iPhone 5 sells twice as fast as Samsung Galaxy S4

With Samsung said to have already shipped 20 million Samsung Galaxy S4 units, latest figures have revealed Apple’s iPhone 5 sold twice as fast at launch as the Android powerhouse.

The latest repose in the on-going iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S4 rivalry, analysts have stated that Apple’s flagship phone sold twice as fast as its leading rival, shipping 20 million units in just 25 days from launch.

According to ISI Group Analyst Brian Marshall, “over the first 25 days of iPhone 5 availability, Apple shipped 805,000 units per day. In contrast, Samsung shipped less than half of that — about 333,000 Galaxy S4 units — per day.”

Despite Samsung shipping a hefty 20 million Samsung Galaxy S4 units during the handsset’s opening two months on sale, the flagship phone has been plagued by reports that sales of the Samsung Galaxy S3 follow-on are lower than early predictions had anticipated.

With Apple’s latest smartphone offering highlighting the Cupertino based company’s continued brand appeal, the iPad mini maker announced last year that iPhone 5 sales topped 5 million units during the phone’s opening weekend alone, up on both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

According to UK sales figures announced earlier this week, the iPhone 5 remains the UK’s most popular smartphone, outselling the Samsung Galaxy S4 which is said to be struggling to reach the same lofty heights as its predecessor.

“Samsung really caught lightning in a bottle with the Galaxy S3, delivering an affordable and appealing iPhone alternative at the perfect moment,” Ernest Doku, a telecoms expert with uSwitch stated. “The Galaxy S4 has so far failed to grab the attention of smartphone fans in quite the same way.”

He added: “The fact the S4 is tracking below analysts’ expectations could explain why the South Korean giant has brought the launches of its Galaxy S4 Zoom, S4 Active and S4 Mini to the fore - a trio of smartphones targeting specific sectors of the market with a laser-like focus.”

Read More: iPhone 6 rumours

Via: AppleInsider

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LG NB3530A Audio Review

What is the LG NB3530A?

The LG NB3530A is a 2.1-channel soundbar, designed to deliver powerful sound quality without the clutter that usually comes with a home cinema system. It’s a lower-specced version of the NB4530A, which earned a well-deserved 9/10 rating in our recent review. Despite costing around £100 less than the 4530A, the NB3530A still comes equipped with a wireless subwoofer, which makes life easy when deciding where to place it.

LG NB3530A – Design

The key selling point of LG’s soundbars is their super-slim design, which allows for even more discreet installation than usual. The NB3530A is a bigger beast than the NB4530A but there’s no bulky back end to worry about when wall-mounting – the 47mm-deep cabinet won’t poke out further than your TV. At 950mm wide, it’s best suited to 42in TVs.



If you want to place it on a flat surface, there are no feet or stands to attach – simply plonk it down and the rubber pads on the bottom hold it steady. It’s also worth noting that the NB3530A’s build quality is excellent. The bodywork is surprisingly heavy and solidly bolted together.

Cosmetically the NB3530A is a true stunner, thanks in no small part to the gleaming gloss-black finish that covers the entire bodywork. All of the edges are gently curved and unusually the drivers sunk into the front panel are exposed, not hidden behind mesh.

Taking price of place in the middle of the bar is an LED display that shows the currently selected input and other key info. Just above this is a row of touch-sensitive controls, allowing you to play, stop, toggle through inputs and adjust volume. Below the display is a USB port for playback of music files from flash drives.

On the back we encounter a simple line-up of sockets, including two optical digital inputs and a 3.5mm minijack input. Unlike the NB4530A there are no HDMI inputs, leaving the optical inputs as the only way of feeding sound from a TV, Blu-ray player or PVR.

LG NB3530A – Features

Word of the day on the NB3530A’s feature list is ‘wireless’. There’s built-in Bluetooth, which makes music playback from phones and laptops a breeze, while the Sound Sync feature lets you to beam sound from an LG TV to the soundbar wirelessly.

The wireless subwoofer is another convenient feature, as it means you don’t have to have a cable trailing up the wall. These are all major selling points, particularly at such an attractive price.



The soundbar kicks out an impressive sounding 300W of power, while LG’s 3D Surround Processor aims to make stereo sound feel more immersive. With a lack of HDMI inputs comes a lack of HD audio decoding, but the LG will decode Dolby Digital and DTS.

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iON Air Pro 2 Wi-Fi Camcorder Review

What is the iON Air Pro 2 Wi-Fi?

The iON Air Pro 2 Wi-Fi is a rugged, waterproof action camera with a full range of mounting options and wireless connectivity. The market for camcorders you can use whilst engaged in sports has grown considerably. Although GoPro has become the leading brand in the area, there is still plenty of room for competitors, and iON's Air Pro 2 looks like a promising alternative. With Full HD resolution and a WiFi add-on, it's a real alternative to the GoPro, and garnered some interest when it was announced recently.

Unlike the GoPro, the Air Pro 2 uses the bullet camera format that has become the convention for action camcorders. It looks like a stubby flashlight, with a rugged exterior that is rated waterproof to a depth of 10m. There are just two rubber buttons on the top. The one nearer the lens turns the camera on when held down for a few seconds, and then takes a photo when pressed for a shorter period. Sliding the rear button forward begins recording, and you can turn it off again by sliding this backward. You can also turn the camcorder on and immediately trigger recording immediately by sliding the button forward.

That's pretty much it for controls on the outside of the camera. The device vibrates to indicate when it is turning off and on, and that recording has started or stopped, which makes it intuitive to use even if you can't see it. This is great if you have it attached to your helmet. The Air Pro 2 will record video at 1080p and 25 frames per second, with 960p and 720p also available. At the same time, a lower-resolution 320 x 240 version is recorded, aimed at social media and email. The sensor is quoted as having 14Mpixels, although there is no mention of its size. You can capture still images at 4,608 x 3,456. At the top video quality setting, the data rate is 12Mbits/sec, which is decent but not up there with most mainstream camcorders. MicroSD cards are used for recording, and a 8GB card will be enough for around 90 minutes of footage at the top data rate.



