HTC One M9 Plus pictures tease improved flagship phone


by |


Share:


HTC One M9 Plus leak



The HTC One M9 might only have launched this week but it already looks set to be superseded by an improved offering, the HTC One M9 Plus.


Having been the subject of multiple recent leaks, the One M9 Plus has now been caught on camera as a fingerprint scanner incorporating big brother to the newly unveiled M9.


Tipped to feature a larger display than its 5-inch sibling, the One M9 Plus has been shown (via Weibo) to host a physical home button. Like the Galaxy S6, this physical control will reportedly incorporate a biometric sensor.


While its naming suffix would hint at an oversized handset, the Plus will reportedly line up at just 5.2-inches in size.


Improved specs, more than size, look to be the focus of the Plus’s advancements, however.


According to repeated leaks, the M9 Plus will adopt a 2560 x 1440 pixel QHD display, an omission from the standard M9.


On top of this, a larger camera sensor looks set to feature alongside a 2.0GHzocta-core MediaTek processor. The M9 runs Qualcomm’s 64-bit Snapdragon 810 chip.


Related: HTC One M9 vs Samsung Galaxy S6


Specs differences aside, the M9 Plus looks set to adopt a design markedly similar to that of the original M9. Both handsets have been shown with sleek, curved backed, metal finishes.


At present it is currently unclear when the HTC One M9 will be introduced and if the handset will be available in the same markets as its sibling.




readmore »»  

Best Spiralizer UK: Six spiralizers reviewed


Spiralizers are the hot trend in food prep. Calorie counters, 5:2 dieters, carb dodgers and even celebrity chefs like the Hemsley sisters all love to spiralize. Our Best Spiralizer Round-up reviews the most popular spiralizers on the market, explains how they work and why they’re worth considering.


What is a spiralizer?


Spiralizers turn your five-a-day into improbably long noodles at the turn of a handle – like a julienne peeler that keeps on giving.

You can use a spiralizer to make attractive salads, slice radish for sushi, or most likely replace noodles and spaghetti with low-carb alternatives.


The most popular veg to get the spiralizer treatment is the courgette – which is transformed into "zoodles" (zucchini noodles). Leave the skin on for extra nutrients, or peel first for paler zoodles that look more like the real thing.


The long, pale ribbons can be served up raw or sautéd. Once covered in bolognaise sauce or dropped into a soup, they're easily mistaken for pasta.


Other popular spiralized veg include beetroot, carrots, sweet potatoes and cucumbers. With the right spiralizer you can turn an entire cucumber into one long spiral that could probably reach to the end of the street – a great trick for getting children to eat more salad. You can also spiralize hard fruits such as apples.



Related:
Best Kitchen Gadgets Round-up


Spiralizers are affordable, as kitchen gadgets go. So the only downside is that they take up cupboard or counter space. If you're low on storage, look for a small one… If you get the spiralizing bug you can always invest in a big one later.


How do they work?


Most spiralizers put your vegetable on an axis and then you turn a handle to spin the veg and push it towards the cutting blade. The machine has a very sharp blade (fingertips be warned) and then, depending on what size spirals you require, a set of little sharp teeth just before the blade that cut the veg into strips.

Another thing to look for is what size strips the spiralizer cuts. Some basic ones can only cut small veggies into a single thickness of spirals, but the best spiralizers come with several options, from thin noodles to wide spiral strips.


Also most spiralizers leave a “chef’s bonus”: a long, thin core from the centre of the veg that doesn’t get cut. Much as it’s nice to nibble these as you cook, it’s worth looking for a machine that spiralizes as much of the veg as possible – with thin vegetables like carrots, a wide core going uncut feels like a waste.


Convinced? Click the Next arrow to start our list, or select from the list below.


TrustedReviews Recommended Spiralizers


Lurch Spiralizer Atilla Hildmann Edition – £37.90

Our top-rated spiralizer is decent value and cuts beautifully fine 1.5mm noodles while leaving a very small 0.5mm diameter core.

GEFU Spiralfix Spiral Cutter – £39.95

This excellent spiralizer is the most compact one we’ve tested, making it a great option if you’re tight on cupboard and kitchen counter space.



Hemsley & Hemsley Spiralizer – £29.95


An effective, and slightly cheaper option – we liked how steady it remains while spiralizing your veg. It won’t move around on you.


Worth Considering


Benriner Japanese Turning Slicer (No5) – £89


An outstanding spiralizer in most respects, and it’s used in YO! Sushi restaurants around the world – it has a fine pedigree. It's rather expensive, but if you want the finest, slimmest veggie noodles possible, take a look.



Microplane Spiral Cutter – £10



This is a somewhat limited spiralizer, but it's also very cheap. It's worth considering if you just want to try the idea out, but you'll want to upgrade if you want to do it often.

Related: 5 Best Slow Cookers You Can Buy


One to Avoid


Lurch Spiralo Spiralizer – £20

Costs as much as other models, but a pain to use. This model is best avoided.

readmore »»  

Sony Xperia Z4 could omit microSD expansion


by |


Share:


Sony Xperia Z4 leak



The Sony Xperia Z4 will echo the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 and launch without microSD expansion, latest reports have suggested.


Having failed to make an appearance at MWC 2015 last week, the Xperia Z4 has since been the subject of multiple leaks, with latest insight claiming users will have to make do with limited internal storage.


As with both of its aforementioned rivals, it appears the Z4 will sacrifice microSD expansion in order to adopt a slimmer, unibody design.


Based on teased images seen by PhoneArena, it appears that the Z4 will line up a full 1mm slimmer than its predecessor, the Sony Xperia Z3, with a 6.3mm thick form.


Despite ditching expandable memory, at present it is unclear what internal storage options Sony will bestow its next flagship phone with.


Early this week we saw the Galaxy S6 trade in microSD expansion in favour of launching in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB guises.


Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 release date


Further specs expected to be bestowed on the Z4 include Qualcomm’s 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor, a new 20-megapixel, OIS-enhanced primary camera and a 5.2-inch QHD display.


What’s more, it is expected the handset will echo the recently unveiled Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet and Xperia M4 Aqua in boasting waterproof abilities without the need for USB port coverings.


