Google Nexus X preview

Google’s elusive Nexus X, a smartphone the company has yet to officially reveal, but quite obviously exists, is rumoured to launch later this month.

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As usual, internet rumours claim to know almost everything about the phone before it’s even been announced. The Nexus X’s technical specifications are supposedly as follows:
 
5.92-inch display ,2560 x 1440 resolution, 498 ppi,Snapdragon 805 processor
3 GB of RAM
A model with 32 GB of storage
3,200 mAh battery
13 MP rear camera, 4K UHD video capable
2 MP front-facing camera

The Nexus X’s much bigger, 5.92-inch display makes it about an inch larger than the Nexus 5’s screen and has the smartphone’s display size edging into phablet territory. This means the Nexus’ display is even larger than the iPhone 6 Plus’ 5.5-inch screen, which could frustrate users who actually like to fit their cell phone in their front pocket.
 
Google’s Nexus X is also expected to look a lot like Motorola’s flagship phone, the Moto X, only slightly larger and with volume and power buttons that have been shifted down the phone’s body. Since the Moto X is widely regarded as one of the top Android smartphones on the market right now, the Nexus X sharing similarities with Motorola’s flagship phone is definitely not a bad thing.

 
In terms of release date, the Nexus One was released in Jan, 2010, the Nexus S was released in Dec. 2010, the Galaxy Nexus was released in Nov. of 2011, the Nexus 4 was released on Nov. 12 and the Nexus 5 was released in Oct of 2013. If history is set to repeat itself, and it often does when it comes to smartphone release dates, the Nexus X will likely be released sometime in October or early November.
 
If it doesn’t, the Nexus X will definitely be released before the end of Q4 2014. This means we should be able to get our hands on Google’s next flagship smartphone before the end of the holiday season.
 
Rumours have circulated for a while that the Nexus brand would be killed off in favour of Google’s upcoming Android Silver line of smartphones, a program that encourages manufacturers to build high-quality phones featuring a basic version of the Android operating system, giving users a more pure Android experience.
 
nexus x
Popular Android rumour website 9To5Google apparently go their hands on leaked images of the Nexus X. 9To5Google
While Google’s Android Silver line will still launch in Feb. 2015 with an LG device leading the first wave of smartphones, the company also still seems to have plans to continue its Nexus line.
 
The Nexus X will likely be the first smartphone to launch with Android L, also known as Lollipop, although some experts think Android L might be named after a different desert delicacy, Lemon Meringue Pie.
 
The smartphone is also expected to interact closely with Google’s also still unannounced Nexus Gem smartwatch and that both the smartwatch and the Nexus X will be released at the same time and interact together in some way.
 
In terms of price, things are still unclear. Some rumours indicate the Nexus X could cost somewhere between the $350 to $400 range, which means it’ll have a price tag very similar to the Nexus 5’s.
 
Source : fox.com

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Review Apple iPhone 6

NEW YORK (AP) -- Apple's new and bigger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are more durable than last year's model and a leading Android phone, a study says.

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Apple's iPhone 6, whose screen measures 4.7 inches, did the best across a variety of tests that measures how prone smartphones are to break due to everyday accidents, according to SquareTrade, a company that provides extended protection plans.

The iPhone Plus 6, whose screen measures 5.5 inches, wasn't far behind but lost points because it could slip out of a person's hand since some users may have a hard time gripping its large but slim form, SquareTrade says.

The iPhone 5s, which measures 4 inches and came out last year, fared better than Samsung's Galaxy S5, which measures 5.1 inches.

The Samsung phone got poor marks on several tests including the slide test. The more a phone slides, the greater its chance of falling off the edge of a table.

Still, all four of the smartphones tested had a medium risk of breakage and had no drastic differences among them.

"The phones are getting more and more durable," says Ty Shay, chief marketing officer at SquareTrade. "Manufacturers are paying more attention."

SquareTrade examines the phones based on eight factors, including size, weight, grip and the quality of the front and back panels.

