Intel: Core M processor 3 times faster than Snapdragon 805

One of the most exciting announcments at IFA 2014 was Intel's launch of the tiny 14nm system on chip, the Intel Core M. It brings with it the promise of some exciting thin, silent and above all powerful new two in one PCs which Intel claims will be up to three times faster than the any tablet packing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805.

Speaking to TrustedReviews Matt Dunford, Worldwide Client Benchmark Manager at Intel, fired a shot across the bows of ARM processors by claiming that the new Intel Core M is significantly more powerful than Qualcomm’s best.

“The Intel Core M is two to three times faster than the top of the line premium tablets out there. So if you’re talking about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 or 805 we’re going to be about two to three times faster. We’re about two times faster on gaming and three times faster on most of the other things you’re doing like web applications.”

He also thinks that people often don’t comprehend the total costs of buying a tablet for productivity use which means they end up spending more than they should.

“When you really get honest about the price of a tablet you need to add the price of the cover, a keyboard, extra storage etc. When you add all that up you’re talking about the same price as a good two in one PC which delivers so much more capability. People haven’t grasped that yet.”

It’s the large top of the range tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Pro series or the mooted iPad Pro that could be most vulnerable to Intel Core M packing hybrids.

Karen Regis, Mobile Marketing Manager at Intel, explains:

“Intel Core M provides a good alternate choice for people looking for a large screen premium tablet, like two in one buyers.”

It’s a view supported by Dunford who believes that some premium tablets don’t quite offer as much productivity or performance as they should.

“I went out and got a Samsung Galaxy Notepro 12.2 and it’s big, it’s not quite as light as some of the smaller tablets. People looking at that size are some of the people who could look at the Intel Core M instead. A big premium tablet is going to be thin and light and have a battery that is going to last a long time. You’re going to be able to do your consumption of media and maybe some basic productivity although the typing on some of those premium tablets is not as good as a clamshell. When you start looking at tasks that require more performance, where you’re really trying to make it do something, the Intel Core M is going to be dramatically better.”

Next read: Best Windows 8 Laptops

readmore »»  

LG 65EC970V TV Review

The Future Of TV In All Its Glory

LG ‘won’ the 2014 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas with its debut 4K UHD OLED TVs. And reacquainting ourselves with these extraordinary new models at the IFA technology show in Berlin has done absolutely nothing to dampen our ardour for them. In fact, with the 65-inch 65EC970V now scheduled to go on sale before this month is out, our anticipation of its arrival has reached fever pitch.

We can now confirm a few specifications of the 65EC970V beyond the key and obvious facts that it’s a 65-inch OLED TV with a built-in 3840x2180 4K/UHD resolution and a curved screen design.

For starters the set now has a price – a surprisingly approachable price at that – of £5,999. It’s also going to feature LG’s exceptional webOS smart TV interface; passive 3D (now dubbed 3D due to the way using a 4K screen with passive technology delivers a much higher resolution image than you get with passive 3D on a mere full HD TV); and LG’s proprietary True 4K Engine Pro picture processing engine to handle upscaling of the non-native 4K sources you’ll initially spend the vast majority of your time watching while native 4K sources remain painfully thin on the ground.

We’re not hearing of LG putting together any sort of external 4K movie server box of the sort recently announced by both Sony and Samsung to go with its new 4K OLED heroes, though Netflix 4K support is definitely going to be available.

Ogling the latest 65EC970V models on show on LG’s IFA stand is a truly jaw-dropping experience. This may be down in part to the fact that LG slightly disappointingly elected to show off its 65EC970V with some very stylised, specially shot ultra-high-contrast, ultra-richly-coloured footage rather than just running a normal video 4K source. But then you could equally argue that if you’ve got it, you might as well flaunt it!

Plus it was only by using specially created content that LG was able to pull of the fancy trick in the 65EC970V demo of using three screens together to deliver a single, ‘stitched together’ image.

So mouthwatering are the 65EC970V’s pictures that it’s difficult to try and break down into constituent parts just where their main strengths lie. That said, given our love of contrast and black level response we were especially struck by the incredibly deep, natural and stable black levels the direct-emission OLED pixels deliver as if it’s the easiest thing in the world. There’s not a hint of greyness to be seen despite the backdrops of most of the demo footage being complete black.

This unprecedented black level prowess has a gorgeous knock on effect with colours too, as they’re reproduced with an intensity and vibrancy so spectacular it makes your eyes want to grin with pleasure.

It’s a testament to the contrast and colour prowess of OLED tech that it’s only after swooning at these aspects of the 65EC970V’s performance that we fully started to appreciate the spectacular charms of its UHD resolution. In fact the 65EC970V is pretty much uniquely qualified to show off the full detail and sharpness possible with UHD resolution, thanks to the way OLED’s ultrafast response time pretty much eradicates the sort of motion blur you can get with normal LCD technology.

It was great to see the 65EC970V sets on show at IFA looking far more ‘finished’ than previous incarnations, with no trace of previous visible glitches like image retention, flickering lines and visible picture ‘seams’. In fact, its pictures looked flawless in a way only OLED can.

The only cause of any sort of concern was the amount of reflection on the 65EC970V’s screen. This was quite aggressive (admittedly LG’s bright stand lighting won’t have been helping) compared with some of the other TVs we’ve looked at this IFA, and of course, the curved screen design doesn’t help here as it tends to stretch and distort reflected objects across more of the screen area than a flat screen would.

First Impressions

All the same, the 65EC970Vs did enough to convince us again that a genuine picture quality revolution is now just days away from going on sale.

SEE ALSO: Best 4K TVs

readmore »»  

Sony answers 4K overheating concerns, says ‘only shoot in small bursts’

Sony has responded to consumers suffering overheating issues when using their Xperia Z2 to shoot 4K video, telling users to “only shoot in small bursts”.

In a response which heavily echoes Steve Jobs’ infamous retort to iPhone 4 signal issues – “just avoid holding it that way” – MacDougal’s comments are hardly likely to instil much confidence in consumers.

“Overheating was a challenge that we had with 4K [shooting on the Z2],” Calum MacDougal, Sony’s Director of Xperia Marketing told TrustedReviews.

He added: “The advice we would give to consumers on shooting with 4K is to use it in smaller bursts. That, we believe, is the best way to manage the situation.”

An ongoing problem, the Z2 reaches troubling temperatures if used to shoot high quality video for anything but brief periods.

Introducing the new Xperia Z3, MacDougal revealed that the new handset is expected to suffer from similar problems.

The issues stem from the processing demands of high-quality video recording and compression, and the tightly sealed nature of the smartphone’s waterproof body which leaves nowhere for the heat to disperse.

“There is some element of heat that is generated when using the 4K recording because of the pressure it puts on the processor, and the product as a whole,” MacDougal said.

“There is some improvement in the Z3, but again our advice to consumers would be to shoot in small bursts to avoid issues with overheating.”

What exactly are ‘small bursts’? Well, according to Sony, clips of no more than two minutes.

“We would say that a minute or two at a time to take footage at that level rather than shooting for long periods of time at that quality.”