The Xperia Z4 release date is still shrouded in much mystery, but Sony has told us to expect the handset to land well before September.




readmore »»  

Sony Xperia Z4 release date, rumours, news, specs and price


Everything you need to know about the Sony Xperia Z4


MWC 2015 has come to pass without sight nor sound of the Sony Xperia Z4, sparking a new round of questioning as to when the eagerly awaited handset will be introduced.Expected to be a one of the standard-setting flagships of this year's smartphone race, the Sony Xperia Z4 will go head-to-head with the newly introduced Samsung Galaxy S6 and HTC One M9 for smartphone supremacy.Although the Xperia Z3 might still be a relatively fresh addition to shop stock-rooms, Sony's frankly ridiculous habit of launching updated flagship phones every six months means the Z4 release date could be with us in the very near future. Sony has even promised the phone will hit retailers before September.

While we might not have seen the Z4 smartphone at MWC, its tablet sibling has launched under the moniker of the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet. It offers no indication as to what specs the phone will have, but has ended all speculation as to what the company's next flagship phone will be called.


Adding further fuel to the imminent release fire, a flurry of Xperia Z4 rumours have already started to flow, with the damaging Sony hack even seeing renders of the device preaturely do the rounds online.


Advanced images aside, having overlooked the move to a QHD display with the Z3, it now appears Sony will echo the likes of the LG G3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in adopting the 2K technology.


Further headline features tipped to make an appearance include Qualcomm's 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor, the new IMX230 camera sensor and Google's Android 5.0 Lollipop OS. All things considered, the Xperia Z4 is shaping up to be a true powerhouse of the smartphone space.


It needs to be, too. Sony recently announced loses of £1 billion on its smartphone efforts, a figure which has cost former Sony Mobile CEO Kunimasa Suzuki his job.


We will continue to update this page with all the latest Sony Xperia Z4 release date details, news, leaks and rumours as details emerge. Bookmark it now to keep on top of all things Xperia Z4.


Sony Xperia Z3


Sony Xperia Z4 Release Date


As you might expect - given the Z3's relatively recent arrival - Sony is remaining tight-lipped as to exactly when the Xperia Z4 release date will be held. That doesn’t mean we don’t have some idea of when to expect the iPhone 6 rival though.

Sony’s desire to push new phones out before current models have had chance to fully hit their stride means we can probably expect the Xperia Z4 to land in the first half of the year.


Teasing an early 2015 release recently, Calum MacDougall, Sony’s director of Xperia Marketing told TrustedReviews: “The replacement ratio [on our flagship phones] is about six months.”


With the Z3 having touched down in September, this suggests the Z4 is heading for a March or April unveiling.


Xperia Z3


Further hinting that we could see it's next flagship phone soon, Sony has also informed TrustedReviews that although the handset might be a little later than last year's model, it will be with us well before September rolls around.


“Z4 is the next-generation of product that we’ll be announcing,” Tim Harrison, Sony’s Vice President of Global Communications and PR, told us recently.


Although failing to confirm exactly when the phone will be introduced, he told us to expect the Xperia Z4 to drop sooner rather than later.


“No, we haven’t [moved to a more traditional 12 month product cycle],” he told us.


“As a general rule you will see some adjustment to the way we phase our products."


An imminent arrival is lent further credence by the fact that it seems both Japan's wireless certification board and the USA's FCC have given the handset the thumbs-up for local retail.


Far more telling, perhaps, is that the Japanese company has confirmed its new smartphone camera sensor will take its first bow on a consumer device in April.


With the Z4 expected to be the first handset to offer these impressive imaging abilities, this April release appears to hint at a new flagship phone being inbound.


Although having pushed its premature refreshes in the past, the Z4 could be Sony’s last attempt at a six month smartphone cycle.


Discussing the company’s rushed updates recently, MacDougall stated: “This might not necessarily be something we continue in the long term, but for now, in the beginning of the Z series, we believe we can bring experiences which are fresh and new and relevant, and justify for the consumer buying a new product.”


Read More: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Release Date, Rumours, News, Specs and Price


Sony Xperia Z4


Sony Xperia Z4 News


Sony needs its next smartphone to be a consumer hit. The Z3 gained critical acclaim but that didn't stop Sony Mobile haemorrhaging money in 2014.

Recent financial earnings reports have seen the manufacturer forced to revise its smartphone sales forecast. Having previously predicted it would shift 43 million devices during the year, this figure has since been slashed to just 41m. Sony has claimed this drop is due to lack of presence in markets such as the US and China.


With Kunimasa Suzuki having lost his job, former VP Hiroki Totoki has been promoted to head honcho.


Adding to the company's woes, the first Xperia Z4 images were leaked via the Sony hack.


Bizarrely, the shots were stolen from the design labs, but emailed between two high-level execs trying to hash out a product placement deal in the upcoming James Bond film, Spectre.


“Sony Mobile has now provided us with the needed visuals of the new Z4 phones,” Sony’s Executive Vice President of Consumer Marketing, George Leon, stated in the leaked emails.


In the messages sent to Sony CEO Michael Lynton he added: “These phones are the planned phones for May/November of 2015. I’m attaching the visual for you to see.”


Although offering no details on the phone's specs, the leaked images have suggested the handset will pair a minimalist bezel with a 1.2mm glass boarder.


According to the leaks, the Z4 - which will look markedly similar to its predecessors - will be joined by a secondary, spin-off handset later in the year. It is expected this device, which will feature a slightly remodelled design, will act as a direct tie-in to the upcoming Bond flick.


Sony Xperia Z4


These aren't the only Z4 leaks to offer an early look at the phone, either.


A claimed shot of the phone's front panel (below) has shown a handset markedly similar to the franchise's former offerings.


On a more positive note, the Sony Xperia Z4 is widely believed to be heading down the QHD route, with a 5-inch-plus 2K panel tipped for inclusion. Such an addition would see a stunning 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution bestowed on the phone.


Although a QHD panel would see Sony keep pace with latest industry trends, it goes against recent comments made by the company. Addressing TrustedReviews, MacDougall said the Z3 overlooked a 2K panel as, not only would it have a negative effect on battery life, but the visual benefits are not there.


“If we think of this size of screen, even up to 8-inches, they are relatively small screens and it is very difficult for the human eye to discern the difference between 2K and Full HD,” the Xperia head told us.




