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By December 6, 2013 Read More →

More Samsung Devices to get KitKat?

samsung-androidMany manufacturers have already been making announcements about the availability of Android 4.4 KitKat for their current range of devices with updates expected from HTC, LG and Samsung over the coming weeks for flagship devices.

However, Android 4.4 KitKat was designed to be much more optimised than the previous versions of the OS and is capable of running on devices with a lower specification with slower CPU’s and as little as 512MB RAM being possible. But there have yet to be any announcements from any of the manufacturers regarding the possibility of offering an Android 4.4 update to older models.

But that could be set to change if the information that SamMobile have managed to get their hands on. They have apparently managed to secure some internal documentation from Samsung that suggest that many Samsung smartphones are ‘under investigation’ for upgrade to 4.4 KitKat.

These devices include the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, S3 Mini, Ace 3, Galaxy S, Galaxy Core, Galaxy Fame and Galaxy Fresh.

At this stage there’s obviously no guarantee that any of these devices will see such an OS update but it IS good to see that it is at least being looked in to and there is a further hope that if Samsung do release updates for older models then the likes of HTC, LG and others will be almost forced to follow suit.

 

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By December 6, 2013 Read More →

Yotaphone coming soon to the UK

YPCoverWe have recently covered the upcoming Yotaphone. Now we have more information for the Russian made device and things are looking good.

The handset features two screens, a 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 LCD in the front and 4.3-inch 360 x 640 electronic paper display (EPD) on the rear.  The Amazon Kindle-like EPD stays lit, displaying updated information such as the time, date, maps, social media and messages.  It’s even possible to set certain items (like maps or contact information) to remain on the EPD even after the battery has been exhausted.
Vlad Martynov, CEO of Yota Devices sees the dual-screened phone as “a revolution in telephone architecture” and states that “Before Yotaphone, this space was useless.”  While a constantly lit EPD would seem like a quick death to standby and operating times, the screens ultra efficiency can actually conserve battery life.  Martynov explains: “The typical user picks up and activates their smartphone more than 150 times a day”  Why? Because users worry that messages or information they need or want are hidden behind their phone’s black screen.”  Since the Yotaphone gives users the ability to quickly check phone statuses without powering up the more energy intensive LCD throughout the day, users can actually experience increased operating times.

Yotaphone runs Android 4.2 Jellybean and features a dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB internal storage, a 1-megapixel front facing camera, 13-megapixel rear camera and a 1800mAh battery. Yotaphone is currently selling in Russia, Austria, France, Spain and Germany. UK launch as yet to be confirmed however, we are on it and hope to update you soon.

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By December 6, 2013 Read More →

Nexus 5 gets Android 4.4.1

Screenshot_2013-12-06-10-31-59The Google Nexus 5 hasn’t been with us very long but already we’re seeing an update to Android 4.4.1 being made available for the new phone.

Over the coming days/weeks those with the Nexus 5 should see the OTA update being offered to them but as is always the way with these OTA updates the roll out will be gradual.

Some users have already got their hands on the update and the most significant change appears to be in the Camera department where a number of changes have been made that improves the overall performance of the camera. Good news for those of us that felt that the camera was lacking on the Nexus 5.

If you cant wait for the update to arrive through the official channels over the air then you can force the install if you are happy to jump through a few hoops.

I’m currently updating my Nexus 5 and will return with news of the update!

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By December 6, 2013 Read More →

Anti-Patent-Troll bill passed

url4It looks as if we will hopefully see an end to these over-long and costly patent wars between the big companies. For years we have been hearing about Apple suing Saumsung, Samsung suing Apple, Apple suing HTC, HTC suing Nokia, Nokia suing Apple etc… I’m sure you get the idea.

A recent bill passed through the “House,” or “Crib” as the Representatives residing there might call it, outlines a Patent trolling lawsuits. This initially seems like a good idea, however it might not protect the average Joe inventor who needs the system to help protect their discovery. If you legitimately make an awesome discovery, your right to profit from it.

The real problem is that the patent office is totally incompetent and will give you a patent for obvious “inventions” if you dress it up nicely enough. Not just for practice uses, but for business method patents. That’s what gives these trolls the ammunition to shake down legitimate businesses.

