HTC One 2 clears Wi-Fi certification ahead of unveiling

The HTC One 2 has edged closer to the realms of reality, with the HTC One follow-on clearing its Wi-Fi certification ahead of an upcoming official unveiling.

Currently doing the rounds under the moniker of the HTC M8, the heavily rumoured HTC One 2 has made yet another premature appearance, with Wi-Fi certification records showing that the upcoming handset will boast a Wi-Fi antenna with the ability of alternating between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

As you would expect from a modern flagship phone, the HTC One 2 will also reportedly support all current Wi-Fi standards, as well as the latest 802.11ac format.

While these latest HTC One 2 leaks will come as little surprise to many, they are part of a much wider range of HTC One 2 rumours to do the rounds in recent weeks.

According to latest reports, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5S rivalling device will sport a speedier 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM and a new, larger 5-inch display with a 1920 x 1080 pixel Full HD resolution. The existing HTC One hosts a 4.7-inch display.

Building on the strong foundations of its current flagship phone, Taiwanese manufacturer HTC will also bestow the HTC One 2 with another premium metal construction.

Recently leaked HTC One 2 pictures have suggested that the phone will be crafted from a single piece of metal, giving the device a premium look and feel.

Earlier this month a UK Judge revealed that the HTC One 2 would be unveiled in February as the spin off HTC One Mini was briefly pulled from sale in the UK.



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

Via: TechRadar

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iOS 7.1 beta released with speed and design improvements

An iOS 7.1 beta has been released by Apple, with the pre-release software issued to developers with a range of speed and design improvements in tow.

Available for a range of development unlocked iPad and iPhone devices, the second iOS 7.1 beta has been rolled out to developers as an over-the-air update to bring a number of speed enhancements to their applications and services.

While iOS 7, which launched alongside the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, marked a dramatic step away from the company’s previous mobile operating systems, the new iOS 7.1 beta offers only minor improvements over the existing software.

Among the new iOS 7.1 features, Touch ID and Passcode settings have been made more prominent and animations have been made faster than past iterations.

Elsewhere, the Control Centre has added a new bounce animation and an additional wallpaper has been added for iPad Air users.

While there is currently no word on when an iOS 7.1 update will be made available to general iPhone and iPad owners, Apple has warned developers updating to the latest beta than earlier versions of the OS can not be restored once updated.

“This is a pre-release version of iOS 7.1 beta 2 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch,” Apple’s software listing reads. It adds: “Devices updated to iOS 7.1 beta 2 can not be restored to earlier versions of iOS.”

Read More: iPad mini 2 review

Via: 9to5Mac

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Advent Vega Tegra Note 7 Tablet Review

What is the Advent Vega Tegra Note 7?

The Advent Vega Tegra Note 7 is a 7-inch Android tablet that joins the Nexus 7 2, the Kindle Fire HDX 7 as another affordable alternative to the iPad mini 2 Retina. It's born of a partnership between PC World and chip maker Nvidia, which is why it uses both the Advent branding from PC World and the Tegra name of Nvidia's mobile chip. Nvidia is no stranger to venturing beyond the realms of its graphics chip expertise as the Shield games console shows, but the Advent Vega Tegra Note 7 is still an unusual move and is the only sub-£200 tablet we know of that comes with a stylus.



SEE ALSO: Tablet Buyer's Guide

Advent Vega Tegra Note 7: Design

The tablet-making business is not new territory for Nvidia. Its Tegra 3 quad-core processor powered the original Nexus 7 and its newer Tegra 4 CPU can be found inside Android tablets like the Asus Transformer Pad TF701T. But this is the first time the company is taking a more active role in the design of the hardware and the software running on it to show there is more to Tegra 4 than smoother gaming and a zippier overall performance.

It’s easy to see where the Note 7 gets its design inspiration. It has a physical stature that makes it feel like a halfway house between the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 7 2. The black bezel around the 7-inch screen is thicker than the one on the newer Nexus and the decision to include dual front-facing stereo speakers at the top and bottom of the screen actually makes it around the same height. It's slightly thicker (10.45mm vs 9.6mm) and slightly heavier (320g vs 290g) than the Nexus 7 2, but not so much that it really matters.



SEE ALSO: 10 best Android tablets you can buy

It looks quite different from the back, however. Along with the 5-megapixel main camera sensor there’s a dimpled soft touch plastic in the centre flanked by harder black plastic. While it’s not as slick-looking as the Nexus 7 2, it's very comfortable to hold and is actually very accommodating for single or two-handed use. While the 7-inch tablet designs on the Kindle Fire HDX 7 and the Tesco Hudl promote landscape use over portrait, the Note 7 works well in both positions.

This feeds into the layout of key ports as well. On the top edge you’ll find micro USB charging port, micro HDMI, headphone jack and on/off button; on the right edge you’ll find a Micro SD card slot and the volume rocker just below. The stylus is hidden away in a Galaxy Note-like compartment in the bottom corner so there’s less chance of losing it. They're all neatly positioned so that they don't interfere when you don't want them to.

Overall the Tegra Note 7 is a nice-looking tablet, but there's still one or two signs of its budget nature all the same. The back has a worrying creakiness to it and the micro SD card slot looks a bit untidy left exposed and is easy to run a finger against it when reaching for the volume rocker. These are relatively minor issues, though.

Advent Vega Tegra Note 7: Screen

Of greater import is the screen. The Note 7 features a 1280 x 800 resolution IPS display matching the screen specs of the original Nexus 7, but lagging behind the 1,920 x 1,200 resolution on the Nexus 7 2. The 216ppi pixel density means it's lacking in the clarity department in comparison to the new Nexus (323 ppi)

If this was a tablet launched a year ago, we’d be more forgiving of a screen of this quality. It’s not terrible but the truth is, it pales in comparison to the Kindle Fire HDX 7 and Nexus 7 2 both of which prove you can deliver an exceptionally sharp and vibrant display on a cheap tablet.

Text is far from crisp, colours in videos often look pale and washed out and white have a slightly warm, yellowish hue. You have the option to adjust the Colour Correction preset in Display settings from sRGB to Native to produce more consistent colours, but it’s very difficult to see a difference when you switch between the two.

It’s not the brightest 7-inch screen we’ve laid seen, either. It’s a little reflective to use outdoors and you can begin to notice the visible lines that comprise the capacitive touch system. This all combines to make the Tegra Note 7's screen a shade disappointing given it costs about the same as the Nexus 7 2, so it needs to impress in other areas to make up for it.

Advent Vega Tegra Note 7: Sound

As noted above, the Note 7 is unusual for having two forward firing stereo speakers. The Kindle Fire HDX 7 and HDX 8.9 have set the standard for tablet speaker quality and while the Note 7’s speakers are loud and bassy, it lacks the same level of clarity and directional sound qualities of the Amazon tablets. It’s more than suitable for gaming and video viewing, however, and is definitely among the better Android tablets out there.