He added: “If we believe that a key part of the user experience for consumers is to have a longer term battery, and if we believe we can deliver a great screen with Full HD and our Sony technologies, we don’t believe the trade-off between having a 2K screen and battery consumption is the right trade-off for a consumer.”


Sony Xperia Z4 front panel


With the Galaxy S6 having now adopted a QHD panel of its own, it appears Sony has been forced into the move by the competition.


While a QHD panel is all but confirmed, questions still surround exactly what size the phone will be. While it has been widely reported that the Z4 will move to either a 5.4- or 5.5-inch form factor, further leaks have also suggested the handset could retain the Z3's 5.2-inch base. At this stage we remain uncertain exactly where the Z4 will fall on teh size scale.


With the phone's visuals being boosted, it is also believed the Z4's imaging abilities will be dramatically updated.


In mid-November, Sony officially announced the Exmor RS IMX230 imaging sensor. This smartphone-bound camera addition is a 21-megapixel sensor which offers enhanced colour management over past models.


The first CMOS sensor to be built for smartphones, this sensor should take mobile imaging closer to DSLR quality shots for the first time. 192-point auto-focus detection is also on the cards alongside built-in image plane phase detection.


Further reports have suggested the Z4's camera will benefit from optical-image-stabilisation.


There's also talk of a Sony Xperia Z4 Walkman edition being in the works. The music-focused variant would boast a trimmed-down 4-inch display, but rock S-Force Pro front-firing speakers paired with Sony's S-Master digital amplifier.


Read More: iPhone 6S Release Date, Rumours, News, Specs and Price


Lollipop


Sony Xperia Z4 Rumours


Android is all but certain to be the OS of choice for the Z4. Sony’s is heavily reliant on the Google platform and with Android 5.0 Lollipop having just been announced, it appears the Z4 will be licking Google’s Lollipop direct from the box.

Although Sony has shed no light on its future phones, with all existing ‘Z’ brand smartphones and tablets confirmed to be getting an Android 5.0 update, it is unlikely the Z4 wouldn't follow a similar trend.


Unlike Samsung, Sony looks set to continue its relationship with Qualcomm for the Z4's processor.


Having leaked with the new 1.56GHz octa-core Snapdragon 810 chip at its heart, the Z4 won't be lacking in power.


In a recent trip to Qualcomm's headquarters in San Diego we put the Snapdragon 810 through its paces and were hugely impressed with the results.


In the popular AnTuTu benchmark tests, the Snapdragon 810 scored a record-breaking 61,499, up massively on the 42,334 scored by the Xperia Z3's Snapdragon 801 chip.


Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 AnTuTu results


Further Z4 rumours to be doing the rounds surround the phone’s design.


With the company’s flagship phone line having featured largely unchanged boxey designs in recent years, it is expected the Z4 will follow suit. Given the Z3’s streamlined improvements and the current market trends, it is possible the Z4 will look to shave further precious millimeters of the phone's already svelte 7.3mm form factor.


Like Sony's past smartphone efforts, the Z4 is again tipped to add waterproof credentials to its premium, glass-backed design.


Hopefully unlike past Xperia offerings the Z4 will not be plagued by overheating issues when shooting 4K video. Having rendered the Z2's feature all but useless, Sony made minor improvements on this front with the Z3 but there is still room for improvement.


Read More: LG G4 Release Date, Rumours, News, Specs and Price


Qualcomm Snapdragon


Sony Xperia Z4 Specs


The Sony Xperia Z4 specs sheet could see the handset line up as a market-leading device.

Offering a detailed insight into what the phone has to offer, anonymous tipsters have already leaked the phone’s full specs sheet well ahead of launch. Relayed through GSM Arena, the insiders have revealed the Z4’s 5.5-inch QHD display will be paired with a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor.


This high-power component is expected to line up alongside a massive 4GB of RAM and a new base storage option of 32GB – expandable via microSD.


One area where the Z4 doesn’t look to be getting a specs boost is on the camera front. The Z3’s 20.7-megapixel snapper looks set to live on, although the Z4 could introduce a new lens.


Further Sony Xperia Z4 specs tipped to feature include Bluetooth 4.1 and Cat 6 LTE connectivity options, the latter of which is capable of handling theoretical download speeds of 300Mbps.


With a specs sheet like this, the Z4 would leave the Nexus 6 and OnePlus One in its wake.


Sony Xperia Z3


Sony Xperia Z4 Price


Given the phone’s array of high-end components, don’t expect the Xperia Z4 to be easy on your wallet. The Z3 has just launched with a £525 SIM-free price tag and we don’t expect the Z4 will be any cheaper. In fact, given the addition of a QHD panel and other premium additions

With the iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 both already costing wannabe owners northwards of £600, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Z4 edge closer to this more costly milestone.


What would you like to see included on the Sony Xperia Z4? Share your thoughts via the comments section below.



readmore »»  

Phishing: 60 compromised businesses behind half of UK attacks


by |


Share:


Cybersecurity



The UK National Crime Agency has revealed just 60 businesses across the country could be inadvertently responsible for half of British phishing attacks.


These companies aren’t strictly responsible for the attacks; instead, third-party hackers compromise the businesses’ servers and propagate attacks by proxy.


The details come as part of a report (via TheNextWeb) on 57 new phishing arrests in what the agency called ‘strike week’.


A total 60 companies were visited across the nation, with 5,531 compromises discovered on the servers.


These servers were found to have been used for sending spam e-mail, as well as various other attacks and phishing scams.


The arrests made specifically related to phishing, network intrusion, data theft, distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, cyber-enabled fraud, and malicious software and virus development.


Related: 23 essential Android apps


Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, the National Policing Lead for Cybercrime, commented: “Cybercrime is not victimless. A high-end cyber-attack against financial institutions could have a far-reaching impact on our economy.”


“Small and medium sized businesses can be bankrupted by a cyber-attack with owners and staff losing their jobs. You could be seriously affected by the publication of your personal information.”


One 21-year-old man was involved in a 2012 attack that saw the perpetrator nab some 400,000 e-mails and passwords from Yahoo.


