Samsung Galaxy Gear now free with the Note 3

High street retailer Phones 4u has started offering the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch for free when buying a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, a saving of £300. With the Samsung-branded, Android-powered smartwatch having got off to something of a rocky start to life, failing to fully capture consumers’ attentions, the costly Samsung Galaxy Gear is now being bundled with the manufacturer’s latest phablet offering.Available...
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Apple attempted BlackBerry buyout before being blocked

Apple is said to have shown interest in buying out BlackBerry before being blocked be the board of the ailing Canadian handset maker. One of a number of company’s who are reported to have enquired into taking over the struggling maker of the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 handsets, Apple’s interest is said to have been blocked by the BlackBerry board as they sought independent investment.Citing...
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Panasonic TX-L42DT65 TV Review

What is the Panasonic TX-L42DT65?The Panasonic L42DT65 is a 42-inch LCD TV that sits just one step from the top of Panasonic’s latest HD LCD TV range. Its edge LED lighting features local dimming, its panel is driven by a ‘1600Hz’ engine, it’s 3D capable and its operating system benefits from Panasonic’s excellent My Home Screen interface. It's also available in 47-inch, 50, 55 and 60-inch sizes,...
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Twitter launches alpha test program for Android

Twitter is launching a test program that will allow users of its Android app to have a direct say on the future direction of the social network. The company launched a beta program back in August whereby Android users could try out early versions of the Twitter app. The idea was to test out possible features ahead of their adoption (or otherwise) into the app proper.Now Twitter is taking the test...
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Xbox One won’t play games out of the box

We’re just two weeks away from the official Xbox One launch, but Microsoft has confirmed that its next generation console won’t be able to play games out of the box. In order to use your new games console for playing games, you’ll need to install a day one software update. Otherwise it will effectively remain a £429 door stop.Whilst speaking with Engadget, Microsoft senior director of product management...
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Battlefield 4 Xbox One Kinect functionality explained

The Xbox One Kinect functionality for Battlefield 4 has been detailed by EA Games. EA DICE confirmed in July that Battlefield 4 would be utilising the new Xbox One Kinect when it launches in November, but didn’t reveal exactly how at the time.The developer has now announced the game will use Kinect’s head tracking features for leaning and peeking around cover.During the 12-minute-long Xbox One dashboard...
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Samsung Galaxy S5 release date, news, rumours, specs and price

A Samsung Galaxy S5 release date might not be expected until early 2014, but a raft of Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours have already starting circulating, offering early details on the next-gen flagship phone. With the Samsung Galaxy S4 now a matter of months old, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 available to buy and the iPhone 5S having hit retailers as the new target of the smartphone industry, Samsung has promised...
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iPad mini 2 delays blamed on screen burn-in issues

The iPad mini 2 release date is reportedly facing delays, with supply chain sources hinting that the new 7.9-inch Retina display is said to be suffering from screen burn issues. Although Apple has to date stated only that the iPad mini 2 release would be held “later in November,” it has been suggested that the second-generation tablet was originally intended to go on sale alongside the iPad Air on...
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Nexus 5 to get new Google Now smart features in November 13 update?

The Google Nexus 5 could be getting a update full of Google Now smart features on November 13.Although Google has yet to officially announce the update, but it seems an update download date for a host of new Google Now features has been pencilled in for next week.According to Wired magazine, Google Now will become smarter with the next update, including being able to offer answers back to you, similar...
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Stephen Elop could sell Xbox and kill off Bing if he becomes Microsoft CEO

Stephen Elop is seemingly pondering some rather huge changes if he becomes Microsoft CEO in the future. Previously CEO at Nokia, Elop is said to be considering realigning Microsoft’s focus with making Office software available to a wider range of devices, including Apple and Google.According to “three people with knowledge of his thinking”, Elop is prepared to shut down Microsoft’s major business...
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Xbox One dashboard demoed in new 12-minute video

Microsoft has released a 12-minute long video showing off the new Xbox One dashboard and its new features. Yusuf Mehdi, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Xbox and Marc Whitten, Corporate Vice President walk through the Xbox One dashboard in a 12-minute long live presentation.“Marc Whitten and Yusuf Mehdi walk through a comprehensive demo of Xbox One, including instant switching, biometric sign-in,...
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PS4 Release Date: November 29 launch now just three weeks away

The eagerly awaited PS4 release date is now just three weeks away, with the Xbox One rival to hit UK reailers on November 29, two weeks after it lands in the US. Having had a tumultuous couple of weeks after it was emerged the PS3 follow-on would not support audio CDs or MP3 files, the PS4 release date is now just seven days away in the States.Ahead of the eagerly awaited launch, Sony recently unveiled...
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Netflix and 4oD confirmed for early Xbox One appearance

Netflix, LOVEFiLM and 4oD are part of the 13 strong list of entertainment services Microsoft has today confirmed will make an early appearance on the upcoming Xbox One. With the Xbox One set to offer a raft of both gaming and entertainment options, the newly revealed list of entertainment services bound for the PS4 rival has been confirmed just two weeks ahead of the November 22 Xbox One release date.Although...
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LG G Flex coming to Europe as pricing is announced

The LG G Flex will arrive in Europe as early as next month, the flexible phone's South Korean manufacturer has revealed. Launching in Korea on November 12, the curved and flexible phone will be available in France on mobile network Orange by the end of the year.The device is being promoted by LG as "the world's first 'real' curved smartphone, an underhand dig at its bitter rival Samsung and the Samsung...
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Mass Effect 4 teaser pictures released by Bioware

