HTC One 2 tipped to be 5-inch Snapdragon 800 powerhouse

New HTC One 2 specs have leaked, with the upcoming flagship phone tipped to boast a 5-inch display and a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor.

With the HTC One having been one of the most popular handsets of 2013, bringing the Taiwanese handset manufacturer back to the fore, a direct follow-on has been mooted for an early 2014 arrival, with rumoured HTC One 2 specs now emerging.

Currently doing the rounds under the working title of the HTC M8 (the One was originally known as the M7), the HTC One 2 specs have hit the web courtesy of the Twitter-based serial tech tipster @evleaks.

A source reportedly on point with its leaks, rumours and predictions, a Tweet from the @evleaks account yesterday read: “Sounds like the HTC M8 is -- and you could probably predict -- a 5-inch, 1080p handset powered by KitKat and a Snapdragon 800.”

Although the rumoured HTC One 2 specs are a step up on the One’s current offerings, they don’t look set to move the upcoming handset ahead of the market’s current powerhouses.

Both the Google Nexus 5 and LG G2 are currently powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and feature 1080p Full HD displays around the 5-inch mark.

Recent HTC One 2 specs have tipped the handset for a pre-MWC 2014 unveiling, a move that would likely see the phone enter the realms of reality just weeks ahead of the heavily rumoured Samsung Galaxy S5.

Read More: iPhone 6 rumours

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Day One PS4 bundles still available says Asda

With less than two weeks remaining until the UK’s PS4 release date, supermarket chain Asda has confirmed that Day One PS4 bundles are still available to buy.

Giving eager gamers a final chance to secure their next-gen Sony consoles for the day of launch, Asda has announced a new PS4 bundle deal which will be shipped in time for the imminent November 29 PS4 release date.

The Day One PS4 bundle which sees the 500GB PlayStation 4 console packaged with a copy of Killzone: Shadow Fall will set wannabe owners back £385, up on the console’s standard £349 fee.

Despite the PS4’s nearing arrival, according to Asda, the “item is available to pre-order for free delivery on release date.”

Although the Day One PS4 bundles are limited to one per customer, in an attempt to further sweeten the deal, Asda has announced that all PS4 pre-orders placed with it will be rewarded with £5 off an addition PS4 game purchase.

A warning on the company’s PS4 bundles pages reads: “Guaranteed Day 1 Stock. 1 Console per Customer. Asda reserves the right to cancel multiple orders.”

News of Day One PS4 bundles still being available through Asda clashes with confirmation earlier this week that online retailer Amazon has already sold out of its PS4 stock up to and including the festive period. Amazon has announced that all new PS4 pre-orders will now not be shipped until after the festive period.

“Customers who pre-order this console from November 14 will receive their consoles after Christmas,” Amazon has stated on its PS4 product page.



Read More: PS4 vs Xbox One

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Microsoft softens the Xbox One, PS4 rivalry with congratulatory note to Sony

The Xbox One vs PS4 battle has softened slightly as Xbox maker Microsoft issues an official note of congratulations to Sony over the PS4 launch.

With the PS4 release date having seen the eagerly awaited console launch in the US today ahead of a UK rollout later this month, Microsoft has congratulated Sony on its next-gen efforts.

“Congratulations on your launch, Sony,” the simple not from Microsoft read ahead of the Xbox logo branding that has become so familiar in the run up to the company’s own next-gen console launch.

While some have suggested that the comment is a snide jibe at its closest rival, others have claimed that Microsoft’s acknowledgement of a competitor helping forward on the overall gaming market is a classy move from the Redmond-based manufacturer.

The official comment comes after Microsoft Studios’ General Manager Phil Spencer last night issues his own congratulations to the Sony team.

“Congrats to the PS4 team @PlayStation, @amboyes, @CEOJackTretton, @yosp on the launch of the PS4,” Spencer declared via his official Twitter feed.

Although the PS4 is now available in the US, a UK PS4 release date will not be held until November 29. Beating the Sony console to British shores, an Xbox One release date has been confirmed for November 22, a date now less than a week away.

While the Xbox One will hit the UK before its bitter rival, it will have a heavier effect on gamers’ wallets. Where the Xbox One price has been set at £429, the PS4 price is a full £80 cheaper at £349.

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

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Samsung Galaxy Gear update brings app notifications to your wrist

A new Samsung Galaxy Gear update has been rolled out with the smartwatch now bringing app notifications direct to your wrist.

With the Samsung Galaxy Gear having been somewhat limited up to now in what details it can display, a recent firmware update has now been added to with a revised Samsung Galaxy Gear Manager platform. Building on the wrist wear’s call, text and email alerts, the Gear has been expanded to incorporate notifications from any of your smartphone hosted apps.

Requiring the watch to have already been upgraded to the latest firmware rollout – build V700XXUAMJ8 -, the newly updated Gear Manager platform means notifications from the likes of Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp can now be received on your wrist.

With a dedicated notifications centre allowing you to determine exactly which applications push notifications to your wrist, the Gear’s functionality and usability just went up a considerable notch.

According to recent reports from US retailer Best Buy, the Samsung Galaxy Gear has failed to ignite much consumer interest, with return rates of the Sony Smartwatch 2 reportedly hitting 30 per cent.

Leaked papers from the retailer have stated: “The Galaxy Gear attachment rate within Best Buy is the highest among all channels; however the overall return rate is trending above 30 per cent.”

In a bid to increase interest in the timepiece, UK retailer Phones 4u recently offered the Samsung Galaxy Gear completely for free when consumers took the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 out on a 24 month contract. Originally compatible only with the Note 3, the Samsung Galaxy S4 recently added Galaxy Gear compatibility.



Next, read all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours

Via: SamMobile

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Best cheap mobile phones to buy 2013

Looking for the best cheap smartphone to buy? Whether it's a budget Android phone or an iPhone-looking handset you are after, we've picked the best phones under £200.


So the wallet can’t stretch to one of the best smartphones iPhone 5S or an Android smartphone great like the HTC One or the Samsung Galaxy S4. All is not lost. You can still get the smartphone experience at the fraction of the price. You will have to be prepared to make some compromises.

The iPhone 5C wasn't the budget Apple smartphone some had hoped so the likes of HTC, Nokia, ZTE, Huawei and Alacatel are amongst the phone manufacturers trying to make cheap Windows Phone 8 and Android smartphones a more attractive alternative.

There are some specs that you will have to do without. Like a Full HD 1080p screen for instance. Yes, you will lose out on the exceptional clarity levels, colour range and vibrancy to make the most of watching video and playing games.

Processing power is another department that usually takes a hit. Don’t expect to get any quad-core power here. It’s all about single or dual-core CPUs. In the snapping department you shouldn't expect iPhone 5S or Sony Xperia Z1-like quality.

For under £200, you can still get a decent main and front-facing camera. You can still get access to Google Play and the Windows Phone store to download apps and games. More importantly, all of those features are packaged in a body that doesn’t look like it’s been hit with an ugly stick.

