Google Street View to add UK rival and canal network

Google Trekker Street View Camera

The Google Trekker Street View camera will be used in the UK




The UK’s river and canal network is to be added to Google Street View, with the wearable 360-degree Google Trekker camera rig set to be used in the UK for the first time.


A more portable version of the Google Street View cars which have caused such a fuss in recent years, the Google Trekker is a backpack mounted rig which is made up of 15 cameras which take 360-degree pictures every 2.5 seconds.


Mounted on a backpack, the 4 foot high rig which is 40lbs in weight (18kg), will be carried by members of the Canal and River Trust during the next month, capturing more than 100 miles of the UK’s waterways.


“It's fantastic that our 200-year-old network is being given a different lease of life thanks to cutting edge, 21st-century technology,” Wendy Hawk, Corporate Partnerships Manager of the Canal and River Trust said. “The footage we get will allow millions of people from all over the world to see our canals, rivers and towpaths, and will hopefully encourage some people to make a trip to see them."


The UK’s first use of the Google Trekker camera, the portable rig is traditionally used for hard-to-reach locations and has previously been used to document the base of the Grand Canyon and the inside of the world’s tallest building.


Kicking off this week, the month long initiative to add the UK river and canal system to Google Street View will begin with London’s Regent’s Canal.



Read More:
Google Nexus 5 rumours



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Call of Duty: Ghosts Prestige and Hardened Editions unveiled

Call of Duty: Ghosts Prestige Edition

Call of Duty: Ghosts Prestige Edition




The Call of Duty: Ghosts Prestige and Hardened Editions have been detailed by publisher Activision ahead of the game’s official release later this year.


Brimmed with a raft of additional content, the newly detailed Call of Duty: Ghosts Prestige and Hardened Editions will both see gamers benefit from a range of new, exclusive maps, in-game bonuses and access to the Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC Season Pass.


Kicking off with the Call of Duty: Ghosts Hardened Edition, those gamers after more than just the regularly boxed game will be able to splash the cash for a copy of the Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 follow-on which will come within a collectible steelbook casing with exclusive artwork.


Set to cost a $120 (£77), the Call of Duty: Ghosts Hardened Edition will also see gamers presented with a military-style Paracord strap, digital Call of Duty: Ghosts soundtrack and a Ghosts Insignia Pack which features in-game player patches, playercards and exclusive backgrounds.


On top of this, alongside the complimentary Ghosts DLC Season Pass, gamers will benefit from a download bonus in the form of a multiplayer map dubbed ‘Freefall’.


With all of the same content as the Hardened option, the Call of Duty: Ghosts Prestige Edition will throw a 1080p Full HD Tactical Camera into the mix with a memory card, multiple mounting attachments and a rechargeable battery.


The Call of Duty: Ghosts Prestige Edition will set wannabe owners back a hefty $200 (£128). Both collectible versions of the next COD title will be available alongside the standard game on the November 5 Call of Duty: Ghosts release date.


Read More: Best Games 2013



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iPhone 5C cases enter pre-order ahead of budget iPhone launch


With Apple widely expected to officially unveil the rumoured budget iPhone 5C next month, the first iPhone 5C cases have already be made available for pre-order.


Despite the mid-range Apple handset having yet to be formally announced, online retailer MobileFun has made the first collection of budget iPhone 5C cases available for pre-order, further hinting the mooted phone could be made available in a range of colours.


With a raft of recent iPhone 5C rumours and leaks having pointed to the plastic backed handset being made available in “6-8 colours,” the newly surfaced iPhone 5C cases are available in a trio of hues with the traditional black and white handsets seemingly set to be joined by a blue option.


Manufactured by ITSKINS, the new iPhone 5C cases are dubbed the ‘Zero 3 Lightweight’ and will reportedly add “slim protection to your iPhone 5C.”


According to the product listing, “The Zero 3 case is designed to provide elegant slim protection to your iPhone 5C, this blue thin lightweight case adds virtually no bulk to your iPhone 5C.”


While latest rumours have suggested that the budget iPhone 5C release date will follow a September 10 launch event alongside the premium iPhone 5S.


Offering further details on the pre-emptive iPhone 5C case, the product listing reads: “The ultralight Zero 3 case is designed to provide lightweight protection from scratches and scuffs. The slender case clips onto the back of your iPhone 5C to provide coverage to the back and sides of the phone.


“With the Zero 3 less really is more, this case is lightweight and almost invisible. Measuring only 0.3mm in thickness and only weighing 3g, the unique Zero 3 case is the barely there case for your iPhone 5C. This ensures that the iconic Apple aesthetic is complemented, and the added bulk is not noticed when the phone is in your pocket.


“Designed specifically for iPhone 5C, you can be sure that the Zero 3 case will provide a perfect fit. The case features cutouts for all the ports, buttons and camera, so you can access the full functionality of your device while it is in the case.”


According to latest iPhone 5C rumours, the budget Apple phone will boast a 4-inch display and line up as a direct competitor to Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and rival HTC One Mini.


Expected to feature an array of specs similar to that current iPhone 5 just within a cheaper, plastic body, the iPhone 5C is widely tipped to run an A6 dual-core CPU, 8GB of internal storage and an 8-megapixel rear-mounted camera with an LED flash.


Read More: iPhone 6 rumours



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iPhone 5S gold casing reportedly spotted in the wild

Gold iPhone 5S on the way?

Gold iPhone 5S on the way?




This week's reports claiming a gold-coloured iPhone 5S could be among the options when Apple launches its next-gen smartphone have gained a little more credence with the appearance of purportedly leaked photos online.


The shot above, posted by French Apple repair shop MacBoutic (translated), is claimed to be of a gold-coloured rear casing for the as-yet-unannounced iPhone 5S handset.