The company measured how far the phones slide when pushed across a table on their backs and how well they withstand drops from 4 feet and being dunked in water for 10 seconds.

SquareTrade says it uses robots to do the testing to ensure consistency, and rates the phones on a 10-point durability scale, with 10 signifying the highest risk.

Apple's iPhone 6 scored the best at 4; the iPhone 6 Plus scored a 5; the iPhone 5s a 6; and Samsung Galaxy S5 a 6.5.

Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus passed the slide test, but the iPhone 5s and Samsung Galaxy's S5 got poor marks in that area. The iPhone 6 Plus was the only one that didn't fare as well when dropped 4 feet by the robot.

The glass screen survived, but the case separated from the glass. All four phones fared well in the water resistance test.

SquareTrade provided The Associated Press with the results ahead of Monday's announcement.

Aside from larger screens, the new Apple iPhones 6 and 6 Plus announced this month promises faster performance and offers a wireless chip for making credit card payments at stores by holding the phone near the payment terminal.

The phones start at $199 with a two-year service contact. The new iPhones initially were available this month in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the U.K. Availability is expanding to more than 20 additional countries.

Source:wcpo.con

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Microsoft wants more smartphone market share

Microsoft acquired Nokia’s devices and services unit for $7.2 billion in a transaction that closed last April.

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At the ongoing IFA event in Germany, Microsoft leveraged the fruits of this acquisition with the planned launch of three new smartphones in the coming months.

While Lumia 830 will replace Lumia 820 that was launched last year, Lumia 730 and 735 will replace Lumia 720.

All three new phones have bigger screen size, memory and better cameras compared to the predecessors.

Although the prices for these new phones have not been disclosed yet, we believe that they will be priced similar to the previous models i.e. near $200 for Lumia 730 and 735, and below $350 for Lumia 830.

In this article, we will explore how these launches fits into Microsoft’s strategy to boost its revenues.

Unlike developed countries where smartphone penetration is above 50%, it is below 25% in many developing countries.

While the adoption of smartphones in developed countries fueled the first wave of global growth, strong demand in emerging markets will drive the next phase.

Currently, the sale of sub-$200 smartphones is prevalent in emerging countries, and we believe that with the availability of smartphones offering better functionality than the existing phones, smartphone adoption and penetration can rise.

According to IDC, global smartphone shipments are on the rise and set to surpass 1.2 billion unit mark this year. 

In Q2 2014, smartphone sales edged past the 300 million mark with substantial growth in sub-$200 smartphone.

High smartphone growth is the result of a variety of factors including steep device subsidies from carriers in developed countries, as well as a growing array of sub-$200 smartphones.

Additionally, Reportbuyer.com forecasts smartphone shipments to grow to 3.9 billion by 2018.

Despite the expected increase in smartphone shipments, the expected shipment figure in emerging regions such as Asia-Pacific will be less than 50%.

We believe this presents an excellent opportunity for smartphone manufacturers that have a sizable market share in these regions.

To capitalize on this opportunity, Microsoft, which has rights to market new smartphone under Nokia’s brand name, is launching upgrades to its existing line of Lumia phones.

By doing so, Microsoft hopes to capture a bigger chunk in the highly competitive emerging markets as Nokia’s brand name is still widely recognized in these countries. Currently, Windows phones’ share in smartphone market is 2.5%. 

If Microsoft can increase its market share to 10% by launching feature rich but cheaper smartphones, which have an average cost of $130, it can generate $50 billion in revenues by 2018.

We have $44 price estimate for Microsoft, which is in line with the current market price.

Source : Forbes.com

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Microsoft to release new Lumia phones

FMicrosoft will seek to draw more people to its Internet-based services with two new mid-range smartphones it unveiled Thursday, including one designed to help people take better selfies.

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The devices are under the Lumia brand Microsoft bought from Nokia. They run the latest version of Windows Phone 8 and feature Cortana, a Siri-like voice assistant available to help with directions, calendar appointments and messages. Many of those interactions will steer users to Microsoft services such as Bing search and OneDrive storage.