Read More: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact review

readmore »»  

Doro: 58 per cent of seniors want a smartphone

Handset maker Doro has claimed that the senior market is becoming increasingly tech savvy, with 58 per cent of over 65s now reportedly wanting their own smartphone.

Having forged its niche in the unassuming and easily accessible feature phone market, Doro has recently started edging its way into the smartphone race. Now, the manufacturer has claimed the senior market is keen for powerful but user-friendly devices.

Discussing the senior sector – the company’s stomping ground – Chris Millington, Doro’s Managing Director for UK and Ireland, stated: “They have been less exposed to technology, particularly as they get older, but they definitely want to move to a smartphone.”

Speaking with TrustedReviews he added: “58 per cent of over 65s are interested in buying a smartphone. Only 28 per cent said they’re not.”

With around 11 million over 65s currently living in the UK, this percentage equates to roughly 6.4 million individuals.

Despite so many seniors reportedly clamouring to join the smartphone revolution, Millington has claimed that once adopted, their user habits remain largely unchanged.

“The core functionality is obviously still important,” he told us. “The most important things stay the same, so calling, texting, taking pictures and emailing, they are always the drivers.”

He added: “Then it is about information and that starts to spread into social media and apps. The key though is confidence. Confidence is the most important thing in the world for this particular user group.

“One of the things in the research that came out more than anything else from people that have already gone to smartphones, is that they feel insecure about the smartphone they’ve purchased. They feel concerned because it is not natural to them and not a native technology to their life.”

With the recently unveiled Doro Liberto 820, the manufacturer is looking to bring mid-range smartphone performance to a market keen on an easy interface and accessibility features such as hearing aid support, visual aids and an emergency contact alarm.



Read More: Doro Liberto 810 review

readmore »»  

Apple Mobile Payments: How the iPhone 6 could kill the wallet

What IS going on with mobile payments? Physical wallets were supposed to be obsolete by now. We were supposed to be paying for everything with a nonchalant swipe of our smartphones.

And yet here we are in 2014, pulling the same tired old plastic debit cards out of the same tatty leather pouches. This isn't the future we envisaged back in 2010.

We're being overly dramatic, of course. But the question is a valid one. Are we really any closer to that wallet-free future?

Yes. In fact, some of the major changes necessary to kickstart the widespread adoption of mobile payments are right around the corner.

Allow us to explain.

Mobile payments: here already

Mobile payments are already here. They're just not very widespread, and they're not particularly good.

Google tried its luck three years ago with Google Wallet, a payment system that worked with NFC technology incorporated into Android phones of the time. The company has ploughed hundreds of millions into it and struck deals with several major financial institutions, but it still hasn't taken off.

Indeed, Google Wallet NFC payments still aren't available outside of the US. It all just seems to have stalled for the big G.

Samsung has had a somewhat half-hearted stab at mobile payments by adding support for Visa's own payWave app to its NFC-equipped smartphones. It's not a stand-alone integrated system, though.

Nokia was the first smartphone manufacturer to launch an NFC-equipped phone some eight years ago, but it's still been unable to crack the mobile payment conundrum. Rather, it seems to have focused on NFC's facility to make Bluetooth pairing quick and easy with things like speaker docks and headsets.

Why haven't mobile payments taken off yet?

There are a number of reasons (and excuses) that have been offered up as to the failure of mobile payments to really take off.

The main one seems to be the expense involved for retailers. Put simply, a large proportion of shops do not have the NFC-scanning equipment in place to accept such mobile payments - and show little will to do so. With no immediate benefit, particularly for smaller retailers, it's easy to see why this has been the case.

This is particularly so in the American market, which poses its own distinct problem. It's the home of so many mobile payment innovators, and is invariably the first major market that most technical innovations of this kind must tackle if they're to take off.

Yet America has been extremely resistant to new, more advanced payment systems. Most places you go in the US, you still have to sign for credit card purchases.

Another thing that's hampered the take-off of mobile payments in the US market is the power and influence of the mobile network operators. In addition to NFC technology, network support is needed to facilitate secure mobile payments.

American networks - or 'carriers,' as they're called natively - combined to pretty much scupper Google (one of few companies in a position to get things rolling) and it's ambitions in the space. These operators opted not to support Google Wallet, instead choosing to adopt their own mobile payment system called ISIS.

Of course, all of this squabbling over multiple standards is in itself a factor in the lack of mobile payment progress.

Finally, there are concerns over the security of mobile payment systems. Consumers will need solid reassurance that their mobile phones and network connections are secure enough to be trusted with their bank details - and with numerous and ongoing tales of remote hacking and malware (particularly on Android), that confidence just hasn't come about.

Why mobile payments are about to take off

For one thing: Apple. The tech world has been anticipating Apple's adoption of NFC and launch of its own mobile payment system for several years now. Many feel that Apple's non-participation alone has been enough to stall the widespread adoption of mobile payments.

While we wouldn't go quite that far, there's little doubt that Apple's non-participation has been a major factor. Apple, with its hugely popular iPhone range, has an uncommonly strong say on such standards.

You might think that if simple market saturation was such a factor, then Google and Samsung's efforts would have seen greater success. But it's not simply down to the sheer number of iPhone and iOS users out there. Apple has a singularly strong and secure software ecosystem, and customers who are willing to spend good money through as well as on its devices.

It's been estimated that Apple has some 800 million credit cards stored on its system already - that's more than twice what Amazon and Paypal have combined. If it decides to implement an intuitive mobile payment system of its own, it would be a relatively small matter to switch a vast number of those users onto it.

And all reports suggest that Apple is indeed implementing such a system. In fact, the iPhone 6 will almost certainly be announced on September 9 with NFC support and Apple's own mobile payment system onboard. The company has reportedly reached agreements with Visa, Mastercard, and American Express to support such a system.

What's more, with Apple's proven Touch ID system on board, users will be able to use their own fingerprints to authorise payments - something that will be quick, easy, and most importantly secure.

The only potential hitch here is the carriers, but Apple has shown in the past that it's uniquely capable of bulldozing its way through such petty roadblocks.

Aside from Apple's involvement, the situation with US retailers is also looking up. Recent legislation has meant that American shops are having to upgrade their payment-handling equipment to accept the kind of chip and pin cards we in Europe have had for years.

Many of the latest payment systems of this kind will have NFC systems built in, meaning a significant portion of America is soon going to be mobile payment-ready. Much of Europe is already prepared, or will be soon.

Of course, the one remaining major factor in all of this is the consumers. Are we all ready for mobile payments? Do we even want to ditch our wallets and hand another part of our lives over to our smartphones? That's the one lingering question that even Apple can't be sure of the answer to.

Next, check out all the latest iPhone 6 rumours and news

readmore »»  

PS4 Remote Play will be Xperia exclusive but may come to older devices

PS4 Remote Play on Xperia Z3

Sony has confirmed that the PS4 Remote Play functionality, announced for its new Xperia Z3 smartphone and tablet, could some day become available on its older models in the range.

