Apple and Google reach deal to end patent lawsuits

The Apple vs Google lawsuits have reached a conclusion

Apple and Google have reached a mutual agreement to end all patent lawsuits being pursued against each other.

With the two tech giants having been wrapped in near endless patent and intellectual property disputes in recent years, the agreement marks a major step forward from the two companies and puts an end to legal filings around the world.

Although the deal has not seen the two company’s licence technologies from one another, a joint statement from Apple and Google has stated that the two will work together in “some areas of patent reform.”

With Apple having long been fighting patent cases with a number of smartphone manufacturers using Google’s Android OS, the lawsuit deal between the two giants will not be expanded to include Apple’s ongoing fights with Korean maker Samsung.

Earlier this month a Californian jury deemed Samsung should pay Apple damages of $119.6 million (£71m) after being found to have infringed on two patents held by the Cupertino-based manufacturer.

Although Samsung has been left out in the cold on the patent deal, the agreement does cover some 20 filings which cover Motorola founded patents which were acquired by Google when owning the American smartphone maker.

Read More: Google Nexus 5 review


Via: BBC

readmore »»  

Most gamers still prefer physical games over downloads, study finds

Disc-based games still more popular than digital downloads

Physical, disc-based games are not dead yet, as a new study finds that most gamers still prefer physical games to digital downloads.

Although digital releases appear to be the future of the gaming sector, an NPD report has revealed that almost three quarters of gamers still prefer to get something physical when splashing cash on the latest gaming releases.

Highlighted within the consumer research group’s Core Gaming 2014 report, the study – which questioned 7,927 US gamers – found that when prices are identical, 74 per cent of gamers still prefer disc-based offerings.

For the purpose of the study, core gamers were defined as “individuals who play video games five or more hours a week on a PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC or Mac.” So you Wii U users don’t count.

Despite the continued preference for physical games, the study has shown that during the past 12 months, more gamers have been switching across to digital releases.

With 26 per cent of questioned gamers this year stating they prefer digital releases, the figure is up from just 21 per cent in 2013.

It is suggested that the US is currently home to some 34 million core gamers, with the average user playing time topping 22 hours per week.

"Core gamers are really the lifeblood of the industry, spending tremendous amounts of time on their hobby of choice," NPD analyst Liam Callahan said.

He added: “With the new console generation off to a great start, we can expect the amount of time spent gaming to increase as more core gamers adopt them."



Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

Via: CVG

readmore »»  

Oculus Rift ‘important to the future of storytelling’ says Special FX mastermind

The Oculus Rift will push VR to the mainstream

Oculus Rift, the virtual reality headset, is to move beyond its gaming centric roots and become ‘an important part of the future of storytelling’, a Special FX leader has said.


Speaking with TrustedReviews this week, Sir William Sargent, whose company Framestore is responsible for the jaw-dropping CG visuals on recent blockbuster Gravity, suggested that Oculus Rift will allow immersive storytelling to hit new levels.

“Oculus is pretty amazing and something we obviously love,” Sargent told us. “For us Oculus Rift and virtual reality is going to be a very important platform.”

He added: “For immersive storytelling we are very excited about it and it will be a very important part of what we do in the future.”

Although predicting Oculus Rift is important to the industry, Sargent has admitted there is still debate around how best to utilise the technology.

“The software guys get a bit more latitude at the moment because we understand the film process, we don’t yet understand where Oculus and virtual reality can go,” he said.

“We don’t try to second guess the technology, we use that technology to tell the story.”

Despite these uncertainties, Framestore, which has also provided CG and Special FX for a mass of other movies and visual projects – including Avatar and the Harry Potter franchise – has already done one Rift-based project.

“We’ve done the Game of Thrones thing for it which was a big success,” the Framestore co-found said in reference to the ‘Ascend the Wall’ attraction which allowed Rift wearers to scale the 700ft virtual ice wall from the fantasy epic.

Read More: Oculus Rift vs Project Morpheus

readmore »»  

Tannoy Mercury Vi Audio Review

What is the Tannoy Mercury Vi?

For this affordable 5.1-channel speaker system, Tannoy has tweaked the blueprint of the brilliant Mercury V system with several component and tuning upgrades in a bid to take its performance to new heights.

But given that Mercury V scored top marks in our 2012 review, it needs something special to top the original.

This specially priced package features a pair of V4i floorstanders for the front channels, a pair of VRi standmounts for the rear channels, the VCi centre and the TS2.10 subwoofer, which isn’t a Mercury subwoofer per se but is the same model that accompanied the Mercury V package.

ROUND-UP: Best Surround Sound Systems

Tannoy Mercury Vi – Design

The only thing we didn’t like about Mercury V was its design, and sadly we have to say the same about Mercury Vi. For the V4i, Tannoy has stuck with the same boxy cabinets and plastic-textured wood veneers as before, which are inoffensive enough but lack the curvy elegance of systems like the Roth OLi RA .

Our samples came in a Sugar Maple finish, which looked a little unflattering in our test room but may well suit yours. Thankfully it’s also available in a much classier Dark Walnut colour.

Despite its lacklustre looks, V4i is still a well-made speaker, with internally cross-braced cabinets giving them the requisite rigidity. They’re reassuringly heavy too.