If money is tight and you are looking for a smartphone minus the expensive contract, we’ve rifled through our latest mobile phone reviews to give you the best cheap smartphones to buy right now.

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Xbox One follows PS4 in being sold out for Christmas delivery at Amazon

Amazon has confirmed that the Xbox One has followed in the footsteps of the rival PS4 and is no longer available for delivery ahead of the Christmas period though Amazon.

With the Xbox One release date scheduled for next Friday, November 22, Amazon has announced that new Xbox One pre-orders will now not be honoured until after the festive period.

“Orders placed from November 13 may not be delivered before Christmas,” a note on the retailer’s Xbox One product listing states.

News that the Xbox One is no longer available in time for Christmas comes just one day after Amazon announced that it would no longer be able to ship new PS4 pre-orders to gamers in time for the holidays.

While Day One Xbox One pre-orders have been sold out for a number of months, this marks the first time a major retailers has indicated just how short in supply the eagerly awaited next-gen games console will be in the run up to the Christmas period.

Although the PS4 is now on sale in the US, the Xbox One rival will not hit UK retailers until November 29, seven days after the Microsoft branded gamer will go on sale.

Although the Xbox One has the advantage of hitting British shores first, the 360 follow-on is the considerably more expensive of the two upcoming consoles. The Xbox One price tag has been set at £429, a full £80 more than the £349 PS4 price.

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

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PS4 Pre-orders: Best deals and bundles available now

With just weeks to go until the console's release, PS4 pre-orders have hit fever pitch, with a mass of retailers all vying for your next-gen console cash.

Although day one PS4 pre-orders sold out months ago, a number of outlets are still giving you the chance to secure your PS3 follow-on ahead of the console's upcoming Novemeber 29 UK PS4 release date. Highlighting just how in-demand the next-gen console, interest in the PS4 is said to be double that of the rival Xbox One.

Following the announcement that more than 1 million PS4 pre-orders had already been placed by the middle of the summer, Sony has confirmed that any PS4 pre-orders placed after August 6 will not be available on the console's day of release. If, however, you are still intent on snapping up the next-gen console ahead of launch, there are many offers still available to ensure you get the most for your money - you don't even need to spend the £349 asking price.

Making sure you are kept up to date on all the best and latest offers and PS4 prices, we will continue to update this article as new PS4 pre-order deals are made available and competition for your hard earned cash heightens as the console’s arrival nears.

Where can you buy the PS4? Read on to find out.

GameStop
One of the best PS4 pre-orders savings of the moment, online outlet GameStop is offering PS4 pre-orders at the considerably reduced price of £329.97, a grand saving of £20.02.

Like many of its rivals GameStop is warning those after the console that PS4 pre-orders might no longer arrive by the unit's November 29 release date. The retailer's site states: "Pre-orders on PS4 placed after 4th August 2013 are not guaranteed for Launch Day. You will then be placed in a queue for dispatch as soon as more stock is secured. We currently cannot guarantee when this will be."

Offering a bit more positivity, the company adds: "When you preorder the PS4, you are automatically upgraded to Express Shipping for free."

PS4 Pre-orders: GameStop

Amazon

Amazon is now offering PS4 pre-orders at the console’s E3 confirmed £349 price point. Although currently offering the console at its RRP, Amazon has promised those looking to secure the console ahead of launch, that it if lowers the price at any point, it will refund the difference.

“Order now and if the Amazon.co.uk price decreases between the time you place your order and the release date, you'll be charged the lowest price,” the company’s price guarantee statement reads.

Not deterred by the lack of day one stock, Amazon has stated: "Please note--due to high demand, orders placed for this PlayStation 4 console from August 6 may be received after release date. We will ship orders as soon as we receive sufficient inventory."

If looking to buy the PS4 as a present, perhaps a Christmas gift, Amazon offers gift wrapping on its PS4 pre-orders, a potentially handy addition.

PS4 Pre-orders: Amazon

Blockbuster

Although you can no longer pre-order your console through the now defunct retailer, Blockbuster has confirmed that all PS4 pre-orders placed with the company will still be honoured.

Having originally suggested that it would not be able to honour PS4 pre-orders due to entering administration for a second time, the retailer has now flip-flopped on this statement.

"We are pleased to announce that both Microsoft and Sony have set aside Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Day 1 consoles for Blockbuster customers who have valid pre-orders,” an official statement from the company has today stated.

"To ensure Microsoft and Sony supply you with your console please complete the form at the following link by midnight on Thursday 7th November - http://survey.blockbuster.co.uk/s3/nextgen.”

Toys R Us

Having offered the best PS4 pre-order discounts to let you pinch the pennies, Toys R Us has now closed its early offering of the next-gen console. Despite being out of day one pre-order stock, the retailer is still listing the PS4 price at a reduced £339.99, £10 cheaper that the console's RRP.

Since Sony's day one unavailability announcement, the retailer has closed its PS4 pre-orders stating simply "PS4 pre-orders sold out." That said, the continued low price suggests the toy store will offer this reduced price after launch too.

Offering a small glimmer of hope to those who have yet to secure their PS4 pre-order, the Toys R Us advanced order page is now letting wannabe owners to "Register to receive an email when available."

PS4 Pre-orders: Toys R Us

Game

Offering multiple PS4 pre-order options, high street retailer Game will let you secure a standalone PS4 console, or the next-gen device bundled with a couple of games. It has failed to acknowledge the lack of day one availability at present.

Although stating the PS4 price at the £349 RRP, Game only requires a £20 deposit for you to reserve your console ahead of launch. With the precise PS4 release date still up in the air, Game has listed the Xbox One rival alongside a “X-mas 2013” launch window.

Again only requiring a £20 deposit with the full balance to be paid ahead of launch, Game’s PS4 games bundle will see the PS3 follow-on hit your doorstep with a copy of Killzone Shadow Fall and Drive Club in tow. A finalised price for this game bundle has yet to be announced.

PS4 Pre-orders: Game

Zavvi

Undercutting its rivals, Zavvi is offering a marginally reduced PS4 price for those pre-ordering the console. And when we say marginal, we really do mean it.

Shaving a full five pence of the console’s price, Zavvi based PS4 pre-orders will see gamers pay ‘just’ £348.95. What’s more, unlike some retailers demanding full, upfront payment, the former high street presence has stated: “Payment will not be taken until dispatch.”

Again offing a price promise that could come in useful as competition between sellers increases and fees potentially tumble, Zavvi has revealed: “Order this product with us today and if we reduce the price between taking your order and the release date, we will charge you the lower price!”

Although still accepting PS4 pre-orders, the retailer now states on its website: "Orders place from 6th Aug may be received after release date."