The feature, which will allow owners of the Sony Xperia Z3, the Xperia Z3 Compact and the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact to link up the PS4’s DualShock controller and stream games directly from the PS4 console.

Speaking to TechRadar, Sony said there was no chance of the feature being rolled out on the Google Play store so competing Android manufacturers could jump on board.

"It is important to highlight that this functionality will be exclusive on Xperia, and there is no intention to roll out this on any other competitor device," said Pierre Perron, Sony Mobile’s president for North West Europe.

While stopping short of confirming an eventual roll out on earlier Xperia models like, for example, the similarly-specced Z2 series, Perron said it was technically possible and a decision would be made in the next six months.

He added: "Today we cannot answer whether we will be [allowing older Sony phones to have PS4 remote play capabilities]; the Z3 series will be the only series compatible with the remote play, and then we will see in the next six months.

"There is no reason technically [why we don't do it], the only limit we would have is the processing power of the smartphone. So depending on that, there is no reason why at a certain point we wouldn't bring the functionality as we did on other Sony features."

Earlier today we brought confirmation from the show floor at IFA 2014 in Berlin where the company explained why streaming from the PS4 to a Z3 from outside the home was a no-go.

Just like the PS Vita, players must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the console in order to take full advantage of the feature.

“Our recommendation for the best user experience is that consumers restrict this, or use this, primarily as an in home experience – so when you’re on the same Wi-Fi network,” said Calum MacDougal, Sony’s Director of Xperia Marketing said.

“It all depends on Wi-Fi connectivity.”

Read more: Sony PS4 review

readmore »»  

Android Wear update with offline music, GPS and custom faces confirmed

Google is officially priming its first big software update for Android Wear smartwatches before the end of the year, in order to introduce a host of requested features.

Following reports earlier on Friday, claiming Android Wear 2.0 was on the way on October 15, Google published a blog post confirming the update is on the way, but stopped short of confirming the date.

The bump, which will be available for all of the Android Wear devices released so far, will enable users to add custom watch faces, play music in the absence of an internet connection and track their walks and runs via GPS.

Firstly, offline music playback will let owners of wearables like the Moto 360 and LG G Watch, stream music stored on the watch to a Bluetooth headphones.

If the device has a GPS sensor, it can now function more efficiently as a standalone fitness tracker by logging distance and speed.

Finally, the update will unlock downloadable watch faces, that’ll enable users to “customize the visual design of your watch's home screen to show the information you want to see most—like your calendar or fitness sensors,” Google says on its official blog.

The company claims developers will soon get to work on these watch faces, which will be downloadable from the Google Play Store.

Within the post Google outlined the new Android Wear smart watches, announced at IFA, including the LG G Watch R, the ASUS Zen Watch and the forthcoming Sony Smartwatch 3, the first Sony device to run the software.

“These watches, as well as those unveiled earlier this summer, will all get the new software updates described above as soon as they’re ready in the coming months,” wrote Android Wear’s engineering director David Singleton.

“We're also working with our partners on even more improvements, which means your device will continue to get better, with updates provided directly to you.

“Whether it's giving you directions, letting you stay in touch more easily or keeping track of your steps so you can stay fit, Wear is designed to help you out without getting in your way. With new features and many new devices to choose from, chances are there's a watch that's just right for you.”

Will the forthcoming software update convince you its time to jump on board with Android Wear? Let us know your thoughts below.

Read more: LG G Watch review

Via: The Verge

readmore »»  

First 4K Blu-ray players will be on sale by end of 2015

Blu-ray is moving with the times too

While the likes of Netflix and Amazon press on with bringing 4K content to the overwhelming minority of Ultra HD TV owners, there are at least a couple of major issues related to the next-gen being a streaming first platform.

Firstly, users will need a hyper-fast broadband connection to view these files buffer three, while the amount of extra bandwidth providers will consume will be totally off the charts.

So what’s the solution? How about good old-fashioned physical media?

At the IFA tech show in Germany, the Blu-ray Disc Association has announced it’ll begin licensing the 4K Blu-ray standard by next summer with a view to the first players going on sale before next-year’s holiday season.

According to the group, it’ll be more than just a stable internet-free viewing experience and all of those extra pixels.

The 4K Blu-ray specification will boast much improved colour gamut, a higher dynamic range and video at 60 frames per second.

With challenges to be met by the streaming giant, the group will hope the lure of a better viewing experience can tempt users back to optical media in order to enjoy those Ultra High Definition to the fullest.

"The packaged media and that enclosed, stable environment -- that's part of being the best of the best," chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association Victor Matsuda said.

The new discs will have 50GB capacity, just like the current generation, but data will be compressed more efficiently via the H.265/HEVC codec and players will be able to read data from the discs at 60 megabits per second.

There is expected to be adoption of the technology from all of the major studios too, according to the chairman.

"At one level or another all Hollywood is on board," Matsuda said.

Read more: What is 4K and Ultra HD?

Via: CNET

readmore »»  

Sony Xperia Z3 release date revealed

Sony has listed the Sony Xperia Z3 release date, along with those for the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

All three products were announced at IFA 2014, but concrete release date and pricing information was a little scarce.

However, taking a look at the Sony Mobile site, the product pages for all three products have been updated not only with some pre-order offers, but with an expected delivery date for each.

You should expect to receive your brand new Sony Xperia Z3 or Xperia Z3 Compact from September 26, which has now been pegged as the official release date by Sony itself.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, on the other hand, won’t start arriving until November 4. So you’re in for a little wait if you fancy Sony’s new 8-inch tablet.

If you pre-order the Z3 or the Z3 Compact SIM-free for £549 or £429 respectively, Sony is offering you the option to buy a headset for just £1. With the Z3 you can get the Stereo Blutooth Headset SBH80 and with the Z3 Compact there’s the option of a £1 Digital Noise Cancelling Headset MDR-NC31EM.

The former is worth £90 and the latter £50, so it’s a bit of a bargain to get them for £1.

With the Z3 Tablet Compact, there’s the option of picking up one of the new Style Cover Stand SCR28 for just a penny. They usually retail for £34.99 and you’ll want something to protect your new tablet with either way.

The Xperia Z3 comes with a 5.2-inch full 1080p HD display running on a 2.5GHz quad-core processor with 3GB of RAM. There’s a 20.7-megapixel camera and you get 16GB of internal storage as standard with microSD card support.

The Z3 Compact has a 4.6-inch display powered by the same 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of microSD expandable internal storage.

Finally, the Z3 Tablet Compact has an 8-inch 1920 x 1080p full HD display and again runs on a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with 3GB of RAM.

Read more: Sony Xperia Z3 Deals – Where can I buy the Xperia Z3?

readmore »»  

Android Wear 2.0 coming October 15?

Android Wear 2.0 should be released on October 15, marking the first major update to Google’s wearable OS.

Although the first Android Wear devices have only been out a couple of months, Google is allegedly preparing to update its smartwatch OS next month.

According to AndroidPolice’s unnamed sources, Android Wear devices will start receiving an OTA update on or around October 15.