One new design touch is a plinth that elevates the V4i off the floor to improve stability and reduce vibration. We say plinth, but really it’s two chunky black bars that attach separately to the bottom. They’re a stylish addition, though.

The V4i sports a black cloth grille on the front, fixed on with plugs as opposed to tidier magnets. It takes some tugging to remove but it’s worth doing as the drivers’ silver surrounds bring some much-needed glamour.

Towards the bottom of the back panel are two pairs of binding posts that allow you to bi-wire the speaker (feed the mid/bass and high-frequency drivers separately). If not, gold-plated link bars connect the two sets of posts. The binding posts have been improved – they’re now gold-plated and encased in chunky plastic, which makes it easier to clamp your cables tightly.



The VRi rears and VCi centre are also well-made and dressed in a matching Sugar Maple veneer, but again their rigidly straight lines and lack of embellishment makes them visually uninspiring.

The subwoofer looks absolutely nothing like the other speakers, which won’t please advocates of aesthetic congruity but it’s still a relatively attractive bass bin. It comes in satin grey and high gloss white or black finishes, with curved edges and black cloth grilles covering the drivers at both ends – more on those later. Sturdy spikes are provided for placement on a carpet.

On the back are three dials controlling volume, phase and crossover frequency, plus stereo RCA input and output.

readmore »»  

Xbox One external hard drive support coming ‘soon’, developer claims

The Xbox One is tipped to add external storage options

An Xbox One developer has suggested that the Microsoft made console will add external hard drive support ‘soon’.

With the console currently lacking any external storage options, the anonymous developer has taken to reddit to tease the device’s upcoming features overhaul.

Based on a leaked picture of the Xbox One dashboard, the development unit can clearly be seen displaying a pop-up notification which reads “external drive ready.”

As well as this written alert, the console has also been shown boasting 585.9GB of free storage, up on the Xbox One’s internal limitations.

The image was joined by teasing messages from the developer who stated: “Adding more hype on eth list of things to come.”

They added: “I give you this… soon.”

A lack of external storage abilities was one element of the Xbox One which proved contentious with some gamers at launch.

However, with all current Xbox One consoles sporting 500GB internal hard drives, we can’t imagine there are too many gamers already struggling to capacity constraints.

Microsoft has yet to offer any formal insight as to when, or indeed if, the Xbox One will add external hard drive support.

Early this week the manufacturer announced that it would release a Kinect-free edition of the Xbox One, backtracking on its launch plans to only sell the console when bundled with the motion-tracking peripheral.

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

Via: VideoGamer

readmore »»  

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date, rumours, news, specs and price

All you need to know about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 4

A Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date is expected this September, and the Korean manufacturer is adding to the mass of Galaxy Note 4 rumours by confirming the phone will feature a "new form factor."Although Samsung has remained quiet on exactly what this "new form factor" will entail, the confirmation has sparked much speculation around more premium materials or even a flexible display.

Having confirmed plans for a revised design, Yoon Han-kil, Senior Vice President of Samsung’s Product Strategy Team stated: “Our ultimate goal is to make products that consumers really aspire to have. This is how we are trying to find a breakthrough in the stagnant premium market.”

Showing off this "new form factor", new Samsung patents have surfaced revealing a phone with a curved, three sided display (shown below).

According to KDB Daewoo Securities analyst Song Jong-ho: “The bent device is the first step towards testing the market and gauging how it would react to its foldable smartphones that are to be unveiled in the second half of next year."

He added: “The foldable phone would be the next Samsung flagship phone.”

Having helped spawn the phablet market, the Galaxy Note brand continues to grow in popularity, with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date generating plenty of expectation.

What’s more, with the Samsung Galaxy S5 failing to surprise many with its incremental updates, the Note 4 could be about to become Samsung’s true flagship phone with a larger, higher resolution screen, new CPU and improved usability features all tipped for inclusion.



We will be updating this page with all the latest Samsung Galaxy Note release date details, leaks, news and rumours as new information emerges, so bookmark it now to stay on top of all things Note 4.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Release Date: When will it come out?

Based on Samsung’s unwavering product cycles, a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date looks all but certain to follow an IFA 2014 unveiling this September – a timeframe tipped by Korean sources.

With the Berlin-based tech show to be held between September 5 and 10 – with press days preceding the public show – we anticipate that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will be formally showcased for the first time on Wednesday, 3rd September.

Although Samsung has yet to offer any official indication of a precise Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date, Samsung’s Mobile Chief, Lee Young Hee reportedly informed news house Bloomberg earlier this year that the gadget would land during the second half of 2014 – a window that would fit with an IFA showing.

With a Q4 release likely to follow a late Q3 unveiling, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could land within weeks of the iPhone 6, a handset expected to hit retailers during the first week of October.

Despite being one of the company's biggest announcments of the year, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could be set to share the launch stage. According to recent leaks, the Note 4 will be unveiled alongside the manufacuter's answer to Google Glass.

A head-mounted werable with a single-sided display that will sit in front of the user's eye, the Samsung Gear Glass has been repeatedly tipped for an IFA unveiling.

You may also like:

• NEWS ROUND-UP: iOS 8 Release Date, Features, Apps, News, Rumours
  


• GUIDE: Android 4.4 tips tricks and secrets


• GUIDE: How to get the Google Experience Launcher on the Galaxy S5
  

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Specs: We expect a new, 'QHD' screen

With the previous trio of Note offerings having jumped from 5.3-inches to 5.5-inches and now 5.7-inches in size, it seems safe to say that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4’s screen is in line for another size increase.