PS4 Pre-orders: Zavvi

Asda

Suggesting that PS4 stock could be limited at launch and that pre-ordering might be the way to go, supermarket chain Asda is allowing customers to pre-order just one of Sony’s devices each. Again notifying customers about the lack of day one stock, the Asda pre-order site reads: "Orders placed on or after the 5th August are not guaranteed for Day 1 delivery."

Letting you secure the gaming and entertainment hub for just £20, the retailer will not pressure you into paying the full price until the console is ready to be shipped.

Offering a variety of pre-order opportunities, Asda has confirmed that eager gamers will be able to secure their PS4 either online or in store.

PS4 Pre-orders: Asda

ShopTo

The PS4 has topped the company’s pre-orders list repeatedly since its unveiling and ShopTo has no plans to halt its pre-orders even though day one stock might not be available.

A statement on the ShopTo PS4 pre-order pages now reads: “Please note that Sony have confirmed all PlayStation 4 pre-orders placed from August 6 will now not be guaranteed for launch. You can still pre-order PS4 with us in case we receive cancellations and can fulfil your order for launch.”

Another retailer to offer the PS4 with a microscopic discount, pre-ordering the console from ShopTo will save you a full two pence off the retail price. PS4 pre-orders through this online retailer will set you back £348.98. What's more, the company will let you change your mind at any time between ordering the next-gen Sony console and the device being shipped to your door. ShopTo has stated: “You will not be charged until the item is dispatched. You may cancel the pre-order any time before dispatch.”

PS4 Pre-orders: ShopTo

While a number of other retailers had previously offered PS4 pre-orders, many have now stopped accepting advanced purchases for the eagerly awaited console. While Sony itself is no longer accepting PS4 pre-orders, both Tesco Sainsbury's have also close their PS4 pages.

More to Follow: We will continue to update this post with all the latest PS4 pre-order deals as they emerge.

Read More: Xbox One pre-orders

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Apple ‘bet the company’ on iPhone says Phil Schiller

Apple’s global head of marketing Phil Schiller has suggested the tech giant “bet the company” on the iPhone when it launched its first handset back in 2007.

Speaking in court as Apple seeks further damages from Samsung over claimed patent infringements and a copying of its intellectual properties, Schiller described the original iPhone as a “huge risk” and revealed that the smartphone was known as a “bet the company” product internally.

“There were huge risks [with the first iPhone],” Schiller told the court in California. “We had a saying inside the company that it was a ‘bet-the-company’ product.”

He added: “We were starting to do well again in iPod [...] Then here we’re going to invest all these resources, financial as well as people, in creating this product.”

Although Schiller revealed that around 100 people worked on the original iPhone, he added that now “almost everyone” at Apple is involved with the company’s smartphone efforts in one way or another.

The original iPhone reinvented the mobile phone sector, help launch the rise of the mobile application and bringing high-end handsets with premium components and vibrant touchscreen displays to the fore.

Having launched the original iPhone back in June 2007, Apple is now on its sixth and seventh iterations of the handset, with the flagship iPhone 5S lining up alongside the colourful, and marginally more affordable, plastic clad iPhone 5C.

Next, read all the latest iPhone 6 news and rumours

Via: 9to5Mac

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Sony reveals 0.4% of PS4 consoles will be faulty on arrival

With the PS4 now on sale in the US, Sony has revealed that it expects 0.4 per cent of its next-gen consoles to be faulty upon arrival with consumers.

With the first PS4 problems having been reported earlier this week by early adopters in America, Sony has looked to quell concerns, stating that less than half a per cent of all PS4s shipped during the launch window will suffer from faults out of the box.

Although Sony has suggested these figures are “within our expectations for a new product introduction,” based on early PS4 sales predictions, this small percentage could still equate to more than 20,000 new consoles by the end of the year.

"A handful of people have reported issues with their PlayStation 4 systems," an official Sony spokesperson has stated. "This is within our expectations for a new product introduction, and the vast majority of PS4 feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”

They added: “We are closely monitoring for additional reports, but we think these are isolated incidents and are on track for a great launch."

With gamers having reported bricking issues and problems with faulty HDMI connectors, the Sony spokesperson stated: “The number of affected systems represents less than 0.4 per cent of shipped units to date, which is within our expectations for a new product introduction."

After a number of PS4 pre-order customers in the States were sent their consoles early, the first PS4 problems quickly began to emerge.

“After playing a brief game of NBA 2k14 I quit and inserted my battlefield 4 disk. The system prompted for an update, so while watching the progress bar (Around 20%) my controller light turned from blue to white. Hasn't worked since,” NEOGaf user Dylx has reported.

His issues were added to by gaming journalist Stephen Totilo who stated: "The first retail PS4 we got from Sony didn't work.”

He added: “The first retail unit that Sony provided me failed to work when I plugged it into a TV in Kotaku's office. A colleague and I were able to compare it to a second PS4 that did work and we found that the issue was rather simple: the bad unit had a faulty HDMI jack that we couldn't fully plug an HDMI cable into.”

Read More: PS4 vs Xbox One

Via: Polygon

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Budget BlackBerry C-series handset leaks

A new BlackBerry C-series handset has leaked online, with the bare-bones BB10 handset expected to run a wallet-friendly budget price tag.

With no new BlackBerry smartphones having been introduced for a number of months given the company’s current financial woes and structural shakeup, the leaked BlackBerry C-series images have appeared in the tutorial pages of the latest BB OS rollout.

With the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 tackling the high-end areas of the smartphone market, and the somewhat disappointing BlackBerry Q5 priced as a mid-range offering, BlackBerry C-series devices have long been rumoured as a way of bringing the BlackBerry 10 OS to the masses.

Shown as a squat, plastic device, the currently unconfirmed BlackBerry C-series device has been pictured from a range of views, with SD storage expansion and a removable back panel shown off.

Although no exact dimensions for the device have been given, the C-series handset looks to be on the stubby side, with the handset looking likely to be similar in size or smaller than the boxy Q5.

With the BlackBerry C-series handset not shown from the front, it is currently unclear if the budget phone will sport a full touch interface or BlackBerry’s trademark physical QWERTY keyboard. As always though, we will keep you posted on any future developments.

Back in September BlackBerry suggested it would be moving away from consumer handsets until it had successfully restructured and slowed its rapid decline in the smartphone stakes.

“"Going forward, we plan to refocus our offering on our end-to-end solution of hardware, software and services for enterprises and the productive, professional end user,” an official spokesperson for the Canadian manufacturer said at the time.

Read More: iPhone 5S review

Via: CrackBerry

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HP Slatebook x2 Tablet Review

What is the HP Slatebook x2?

The HP Slatebook x2 is a Wi-Fi only Android tablet that comes with a keyboard dock to turn itself into a 10.1-inch laptop, boosting the overall battery life in the process. It's similar to the like of the Asus Transformer Pad TF701T and a raft of Windows 8 convertibles like the Microsoft Surface Pro 2, though it has a few issues in comparison to the very best hybrid tablets available.