A 23-year-old man was also arrested after being suspected of breaking into the US Department of Defence’s global comms systems last summer.


Andy Archibald, Deputy Director of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, said: “These arrests around the country this week are a result of the essential partnership activity with law enforcement, industry and government that is at the heart of fighting cybercrime.”




readmore »»  

Samsung Galaxy S6 Release Date, Rumours, News, Specs and Price


Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S6


After countless leaks, endless rumours and much fanfare, the Samsung Galaxy S6 has now been officially unveiled, with the eagerly awaited handset shaping up as a true powerhouse of the smartphone space.


Set to be one of the major talking points on the 2015 tech calendar, the Galaxy S6 release date has been confirmed as April 10 at the device's MWC 2015 launch event. That means there are just weeks left to get saving the pennies for this smartphone monster.

Announced just hours after HTC took the lid off its own flagship, the HTC One M9, which also beats the Galaxy S6 to the shelves with a March 31 release date, the S6 was forced to share the launch stage with an innovative sibling, the Galaxy S6 Edge.


Both devices feature impressive specs sheets with 64-bit, octa-core Exynos 7420 processors lining up alongside 16-megapixel, OIS-enhanced rear-mounted cameras and 5.1-inch, 2K displays. The only major difference is that the Edge's panel, as its name suggests, has been curved down over both the phone's left and right hand edges.


If you're after more in-depth analysis of the phones, why not read our hands-on Samsung Galaxy S6 review and our first look Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review.


Although Samsung has confirmed the full Galaxy S6 specs sheet and launch plans, there are still a few missing details. The biggest of these is how much the handset will set you back.



We will continue to update this page with all the latest on the Galaxy S6, including formalised pricing, the best deals and how you can get the most out of the device. Bookmark it now to keep on top of all things S6.


Watch our Galaxy S6 hands-on video


...and now watch our Galaxy S6 Edge hands-on video



Samsung Galaxy S6 Release Date: When and where can I buy one?


Samsung has confirmed the Galaxy S6 release date, and you're not going to have to wait long to get your mitts on the device. The S6 will hit UK retailers on April 10. That's a couple of weeks later than early rumours had suggested, and over a week after the release date of one of its biggest rivals, the HTC One M9.

It's still, not long to wait for a shiny new S6, however, and you will have plenty of purchasing options once the handset lands.


With five Samsung Galaxy S6 colours to be available at launch - 'White Pearl’, ‘Black Sapphire’, ‘Gold Platinum’, 'Blue Topaz' and ‘Green Emerald’ - the handset will also be offered in three storage options, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. This Apple-esque approach has been forced upon Samsung by the phone's lack of microSD expansion.


Ensuring this 15 strong combination of phones is readily available from day one, a number of UK networks and retailers have already confirmed plans to stock the device. Among the early adopters will be Three, EE and O2. A full list of where to buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 can be found by following the link.


While this early April release could see the S6 land within weeks, or even days, of many MWC unveiled devices, Samsung has little to fear from mid-market wannabes. What could trouble the Korean manufacturer, however, is that there is another major tech launch expected for the early part of April - namely the Apple Watch release date.


If the Apple Watch was to land during the same week as the S6, the publicity heaped on Apple's first wearable would be sure to detract from the phone's introduction to market. We will soon know if this is to be the case, with Apple holding an Apple Watch launch event next Monday, March 9.


Of course the S6 release date was only part of the phone's big reveal. You want to know what the phone's like, right? Here goes...


Related: Galaxy S6 vs S6 Edge – What's different?




Samsung Galaxy S6 Design: What does it look like?


Although echoing a number of design traits from the existing Galaxy S5, the Galaxy S6 is a handset with slimmer edges and more rounded corners. It also pairs these new metal edges with a Gorilla Glass rear.

Lining up at just 6.8mm thick and 138g in weight, the S6 is undoubtedly a good looking phone. This could be down to how similar the device looks to the iPhone 6, however. With its soft curves and metal framing, it appears the S6 has taken more than a bit of 'inspiration' from Apple's leading handset.


While a premium looking phone, there are still some trademark licks of Samsung on this phone. By which we mean at times it can look a bit cheap and tacky. The S6's colour schemes are garish at best. The phone's highly reflective rear cheapens its overall look and is prone to smudges and fingerprints.




Above we see one side of the new Galaxy S6, which has a curved edge made of metal. Look closely and you can see the bevelled edge that's reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha and, of course, the iPhone.


Galaxy S6 leak

This next photo shows the bottom edge and you can more clearly see the rounded-edge design.




This next shot shows the two different versions, the S6 and S6 Edge, side by side.


Other design points of note on the S6 include its protruding rear camera and enlarged physical home button which plans host to a newly improved fingerprint scanner. This second-generation sensor more closely resembles Apple's TouchID feature, with finger swipes replaced by simple presses.


Related: Galaxy S6 vs HTC One M9


S6 edge


Samsung Galaxy S6 Price: How much does it cost?


While the Samsung Galaxy S6 price is not expected to be announced until just days before the phone lines up on retailers' shelves, early leaks have suggested the handset won't come cheap.

According to recent leaks, surfaced via AndroidPit, the 32GB S6 will set wannabe owners back €749 (£565), while the 64GB and 128GB versions will reportedly cost €849 (£640) and €949 (£715) respectively.


These premium prices are unsurprising. At launch the Samsung Galaxy S5 cost £579 on a SIM-free basis. As such, we can’t see the Samsung Galaxy S6 price starting off much lower than the £600 mark.


Related: iPhone 6S release date, rumours, news, specs and price




Samsung Galaxy S6 Screen: What resolution is it?


Ever since Samsung's Korean rival, LG, bestowed a 2560 x 1440 QHD (2K) display upon the LG G3, it's been suggested the S6 will follow suit. Sure enough, the Galaxy S6 has a 5.1-inch QHD screen, which results in an eye-searing 577ppi (pixels per inch) pixel density. Sharp, in other words.

The Galaxy S6 screen is AMOLED, as expected. Almost all Samsung's top-end phones use AMOLED, so it would have been a huge departure for the company to switch back to LCD.


Then there's the Galaxy S6 Edge, which has a curved screen on both sides rather than just one side as on the Galaxy Note Edge. Take a look at the leaked photo above for an idea of what it looks like.