The pic arrives just hours after well-connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tipped a "champagne" coloured iPhone 5S to sit along the black and white offerings.


If that's the case, it'd be the first time Apple had veered from the two colours, although there's plenty of evidence suggesting


The site claims it has deliberately "blurred out" the Apple logo and text on the casing, which suggests one of two things. Either the site is protecting whomever gave it the case, or the whole thing is a spray paint job on an existing iPhone 5.


This week's reports also claimed that a 128GB version of the handset will also be available for the first time on the iPhone 5S, while a re-imagined Home button complete with a built-in fingerprint sensor has also been rumoured.


It appears that we'll only know for sure what Apple is cooking up at a yet-to-be-confirmed event tipped for September 10. Until then we can keep dreaming of a Champagne Super-phone-a… sorry.


Via CNET



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New Google Nexus 7 2 video review

Google Nexus 7

The new Google Nexus 7 will hit the UK on August 28




Following the formal unveiling of the second-generation Google Nexus 7 late last month, we have got our mitts on the iPad mini rival and even have a Google Nexus 7 video review for your perusal.


Announced alongside Google’s new Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system, the new Google Nexus 7 2 lines up with a revamped array of innards and a refreshed 7-inch form factor. It is the first device to run the new Android OS and boasts the highest resolution display currently on any 7-inch tablet.


If you don’t have time to read our full, in-depth Google Nexus 7 2 review, fret not, now you can simply watch the video below to see what we made of the device.


Currently available only in the US, the new Google Nexus 7 has been designed by Google and manufactured in partnership with Asus. A wallet friendly powerhouse of the sub-sized tablet scene, the Google Nexus 7 UK release date has been set for August 28 priced from £199.


A direct replacement to last year’s hugely successful original Nexus 7, n announcing the company’s second-generation tablet, Hugo Berra, Google Vice President of Android Product Management stated: “We are staying focused on exactly the same things that made the original Nexus 7 so successful: portability, performance and of course the power of Google.”


Running a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, the new model is 80 per cent faster than the original Nexus 7.


Boasting 2GB of RAM and the option of 16GB or 32GB storage capacities, the new Google Nexus 7 specs sheet is further enhanced by the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and 4G connectivity options. It has a 5-megapixel rear-mounted camera and a 1.2-megapixel at the front.


Although making the jump to a 1920 x 1200 pixel Full HD display with a 323 pixels-per-inch image density, the Google tablet has managed to slot in a further hour’s staying power, taking its strong battery life into the realms of the 10 hour mark.


Read More: Google Nexus 7 vs iPad mini



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iPhone 5C will ambush Apple's innovation


Right now it is fashionable to bash Apple… heck even Fox News is doing it. "What have they had lately?” espoused Fox Business News correspondent Charlie Gasparino last week. “They have had the iPad, they've had a few other things, but they don't have anything innovating from [like] what came from Steve Jobs.”


Jobs’s old friend Oracle CEO Larry Ellison also weighed in with a few punches this week. “We already know [Apple’s destiny]” he said, “We saw Apple with Steve Jobs, we saw Apple without Steve Jobs… now we're gonna see Apple without Steve Jobs [again]."



Read more about the budget iPhone 5C


The problem getting up everyone’s nose is a perceived lack of ‘innovation’, but this isn’t what bothers me. During Job’s 24 years and two spells in charge of Apple the company came up with four revolutionary products: the Macintosh computer, the iPod, iPhone and iPad. That averages out to one every six years. The iPad came out in 2010. Innovation (however we may define it) isn’t overdue yet we’re just less patient these days. Instead what irritates is how Apple is increasingly sabotaging its ability to innovate and on the back of operating system, iTunes and Apple TV inertia its latest way to do that is by releasing a budget iPhone 5C .


The case for

On the surface the so-called iPhone 5C makes sense on many levels. Most obvious is its role as a gateway to lure users into the company’s iOS and OS X ecosystems. In the face of ever-cheaper, better specified Android and Windows Phone handsets the iPod touch no longer does this job and Apple risks losing customers early to Google and Microsoft - customers who might get comfortable there, invest heavily and never come back.


Furthermore advances in phone technology seem to be levelling out. All phones are fast these days, most have decent cameras, GPS, accelerometers, 3G (or even 4G) and most of the biggest apps are multi-platform. Apple might as well exploit this plateau and once again get the masses aboard who have given Android an astonishing 79 per cent mobile phone market share.


iPhones for everyone, break out the party poppers.


The case against

budget iphone 3On paper this model works for just about everyone, except Apple. Apple is not your average company.


It got to where it is today by preaching that it is about as far away from an average company as it is possible to be. To do this Apple has succeeded in convincing the world of three things: its products are innovative, this makes them aspirational and this combination makes it worth paying a premium to attain them.


It is genius: the innovation takes care of the marketing, being aspirational results in demand (and content customers after a purchase) and big profit margins keep investors happy.


A budget iPhone risks all of this. By definition it can’t be as innovative, aspirational or as profitable. Worse still the better it sells the bigger ball and chain it becomes around Apple’s leg. Take a look at the iPhone 5S rumours. NFC , a fingerprint scanner, more responsive screen technology, larger capacities… they may be mostly upgrades, but they are all things that can inspire app developers to do the innovation for them. A budget iPhone will have none of these. In fact the latest rumour is it may not even come with Siri.


Budget devices always outsell more expensive options (look at how iPad mini sales rocketed past those of the iPad) and developers will have little motivation to create apps that can’t be used by the widest user base - a user base that just took a technological backwards step. Apple is welcoming the biggest problem of the Google Play store: developers designing for the lowest common denominator. It is one reason why premium Android gaming experiences remain thin on the ground and ‘free’ apps proliferate weighed down by invasive ads.