Chris Weber, Microsoft's vice president for mobile devices sales, insisted consumers should feel comfortable about storing their personal pictures on OneDrive, despite the recent exposure of celebrities' private pictures stored on rival Apple's cloud-based system.

How to keep your private photos from running wild on the web
"I think we have to amplify the message around security regarding these cloud services," Weber told reporters.

To this end, Microsoft is also giving users more control over the kind of information — friends, diaries, home address — that the Cortana voice assistant will have access to, he said.

Microsoft bought Nokia's phone business in April as it seeks to boost Microsoft's Windows Phone system, which has had little traction compared with Apple's iPhones and Google's Android system. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has made mobile phones and Internet-based services priorities for the company as its traditional businesses — Windows and Office software installed on desktops — slow down or decline.

Microsoft unveiled the new Lumia 730 and 830 phones at the IFA technology show in Berlin.

The handsets won't have all the technical advances found in Microsoft's pricier flagship, the Lumia 930 phone, which is known as the Lumia Icon in the United States. The 730's rear camera takes 6.7 megapixel shots, while the 830 is 10 megapixels. By contrast, the 930 phone is at 20 megapixels, one of the highest in a smartphone.

Lumia Selfie app uses face-detection

But the 730, in particular, will have features designed for better selfies and video calls. The front camera used for selfies will be 5 megapixels, higher than the 2 megapixels found in the 830 and many other phones.

For even better shots, it'll be possible to take selfies with the rear camera. Users won't be able to see themselves on the screen, but an app called Lumia Selfie will use face-detection technology and beeps to guide users on where to hold the camera. Samsung's upcoming Note phones will have a similar feature, along with software to stitch multiple shots on the front camera to fit more people in.

The latest Lumia devices will also pander to users' vanity, by offering functions to make them look slimmer, brighten teeth and widen tired eyes on photos they've taken.

The 830 has a 5-inch screen, measured diagonally, and supports 4G LTE cellular networks. It will cost about 330 euros ($435) before tax, compared with 440 euros for the Samsung Galaxy S5 and 515 euros for the iPhone 5.

"We are going to challenge Apple and Samsung," said Weber. "We are going to continue to push price points lower," he added, while rejecting the idea that the phones are being sold at a loss simply to attract customers to Microsoft's operating system.

The 4.7-inch 730 will cost 199 euros ($284) before tax. It will have 3G connectivity and slots for two SIM cards, an important feature in emerging markets where wireless plans vary widely such that users switch services often to get the best deals. A 4G version will be known as the 735 and will cost 219 euros ($313) before tax. That will have just one SIM slot but support wireless charging.

Microsoft, which bought Skype three years ago, is also throwing in three months of free international voice calls with every new purchase.

The new phones will start shipping in September, though not necessarily right away in all markets. Typically, Lumia phones make it to the U.S. under different model numbers.
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Source : cbc.ca

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Smartphones breathalyzer module

The makers of the new "DrinkMate" for smartphones hope that putting a breathalyzer in a user's pocket will make him or her think twice about getting behind the wheel while drunk.

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Washington D.C.-based Edge Tech Labs claim the "DrinkMate" is the smallest breathalyzer in the world. It measures just 1.8 inches long and weighs an almost non-existent 0.2 oz.

Users connect the breathalyzer to a smartphone's miniUSB charging port and blow into an "innovative air inlet" to get their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level displayed on screen almost instantly.

The DrinkMate claims to have an accuracy of +/- 0.01% BAC at a BAC of 0.02%. Additionally, the device can measure a maximum BAC level up to 0.20% BAC, which should be more than enough for anyone seriously considering a drive home after a night of heavy drinking.

Edge Tech Labs is looking to raise $40,000 on Kickstarter over the next three weeks to help manufacture the tiny device, which costs just $25 for those "early birds" who donate to the project.

A $235 pledge will get a donor ten DrinkMates, while a $3,000 pledge will get the donor a flight to Washington D.C. with hotel accommodations to meet the team behind DrinkMate and learn how the device was created. 