There’s no guarantee that this update will officially be called Android Wear 2.0, but it will be quite major software iteration for the OS.

There haven’t been any full details outlined by Google yet for its next Android Wear update, but Bluetooth headset and GPS support are most definitely on the menu.

“One of the things we’re going to be able to do is add the ability for these devices to start working with some of the other devices you might wear on your body. So we’ll have an update coming that allows you pair a Bluetooth headset with your watch”, explained Google’s Director of Engineering for Android Wear, David Singleton during a recent CNET interview.

“Alongside that, we’re introducing GPS support for the platform. So that’s obviously only for devices that have the GPS hardware. But we’re excited about those two features together because it unlocks a whole set of new use cases.”

Google has also suggested that a future software update for Android Wear will allow third party developers to create watch faces and put them up for download from Google Play.

Such an October 15 release date would tie in well with the Motorola Moto 360 and LG G Watch R launch in the UK, with both wearables touching down at some point next month.

Read more: What is Android Wear? A guide to Google’s smartwatch OS

readmore »»  

Assassin’s Creed Rogue gameplay trailer released

A fresh Assassin’s Creed Rogue gameplay trailer has been released, showing the Xbox 360 and PS3 title in action.

Assassin’s Creed Rogue is the upcoming AC title for last generation consoles and flips the series on its head somewhat.

In it, you’ll play as Shay Patrick Cormac, a Templar tasked with hunting down Assassins.

The latest trailer gives us just a hint as to why Cormac has chosen to turn his back on the Order responsible for all his training.

“I was once an Assassin, but learnt I was following a lie – deceived into ending innocent lives”, explains Cormac in the latest Rogue trailer. “Now I fight for a new truth and joined my old enemy.”

Cormac’s journey sees him travelling across the Arctic circle and down to New York, during the Seven Years War period.

It strongly focuses on the open sea adventuring from Assassin’s Creed 3 and Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag.

“The assassins were my brothers, now I hunt them to the ends of the earth. And I swear, I will not fail.”

Assassin’s Creed Rogue will be released on Xbox 360 and PS3 on November 11.

Read more: Best games 2014

readmore »»  

Amazon Fire TV Gadget Review

What is Amazon Fire TV?

The Amazon Fire TV is a media streaming set top box where you can watch films, TV, listen to music and even play games through your HDTV. Announced back in April, the Apple TV rival is now coming to the UK and ahead of schedule as well. Priced at a reasonable £79, you can also grab one for £49 for a limited time if you sign up to Amazon Prime.

Amazon said it’s selling like hotcakes in the US and I got to have a look at a US build of the little box of tricks along with the additional game controller that’s hoping to give Apple, Google and Roku a run for their money.

At the heart of Fire TV is a small black box that’s about the size of two smartphones lined up next to each other. Amazon logo aside, it’s all black with a matte-finish where less is definitely more. This is a beautifully minimalist set top box where the design doesn't really reflect the cheap price tag and is going to take up very little room up next to your TV.

All of the key connections are hidden at the back. You’ll find an HDMI port to connect to TVs supporting up to full 1080p HD, an optical output to hook up surround sound systems, Ethernet port for direct internet access and a USB 2.0 port. Sadly, the latter can’t be used for local file playback.

It’s what is inside that really impressive though. Amazon packs the Fire TV box with a quad-core 1.7GHz Qualcomm Krait 300 CPU with 2GB of RAM and Adreno 320 GPU to handle the most demanding Android games. There’s built-in Wi-Fi as Amazon uses the same dual-band, dual antenna MIMO Wi-Fi it currently found inside its Amazon Kindle Fire HDX tablets. There’s 8GB of internal storage to save content like photos, games and apps, which is backed up by free access to Amazon's cloud servers.

The Fire TV box also comes with its own remote control. Clearly inspired by the remote bundled with Apple TV, there’s a continuing theme with the simple all black design. It’s a dinky little thing that takes two double AA batteries in the back and hosts a handful of buttons offering the most basic functions. So you can play and pause, navigate the interface and rewind or forward through content. You can also use it to play games but its first use is navigating the interface. Something that’s made easier by the fact that it has built-in Bluetooth so you don’t have to directly point it at the box.

The big thing here is voice control. Amazon says this is a feature that’s proved popular with US Fire TV users and it has been fine-tuning it for the English accent. Press the microphone button and this will activate the mic positioned just above the button on the controller. Ask for a genre or a specific programme and it will jump to it. It won't directly open it but it will get you there. I still have mixed feelings about talking to my tech but it did instantly recognize when I asked to search for US sitcom Community.

Aside from the box and the remote you can also buy the Amazon Fire wireless Bluetooth controller (£34.99) to play the same kind of Android games you can play on your phone or tablet. The controller itself shares more than a passing resemblance to the Xbox One controller. Gripping the matte black pad feels very familiar while buttons, analogue stick, D-Pad and triggers are in almost identical places.

Amazon does add additionals button in the centre of the controller and media playback ones on the edge below the D-Pad and secondary analogue stick. A quick play on Asphalt: Airborne 8 and controls offer nice feedback and good response - although I’d like to test it out with some more challenging Android titles like a first person shooter to see how it copes.

One of the most important part of any streaming set top box is the user interface. This is where users are going to spend most of their time when they are not actually watching something and simply browsing.

Amazon uses a simple Android-based UI where menus are placed down the left hand side and the more visually appealing content is displayed on the right. It’s a setup similar to the one Roku’s service uses, albeit with a more fluid design that's very easy to get around. Anyone who uses the apps on the Xbox One and the PS4 will know that the Amazon Instant Prime Video interface is a bit on the clunky side, so this is a big improvement.

Amazon’s own streaming services are key to Fire TV, but you are not only restricted to using the likes Amazon Prime Video and its recently introduced streaming music service. There’s support for third party apps like Netflix and Spotify just as there is on Kindle Fire HDX tablets. The streaming services of course does require Wi-Fi or a direct internet connection, but games can be downloaded so you can play offline. Amazon is also adding UK-centric content and already has Channel 5 and Ministry of Sound on board with more hopefully on the way.

If you’ve already bought into the Amazon ecosystem and purchased a Kindle Fire HDX tablet you can also throw films and TV shows to Fire TV. It's like screen mirroring although it works slightly differently by sending the content to the Amazon cloud servers first before it starts playing on your TV. There’s some small loading times so it’s not instant either.

There’s a little more to the second screen experience as Fire TV also embraces Amazons X-Ray feature. So when you watch a film on the Fire TV, you will be able to see cast information and trivia powered by IMDB on your tablet.

First Impressions

With so many options already available, I was hoping Amazon Fire TV would try to do something different, but in many ways it's not that different from Chromecast, Apple TV and the Roku streaming stick. Where the Fire TV really wins here is its potential - led largely by the amount of power it fits inside that small stylish black box.

Everything ran smoothly, even for gaming although it will be interesting to see how well it copes with running multiple applications and services at the same time on a standard home Wi-Fi connection. The controller is a nice added bonus as Amazon clearly intends to make a big push with gaming but it’s not essential and that’s a good thing. Without it, the Fire is still a really slick setup.