Apple can crow all it likes about the possibilities of any new fingerprint scanner, NFC or the extra horsepower of an iPhone 5S, but if developers aren’t exploiting them they will stagnate. Stagnation hits premium sales, hurts brand aspiration and convinces increasing amounts of users that the budget model is good enough.


What’s more when an iWatch or iTV eventually arrives can Apple afford to differentiate iPhones by their level of integration/functionality with these devices?


Limit it and you risk wider interest in them and jeopardise their chances of success. Give parity and there is even less reason to buy a premium iPhone. It is a no win-scenario. Contrast this with the current Apple sales model: you bring new functionality and it simply encourages people to upgrade to the latest and greatest iPhone triggering sales around the block and huge profit margins.


What is *really* the matter?

So perhaps the bigger question is - why is Apple looking to take all these risks? Lamborghini doesn’t need a budget car to stop people being hijacked by Ford when they buy their first Fiesta.


Lamborghini knows when you can afford it the appeal will always be there because they are confident in their innovation, differentiation and aspirational brand. If Apple is starting to question these qualities (and only they know their internal roadmap) then perhaps the company’s problems do go as deep as Fox and Larry Ellison would like us to believe.


Read about the new iPhone 5S features to expect



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Sony smartphone lens camera specs leak


Specs for the Sony smartphone lens camera have leaked online, revealing the sensor sizes for the accessory.


There have been several rumours surrounding Sony’s attachable camera accessory for iOS devices, but the latest leak provides diagrams of the mooted lens options.


The manual for the Sony DSC-Qx10 and DSC-QX100 come via SonyAlphaRumours, and suggest both will have a basic display for monitoring the battery level and SD card capacity.


They will have dedicated shutter buttons, so users won’t have to rely solely on the iOS device and zoom levels. The more powerful Sony DSC-QX100 will also have a ring control.


There’s a tripod mount, power button, an access port to a variety of functions and a microphone built-in for both models.


The Sony DSC-QX100 will have the same 20.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor and Zeiss lens as the Sony RX100 II, while the QX10 will have the same 1/2.3-inch, 18-megapixel CMOS sensor and f/3.3-5.9 lens as the Sony WX150.


With the Sony DSC-QX100 weighing 179g and the QX10 105g, both options will add a considerable weight to the average iOS device, especially as the iPhone 5 is only 112g itself.


It seems that both Sony smartphone lens cameras will be launched at a Sony event on Wednesday September 4.


Sony is holding a press event in New York on that day, but is also hosting another event at IFA 2013 the same day.


At this IFA event in Berlin, Sony could also launch the camera-centric Sony Xperia i1 ‘Honami’ smartphone, which purportedly packs a 20.7-megapixel 1/2.3 sensor and Sony G lens.


Camera specs aside the Xperia i1 should also have a Full HD display larger than the 5-inch offering included in the Sony Xperia Z.


This can be seen in the new images where the Sony Xperia i1 is shown next to the Xperia Z.


TrustedReviews will be attending the IFA press conference and will bring you all the official announcements.



Next, read our pick of the best cameras of 2013.



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iPhone 5C prototype spotted in the wild?


Potentially the first complete iPhone 5C prototype has been spotted in the wild, held by Taiwanese pop star and race driver Jimmy Lin.


Ahead of the rumoured iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S launch on September 10, this could be the first image of the complete prototype budget iPhone.


According to Lin, he’s holding the first complete iPhone 5C prototype. Previously, we’ve only seen the back panel of the iPhone 5C, complete with component chassis.


Of course, in these images Lin still only shows off the rear of the iPhone 5C, which may well mean it’s the same casing we’ve already seen a fair few times.


Earlier this week, the budget iPhone 5C leaked again in video form, lining up against the iPhone 5 in an early video comparison.


Lin also presented a still shot of the iPhone 5C sidled up to the iPhone 5 in his Weibo post.


Expected to launch on September along with the iPhone 5S, it may not be too long a wait for official confirmation on the existence of the iPhone 5C.



iPhone 5C Features


The iPhone 5C is strongly expected to rival mid-range smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and HTC One Mini .


Reportedly available in six to eight colours, it seems Apple is abandoning its usual black and white releases in favour for a more rainbow orientated offering. This would also support the rumour that the C in iPhone 5C stands for colour, rather than any indication of price.


Unfortunately, it has been suggested that the iPhone 5C may not include certain software features like Siri, which will couple with its plastic body to keep the price low and differentiate it from the flagship iPhone 5S.


The iPhone 5C is meant to be one of the first devices to run iOS 7 straight out of the box and could launch with similar specs to the iPhone 5. This means we could expect Apple’s A6 processor, 1GB of RAM and 4G connectivity.



Next, read our iPad 5 release date and news roundup.


Via: Gotta Be Mobile



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Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch launch confirmed for IFA launch?

Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch

Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch concept




Samsung will launch its Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch at the IFA conference early next month.


According to “two people familiar with the matter”, Samsung is preparing to launch its first wearable technology device, the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch.


Speaking to Bloomberg, the sources said the Samsung smartwatch will be powered by Google’s Android mobile OS and be on sale by the end of the year.


The Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch will launch as part of the Samsung Unpacked event on September 4 the IFA press day, two days before the Berlin-based conference actually starts.


Reportedly launching alongside the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 , the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch launch was already tipped for September 4 yesterday by notorious leakster Sammobile.com.


It was also heavily rumoured by SammyHub at the start of the month, so it definitely looks like a Samsung smartwatch launch is on the cards for early September.


This latest leak suggests that the first Samsung smartwatch won’t feature a flexible display, despite earlier tips and a Galaxy Gear patent that suggested otherwise. It seems like Samsung is working on a flexible display version to launch in the future.