The project has already raised $32,423 of the $40,000 goal from nearly 900 backers with 24 days left.

The breathalyzer is currently only compatible with a select few Android smartphones, including Samsung's Galaxy line, the HTC One, and Motorola's Moto X.

The device makers claim on the product's Kickstarter page that an iPhone version will be developed should the project meet its fundraising goals for the Android platform.

It's easy to imagine how a small, inexpensive breathalyzer could help save lives in states like North Dakota and Montana, which are ranked one and two, respectively, in states with the most deaths related to drunk driving as of 2012, the last year such data is available. 

Source :breitbart.com

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Bigger screen for smartphones

Within two weeks, the smartphone landscape will have changed drastically from where it stands today, with the likely introduction of at least one iPhone 6, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and perhaps a few new models from Motorola, including the rumored Moto x+1.

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What these upcoming flagship phones all have in common is that they're expected to be either big or bigger than their predecessors.

The Galaxy Note 4 will likely stay with the huge 5.7-inch display size now on the Note 3, while the new iPhone will grow to 4.7 inches and the Moto X+1 is rumored to be larger than 5 inches.

Of course, there's also speculation that a larger, 5.5-inch iPhone 6 could also be introduced.

A few years ago, "phablet"-size phones, with screens that creep near or beyond the 5-inch (diagonal) threshold, were chastised for being overgrown, but now any overgrowth seems to be in the worldwide demand for such big-screen phones.

Even Apple -- once notorious for creating and leading markets because hey, Steve Jobs just knows what you want better than you do -- seems ready to capitulate to the trend and supply that demand.

Yes, I know you all have friends and family who love their little phones and bemoan the coming of bigger screens, but increasingly they're swimming against the current of global smartphone fanatics.

"Our data clearly shows that bigger is better for most consumers," the report reads.

In June, RBC Capital Markets surveyed 4,000 consumers and found that 35 percent of people who have no plans to buy an iPhone would change their mind if the iPhone 6 increased its screen size from the current stature of the iPhone 5S.

Also earlier this year, Accenture conducted on online survey of 23,000 consumers in 23 countries and found that nearly half (48 percent) of those who plan to buy a smartphone this year prefer a phablet to a smaller phone

"The phablet screen size is hitting a sweet spot," said David Sovie, managing director of Accenture's Communications, Media and Technology group.

Bigger isn't just a thing in Texas and the rest of the US, either. Earlier this month, CNET reported on a survey that found even folks in emerging economies like Brazil, India, Kenya and Mexico want taller phones.

Oh, and if you're one of those people who feels like a five-inch phone screen is already too much of a handful -- literally! -- another summer survey, from UK-based Netbiscuits, found that six-inch and larger screens are the smartphone category seeing the most growth and that 5- to 5.9-inch screen phones "will increase dramatically" in the US.

Forget Sharknadoes, "Attack of the Monster Phablets" could be coming to a theater or Netflix queue near you.

It also seems that even iPhone fans, who've held strong to their smaller displays as the Samsung Galaxys of the world have gone bigger, crave a little more screen real estate.

Phone buyback site Glyde surveyed 500 people who have recently bought or sold an iPhone on the site about which feature was most important in their next phone purchase.

"23 percent said a larger screen size," a Glyde representative told me in an e-mail. "This is up from 12 percent of people ranking screen size as most important when asked the same question last year."

So, bigger is clearly the direction the smartphone world is going, but if you still don't believe that bigger is also better, there might be one man who can convince you.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak recently said that even he would like to see an iPhone with a bigger screen.

Fortunately for Woz, it seems like Tim Cook and others are listening.

Source :cnet.com

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Asus Zenfone hits the martket

Asus has re-entered the smartphone market in India with their new Zenfone series announced at this year’s CES. The new series is available in four screen sizes – 4, 4.5, 5 and 6 inches.