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BT introduces internet filter for all devices

BT has launched BT Parental Controls to help protect children online, offering internet filters for all devices.

Customers will receive free parental controls to apply to any of their internet connected devices using the home broadband.

All customers will be eligible to use the BT Parental Controls, which even extend to tablets, smartphones and game consoles as well as laptops and PCs.

New customers have the option whether to active the parental controls from the outset, although the option implemented automatically is to block all content not suitable for children. Users will have to actively not choose to apply parental controls.

“BT takes the issue of online child protection extremely seriously and we are very pleased to be able to launch the whole-home filter to help parents keep their families safe online”, said Pete Oliver, MD of Consumer Commercial Marketing and Digital at BT. “It adds to the many tools we already make available for free to our customers.”

Existing customers will be contacted during 2014, asking them to make a decision whether to implement the BT Parental Controls.

There are three levels of filter that can all be customised according to user need and additional websites can be added to the list of blocked or permitted access.

To keep children safe, the account holder’s details will be required to make changes to the Parental Controls settings, including setting the filter to turn off or on at specific times or days.

Whenever any settings are changed or the filter is turned off for any reason, the account holder will be notified by email.

“We’ve been focused on the issue of online safety since we developed the work’s first Cleanfeed filter to block child abuse images and made the technology available to other ISPs across the world a decade ago,” added Oliver.



Read more: Best routers 2013

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Apple iWatch release date tipped for October 2014

The Apple iWatch could benefit from wireless charging when it launches in October next year.

According to new information, the Apple iWatch will feature wireless charging functionality, something that has yet to be included in any Apple product so far.

If this is true, it would allow you to charge the iWatch from up to one meter away from the charging pad, making a little more convenient to charge overnight.

What is worrying is that Apple is reportedly testing a prototype iWatch with a rather measly 100mAh battery. To put this into perspective, the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch has a 315mAh battery and will only last a day at a push.

Of course, with a rumoured release date scheduled for October 2014 Apple’s wearable tech is still a fair way off so the final battery size is bound to change before that time. If an October 2014 release date is correct, you could see the iWatch launch alongside the iPhone 6S.

According to the Ctech source, Apple has already been testing two prototypes of the iWatch with varying screen sizes.

Apple has yet to decide what screen size would be the most appropriate for the iWatch, but previous rumours suggested the Cupertino company is experimenting with two iWatch sizes: a 1.3-inch screen size for women and 1.7-inches for a male version.

The Samsung Galaxy Gear has a 1.63-inch display and the Sony SmartWatch 2 has a slightly smaller 1.6-inch screen.

iWatch rumours went into overdrive lately as Apple reportedly signed Nike FuelBand designer Ben Shaffer to work on the iWatch.

This would support recent speculation that the iWatch will have a strong focus on wellness and fitness apps.

However, the hire was neither confirmed by Nike nor Apple, so this has to be taken with a pint of salt as usual.



Read more: Apple iWatch features – What do you want to see?

Via: G4Games

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Cut the Rope 2 launching for iOS December 19

Cut the Rope 2: Om Nom's Unexpected Adventure

Cut the Rope 2: Om Nom’s Unexpected Adventure will be released for iPhone and iPad on December 19.

Launching initially as an iOS exclusive, developer ZeptoLab will launch the sequel to popular game Cut the Rope for 69p in the App Store.

The new mobile game will introduce 120 levels that will offer fresh gameplay features like being able to interact with Om Nom directly for the first time.

You’ll be able to move him around on-screen and you will encounter new characters called “the Nommies”. These all have unique characteristics to help Om Nom collect his precious candies as he discovers new locations on his journey.

“With Cut the Rope 2, we’ve taken Cut the Rope to the next level, creating a game that not only does justice to the original, but enhances the experience in every possible way,” said Misha Lyalin, ZeptoLab CEO. “It’s literally and figuratively a huge leap for Om Nom as he ventures out into the world for the first time.”

New locations in Cut the Rope 2 include a sandy damn, city park, junkyard, forest and underground levels.

“When we first created Om Nom and Cut the Rope three years ago, our goal was to make a game with which people would feel a strong emotional connection,” said Semyon Voinov, Creative Director and Co-Founder of ZeptoLab. “With Cut the Rope 2, we’ve focused on creating a game experience which would feel almost like an interactive cartoon – with the lively and diverse animations, rich sounds, and unexpected gameplay situations.”

ZeptoLab has also updated the Cut the Rope: Time Travel game with a whole new set of level, set in the Wild West era. Cut the Rope: Holiday Gift is also now available on Android for free for the first time.

New content for Cut the Rope: Experiments will arrive in December as well.



Read more: Best iPhone 5S apps

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Forza 5 microtransactions not Microsoft’s idea says Take 10

Forza 5 developer Take 10 has confirmed Microsoft did not mandate microtransaction inclusions in the Xbox One exclusive racing title.

One of several Microsoft published games to include microtransactions on the Xbox One, Forza 5 developer Take 10 has explained it was not forced to do so.

Xbox One games like Killer Instinct and Ryse: Son of Rome were also found to include microtransactions, something that was never a feature of Xbox 360 games.

Fans lashed out at Take 10, suggesting that the developer had only included in-game purchases as a requirement from Microsoft. However, Take 10 Creative Director Dan Greenawalt said flat out Microsoft did not mandate their inclusion.

“The truth is, at Turn 10 while I’m a Microsoft employee, we’re off-site and we have our own culture and work our product to have our own culture. We have our own process and all of that”, said Greenawalt. “For the most part, Microsoft sees it as we’re doing a good thing so keep it up, and so we’re left alone.”

Greenawalt highlighted that Forza 4 also included microtransactions via its car token system, which was not a cause of concern for gamers.

“We were definitely not mandated to include these – we were experimenting in Forza 4, we experimented a bit in Horizon and now we’re further experimenting in Forza 5. But we experiment [with] a lot of things – and when we get them wrong we try to fix them.”

Throughout the Eurogamer interview, Greenawalt reiterated that the microtransactions were meant to be an “accelerator” option for gamers rather than a “paywall” as in free-to-play games.

“[Microtransactions are] happening more and more in games, and I understand gamers being resistant, especially if they feel like they’re being short-sheeted. I think people are looking out for being short-sheeted, and they’re seeing conspiracy where there isn’t one. And that’s common in today’s age.”

Nevertheless, Greenawalt did say the developer is aware users really haven’t responded very positively to Forza 5.

“I have to be honest, our team takes great pride in what lights up our players, and community’s the heart of what we do. So it’s been disappointing. I’m not disappointed in people – people feel how they feel. I’m more disappointed in myself that I’ve elicited this reaction in people.”