If Amazon continues to add more services and get more content partners on board, it could be a really affordable alternative to make your TV smarter and do that bit extra.

MORE: Amazon Fire TV vs Apple TV

readmore »»  

HTC rumoured to have scrapped smartwatch plans

HTC Android Wear watch teaser

HTC may have scrapped its Android Wear smartwatch plans, according to a new report.

Although HTC was named as one of Google’s original Android Wear partners, it seems that HTC might have abandoned its launch plans.

According to sources “familiar with the matter” talking to Pocket-Lint, HTC has abandoned its plans to launch a consumer smartwatch.

The source didn’t confirm when or why HTC made the decision, so we’re left to speculate whether the increasingly jam packed wearable market had a part to play.

Others believe it is to do with the lack of unique selling points for the forthcoming HTC smartwatch.

It was believed to be a revamp of the Qualcomm Toq, an e-ink smartwatch released earlier this year.

Qualcomm released the Toq as an attempt to show off how its coloured e-ink Mirasol technology functioned for developers.

However, it was quickly outshone by Google’s Android Wear army, which began with the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live.

If HTC was to bring out a smartwatch it would certainly have a lot of competition. The new LG G Watch R is tipped to arrive next month, along with the other round faced smartwatch the Motorola Moto 360.

Sony unleashed a fresh batch of wearables at IFA too, including the Sony SmartWatch 3 and there was also the Asus ZenWatch launched at the Berlin event too.

Of course, with Apple’s incoming iPhone 6 event supposedly bringing with it the long-rumoured iWatch, HTC might just be feeling that it can’t quite compete yet.

Read more: What is Apple HealthKit? How the iPhone will get you fit

readmore »»  

GTA 5 is a game that prepares you for adult life

OPINION: Nick Cowen explores how Rockstar Games’s open world behemoth can actually help the generation entering the job market

In the pantheon of core video games, no franchise has the impact of Grand Theft Auto. Last year’s installment, GTA 5, was a critical and commercial juggernaut, reviewing off the charts and selling $80m worth of units in the first 24 hours. The fact that it’s about to land on the new generation of consoles is big enough to occupy space in both Sony’s (E3) and Microsoft’s (Gamescom) keynote addresses.

In the past, GTA games were mauled by the mainstream media, but GTA 5, in spite of being centred around three of the most psychotic characters the medium has ever produced, walked away smiling.

It was reported in the UK that someone who bought it had been stabbed for their copy on the way home, but not much was made of this. There was no hysteria. No accusations that Rockstar Games, the developer behind this title, was in any way responsible for this tragic state of affairs.

Rightly so. The jury is still out on whether the violent content in games has any affect on the people who play it and now that games have worked their way into the mainstream to this extent, suppositions along these lines feel cheaper than ever. A decade ago, GTA 3 was a threat to all that was decent. Today, GTA 5 is part of the mainstream’s pop culture datapack.

See also: Xbox One vs PS4



The brutal pursuit of capitalism: GTA V puts a premium on wealth accumulation by any means necessary

Besides, the audience of GTA 5 has bigger issues to worry about. Even if one was to take it as read that the content in video games has a psychological impact, the generation playing it has far bigger issues to concern themselves with. Not least of which is graduating school in a country where the last Education Secretary seemed intent on disenfranchising them, demoralizing teachers and downgrading education standards that didn’t fit in with his rubric. The current Education Secretary’s biggest announcement concerns ‘extremist toddlers’. Think about that for a second.

If members of the generation currently in school manage to get into university, they’ll leave with crippling debt. Unless they’re entering a vocational occupation they’ll be faced with a shrinking job market where unpaid internships, declining salaries and zero-hour contracts are becoming the order of the day. If they’re based in London they won’t be able to afford a house without selling at least three kidneys and robbing a bank. If they’re lucky enough to be able to able to save for a pension, they won’t be able to collect it before the age of 69.



See also: Best games 2014



Look at all my shiny toys: In GTA Online players keep score with their collection of bling

The generation currently hovering around 16-years-of-age doesn’t have the many advantages their parents took for granted. They won’t have final salary pensions, a job for life, affordable housing, free education, a working NHS, a state safety net to aid them when they’re in dire straits and a retirement age which allows them to enjoy their autumn years. They’re staring at a gaping abyss.

So in light of all this, the debate surrounding whether GTA 5 – or indeed any other game containing violent content - can maim them psychologically seems rather moot. They may as well have some fun before adulthood swallows them whole.

Grand Theft Auto 5, incidentally, is perhaps a bad example for older generations to tag as the root of every evil. First off, media pundits have been slating the franchise for its violent content and the possible effects that may have on its audience since the first iteration was released back in 1997. More than a decade later, GTA’s audience has yet to rise up in the middle of the night and go all Children Of The Corn on its parents.



See also: PS4 Share Play - How Sony is changing multiplayer



There was a time when GTA was the root of all evil – now GTA is part of the mainstream’s cultural datapack

Second, if there is anything to the idea that a video game can alter the behavior or moral compass of its audience – and we still don’t know if that’s the case – then GTA 5’s online mode could serve as a useful teaching tool for the people playing it.

The reason I say this is because in GTA Online, the player’s forward momentum is all about the accumulation of wealth. There are races, fights and all sorts of shenanigans they can get into, but wealth is the means of keeping score. Elite status is conferred by the number of weapons you have, the size and style of your wardrobe, how many cars you’ve tricked out, how many pieces of property you own and the amount of cash sitting in your account.

As I mentioned, there’s still no rock hard evidence to prove that the content in a video game has the ability to psychologically affect its audience. But, playing Devil’s Advocate, let’s say it could.



See also: Xbox One tips and tricks



A house in the hills: As in the real world, property and location confer status

If that was the case, GTA Online could lead its audience to a better life than the one I described above, in that it’ll teach them about the importance of amassing wealth. About the necessity of looking at life in terms of the bottom line of a balance sheet.

This worldview is an asset that is highly useful if one is intending to enter the financial sector, which incidentally, is one of the few non-vocational industries that offer massive rewards. Those who work in finance can afford a higher quality of life as their industry offers whopping salaries and eye-watering bonuses.

While competition is a brutal fact of life within finance, the industry itself has essentially been ring-fenced by successive UK governments, no matter how much damage it causes and no matter how irresponsibly it behaves. In light of this, GTA 5 would put entrants ahead of the game – that is, if it is capable of making any psychological impact on its audience.



See also: Best games 2014

Once again, this is all supposition. There’s no evidence to suggest a video game’s content can warp the minds and morals of its audience. No one plays GTA 5 or any other game for any length of time to get an education. They do it because it’s fun.

That having been said, the prospect of adulthood for the youngest in society looks bleak – unless they’re lucky enough to have been born into wealth – and those staring down the barrel of it could do with a reality check or two. And if you’re a parent of a 16-year-old child and what you find what you’ve just read disturbing, then I suggest you take a good long look at the world your generation has prepared for its offspring.