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Today we’ll be taking a closer look at the Zenfone 5. With a starting price of just Rs 10,000 for the 8GB model, can it take the ‘budget-king’ crown away from the Moto G?
 
Design and Build

We’ve already talked about the design and aesthetics at great length in our unboxing and first impressions articles, so we’ll keep it short and sweet this time.

The Zenfone 5, as with the rest of the family, has a simple candy bar design. It’s not too flashy and thanks to the changeable covers, it’s not boring either.
 

Good build and finish
 
The phone is built mostly of plastic while retaining a premium look and feel. The Zenfone is also quite sturdy and durable and will easily handle a few knocks and bumps along the way. The placement of ports and buttons are pretty ergonomic and have good tactile feedback.
 
 
Overall, the Zenfone 5 is built well and although it might not be the flashiest phone on the block, many will appreciate its simple aesthetics.
 
Feature
The middle child of the family rocks a 5-inch IPS, HD display that’s also got a scratch resistant coating from Corning.

The display is quite vivid and colours are fairly punchy. Viewing angles are pretty good as well. Asus also bundles an app which lets you adjust the colour temperature of the display to suite your needs.
 

The new Zen UI looks very nice
 
The phone features Android 4.3 and the refreshed Zen UI, which is a big departure from Asus’s previous skins. The new theme follows a flat look for all the icons, which seems to be the trend these days.

There’s a bunch of useful apps thrown in as well from Asus like Share Link and Remote Link. The heavily skinned version of Android doesn’t slow down a bit however, which is highly commendable.

The app called ‘What’s Next’ throws up lockscreen notifications on the weather or any upcoming calendar appointments you might have.

Source: tech.firstpost.com

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S5 Mini review

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini was quietly announced via press release at the beginning of July, and it's now finding its way into stores around the world, so how does the pint-sized smartphone shape up?

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As far as design goes there's no mistaking this is a close relative to the Samsung Galaxy S5, with the S5 Mini sporting the familiar ribbed faux-metal band around its circumference and the dimpled polycarbonate rear linking it directly to its bigger brother.

It's got the HTC One Mini 2, Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, iPhone 5C and the LG G3 Beat in its sights, as these shrunken smartphones look to do battle a couple of tiers below their flagship brethren.

SIM-free you'll need at least £360 (about $600, AU$650) for the Galaxy S5 Mini, while on contact it can be had for free on two year deals starting at £24.99 in the UK.

When it comes to design it really is a mini version of the Galaxy S5, although there's no annoying flap over the microUSB port at the base of the handset.

Now you may think that the omission of this protective flap means the Galaxy S5 Mini has lost the dust and water resistant features of Samsung's flagship, but you'd be wrong.

In fact the Galaxy S5 Mini holds the same IP67 water and dust resistant rating, meaning you can drop your phone in the bath without it dying. (Galaxy S5 owners who still have to manipulate the fiddly flap every time they want to charge their device may feel some early-adopter frustration at this.)

It's not the exposed connection port at the base of the S5 Mini that's got me worried if the phone hits water though - it's the removable rear cover.

The thin piece of dimpled polycarbonate snaps snugly onto the rear of the Galaxy S5 Mini, but it's not exactly difficult to remove and the slender rubber seal that runs around part of the inside doesn't fill me with confidence.

I'll be sure to put the Galaxy S5 Mini through its watery paces in its in depth review, so make sure you check back to see how it gets on.

Behind that rear cover you'll find microSIM and microSD slots as well as removable 2100mAh battery - a strong offering, considering the recently announced Galaxy Alpha only packs a 1830mAh power pack.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini measures 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1mm, meaning it's a little chunkier than the 8.1mm Galaxy S5, but its smaller 4.5-inch display means that in terms of height and width it's easier to manage.

I found the Galaxy S5 Mini sat in the palm nicely, but the metallic effect band and plastic rear offered very little in the way of grip and I did come close to dropping the handset during my brief stint playing around.

At 120g the S5 Mini is a comfortable weight, and it's certainly not overbearing on the wrists allowing you to hold and operate it one-handed with relative ease.