GUIDE: Tablet Buyer's Guide: all you need to know

HP Slatebook x2: Design

Compared to the steely, aluminium Asus Transformer Pad Tf701T, the HP Slatebook X2 is a far more reserved, business-like affair. It's plain grey matte plastic body and curvy chassis is pretty uninspiring to look at, but it's by no means cheap and feels robust and solid enough to withstand the rigours of carrying it around in a bag all day.

It's not especially light tablet, not by recent standards anyway. The tablet and keyboard dock together weighs in at 1.3kg, making it heavier than the Surface Pro 2 (907g) and the Transformer Pad TF701T (1.1kg). The tablet on its own weighs 630g, making it a considerably heavier prospect than the iPad Air (469g).

Hidden inside a bag, the extra bulk is less of an issue, but it’s more noticeable when you are carrying it in your hand where the strain can begin to show if you are using it for long periods of time. It’s also worth mentioning that it comes with a power brick charger, so there’s no USB charging here and eats away into some of its portable appeal.

The tablet itself measures in at 9.5.mm thick around the top and sides, which gives the Slatebook x2 a reasonably slimline profile. This is clearly helped by HP's decision to mould the volume rocker and on/off buttons into the back of the tablet. It’s not exactly LG G2 buttons on the back of a phone, but you do on occasions have to scramble your fingers around to locate them.



ROUNDUP: 10 best Android tablets you can buy

All of the ports are hidden below where the two dock hinges lie giving you access to an SD card slot, proprietary charging port and a headphone/microphone jack. Elsewhere, there’s two speakers on the bottom edge of the tablet while up top is the WLAN antenna, 720p front-facing camera and webcam light.

The tablet clips into the keyboard via the docking port and two further connections to keep it steady and secure. There’s a small latch at the front of the keyboard dock to snap it in and out-of-place. Here you’ll find a not quite full-size chiclet-style keyboard with a multi-touch clickpad to give you a netbook-style typing experience. To make it more Android-friendly, some tablet-centric keys are thrown into the mix, including a Homescreen shortcut, volume control, Wi-Fi toggle and a screengrab button.

Initially typing is on the cramped side and it does take some time adjusting to the reduced layout. The keys do offer decent travel, making it great for quick typists, but you can hit the odd wrong key in the process. Equally, the clickpad is useful for navigating homescreens and browsing the web. It also handles gestures like pinch and zoom well and is a nice alternative to swiping your fingers across the screen. There’s more ports and connections to be found, including another proprietary charging port, USB 2.0 and HDMI connections to hook up to a TV or plug in additional accessories like a mouse.

As a laptop, it sits nicely on a table and has rests on the bottom to raise it slightly. The hinge also props the screen up and can be pushed back to offer a good range of viewing angles. On the lap, the smooth plastic body sits nicely and shouldn't slip from your grasp making sure it passes the crucial 'does it sit on my lap' test.



ROUNDUP: 10 best tablets you can buy

HP Slatebook x2 - Screen

The HP Slatebook x2's screen has a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution with IPS-derived LCD display. At 224 pixels per inch (ppi), delivers sharp, detailed images and crisp text, but it's nowhere near the quality seen on the 2,500 x 1,600, 300ppi display on the Transformer Pad TF701T or the 2,560 x 1,600 screen on the Nexus 10.

It also uses IPS display technology to improve viewing angles and using it outdoors in bright sunlight, or at least that's the theory. The reality, however, is a little different. The screen looks fine when viewed from the front, but there's a noticeable loss of contrast when viewed from the sides. This isn't a critical flaw, but it is a minor black mark.

What’s more of a concern is the screen is very dim even at maximum brightness level. It’s perfectly suitable for watching video and gaming indoors, but the Slatebook x2 is hard to use outdoors and the screen lacks the punch and verve we're used to seeing from tablets.

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Xbox One Release Date: November 22 launch just one week away

The Xbox One release date is now just one week away, with Microsoft’s next-gen console and PS4 rival set to hit retailers on November 22.

With just seven days 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 release date will precede the UK PS4 release date by a full week, although Sony’s next-gen gamer is now already available in the US having gone on sale today, November 15.

"November 22 is a special day in Xbox history,” Yusuf Mehdi, Vice President of Xbox Marketing said in making the Xbox One release date announcement earlier this year. “On this day, we first launched Xbox 360 in 2005. Our next chapter begins in 79 days, when Xbox One becomes available."

The Xbox One release date will see the eagerly awaited console launch simultaneously in 13 global markets on the 22nd. Launch territories for the console include Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and Spain. The US and UK are also included.

Although the Xbox One release date will precede that of the PS4, it will be more expensive. The Xbox One price was set earlier this year as £429, some £80 more expensive than the PS4 price tag.

With Day One console pre-orders having already sold out, Mehdi has confirmed that Microsoft will make more available giving eager gamers an extra chance.

"We are humbled and gratified by the tremendous interest in Xbox One from game fans everywhere,” he said. “We sold out of our pre-order supply faster than at any other time in our history and we are on path to have the biggest launch of an Xbox ever. We look forward to celebrating with millions and millions of gamers this holiday.

"As a result of this incredible consumer demand and the development progress on Xbox One, I am thrilled to share that today we are making available a limited number of additional Xbox One Day One consoles for pre-order. We have coordinated with our retail partners to make it easy for you to reserve your Xbox One today."

Read More: Xbox One pre-orders

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Apple testing 12.9-inch iPad in partnership with Foxconn?

With the iPad mini 2 now on sale, latest reports have suggested that the Cupertino-based company is currently working on a new 12.9-inch iPad.


Following the recent unveiling of the refreshed iPad Air and iPad mini 2, {pullquote{rumours of a larger screened iPad have once again resurfaced, with Apple reportedly at the testing stage{/pullquote} of the oversized, business orientated tablet offering.

Citing an unnamed Chinese source, latest reports have claimed that a 12.9-inch iPad is currently being tested through Apple’s longstanding manufacturing partner for its iPhone and iPad lines, Foxconn. With the tablet still in the testing phase, it is not expected that any launch would take until well into 2014.

Earlier in the year Korean news outlets reported that a 12.9-inch iPad was in the works as Apple’s plans to provide a “platform driven strategy to dominate the market.”

They added that the larger iPad would allow the manufacturer to target “future growth, especially in emerging markets aimed at digital textbooks.”

Far from the only company said to be working on a larger tablet offering, a 12.2-inch Samsung Galaxy Note tablet is widely expected to be officially unveiled as part of the Korean manufacturer’s CES 2014 lineup.

According to recent rumours, the tablet will boast a 2560 x 1600 pixel Full HD display alongside a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel rear-mounted camera. The Samsung Galaxy Note 12.2 specs sheet is believed to be rounded off by Google’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat operating system.

Read More: iPad Air vs iPad mini 2

Via: GSMInsider

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Uncharted for PS4 release confirmed by Sony and Naughty Dog

Ahead of last night’s PS4 release date in the US, Sony has promised exciting new things for the next-gen console with an Uncharted for PS4 release confirmed.

With Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception having received consumer and industry acclaim last year for pushing the capabilities of the outgoing PS3 to its limits, Sony has now confirmed that a new Uncharted for PS4 release is already in the works.

While the gaming giant has yet to state when we can expect the next instalment of the Naughty Dog developed franchise, the game, currently detailed under the simple working headline ‘Uncharted’ is expected to make full use of the increased PS4 capabilities.

According to developer Naughty Dog, the Uncharted for PS4 release will “continue what we’ve done in previous console generations and once again deliver the best in storytelling, performance capture, technical innovation and graphics on the PS4.”

Offering few concrete details on the upcoming game, an Uncharted for PS4 trailer has been introduced alongside the announcement, with US actor Todd Stashwick voicing a seemingly villainous new character set to be the lead antagonist of the future title.

With Stashwick’s character having appeared to have been left for dead by Drake, Sony has revealed the new game will see Drake’s Deception Director Justin Richmond and Creative Director and Writer Amy Hennig once again join forces.



Read More: Best Games 2013

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PS4 Release Date: Out now in the US, coming to the UK November 29

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 the PS4 retail packaging, giving gamers an idea of what they can expect.

Continuing the colour schemes which have adorned much of the PS4 promotional materials to date, the PS4 release date will see consoles head to retailers in blue and white boxes, with the usual console image and storage details on show.

With just weeks to go until the PS4 release date, the console’s retail packaging was unveiled via the Twitter feed of Chris Owen, Sony’s Community Manager for PlayStation Europe.

The PS4 release date was officially announced by Sony during its Gamescom 2013 press conference back in August. The next-gen console will hit UK retailers on November 29.

Landing in UK two weeks after its global launch debut in the US simultaneously, the November 29 PS4 UK release date will see the console go head-to-head with the Xbox One release date, a launch that has been set one week earlier on November 22. The PS4 release date for US based gamers is November 15.

Making the PS4 release date announcement, Andrew House, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment stated: “PlayStation 4 will be launching in 32 countries this holiday season and will be made available in North America on the 15th of November and in Europe on the 29th of November.”

He added: “2013 is the year when interactive entertainment takes a massive leap forward with the launch of the PS4.”

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

With the PS4 release date and price now confirmed, the Sony branded console seemingly has the edge over its Microsoft produced rival, with the Xbox One release date set for November. What’s more, the PS4 price is £80 cheaper than that of the Xbox One, heading to retailers priced £349 compared with the Xbox’s £429 price tag.

The PS4 is set to be bestowed with a raft of new and exclusive games at launch, with the likes of Watch Dogs, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag and Infamous Second Son all to be made available for the PS3 follow on.

Further PS4 games set to feature at launch include the likes of Call of Duty: Ghosts, Battlefield 4 and FIFA 14. A number of further high-profile games are all set to hit the console in the near future too with Bungie’s Destiny topping the eagerly awaited list.

Read More: PS4 vs Xbox One

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Sony PlayStation 4 Review

First impressions of the PS4

It's safe to say that Sony left E3 on a bit of a high. After a poor start in February, E3 saw the PS4 take a notional lead over the Xbox One. It's a compact and well-designed box at a reasonable price, and Sony's open approach to PS4 game sharing and used games has gone down a whole lot better than Microsoft's rather restricted take.

Since E3 the PS4 has continued to ride a wave of positivity, albeit with a few bumps in the road. The news that the PS4 won't support MP3 playback, external hard drives or DLNA at launch has put more than a few noses out of joint. Sony has made some noises about looking into adding it in future, but not firm a committment, which is odd considering the PS3 was such a good media hub. It's also lost a key launch title in Driveclub, which has been pushed back to 2014 having been due to be available at launch.

This leaves Killzone to shoulder much of the burden as a 'system seller', though Sony can claim to be the best next-gen console for cross-platform games due to its superior power. Numerous third-party developers have confirmed their games run at higher resolutions on the PS4, which only the most ardent Xbox One supporter can spin away.

We'll be publishing a full PS4 review next week ahead of the UK PS4 release date on 29 November. Until then, here are our first impressions of the new consoles.

SEE ALSO: PS4 Pre-orders: Best deals and bundles available now

See our first look at the PS4 from the PlayStation Summer showcase

Sony PS4 hardware

The PS4 design seems a bit conservative after the high-gloss curves of the original PS3, but the console is a relatively compact and stylish unit, a little slimmer-looking than the Xbox One and capable of standing on its side.

In many ways it's reminiscent of a PS2, perhaps harking back to Sony's glory days. The front houses the Blu-ray drive and a pair of USB 3 ports, while the rear hosts another, plus HDMI and Ethernet sockets and a digital optical out. Frankly, these are all so cleverly concealed amongst a mass of grilling that there might be other sockets in there that we didn't spot while peaking at the unit through glass.

By now the specification of the PS4 is pretty well-known (read our Xbox One vs. PS4 comparison for details) and this time the use of GDDR5, as opposed to DDR3 RAM, and a more powerful AMD Radeon GPU makes it pretty clear that the PS4 is, physically speaking, the more powerful of the two new consoles.

Microsoft's hope is that its architectural enhancements and cloud-based systems will balance this out, though that remains to be seen. For now, what we can say is that both consoles are capable of running some spectacular games, even if some of the PS4's upcoming titles have a slight edge when it comes to visual splendour.

Sony PS4 DualShock 4 controller

You can read our DualShock 4 hands-on for more detail, but it's comfortably the best PlayStation controller yet. It's wider than the old DualShock 3 to accommodate the central touchpad, and not quite as nicely balanced as the excellent Xbox One controller.

However it feels very comfortable in the hand, the triggers sit nicely under the fingers, and the analogue sticks have a slightly raised ring around the edge of each pad, helping your thumbs maintain traction.

We've now seen proof that the glowing bar at the back works as a reference for software using the new PlayStation Eye camera, and that - like the PlayStation Move's glowing orb - it can be set to a huge range of colours.

Like the DualShock 3, the DualShock 4 also has tilt sensitivity, and we even suspect that the analogue sticks are more sensitive than they were before, with a smaller central dead zone than the DualShock 3's sticks.

There will be grumbles about the placement of the start, select and share buttons - they are a bit of a reach - but overall this is a slick, comfortable and very versatile controller.

Sony PS4 software and services

We'll have to wait until we can really get to grips with the PS4's new UI, but it's a big departure from the old and dated XMB interface, with a clean and modern look and nicely integrated social features designed to get you sharing and competing with your friends.

Where Microsoft's approach seems focused on the Xbox One's position as an all-in-one entertainer, the PS4's UI still puts games centre stage. However, Sony has confirmed that its Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited services will put in an appearance on PS4, and we can be sure you'll also see LoveFilm, Netflix, Mubi, Flixster and a few old PS3 entertainment stalwarts, too.