One of the unique features of the Air Pro 2 is its PODZ system, which allows accessory add-ons to be slotted onto the back. The Air Pro 2 Wi-Fi includes the WiFi PODZ, of which more later, but you can also get one with a waterproof remote control for triggering the camcorder (and up to seven more) from a range of up to 20m. Underneath the PODZ cover is the MicoSD slot, a Mini HDMI port, and a switch to choose between Full HD and basic HD, although if you want to make any other changes to the settings you will need attach the unit to a desktop or mobile device. A micro USB port is available for charging, and there is also a microphone input, which uses a 2.5in minijack. So you can hook up an external microphone, but not when using a PODZ accessory at the same time, so the Air Pro 2 won't be waterproof either.



The bundled accessories are reasonable, if not entirely comprehensive. The Air Pro 2 has a standard screw hole on the bottom with notch, so a regular tripod can be used. However, there's a Gorillapod-like tripod included, and a quick-release plate iON calls CamLOCK. To go with this, there's a ball-jointed mount that can either be used with a double-sided adhesive patch for a helmet or potentially a strap. However, the latter isn't included in the box, and we would have liked to have seen a few more mounts included as standard, although there is a variety of additional mounting kits available, including for helmets, bikes, and boards. The Air Pro 2 charges over USB, but there's a separate charger included in the box as well, with a full set of swappable plates for different plug types.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to feature 5.7-inch display and September launch

Latest Samsung Galaxy Note 3 rumours have suggested the third-generation ‘phablet’ device will run a 5.7-inch display, smaller than the 6-inch screen previously mooted for the phone.

Adding further backing to claims of a September 4 Samsung Galaxy Note 3 unveiled made earlier this week, the Korean Herald has suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S4 maker will indeed hold a Note 2 unveiling on the eve of IFA 2013, with the stylus bragging device to run a 5.7-inch screen.

If accurate, the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 screen size could kick off a trend of incremental 0.2-inch size increases between Note models. While the original Note lined up at 5.3-inches, last year’s Samsung Galaxy Note 2 brought a 5.5-inch screen size to the table.

Building on the smartphone-turn-tablet hybrids’ sizeable foundations, the reports out of Samsung’s native Korea have also pegged the Huawei Ascend Mate and Sony Xperia Z Ultra rival as supporting 4G LTE connectivity options.



Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Rumours

Earlier this week, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 rumours claimed a September 4 release date was on the cards, with reported sources “close to the matter” suggesting the device would touch down on the press days leading up to IFA 2013. The Berlin based conference is to be held between September 6 and 11.

Although the phone has yet to be formally unveiled, a range of claimed Samsung Galaxy Note 3 rumours have been doing the rounds, with the S4 sibling tipped to run a hefty 3GB of RAM alongside the same 1.6GHz eight-core CPU found inside its 5-inch sibling, in certain markets at least.

Further Samsung Galaxy Note 3 rumours have pointed towards a 13-megapixel rear-mounted camera and a 1080p Full HD display resolution making the cut.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 vs Sony Xperia Z Ultra



Via: UnwiredView

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GTA 5 release to stem Xbox One and PS4 interest says retailers

With the eagerly awaited GTA 5 release date nearing, retailers have warned the arrival of the upcoming Rockstar title could stem interest in the Xbox One and PS4 consoles.

While a GTA 5 release date has been set for September 17 on existing platforms, the game has yet to be confirmed for Microsoft and Sony’s next-gen consoles, a move retailers have warned could cause consumers to hold off making the jump to the new platforms.

With neither the Xbox One or PS4 back compatible with existing-generation titles, UK retailers have told MCV that upcoming AAA titles such as GTA 5 and Gran Turismo 6 could force gamers to stick to their current machines as they look to get value out of the latest games.

“The core gamers will be out in force at launch but after that it’s going to be hard convincing consumers to spend £350 to £430 on a new console as many of the best games will be available on machines they already own,” one leading retailer stated. “That’s made even more complicated when you consider that games like GTA V, Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Gran Turismo 6 are only available on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.”

With the raft of new titles set to precede the next-gen consoles and land prior to the November Xbox One and PS4 release dates, it has been suggested many will wait to see the upcoming game line-ups before splashing £429 or £349 on the respective consoles.

“I think there will be a ‘wait and see how much this affects me’ attitude to the next-gen from gamers,” Simon Urquhart, buyer of PC games at Dixons said.

“If they aren’t seeing an immediate difference in the server populations and gameplay features, then it’ll be tough to justify the expense. Killer apps like Halo and God of War are always tipping points for owners of legacy consoles and until dates on those are released, gamers will be patient – especially if they have a PC and an Xbox 360.”

With many retailers echoing similar concerns, Games Centre MD Robert Lindsay added: “Publishers seem to be covering every angle by bringing their titles out on current and next-generation formats. As a publisher you wouldn’t want to put all your eggs in the next-gen basket straight away, especially as Microsoft have just announced record sales of the Xbox 360.

“If consumers are feeling the pinch, and with quality titles still being released on current formats, the customer transition to next-gen might be slower this time around.”

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

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Amazon cuts price of Kindle Fire HD tablet to just £139

Kindle Fire HD cheaper than ever in the UK

It has been a good week if you're in the market for an affordable Android tablet.

First Barnes & Noble slashed the cost of its Nook HD readers in the UK and now, as the week comes to a close, Amazon is at it too.

Not to be outdone by its fellow American bookseller, Amazon has slashed the price of the 16GB, 7-inch Kindle Fire HD by £20.

The ad-supported version will now cost only £139, down from £159, while the commercial-free iteration is a tenner dearer at £149. Similar deals are also in Europe and the US.

However, the discounts are are limited to the 7-inch tablet, with the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD remains at, by comparison, a rather expensive £229.

Earlier this week, Barnes & Noble cut the price of its base Nook HD tablet to just £99 in the UK as it begins to hand the brand over to third party manufacturers.

While the Amazon price cut could be a direct response to B&N reducing the cost of its Android tablets, it's also plausible that the retailer is preparing to refresh the device.

