are a step ahead. There is a lot of competition but I don't think that's a bad thing because it spurs innovation. "There remains a lot of room for us to continue to innovate." IFA 2014: Moto 360 price and release date finally announced Sep 5th 2014, 06:00, by Patrick Goss The Moto 360 has already stolen a march on its smartwatch rivals in the early battle for publicity with a round design, and now Motorola's much-hyped wearable has officially got a release date and price. The Moto 360 will be priced at $249 for the US market and will be available there starting Friday, September 5. Statesiders can grab it via Google Play, Best Buy and Motorola itself. In the UK, the Moto 360 price will be starting at £199 and the release date has been set for early October. Stockists will include O2, Tesco, Amazon and John Lewis. Both territories will be able to plump for either a grey leather or black leather strap. You can check out our Moto 360 review We've had some, ahem, time with the watch, news of which we broke back at Mobile World Congress in February, and our early impressions are that the design is impressive, even if Android Wear needs some work. Boasting a lovely strap and less bulky on the wrist than you might think from the dimensions, it's certainly an early front-runner in the style stakes, although the screen constantly fading to black does diminish its impact. Moto Hint Also shown off by Motorola at an event in the UK was the Moto Hint - a Bluetooth earbud that has been designed to complement the Moto X phone. There's no release date, but we have been told that the bud will be coming in the next few months. IFA 2014: Meet the new Moto X, a slightly different version of the old one Sep 5th 2014, 06:00, by Matt Hanson Motorola has announced the new version of its Moto X smartphone at IFA 2014, showing off a handset that has a keen emphasis on looking good, whilst promising not to neglect functionality. The Moto X 2014 comes with a larger 5.2-inch, 1080p full high-definition display (bigger than the first Moto X's 4.7-inch screen) surrounded by a curved metal frame and a body made out of materials such as bamboo wood and leather. The screen packs 423ppi. This will certainly make the new Moto X stand out and look fancy, but behind the scenes it looks like Motorola is packing in some pretty capable components as well, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. A 16MP camera is also present so you can take pristine photos of people's reactions as you wave about your bamboo-styled phone. The handset laps up a pure Android 4.4.4 KitKat experience and a 2,300mAh battery should have you humming for up to 24 hours. Motorola's new clothes Since relaunching last year, Motorola has been keen to shed its rather stuffy image and present itself as a stylish and cool brand, and the Moto X 2014 is a clear result of the company's shift in focus. Alongside the unique case materials, the new Moto X includes a number of customisation options which will allow users to choose the colour, accents and software to suit their preferences through the Moto Maker online tool. The Moto X will be available in standard black, vegetarian-enraging leather and panda-tempting bamboo cases. It will come with 16GB of built-in storage with a UK asking price starting at £419.99. In the US, consumers can grab a new 16GB Moto X from the online Motorola store for $99 on contract and $499 off. In both regions, the phone will launch later this month. A 32GB variant will launch online through Moto Maker, though we're still lacking pricing details for this flavor. IFA 2014: Motorola unleashes Moto G sequel: the Moto G Sep 5th 2014, 06:00, by Gareth Beavis The new Moto G is here, and while it's confusingly called the Moto G again, the new version of the phone is packing some serious specs while maintaining a budget price point. Last year's model was a roaring success thanks to a decent spec list at a low, low price. While the new model is around 15% more expensive, the new elements on offer do go some way to making up for that. We're talking a 5-inch 720p screen, dual front-facing speakers and a microSD slot as standard this year, along with dual SIM support in some countries. It comes with 8GB internal storage space too, which is a little low for the amount of apps you might want to download, but at least that's mitigated by the expansion slot. Same but better The design language from last year has been kept, with the swooping lines on the back giving it a good feel in the hand, and the coloured back options are once again out in force. The internals are decent enough too: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core chipset clocked at 1.2GHz might not sound like much, and probably won't be able to give blazing speeds all the time, but for the price will likely be more than good enough. Motorola also reckons you'll easily get a day out of the battery, which comes in a shade over 2000mAh, and with the lower-power processor and lower-res display, that sounds pretty possible. The Moto G is out now, and will start at £145 in the UK, $269 in Australia and $179 off contract in the US. Stateside dwellers can grab the new Moto G from the Motorola online store starting September 5. Say hello to the Galaxy Note 4 Nvidia (yes, Nvidia) seeks US sales ban of Samsung Galaxy devices Sep 4th 2014, 23:11, by JR Bookwalter In more than two decades, graphics chipmaker Nvidia has managed to avoid lobbing patent lawsuits at rivals, a practice that apparently ends this week as the company breaks out the big guns against Samsung and Qualcomm. Nvidia announced the filing of seven patent infringement complaints with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) against mobile giants Samsung and Qualcomm over the former's refusal to license patented GPU technology. The complaint takes direct aim at Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets "containing Qualcomm's Adreno, ARM's Mali or Imagination's PowerVR graphics architectures," which Nvidia claims were produced using the company's intellectual property "without proper compensation to us." In addition to a potential award for damages, Nvidia has asked the ITC to block shipments of all affected Samsung Galaxy devices, a potentially fatal outcome for the Korean manufacturer as sales have already begun a downward trajectory. A supplier's problem? Nvidia claims the company initiated licensing negotiations with Samsung for its patent portfolio, "where we demonstrated how our patents apply to all of their mobile devices and to all the graphics architectures they use" over several meetings. Those discussions apparently fell on deaf ears, with Samsung repeatedly asserting that Nvidia's request was "mostly their suppliers' problem," which presumably explains why Qualcomm has been dragged into the proceedings. Out of Nvidia's 7,000 issued patents, only seven have been taken out of the filing cabinet to use as leverage, primarily focused on the company's GPU invention, including multithreaded parallel processing used on the company's graphics chips. Neither Samsung nor Qualcomm has responded to the accusations, filed Thursday afternoon at the US District Court in Delaware; although Nvidia also cited potentially infringing graphics architectures from ARM and Imagination, neither company appears to be targeted with this complaint. It's a fine time to revisit our review of the Samsung Galaxy S5! Two iWatches may show their different-sized faces next week Sep 4th 2014, 20:26, by klee The iPhone 6 might not be the only thing coming in two sizes this fall. A new report by the Wall Street Journal says Apple's rumored iWatch wearable will come with two different-sized OLED screens. In June we heard the iWatch might arrive with a rather large 2.5-inch screen, though other sizes (1.3-, 1.4- and 1.5-inches) were also kicked around. However, this is the first time we've heard of an OLED screen. Apple has historically chosen its Retina screens over OLED screen technology as a fashion statement. In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook has insulted OLED screens for their "awful" color saturation and accuracy. Now it seems the iPhone maker is embracing the screen tech for its battery-life prolonging prowess with its first wearable. New-old tech Even more interestingly sources in the know of Apple's plans also claim the iWatch could come with NFC to let users pair their wrist worn devices with smartphones and tablets easily. What's more, adding NFC technology could be a key piece in Apple's purported plan to create a tap-to-pay system. Supposedly embedding these small electronic stamps into the Apple's wearable will let users pay for goods, gasoline, transportation and other services by simply waving their wrist near an NFC receiver. The Journal reports credit cards attached to users' iTunes accounts will be tied to the NFC chip allowing them to pay for everything without having to take out their wallet. It also appears Apple is adopting NFC for the iPhone 6, according to a patent spotted just days ago on August 28 and a host of rumored payment platform partners. Still, Apple will have a lot of catching up to do with the droves of NFC equipped Android Phones, as well as payment systems like Google Wallet. Breaking the mold As for when all of Apple's latest and greatest tech will be announced, The New York Times just dropped a hot report both the iPhone 6 and iWatch will be announced on Tuesday. But you already knew that, of course. The report states Apple isn't just stopping with OLED and NFC for the iWatch. Apple will supposedly also incorporate a flexible display shielded by scratch resistant sapphire. Apparently the wearable will even include wireless charging. In one last slightly related note, the Times' sources also claim the iPhone 6 will have a special one-handed mode. Supposedly, Apple has been tweaking its software interfaces to make it easier for users to still use this rumored larger iPhone with just one hand. How tough is sapphire glass? We used a hammer to find out! You can watch the iPhone 6 and iWatch event from the comfort of home Sep 4th 2014, 20:08, by Michael Rougeau You won't need to become a tech journalist and buy a plane ticket to watch Tim Cook brandish the next iPhone. In fact, you won't even need to leave your home. Apple has announced that it will live stream its September 9 event, at which the company is expected to unveil not just the iPhone 6, but the iWatch as well. A "live" page on Apple's website currently features a ticking countdown clock, as well as a link to add the September 9 event to your calendar. These are accompanied by the promise that "live video from our special event will be right here. And so will a whole lot more." Surprise party Who knows what Apple means by "whole lot more," though even with just the announcements that we've speculated about so far the presentation should be entertaining enough. The iPhone 6 is expected to debut in two sizes, with 4.7- and 5.5-inch variants possibly in the lineup, and Apple's first wearable - currently being referred to unofficially as the iWatch - might debut as well. Naturally, though, all this is subject to change, and Apple could surprise everyone with something totally out of left field come September 9. Closed window Apple usually winds up broadcasting its big announcements in one form or another, though it doesn't always advertise ahead of time that it will do so. The countdown page's fine print notes that viewers on OS X, iOS and Apple TV should have no problem tuning in, but strangely it makes no mention of Windows. Scope every iPhone 6 leak under one TechRadar roof

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