PlayStation Eye

As we saw in February, PlayStation Eye has had a bit of a revamp. It looks a little like a miniaturised version of the Xbox One's new Kinect sensor, and now features two high-sensitivity cameras with 85 degree wide-angle lenses, and it can now gauge depth without having to make calculations based on the size of the Move's glowing orb.

We've seen Eye being used in a couple of ways at E3, from simply taking photos of racers while playing DriveClub, to a sophisticated and extremely funny demo called 'PlayRoom' that saw tiny robots and water sprays emerging from the PS4 controller with a crisp, 3D detail that the old PS Eye could never have matched.

Clarity, image quality and low-light performance seem much better than before, which should make augmented reality apps of this nature that little bit more appealing and practical. It's going to cost £44.99, bringing the price of the PS4 with Eye closer to the price of the Xbox One with Kinect, but it's an option rather than a necessity, bringing extra features to PS4 and its games, but not really needed if you just want to play your favourite games.

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Asus hints at new Nexus 7 for 2014

Asus has suggested that it is in line to return for the production of the next Google Nexus 7 in 2014.

Towards the beginning of October it was rumoured that the Taiwanese manufacturer, which has produced both generations of Nexus 7 tablet for Google to date, had been ditched for production of the 2014 model.

It’s been suggested that LG, which has been responsible for the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 5 smartphones, would be asked to produce the next compact Google tablet.

However, in a recent earnings call, Asus has suggested that talks are under way for it to continue producing the Nexus 7 line. Indeed, the company appears to be depending on this renewed agreement with Google to expand its tablet production to 13 percent of its overall business. It currently sits at six percent.

Of course, with the Google Nexus 7 2 doing the business with its stunning 1920 x 1200 7-inch display, quad-core Snapdragon processor and solid design - all for a bargain price - it makes sense for Google to stick with a winning formula.

It would also be good news for Asus as a whole. Elsewhere in its earnings call, the company reported a sizeable net profit loss of some 26 percent compared to the same time last year - all thanks to a chunky $52 million tax bill. Ouch.

Aside from the new Nexus 7, Asus plans to improve its fortunes by pushing its smartphone business in 2014. As reported by Android Community, Asus CFO David Chang said that "our priority is to make the company’s smartphone business turn a profit next year."

Expect to see a fresh lineup of Asus smartphones at CES 2014 in January.

Next, read our iPad mini 2 Retina display vs Google Nexus 7 2 comparison.

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PS Vita TV out now in Japan

Sony has launched its intriguing affordable console, the PS Vita TV, in Japan.

The device is an incredibly compact (6 x 10cm) box that effectively plays PlayStation Vita handheld games, as well as a host of classic PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles, on your television set via a standard DualShock 3 controller.

Interestingly, it also acts as an Apple TV-like media player, allowing you to stream HD video content through the appropriate apps.

The PS Vita TV was announced back at the beginning of September, prompting ears to prick up here in the west. Sony swiftly revealed that it had no plans to bring the PS Vita TV to Europe or the US, but a surprising level of interest from western media prompted Sony to admit the possibility of a wider launch at some point in the future.

Indeed, now that the PS Vita TV is out in Japan, we have to hope that Sony’s attention will turn to a western launch window - probably some time in the New Year, after its done launching the PS4 around the globe. According to comments made by Sony Computer Entertainment’s Masayasu Ito, a European version of the micro console could even include cloud gaming capabilities.

Another point to note from the PS Vita TV’s Japanese launch, according to Edge, is that certain PS Vita games don’t work on the device. In particular, major titles such as Killzone: Mercenary (arguably the first proper portable FPS) and Gravity Rush simply don’t work on the console.

This is because of their requirement for the PS Vita handheld’s unique touch and gyroscope inputs, which obviously the PS Vita TV’s DualShock 3 controller is unable to replicate. The console will support the PS4’s touchpad-equipped DualShock 4 controller at some point, so hopefully these big hitters will be supported through that.

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

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Samsung Galaxy phone with wraparound display reportedly in the works

Samsung is apparently working on a new Galaxy smartphone with a unique wraparound display, according to a fresh report.

The Korean manufacturer has been experimenting with new screen shapes of late with the Samsung Galaxy Round (pictured), an Android-powered phone with an unusual curved design.

However, Samsung’s next step could be even more unorthodox. According to Bloomberg, which cites not one but "two people familiar with the plans," Samsung is working on a phone with a wraparound display for release next year.

The idea is that users will be able to read notifications, messages and the like from multiple angles, not just when staring straight at their phone’s screen. If you’re a little confused as to the form this might take, as we were, then you should note that the report also refers to the device as having a "three-sided display."

Each side of this display will be able to operate independently, so you could potentially have different notifications and even applications running on different sides.

Apparently, the device will utilise an updated version of the Youm technology that makes the aforementioned Samsung Galaxy Round capable of doing its curved-screen tricks.

With the Round, you’re able to tilt the device towards you, revealing basic information like the date and time and any missed calls without fully waking the device.

It’s evident that manufacturers are looking to the next innovation in smart devices, with curved displays joining wearable tech as the most likely source of the next big thing.



Next, read our round-up of the best Samsung Galaxy Note 3 apps.

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Apple launches iOS 7 and iBooks updates

Apple has launched an update for iOS 7, as well as a new version of iBooks that brings it in line with the company's new design philosophy.

It appears as if iOS 7.0.4 is a fairly minor update. Apple lists the one key fix as "a fix for an issue that causes FaceTime calls to fail for some people," alongside the usual "bug fixes and improvements."

iOS 7.0.4 is available to download now, and it’s a 37.8MB download.

That’s not all from Apple either. The company has also finally updated its iBooks app, which has stood out like a sore thumb ever since the initial iOS 7 update hit iPhones and iPads back in September.

It was one of only a couple of Apple apps that didn’t get a make-over in keeping with its new surroundings. Now that’s been rectified.

The new iBooks loses the somewhat naff bookshelf motif that was a trademark of Apple’s pre-iOS 7 design work. Instead we have a flatter, sharper and less busy design. We also get a new orange logo.

Browsing through books is not a dissimilar experience to browsing through magazines in the latest Newsstand app.

iTunes U has also been updated. The educational literature app has a similar look to the new iBooks app, and it too has a new orange logo.

Both iTunes U and iBooks are available to update now on the UK App Store.



Next, read our iOS 7 tips and tricks: hidden secrets and new features piece

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PS4 Backwards Compatibility – Can you play PS3 games on PS4?

One of the most common questions we’re asked is whether the PS4 is backwards compatible – if it can play PS3, PS2 and PlayStation games as well as those made specifically for the PS4.

The simple answer is that no, you cannot simply put a PS3 game in your PS4 and play it. The two systems are fundamentally not compatible with each other.

They use completely different system architectures, which means the PS4 would need to emulate the PS3’s system in order to make the games work. The figure often quoted is that a system needs ten times the power of the thing it’s emulating in order to do so at full speed.