The Kindle Fire HD arrived in the UK in October last year, so it would be no surprise to see a newly-updated iteration arrive around the same time this year.

Of course, rumours persist that Amazon is plotting to launch its first smartphone later this year although it's gone rather quiet on that front just lately.

Would you buy an Amazon smartphone? Let us know in the comments section below.

Via CNET

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Registration opens for beta launch of Xbox Live 2013 update

The update will give your 360 a fresh lick of paint

Microsoft has invited Xbox Live members to register now for early beta access to this year's update to the service.

In a post on his personal blog, Microsoft's Larry Hyrb, better known by his gamertag Major Nelson, says Xbox 360 can get involved with the public beta, that'll give the user interface a new lick of paint and introduce some new features.

The highlight of this year's update will be the ability to make purchases using real money, as well as Microsoft points.

The latter, of course, will be retired with the launch of the Xbox One console later this year, making it easier to buy content from the various stores within the Xbox interface.

Other improvements are expected to improve the system's boot-up time and it is thought that there overall interface will get another Windows 8-like facelift, while gift cards could also be supported. Other than that, not much else is known at this stage.

Interested parties are encouraged to sign up through the dashboard of their 360 (the process has changed this year), with Hyrb warning available sports will fill up quickly.

Previous reports have suggested the new update will be rolled out officially in August.

Via JoyStiq

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Best TVs 2013

What is the best TV to buy? If you are planning to upgrade, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s a bedroom-friendly 32-inch TV or a 60-inch full HD plasma primed for watching the football, there’s plenty to choose from.

Screen size and super slim bezels aside, there’s some other key factors you need to take into consideration when buying a new TV. Do you want something that plays 3D content? Is it the right time to buy a 4K TV? Which TV will let you watch iPlayer? Will it actually fit in the living room?

Once you’ve answered those questions, you then have to weigh up whether the likes of Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Toshiba offer the best cutting-edge proprietary screen and audio technology. Is the Samsung Smart TV platform the best for accessing online content like Facebook and Netflix? Does Sony’s Triluminos colour system really offer a more vibrant place to watch Blu-ray movies?

All are important factors that could be the difference between paying £5,000 or £500 for a TV that truly fits. So if talk of LED, dynamic contrast ratios and refresh rates leave the mind boggled, we’ve done the hard work for you.

Looking back at the TV reviews that scored top marks, we’ve picked the ten best TVs to buy in 2013.

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BBC to take three-year break from 3D production at the end of this year

The BBC will be taking a three-year hiatus from 3D programming development at the end of this year, due to an unsatisfactory UK appetite for the medium.

Head of 3D at the BBC, Kim Shillinglaw, has said the UK broadcaster will be taking “a good old pause” from developing 3D programming, after it admitted that the UK hasn’t taken to 3D TV as much as expected.

“I have never seen a very big appetite for 3D television in the UK”, said Shillinglaw. “Watching 3D is quite a hassly experience in the home. You have got to find your glasses before switching on the TV.”

The BBC has been running a two-year 3D TV pilot, during which the broadcaster has experimented with showing its top content in 3D.

“I think when people TV they concentrate in a different way. When people go to the cinema they go are used to doing one thing – I think that’s one of the reasons that take up of 3D TV has been disappointing.”

The London 2012 Olympics was broadcast in 3D by the BBC, but despite an estimated 1.5 million 3D TVs in homes across the UK, only half of that figure actually watched the Olympics Opening Ceremony in 3D.

At the end of the year, after a special 3D Doctor Who anniversary episode and the airing of natural history programme Hidden Kingdom, the BBC will wrap up its 3D project for a three year period.

“After that we will see what happens when the recession ends and there may be more take up of sets but I think the BBC will be having a wait and see. It’s the right time for a good old pause.”

The BBC is currently showing the Wimbledon semi-finals and finals on its BBC 3D channels across YouView,

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

Via: Radiotimes

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Google Nexus 5 release nears as retailers drop Nexus 4

A Google Nexus 5 release date could be with us in the near future, as the existing Google Nexus 4 is dropped by retailers.

With the white Google Nexus 4 yesterday being confirmed as ‘sold out’ on the Google Play store, the LG manufactured handset has now started to disappear from retailers, suggesting a replacement could be on the way in the form of the much rumoured Google Nexus 5.

One of the first UK retailers to stock the Google Nexus 4 outside of Google’s own retail channels, Carphone Warehouse has today dropped the Android 4.2 launching handset without warning, a potential sign of new things to come from Google’s Mountain View campus. The seeming finality of the retailer’s decision is something of a surprise, with the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One rival removed without trace from the company’s website.

Although far from the only UK retailer to offer the Google Nexus 4, Carphone Warehouse’s decision to drop the Google Nexus 4 poses many questions, with the high-end handset with a wallet-friendly price tag only recently overcoming stock constraints to become a readily available option.

Google Nexus 5 Rumours

A device widely expected to launch Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, a selection of Google Nexus 5 rumours have done the rounds in recent months, bringing with them a selection of claimed specs.

According to recent reports, the Google Nexus 5 will pair its new Android OS with a range of high-end, iPhone 5 toppling specs. It has been suggested the currently unconfirmed phone will land with a 5.2-inch OLED display with a 1920 x 1080p Full HD display in tow.

On top of this, further Google Nexus 5 rumours have pointed to a phone with a 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM and the option of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB storage capacities. The Google Nexus 4 was criticised for only being made available with 8GB or 16GB of internal storage. A 16-megapixel rear-mounted camera and a hearty 3300mAh Lithium-Polymer battery have also been mooted.

Back in May LG, manufacturing partner of the Google Nexus 4 seemed to rule itself out of contention to produce the upcoming Google Nexus 5. Speaking on the possibility of back-to-back Nexus dealings, Kim Wong, Vice President of LG Mobile in Europe, stated: “The Nexus 4 was a great success despite the production problems for us and Google. However, we do not need such a marketing success again.”

Read More: Google Nexus 4 vs iPhone 5

Via: AndroidPolice

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Google warned to update privacy policies by Information Commissioner’s Office

The Information Commissioner’s Office urged Google to change its privacy policies that it believes are in breach of the Data Protection Act in the UK.