Surprisingly there are currently no rumours circulating around the Note 4 being on the receiving end of another size bump, although we expect the handset to measure up at around 5.8-inch or 5.9-inches in size. Given latest smartphone trends, we would also expect to see this larger display squeezed into a similarly sized body to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, with a reduced bezel helping create space.

More important than size, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 screen is set to get better. Samsung itself has hinted the phone’s display could boast a staggering 2,560 x 1,440 pixel display.

Teasing the future phone features during its annual Analyst Day in Korea last November, Samsung revealed a graph showing that 2014 will see it launch a handset with a WQHD 2560 x 1440p display. Given that the S5 has already passed with a 1080p panel, the Note 4 is left as the likely choice for an improved screen.

Like the S5, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has been tipped to include a fingerprint scanner incorporating home button, with the security measure set to become a staple of the company’s flagship offerings.

Further Samsung Galaxy Note 4 specs tipped to make an appearance include a new 20-megapixel rear-mounted camera, up from the Note 3’s 13-megapixel snapper and S5’s 16-megapixel offering.

According to unnamed Korean insiders: "Samsung Electronics began to develop the 20-megapixel smartphone camera module with a view to releasing it in the second half of 2014."

A 20-megapixel camera would see the Note 4 edge closer to the photographic abilities of the 41-megapixel Nokia Lumia 1020 and the 20.7-megapixel Sony Xperia Z2 cameras.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Rumours: Snapdragon 805 processor likely

A number of Samsung Galaxy Note 4 rumours have added further backing to reports the phone will feature a new, near 2K panel.

With Qualcomm having already laid out its chipsets for the next year of smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is all but guaranteed to be powered by the Snapdragon 805 processing unit. The Note 3 followed the LG G2 in running the Snapdragon 800 chipset, a processing unit that has since featured in many high-end handsets.

A chip that will allow for 4K video recording, improved gaming and greater sensor accuracy for improved fitness tracking, according to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 805 will let smartphone users "Enjoy Ultra HD resolution content on Ultra-HD-capable mobile devices."

We also expect Samsung to further improve the handwriting recognition on the Note 4. A new Samsung patent has revealed the manufacturer will introduce advanced handwriting recognition in the next-generation of its Galaxy Note devices.

This will let users write out commands – such as call mum – the handset will reportedly transform your notes into actions. Whether this proves to be an easier method of making a call than traditional touchscreen menus remains to be seen.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 News: Samsung planning IP67 water and dust resistance

While we all want Samsung to release a premium looking, metal bodied handset in a similar vein to the iPhone 5S or HTC One M8, this isn’t looking likely to be the Note 4.

According to recent reports the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will, like the Galaxy S5 before it, feature a dust and water-resistant coating, which means plastic is most likely going to be the material of choice.

Reports out of the Korean media have claimed the Note 4 will host the same IP67 rating as the S5, meaning it can be submerged in up to one metre of water for 30 minutes without suffering damage. If handed a water-resistant coating, the phone’s USB power connection port will be covered by a protective flap.

Adding further backing to reports of a water-resistant Note 4, serial tipster ETNews has claimed Samsung recently cancelled an order for 5 million LDS (Laser Direct Structuring) antenna in order to snap up H-IMA (High-performance In-Mold Antenna) units, a component reportedly easier to waterproof.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Price: How much will you have to pay?

When it comes to price, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is not going to be cheap, not by a long shot. Although likely to feature a less than premium aesthetic, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is likely to be northwards of £600 at launch.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 cost £649 at launch, and with new features inbound, we expect the Galaxy Note 4 price will be at a similar level.

Stay tuned for all the latest Samsung Galaxy Note 4 rumours and breaking Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date details right here.

What do you want to see from the Galaxy Note 4? Let us know in the comments.

readmore »»  

Gold Samsung Galaxy S5 hits Three

Three has expanded its Samsung Galaxy S5 options, adding the gold hued handset to its existing black, white and blue offerings.

Completing the line-up of Galaxy S5 launch colours, Three has confirmed that it will offer the gold S5 starting from today, May 16.

Despite having been unveiled at the phone’s launch back in February, the gold Samsung Galaxy S5 was offered as a Vodafone exclusive in the UK at launch. Now, however, this period of exclusivity is over and the competition as waded in to the extravagantly hued handset race.

Making the announcement a Three spokesperson told us: “From today, Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S5 Gold edition is available from Three both in-store and online.”

Available on PAYG basis with a £549 price tag, Three will also offer the gold S5 on a range of 24 month contracts.

For a £29 up-front fee and a £38 per-month contract over two years, the gold S5 will be bundled with 600 inclusive minutes, unlimited texts and, most importantly, all-you-can-eat 4G data.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 packs a 5.1-inch, Full HD display alongside a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and 2GB of RAM.

Running a 16-megapixel rear-mounted camera and with an fingerprint scanner built in to the phone’s physical home button, the S5 is powered by Android 4.4 KitKat, skinned with the company’s TouchWiz UI.

Far from the only high-end handset to sport a golden colour scheme, the iPhone 5S and HTC One M8 are both available in gold.