Take 10 is issuing a Forza 5 update that will make all cars on sale offered at a 50 per cent discount. Qualifying gamers will also be eligible to receive free gifts and Forza Rewards credit payouts will greatly increase.

Read more: Best games of 2013

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Xbox One stock available again through Tesco Direct

With Xbox One stock shortages still plaguing a number of retailers, Supermarket giant Tesco has confirmed it has new units of Microsoft’s next-gen console available online.

Giving eager gamers and panicked parents another chance to secure the console ahead of the impending Christmas period, Tesco Direct currently has new Xbox One stock available for order online.

With the new Xbox One stock available alongside next-day delivery, there is currently no indication as to how many units are available so we suggest you act fast if you’re desperate for Microsoft’s PS4 rival.

Although offering a new round of Xbox One stock, Tesco, like most rival retailers is currently listing the PS4 as out of stock with no further indication as to when the PS3 follow-on will be available again.

Earlier this week Microsoft announced that global Xbox One sales have exceeded 2 million units in the 18 days since the November 22 Xbox One release date.

“We continue to be humbled and overwhelmed by the positive response from our fans.” Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Strategy and Marketing for Xbox said. “We are thrilled to see sales of Xbox One on a record-setting pace, with over 2 million Xbox One consoles in homes around the world.”

He added: “Demand is exceeding supply in our 13 launch markets and Xbox One is sold out at most retailers. We’re also particularly excited to see consumers engaging in a wide range of games and entertainment experiences on the platform, with more than 1 million paid transactions on Xbox Live to date.”

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

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Sony Xperia Z1 mini passes through FFC with new Amami codename

The heavily rumoured Sony Xperia Z1 has been spotted gaining FCC certification and is due to launch in Europe early next year.

Previously known as the Sony Xperia Z1s, the Xperia Z1 mini is now going under a new name – Amami.

Sony has already released an Xperia Z1 mini in the form of the Xperia Z1f, but its only for Japanese markets. This smaller version of the Sony Xperia Z1 is supposedly destined for other worldwide markets in the New Year.

The FFC certification tips that the Sony Xperia Z1 mini will launch with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean rather than the latest Android 4.4 KitKat OS featured in devices like the Google Nexus 5.

Other smartphone manufacturers have already launched their own miniature versions of flagships smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini and HTC One mini, but they haven’t proved as popular with consumers as their beefier counterparts.

However, it seems Sony is taking a slightly different tack with the Sony Xperia Z1 mini bound for European shores.

Unlike other mini flagships, the Z1 mini should feature the same processor as the powerful Xperia Z1. This means the Z1 mini will have a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM and an Adreno 330 GPU.

The Z1 mini should also retain the Z1’s 20.7-megapixel rear camera with f.20, 27mm wide angle lens and 3x digital zoom. This rear camera also has 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor and Bionz image processing engine.

The biggest difference between the two smartphones will obviously be the screen size. The Z1 mini is said to have a 4.3-inch display, in comparison to the flagship Sony Xperia Z1.

Sony is heavily anticipated to unveil the Xperia Z1 mini at CES during its January 6 press conference.

TrustedReviews will be there to bring you all the latest news from CES 2014 in January.

Read more: iPhone 5S vs Sony Xperia Z1

Via: Phone Arena

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Samsung Galaxy S5 release date, news, rumours, specs and price

The Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours continue to flow, with latest reports claiming the handset will be slower than the iPhone 5S when it launches in Q1 2014.

With claimed Samsung Galaxy S5 benchmarks having appeared online in recent days, it has been suggested that, despite making a jump to a rival 64 bit processor, the Samsung Galaxy S4 follow-on will in fact be slower than its leading Apple-branded rival.

While reports have suggested that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 clocked a score of 3303.88 in a Rightware Browsermark test, the recording is slower than both the iPhone 5S's score of 3669.91 and even the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which clocked 3353.07.

This, however, is just one of many Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours currently doing the rounds as Samsung works up to its challenger to the Google Nexus 5 and LG G2. Ensuring you are kept abreast of all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours, including when you can expect the Samsung Galaxy S5 release date, what specs the phone will have and how much it will set you back, bookmark this page as will be updating it regularly leading up to the S5 launch next year.

Samsung Galaxy S5 News

While the leaked Samsung Galaxy S5 benchmarks have suggested the phone will be less powerful than the iPhone 5S, further reports this week have suggested that in a bid to save money on production costs, Samsung will drop the flagship phone from its usual AMOLED panel to a cheaper LCD offering.

Although blacks will be reduced by the mooted switch to an LCD display, colours should appear more natural. Despite the change in panel, the Samsung Galaxy S5 has been tipped to be the first smartphone to adopt a 2K resolution.

Recently, it has been suggested that the Korean manufacturer will hold a Samsung Galaxy S5 release date in March 2014. Although the S4 was unveiled in March of this year, it did not go on sale until April. What's more, it has been rumoured that the new flagship phone will launch alongside a second-generation Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch that will be 30 per cent slipper than the original.

Elsewhere, Samsung recently teased a range of potential Samsung Galaxy S5 features. Speaking at its annual Analyst Day in Seoul, South Korean, the manufacturer has suggested that its 2014 phones (i.e. the Samsung Galaxy S5) will boast impressive 2560 x 1440 pixel displays as well as 16-megapixel ISOCELL camera sensors and as much as 4GB of RAM.

What's more, while recent Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours have pointed to the device trading in its less than impressive plastic build in favour of a new metal option, Samsung itself has stated the phone will support a 64-bit processor. While it might copy the iPhone 5S' CPU, Samsung has stated the S5 will not feature an integrated fingerprint scanner.Ensuring it is not left behind, latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news has once again seen the upcoming handset tipped to run a 64-bit processor, similar to that found in the new iPhone 5S.

While Samsung’s CEO of Mobile Shin Jong-Kyun recently stated that "yes, our next smartphones will have 64-bit processing functionality," reports of production issues had hinted this feature might not drop until later in 2014 aboard the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Now, however, the Samsung Galaxy S5 looks set to be on the receiving end, of the PC-esque processor.

“According to the latest bits of information coming from Samsung’s homeland, the company is pretty much done with developing its in-house 64-bit CPU,” tech blog GforGames has reported. They added: “From our understanding, Samsung went past the more difficult parts of creating the CPU, and the chip is almost ready for its release.”

Further reports have suggested the Samsung Galaxy S5 release date will see the handset line up with 3GB of RAM in tow. A feature that has also been mooted for the imminent Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the S5's expansive RAM has been hinted at after the company's latest development announcement.

Speaking in recent weeks, Samsung confirmed that it had started mass production of the first 3GB low power DDR3 RAM chips for mobile devices. With the Samsung Galaxy S5 set to be the manufacturer's new flagship phone, it makes sense that it will run the company's latest developments and most advanced components.