Google has been given until September 20 to make changes to its privacy policies that the ICO say are in breach of the Data Protection Act because of its insufficient user information.

Following similar motions taken by the Spanish and French data protection watchdogs, the ICO’s action is in response to the radical changes made to Google’s small print last year.

The changes meant that Google was creating a single profile detailing users’ interests and activities from data collected from Google searches, YouTube, Gmail and dozens of other services owned and controlled by the search engine giant.

“We have today written to Google to confirm our finding relating to the update of the company’s privacy policy,” said an ICO spokesperson. “In our letter we confirm that its updated privacy policy raises serious questions about its compliance with the UK Data Protection Act.”

Many European regulators called for Google to put a stop to the changes before they came into force, but to no avail.

“In particular, we believe that the updated policy does not provide sufficient information to enable UK users of Google’s services to understand how their data will be used across all of the company’s products.”

The ICO’s legal powers mean it could fine Google up to £500,000 if it fails to change its privacy policies by September 20. However, seeing as Google’s revenues in the UK were already £920 miilion for the opening three months of 2013, it does seem like a drop in a rather large ocean for the search engine giant.

“Google must now amend their privacy policy to make it more informative for individual service users. Failure to take the necessary action to improve the policies compliance with the Data Protection Act by 20 September will leave the company open to the possibility of formal enforcement action.”

Google has always maintained its privacy policies comply with European data protection laws and has reiterated that fact in light of the recent actions taken against it.



Next, read the Google Glass privacy problem – and how to solve it.

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Moto X tipped for July 11 launch date

The Moto X Phone has been tipped for a July 11 launch date, according to one technology broadcaster.

Leo Laporte, an award-winning American tech broadcaster and author, has said he has been invited to a Motorola event on July 10 and 11.

Invited by a new Motorola employee called Guy Kawasaki, Laporte said what is being featured at the event is still being kept quiet, but will only be for selected tech journalists.

Rumours surrounding the long-awaited Moto X Phone from Motorola seem to be coming in thick and fast now, especially as the suggest launch day is now just under a week away.

With the Moto X the first significant launch since Google bought Motorola in 2011, many expect the smartphone to be rather special.

However, the latest leaks suggest it won’t be a powerhouse device in terms of specs, but rather focusing on new software technologies.

The Moto X ad campaign that launched this week just prior to the American Independence Day revealed that Motorola is marketing its upcoming Android device as the smartphone “you can design yourself.”

Although no further details have yet been revealed, it is expected that consumers will be able to design their own case, using something like a basic Google Nexus 4 as an outline.

“The first smartphone designed, engineered and assembled in the USA is coming,” reads the Moto X news sign up page. “It’s also the first smartphone that you can design yourself. Because today you should have the freedom to design the things in your life to be as unique as you are.”

Specs-wise the Moto X is tipped to pack a 4.7-inch 1280 x 768p resolution display, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU.

As for a Moto X release date, Motorola has only given the rather frustrating “coming soon”, but we expect that further details, including the device’s new software, will be revealed on July 11.



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

Via: Phone Arena

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Gran Turismo 6 Game Review

Exclusive to PlayStation 3

Is this a preview or a review? Well, it’s a little bit of both. This week Sony released its long-awaited demo of Gran Turismo 6 onto the PlayStation Store. Tied into Nissan’s GT Academy contest, it covers two cars – the Nissan Leaf and the 370Z – two two-race events across the classic Autumn Ring, Suzuka Circuit and Grand Valley Speedway tracks, and climaxes in a series of five time trials set on the new Silverstone track.

It’s free, and while it’s not GT6: Prologue it still works as a game in and of itself. It also gives us our first extended taste of what we can expect when Gran Turismo 6 releases later on this year.

Watch the GT6 launch trailer:





See all the latest Gran Turismo 6 news, screenshots and cars

GT6: Simulation v Game

Here there’s good news and bad news depending on where you sit on the Gran Turismo series. Kanunori Yamauchi and the team at Polyphony Digital have long been pushing a vision for Gran Turismo as a realistic driving simulator rather than a game, and the GT6 demo is very much in that tradition.

The focus is on the authentic driving experience rather than on, say, high-speed thrills or seat-of-the-pants racing. If you’re looking for a sensation of raw speed and tight races against aggressive opponents, then Gran Turismo isn’t even trying to compete with Forza Motorsport 5, let alone Shift 2: Unleashed or the arcade racing crowd.

Opponent AI, in case you’re wondering, is still faintly embarrassing. In our time with the demo we’ve seen a few moves that might be described as assertive, but most of the time we’re still in a world of polite processions around each and every corner, with your driving a disrupting influence that spoils the even flow.

The approach to vehicle damage also seems no different from what we saw in Gran Turismo 5. Nudge your opponents out of position or use them as means to slow your speed – it won’t stop you from winning the race.

GT6: Graphics

Visually, there are some notable improvements. GT6 looks incredibly crisp and if the textures and detail levels don’t seem a vast leap forwards, then the lighting is stunning, adding a new sheen to the beautifully-modelled cars and trackside scenery and gluing all the elements onscreen together in a way that didn’t quite happen at times in GT5.

It’s hard to gauge visual quality on three slightly uninspiring tracks, but from what we’ve seen here and in the extensive trailers, GT6 could easily eclipse Forza 4 and Forza Horizon as the best looking racer on current console hardware.

The new Ronda track, in particular, looks an absolute stunner. This might not mean much once Forza 5, Need for Speed: Rivals and DriveClub appear on next-gen platforms, but there’s a danger that the new GT might leave them looking not quite so next-gen.

GT6: Handling

More importantly, GT6’s most impressive achievement isn’t what you can see, but what you can feel. GT5 still has its rivals beaten when it comes to realistic handling, and GT6 looks set to take this mantle onwards. Polyphony has apparently been working with the Japanese tyre manufacture, Yokohama, and the suspension specialist, KW, to drag in more real-world data for use in the game’s physics model.