Next, read everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S6.

readmore »»  

PS4 continues to outsell Xbox One

The PS4 vs Xbox One sales battle continues

The PS4 has outsold the Xbox One for the fourth consecutive month, highlighting Sony’s early dominance in the next-gen console wars.

With the Xbox One having been plagued by slow sales since launch last November, Microsoft’s gamer has been subjected to a number of official and retailer introduced price cuts.

However, despite these price cut, new figures have revealed that, in the US at least, Xbox One sales throughout April were significantly lower than those of the PS4.

Although precise monthly sales figures for the PS4 have yet to be given, the console is said to have shifted far more than the 115,000 Xbox One units sold during the window.

Despite the Xbox One slumping behind its biggest rival, monthly figures have shown that the next-gen console is far outstripping sales of its predecessor.

"Life to date, sales of PS4 and Xbox One hardware have more than doubled the combined sales of PS3 and 360 hardware through their first six months of sales,” NPD analyst Liam Callahan stated.

He added: “PS4 software combined with Xbox One software sales are up over 40 percent compared to sales of the PS3 and Xbox 360 through their first six months.”

Although Nintendo’s console offers have been somewhat left in the shadows in recent months, Callahan has suggested the Wii U is on the up.

He stated: “Wii U software sales were up over last year by over 80 percent.”

Earlier this week Microsoft confirmed that it will launch an Xbox One without a Kinect accessory. With the motion-sensing peripheral having previously been a mandatory addition to the One, the Kinect-free console will launch next month with a £349 price tag.

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

Via: GamesIndustry

readmore »»  

Toshiba Satellite P50T-B-10K Laptop Review

What is the Toshiba Satellite P50T-B-10K?

The Satellite name on this Toshiba means it’s a work laptop, but the P50T-B-10K is a stylish system that’s designed for those who want a productive portable to look impressive as well as burn through demanding creative applications.

That means a high price of £1,200 as well as an impressive specification. That also means strong competition: at this end of the market the 15in MacBook Pro with Retina Display is an expensive, inevitable spectre, and the stunning Dell XPS 15 is priced similarly.

READ MORE: 2014's Best Laptops, Tablets, Hybrids and PCs

Toshiba Satellite P50T-B-10K: Design & Build Quality

The P50T is a smart system. The lid and wrist-rest are clad in brushed aluminium, and the screen is surrounded by a thin, glossy bezel. The black keys sit in a sunken recess, there’s a speaker grille across its entire width, and the trackpad is given the ring of chrome that we expect on Satellite systems.

This Toshiba is smart, but not distinctive. Its aluminium design is reminiscent of MacBooks, but the exposed seams, manufacturer stickers and plastic underside mean it’s unable to match Cupertino’s finest. It can’t match the XPS either, which uses aluminium and carbon fibre for a unique, slick look. In a market with plenty of good-looking rivals and samey MacBook clones, the P50T doesn’t stand out.

Build quality is varied. We couldn’t budge the right-hand side of the wrist-rest, and much of the underside was almost as strong – we could flex the plastic a little, but were not worried about causing any damage. The screen flexed, but the desktop didn’t distort – another good sign.

The left-hand side isn’t as strong, though; there was too much give on the wrist-rest and underneath, and we’d be worried about impact damage on this portion of the machine.

The Toshiba isn’t as strong as the Dell and Apple systems, and it’s not as svelte either. It’s 28mm from top to bottom, which is around 10mm thicker than its rivals, and it weighs 2.3kg, while the other two systems tipped the scales at less than 2kg.

READ MORE: The Latest Laptop Reviews

Four USB 3.0 ports is generous, and we’re pleased to see a Blu-ray writer – optical drives are rare than on laptops these days and this goes some way to justifying the extra bulk and weight. There’s only one display output, though, and the HDMI port is joined by a Gigabit Ethernet slot, an SDXC card reader, and two audio jacks.

Connectivity is good, with a dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi card and Bluetooth 4.0 alongside that Gigabit Ethernet port. It’s a better selection than the Dell, which had the same wireless configuration but no wired option.

Toshiba Satellite P50T-B-10K: Screen & Sound Quality

The P50T’s screen is its big selling point thanks to the 3,480 x 2,160 resolution. That’s a long way beyond 1080p, and it’s also more pixels than the MacBook and the XPS: the former has a 2,880 x 1,800 screen and the latter deploys a 3,200 x 1,880 resolution.

That means a a pixel density of 262.5ppi, which outstrips the Dell and Apple machines that have 237.9ppi and 220.5ppi figures respectively.

The screen is incredibly crisp. Images look sharp, and there’s plenty of room on the Start screen for the largest of Live Tiles. Text and other OS elements look great, too, as Toshiba has used Windows 8.1’s built-in scaling options to mimic a 1080p screen. The result is a screen that looks like it’s 1,920 x 1,080, but with added clarity and sharpness.

As usual, though, it’s not all good news. Third-party applications still can’t cope with such a high-resolution screen: some, such as AMD’s graphics driver tool, Adobe Photoshop and the included CyberLink software, didn’t scale up, which resulted in tiny windows or text we had to squint to read.

Others, including, Spotify and Google Chrome, scaled up to the correct size – but only because text and everything else was blurry. Even Microsoft didn’t escape: Internet Explorer and Word scaled up perfectly, but the logo in its Office 365 installer was low-resolution and blurry.