A chip that could spell more than increased speeds and improved multitasking capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S5 RAM improvement could result in a slimmer phone with a bettery battery life. An official spokesperson for the company stated: "Samsung's new ultra-slim memory solutions will enable thinner smartphone designs and allow for additional battery space, while offering a data transfer speed of up to 2,133 megabits per second (Mbps) per pin."

Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date

As you would expect, Samsung has yet to give any direct indication as to when the Samsung Galaxy S5 release date will be held. That’s not to say we don’t have some idea on when to expect the next addition to the company’s flagship smartphone brand though.

If Samsung sticks with past tradition – and we can’t see why it wouldn’t – then it is expected that the Samsung Galaxy S5 release date will be held sometime around April/May 2014.

Although still nothing more than speculation, this predicted Samsung Galaxy S5 release date does have a theory behind it. Like its bitter rival Apple, Samsung has become something of a fan of strict annual product cycles for its leading product lines, as such it has become a little bit predictable.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 hit UK retailers on April 26 after a dedicated New York launch event on March 14. The Samsung Galaxy S3 went into stores on May 29 2012 and all the way back in 2011, the Samsung Galaxy S2 launched on May 1. Starting to see the pattern?

Although a late April/early May Samsung Galaxy S5 release date is believed to be on the cards, there are still many rounds of rumours and leaks expected before then.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Rumours

It might be early, but the Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours are already doing the rounds. The most prominent Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours to date, however, all focus on one area of the currently unconfirmed phone – its design.

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 having been widely criticised for its plastic form factor which failed to match up to the brushed metal highlights of the iPhone 5 or HTC One, Samsung is widely expected to adopt an all new finish for the S5, with new aluminium body repeatedly tipped.

According to unnamed “sources close to the South Korean phone maker,” recent reports have suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be used to launch a new ‘Design 3.0’ standard within the company.

The sources stated: “While we don’t have the slightest idea what Design 3.0 really means in terms of looks, we can now confirm that Samsung will start to use aluminium for its high-end smartphones, and the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be the first one to receive this treatment.”

Further hinting at a change in design and materials, Samsung recently acquired carbon fibre specialist the SGL Group, announcing in an official statement that it would be using the high-end lightweight materials in future phones and tablets.

"Lightweight materials have become an important factor not only in industrial applications but also the consumer end markets such as digital media," Yoosung Chung, President & CEO of Samsung Petrochemical said. He added: "This partnership will position Samsung as a leading player in the development and application of carbon fibre-based products.”

"The cooperation is expected to provide a stable long-term supply of carbon fibre materials for Samsung and promote its use in various Samsung products and applications such as consumer electronics, medical devices and engineering applications,"

Samsung Galaxy S5 Specs

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 having taken smartphone specs to the next level, it is widely expected that the South Korean manufacturer will continue with a similar trend with the next-generation S5. Although few areas of the phone’s features list have yet been rumoured, certain elements have been teased.

Earlier this month a Samsung design patent leaked (above) showing off a new angled-edged phone which has been mooted to the be the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5.

Based on the outed design filing, the phone will run a version of Google’s Android operating system (no surprises there then) as well as integrated cameras front and back. At present no further S5 specs have leaked.

Other recently emerged Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours have claimed the upcoming handset will make use of a new 16-megapixel smartphone camera sensor, offing high-end snaps that will finally spell the end for the dedicated compact camera.

Recent reports have claimed that the Samsung Galaxy S5 specs sheet could be bolstered by a 16-megapixel rear-mounted camera and 3GB of RAM wrapped within a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active esque waterproof coating. Although currently unconfirmed, the already eagerly awaited Samsung Galaxy S5 is an inevitability of the current trend of annual product cycles and companies’ insatiable need to always be pushing the envelope and raking in the cash.

According to further leaks, the Samsung Galaxy S5 specs sheet will see the new 16-megapixel camera sensor further bolstered by optical image stabilisation features.

The revised camera component is said to be under development in Korea to replace the 13-megapixel snapper found on the existing S4. It is not expected that the improved camera optics will be ready in time for next week’s Samsung Galaxy Note 3 unveiling.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Price

Although the Samsung Galaxy S5 price is a long way from being confirmed, it has already been suggested that the S5 will cost more than its already pricy predecessor.

According to the same unnamed sources who have claimed a metal bodied design will be bestowed upon the next-gen handset, the Samsung Galaxy S5 price will be bumped up by the new premium building materials.

Stay tuned for more Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours as more details on the S4 follow-on continue to appear. While you wait, why not take a look at all the latest iPhone 5S rumours.

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Google Nexus 5 update sees handset's design revised

A new Google Nexus 5 update has been rolled out, but strangely this one has nothing to do with the phone’s Android 4.4 KitKat OS but instead its design.


Following last month’s Nexus 5 release date, Google and manufacturing partner LG received a number of complaints about defects in the phone’s design. Now, however, the company has made a number of alterations to the flagship phone’s form factor.

With the first wave of Google Nexus 5 owners having complained that the handset had a sharp, “cutting-edge” frame, physical buttons that were loose and noisy within their housings and a slightly protruding SIM tray, Google and LG have now looked to rectify these issues.

Following the low key Google Nexus 5 update, images have now appeared online detailing the small changes between the original and refreshed Samsung Galaxy S4 rival.

Based on the images, the Google Nexus 5 update has seen larger speaker and microphone holes added, while the sharp edge is said to have been smoothed out and users have reported buttons are now more secure and rigid in the frame.

While users of the new handsets have reported no issues with the previously listed complaints, new Google Nexus 5 problems are said to have been introduced. According to some new owners, the 5-inch Full HD display on the iPhone 5S challenger is plagued with a yellow tinge and an array of green stuck pixels.

A direct follow-on to the Google Nexus 4, the Nexus 5 sees a high-end array of specs bundled alongside an affordable price tag. As well as a number of issues with the phone, consumers have had trouble getting hold of the Android 4.4 offering, with a number of Google Nexus 5 stock shortages having troubled the phone’s launch.

Read More: LG G2 Review

Via: Engadget

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Oculus Rift gaming headset receives mass production funding

Oculus VR has confirmed it has secured a further $75 million in funding which will allow it to bring its 3D virtual reality gaming headset, the Oculus Rift to the masses.

With Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz having helped secure the latest round of investment, the $75 million (£460m) of funding will enable Oculus VR to put the Oculus Rift headset into mass, consumer production.

"Over the past 16 months, we've grown from a start-up to a company whose virtual reality headset is poised to change the way we play, work and communicate," Oculus VR CEO Brenda Iribe said in making the announcement.

"40,000 developers and enthusiasts, as well as a number of great partners, have joined our cause and helped us bring the seemingly impossible to life.”