Samsung's screens are a traditional strong point, so expect the Galaxy S6's screen to be a stunner.


Related: LG G4 release date, rumours, news, specs and price




Samsung Galaxy S6 News: What else do I need to know?


Ahead of the phone's official launch, Samsung released a number of Galaxy S6 teaser videos. As well as giving the first official look at its forthcoming phone, these videos offered hints at what the S6 might have in store. Here's what it all meant and some of the things we found out at the launch...

Samsung Pay contactless payments
With Apple Pay already out there and growing, Samsung has responded by purchasing an established name in contactless payments, LoopPay, and announcing its own Samsung Pay.


LoopPay claims to be available at a much larger proportion of US-based retailers, up to 95 per cent. Read our What is LoopPay? guide for more on the company and its technology.


The Galaxy S6 has a non-removable rear and wireless charging

The Samsung Galaxy S6 features a non-removeable back panel that houses a 2,550mAh Lithium-Ion battery capable of wireless charging, while the S6 Edge battery is 2,600mAh.


"With our upcoming Galaxy smartphones, users will be able to enter a new wireless world like never before," a Samsung spokesperson stated in a recent blog post.


And if you're worried about that battery being down a little on the Galaxy S5's 2,800mAh cell, fear not – improved quick charge options mean the S6 can be pumped up to full power 150 per cent faster than its predecessor.


Sadder news is that, of course, the non-removable back means there's no microSD slot for expanding storage.


Related: Galaxy Note 5 release date, rumours, news, specs and price



The Galaxy S6 was codenamed "Project Zero" because it's a fresh start

Design is just one of a number of big changes that the leading smartphone manufacturer has bestowed upon the Galaxy S6.


With the Galaxy S6 reportedly pieced together inside Samsung HQ under the codename "Project Zero", it's the most comprehensive update yet to the company's flagship phone line.


According to reports by SamMobile, unnamed insiders have stated: "Samsung is developing its next-generation flagship device from scratch, with an entirely new vision."


They added: "Project Zero is an indication that Samsung is trying to achieve something unique and different with the Galaxy S6."



TouchWiz is a touch less bloated


Samsung's been tinkering with more than just the hardware. It's no surprise that the Galaxy S6 is running the Android 5.0 Lollipop OS, but what is refreshing is the look of Samsung's heavily reworked TouchWiz UI.


TouchWiz has been much criticised for its bloatware and heavy-handedness, and Samsung seems to have listened to the feedback. The company's latest Android skin looks far sleeker and stripped of unnecessary bloatware. About time, too.



There will be a GearVR headset for the S6


Virtual reality fans rejoice, there will be a version of the GearVR released for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Simply slot your S6 into the headset and enjoy the wonders of VR, with that 5.1-inch QHD screen becoming the window upon a virtual reality.


SEE ALSO: Samsung Gear VR review




Samsung Galaxy S6 Specs: What processor does it use?


The Galaxy S6 specs have been a hot topic of discussion, because Samsung isn't using a Qualcomm processor at all this time around. Here's what we've heard so far.

The Galaxy S6 specs won't include the Snapdragon 810

Unlike many of its rivals, the S6 has sidestepped the jump to Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 810 processor. Instead, Samsung will forge its own path with the introduction of a new own-brand chip.


Although neither party had officially confirmed the move, Qualcomm execs recently teased the switch in an earnings call. Lowering its annual profits forecast, the chipset maker revealed “expectations that our Snapdragon 810 processor will not be in the upcoming design cycle of a large customer’s flagship device.”


The Galaxy S6 instead has a 64-bit, octa-core Exynos 7420 chipset. This chip pairs a 2.1GHz quac-core cluster with a 1.5GHz quad-core set, backed up by 3GB of DDR4 RAM.


Related: HTC One M9 hands-on


Samsung's chip is a new 14nm SoC

The move to a bespoke chip could be a shrewd one, as it seems Samsung has progressed its chip design. According to the manufacturer, its 14nm processor features a 20 per cent performance boost over traditional 20nm chips. What's more, power consumption is said to be 35 per cent less than its rivals.


According to leaks, the Exynos 7420 and Snapdragon 810 are set to be closely matched. In a recent AnTuTu benchmark test, the Snapdragon 810 racked up a record-breaking score of 61,499 compared with the leaked Exynos 7420's score of 60,978.


We'll get the Exynos benchmarked as soon as we can, and get back to you.


Camera improvements

The Galaxy S6 has had an imaging overhaul, with a 16-megapixel, OIS-enhanced primary camera combining with a 5-megapixel snapper up front. Both are claimed to offer improved low-light shooting over the S5's cameras.


Stay tuned to TrustedReviews for all the latest on the Galaxy S6.



readmore »»  

SMS Audio BioSport Headphone Review


What are the SMS Audio BioSport?


The SMS Audio BioSport are smart in-ear sports headphones that track your heart rate without a chest strap or wrist-based monitor.

You’ll still need your smartphone to make them work and unfortunately they're not wireless like the excellent heart-rate-tracking Jabra Pulse Wireless. The BioSports are cheaper, though, and don’t need to be charged to track the extra layer of biometric data, as they draw power from your phone.


Priced at £129, you still have to spend big, and from our time sweating it out in the gym and braving the cold, we aren’t convinced you should part with your money for them.


SEE ALSO: Best Activity Trackers Round-up



SMS Audio BioSport – Design, Features and Comfort


The BioSports aren't as bright and brash as some of the sports headphones we’ve tried, but they do come in three different colour options, which run from the earbuds through to the headphone cord. They’ve also been slapped with an IPX4 certification, which means they're sweat and water resistant to hold up in the rain or from a tough workout. Just don’t go swimming with them or throw them in the wash.

The flat, tangle-free headphone cord is similar to the cord on Monster’s iSport headphones, making them easy to chuck into the bottom of your bag without worrying about unravelling them. It’s a long cord as well, so you’ve got plenty to play with if you want to thread them underneath a gym shirt.


At first glance, the earbuds look quite big, which immediately rings the alarm bells about whether they're going to sit securely. There’s three sets of silicone tips that sit over the buds with springy, crescent-shaped ear hooks that tuck inside your ear. These hooks need to stay in place, as they're key to activating the heart-rate tracking.