The S5 Mini does feel solid and capable of taking a few knocks, but it fails to ooze premium quality, with the overly noticeably plastic body making it feel pretty cheap in the hand.

There are a couple of clever tricks built into the body of the Galaxy S5 Mini that it's inherited from its big brother. The first of which is the fingerprint scanner that resides under the home key.

You'll need to head to the Finger Scanner section in settings to set it up, and once you've registered a digit or two, you'll be able to unlock the S5 Mini and approve PayPal payments without a password.

Trouble is the system isn't all that great. TouchID on the iPhone 5S can read your finger at pretty much any angle without the need for swiping - it's quick and easy to use.

On the Galaxy S5 Mini I had more trouble. Your finger has to be straight on the home key, which isn't a natural position when you're trying to use the thumb of the hand you're using to hold the handset.

Secondly you can't go too quickly. During my short time with the handset the Galaxy S5 Mini failed to recognise my swipe on several occasions. It's certainly satisfying when it finally does register, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort.

The other hardware feature Samsung has passed down to the S5 Mini is the rear-mounted heart rate monitor.

This is accessed via the S Health app on the Galaxy S5 Mini, and you can measure your heart rate by holding your finger over the sensor on the rear of the device.

Source : techradar.com

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Android Kit Kat OS

We all know that Android version numbers are named in alphabetical order after desserts. We had Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean… and now Android Kit Kat?

In a Google+ post announcing Android's 1 billion activation achievement, Sundar Pichai – the new head of both Android and Chrome – posted the above picture of a "KitKat" statue outside the famed building 44 on Google's campus.

Is Android KitKat really the next version of the Android operating system? It sure is.

Google has never named a version of their OS after a trademarked brand. No Hershey. No Krispy Kreme. No Ben & Jerry's. Google's names have always been generic names of dessert categories.

Everyone has been calling the "K" version of Android "Key Lime Pie" for quite awhile now. Google has always been a more playful company, known for their Google Search Doodles and zany April Fools Day jokes, so initially there was debate whether the image was authentic or a hoax. But make no mistake about it… Google Android 4.4 KitKat is official.

Android 4.4 Kit Kat is official 

Android 4.4 Kit Kat is official

They're even partnering with Nestle on a contest: you could win a Nexus 7 tablet or Google Play Store credit on specially marked Kit Kat candy bars. Pretty cool!

That page scrolls down to discuss all the different versions of Android and their importance. For Android KitKat it says "It's our goal with Android KitKat to make an amazing Android experience available for everybody."

We're not surprised that Android KitKat is 4.4 instead of version 5. Lately, Google has been more iterative than revolutionary, thanks much in part to the maturation of the platform. Bringing Android to as many people as possible sounds very iterative, unless we're in for an outrageous surprise by seeing Android on even more types of devices.

Android 1.X: Cupcake, Donut

Android 2.X: Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread

Android 3.X: Honeycomb

Android 4.X: Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean, Kit Kat

So what do think? Do you like the name Android KitKat? Given they're hoping to make it "available for everybody", what do you think that says about potential 4.4 announcements and updates?

Source : http://phandroid.com/

Tags   : Technology, Android ,Google,OS ,Tablet

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Google Celebrates 15 years

Wish Google a Happy Birthday! Google on today marks its 15th birth anniversary with an animated and interactive doodle on its home page. 

Google, the search engine giant, was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, students of Stanford University. Although the company was founded a few weeks earlier but September 27 is celebrated as its birthday. 

The search engine giant has featured a playful doodle by depicting the popular Mexican birthday game pinata(a container made of papier-mache or cloth filled with candies or small toys). 

The letters of Google logo are depicted as guests of the birthday party except the 4th letter 'g'. 

The 4th letter 'g' of the logo is blindfolded and it hits the swinging pinata with a stick. 

Users are given 10 chances to hit the swinging pinata with the stick by pressing the spacebar on their computer keyboards to win candies and earn points. 

A cake is also displayed in the doodle with two candles '1' and '5' on it. 