Bioware has issued a series of teaser pictures for the upcoming Mass Effect 4 game on Twitter. The tweets all tease the “next chapter of Mass Effect” but actually reveal very little about game itself.Key Bioware Montreal staff working on the next Mass Effect title, including Series Producer Michael Gamble, Executive Producer Casey Hudson and BioWare Montreal Studio Director Yanick Roy, all bombarded...
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Xbox One Release Date: November 22 launch just two weeks away

The Xbox One release date is now just two weeks away, with Microsoft’s next-gen console and PS4 rival set to hit retailers on November 22. With just two weeks to go until the official Xbox One release date, the console looks set to be in short supply at launch, with manufacturer Microsoft having recently stated that all day-one Xbox One pre-orders of the next-gen console have sold out.The Xbox One...
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Motorola Moto G press picture leaks before November 13 launch event

The first official-looking press picture of the Motorola Moto G smartphone has been leaked online. Ahead of the Moto G’s official launch on November 13, an apparently official press image of the upcoming mid-range handset has appeared.The press picture comes courtesy of notorious tipster @evleaks and bears the tagline “Almost here.”Motorola issued a formal save the date notice for the Moto G launch...
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Google launches Android KitKat Keyboard alongside Hangouts SMS update

Google has opened out its updated Hangouts and Keyboard apps to the Play Store masses following the Google Nexus 5 debut. The company’s latest flagship Android smartphone shipped with the latest version of Google’s mobile OS, Android 4.4 KitKat, on October 31.Part of that new OS is Google’s own updated suite of apps, which includes a new version of Hangouts and a new Keyboard. Now the equivalent stand-alone...
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Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy Game Review

Exclusive to Nintendo 3DS Is this the end for Professor Layton? It’s certainly the end of an era. The sixth Layton game across two Nintendo handhelds, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy ties up the saga so far while leaving pathways open for the future, and does so in considerable style. If you’ve yet to play a Layton, then this isn’t the one to start with – it’s a bit like starting the Mass Effect...
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Apple fixes OS X Mavericks Gmail support

As expected, Apple has addressed the ongoing issues with the Mail app in OS X Mavericks, which had been struggling to handle Gmail accounts. The new Mac OS launched on October 22, bringing with it a host of subtle updates and visual tweaks to many of its constituent apps.One part that didn’t appear to get a massive update - at least externally - was the operating system’s email client, Mail. However,...
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Nokia Lumia 1520 tipped for November 25 UK launch

The Nokia Lumia 1520 may start shipping here in the UK on November 25, if one online retailer’s projections are to be believed. Online phone retailer Unlock Mobile is listing the 6-inch Windows Phone 8 device as being available for pre-order, with the expected arrival date of November 25. Still, pinch of salt, and all that.The price provided for the phone, incidentally, is £594.98. That might sound...
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Motorola patents throat tattoo communication device

Motorola has applied for a patent for a bizarre wearable communication device that would be tattooed onto a person’s throat. No, it’s not April 1. Motorola has genuinely applied for a patent that would lend the term 'wearable tech' to a whole new level.In a proposal that trumps even owner Google’s novel Google Glass effort, the proposed device "comprises an electronic skin tattoo capable of being...
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Sony Xperia Z1 Android 4.4 update confirmed alongside additional handsets

Sony has confirmed the Sony Xperia Z1 will be getting an Android 4.4 KitKat update, along with a host of other handsets. A week after Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat, Sony has revealed its upgrade plans for the Xperia Z1 and other high-end handsets.The Sony Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z Ultra and Xperia Z1 will all be getting the Android KitKat update, but Sony hasn’t yet outlined...
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HTC M8 pictures leak online showing off HTC One follow-on

It seems the new HTC M8 smartphone will be very different to its predecessors the HTC One, HTC One Mini and HTC One Max. Pictures of the device have leaked online showing a change in design direction that will see the flagship phone adopt an even more high-end appearance.A pair of photos posted on VR-Zone's Chinese site show a prototype of the phone's outer shell in a metallic blue colour.The snaps...
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Vodafone 3G fails to meet Ofcom requirements

Vodafone 3G coverage has failed to reach regulator Ofcom’s coverage obligations, falling short of the required 90 per cent. As part of the 3G mobile spectrum license, Ofcom requires all UK network providers to achieve coverage for 90 per cent of the country’s population, up from 80 per cent in 2000.EE, Three and O2 all meet the 90 per cent obligation, but Vodafone fell short by 1.4 per cent.However,...
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Driverless cars coming to Milton Keynes by 2015

Heathrow's Terminal 5 driverless podsMilton Keynes will have 20 driverless cars buzzing about the town by 2015 as part of a £1.5 million project. The British Government scheme will deliver a batch of 20 driverless pods by 2015 to the Buckinghamshire town, which will drive on lanes separate from pedestrians.The project hopes to introduce 100 autonomous pods by 2017 to ferry people between the Milton...
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Samsung Galaxy S5 camera to sport 16MP ISOCELL sensor

New Samsung Galaxy S5 leaks have appeared with the upcoming handset tipped to benefit from a 16-megapixel rear-mounted camera with an ISOCELL sensor. Offering a range of details on future product developments at its annual Analyst Day in Seoul, South Korea yesterday, Samsung has hinted that the Samsung Galaxy S5 camera will see its flagship phone line make the jump to a new 16-megapixel ISOCELL sensor....
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