Sony does claim that the PS4 meets this ‘ten times’ more powerful mark, but producing a workable emulator also requires a whole lot of work – and that means a healthy cash investment, too. Sony decided not to do this, and it’s sure to be one of the most common complaints about the new console. We can imagine many people simply assuming they’ll be able to play their old PS3 games on the thing.

There is a solution, though.

Sony plans to launch a game streaming service in 2014, which will let you play PS3 games on a PS4 – and even a PS Vita. Its works in a similar manner to OnLive, perhaps the best-known game streaming service.

All the processing will be done ‘in the cloud’ by Sony’s servers, with just the video transmitted to your actual console. The one potential issue is lag, caused by the amount or to-and-fro’ing data has to do. First your controller inputs have to be sent to the Cloud, then the resulting action transmitted back – it’s a two-way process.

However, reports on the technology behind the feature have been very positive.

PS3 streaming will use Gaikai tech. Gaikai is a company Sony bought in July 2012, and before it was acquired it offered comparable game streaming services, aiming at giving publishers a way to show off their games. According to Digital Foundry, the input lag of Gaikai circa March 2012 was variable, but as little as the lag caused by the Xbox 360’s wireless controller at the best of times. That’s quick.

Which games we’ll have access to, how much you’ll pay and which systems will feature on the game streaming service is unknown. However, there are several possibilities.

It could be part of the PlayStation Plus incentive package. You could be allowed to freely stream any PS3 game put in the PS4’s disc drive. It may be a completely separate pay-monthly subscription service or – worst of the lot – we could be forced to re-buy any games digitally within a new store. This is how it works with the PSOne games currently available on PSN. Hopefully Sony will come up with a more interesting solution.

However, the only solution at present is to keep your PS3 if you don’t want to instantly consign your PS3 games collection to the past.

If you have any more questions about the PS4, drop us a line in the comments.

Next, read our Xbox One vs PS4 comparison

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PS4 sold out for Christmas delivery at Amazon

Amazon has just broken many a Christmas dream, confirming any new PS4 pre-orders will now not be shipped until after the festive period.

With the PS4 release date to see Sony’s next-gen console hit British shores on November 29, leading online retailer Amazon has announced that it will no longer be able to guarantee a pre-Christmas arrival for any newly placed orders.

Updating its product listings for the Nintendo Wii U rival today, Amazon UK has stated of the PS4: “Customers who pre-order this console from November 14 will receive their consoles after Christmas.”

Further clarifying when eager gamers can expect their PS3 follow-ons, the company added: “Customers who pre-ordered this console from August 7 up to and including November 13 will receive their consoles before Christmas.”

Although the Xbox One release date will see the 360 replacement go on sale on November 22, seven days prior to the PS4, the Microsoft branded rival still has some pre-Christmas availability according to Amazon.

The latest update on the retailer’s Xbox One listing reads: “Orders from August 15 may be delivered after release date, but will be delivered before Christmas. Orders placed up to and including August 14 will be dispatched to meet the release date.”

With PS4 pre-orders having exceeded one million units in just two weeks, Day One versions of the eagerly awaited console have been sold out for some time.

With the Sony console set to go on sale in the US tomorrow, November 15, early adopters have already reported a range of PS4 problems, including bricking issues and faulty connection ports.

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

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Android now powers four in five smartphones

Google’s stranglehold on the smartphone scene has hit new heights with the Android operating system now powering four out of five smartphones.

With Android now powering most leading smartphones, including the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One and LG G2, latest figures gathered by Garnet Research have revealed the Google OS now has an 81.9 per cent dominant stake of the smartphone OS market.

Up almost 10 per cent year-on-year, the Q3 2013 figures show a massive 12 month increase over the company’s 72.6 market share during the same three month period last year.

While Android has grown its share of the smartphone OS scene, Apple has seen its iOS platform drop more than 2 per cent to a 12.1 per cent share that is still good enough for second.

Although Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform has seen a 123 per cent year-on-year growth to a 3.6 per cent market share, ailing Canadian manufacturer BlackBerry has seen its control of the smartphone scene plummet over the past year from 5.2 to 1.8 per cent market share.

With Android 4.4 having just been introduced aboard the already hugely popular Google Nexus 5 handset, the Google platform shows no sign of surrendering its sizeable market lead.

According to the analyst’s figures, 40 per cent of all Android handsets are currently sold in China.

Next, read all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours

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New Sony Xperia Z1s pictures leak

New photos of the Sony Xperia Z1s have leaked online, offering yet another gimpse at the mooted Samsung Galaxy S4 mini rival.

Pictured against a ruler and coin to give a sense of scale, the latest Sony Xperia Z1s pictures add to rumours that the device will be a mini version of the Sony Xperia Z1, featuring a identical array of specs to the flagship phone just within a smaller package.

According to the leaked Sony Xperia Z1s pictures, the phone measures just over 6cm wide and a little more than 12cm long.

The snaps come less than a week after a listing for the phone was accidentally posted on the official Sony Mobile website. The Sony Xperia Z1s appeared briefly on the site, but its link didn't lead to a product page or reveal full details for the product.

It is expected that the new device will have the same or similar specs to its sister product the Sony Xperia Z1f which launched last month but is currently available only in the manufacturer's native Japan.

Sony Xperia Z1f Features

Coming in black, white, lime and shocking pink, the Sony Xperia Z1f is made from glass and aluminium and is waterproof and rustproof. The Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, 4.3-inch handset has a svelte 9.4mm thick frame, but weighs a hefty 140g because of its supercharged components.

Just like the Sony Xperia Z1, the Z1f has a 20.7-megapixel rear camera with a 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor, Sony G Lens and a Bionz image processing engine. The Z1f's camera also benefits from a f/2.0, 27mm wide angle lens and 3x digital zoom.

It comes with a 4.3-inch 720p HD resolution display with a powerful 2.2 GHx quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB of RAM. 16GB of internal storage has also been thrown into the mix.

It's powered by a 2,300mAh battery - smaller than the Z1's 3,000mAh unit - but it shouldn't affect battery life because it has a smaller screen to support.



Now, read our iPhone 5s vs Sony Xperia Z1

Via: Ubergizmo

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PS4 Problems: Consoles suffer from bricking issues

The first PS4 pre-orders have started hitting gamers’ doorsteps in the US, and the PS4 problems have already started with reports of bricking consoles.

With the PS4 release date set for tomorrow, November 15, in the US, some lucky gamers have already received their pre-ordered consoles. It’s not all good news, however, with a number of early adopters already reporting a range of PS4 problems.

“After playing a brief game of NBA 2k14 I quit and inserted my battlefield 4 disk. The system prompted for an update, so while watching the progress bar (Around 20%) my controller light turned from blue to white. Hasn't worked since,” NEOGaf user Dylx has reported.