Google has also announced that it had updated its search engine algorithm with the aim to deliver better search results to its users. 

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Tags ; technology, Google, celebrates, 15 years,search engine

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Review

Samsung is  looking to continue in the same vein as the original Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2, offering you a phone which could almost be mistaken for a tablet and wants you to believe it's both.

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Let's get one thing straight before we dive into this review though, the Galaxy Note 3 is only going to appeal to a narrow segment of users, it's certainly not going to have the broad appeal of the Galaxy S4, nor catch the eye of the fashion-conscious iPhone 5S purchaser.

The Note 3 isn't pretending to be anything it's not. It knows it's a big, some may say huge, smartphone and Samsung understands that form factor won't be for everyone.

That said, with big size comes big price, and the Galaxy Note 3 will set you back a wallet-busting £600 (UK)

The hefty price tag can be softened if you choose to pick the Note 3 up on a two year contract, but you'll still be paying a relatively high amount a month for the privilege - upwards of £35 per month in the UK if you want a free phone.

In terms of competition there's not a great deal which compares to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, but its closest competitor is currently the Sony Xperia Z Ultra which boasts a massive 6.4-inch which dwarfs even this handset.

A quick glance over the Galaxy Note 3 and it does exactly what we thought it would do: takes over the mantle as the world's most powerful smartphone, although the advantage is a lot smaller this time

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First up we have to mention the display - it's grown again since the 5.5-inch offering on the Note 2 to a palm busting 5.7 inches complete with a full HD, 1080 x 1920 Super AMOLED display.

That's the same resolution as the Galaxy S4, but as the screen is larger on the Galaxy Note 3 the pixel count isn't as great at 386ppi, so it's not quite as pin sharp as its smaller brother. It still looks pretty impressive though - and so it should for the price Samsung is asking.

We're still waiting for Samsung to embrace the full metal chassis we've enjoyed on the HTC One and the iPhone 5, but it is trying something slightly different with the Note 3.

The Galaxy Note 3 has retained the metal frame from the Galaxy S4 running around the edge of the device providing a rigid body and a more premium look, but it's on the rear where Samsung has tried something new.

Lay the Note 3 face down, take a quick glance at the handset and it appears the rear is made of leather.

It isn't, of course, it's that famous plastic Samsung is so fond off. The finish is textured to give it the appearance of leather and this actually provides some much needed grip.

Those stitches running round the outside of the back cover? Well that's just a pattern formed in the plastic. It may not be everyone's cup of tea and it looks a bit tacky upon closer inspection, but the Note 3 does feel like a solid, well built device.

On the plus side the plastic cover can be removed giving you access to the Note 3's sizable 3,200mAh battery as well as the microSD slot which is cleverly stacked on top of the microSIM port - allowing Samsung to save some space.

Somehow Samsung has managed to make the Galaxy Note 3 slightly smaller than its predecessor, measuring 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm. That's still quite a sizable device, but considering it's got a slightly larger display, beefier processor and more powerful 13MP camera it's an impressive feat.

Those of you blessed with smaller palms will still struggle to hold the Note 3 in one hand, especially when typing is involved, but thanks to its reduced weight (it's 168g, down from 183g on the Note 2) it's certainly the most manageable Note smartphone to date.

Source : techradar.com

Tags : technology, galaxy, note 3, samsung, smartphones

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Green Energy Funding For South Africa Increases

A vital issue in making the country’s energy supply more sustainable is funding. Financing gets new, potentially useful green technologies out of the development phase and into the market place. Further, they fund the improvement of technologies to make them more efficient and economically viable.

Solar Farms

Some funding avenues in South Africa include government projects, natural market forces, and personal equity.

SA Renewable Energy Programme
One significant program to keep an eye out for in South Africa right now is the government’s Renewable Energy Programme for Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The large program was initiated in 2011 to select contractors, both local and international, to contribute 3 725 megawatts (MW) to the energy grid over the next few years, generated from renewable energy sources, mostly from solar and wind energy. There are already some massive projects in place, and when all is said in done, they’ll all come up to R100 billion.