She added: “This additional infusion of capital, as well as the leadership and experience of Marc Andreessen, will help us take the final steps toward our ultimate goal: making virtual reality something consumers everywhere can enjoy."

Having previously raised $16 million in its initial round of funding, the Oculus Rift headset features dual LED displays to bring low-latency images across a wide field of view to create a more immersive gaming experience.

Although having now secured enough capital to bring the Oculus Rift headset to the wider audience, there is currently no official word on when a consumer release of the virtual reality device might be held.

John Carmack, CTO of Oculus VR stated: "The games industry is well past the point where more pixels, texels, flops, and frames displayed on the same fixed screens are really changing the experiences that players get.

"I could say the same about other digital experiences as well. What will revolutionize gaming, and interactive content in general, is putting people inside the digital world. That is our goal at Oculus, and this Series B will help us get there.”

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4



Via: GamesIndustry

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Samsung combines mobile and camera teams to improve smartphone cameras

Camera phones could be about to get a whole lot better, as Samsung reportedly begins to merge its mobile and camera teams in a bid to improve the snappers on future flagship phones.

With the likes of the Nokia Lumia 1020 having taken the smartphone camera into new realms earlier this year, Samsung looks set to improve its own integrated handset cameras with the company’s smartphone and camera arms to join forces in order to push the boundaries of the industry.

According to news sources from Samsung’s native Korea, the company’s smartphone and tablet teams will soon work directly with its camera boffins to develop more advanced systems.

An unnamed Samsung official is quoted by ETNews as stating: “We will transplant the brand, sales networks, software competency and manufacturing competitiveness of the Wireless Business Division into the Camera Business Division, and integrate the technical know-how of the two business divisions into competency for differentiating our smartphones.”

Despite the reported joining of forces for Samsung’s mobile and camera arms, it is not expected that the benefits or the merger will come in time for next year’s Samsung Galaxy S5 offering.

Latest Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours have suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S4 follow-on will play host to a relatively standard 16-megapixel rear-mounted camera, with the primary snapper set to miss out on key features such as optical image stabilisation.

Although Samsung this year launched the optical zoom camera incorporating Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, the bulky spin off failed to gain much traction due to its cumbersome size when used as a standard phone.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Review

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Fallout 4 release date, news, rumours and trailers

Despite the revelation that the Survivor 2299 site was a huge fake, and the creator admitting "I'm a douche", the Fallout 4 rumours are still doing the rounds.

Bethesda hasn’t even announced it is working on a follow-up to Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas yet, but the “Survivor 2299” site has certainly got people talking and now new information has emerged suggesting development is in full force.

There aren’t any official details as yet, but until we know more, we’re collating all the news in one place.

Fallout 4: Release Date

Although there’s no word yet from Bethesda, we expect Fallout 4 will be a next-gen Xbox One and PS4 title launching the tail end of 2014 or early 2015.

Of course, this is just speculation on our part, as there's been no official confirmation the game is even in development yet.

Read more: Xbox One vs PS4

Fallout 4: News

Casting documents leak, reveal a Boston setting
After the Survivor 2299 teaser site turned out to be a huge hoax, we expected all the Fallout 4 rumours to die down.


However, that hasn't quite been the case. Kotaku managed to get hold of, and authenticate, some casting documents that not only confirm Fallout 4 is in production, but also that it will be set in Boston.

The casting call is for a game project codenamed "Institute" and the documents make reference to character names and locations.

Fallout 4 will seemingly use the classic introduction from Fallout 1, 2 and 3: "War. War never changes". Another script fragment describes a mission in which a character called Preston Garvey asks you to find a fusion core from a museum in the Commonwealth.

Another mission is set in the Institute, which is tipped to be Fallout 4's version of MIT.



Read more: Fallout 4 is real after all and is set in Boston - November 12 2013




Bethesda filed a Fallout 4 trademark in Europe

The Fallout 3 developer has filed a trademark for Fallout 4 ahead of a rumoured announcement at VGX in December.

With the trademark extending to merchandise, digital media and other products outside the game, it suggest Bethesda is gearing up for a huge Fallout 4 launch early next year.

Read more: Fallout 4 trademarked ahead of potential VGA Award Announcement – November 18 2013

Fallout 4: The "Survivor 2299" teaser site

Okay, okay. We admit it. You got us.

Unfortunately, it has been revealed that the Survivor 2299 website was nothing more than a rather elaborate hoax, created as an attempt to get Bethesda to announce Fallout 4.

A fan named 'DCHoaxer' admitted he was behind the site, much to the annoyance of Fallout 4 fans.

"I wanted to force Bethesda to reveal something during VGx on 12/11, and bring /r/Fallout community together (for at least three weeks)," said DCHoaxer on Reddit.

Of course, this didn't work and Bethesda never actually referenced the site in any way.

However, the developer did release a brief statement on Twitter through VP of PR & Marketing Pete Hines, saying it would not be attending or showing off games at VGX:

"No, folks. I am not going to VGX. Bethesda is not showing/talking about anything at VGX. Just some PR meetings in LA. Take deeps breaths," said Hines on Twitter.

Early in November someone spotted the Survivor 2299 website online and through a series of changes and teasers people were convinced it was an official Fallout 4 teaser site.

Originally the site featured a Morse code signal that translated to: “CQ CQ CQ DE OZ PSE AS” or “Calling Any Station, Calling Any Station, This is From OZ (Oscar Zulu), Please Wait”.

This was meant to be a hint to the Oscar Zulu radio station in an unmarked quest from Fallout 3.

The site was then updated with an official Vault-tec logo from the Fallout series, offering another clue to the site’s Fallout connection.

At one point if you highlighted the text on the page, before the new code appeared, the site said: "Nuclear Winter is coming. Reserve your future home today! 877-260-2299”. If you called this American number you heard a recorded message playing the Tranquility Lane music from Fallout 3. This was then deactivated.

There was also a hidden message of “###PERMISSION DENIED BY OVERSEER (15334)###" when you hovered over the text.

Another code was then added, but this time much more complex than before. "ZL/QRNE/FVFGRE./V'Z/URNQVAT/GB/GUR/VAFGVGHGR./TBQ/XABJF/JUNG/UNCCRARQ/GB/GUVF/CYNPR/ABJ./GUVF/BYQ/ONFGNEQ/JVYY/URYC/HF./UR/ZHFG/URYC/HF./--0321—"

This translates to: "MY DEAR SISTER. I’M HEADING TO THE INSTITUTE. GOD KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS PLACE NOW. THIS OLD BASTARD WILL HELP US. HE MUST HELP US –0321—".

Fallout 4: What we’d like to see

Until Bethesda formally announces Fallout 4 and any details surrounding the game’s content, here are a few thoughts about what we’d like to see.