Read more: GTA 5 Guide – Things to do in Los Santos

readmore »»  

Apple to up iCloud security following nude photo leak

Soon to be safer than ever

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said iCloud will add extra security features following the celebrity nude photo leak.

Although he reiterated that the celebrities' usernames and passwords were not leaked from Apple's servers.

Hackers gained access to celebrities' iCloud accounts by correctly answering their security questions to obtain their passwords.

To combat this in future, Cook told The Wall Street Journal that Apple will alert users via email and push notifications when someone tries to change their account password, restore iCloud data to a new device, or when a device logs in for the first time.

Currently, users are only sent an email when someone tries to change their password or log in from an unknown Apple device.

The new security measures will come in in the next two weeks. They will allow users to change their passwords straightaway, or alert Apple's security team.

Though Cook added that knowledge is the best protection against these kinds of hacks.

"When I step back from this terrible scenario that happened and say what more could we have done, I think about the awareness piece," he said. "I think we have a responsibility to ratchet that up. That's not really an engineering thing."

Celebrities affected by the leak include Jennifer Lawrence, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and Kate Upton.

Apple will unveil the iPhone 6 on Tuesday at 6pm UK time. We might hear more about the new security measures then. We'll bring you all the news as it happens, so stay tuned.

Read more: Apple claims iCloud was not breached in celebrity photo hack

readmore »»  

Doro planning to introduce 4G LTE phone for seniors

Doro's first 4G phone could be with us sooner rather than later

Senior phone specialist Doro is set to give the elderly community something of a speed boost, with the manufacturer confirming it is working on its first 4G LTE smartphone.

Having recently made the jump from feature phones to senior-friendly smartphones, the company has now revealed its plans to introduce more mainstream technologies to its next wave of devices, with 4G to be one of the first additions.

“Doing an LTE device is clearly in our thoughts and in our roadmap,” Chris Millington, Doro’s Managing Director for UK and Ireland said addressing TrustedReviews recently.

Despite confirming plans for a 4G phone, Millington has suggested that this technology is still being driven by buyers – so networks and retailers – rather than the wider consumer community.

“It’s really about customers driving 4G rather than our consumers actually wanting 4G,” he told us. “3G is more than enough right now, especially with the data speeds you can get.”

Although teasing the company’s plans, Millington failed to offer any timeframe of when Doro’s first 4G phone will enter the realms of reality.

However, with the newly unveiled Doro Liberto 820 combining simple accessibility with mid-range smartphone specs, it appears the company is ramping up the functionality it offers to its target, over 65 market.

As such, we could see Doro make the jump to 4G sooner rather than later. Given traditional launch patterns, we would keep an eye on MWC 2015 for a potential siting of the first 4G Doro device.

Read More: Doro Liberto 810 review

readmore »»  

iPhone 6 release date, news, rumours, specs and price

We're now just days away from the official iPhone 6 launch, and the rumours are still flooding in in persistent waves. Apple confirmed the September 9 launch with a formal teaser that you can see below. Now we could actually be within weeks of the new flagship's release date.

Although the iPhone 6 was not mentioned by name in Apple's invite, the event fits perfectly with past iPhone release patterns.

Despite the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C remaining two of the most popular handsets on the market, consistently outselling the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8, the iPhone 6 has been the subject of tipsters' attentions for a number of months.

With the iPhone 6 widely expected to feature a completely refreshed, larger design and screen to better rival its main Android rivals, it has also been suggested that the phone could benefit from a super slimmer profile similar to the iPod touch.

What's more, having shaken things up last year with the colourful, plastic bodied iPhone 5C, recent iPhone 6 rumours have claimed the next Apple handset could share the limelight with the company's first phablet offering, a handset that would look to rival the newly unveiled Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

Last Update: 05/09/14: We will continue to update this page leading up to the iPhone 6 launch and the confirmation of the precise iPhone 6 release date.



Read More: iPhone 6 vs iPhone 5S - What to expect

iPhone 6 Release Date: When will the iPhone 6 go on sale?

With a September 9 event dated, an iPhone 6 release date is being tipped for the following Friday, September 19. This launch date would fit with the 'fall' timeframe handed to the iOS 8 launch.

Prior to Apple issuing its formal invites - which simply tease "Wish we could say more," - a September 9 iPhone 6 launch had been widely tipped.

"Apple has scheduled a big media event for Tuesday, Sept. 9," tipsters claimed with little indication as to where this information had originated from.

With the iPhone 4S having marked the company’s first move to a late summer unveiling, the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S have all made their first appearances around the same time of year.

With an autumn in-store release now all but a given, analysts and claimed insiders have reported that the iPhone 6 will have a 4.7-inch screen. Everyone expects the fables Apple iWatch to join it, though we'll just have to wait and see about that one.

Could a second 5.5-inch iPhone launch in 2015?

What might happen, however, at least according to one analyst, is that the oft-rumoured 5.5-inch iPhone 6 could be delayed until 2015. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated that the larger iPhone 6 could be edged back into 2015 due to construction issues.

“We are conservative about 5.5-inch iPhone launching by end-2014. Even if the product is launched in 2014, it is likely to take place after mid-4Q14, which is later than the September-October of consensus, with shipments being lower than consensus of 15- 20mn units,” Ming-Chi Kuo told investors.

On the potential delay he added: “We think the 5.5-inch model will also have issues with the yield rate of in-cell touch panel and color unevenness of metal casing. Indeed, these problems will likely be even more complicated with a larger size.

"In addition, from a technical perspective, we don’t expect sapphire cover, used for the first time on the 5.5-inch model, will easily pass the drop test near term.”

NEWS ROUND-UP: Samsung Galaxy S6 Release Date, News, Rumours, Specs and Price

iPhone 6 News: What do we know so far?

While it can be hard to separate the fact from the fiction in the outpouring of the iPhone 6 rumour mill, a number of reports have pointed to the device making the switch to toughened Sapphire glass to protect the phone's display. With Apple long been known to be working with this material, we think this might be closer to the 'fact' end of the spectrum.



The iPhone 6 launch will be live streamed

Potentially one of the biggest iPhone events in quite some time, the September 9 will be available to live stream via a variety of devices.

You can stream via the Apple website on any Mac running Safari 5.1.10, iPads or iPhones running iOS 6 or later as well as the Apple TV on the Events channel.

It starts at 6pm here in the UK, so make sure to tune in if you can. Of course, we here at TrustedReviews will be bringing you all the latest either way.

The Sapphire screen

With Sapphire glass featuring toughened properties that make it seriously difficult to scratch, it seems like the ideal fit for a smartphone screen.

The Sapphire coated iPhone has even popped up on video (allegedly) coutesy of tech YouTube personality Marques Brownlee.

With Sapphire glass already used in watch faces and even the iPhone 5S's TouchID fingerprint sensor, Brownlee has claimed that the iPhone 6 prototype he got his hands on was “straight off the assembly line iPhone 6 part from Apple” and featured a full Sapphire glass front.

“I couldn’t get the surface to even scratch a little bit at all. The worst blemish on the surface was actually my fingerprint marks and the dust from handling it so much,” Brownlee said of the device.