Racing the 370Z around Silverstone, you can sense the forces of weight and momentum working on the car, and when you reach the car’s cornering limits, you can feel the rear end tearing out of your control. The sense of tyres on track is even more pronounced than in GT5, yet also more subtle. Your wheels don’t suddenly abandon course when under pressure, but start to slide and get progressively worse.

Complete the GT Academy events, and you’ll unlock an additional event and an extra surprise car, and at higher speeds with a bit more bounce to the suspension, you’ll notice the improvements to the handling even more. Whether you’re the kind of player who sits at a steering wheel with all driving aids switched off or an average Joe playing with an automatic shift on a Dual Shock 3 you will feel the difference – and we’ve now played GT6 both ways.

First Impressions

We still have concerns about GT6 from playing the demo. From the menus to the hyper-clean visuals to the timid AI, it can still feel oddly clinical, and there are times when you wish that Yamauchi and Co. would relax a little bit about authenticity and work harder at producing a more thrilling racing game.

Yet that authenticity is the soul of Gran Turismo. It might be a little conservative, a little staid, but GT6 seems to be bending over backwards to deliver the most realistic console driving simulation yet. Most importantly, this is just a demo, without the finished systems and content of the full GT6 release.

With a more competitive AI and a new approach to damage, GT6 might have a chance of upsetting the Microsoft competition, and beat the next-generation racers using current-generation hardware. What a feat that would be!

Next, read our hands-on PS4 review or take a look at our Xbox One vs PS4 comparison.

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iPhone 5 more popular than Samsung Galaxy S4 says report

Apple’s iPhone 5 is more popular than the Samsung Galaxy S4, latest figures based on UK sales figures of the two smartphones have suggested.

According to the monthly uSwitch Mobile Tracker which monitors smartphone sales, pre-orders and live searches, the iPhone 5 has retained the crown as the UK’s most popular smartphone for a fourth consecutive month while the flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 could only achieve third. Bookended by the two high-end handsets is the aging iPhone 4S.

“Samsung really caught lightning in a bottle with the Galaxy S3, delivering an affordable and appealing iPhone alternative at the perfect moment,” Ernest Doku, a telecoms expert with uSwitch stated. “The Galaxy S4 has so far failed to grab the attention of smartphone fans in quite the same way.”

He added: “The fact the S4 is tracking below analysts’ expectations could explain why the South Korean giant has brought the launches of its Galaxy S4 Zoom, S4 Active and S4 Mini to the fore - a trio of smartphones targeting specific sectors of the market with a laser-like focus.

“Its strategy has always been to dominate the market with multiple devices, rather than focusing on a single effort and, thus far, it has proven a very successful approach.”

Earlier this week it was claimed that Samsung has shipped 20 million Samsung Galaxy S4 handsets to date, although global sales of the Android 4.2.2 device have been considerably lower than early analyst expectations. Concerns have remained around Samsung Galaxy S4 sales despite the Korean manufacturer recording record quarterly profits.

With Samsung and Apple dominating the UK’s top ten most popular smartphones, the 8GB iPhone 4 is reportedly the nation’s fourth most popular phone for June 2013, with the Samsung Galaxy S3 in fifth. With a further three Samsung handsets lining up in the top ten, the Samsung Galaxy Ace, Samsung Galaxy S2 and Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini sit in spots eight through ten respectively.

“The iPhone’s assured position of three spots in the top ten speaks volumes of the longevity and enduring appeal of Apple handsets,” Doku stated. “Three years is a lifetime in smartphone terms, and few devices can hold their own in terms of features today. However, the iPhone 4 – released back in June 2010 – is now available from as little as £15 per month, making it not only a fantastic device, but also incredible value for money.”

Completing the month’s top ten, the HTC One and Sony Xperia Z sit in positions six and seven respectively.

Read More: iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S4

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Sky’s NOW TV launches on PS3, catches up with Xbox

NOW TV, now available on PS3

Leading broadcaster Sky has confirmed that NOW TV, its internet based pay TV service, is now available on Sony’s PS3 console for the first time.

Doing away with the traditional Sky contracts, NOW TV brings pay-as-you-view Sky Sports and Sky Movies content to the masses, with the monthly movie and daily sport passes able to be purchased for a more customisable and personalised viewing experience. The announcement of NOW TV for PS3 brings Sony’s console in line with the Xbox 360 which already supports the service.

“More and more consumers are demanding easy access to a greater choice of high-quality entertainment over internet-connected devices – and NOW TV is here to meet that demand,” Gidon Katz, Director of NOW TV said. “Following the addition of PlayStation 3, our customers now have another way of streaming to their main TV screen, while continuing to enjoy access out and about via iPad and smartphones.”

Suggesting that NOW TV users could soon benefit from a wider range of content, Katz added: “At the same time as we’re rolling NOW TV out to new platforms and devices, we’re also preparing to increase the range and choice of great Sky content that our customers can access.”

With consumers able to trial the movie elements of NOW TV free for 30 days, the new PS3 compatibility means that Sony gamers could use their console to watch tomorrow’s final Lions test which is exclusive to Sky Sports. With a NOW TV Sky Sports day pass, users are given 24 hour access to all Sky Sports channels for £9.99.

As well as being available on the PS3 and Xbox 360, wannabe NOW TV users can access the internet service via PC, MAC, iPhone, iPad and a range of Android handsets as well as across YouView systems.

Despite the PS4 being on the horizon and much of Sony’s efforts being focused on the Xbox One rival, the Japanese manufacturer has been keen to stress that it will not be turning its back on PS3 gamers anytime soon.

With NOW TV for PS3 the latest addition to a growing list of media service to have hit the aging console, Fergal Gara, Vice President and Managing Director for Sony Computer Entertainment UK said: “Adding Sky’s amazing content via NOW TV to the PlayStation 3’s services is a real boon for our millions of UK customers.

“Streaming great and exclusive sports and movie content to the family TV is a huge enhancement to the PlayStation entertainment portfolio.”

Read More: NOW TV Review

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Nokia Lumia 1020 will be coming to UK markets

Nokia New York event press invite

The 41-megapixel camera touting Nokia Lumia 1020 will definitely be coming to the UK when it is released, one source confirmed.