This problem isn’t limited to the Satellite – it’s affected every high-resolution Windows laptop we’ve tested, including the otherwise-excellent Dell XPS. It makes using the Toshiba unsatisfying: it’s no good using a laptop for work when so many crucial applications are needlessly hampered.

The Satellite makes amends with several good benchmark results. The brightness level of 292cd/m² is excellent, as is the black level of 0.22cd/m²: the former means that colours are vibrant, and the latter ensures that black levels are deeper than on most other systems. The contrast ratio of 1,327:1 is stunning, and it’s also a better result than the Dell XPS, which had an excess of brightness but a poorer black level.

The Toshiba has a better Delta E, too: its average result of 1.74 is superb, and easily outstrips the XPS’s 4.5. Both systems render more than 90% of the sRGB colour gamut, which is great, but neither proved capable with the more demanding range of Adobe RGB.

Again, though, the Toshiba didn’t escape with a clean bill of health. The colour temperature of 7,718K is poor: a long way on the cool side, a long way from the 6,500K ideal, and a world apart from the 6,694K result of the Dell. The glossy screen proves distracting, too.

Toshiba includes an app called ChromaTuner that can be used to switch between different colour profiles, but we don’t recommend it: the Technicolor and Warm options ramp up colours to the point where some colours look oversaturated, and the Cool option goes too far in the other direction.

As usual, Toshiba has used Harmon/Kardon speakers, and quality is excellent. The star of this show is the mid-range, which is meaty and has lots of depth, and it’s ably supported by both ends of the spectrum: the high-end is snappy and crunchy but not overwhelming, and there’s enough bass to be noticeable – a rarity among laptops. Our only issue is the volume – there’s enough to fill a bedroom or office, but a larger living room is beyond this laptop’s capabilities.

readmore »»  

More official LG G3 pictures leak

A new round of LG G3 pictures have leaked, with the flagship handset shown off in all its official glory.

With the G3 proving to be one of the leakiest tech launches ever, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 rival has been shown off in some prematurely teased press renders.

Far from the first time the handset has been caught on camera, the latest leaks reaffirm previous reports that the device will sport a premium, slimline design and an expansive, edge-to-edge display.

The new images have surfaced courtesy of the Twitter-based serial tech tipster @evleaks alongside the simple comment “LG G3, 2014, more pictures.”

Offering minimal new insight into the LG G2 follow-on, the new G3 leaks follow pictures yesterday which showed the 5.5-inch device out in the wild, riding the Korean subway.

With an LG G3 release date set to be announced at a confirmed May 27 launch event, there is little left to discover about the Android based iPhone 5S challenger.

Set to run a stunning 5.5-inch, QHD display with a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, the LG G3 will be powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM and Android 4.4, KitKat.

The handset has also been rumoured to run a 13-megapixel rear-mounted camera with a secondary, 2.4-megapixel snapper up front.

Read More: LG G Watch release date

readmore »»  

Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime headed to Korea in five colours

More details surrounding the so-called Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime have emerged online, pointing to a possible imminent release.

Numerous rumours have appeared in recent months concerning a souped-up Samsung Galaxy S5 model with, among other things, a QHD 2K display. It’s also been suggested that the device could see a switch to a metallic body.

Now we’ve received one of the most convincing tips yet courtesy of - who else? - @evleaks. The ever-reliable Twitter tipster recently tweeted the following:

"Samsung SM-G906, the "Galaxy S5 Prime" for Korea, to come in five colors: black, white, gold, blue, and sweet pink."

We’ve heard that SM-G906 model number before, of course. Its similarity to the SM-G900, which is the Galaxy S5’s model number, is one reason to suspect that reports of a modified version are true.

Of more interest is the information that the Galaxy S5 Prime will launch in five colours, and that the tweet mentions it’s headed "for Korea."

This might suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime won’t received a broad roll-out like the Samsung Galaxy S5. If so, we can only hope that it will make its way west to the UK, Europe, and US reasonably swiftly.

It’s also worth noting that the source usually supplies such detailed tips on devices that are fairly imminent, so we could be seeing the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime pretty soon. Hopefully it will arrive with news of a swift UK release.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy S6 release date

Via: BGR

readmore »»  

Flappy Bird creator reveals new game

Untitled Flappy Bird follow-up

The creator of Flappy Bird, Dong Nguyen, has released the first sliver of information on his brand new game.

Nguyen recently tweeted a screenshot of his next project, along with these words: "I am making a new game. So people can forget about Flappy Bird for a while."

Of course, it would have been easier for people to do so if Nguyen hadn’t just recently revealed in an interview that he was returning Flappy Bird to mobile app stores in enhanced form this August.

The new Flappy Bird will contain a multiplayer mode, and will apparently somehow be less addictive than before.

Back to this new project, and there’s no further information on the name of the game or how it will play. If we were to speculate, we’d suggest that it looks like another variation on the endless runner genre, but with more traditional platformer mechanics.

Presumably it won’t be as much fun as Flappy Bird, given Nguyen’s evident concern over his most popular creation’s addictiveness. The damage Flappy Bird caused to the lives of some of its more extreme players was a key reason behind the Vietnamese developer pulling the game back in February.

Whatever the new game turns out to be, credit is due at least for Nguyen’s attempt to try something different. It’s very common for mobile developers, once a successful IP has been stumbled upon, to concentrate on milking it for sequels.