The iPhone 6 will be even thinner than ever

With iPhone 6 rumours having long focussed on the size of the handset's screen, attention has now turned to the phone's thickness with latest iPhone 6 leaks all pointing to a super slim device skinnier than even the 6.18mm thick Huawei Ascend P6.

While we in the TrustedReviews offices aren't sold on the idea of excessively skinny handsets, alleged iPhone 6 renders reportedly sent to case manufacturers have claimed the iPhone 6 will be just 6mm thick, 1.6mm slimmer than the 5S.

Bringing this remodelled form factor to life, an iPhone 6 mock-up has been created based on the leaked renders, offering a video-based insight into exactly how the next-gen Apple handset might look.

According to separate reports the S5 rival will be not only super slim but the proud host of a curved edge display and body. We're not talking about something like the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge here, or anything as far curved as the LG G Flex.

However, as unlikely as we find it, reports out of Japan have cited "reliable information" in claiming that a curved display with rounded edges is on the cards.

We do, however, believe the claims of a super slim form could come to fruition as the skinny iPhone leaks continue to flow. Joining the renders and schematics, a claimed iPhone 6 case has leaked online, again suggesting the next-gen handset will be considerably thinner than its predecessor. The teased peripheral itself is slimmer than an iPhone 5S meaning the 6 will be heavily cut down in size. What's more, it has shown off the much mooted increase in screen size.

As well as size alterations, the iPhone 6 will reportedly have a selection of colour options. SIM trays from the phone have leaked pointing towards silver, grey and gold models.

A 4.7-inch screen is likely and possibly more than one option

Another of the most common iPhone 6 rumours to do the rounds in recent weeks is that the handset will feature a larger screen than past Apple handsets. With the likes of the LG G2 having already pushed flagship Android phone displays to 5.2-inches, Apple is likely to make another jump in size, having moved from 3.5-inches to 4-inches with the iPhone 5. At present, it is believed the iPhone 6 will host a 4.7-inch display, similar to the original HTC One, with an Apple phablet to follow with a 5.5-inch panel.

“The electronics giant has begun evaluating a plan to offer iPhones with screens ranging from 4.7-inches to as high as 6-inches,” mooted “people familiar with the matter” have been quoted as stating in recent reports.

With dozens of leaks all pointing towards the iPhone 6 featuring a larger screen, notorious Apple tipster Brian White has added that an iPhone 6 screen size “could approach 5-inches.”

Topeka Capital analyst White added: “The next iPhone will offer customers more choice in terms of screen size. The Company has never offered multiple screen sizes for a single model, we believe this is about to change with the next iPhone offering different screen sizes that we believe will allow Apple to better bifurcate the market and expand its reach.”

Seeing a larger iPhone 6 screen all but confirmed, even component suppliers have been getting in on the premature unveiling act, teasing an increase in smartphone size. Speaking with Asian media, an unnamed Foxconn executive reportedly revealed that “Apple has been particularly interested in recent tests for a 4.8-inch screen.”

With latest reports suggesting the iPhone 6 will line up with a 4.7-inch display, it is believed that the handset will still be smaller than many of its leading Android-based competitors, instead lining up similar in size to the Motorola Moto X.

Although it has been suggested that the iPhone 6 will gain its larger display as part of a total redesign, leaked images of the phone's front panel have hinted that Apple will retain a similar aesthetic for its next flagship phone.

Surfacing courtesy of iPhone.fr, the teased image (above) has hinted that Apple will retain iPhone look, simply expanding the screen area on the phone's body.

GUIDE: Five Big-Screen iPhone 6 Problems Apple Needs to Solve

iPhone 6 Rumours: Will the iPhone 6 use Quantum Dots?

Size isn't the only change expected for the iPhone 6's screen. Building on the manufacturer's past Retina offerings, it has been suggested that the iPhone 6 will make use of new, Quantum Dot display technologies.

Quantum Dots improve colour reproductionby emitting the light through a thin film of quantum dots, particles that have properties that improve the range of colours the display can produce.

Despite grabbing headlines, the technology isn't new. Quantum Dot displays have already featured on the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX tablet line.

Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased the company's plans to introduce improved displays to its mobile products, a remit sure to include the iPhone 6.

“We want to give our customers what’s right in all respects – not just the size but in the resolution, in the clarity, in the contrast, in the reliability”, Cook said during an interview earlier this year. “There are many different parameters to measure a display and we care about all [of] those, because we know that’s the window to the software.”



Will the larger iPhone have a special one handed mode?

To aid iPhone users' transition to the larger 4.7-inch or even 5.5-inch display, it looks like Apple is prepping a special one-handed mode.

Apple fanatics will no doubt know that the late Steve Jobs was always scornful of large-screen smartphones because he didn't believe that they could be used comfortably with one hand.

Well, it seems Apple is sorting a solution to that problem, as there could be a feature within iOS 8 to allow you to type or use apps with one hand.

The latest report from two Apple employee sources is that this one-handed mode will be able to be toggled within the new iOS.

Could the iPhone 6 include improve haptic feedback?

Improved haptic feedback is also rumoured to be on the iPhone 6's incoming features list.

Now don't go getting too excited, this isn't going to be futuristic haptic feedback that lets you feel the texture of a clothing or the prickles of a thorn bush through the glass, more an improved vibration motor which will also allow for more intricate, and potentially more powerful, gaming feedback.

The power button could move

As part of the handset's refresh, a number of small design changes are expected, with those claiming insider knowledge suggesting Apple could relocate the phone's power button for the first time since the original iPhone was introduced.

“Our understanding is that [the] iPhone 6’s power button might be moved from the top to the side,” analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated. “We think this change is meant to facilitate one-hand operation and might indicate new application that require more frequent use of the power button.”

The iPhone and the iWatch as one

Despite the iPhone 6 being set to be one of Apple's biggest launches of 2014, the next-gen smartphone might have to share the stage. With Apple having repeatedly teased and hinted a wearable gadget potentially being in the works at its Cupertino HQ, it has been suggested that the iPhone 6 release date could be held in conjunction with an Apple iWatch launch.

Tipped to boast a 1.3-inch touchscreen, the Apple iWatch will reportedly feature a curved screen manufactured by LG and launch as a companion to the iPhone 6.

Although iWatch reports have circled for some time, the iPhone 6 rumour that continues to generate the most talking points is the potential move to a larger display. With insiders and component suppliers chattering about a bigger display, analysts have got in on the act too, with Topeka Capital analyst Brian White also pointing at a 4.8-inch form factor.

One iPhone 6 rumour which seems to be stretching the realms of possibility, is collection of iPhone 6 concept images which have shown the phone with a curved, wraparound display. While these images have grabbed the attentions of many, even the concept’s designer has questioned its likelihood.

“Such a design may appear on the iPhone 6 or 7, or maybe never,” designer Nikolay Lamm said. “It’s a cool design, but one which is unlikely to give Apple a sustainable competitive advantage.”