With 2014 tipped to be the year of the smartwatch, Samsung will eventually be under pressure from competing companies looking to be big players on the wearable device market.


Sony has already launched the Sony Smartwatch 2, and Apple, Google and Microsoft among others are also reportedly working on their own wrist-worn devices.


Analysts predict that the smartwatch industry will generate $60 billion (£38.4 billion) or more this year alone, but it will be a race to see which manufacturer can lock customers to their platform, especially with the smartwatches synching with tablet, smartphone and potentially Smart TVs too.


Samsung is currently the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer with quite a grip on the market, only vaguely rivalled in sales figures and market share by Apple.


TrustedReviews will be at the IFA 2013 Samsung Unpacked event so stay tuned for all the official announcements.


Next, let us know what Apple iWatch features you’d like to see.



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Kindle Fire HD update tipped with 2560 x 1600p display


The incoming update for the Amazon Kindle Fire HD is tipped to come with a 2560 x 1600p resolution display.


According to leaked benchmarks, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD will receive a screen resolution upgrade when it launches later this year, along with a brand new processor.


Benchmarks for an Amazon device running Android 4.2.2 popped up online packing a 2560 x 1600p resolution screen, meaning it could be the upgraded Kindle Fire HD 8.9 that was tested.


The Kindle Fire upgrade could also pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU, rather than the 1.5GHz dual-core OMAP CPU currently featured in the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 or the 1.2GHz version in the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD.


If such specs are true, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD could pack one of the highest screen resolutions of any tablet currently on the market. The Google Nexus 10 has a similar 2560 x 1600p resolution, but due to its 10-inch screen size, the pixel density in the Nexus 10 would be lower than any of the Kindle Fire HD range with the same resolution.


At the end of July it was hinted that an Amazon Kind Fire HD was reportedly in the works with a full HD display. The company was looking to bumping up the pixels of its 7-inch tablet range first, rather than the 8.9 version as hinted by the latest leaked benchmarks.


The July rumour also suggested that the Kindle Fire HD would get the 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU, supporting the leaked benchmarks and strengthening the rumours.


A jump to 2GB of RAM is also on the cards, with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB internal storage options launching as well.


Potentially launching as direct competitors to the new Google Nexus 7 2, Amazon will have a strong rival to compete against.


Next, read our pick of the best Android tablets out there right now.


Via: AndroidCommunity



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Nokia tablet leaks running Windows RT


Images of a claimed Nokia tablet have appeared online, teasing the as yet unannounced Windows RT powered iPad rival ahead of launch.


Although Nokia has long remained cagey about any potential plans to enter the tablet market, a move it has to date avoided the temptation of, newly leaked images have claimed to show the mooted 10.1-inch Nokia Lumia tablet.


Shown to feature a bright red polycarbonate construction similar to the Nokia Lumia 920, the leaked Nokia Lumia tablet has been snapped brandishing the Windows RT logo, suggesting the device will run Microsoft’s stripped back and largely unpopular OS. A Verizon logo on the rear of the tablet also suggested the Google Nexus 10 competitor will sport a SIM card slot and 4G LTE connectivity options, allowing for on-the-move internet access.


Recently rumoured Nokia Lumia tablet specs claimed to offer and insight into the unit’s inner workings, with a 2.15GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor seemingly set to run the show alongside a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display.


According to the leaks, the Nokia Lumia tablet specs sheet will be further enhanced by 32GB of internal storage and a separate keyboard stand with an additional battery and a selection of USB ports.


Further reports have cited sources 'familiar with the plans' in claiming the Nokia Lumia tablet will be formally unveiled at a dedicated launch event in September.


“We haven’t announced tablets at this point, but it is something we are clearly looking at very closely,” Nokia CEO Stephen Elop said earlier this year.


Showing continued support for Microsoft’s Windows operating systems having helped push the Windows Phone 8 OS, Elop added: “We are studying very closely the market right now as Microsoft has introduced the Surface tablet, so we are trying to learn from that and understand what the right way to participate would be and at what point in time.”


Would you be tempted by a Nokia branded Windows RT tablet or are you happy sticking with the iPad or an Android device? Let us know via the TrustedReviews Twitter and Facebook feeds or through the comment boxes below.


Read More: Best tablet to buy in 2013


Via: Ubergizmo



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iCloud to get iOS 7 makeover


Apple has redesigned its iCloud beta page to imitate the look and feel of its incoming mobile OS, iOS 7.


iCloud is getting its own iOS 7 redesign, with all the icons for native apps like Mail, Contact, Calendar and Notes receiving the update.


The beta.icloud.com has recently been updated with a whole iOS 7 redesign, ditching the previous skeuomorphic designs in favour of the new pastel colour scheme and flatter, more refined user experience.


The iOS 7 icons for Mail, Contact, Calendar, Notes, Reminders and Find my iPhone have all made their way to the iCloud beta, which is only accessible to those with an Apple Developer account.


There’s a new animated background on the iCloud beta as well, that reacts to wherever the user’s mouse cursor moves as shown in the below YouTube video.


It’s not just the icons for the apps that have changed on the iCloud beta, but how the open app is presented too. Have a look at how that’s affected them in the screenshots below.


iOS 7 Features

iOS 7 is “the most significant iOS update since the original iPhone” and comes complete with an entire refresh of the exiting iOS experience. Apple aimed to create a flatter, more refined experience for its iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch users.


Expected to be released to consumer on September 10 after an Apple media event that is said to launch the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, the iOS 7 update isn’t purely aesthetic.


In fact, it has a heavy focus on increasing the multitasking functionality for iOS users to make the Apple experience more streamlined.


“We have always thought of design as being so much more than the way something looks,” said Jony Ive. “It’s the whole thing, the way something works on so many different levels.”