1. Increased focus on survival

By the time you’ve struggled to the midway point of Fallout 3 or New Vegas you’re (nearly) invincible and sipping irradiated water without a care. We’d really like Bethesda to include a notion of survival in Fallout 4, as it really does become a little obsolete in Fallout 3.

Of course, New Vegas had hardcore mode, which forced you think a little more about your food, water, rest, meds and stimpaks, but this shouldn’t be part of an increased difficulty level. The Wasteland is too fun in Fallout 3. You’re too focused on finding, selling and collecting to worry about survival in a nuclear world.

2. More customisation options

Although Bethesda has offered a fair number of perks, abilities and skills to tinker with in Fallout 3 and New Vegas, there’s no huge character creation session you can play with if you so wish. You can’t choose your race or your faction from the off.

The same goes for weapon modification. Fallout 3 had a great crafting system that let you build things from the random junk you had collected. However, Bethesda has so much room for improvement here.

The Wasteland is littered with abandoned vehicles, computers, machines and other tech that could be used to customize weapons or create new exclusive ones to call your own. You could even craft some armour, new clothes or traps to set for unsuspecting Ghouls.

3. A brand new location

Rumour has it that Bethesda could be using Boston, Massachusetts in the US as the location for Fallout 4, but others suggest Poland or another Eastern European country would be more fitting. It would certainly mix things up a bit to have a Fallout title located outside the US, though it seems unlikely that Bethesda would go too far from what has worked in the past.

If Bethesda doesn’t use a new location, then perhaps having more than one city to explore would be a compromise. Half the Fallout fun comes from exploring and discovering hidden treasures within the ruins. Even if they use New Vegas and Washington DC you could just simply travel to them without traversing the land in between like Bethesda did with the Fallout 3 DLC content.

4. Introduce multiplayer and/or co-op

Fallout can be a big a lonely Wasteland at times, so Bethesda could introduce a little bit of online co-op with Fallout 4. We strongly expect the game to launch on Xbox One and PS4 so it would be silly for the developer not to take advantage of Sony and Microsoft’s new dedicated multiplayer game servers.

We’re not suggesting Bethesda goes all MMO on us, but it would be great to share our Wasteland experience with a few buddies and take on single-player missions as part of a team.

5. No level cap or game end

Seeing a "Point of No Return" message on a game’s storyline, especially a sandbox game like Fallout 3, is rather depressing when there’s so much more to explore. It would be so much better if you could continue discovering the Fallout 4 Wasteland after the close of the main storyline, rather than being forced to finish all the side quests before your final mission. Bethesda unlocked this feature in DLC releases, but we shouldn't have to pay to see everything we want.

Also, Fallout 3’s level cap was a little low and the majority of gamers found they had reached it a long way before completing the game. This is something Bethesda really needs to adjust with Fallout 4, especially if it’s as mammoth a game as we’re all hoping for.

6. Better combat

Bethesda’s VATS targeting system was awesome in a head-splattering kinda way, but it was pretty much all you could use as the third-person gunplay was awful. There was obviously very little time spent on developing the gunplay outside of VATS as you’re always left feeling a bit feeble against an attacking foe.

We hope VATS is still present in Fallout 4, so we can brutally dismember our enemies in all its gory detail, but Bethesda really needs to work on its combat to create a proper combination system.

Read more: Best games of 2013

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Samsung UE40F6800 TV Review

What is the Samsung UE40F6800?

The £700 UE40F6800 is a 40-inch LCD TV with edge LED lighting that sits in the upper-mid region of Samsung’s 2013 TV range. Its extensive feature count includes Smart TV facilities, active 3D playback, and a relatively high-grade LCD panel – all of which bodes very well for its potential performance.

SEE ALSO: 10 best TVs you can buy

Samsung UE40F6800: Design and Features

The UE40F6800 is quite unusual for a Samsung TV in that its frame protrudes some distance beyond its screen, especially along the left and right edges. All in all you’re looking at upwards of an inch of frame on these edges, with a good three-quarters of an inch on the bottom edge too. This could be a potential issue if you’re trying to fit the TV into a very tight space.

As you can tell from the images of the UE40F6800, though, the large frame we’re talking about isn’t your usual slab of grey or black. It’s actually transparent for the most part, with just a very skinny inner black frame. This makes for a pretty dramatic look unlike anything else in the TV world at the moment, especially when you add in the unusual ‘split leg’ tabletop support.

The UE40F6800 is very well-connected, with highlights of four HDMIs, tuner ports for both Freeview HD and Freesat HD, three USBs and both wireless and wired network options. Not surprisingly the USBs can be used for either playing back files stored on USB devices or for attaching a hard disk recorder for timeshifting from the TV.

The network options, meanwhile, support DLNA streaming from networked PCs, as well as enabling you to jack in to Samsung’s latest Smart TV online service. This service has been covered extensively in our Samsung Smart TV 2013 review. Suffice it to say here, then, that its ability to learn your viewing habits and make suggestions of other content accordingly together with its multi-hub approach, and huge volume of video streaming services make it the most sophisticated and useful smart TV system currently available. Samsung’s unique provision of all the key UK catchup TV services – the BBC iPlayer, the ITV Player, 4OD and Demand 5 – is particularly welcome.

Even Samsung’s once-flakey voice and gesture control options have started to become genuinely useful following firmware updates over the past few months, with the only catch being that you need to commit to actually learning your way round these alternatives to normal handset control before they start to feel intuitive enough for regular use.



The LCD panel at the UE40F6800’s heart is illuminated by edge LED lighting using one of Samsung’s Macro Dimming systems, where the picture is broken down into small areas for more accurate analysis when determining the best backlighting approach to apply to the image at any given moment. This isn’t the same as local dimming, where individual segments of the LED lighting system can have their brightness levels adjusted individually, but Samsung has used macro dimming to startlingly good effect on other models this year, so we have high hopes for it here too.

The UE40F6800 sports one of Samsung’s 400CMR systems, which essentially combines a 100Hz native panel with backlight scanning to deliver a 400Hz-like experience. This is a substantial step down from the 1000CMR system found in Samsung’s F7000 and F8000 TVs, but we guess this is the sort of compromise you have to expect when shifting down from high-end TVs to mid-range ones! Hopefully motion will still look crisp and clean.

The last feature to cover is 3D. The UE40F6800 supports the active 3D format (Samsung still resolutely refuses to touch with a bargepole the passive 3D format developed by arch-rival LG), and ships with two pairs of ultra lightweight active shutter glasses.

Samsung UE40F6800: Set Up

The UE40F6800 is a tad complicated to set up initially, thanks to the sophistication of its smart TV menus and the need to set up a Samsung account along with the separate accounts of any online services you might subscribe to.

To be fair, this ‘cover-all’ Samsung account kind of justifies itself in the end by providing an umbrella location for all your online services. And it may also prove useful in TV generations to come with hitherto unseen new Samsung smart features. But as it stands right now we’re not wholly sure the ends justify the hassle of the means.