GUIDE: Quantum Dots Explained: What they are and why they're awesome

iPhone 6 Specs: What features will be included?

The iPhone 6 specs sheet is set to have a few surprises in store following the incremental updates from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 5S.

With the Touch ID fingerprint sensor having made an appearance aboard the iPhone 5S, it is expected that the biometric security measure will become something of a standard on flagship models, and make another stop within the iPhone 6’s home button. On this front, with the Samsung Galaxy S5's own fingerprint sensor being made compatible with Paypal payments, you can guarantee Apple will be working on further partnerships and tie ins of its own.

Further iPhone 6 specs will likely see the increased screen and completely overhauled design partnered with an even speedier 64-bit processor and revised camera. Although the recently confirmed Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, Snapdragon 808 and Snapdragon 810 chipsets are to power the next wave of Android powerhouses, Apple is likely to continue to shun the leading mobile CPU provider in favour of its own chipsets.

Although the iPhone 6 camera looks set to retain the same 8-megapixel sensor as its predecessor, recent reports have suggested that integrated snapper will be improved by a move to improved glass optics to boost image quality and clarity. This camera will also reportedly protrude from the phone's rear slightly.

Further and more precise iPhone 6 specs are still unclear.

What is clear, however, is that the iPhone 6 will become one of, if not the, first device to run iOS 8 direct from the box. An evolution more than a revolution of its mobile operating system, iOS 8 is set to have a strong, fitness based focus. Leading this new direction will be the HealthKit hub, an aggregator of a variety of dedicated fitness and wellbeing applications and services that can be tied in to a selection of third party peripherals.

Further features set to be introduced to the iPhone 6 through iOS 8 include HomeKit, new Messages feautres, the iCloud Drive storage service, a new QuickType keyboard and Notification bar widgets.

As has become customary, the iPhone 6 is expected to be made available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage forms, although a new 128GB handset is also believed to be on the cards.

On a connectivity front, Apple is expected to finally give a nod to NFC as the Cupertino-based company looks to adopt wireless payment systems.

Having been rumoured to feature on past Apple handsets, NFC looks set to finally join the fray. Although uses for NFC have been slow to appear, a number of retailers and transport systems are now accepting tap-to-pay NFC payments direct from phones.


There have been several reports of late suggesting that Apple will launch its own e-wallet mobile payments system with the iPhone 6, potentially helped by a new partnership with Visa and MasterCard.

Apple has apparently signed up Dutch chipmaker NXP to introduce the NFC connectivity to the iPhone 6. The two companies already work together, as NXP supplies the Apple M7 co-processor for the iPhone 5S.


Following up these rumours, there was an image of the supposed iPhone 6 logic board that claimed to show a Near Field Communication chip. Of course, there was no way to verify that this was actually from the iPhone 6, but it's certainly a step in the right direction.


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

iPhone 6 Price: How much will it cost?

Although Apple isn’t short of a few bob, the iPhone 6 price, like that of its predecessor is sure to hit you where it hurts, the wallet.

The iPhone 5S price was increased over its predecessor, and with the iPhone 6 expected to get a bump in screen size and an all new design, you can expect and even lofty rise in costs next time around. We will bring you further details on the iPhone 6 price as and when we get them.

Read More: iPad mini 2 rumours

readmore »»  

Nvidia wants Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets banned

Nvidia is suing Samsung for alleged infringement upon its GPU patents, and wants the manufacturer's most popular devices banned from sale in the US.

The American graphics chip specialist has filed a patent infringement complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission against both Samsung and rival Qualcomm. The latter company, of course, provides the processors that power a large proportion of today's top Android devices - including many of Samsung's.

According to a recent blog post from Nvidia's David Shannon, this move apparently comes at the end of two years of failed licensing negotiations between the three companies. "Samsung repeatedly said that this was mostly their suppliers’ problem," says Shannon.

The company also points out that this is the first time its has initiated a patent lawsuit in its entire 21-year history.

It seems the dispute relates to Nvidia's instrumental role in the creation of the GPU, which "puts onto a single chip all the functions necessary to process graphics and light up screens." It also relates to the company's patents for shading and multithreaded parallel processing. Put simply, neither of the two aforementioned companies is paying a license fee for what Nvidia sees as patented GPU technology.

The upshot of it is that Nvidia is looking to block imports of any Samsung devices that utilise Qualcomm’s Adreno, ARM’s Mali or Imagination’s PowerVR graphics architectures until such a licensing agreement can be agreed.

Nvidia has named 12 of Samsung's devices that it wants banning, and they include such big hitters as the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Tab S, and the Galaxy Note 3.

Of course, this would appear to affect a far broader array of devices than just Samsung's. If the court rules in favour of Nvidia on this one, the repercussions for Qualcomm and the wider smartphone and tablet world could be significant.

Watch this space.



Read More: Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S4

readmore »»  

Xperia Z3 PlayStation gaming capabilities only for use within the home

Sony will soon let you play PS4 games on your smartphone, but don’t get too excited, the features are limited to use within the home.

Echoing the Remote Play capabilities of the PS Vita, Sony has confirmed that the new Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact smartphones, as well as the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, will allow gamers to cast their PS4 gameplay from the big screen to the their mobile devices.

However, in order to make full, uninterrupted use of the service, users must make sure both their PS4 and Xperia Z3 are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

“For the first time, you can play your PlayStation 4 games on a smartphone,” Calum MacDougal, Sony’s Director of Xperia Marketing said before adding: “Our recommended usage is at home."

Addressing TrustedReviews he stated: “Our recommendation for the best user experience is that consumers restrict this, or use this, primarily as an in home experience – so when you’re on the same Wi-Fi network.

“It all depends on Wi-Fi connectivity.”

Teasingly, MacDougal added: “It is theoretically possible that I could play PlayStation 4 games using my smartphone and PlayStation 4 controller here.

“My PlayStation 4 could be at home, turned on or on standby, and I could connect here via a different Wi-Fi network and potentially reach my PS4, connect to it and then see and play my games here.”

Although possible, Sony has warned that this will result in a poor gameplay experience.

“We don’t recommend it and neither will we actively promote it, but we won’t restrict customers from trying it if they want to do so,” MacDougal said.

“The challenge we have is that we can’t guarantee the user experience if you’re on a different Wi-Fi network with potential issues around latency.

“If you’re on the same Wi-Fi network in your home, you should have a good user experience.”

Although the Xperia Z3 family of devices will launch early this October, the remote PlayStation gaming options will not be introduced until later in the year.

Read More: PS4 vs Xbox One

readmore »»  

Mota SmartRing hits Indiegogo

Like some Nokia Lumia handsets, the SmartRing features wireless charging. To juice it up, just place it on its charging station.

At first, it will only work with iOS and Android devices, and will support calls, text messages, emails, and calendar notifications. Mota is also working with Facebook and Twitter, and says it will extend to more apps if it gets the support.

The SmartRing is available in black or white, and can be yours for a pledge of $75 (£49, including shipping to the UK). The device will start shipping in March next year.

Read more: Epson PulseSense launched as new fitness wearable

readmore »»