“True simplicity is derived from so much more than the absence of clutter and ornamentation. It’s about bringing order to complexity. iOS 7 is a clear representation of these goals.”


Next, explore the best bits of OS X Mavericks’ new features.


iCloud betaiCloud betaiCloud betaiCloud betaiCloud betaiCloud betaiCloud betaiCloud beta


Via: 9to5mac



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GTA 5 for Xbox One and PS4 could happen says Rockstar

GTA 5

GTA 5 could be Xbox One and PS4 bound after all




Ahead of the upcoming GTA 5 release date, publisher Rockstar has suggested the eagerly awaited game could be made available for the upcoming Xbox One and PS4.


Although remaining noncommittal on a next-gen GTA 5 release, Rockstar has confirmed its will monitor interest in the imminent Xbox One and PS4 console launches while stating it has already stated working on plans for its next-generation Grand Theft Auto releases.


Despite offering the strongest indication yet that an Xbox One and PS4 GTA 5 release could be on the cards, Rockstar has once again reittered its primary focus will remain on the current Xbox 360 and PS3 platforms. A GTA 5 release date will be held on September 17, just weeks before the new consoles are set to launch.


"We'll get the current gen version out first and see what happens in the future,” Leslie Benzies, President of Rockstar North said when questioned on next-gen GTA 5 offerings during yesterday’s unveiling of Grand Theft Auto Online.


He added: : "We already have plans for what the next world holds in terms of missions, new content, clothes, apartments, for the next while.


“We really want to see what people are playing, and we're putting a lot of effort into the back end, so we can keep an eye on exactly how long people are spending in deathmatches, races, and all the other modes - just to see what they're doing. And if we see any peaks anywhere, then we know where to concentrate our efforts.”


With many gamers calling for a GTA 5 PC edition to be released to seemingly little avail, earlier this year Rockstar suggested that the next Grand Theft Auto offering would be considered for all platforms.


Claiming that GTA 5 could land on everything from PC to iOS, Rockstar Vice President Dan Houser stated “everything else is up for consideration” after confirming day one would only see Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game released.


He added: “We are a third-party publisher. We're not Nintendo, we're not Sony, we're not Microsoft. We love all of them in different ways. But we can do what we want wherever there's the appropriate business opportunity and chance to find a market.”


Read More: PS4 release date


Via: Videogamer



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Dell profits drop 72 per cent amid buyout row


Dell reported a 72 per cent drop in earnings in its Q2 2013 financial report, with the PC maker heavily engaged in a takeover row.


Although earnings per share were slightly ahead of expectations at $0.25 (£0.16) and sales stand at $14.5 billion (£9.3 billion), Dell’s net profits fell 72 per cent from the figures recorded for the same quarter in 2012.


PC sales amounted to $9.5 million (£6.1 million), dropping 5 per cent from last year.


“In a challenging environment, we remain committed to our strategy and our customers”, said Brian Gladden, Dell CFO.


Currently the world’s third largest PC manufacturer, Dell was originally held up as a model of product-chain innovation, but has been resorting to price cuts to shift units. It was also late to enter the enterprise computing market, which hasn’t helped the company’s figures either.


“It was predictably bad. It’s not a big surprise that margins compressed to the degree that they did, when they’re prioritising sales volume over profitability,” said Carr Lanphier, Morningstar analyst. “You have to offset that uncertainly somehow.”


Michael Dell, the company’s founding CEO and activist investor Carl Icahn are currently engaged in a heated row over the future of the company. Dell is proposing to make the company private with a $25 million buyout plan, but Icahn, a leading shareholder, believes that price tag is too low.


The Q2 financial report figures may well back up Dell’s argument that a $13.75 per share offer, plus a 13 per cent dividend is more than ample for the company to go private.


“They can’t compete on a level playing field when you have a wrestling match over the future of the company,” added Lanphier.


The fight between Icahn and Dell will be moved to the courtroom in the coming weeks, with a shareholder vote on the plan taking place September 12.


Next, read our pick of the best Windows 8 laptops, tablets, convertibles and PCs.



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iPhone 5S to come with gold colour and 128GB options, says analyst


A recent analyst report has added weight to the suggestion that Apple will offer a gold colour option for its iPhone 5S, as well as claiming that there will be a 128GB model.


The suggestions come from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has generally been on the money with his Apple predictions in the past.


Accoring to Kuo, "the new model will add a new look, a golden casing, and a new option for larger 128GB storage, to offer greater differentiation from iPhone 5."


As Apple fans will know, the iPhone tends to come in black or white, so this would be a considerable diversion for the company if true. This new tri-colour premium iPhone is also expected to stand alongside the affordable iPhone 5C, which should come in a range of bright colours beyond black and white.


There have been numerous rumours of a gold or champagne-coloured iPhone over the past few months, but Kuo's assertion stands as one of the strongest supporting voices yet.


As for the other potential addition, commentators have been speculating about a 128GB iPhone model for the last few generations of Apple's smartphone. Apple has always stuck with 64GB as the maximum capacity option for its iOS devices - that is until it added a 128GB iteration of the iPad 4 in February.


This, along with Kuo's prediction, suggests that Apple might finally double down on storage space for its premium smartphone. The only question is, will we be willing to pay the price? The 128GB iPad added an £80 premium over the 64GB model.


All will (probably) become clear on September 10, when Apple is widely expected to hold a launch event for the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C.


Next, read our iPhone 5S feature predictions.


Via: AppleInsider



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Amber update starts rolling out to Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices

Smart camera

Nokia Smart Camera, part of the Amber update




Nokia's major Windows Phone 8 update has begun rolling out to its Lumia range, bringing a host of improvements to the Nokia Lumia 920, 820, 720, 625, 620 and 520.