A telecoms industry insider has confirmed that the Nokia Lumia 1020 with all its 41-megapixels will be coming to the UK when it launches, although was unable to provide an exact release date or pricing details.

Earlier this week, press pictures of the Nokia Lumia 1020 leaked with AT&T branding, which suggested that like the Nokia Lumia 928, the 41-megapixel camera smartphone could be a US exclusive.

Speaking to CNET UK, the source didn’t explicitly confirm that the device would be called the Lumia 1020, but said the device would be unveiled at Nokia’s “41 million reasons” event on July 11 in New York.

Expected to hit the UK market around a month after its July 11 unveiling, the Nokia Lumia 1020 was originally thought to be called the Nokia EOS Pureview after its Symbian OS Nokia 808 PureView predecessor.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 will be the first to bring Nokia’s 41-megapixel PureView camera technology to a Windows Phone 8 device.

The rear-facing monster megapixel snapper is also said to pack a Xenon flash with optical image stabilisation and a variable aperture to rival the recently unveiled Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom.

Other key specs for the Lumia 1020 have remained rather elusive so far, but leaks suggest the smartphone will come with a 4.5-inch 1,280 x 768p HD resolution screen.

With a rumoured internal storage capacity of 32GB, we expect Nokia may choose to release different varieties of internal storage to hold all those hi-res images.

Design-wise, the Lumia 1020 should strongly resemble the existing Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 925 . It will probably have a polycarbonate shell with a rounded corner design, although the back will pack a bulging camera module to house that huge image sensor.

Next, read our Windows Phone 8 tips and tricks.

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Apple may struggle to patent iWatch in UK and US

Apple has recently been on a bit of a mission to patent iWatch across the globe, but faces a struggle when it comes to the UK and US.

Having already filed applications for the name in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico, Apple won’t be able to trademark in the UK and US as other companies already own it.

In the US, a small Californian company called OMG Electronics has already trademarked the iWatch name for its own project. It hasn’t yet launched a product under the iWatch name, but is currently in the process of raising funds using Indiegogo for the device.

OMG Electronics has only managed to raise $1,434 (£953.20) via crowd sourcing so far.

The Intellectual Property Office shows that in the UK, the iWatch patent is owned by Probendi Inc. The company holds what is called a Community trademark on the name iWatch, which applies across all European countries including the UK.

A network services firm, Probendi won’t be making a smartwatch of its own, but is using the iWatch name for an app it is creating. iWatch will be an app “that sends real-time audio, video and location data to the Critical Governance platform”.

Probendi has held the iWatch trademark in Europe since 2008, so Apple could face a legal battle if it wants to launch a product with that name.

Although Apple hasn’t officially confirmed it is working on any wearable tech devices, latest rumours suggest an iWatch release date could be upon us this winter.

The iWatch is tipped to pack a 1.5-inch square touchscreen display, similar to an iPod Nano. However, a recent patent filing suggested the iWatch could look more like the Nike Fuelband where “a curve is formed at one end of the battery cell” or could link together “at two ends”.

A number of rival manufacturers including Samsung and LG have already confirmed they will be launching smartwatches or wearable tech devices as well.



Next, tell us what iWatch features you’d like to see.



Via: Cult of Mac

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Mass Effect 4 news, rumours, release date

Mass Effect 4 release date

Mass Effect 4 is in development at BioWare's Montreal Studios.

While there's no confirmed release date, it will likely launch for the next-generation PS4 and Xbox 720 consoles and potentially for PC, too. Given this, it's reasonable to expect it to launch some time in 2014.

Mass Effect 4 news

BioWare confirms Mass Effect 4 starting development

BioWare has said the game will not be called Mass Effect 4, but until we have any further details, this is the way the game is being identified.

"We are starting to get ready to develop another Mass Effect game, and it's going to be a new thing," said executive producer, Casey Hudson, at the PAX East panel. "We want to be able to give fans an opportunity to get back into the world with these things you've come to know and love about the Mass Effect experience but start something fresh and new - a new way for you to explore the whole universe in Mass Effect."

Other than this tantalising titbit, we know little else about Mass Effect 4, apart from the fact it will be using the Frostbite Engine.

Read more: Mass Effect 4 will be a fresh and new universe experience, says Bioware - March 25 2013



Mass Effect 4 could let you play as Garrus, Grunt, Aria or the Illusive Man

Mass Effect 4 could feature one of the existing Mass Effect series characters as its protagonist, according to discussions by the Bioware developers.

Players could take control of "one of Shepard's most loyal friends", Garrus Vakarian. Casey Hudson, Executive Producer for the Mass Effect series said Garrus has "had some of the most driven personal goals", is "a hero in his own right" and such a "bold and charming" character could make an engaging storyline for ME4.

Meanwhile, Preston Watamaniuk, the Lead Designer for the series, believes basing the game on the Krogan and a melee combat system "could be pretty exciting", potentially letting gamers play as Grunt or Wrex.

Mac Walters, Lead Writer for the Mass Effect series wants to focus on one of the smaller, less developed characters like Aria, The Illusive Man or Kai Leng for example. Mike Gamble, the Mass Effect series' producer, thinks that Javik, the sole surviving Prothean and star of the Mass Effect 3: From Ashes DLC, would steal the Mass Effect 4 spotlight.

Read more: Mass Effect 4 possibilities discussed by Bioware - May 13

BioWare wants your input for the Mass Effect 4 trailer

Studio Director of BioWare Montreal, Yanick Roy, reached out to his Twitter followers to ask for input for the PS4 and Xbox One Mass Effect 4 trailer.

"When we release a teaser trailer for the next ME, like DA3 [Dragon Age 3] just did, what would you like to see? What question would you like answered?" tweeted Roy from his personal account.

The tweet suggests that BioWare has yet to cement many of the storyline features for the upcoming Mass Effect title.

"When the game takes place and who you get to play are very strong trends in your answers," Roy tweeted later after many many responses.