The technology used to deliver the heart-rate data to your smartphone is similar to that seen in the Jabra Pulse Wireless. This involves packing optical light sensors into the earbuds that can detect pulse and oxygen levels from the blood vessels inside your ear. This can then relay heart-rate data to indicate the intensity of your workouts.



When you move further down the cord, you’ll find the inline remote control with a switch that lets you move between heart-rate tracking and phone mode when you want to take calls. There’s some basic music playback features here as well, such as pausing and skipping tracks. Disappointingly, there’s no volume control, so you’ll need to reach for your phone to crank things up or down.


The BioSports have one last trick up their sleeve and that’s the gold-plated 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s special because it draws the power needed for the heart-rate tracking and means it’ll go the distance as long as your phone is battery'd up.


The BioSports are light, but there’s a big problem with the fit. Switching between the three sets of tips included, it really was a struggle to find an option that felt like they weren’t going to move out of place. If you're wearing them in the gym over a shirt, it’s generally not a problem. As soon as you try to feed the cable under a shirt or a rainproof jacket when you're running outside, it’s more of an issue.


On countless occasions we were left fiddling with them to make sure they stay put. At one point, it was so frustrating that we took them out and continued running without them. Monster and Yurbuds offer better solutions and it’s disappointing that these fail one of the first basic tests for a pair of sports headphones.



SMS Audio BioSport – Performance and Sound Quality


Another problem is that the BioSports' heart-rate data can only be fed through the RunKeeper app. In the box you’ll get a free month of the Elite version, which gives you lifetime reports, advanced stats and the ability to live broadcast runs, among other things. The in-ears are only compatible with iPhones from the 4S up and running iOS 7 or later, plus the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S4, S5, Google Nexus 5 and Motorola Moto X. In our testing, we used the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the iPhone 5 and initially both worked fine.

Once the Runkeeper app is installed and you’ve set up your profile, you’ll need to pick the Analog Headphones option in the device settings and wait for the small heart icon to glow red.


We’ve already discussed our gripes with the secureness of the fit, and this impacts on the reliability of the heart-rate tracking. Despite lining up the Mio-powered Adidas MiCoach Fit Smart and Polar’s H7 heart-rate monitor chest strap for comparison, we just couldn’t get the BioSports working consistently enough for a decent test. In the few occasions they did work, their tracking was at least accurate, as the screenshots below show, but it didn’t last for very long.


Runkeeper vs MiCoach

Heart-rate reading comparisons: Adidas MiCoach Fit Smart (left) against Runkeeper with the BioSport headphones


For sound quality, these are good, but left us wanting more – especially for a £129 pair of headphones. Monster’s iSport and Jabra’s Pulse Wireless are the best-sounding sports headphones we’ve used, although both are more expensive than the Biosports.


The BioSports are loud but bass response isn’t the most accommodating for high-tempo tracks. We were hoping for better mid-range performance as well and clarity is a little disappointing. If you're hoping to drown out the world when you work out, these aren't great for noise cancelling. Some users will no doubt prefer the safer, ambient noise approach, but it would have been nice to have the option at least.




Should I buy the SMS Audio BioSport?


Based on the many issues, we’d find it tough to recommend the BioSports. It’s a shame, because they're more affordable than Jabra’s Pulse Wireless and we’d happily live without the wire-free listening and superior sound to save a decent chunk of money.

Unfortunately, that’s not the only problem here. There’s also the frustratingly troublesome fit, and support for just one fitness app isn't really good enough.


If you want to buy a pair of sports in-ear headphones with heart-rate tracking, Jabra’s are the ones to go for. They're expensive, but they deliver on all fronts.


SEE ALSO: Best Headphones Round-up


Verdict


The SMS Audio BioSport earphones' troublesome fit means their killer feature is a big let-down. These are sporty in-ears to leave out of your gym bag.

readmore »»  

WordPress wins $25,000 in DMCA abuse court battle


WordPress is due to receive a $25,000 pay-out after winning a court case over abuse of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.


The blogging platform took an organisation called Straight Pride UK to court, claiming it had abused the use of takedown notices, as reported by TorrentFreak.


The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, effective in the USA since 1998, allows parties to send takedown notices to other parties if they believe their copyright has been infringed.


In this particular case, WordPress teamed up with a student journalist called Oliver Hotham, whose WordPress article was censored as a result of a false takedown notice.


Hotham produced an article criticising Straight Pride UK, including a commented lawfully acquired from Nick Steiner, the organisation’s press officer.


Steiner consequently decided he didn’t approve of the article, and sent a takedown notice to WordPress.


WordPress joined Hotham in a California federal court, demanding compensation for the DMCA abuse.


The company made the argument that it faces overwhelming copyright liability if it fails to take down copyright-breaching content, claiming Steiner abused this weakness.


Related: 23 essential Android apps


“Steiner’s fraudulent takedown notice forced WordPress to take down Hotham’s post under threat of losing the protection of the DMCA safe harbour,” explained WordPress.


Steiner did not do this to protect any legitimate intellectual property interest, but in an attempt to censor Hotham’s lawful expression critical of Straight Pride UK He forced WordPress to delete perfectly lawful content from its website. As a result, Wordpress has suffered damage to its reputation.”


Judge Joseph Spero, the US Magistrate presiding over the case, declared Nick Steiner was to pay $960 to Hotham, $1,860 to WordPress, and $22,264 for WordPress’ attorney fees.


It’s an especially important case, largely because it’s rare for a company to challenge a DMCA takedown notice.


The repercussions for failing to adhere to the DMCA can lead to hefty fines against a content host, so it’s good to see abuse of the system is being cracked down on.



readmore »»  

Microsoft hints Windows 10 wearables are inbound


A selection of Windows 10 powered wearables could be on the horizon, Microsoft has hinted ahead of the platform’s upcoming release.


Describing the 2014 launched Microsoft Band as the company’s ‘entrée into the wearables space’, Microsoft has confirmed plans to further pursue wearable gadgets, suggesting Windows 10 could be at the heart of future products.


“We’re very interested in the wearables space and you will continue to see us in it,” Greg Sullivan, Microsoft’s Marketing Director for Windows Phone said speaking with TrustedReviews this week.