Amber is built on top of the most recent Windows Phone 8 update from Microsoft itself, which adds a new FM radio player and improvements to Internet Explorer and Xbox Music.


But Nokia's tweaks and additions go much further. Perhaps the biggest improvement is to the Nokia Lumia range's camera abilities, which are already pretty strong. Nokia has improved the algorithms that handle noise reduction, colour reproduction, exposure and autofocus across the range.


Individual Lumia handsets will benefit further from the Amber upgrade when it comes to taking pictures. The Nokia Lumia 920, for example, you now get controls to adjust the ISO from 800 to 3200.


The whole range now has access to the Nokia Smart Camera app which debuted on the Nokia Lumia 925, but its abilities vary according to the handset. If you own a Nokia Lumia 720, 620 or 520, for instance, the app's burst mode will only be able to fire off seven 1-megapixel images instead of ten 5-megapixel images.


Away from photo taking, the Amber update adds Nokia Glance Screen to all Lumia phones except for the Nokia Lumia 520 and 625. This adds a subtle clock to your inactive phone, as well as a battery indicator and whether your phone is running in silent mode.


All Lumia phones get the ability to mute calls by flipping over the phone, as well as the ability to double tap the screen to unlock the phone.


Updating HERE Maps will now be faster too, as you won't have to re-download whole countries every time the smallest amount of data is added.


All in all, a pretty sizeable update for Nokia Lumia owners. Amber will be rolling out automatically, first to Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 owners (Nokia Lumia 925 owners already have it), and it should reach all Lumia phones by the end of September.


Next, read our Nokia Lumia 1020 vs Nokia Lumia 925 vs Nokia Lumia 920 comparison.



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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 Tablet Review


What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0?


The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 is an 8-inch Android tablet that continues the Korean manufacturer’s intentions to make a tablet in every size possible. It's the first 8-inch tablet in the Galaxy Tab range and is set to take on the 7.9-inch Apple iPad Mini, 7-inch Amazon Kindle Fire HD and the 7-inch Nexus 7 2. But with a £279 starting price that puts it above even the iPad Mini (£269), does the 8-inch Galaxy Tab make any sense?

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 1


Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0: Design


The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 is essentially the Galaxy Note 8.0 minus the S-Pen. It’s the same Galaxy smartphone-inspired design from the curvy edges, glossy white plastic back and silver metal band.

This isn't a good thing. We've said it before and we'll continue to say it: this is another Samsung tablet that looks and feels cheap compared to the iPad Mini or the Nexus 7. Considering it's more expensive than either, it's hard to understand why Samsung hasn't put more effort into the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.0's design.


It weighs 314g making it lighter than the Note 8.0 (338g) and the 7-inch Nexus 7 (340g), but slightly heavier than the iPad Mini (308g). At 7.4mm thick it’s actually thinner than the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone, but it’s not quite iPad Mini slim (7.2mm).


Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 1

There’s nothing radically different to report on the button and port layout front. The capacitive buttons sit either side of the physical home button. The micro USB charging port is flanked by two speakers that are loud but not great quality, and can be easily blocked when held in landscape mode.


The 3.5mm headphone jack is up top with volume rocker and on/off button on the right. There’s a microSD card slot on the left protected by a latch you can dig a nail into to open. The camera sensor has been moved to the corner to avoid covering it up when shooting pictures in landscape mode.


The back is non-removable, so there's no getting at the battery. What's more of a concern, though, is the glossy finish on the back. Holding it in portrait mode, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 feels very slippery to the point that it's difficult to grip.


The 8.0 is bit of a stretch to hold in one hand, but in landscape mode it's perfect as a media consuming tablet. Despite our feelings about the build, the 8.0 does feels durable and solid enough use on a daily basis. It’s just not that pretty.


Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 4


Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0: Screen


Samsung has opted for the same 1,280 x 800 resolution screen found in the Galaxy Note 8.0, the first generation Nexus 7 and the Galaxy 2 10.1. The latter is a two-year old Samsung tablet. The Nexus 7 2 is £100 cheaper yet has a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution display, which makes the Samsung look distinctly old hat.

The screen also manages the same 189ppi as the Note 8.0 matching clarity levels of the S Pen-toting device. The screen is not bad. Colours are good, it's very bright and the contrast is good enough to enjoy HD videos, but it just lacks the sharpness of the Nexus 7 2.



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Canon i-SENSYS MF-8280Cw Printer Review


What is the Canon i-SENSYS MF-8280Cw?


A colour office printer which can also provide colour copies, scans and faxes can be the cornerstone of a small to medium-size office. Canon’s i-SENSYS MF-8280Cw offers all these things and is definitely big.



Canon i-SENSYS MF-8280Cw - Design and Features


It's mainly white case, with a black insert around the output tray, only helps to reduce the apparent size slightly and a fairly chunky Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) on top doesn't help.

Below this, is a well laid out and substantial control panel, including a large, seven-line colour LCD display, large easy-to-use mode buttons, a numeric pad for fax dialling and special buttons for copy enlargement and to scan directly to two designated PCs.

Canon i-SENSYS MF8280Cw - Controls

Underneath the control panel to the right is a front panel USB socket, from which you can print documents and photos – though without the facility to display thumbnails – and scan to.


Perhaps the oddest thing about this multi-function device is its paper tray. A 150-sheet tray slides out from the bottom of the front panel. Yes, we did say 150-sheet; a lower capacity than several inkjet all-in-ones aimed at the SOHO market and costing a lot less than this device.


Take the Epson Workforce Pro WP-4025DW, which has a 250-sheet cassette and an 80-sheet rear tray as standard, with the option of a second 250-tray.

Canon i-SENSYS MF8280Cw - Tray

On the i-SENSYS MF-8280Cw there's a single-sheet feed slot for special media, such as envelopes, but no option to add a second tray to increase the overall capacity. If you intend to share this machine on even a small network, somebody is going to have to refill that tray very regularly.