However, seeing as the trailer has yet to be created, we could be looking at a 2015 release date for the game.

Conspicuously absent from E3 2013, Mass Effect 4 wasn't mentioned, with BioWare instead debuting the Dragon Age 3 trailer with a 2014 release date. This again suggests we could be in for quite a wait before the next Mass Effect launches.

Read more - Mass Effect 4: BioWare asks for fan input for Xbox One and PS4 trailer - June 17

Gears of War 3 producer to join Mass Effect team
Chris Wynn, previously Senior Producer for Epic Games, will be moving to a new post at BioWare.

Working as the Senior Development Director for the next Mass Effect game, Wynn has deserted his post as Senior Producer at Epic Games, having worked on Gears of War 3 and Gears of War: Judgment.


Announcing his new job on Twitter, Wynn said he was "thrilled to announce" his new role at BioWare.

Wynn will be working under Mass Effect franchise boss Casey Hudson, but will have a huge part to play in the development of the next Mass Effect title.

Read more - Mass Effect 4 team gains Gears of War producer Chris Wynn - July 3

Until we know more, here are a few thoughts about what we'd like to see.

Mass Effect 4 - what we’d like to see

1. A prequel exploring Mass Effect history

Games like the new Tomb Raider reboot and Batman Arkham: Origins prove that everybody likes a prequel. The Mass Effect timeline is already littered with important events that have had a serious impact on the story of the original trilogy.

The rise and the fall of the Protheans; The Krogan Rebellions; The Geth Wars; or even the Rachni Wars could serve as excellent settings for the Mass Effect 4 game. Often these events have been diminished to mere bullet points in the Mass Effect codex or brief story points, so Mass Effect 4 could be used to elaborate more.

In this way, some of the stories of the spin-off Mass Effect novels and comics could be given the video game treatment.



2. A sequel exploring what Shepard does in the aftermath

We’ll avoid spoilers for all those who haven’t finished Mass Effect 3, but Mass Effect 4 could explain what happened to Shepard after that ending. Mass Effect 3’s various finales managed to conclude Shepard’s story fairly beautifully, but have also caused many an online argument.

We would love to see what happens to Shepard, but also to the universe itself. What happened to that now redundant technology? What happened to the various races? Mass Effect 4 could have a go at answering some of those questions.

3. Play as an alien

As fond as we are at times of our own human form, Mass Effect 4 could be the chance to explore the universe from the perspective of another species. Imagine playing as a Krogan, Asari, Quarian, Turian or Salarian, instead of a human?

The Mass Effect trilogy featured so many races that the next game could tell any of their stories. In fact, it could be argued that in comparison, Shepard is one of the least interesting characters in the trilogy, which is certainly a nod to BioWare’s ability to create rounded non-player characters.

4. A more personal story

Finally, BioWare could make the whole storyline of Mass Effect 4 a little less grandiose. We’ve already repeatedly saved the universe, so why not take the plot right down to a single character’s more personal quest or at least something a little less epic?

The loyalty quests in the original Mass Effect Trilogy could be expanded into full length games, or introduce a new character somehow connected to the series’ existing characters.



5. Space Battles

The Mass Effect series missed out on a potentially golden opportunity. In between the planets and asteroids, the universe was an inaccessible expanse. All the space exploration we got to do was watch loading screens between planets or scrounge resources for the war effort.

Mass Effect 4 needs space battles. Indeed, Mass Effect 3 actually had one of the best space battle scenes, but unfortunately we didn’t get to partake in it. BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic features space battles, so why not the next Mass Effect game?

How they approach such space battles could come in a number of formats, but anything better than laboriously scanning planets for resources would be preferable.

What would you like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Mass Effect 4 will most likely be a next-gen console game, so why not read our PS4 and Xbox 720 roundups.

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Which waterproof camera should I buy? Six waterproof cameras reviewed

Waterproof camera reviews - six waterproof cameras tested

Whether it’s the beach, the pool, the ski slope or some other exotic climb, some places are just far too dangerous to risk your DSLR, normal compact or even your smartphone. You could buy an expensive enclosure for your DSLR, or you could just buy one of the increasing number 'tough' compact style cameras.

Question is: which one should you buy? We put six tough, waterproof cameras to the test to see which one is the best pick.

How we test waterproof cameras

While all of the cameras have slightly different camera specs, they are all waterproof, shockproof, dustproof and freezeproof to varying degrees, and with only small differences in the distances and depths that can withstand. All are freezeproof down to -10 degrees C, for example, and most are shcokproof from a height of two metres or so.

To test these claims, each camera was:

• Left overnight in a freezer and a block of ice


• Dropped onto a hard floor from the height specified by the manufacturer


• Used underwater in a swimming pool with underwater mode with no flash

Each passed the toughness tests with flying colours, so the key question is which one takes the best photos – particularly underwater – and which is easier to use.

Read on for all the details on the first three of our six waterproof cameras review.

Canon PowerShot D20, £260

The Canon PowerShot D20, like a few of the compact cameras in this group, inherits a host of its imaging tools from its non-tough (in this case PowerShot) stablemates. Its 12.1MP sensor is combined with Canon's DIGIC 4 processor and as such should deliver good image quality at the higher end of the 100 – 3,200 ISO range.

It's waterproof to a depth of 10 metres, which puts towards the bottom of our group, and shockproof from 1.5 metres.

Despite having a non-protruding lens – as is the case with all the compacts on test – the Canon PowerShot D20 has a 5x optical zoom that covers a focal range of 28-140mm in 35mm equivalent terms. There’s an Intelligent IS stabilisation system that will no doubt come in handy when sliding down the slopes or splashing in the surf, too.

Although it might not have as many gadgets and gizmos as some of the other cameras in this group it does still feature GPS functionality, as well as full HD video capture at a rate of 24fps.

It’s well-designed for use in the water and in difficult shooting conditions, as the ergonomically designed body sits comfortably in the hand and allows a secure grip. The large, bright buttons are easy to locate and press when needed, too.

The 3-inch LCD screen is crisp and clear, even in challenging conditions, and benefits from active display technology that allows you to operate it with either a tap or a tilt; great for when you can't quite reach the buttons.