Rovio’s Angry Birds series, Subatomic’s Fieldrunners, and Imangi’s Temple Run spring to mind.



Read More: Best mobile phones 2014

readmore »»  

Sony RX100 III Camera Review

Sony looks to up its game again

Sony found itself with something of a hit on its hands with the original RX100. Launched back in 2012 it brought never before seen levels of detail to the truly compact camera sector. Last year saw its first revision, in the shape of the RX100 II, and now it's time again for Sony to tweak the formula with the RX100 III.

Sony RX100 III: Features

What set the original RX100 apart from the masses was its use of a large 1.0 inch sensor, which was some four times larger than conventional 1/2.3-type sensors found in traditional point-and-shoot compacts. Combined with a high-quality, fast lens and impressively small body it really did set a new benchmark.

ROUND-UP: Best Cameras

With the RX100 II Sony added a tiltable 3-inch WhiteMagic LCD screen that improved on the fixed variety found on its predecessor. It also saw the addition of a multi interface shoe, which opened up the opportunity to attach an external flash, electronic viewfinder or stereo microphone. Plus Wi-fi/NFC connectivity and the option to shoot HD video at 24p for cinematically styled movies were added. All this and the sensor was now a back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS that Sony claimed was 40% more sensitive to light than its predecessor.

At the time it was hard to see what else Sony could add to improve this camera but, low and behold, the company has done just that. In fact, there are some fairly radical changes under the hood of the Rx100 III.

The most obvious of these is the new popup viewfinder. On the RX100 II the only option for a viewfinder was via the very expensive (£309), EV1MK electronic viewfinder that was designed to clip onto the camera via its hotshoe and connect via the accessory port. The accessory port and hotshoe have both been removed from the RX100 III and in their place is a pop-up flash that’s raised using a small switch above the screen.

As for the viewfinder Sony has replaced this with the first ever pop-up EVF on a premium compact. This rises ingeniously from the corner of the body and helps to keep the body as streamlined as possible. It features a 1,440k-dot resolution and uses a Zeiss T coating to help reduce reflections and deliver excellent edge-to-edge clarity. What’s also impressive is the way Sony’s engineers have designed it so that it can be used to power up the camera as an alternative to using the On/Off button.

The second key change is to the lens. It now has a range equivalent to 24-70mm, and has an aperture of f/2.8 across the whole lot. Focusing distance has also improved with it now able to focus within 30cm of a subject at the long end of the zoom. The lens’s improved light-gathering capabilities also allows faster shutter speeds to be used to freeze fast-moving subjects, while the addition of a built-in ND filter gives users the option to use slower shutter speeds in bright lighting conditions – a feature also recently introduced into one of its key rivals – the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II.

On the inside, there are changes too. While the 1.0inch 20.1MP Exmor sensor is essentially the same as found in the Cyber-Shot RX100 II, it’s now partnered with Sony’s latest and most powerful Bionz X image processor that’s already in use within other recent cameras such as the Sony A77 Mark II. Claimed to operate three times faster than the previous Bionz engine, the RX100 III maintains a maximum ISO sensitivity of ISO 25,600 and is capable of shooting at up to 10fps in its Speed Priority Continuous Shooting mode.

The RX100 III's other improvements of note include the option to record Full HD video footage at up to 50Mbps, or up to 100fps in the XAVC S format. Dual video recording will also be appreciated by those who’d like to record high quality AVCHD/XAVC S footage alongside a smaller MP4 format file that’s easier to share.

Another first for the RX100 series is a 5-axis stabilisation system, which should help to ensure steadier movies are created. Even with this new camera weighing just 9 grams more than the RX100 II, the RX100 III also features a 3inch Xtra Fine LCD that flips by 180 degrees and down by 45 degrees. This manoeuvrability is an improvement on the RX100 II that could only be tilted up by 84 degrees. Finally, there's support for Sony’s Play Memories app, which provides the option to enhance the cameras functionality by using a selection of free or paid-for creative effects and filters.

The overall look and feel of the Sony RX100 III is very similar to its predecessors with the removal of the hotshoe of the RX100 II making this model feel a little more like the original. Certainly for those that weren't tempted to upgrade to the RX100 II, the RX100 III will offer complete familiarity yet really ramps up the specification.

As for the viewfinder, the way Sony has engineered the 1,440k-dot OLED contraption into the body is a great technological achievement, considering how small the camera is. The overall feel is much akin to a popup flash though here the EVF requires you pull the EVF towards you slightly before it can be used. We didn’t find this to be a problem, though, and the eye sensor performed responsively – just as we’ve come to expect from Sony’s electronic viewfinders.

It offers a clear, bright view with good clarity, despite the resolution not matching that of the clip-on viewfinder offered for the RX100 II. Fundamentally, it’ll be more than good enough for most users.

One area where we didn't immediately notice much difference was in overall performance. That new BIONZ X processor didn't obviously improve the speed of operation during the time we used the RX100 III, though those extra dual-video modes will certainly be one area where that extra power is needed.

Auto-focus performance was as good as we'd expect with the RX100 II locking onto subjects with minimal fuss, even in relatively low-light conditions.

First Impressions

Overall, our first impressions of the Sony RX100 III are that Sony has once again upped the anti, creating the standout premium compact camera. The new inbuilt EVF is excellent and a very useful addition, while the revised lens range should make this model even more versatile than its predecessors. The powerful stabilisation and new video modes also make this a serious videographers tool too.