He added: “We’re very interested in the space and we’ve architected Windows 10 so it can work on the broadest range of devices.


Although not an out-and-out confirmation that Windows 10 wearables are in the works, Sullivan continued to drop hints that the platform would soon power all manner of wrist and body adorning tech.


“One of our key differentiators is that we don’t have a different strategy for wearables and a different strategy for phones and tablets, and then a different one for laptops and large screen devices,” he stated.


“We are really pleased with the reception we’ve had to the Microsoft Band. I think you’re seeing this as an entrée into the market. We relatively quietly entered it late last year and looked at it as a test run.”


What form these wearable gadgets will take is still open for debate. Pushed on whether we would soon be seeing Microsoft’s first Android Wear rivalling smartwatch, Sullivan remained vague on details but refused to rule anything out.


“It is absolutely our strategy to expand but I don’t think we would constrain our discussion just to the direction of being comparable to Android Wear in the wearables space,” he stated.


“We are thinking more broadly about the Internet of Things in general and the devices and wearables that will participate in that spectrum.


“The short answer is yes, it includes that [wrist-based gadgets], but not just that.”



Related:
Microsoft HoloLens vs Oculus Rift


With Windows 10 set to launch later this year as an all-encompassing platform, the company has suggested the software will be used to power everything from smartphones and tablets to laptops and, of course, wearable tech.


Expect further details around Windows 10 and Microsoft’s wearable plans during the company’s annual Build conference between April 29 and May 1.



readmore »»  

Secret Apple Watch lightning port could tease smart straps


by |


Share:


Apple Watch



Apple Watch test units come equipped with a built-in lightning connector port, a new report reveals.


According to TechCrunch, the port is used for ‘diagnostics and direct access to the Watch operating system’, although Apple hasn’t mentioned it publicly thus far.


That’s probably because Apple doesn’t actually plan to include the port on the final consumer release model.


When we actually get our hands on the Apple Watch proper, the port will have been wiped off, at least for the first version of the device.


Apparently the port has a 6-dot brass contact array built into the groove for the bottom strap connector slot.


This was confirmed by ‘several sources’, all of whom described it as very similar to the lightning port seen on iPhone handsets.


Related: iPhone 6S release date


The most exciting prospect to emerge from all of this is that Apple could one day use the port to build a smart strap platform.


This would mean that Apple could produce straps that carry additional modular features like bonus battery or sensors.


It’s worth noting that Apple also recently began opening up the Lightning port for third-party developers.


This means smart straps could also be opened up to developers, kick-starting a tidal wave of third-party smart straps.


Smartwatch rival firm Pebble recently unveiled its own smart strap eco-system, so Apple could now have an easy way to face off against the start-up.




readmore »»  

iPhone OLED display rumours return as Japan Display factory confirmed


by |


Share:


iPhone 6



Japan Display Inc has confirmed it plans to build a new $1.4 billion factory to produce LCD display panels.


The move is outlined in a new report (via Reuters) which claims sources say the factory will count Apple as a primary supplier.


The company hasn’t specifically named Apple due to its client secrecy policy, however it’s highly likely Apple is heavily involved in creation of the new factory.


Here’s the background – last month we heard that Apple was in talks to fund a new LCD display factory for Japan Display.


Apple would provide somewhere in the region of 200 billion yen (£1.09bn) to get the factory project off the ground. The factory would then provide LCD displays to Apple at a good rate.


The factory has now been estimated to cost somewhere around 170 billion yen (£932m), and aims to begin manufacturing operations in 2016.


The factory was originally rumoured to be set to provide low-temperature silicon displays – the same found on the current iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models.


Related: iPhone 6S release date


The reports at the time, however, said that the factory was to be eventually repurposed to produce OLED displays.


Apple already uses OLED displays on the Apple Watch, but the iPhone 6 uses comparatively lower quality LCD displays.


This means that Apple could be planning to mass produce OLED displays through its subsidised Japan Display factory for a future iteration of the iPhone.


Considering the initial rumours were correct about the factory being built, it seems far likelier now that the OLED rumours were also true.


OLED displays are vastly superior to LCD displays because they produce their own light. This negates the need for a backlight.


That’s because individual pixels can be turned off, which means they can display true black, improving contrast. The lack of a backlight also means handsets can be designed to be thinner, lighter, and with greater power efficiency.




readmore »»  

Microsoft releases Office 2016 Mac Preview


by |


Share:


Office



Microsoft has released the Office 2016 Mac Preview, which promises to bring platform parity to the Office experience.


Office for Mac has felt a little dated for some time thanks to the understandably slicker experience currently available over on Windows 8.


Microsoft is looking to address that disparity with the launch of Office 2016 for Mac, and it's just offered up a preview version to get things started.


Over on the official Office blog, the company has outlined some of the advancements it has made.


Most notable is the updated UI, which offers "an unmistakably Office experience" similar to the Office app for Windows 10, with a redesigned ribbon and a refreshed task pane. However, this Mac version has also been "thoughtfully designed to take advantage of the unique features of the Mac."


These supported features include full Retina display support, a full-screen view, and little OS X UI touches like scroll bounce.


Office 2016 for Mac offers updated versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. It has also been built on the cloud - specifically Microsoft's OneDrive - which means that you'll be able to access your documents from anywhere.


Read More: Windows 10 features: All you need to know


All in all, it's more proof of Microsoft's revitalised focus on cross-platform usability.


Office 2016 for Mac Preview is available to download now, with a full release due for the second half of 2015.




readmore »»  

YotaPhone phablet in the works, CEO confirms


Having pursued smartphones with secondary e-ink displays for a number of years, Yota Devices has now revealed to TrustedReviews it intends to bring the concept to the phablet market.


While no official devices have yet been announced, the company has suggested it will push out a 6-inch offering of its novel creation sometime in the near future.


A 6-inch YotaPhone phablet will come to the market in the future but I don't have a date yet,” Vlad Martynov YotaPhone CEO told us.


YotaPhone handsets pair a traditional LCD panel on the front with an e-ink screen on the rear. This secondary display can be used to read ebooks and RSS feeds or keep map data visible on the move without draining battery power.