Fujifilm FinePix XP60, £150

The Fujifilm FinePix XP60 is by some way the most affordable of our six contenders. This shows in the fact it's only waterproof to a depth of six metres, less than half the depth of all but one of the cameras on test. That's good enough for the pool, however, and it's shockproof from 1.5 metres.

At its core sits a 16.4MP CMOS sensor, which is paired with a non-protruding 5x optical zoon. The zoom covers a focal range of 28-140mm in equivalent terms and benefits from the presence of sensor-shift image stabilisation.

At 2.7-inches and with a 230k-dot resolution, the XP60’s screen is the lowest-specified out of the group and doesn't have either the sharpness or the clarity to match some of it's competitors. There’s no GPS, either.

The XP60 does have a few more highlights, however, including full HD image capture along with a headline continuous shooting speed of 10fps, while in macro mode the camera can focus as close as 9cm.

The XP60 is one of the smallest and most lightweight out of the group and as such feels as much like a traditional compact. One of the trade-offs of the more compact body is that it doesn't necessarily feel as robust as some of the other models, although it does feature the full repertoire of locks and tough features needed for such a compact.

Nikon Coolpix AW110, £270

Nikon was a relative latecomer to the tough camera market when it launched the Coolpix AW100 in 2011. The AW110 picks up where the AW100 left off, both in design and features. Much like the Canon PowerShot D20, the AW110 is similar to Nikon’s compact cameras, and as such ought to perform just as well.

It goes the deepest of all those on test, 18 metres to be precise. If you're a serious diver this could be your best bet. It's shockproof from two metres, too.

The AW110 has a 16MP CMOS sensor and 5x optical zoom, covering a focal range of 28-140mm in equivalent terms that’s somewhat familiar to this group. On the rear of the AW110 sits an impressive LCD screen that measures in at 3in and has a 614k-dot resolution, and is very sharp as a result.

It has GPS and Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi functionality not only allows for the wireless transfer of images between the camera and a smartphone, it also allows for the wireless control of the camera through either a smartphone or a tablet.

The AW110 is one of the more ruggedly built of the cameras on test, too. Its heavy body suggests that it can more than withstand the demands that a tough compact is sure to face. The buttons are nicely pronounced and are easy to operate with cold or wet hands.

In use the AW110 generally performs well, with a good operational speed and general shooting performance. The model's HD video mode is particularly pleasing, offering 30fps at full HD resolution.

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LG Optimus G2 rumoured to have 5.2-inch display and optical image stabilisation

LG Optimus G2 - possibly with an OIS camera

More LG Optimus G2 specification rumours have emerged, including the suggestion that the super-slim smartphone will come with a larger-than-expect display and some advanced camera tech.

Greek website Techblog carries the reports the that LG Optimus G2 will exceed the 5-inch display size most had expected. According to slightly questionable "unconfirmed information," the forthcoming smartphone will come with a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD IPS screen.

It's suggested that the phone's extremely small bezel means that a slight increase in screen size is possible without making the phone's body any bigger.

Another interesting new spec rumour from the same source is that the LG Optimus G2's 13-megapixel camera will feature optical image stabilisation (OIS). This is a feature that's only just starting to make its way into phones, allowing for steadier shots and videos and opening up the potential for markedly superior low light shots.

It's thanks to OIS that the Nokia Lumia 920 and the HTC One are such strong performers in low light conditions.

Otherwise, we know from a leaked promotional video and earlier rumours that the LG G2 will feature an unusual rear-mounted volume control setup. This is apparently in reaction to the fact that the phone will be extremely thin.

We also know for a fact that the LG Optimus G2 will be powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU. LG and Qualcomm issued a joint statement revealing as much last month.

We'll know more when the LG Optimus G2 is unveiled at a New York press event on August 7.



Next, check out our LG Optimus G Pro hands-on .

Via: Unwired View

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Samsung launches new super-zoom camera, Android nowhere to be seen

Samsung's latest super-zoom in Android free

Well, what do you know! Samsung has just launched a gadget without Android on board.

Following on from the launch of the Galaxy S4 Zoom and Galaxy NX hybrid camera, both running Google's OS, the company has gone back to basics with the launch of its WB110 range.

The new bridge camera follows on from last years WB100 snapper and in doing so boosts the sensor from 16 to 20-megapixels and brings a wide-angled 22.3mm lens into play.

The camera keeps the gigantic 26x optical zoom, which still sits behind some of the super-zooms on the market, but should be ample for most occasions.

The device, which packs a 3-inch LCD display, ISO settings ranging up to 3200 and the opportunity to to shoot 720p video. It'll be available in red and black too.

Samsung hasn't revealed when it expected the device to go on sale and hasn't announced an RRP either.

Given the predecessor is now available for a mere £100 don't expect it to break the bank.

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80% of AAA game developers lost during PS3 and Xbox 360 era, says EA

Soon all games, even Call of Duty games, will be FIFA games

The number of game studios developing so-called 'triple-A' quality games shrank by a massive 80 per cent during the last console cycle, according to an EA executive.

Richard Hilleman, who is EA's chief creative officer, estimates that around 125 studios were working on top-level games when the Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 were launched 8 years ago.

In a DICE Europe whitepaper, Hilleman pointed out there's now only 25 studios left doing similar work.

The CCO said the decline isn't necessarily representative of the amount of people working in the sector, due to larger teams, but it does mean less AAA games are coming to market.

He wrote: "What is true today is that there are fewer AAA games being built than at the same point in the previous generation.

"I've done some calculations that say there were about 125 teams in the industry worldwide working on what I'd call a AAA game on a console, and that was 7 or 8 years ago. That number today is well south of 30; probably in the 25 range.

"What's interesting is that, if you look at the composition of those teams, the numbers are exactly the same: those 125 teams became 25; the size of the teams increased by a factor of four."

Will the shrinking number of teams mean a dearth of homogenised content for the next generation of consoles?

Are we looking at a next generation dominated by a handful of giant developers? What does this mean for the future of console gaming?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Via CVG

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