The only question we’d like to know the answer to is how much consumers will have to pay to get their hands on this latest model. Pricing and information was unavailable at the time of writing, but based on the launch price of the RX100 II and the benefit of having a new electronic viewfinder built in on the latest model, we wouldn't be surprised to see a price approaching four-figures. The good news for anyone that hasn't yet taken the plunge on the RX100 or RX100 II is that the price of both can be expected to fall in the coming months.

readmore »»  

Sony RX100 III announced with integrated viewfinder

Sony today announced the next version of the popular premium compact range, the Sony RX100 III or Mark 3.

Marketed as a potential replacement for an interchangeable lens camera the RX100 Mark 3 is a step up from the RX100 II and RX100 which will remain on sale. This is an addition to the range rather than a replacement.

One of the main differences between the RX100 III and its siblings is the inclusion of a built in, pop-up OLED electronic viewfinder. Aside from this the RX100 III will come with a fast 24-70mm wide zoom range with a F2.8 maximum aperture and a 20.1 megapixel resolution sensor. Other improvements include a more screen with more tilt and that can flip 180 degrees – for when camera phone selfies just won’t do.

Crucially despite the additions the RX100 III manages to stay compact. It’s just 2.7mm thicker than the Mark 2 and just 9g heavier; all other dimensions remain the same.

The RX100 III will come with Sony’s BIONZ X image processing engine which is the processor found on the impressive Sony a7R. Sony claims this is three times faster than the BIONZ processor on the RX100 II and allows for faster continuous shooting.

Sony has also upgraded the video taking capability of the RX100 III. Able to use both the AVCHD and XAVC S format, it is able to capture video with full pixel readout and 50Mbps bit rate. High 120p framerate shooting is also included.

Being able to easily connect your camera with your phone and tablet wirelessly has become a feature that consumers request more and more according to Sony. To accommodate this Wi-Fi and NFC have been added to the RX100 III that will work with a suite of PlayMemories phone apps.

Despite questioning Sony would not provide a release date or price for the RX100 III. We will keep you posted as soon as we find out.

Next find out which are the Best Cameras

readmore »»  

Google Play Store now accepting PayPal

PayPal, flushed from the success of a logo redesign a few weeks back is now, no doubt, celebrating as Google allows customers to use the service to buy products from its Play Store.

The decision marks a complete change for Google, which up until now required that you register a credit card with its own service to pay for purchases. Support for PayPal has been added in a total of 12 countries, the UK is one, obviously the US is another and the others are Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and Spain.

What's also interesting is the change marks a new system with Google's Play Store which is also introducing carrier billing. This would allow you to avoid using banks at all, and simply have purchases added to your phone bill. It's something that has been talked about for many years, but has not yet become a reality, at last in the UK.

Google also announced that sales on the Play store have increased by some 300 per cent too, which perhaps marks the end of the Android users reluctance to spend money on apps. Google also says that two thirds of all purchases from Play come from outside the US.

We tried to test the PayPal payment, but the option is not available for us yet, either via the web or on our Android phone.

readmore »»  

Samsung Galaxy S5 sales reach 11 million in first month

Samsung's flagship smartphone has sold 10 per cent more than its predecessor, the Galaxy S4, it has emerged, with sales figures reaching 11 million units.

The bad news for Samsung is that its profits are still down overall in the mobile division. It's reasonable to assume that while sales are up, so too is marketing spend, which will have an overall effect on profitability.

It's also fair to say that these days, with the Note 3, LG G2, iPhone, HTC One M8 and Sony Xperia Z2 there are hardly a shortage of really great high-end phones. So, to some extent it's to be expected that the flagship phones might see some of their total sales eroded. So from that point of view, Samsung's 10 per cent increase is pretty remarkable.

It's also possible that consumers were not overwhelmed by the S5's features, and are waiting for a phone like the LG G3 to arrive, which adds a higher resolution screen and other rumoured features that aren't to be found on other devices. There are rumours that Samsung will itself launch a new higher-end handset, which will be called the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime and will also have a 1440x2560 resolution, quad-HD screen similar to the one rumoured to be in the LG G3.

While this is good for Samsung as a whole, it does beg the question of what will happen next year when new features might be even less abundant and the firm needs to increase sales figures for the Galaxy S6. Time will tell of course, and we've got a new Galaxy Note coming in the meantime.

Read more: Best Mobile Phones of 2014

Via: Ars Technica

readmore »»  

Far Cry 4 announced with November 21 release date

Ubisoft has announced Far Cry 4 with a November 21 release date on multiple platforms.

Far Cry 4 will launch for the PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC later this year, following on from the success of Far Cry 3 in 2012.

The development of the game is being led by Ubisoft Montreal and is set in Kyrat, which Ubisoft describes as a “breath taking, perilous and wild region of the Himalayas struggling under the regime of a despotic self-appointed king.”

The game will force players to utilise a vast array of weapons, animals and vehicles to “write your own story” across the open-world landscape of Kyrat.

“Following the success of Far Cry 3, we wanted to take the franchise to the next level and create a game that will surprise players and exceed fans’ expectations,” said Dan Hay, Executive Producer. “Given the unique setting, we feel Far Cry 4 will stand out as a top first-person shoot and we’re eager to reveal more about the game in the coming months.”