The four combined drum and toner cartridges slide out together in a tray, once you’ve folded down the front panel, and are very easy to remove and replace. The bundled software includes Presto! Page Manager and Canon's own MP Toolbox. They work well together to provide document management and OCR from the scanner.



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Windows 8.1 will include Skype as default messaging service


Microsoft has confirmed that Skype will replace the default Messenger app when the Windows 8.1 update rolls out later this year.


Despite forking out $8.5 billion on Skype in 2010, Microsoft chose not to pre-install the app within the Windows 8 software, instead making users download it from the Windows Store.


Now, in a blog post published on Thursday, Microsoft has revealed Skype will be the go-to messaging option on both Intel and ARM-based Windows 8.1 devices, come October when the update drops.


Skype 'Right from the Start' as Microsoft says will form part of a bundle of Microsoft's own apps like Xbox Music, Sky Drive, Internet Explorer, Mail, Video, Games and Photos, making up the core experience.


"We believe that connecting and sharing should be a seamless part of every Windows experience. Over 300 million people today use Skype for the most personal connections in their lives, sharing those everyday moments big and small across messaging, audio and video calling. With Windows 8.1, Skype is included right from (the) Start, making your new Windows device the best way to stay close and connected."


The inclusion of Skype, albeit belatedly is no real surprise given Microsoft's expenditure and the way the company has phased out the once-beloved MSN messenger platform in favour of Skype.


Other Windows 8.1 improvements will be the much heralded return of the Start button and navigation system, improved SkyDrive integration, better personalisation options and more.


Via ZDNet



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Google blocks Microsoft's re-released YouTube app for Windows Phone

YouTube

YouTube for Windows Phone




The ongoing drama surrounding YouTube for Windows Phone has taken another twist with Google once again moving to block the app again.


Earlier this year Google asked Microsoft to remove the native YouTube app because it blocked advertisements and allowed video downloads, violating the terms of service.


Microsoft agreed to work with Google to resolve the issues and earlier this week the new app was released claiming to have answered Google's concerns.


However, just two days later, Google has once again registered its displeasure with Microsoft with reports suggesting the disagreement arising through Microsoft refusing to comply with Google's request for a HTML5-based app.


In an official statement, YouTube said: "We're committed to providing users and creators with a great and consistent YouTube experience across devices, and we've been working with Microsoft to build a fully featured YouTube for Windows Phone app, based on HTML5. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not made the browser upgrades necessary to enable a fully-featured YouTube experience, and has instead re-released a YouTube app that violates our Terms of Service."


In response, Microsoft has hit the roof, accusing Google's openness as having 'limits' and even claiming Google has 'made up' reasons to block the app.


In a blog post David Howard, Corporate Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Microsoft, wrote: "It seems to us that Google’s reasons for blocking our app are manufactured so that we can’t give our users the same experience Android and iPhone users are getting. The roadblocks Google has set up are impossible to overcome, and they know it.


"We think it’s clear that Google just doesn’t want Windows Phone users to have the same experience as Android and Apple users, and that their objections are nothing other than excuses. Nonetheless, we are committed to giving our users the experience they deserve, and are happy to work with Google to solve any legitimate concerns they may have. In the meantime, we once again request that Google stop blocking our YouTube app."


As it stands, YouTube has revoked access to the API so we're at an impasse once again.


Via Engadget



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PS4 Release Date: October 21 launch tipped by retailer

PS4 DualShock 4 Controller

The PS4 could hit retailers a month before the Xbox One




Sony’s PS4 release date could be held on October 21, up to a month before the Xbox One arrives, a retailer’s leaked stock listing system has suggested.


While Sony has to date only confirmed that the eagerly awaited PS4 release date will be held during the ‘2013 holiday season’, latest reports have claimed that the PS3 follow on could hit retailers up to a month before the Xbox One release date. Microsoft has revealed its next-gen gamer will launch in November.


Although we must stress that these slightly questionable PS4 release date rumours be taken with a considerable pinch of salt, they fit with further recent reports which have suggested Sony will beat Microsoft to market in the already tantalising battle of the next-gen consoles.


Watch our PS4 vs PS3 video as we go hands-on with Sony's next-gen console.


Speaking via the NeoGaf forums, an employee of an unnamed large electronics retailer in the US has suggested that October 21 will be the date wannabe PS4 owners will need to add to their diaries, claiming the pre-Halloween arrival will see the PS4 precede the Xbox One.


“Our internal product release schedule from head office dropped yesterday and on Oct 21st an unnamed Sony console will be launched,” the anonymous tipster wrote.


They added: “Fyi all console revisions like the ps360 slims and Wii Mini were listed as ps360 & wii mini. Previously the wiiu, 3ds and vita were also only listed as Nintendo/Sony Console in the product name column.”


Although the forum has obviously been unable to validate the accuracy of the claims, it is reported that a moderator has confirmed the tipster’s place of work.


It is widely expected that the PS4 release date will be formally announced during Sony’s Gamescom press conference in Cologne, Germany next week.


Despite the PS4 being on the horizon, Sony has revealed there are currently no plans to introduce a PS3 price cut to make the aging console a more tempting option.


"There's no plans as yet," Fergal Gara, Managing Direction for SCEE UK said in a recent interview discussing the possibility of a PS3 price cut. "The PlayStation 3 is a system where it hasn't been particularly easy to get the costs down.”


He added: "It will certainly be a more keenly priced machine in relative to PlayStation 4. It will sit there as a viable entry level machine for years to come. It will be different by territory as to how long its life is. There's still a lot of love for PS3."