At present, the existing YotaPhone 2 features 5-inch AMOLED screen and a 4.7-inch e-ink offering.


Although keen to bring the company’s dual screen smartphone premise to the 6-inch space, Martynov has ruled out plans for a dedicated tablet with secondary, low-power screen.


“A tablet is not in the plan,” he said. “A tablet is a bigger size and the biggest differentiator of the YotaPhone is battery life.


“This would no longer be a factor because there is a much bigger battery inside. But the phablet makes sense.”


As well as revealing the company’s phablet-based aspirations, Martynov has suggested that future iterations of its phones could host a back-light, similar to that found on the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite.


However, the Yota Devices head has stated that such an addition will only be made if it can be achieved without negative battery effects.


“We may see a back-light in next generation YotaPhones but it's a dilemma. Why do I need a backlight when you have the front display? It costs money, adds thickness and would consume more battery. 

“I can't tell you the date for this.”


Related: Galaxy S6 Review


While the idea for the original YotaPhone was perhaps better than its application, the second-generation model answered a lot of the device’s design niggles.


Moving to a more rounded, ergonomic design, the latest model lines up with a Snapdragon 801 processor, 8-megapixel camera and 32GB of internal storage.



readmore »»  

Apple Watch devs get pre-launch hands-on to ‘fine tune’ apps


Apple has invited a number of developers to its Cupertino, California headquarters to try out their apps on the Apple Watch.


The wearable is due to launch next month, but will be officially unveiled at a pre-launch event next week.


It’s expected to boast a large selection of apps at launch, so it’s unsurprising the company is trying to ensure all kinks are ironed out ahead of time.


According to a report by Reuters, the companies invited to the HQ were given an opportunity to try the watch and adjust their tools to the watch’s design.


The article lists Facebook, BMW, and United Continental Holdings as being amongst the companies attending the test days.


The report also claims Apple is going to extreme lengths to ensure no new details about the Apple Watch leak as a result of these trials.


Apparently Apple blocks internet inside the test rooms, and checks are done to prevent ‘outside materials’ being brought in.


This information reportedly comes courtesy of a person who attended the tests, although it’s not clear who the source actually is.


Related: iPhone 6S release date


The launch event, scheduled for March 9, should finalise all information regarding the device, including pricing, availability, and launch software.


Apple’s wearable will mark the company’s first foray into a new product category since it launched the iPad in 2010.


The cheapest model is expected to mark up at $349 – that’s the Apple Watch Sport – although it’s not yet clear how this will translate into UK pricing.


The most expensive model has been tipped to cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, marking the gilded Apple Watch Edition as a seriously luxury offering.



readmore »»  

Google mobile network will only work with Nexus 6


by |


Share:


Nexus 6



Google's new mobile network service may only work with the Nexus 6 to start with.


Sundar Pichai proved the rumours to be true at MWC 2015 when he revealed that Google was indeed building its own mobile network in the US. There's just one catch though - it'll only work with one kind of phone.


That's the case according to a new Wall Street Journal report, at least, which names Google's flagship Nexus 6 phone as that device.


The service, which will switch between US Wi-Fi and cellular networks as needed, is expected to launch in March. However, there'll be an extremely limited pool of users to start with.


This admittedly fits with Pichai's claim that the service would be small scale to begin with, but the limited scope of this early phase is still a little surprising.


According to two people familiar with the matter, Google's previous flagship phone, the Nexus 5, won't be compatible with the new network. More importantly, nor will the vast majority of phones running on Google's own Android OS.


Read More: Google Drive vs iCloud Drive vs Dropbox vs OneDrive


Apparently, in order to make this clever selective network work, Google needs "close coordination between smartphone hardware and software." It can only get that from one of its own devices, and only the very latest of those meets the required specification.


As for other advanced Android phones, well, we know how manufacturers and network providers like to meddle with Android software.




readmore »»  

ZTE Grand S3 Phone Review


Hands on with the ZTE Grand S3


Biometric technology had a big light shone on it when apple decided to include fingerprint scanning in the iPhone 5S, but now that’s old hat. The new secure way to lock your device is eye-scanning.

Pin codes and patterns can be guessed, but biometric information is notoriously difficult to crack, for that reason ZTE has decided to be one of the first mobile phone manufacturers to adopt eye-scanning technology in the Grand S3.


ZTE grand s3 4 ZTE Grand S3 Release Date and Price

The ZTE Grand S3 will be launching first in China aimed at business users for CNY 2,999 (about £315). Pricing and availability has not yet been confirmed elsewhere though.


Powered using tech developed by fledgling company EyeVerify, the scanning works by filming your eyes as they track a vertical moving target (the green bar in the photo) and it only takes about 3-5 seconds to complete. Once scanned with the phone’s 8-megapixel front-facing camera you can set specific apps to require eye scanning to access them. The selection of compatible apps is still too limited at present.


I found the whole process slightly hit and miss, but perhaps its not entirely compatible with exhausted reddened eyes. When it did work however, it took about 1.5 seconds to read and authenticate my eyes. Yes it would be faster to use pattern or pin lock, but they’re not as secure.


The rest of the phone looks solid in terms of specs. Its a 5.5-inch 4G smartphone with a full HD display and is powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor with 3GB RAM. The internal memory is 16GB with additional storage available via micro SD up to 64GB. It also has a nice large 3,100 mAh battery. The phone’s 16-megapixel main camera has decent face detection auto focus, but its features are relatively basic.

ZTE grand s3 ZTE grand s3 2

Eye-scanning is the only thing that really makes this phone really stand out, otherwise it’s not a particularly interesting device, despite strong specs. It’s currently only running Android 4.4, which feels a bit dated on a flagship phone with such a large hi-res screen. The design of the phone doesn’t help much either. It’s thick at 9.8mm and looks like it was designed simply to house the technology inside it, lacking character and style.


But that said, if you like the idea of having secure eye-scanning in your phone, the options are limited at present. Rival Fujitsu have a prototype device that also features vision-centric biometric technology. But Fujitsu’s version uses an infrared camera.


Perhaps eye-scanning is set to become as common place as fingerprint verification, which works great on the iPhone 6 and Samsung S6. The question remains for now though; is eye-scanning a critical feature any one? I’m yet to be convinced.



readmore »»