Source: Arstechnica

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By December 5, 2013 Read More →

Huawei announces an in-car LTE unit

HUAWEI ME909TIf you spend a lot of time in the car or you are a chaufer/taxi driver then this may well be of interest to you as Huawei have just announced a new in-car automotive 4G LTE module, the HUAWEI ME909T

The HUAWEI ME909T provides 4G LTE CAT3 connectivity in a 40x40x4mm package that’s designed to be robust for automotive environments.

Full press release can be found below.

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By December 4, 2013 Read More →

Applebee’s to have tablets on the tables

applebeesSome one must be listening to our podcast and has taken a shine to the Tablet Table. Applebee’s have announced plans to install a tablet at every table in its 1,860 restaurants across the United States. Customers will be able to use the devices to order food, pay the bill, and entertain their children with games.

Recently, Amazon announced some flying barbecues to switch up their work force and Applebee’s look to be doing something similar. Eliminating the need to have a friendly server swishing around the tables collecting orders we will probably see the human touch reduced to shovelling plates from the kitchen and dealing with complaints when less technical patrons realise they have possibly pressed the wrong button.

Chili’s have also announced the idea in the last few months, even going as far to say the tablets will pay for themselves by bringing in extra revenue from impulse orders and at-the-table gaming.  Extra management will be probably be required for billing queries.

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By December 3, 2013 Read More →

HTC One replacement outed by Judge

HTC-M8There’s been an ongoing court case between HTC and Nokia, where Nokia is seeking an injunction preventing the sale of the HTC One because Nokia claims that HTC have infringed one of it’s patents with the HTC One. The claim relates specifically to the ‘HDR’ Microphone that is included in the HTC One and Nokia insists that the technology is theirs.

The high court judge presiding over the case has published a ruling that included language that effectively outs the HTC One replacement and states that it’s launch date will be in the first quarter of 2014.

HTC is close to launching the successor flagship model to the HTC One. HTC has not revealed the launch date. Nokia has adduced evidence which suggests that the launch date is in the first quarter of 2014 and possibly as early as February 2014.

Typically mobile phone manufacturers would want to keep their release timetables a closely guarded secret so this very public leak may displease them but for those of us loving our HTC One phones it’s great news that we’ll soon see a successor.

The judgement rules in favour of HTC in respect of the HTC One and there will be no sales ban of this phone. A ban on the HTC One would have been devastating to HTC as it’s currently their best selling phone.

There have already been several rumours and leaked shots of the new HTC One, know at the moment as the HTC M8,  and all suggest the new phone will come with Android 4.4 KitKat, 3GB of RAM, a 5-inch 1080p IPS LCD display, Boomsound speakers, and the seemingly omnipresent Snapdragon 800.

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By December 3, 2013 Read More →

Huawei’s Holiday Season Competition

image001Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today launched its global holiday online competition ‘Unlock Possibilities’. The free competition provides the chance to win a line-up of goodies, culminating in two grand prize Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupes. The ‘Unlock Possibilities’ competition further demonstrates Huawei’s aspiration to become one of the leading mobile phone brands globally by bringing quality, innovative and fashionable products within reach for more people. With a focus on the HUAWEI Ascend P6, ‘Unlock Possibilities’ is set to excite a global audience as Huawei continues to build its leadership in the smartphone industry.

“While our number three ranking for smartphone shipments last quarter shows the increasing demand for our flagship handsets including the HUAWEI Ascend P6, we still have a long way to go to build the Huawei brand among consumers globally,” said Colin Giles, Executive Vice President, Huawei Consumer Business Group. “The ‘Unlock Possibilities’ competition not only delivers on our promise to create extraordinary experiences, but also provides an opportunity for more people to join us as we bring the joy of technology to more people around the world.”

The ‘Unlock Possibilities’ competition invites people to play a game and make a connection for the chance to win a range of prizes including the HUAWEI Ascend P6 smartphone and E-coupons. Game credits and golden keys will also be awarded to help people increase their chances to win one of two Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupes. To take part, visit the Huawei Device Facebook page www.facebook.com/huaweidevice or the official mobile site unlockpossibilities.mobi.