Setting up the UE40F6800’s images requires a little work too, as we continue to feel that none of Samsung’s four provided picture presets are particularly helpful since they all – even the Movie one – go for too much backlight brightness and contrast, leaving pictures looking a little grey where they should look black.

Just as well, then, that the set provides a huge array of tools to help you get pictures looking pretty much exactly how you want them to look. This includes being able to produce a colour palette very close indeed to the colour settings demanded by a ‘professional’ installation, despite Samsung not having bothered to seek the endorsement of the Imaging Science Foundation.

Among the most important adjustments available on the UE40F6800 are the various settings for its motion processing (we’d stick the lowest-powered ‘Clean’ option for most of the time, or turn the motion processing off entirely if what you’re watching is quite grainy, for reasons discussed in the next section of the review), its noise reduction tools (best left off for all HD viewing) and its backlight and contrast settings. The former is ideally best set as low as its 7 or 8 level for dark room viewing, while contrast should be nudged down from the near-maximum levels employed by the TV’s presets to around 80 to reduce the appearance of noise in the picture.

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Google Tips launched to help with Android, Gmail, YouTube and more

by Jon Mundy 13 December 2013 |

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Google has launched a new website aimed at offering assistance for all of its services, from Android to YouTube.

The website will feel very familiar to anyone who’s used Google Now on their mobile device. It adopts a similar card-based interface, with rows of virtual cue cards containing informal descriptions.

Each can be flipped to explain in greater detail a particular facet of a particular Google service. So, for example, there’s one that says "Play YouTube like a jukebox," which concerns creating playlists on your YouTube account.

Elsewhere you can "Let Maps show you the restaurants your friends love," or see how "Your phone is your pedometer."

Each flipped card offers an introductory paragraph to the issue, a list of stuff you need (usually just a Google account) and what the service works on, and a bunch of clear descriptive photos tracking each stage of the process for you to flip through.

You can also filter all of these cards out according to the specific Google service (there are 13 in all), or according three wider themes: On the go, At home, and At the office.

Google has also provided the ability to suggest your own Tips cards, provided you’re signed in with your Google account of course.

All in all, it's the ideal provision for a time of year when millions of people - including a great many novices - will be receiving a new Android smartphone or tablet, or even a Chromebook.

Read More: Android 4.4 KitKat review

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HTC One Mini returns to sale in the UK following ban

HTC has been awarded a stay on injunction that will see the HTC One Mini return to UK retailers following a brief sales ban.

With the HTC One Mini having been pulled from British stores last Friday, December 6 having been found to unlawfully encroach on a Nokia held patent, an appeals court has today ruled that the 4.3-inch HTC One spinoff can return to sale.

"HTC is delighted that the Court of Appeals has granted a stay on the injunction against our products,” an official HTC spokesperson announced. “We will immediately resume shipment of all of our devices into the UK, including the entire HTC One family.”

They added: “Similarly, our customers should feel confident in their ability to promote and sell all HTC devices. Even though we plan to aggressively appeal the validity decision of Nokia’s EP 0 998 024 patent, we will continue to work with our chip suppliers on alternative solutions to ensure minimal disruption to our business in the future.”

Last week it had been suggested that the flagship HTC One would be removed from sale in the UK having also been found to infringe on Nokia’s patented technologies, although a HTC appeal prevented the Samsung Galaxy S4 rival disappearing from retailers.

In banning the HTC One Mini from sale last week, a UK judge teased a potentially imminent arrival for a new flagship HTC One follow-on.

"HTC will shortly be launching a new flagship phone which cannot be assumed to infringe and therefore be caught by the injunction,” Judge Richard Arnold said during the original patent trial.

He added: "Nevertheless, I accept that there is a period between now and February or March 2014 when HTC is vulnerable."

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

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Instagram Direct launched as new messaging service

Instagram Direct has been launched as a new way to send photos and videos in a more private way.

Unveiled during a live streamed Instagram event, the popular photography and video editing and sharing app just got a new feature – Instagram Direct.

Instagram Direct lets you send your photos and videos just to a select group of friends, family or a single person, rather than just the social media site for everyone to see.

“Over the past three years, the Instagram community has grown to over 150 million people capturing and sharing moments all around the globe,” reads the Instagram blog. “As we’ve grown Instagram has evolved not only into a community of photographers, but also into a means of visual communication.”

“There are, however, moments in our lives that we want to share, but that will be the most relevant only to a smaller group of people – an inside joke between friends captured on the go, a special family moment or even just one more photo of your new puppy. Instagram Direct helps you share these moments”.

Working in a similar fashion to Whatsapp, Instagram Direct will allow users to send messages, photos and videos in real-time, but messages will be deleted over time as they are on Snapchat but with a longer shelf-life.

Instagram Direct will be built into the main Instagram app and will appear next to the usual Social tab, labelled as the Direct Tab.

You’ll be able to choose the contacts you wish to send your content to, adding up to 15 at a time. Again, similar to Whatsapp, you’ll see a tick mark when the message has been seen. If the recipient likes your message, that little tick transforms into a heart.

You can only send Instagram Direct message to people who you follow, and follow you back. If someone you don’t know sends your message, you’ll get a pending request alert and you can decide whether to accept the photo.

Messages can be ignored, and users can be blocked if they become persistently irritating.

The latest version of Instagram with Direct is available today for iOS and Android. Instagram for Windows Phone is still in beta and won’t get the messaging functionality just yet.

Read more: Best Android phones 2013

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All remaining Blockbuster UK stores to cease trading next week

Blockbuster UK is entering its final days, with administrators confirming all remaining Blockbuster stores will be closed in the coming days.

Announcing that the 91 Blockbuster UK still trading will close their doors for the final time ahead of the Christmas period, administrators have confirmed that the retailer will sell off all of its remaining stocks by this Sunday, December 15.

"It is with regret that we have to make today's announcement,” Simon Thomas and Nick O’Reilly of administrators Moorfields Corporate Recovery LLP said in a statement today.

Confirming that the final round of closures will result in 808 job losses, they added: “We appreciate this is a difficult time for all concerned and would like to thank staff for their professionalism and support over the past month.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to secure a buyer for the group as a going concern and as a result had to take the regrettable action to close the remaining stores."

Blockbuster UK entered administration for the second time back in October of this year, with the former high street giant having succumbed to the pressures of declining media costs and the rise of online retailers and digital downloads.

Following this weekend’s final sales push, which will see all stock sold at up to 90 per cent off its regular sale price, all 91 remaining Blockbuster UK stores will be shut for good next Monday, December 16.

Read More: Best Games 2013

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Samsung loses out in court, no iPhone or iPad ban to come

Apple wins in the latest legal head to head

Samsung has lost its bid to ban sales of older iPhones and iPads in South Korean in a patent infringement lawsuit.