Read More: PS4 vs Xbox One



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Yahoo launches updated weather Android app

Yahoo! Weather Android app

Yahoo! Weather Android app




Yahoo has launched a new Yahoo Weather app that it claims will make checking the forecast an absolute joy.


The new Yahoo Weather Android app introduces a more beautiful way to check the weather than any other app, or so claims Yahoo.


“Checking the weather should be beautiful, intuitive and personalised, no matter where you are or what device you’re using,” said Marco Wirasinghe, Director of Mobile Products at Yahoo. “That’s why we’re excited to share that today, we’re releasing a brand new Yahoo! Weather Android app for users worldwide.”


Available to use as an Android widget on the home screen, the Yahoo Weather app previously only displayed a four day forecast. This has now been expanded to 5 or 10 days as well as a 24 hour weather prediction.


“The new Yahoo! Weather Android app showcases the new beautiful design you’ve been waiting for. We’ve bought gorgeous Flickr photos of locations by weather and by time of day to the front of our experience.”


The Android app update also brings with it information on precipitation, wind and pressure and moonphases, UV patterns on an interactive map. There are sunrise and sunset times for the romantics too.


City suggestions can be pulled from friends and the user’s listed interest as well, if they decide to sign in via Yahoo.


The Yahoo Weather Android app is available to download now from the Google Play store, for smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One.



Next, read our pick of the best Android phones of 2013.



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GTA Online release date confirmed for October 1, two weeks after GTA 5 launch


With the GTA Online gameplay trailer having been formally unveiled earlier today, publisher Rockstar has confirmed the multiplayer platform will not launch until two weeks after the formal release of GTA 5.


With the GTA 5 release date having already been pushed back from its original spring 2013 billing to September 17, Rockstar has now revealed that eager gamers looking to make use of the Grand Theft Auto Online experience will not be able to do so until October 1.


Grand Theft Auto Online will enable 16 person multiplayer gaming action from the virtual streets of Los Santos and will let games fully customise their online characters. Access to GTA Online will come free with each copy of the eagerly awaited GTA 5 game.


Playing down the two week delay between the GTA 5 release date and the launch of Grand Theft Auto online, Rockstar has claimed these unusual launch timings are completely intentional and by no means the results of further schedule slips on a development front.


Speaking with CVG, Leslie Benzies, President of Rockstar North stated that the two week period between the GTA releases is become the game and the online platform are “a different entity, a separate thing.”


Discussing the reasoning he stated: "It'll be GTA Online; it's not part of GTA 5. Obviously it's set in the GTA 5 engine, but it's going to grow and evolve into its own thing."


He added: "Initially, you'll be able to create races and deathmatches, which are probably the simplest. And then, over time, when we feel comfortable that people are ready to get the new creators, they will be released. So it'll be a trickle, but it'll be a constant release of new creators and new content. We don't want to overdo it. It's a complex system.”


Seemingly to give further excuses for what seems to be a simple delay, he went on to add: "That's another reason for the two week delay between single-player and Online. We want to give people an opportunity to actually get their heads around what's happened, because even single-player is a big advancement from the old games. There's a lot of new things to learn."


Read More: Best Games 2013



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TomTom GO 6000 Sat Nav Review


What is the TomTom GO 6000?


The GO 6000 is TomTom's new flagship sat-nav. Like the TomTom GO 500 review from last month, it incorporates a radical new interface that is nothing like previous generations. The streamlining has meant the omission of quite a few features in the name of reduced clutter and improved usability, but the GO 6000 has a few aces up its sleeves to compensate.

TomTom GO 6000


TomTom GO 6000: Features


It's clear that standalone sat-nav manufacturers are feeling the pressure from increasingly capable smartphones, with Mio even refocusing its attention towards alternative GPS-enabled devices like the Mio MiVue 388 Drive Recorder we reviewed recently and fitness products. The GO 6000 presents a two-pronged defence. Not only does it offer a 6-inch touch screen, even larger than the 5-inch displays that have become the norm, and beyond any pocket-friendly smartphone, it also provides TomTom's excellent Traffic service for the lifetime of the device.

Unlike the GO 500, however, the GO 6000 also includes built-in wireless data, so you don't need to partner it with a smartphone and feed off the latter's data plan to provide this information. Other than the built-in data, however, the GO 6000 is very similar to the GO 500. It comes with maps for 45 European countries, for which lifetime updates are also included, so you will never have to pay for a new map.


One thing that isn't included for the life of the product is speed camera locations, however. You get a three-month trial of service, and then have to fork out £19.99 a year. This is still less than the TomTom LIVE Services used to cost annually, though, and the warnings won't stop working if your subscription lapses. You just won't be informed of any new fixed or mobile camera placements.


TomTom GO 6000


TomTom GO 6000: Design


The GO 6000 looks quite different to the previous generation. Where models like the GO LIVE 1005 were rather rectangular, the GO 6000 returns to the slightly more curvilinear styling of the GO 750 and before, albeit with a simpler, less fussy appearance. The windscreen mount has had a less radical improvement. It still uses magnetism to keep the sat-nav in place, but the contacts are now fixed.

The power cable now uses a micro USB connection to attach to the mount, and the sat-nav itself incorporates the same connection. So if your cable goes missing or you need power from elsewhere, the cable from many mobile phones will suffice. The car power adapter is also separate from the cable, using regular USB for attachment, so you won't need a separate cable for updating the firmware or maps on the device.


The new look signals an even more radical change when you turn the device on. TomTom has been perfecting an icon-driven interface ever since we have been reviewing the company's products, although the previous generation rationalised this quite effectively.


The menu is so different with the GO 6000 and 500 that you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a product from an entirely new manufacturer. It takes a little while to get used to the fact that you use an icon rather than a tap anywhere on the screen to call up the menu, but after that it's extremely intuitive.



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