People in the United Kingdom can also visit Huawei’s ‘Unlock Possibilities’ experience display at Westfield Shopping Centres in Stratford City and London. By playing Huawei’s digital game with a friend, users will get the chance to win Westfield shopping vouchers. At the booth, shoppers can try Huawei’s array of products including the flagship Ascend P6, Ascend P2, Ascend Mate, Ascend G510 and Ascend Y300, and retrieve discount vouchers for Westfield stockists. The flagship HUAWEI Ascend P6 has exceeded two million global shipments worldwide since its launch in July, and is now available through Europe’s mainstream carriers including Vodafone, Telefonica, Orange, and H3G, as well as the UK’s largest mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse.

The ‘Unlock Possibilities’ competition will run on Huawei Device Facebook pages and the official mobile site unlockpossibilities.mobi from December 1, 2013 to January 4, 2014. Westfield Shopping Centre activities will begin in Stratford from December 1 until December 24, 2013 and in London from November 20, 2013 until January 5, 2014. Grand prize winners will be notified by phone and email while runners-up will be notified by email.

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By December 2, 2013 Read More →

Amazon drone on about delivery times

2amzndron09870df1Recent reports suggest that Amazon’s work conditions can cause mental health issues. Stories of employees having to walk 11 miles a day with stressful deadlines and GPS tracking. It looks like Amazon are looking to rectify this by removing the human element from the equation.

A new service called Amazon Prime Air is slated for roll-out sometime in 2015, depending on FAA approval. Amazon have posted a video of how a new service will work onto YouTube. The video shows the process of a package being taken from the warehouse floor and delivery to the front steps of the customer’s home. Sounds exactly like that they do millions of times a day, however this time they have injected a somewhat dirty word, Drone. The idea is to have the drone deliver orders roughly 30 minutes after the customer hits the “buy” button on Amazon.com.

Speaking recently to the producers of 60 Minutes, before the unveiling, Bezos said, “If you can guess what it is, then… I will give you half my fortune and send you to Vegas with it.”

Reacting to the unveiling of the Amazon-branded drone, Bezos interviewer Charlie Rose said, “I had no idea what its purpose was at first glance… They actually look like something out of a Philip K. Dick novel.”

Whilst this first step of automation is hardly going to replace the hard working staff member, it certainly looks like the future is shaping towards the removal of moany and comlainy employees and the introduction of a work force that look like barbeques. You can watch the entire interview on the 60 Minutes website.

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By December 2, 2013 Read More →

Android gaming update 02-12-13

final-fantasy-4-years-after-android-gameThe week of Black Friday has brought many price reductions to the Google Play store, lets have a look at what’s cheap and what’s new.

Square Enix has released the next instalment for their Final Fantasy franchise called Final Fantasy IV: The After Years onto Google Play. As the name suggests, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years takes place 17 years after the original Final Fantasy IV game. Many of the original cast members of Final Fantasy IV make a return in this game as well as a lot of the NPCs from the SNES version become playable characters.final-fantasy-4-years-after-android-game

The After Years Features:

  • Ten Playable Tales: Begin your journey with “Ceodore’s Tale.” Complete it to unlock the tales of six additional characters, which can be played in any order, and then return to the core story with “Kain’s Tale,” “The Lunarian’s Tale,” and “The Crystals.” A total of ten tales in all, and all contained in FINAL FANTASY IV: THE AFTER YEARS.
  • Active Time Battle: Take control of exhilarating combat made possible by the non-stop action in Square Enix’s iconic battle system.
  • Lunar Phases: Feel the moon’s presence in combat, as its waxing and waning influences the potency of attacks and abilities of all combatants. Lunar phases cycle naturally with the passage of in-game time, or when resting at an inn, tent, or cottage.
  • Band Abilities: Combine the strength of your party members to awesome effect with Band abilities that can be unlocked through in-game events or by leveling your characters’ Affinity.
  • Minimap: Keep an eye on your current location and nearby surroundings, or tap for quick access to the world map.
  • Google Play Game Support: Step up to meet all-new challenges offered by dozens of achievements.

The After Years is available from Google Play for £10.99

Posted in: Apps & Games, News
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