He added: “Went thru a number of "fixes" with customer service and none of them worked. They are shipping me a box to get the unit serviced. Safe Mode on the console no longer works.”

Far from the only early PS4 adopter to report PS4 problems, members of the games press have also experienced issues with their Xbox One rivals.

"The first retail PS4 we got from Sony didn't work,” Stephen Totilo, Editor of Kotaku stated discussing his issues with the emerging PS4 problems.

“The first retail unit that Sony provided me failed to work when I plugged it into a TV in Kotaku's office,” he said. “A colleague and I were able to compare it to a second PS4 that did work and we found that the issue was rather simple: the bad unit had a faulty HDMI jack that we couldn't fully plug an HDMI cable into.

"It couldn't make a solid connection and therefore, apparently, couldn't transmit a stable signal to our TV. We tried different cables and monitors. The issue was with the console.”

Far from an all-encompassing issue, most PS4 consoles appear to be fine with Totilo adding: “The other four units we've tested first-hand have worked fine."

Sony has yet to acknowledge any PS4 problems or offer an official solutions to how the issues may be fixed.

Read More: PS4 vs Xbox One

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Football Manager 2013 illegally downloaded 10m times, once from the Vatican

Developer Sports Interactive has spoken out on its piracy woes, revealing the PC version of Football Manager 2013 was illegally downloaded a staggering 10 million times.

Speaking at the London Games Conference 2013, Sports Interactive’s director Miles Jacobson announced that illegally pirated versions of Football Manager 2013 were downloaded by 10.1 million people, including a single soul within the Vatican.

Although Jacobson has dismissed the notion that one pirated download equates to one lost sale as “ridiculous”, he claimed that the 10.1 million downloads will work out to be about 176,000 sales of the game lost. This 1.74 per cent loss of sales will have cost the developer in the region of £2.3 million.

With Chinese nationals the biggest offenders accounting for 3.2 million illegal downloads, Turkey and Portugal rounded out the podium positions for those in need of slapped wrists, accounting for 1.05 million and 781,785 pirated downloads respectively.

These precise figures were made possible by a flaw left behind when the game was cracked back on May 12. Dubbed ‘Home’, this flaw allowed Sports Interactive to track the IP address of everyone who illegally downloaded a copy of the game.

Despite being downloaded 10.1 million times, just 18 per cent of those pirating Football Manager 2013 played the game more than five times.

Having recently been superseded, Football Manager 2014 was officially released back on October 30.

Read More: Best Games 2013

Via: MCV

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BBM for Wi-Fi only iPads to launch ‘within hours’

BlackBerry has confirmed that it will expand the reach of its BBM messaging service later today, with a BBM for iPad app to land ‘within hours’.

With the BBM for iPhone and BBM for Android apps having been originally introduced last month, ailing smartphone maker BlackBerry has now revealed that it will launch its free-to-use WhatsApp rival to Wi-Fi only Apple devices, such as the new iPad Air and iPad mini 2, later today.

Speaking with Slashgear yesterday, BlackBerry’s Head of BBM, Andrew Bocking confirmed that the BBM for iPad app will land “within 24 hours.” The latest BBM app will also work with the Wi-Fi connected iPod Touch.

With the recent multiplatform BBM launch having seen the formerly BlackBerry handset exclusive service exceed 10 million downloads during its first 24 hours of availability, Bocking has stated that he is “pleased” with the high adoption rates.

Although the existing iOS BBM app can be used on 3G and 4G connected iPads, the upcoming application will allow Wi-Fi only models to make use of the cross-platform messaging options for the first time.

Originally BlackBerry had stated that it would not bring BBM to iPads as the messaging service was better used on truly portable, and independently connected devices.

Speaking exclusively with TrustedReviews back at BlackBerry Live in May, Vivek Bhardwaj, Head of the BlackBerry Software Portfolio stated: “Smartphone is our real focus and again it comes back to what BBM is.”

He added: “If you look at BBM and the engagement and the activity, it’s because it is mobile, because people are on the go.”

Read More: BlacKBerry Z10 review

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Motorola Moto G price confirmed by Phones 4u, yours for just £135

The Motorola Moto G price has been confirmed, with retailer Phones 4u confirming that it will offer the newly unveiled Android handset from today, November 14 priced just £135 SIM-free.

With the Moto X having yet to make it to British shores, the American phone manufacturer yesterday unveiled the Motorola Moto G, a mid-range handset set to benefit from a budget price tag.

While the SIM-free Motorola Moto G price has been set at a wallet-friendly £134.95, Phones 4u has confirmed the handset will also be available for free on £11 per month contracts.

“There’s a huge amount of buzz at Phones 4u as we prepare to welcome Motorola’s new handset into our stores and online,” Scott Hooton, Phones 4u’s Chief Commercial Officer has said.

He added: “It’s been an incredibly busy, exciting and innovative year for handset launches, and as the countdown to Christmas quickens we know appetite for new smartphones is high, and we expect the new Moto G to be under a lot of trees this Christmas.”

For those looking to pick up a the Motorola Moto G on a pay-as-you-go basis, the Google Nexus 5 rival will be priced just £119.95 when snapped up with £10 worth of airtime.

A 4.5-inch handset with a 1280 x 720 pixel HD resolution, the Motorola Moto G specs sheet sees a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and Google’s Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS.

With a 5-megapixel rear-mounted camera and a secondary, 1.3-megapixel snapper up front, Motorola has already confirmed that the Moto G will be updated to Android 4.4 KitKat in the near future.

Read More: HTC Desire 500 review

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4K killed Panasonic plasma TV business says insider

As Panasonic’s plasma TV business enters the final months of its life, a new culprit for its demise has emerged - the 4K Ultra High Definition standard.

December 2013 will be a sad time for home cinema fans, because it will mark the end of Panasonic’s production of plasma TV sets. Of course, the troubled Japanese manufacturer’s plans to ditch the out-of-fashion panel tech have been well documented, but it turns out that the full reason behind them has not.

According to a posting on the HighDefJunkies forum by a senior Panasonic USA employee, the major factor in Panasonic’s decision to end plasma TV production when it did was the impending 4K revolution.

More specifically, it’s the potential expenses involved in developing a 4K or UHD plasma panel that made the manufacturer’s mind up.

"The main reason we have to move on is technology hit a roadblock," explains the unnamed employee. "We simply cannot make a 4K plasma in a reasonable manner for retail without significant investment and that'll carry a big time price tag."

As the Panasonic employee notes, the company has been "bleeding money" in recent years, which means that it isn’t really in a position to plough its own furrow by advancing the unpopular plasma standard.

Instead, the company will "mitigate risk and go with established technologies and also pursue future ones." Which, as of the beginning of 2014, means LCD-only.

With former plasma TV master Pioneer also in the news this week for returning to TV manufacturing with an LCD-only philosophy, it seems we’ll have to look to future advancements in OLED technology for our inky black fix.



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

Via: HDTVTest

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