A South Korean court dismissed a lawsuit claiming Apple had infringed on three Samsung Mobile patents, meaning there will be South Korean ban on older iPhone and iPad models.

The lawsuit is part of Samsung and Apple courtroom battles that date back to 2011. This was when Apple first sued Samsung for imitating the iPhone and iPad with its own range of smartphone and tablets.

However, a Seoul Central District Court judge stated older Apple devices like the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and iPad 2 did not infringe any Samsung patents, notably one governing short message display and messaging grouping functionalities.

Samsung’s 100 million won (£58,000) damages claim and a request for product ban was thrown out by the court.

“We are glad the Korean court jointed others around the world in standing up for real innovation and rejecting Samsung’s ridiculous claims”, said Apple Korea spokesperson, Steve Park.

Samsung could appeal the decision, but said it is going to thoroughly review the ruling before submitting an appeal.

“As Apple has continued to infringe our patented mobile technologies, we will continue to take the measures necessary to protect our intellectual property rights,” said Samsung in an official statement.

In August last year, the same South Korean court ordered Apple to pay 40 million won in damages to Samsung after infringing two of Samsung’s wireless tech patents.

However, in that same ruling Samsung was fined 25 million won for patent violations relating to document scrolling features.

Samsung and Apple have been battling in court over patent infringements for several years now, and have gone to court twice in California in the past two years. Juries have already awarded Apple around $930 million (£567 million) in damages so far.

Read more: Best smartphones of 2013

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UK broadband prices lowest around, Ofcom report finds

While you might think you are paying through the nose for your home broadband connection, a new Ofcom report has found that UK consumers have access to the lowest broadband prices around.

Based on typical household profiles of broadband, landline and mobile rates, Ofcom has reported that the UK tops a chart of the most affordable broadband prices of all leading countries, with fixed deals accounting for a lower proportion of monthly living costs

With the UK leading the way, Italian and French nationals were offered the next most affordable broadband and communications packages.

“The report confirms that consumers in the UK are benefiting from one of the world’s most price competitive marketplaces for communications services,” James Thickett, Ofcom’s Director of Research said.

“Telecoms bills have been falling in real terms in the UK for the past ten years. However, consumers are not just benefiting from cheaper deals – they are also getting much more for less, as the quality and range of telecoms services has expanded hugely in that time.”

While broadband and telecoms fees in the UK are amongst the lowest, it has been suggested that subscription TV costs are significantly higher. With a monthly premium TV package said to add £66 to UK residents’ living costs, those in Germany are required to fork out on average of just £27.

Although UK consumers are said to have access to the lowest price broadband deals around, it has been suggested that as a nation we are not making the post of these deals.

“Ofcom’s analysis highlights that the UK is leading the way with the lowest prices available for fixed broadband services, but it is important to remember that this doesn’t necessarily mean UK customers are actually paying the lowest prices in Europe,” Dominic Baliszewski, a telecoms expert with Broadband Choices said.

“Our own analysis has highlighted time and time again that a high proportion of customers do not actually switch broadband regularly enough to benefit from better pricing.”

He added: “Switching levels for fixed broadband are woefully low when compared with energy or insurance services. Many customers are stuck on outdated and overpriced ‘legacy tariffs’ because of barriers to switching including perceived hassle, not believing they will find a better deal elsewhere, or fear of being left without a connection during the switching process.

“It has become far easier to switch broadband suppliers in recent years but consumer perception has yet to catch up – until it does, millions of households across the UK will remain trapped on costly packages that are completely unsuitable for their evolving needs.”

Read More: Best Routers

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Fallout 4 is real after all and is set in Boston

Fallout 4 has been semi-officially confirmed by some leaked documents from Bethesda.

It the next instalment in the Fallout series is in development at Bethesda studios as originally rumoured, despite the huge Fallout 4 hoax that was Survivor 2299.

Kotaku has obtained some casting documents that confirm Fallout 4 is being developed and the massive bombshell that it will be set in the American city of Boston.

The site was originally sent several documents from a casting call for a game project named “Institute”. Later on, the site managed to confirm the authenticity of the documents, which all contain information on the characters and other details of the next Fallout.

Although the word Fallout doesn’t appear in the scripts for the casting call, there are references to the game’s setting and locations.

The casting director mentioned in the documents also worked on other Bethesda games including Dishonoured.

It has been widely accepted that Bethesda Studios has been working on Fallout 4 since the completion of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in 2011, but the developer has yet to announce anything officially.

Despite the elaborate Survivor 2299 Fallout 4 teaser site hoax, it seems Fallout 4 is real after all and the documents shed some light on a possible opening for the game.

Fallout 4 will seemingly use the classic introduction from the beginning of Fallout 1, 2 and 3: “War. War never changes.” Usually this is spoken by the actor Ron Perlman, but it seems the main character will vocalise the opening monologue.

Another script from the casting documents describes a mission in which a character called Preston Garvey asks you to find a fusion core from a museum in the commonwealth.

One mission is set in the Institute, which is most likely Fallout 4’s post-apocalyptic version of MIT. Other locations like the Commonwealth aren’t mentioned in other Fallout games so form together to represent what’s left of Massachusetts.



Read more: Best games of 2013

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Google Chrome Apps arrive for Mac

Google has launched a range of Chrome Apps for Mac desktop computers, bringing new productivity options to OS X.

Mac users will now able to enjoy WeVideo Next, Smartsheet, Until AM and other Chrome Apps as fully fledged Mac OS X apps.

“These apps are more powerful than before, and can help you get work done, play games in full-screen and create cool content all from the web”, explained Google when launching the Chrome Apps.

All the apps sync with the cloud, offer desktop notifications, and allow interactivity with devices connected to your computer.

“Chrome Apps work office and sync to any computer where you’re signed into Chrome, so you can pick up where you left off,” explained Trent Apted and Jack Hou, Google Software Engineers and self-professed “Mac devotees”. “Your Chrome Apps on Mac behave and feel just like native software.”

The Chrome Apps are available in the “For your desktop” collection on the Chrome Web Store, and Google is also launching a Chrome App Launcher for Mac.

The apps also appear in the Application folder within the Mac Dock and can be searched for in Spotlight search like any other Mac app.

Available now, the Chrome Apps include WeVideo Next, an easy video editing tool for online and offline creations. You can choose various editing levels that reflect your experience and then simply, trim, adjust, apply themes and publish.

There’s also Smartsheet, a project management and collaboration app that includes dinner planners and holiday card tracker templates among others.

For the music lovers on Mac, Chrome Apps can offer Until AM. This lightweight app has a fully-fledged DJ setup that pulls music from the cloud as well as your locally stored songs for making a party playlist.



Read more: Best laptops of 2013

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