So far, this is all we know about the game, but we’ve had pack shots for the standard and limited edition games too.

If you pre-order the Limited Edition Far Cry 4 you’ll get Hurk’s Redemption, a series of three single-player missions featuring Hurk from the Far Cry 3 DLC. You’ll also get Hurk’s signature harpoon gun, The Impaler, in Far Cry 4.

Ubisoft’s E3 2014 press conference will provide more details on Far Cry 4, so you’ll only have to wait until June to hear more.



Read more: Watch Dogs roundup

readmore »»  

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 flexible display a possibly, says Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 flexible display patent

A Samsung executive has confirmed the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could pack flexible display.

Lee Younghee, VP of Samsung’s mobile division, has confirmed Samsung is considering introducing a flexible display with the Galaxy Note 4 later this year.

However, he also added that the final design of the phone has yet to be set in stone, so that might not be the version that is launched for consumers.

There have been several rumours suggesting the Note 4 could pack a new three-sided flexible display when it is unveiled in September.

In fact, Samsung’s Senior VP of Product Strategy, Yoon Han-kil, said that the Note 4 would feature a “new form factor” earlier this year.

“Our ultimate goal is to make products that consumers really aspire to have. This is how we are trying to find a breakthrough in the stagnant premium market,” said Yoon.

If the Note 4 is based on Samsung’s own published patents, the handset could feature a three-sided display that curves around one side of the phone, offering quick glance notification information.

The slanted edge could also let you lock and unlock the device as well as scroll through on-screen content.

Basically, you shouldn’t expect the Note 4’s flexible display to resemble the LG G Flex or Korean exclusive Samsung Galaxy Round if the rumours are to be believed.

The actual patents for Samsung’s folded smartphone screen have been around for some time, but analysts believe that the Note 4 will be the first phone to first use the technology at a consumer level.

Read more: Best mobile phone 2014

Via: BGR

readmore »»  

ZTE Nubia W5 first Snapdragon 801 Windows Phone device?

The ZTE Nubia W5 could be the first Windows Phone device to run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor.

Rumour has it that ZTE is working on a new Windows Phone smartphone called the Nubia W5 and now it looks like it might be able to rival the high-end Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S5.

According to the latest report, the Nubia W5 will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with 3GB of RAM and a whopping 64GB of internal storage.

The Nubia W5 would be the first Windows Phone device to pack the latest Snapdragon 801 processor, so it would be a great step for the Microsoft operating system.

Other rumoured specs for the W5 include a 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilisation, with the phone powered by a 4,500mAh battery.

The Nubia W5 could mark a major hardware advancement for the Windows Phone platform, which most believe is synonymous with Nokia.

However, seeing as Microsoft’s Nokia buyout is now complete, the Nubia W5 could be the first of many Windows Phone devices to pack the top end hardware.

The launch of Windows Phone 8.1 may well help entice other manufacturers to dabble with Microsoft’s mobile operating system, thanks to its new array of features and voice assistant Cortana.

Hopefully the official looking press renders above and the purported specs are close to the real deal, as this could be one of the defining Windows Phone devices for 2014. Well at least until the successor to the Nokia Lumia 1020 is launched hopefully sometime later this year.

Read more: Windows Phone 8.1 Update - What to expect

Via: GforGames

readmore »»  

iOS 8 to offer split-screen multitasking for iPad

iOS 8 multitasking could look like this

iOS 8 could bring split-screen multitasking capabilities to your iPad.

Aping the functionality offered by Microsoft tablets like the Surface Pro 2, iOS 8 could let you run two apps side by side on your iPad.

The new information comes courtesy of “sources with knowledge” of iOS 8 development, who suggest iOS 8 will allow users to run and interact with two apps within one window on devices like the iPad Air or iPad mini 2 Retina.

Currently you can only one app on your iPad or iPhone in full screen, regardless of whether it is an Apple-made app or one available to download from the App Store.

Microsoft Surface tablets have a great multitasking “snap” feature that lets you run multiple apps on one screen simultaneously.

Multitasking on the Surface is something that Microsoft is very proud of and even released an advert showing how limited the multitasking capabilities of the iPad Air compared to the Surface line.

The sources suggest iOS 8 will do more than let the two apps run side by side though. Apparently it’ll actually let the two apps interact more easily with each other.

For example, iOS 8 should let you drag content quickly from one app to another, and Apple is even encouraging developers to design their apps to better utilise this upcoming enhanced functionality.

Apparently the multitasking will only work when your iPad is in landscape mode, and isn’t confirmed for the 7.9-inch iPad mini. It has been designed with the larger 9.7-inch iPad Air format in mind.

iOS 8 should also offer some other brand new features like the fitness-focused HealthBook application that would connect to fitness devices such as the heavily rumoured Apple iWatch to track data like sleep cycles, distance walked and calories burnt.

Apple Maps should get a major public transport route update and Apple will no doubt introduce performance enhancements and a few UI tweaks as well.

iOS 8 is due to be officially unveiled at Apple’s annual WWDC conference in June, with the major keynote scheduled for June 2.

Until then, watch the iOS 8 multitasking mock-up made by Sam Beckett.

Read more: iPad Air vs iPad mini 2 Retina

Via: 9to5Mac

readmore »»