For instance, a consortium led by Solar Reserve has procured funding for three projects, which will total 238 MW altogether, and account for a whopping 20 percent share of the country’s solar energy market.

The cycle of market forces
Market forces are one way of naturally funding the research and development for new sustainable technology. Technology gets better and cheaper to manufacture, thus becomes more in demand, therefore more economically viable, and as such evokes more funding. For instance, the costs of solar technology has just about halved in the last two years, and has become more efficient. More people therefore are open to utilising solar panels, making them more in demand and more profitable, and as such more economically viable to invest in. And so technology will improve even more.

The problem is getting technology developed to the point that it is marketable and can be commercialised. And so market forces by themselves are not enough to drive green industry forward.

Personal equity
Funding from the private sector may be what we need to kick the renewable energy industry in high gear. However, because this industry is generally perceived as a more risky investment, and is typically less competitive than conventional energies, we also need government subsidy or regulatory incentives in place to generate funding from the private sector.

Thankfully, there does seem to be a trend towards this. The lack of sufficient energy infrastructure and the move by policymakers and regulators towards alternative energy sources have created a compelling opportunity for South African private equity to invest in renewable energy. More and more, business or personal loans in South Africa go towards funding a greener energy supply grid.

However, more factors need to be taken into account. Personal funding is not simply a matter of taking out business or personal loans in South Africa. There are certain additional attributes that require additional analysis and investigation. Such as the influence of policy and regulation on the feasibility of an investment, like the legal basis and durability of any grants, subsidies, credit enhancement programmes, and carbon or tax credits.

Source : greenideal.com
Tags    : green energy, technology, business, green business, south africa, green funding

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French Orange Telecom to broaden wings in South Africa

Orange Sim Card - South Africa

ITWebAfrica reports that French Telecom, Orange will now be able to set up a brand and sales presence in South Africa in stores of the independent cellular service provider Nashua Mobile - which also sells offerings such as Vodacom and MTN mobile packages.

This will make it easier for travellers to prepare for trips by having a prepaid number set-up before leaving.

Initially Orange products will be available in four stores around the country: Sandton City in Johannesburg, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria, Canal Walk and the Icon Centre shopping complex, both in Cape Town.

Together with retail stores, Orange has developed a South African customised online store where customers can purchase their items and have them delivered anywhere in South Africa within three working days.

Orange Sim cards for other countries, apart from Botswana and France, could be added later.

France Telecom-Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with a presence in 32 countries. It is one of the main European operators for mobile and broadband internet services and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

They reported having over 230 million customers worldwide at the end of last year, however they do not currently have a mobile operator's license in South Africa.

South African travellers to France will be able to purchase one of the following sim card options:

- Mobicarte holiday: a prepaid French SIM card with a communication plan that includes 2 hours of communication, 300 SMS, 500 MB of mobile internet connection anywhere in France, unlimited connection to Orange 30 000 WiFi Hotspots in France, unlimited use of Orange maps. Currently you can expect to pay R590 for the package, plus a R100 transaction fee. Check out all the Mobicarte holiday details.

- Orange starter kits: Both include a French SIM and a bundle with the following services: voicemail, consumption monitoring, presentation of numbers, double call. There are two different pricing options - either R230 (plus R30 transaction fee) or R405 (plus a R50 transaction fee). Check out all the starter kit details

Source : news24.co.za
Tags : French, orange sim card, Orange Telecom, sim card, south africa, technology, telecommunication news
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samsung s4 reviews

Tech experts have commenced their test drives on the Galaxy S4 and the general sentiment is - the Samsung flagship is fairly good but another Android handset, the HTC One, will surely give it some tough moments.

Samsung S4

The HTC One was announced on 19 February, but might not arrive in shops until April. (Credit: Reuters)

Many were impressed that the GS4 delivers new Smart features, some of which were rollovers from the rousingly successful Galaxy S3, but the overall package seems to fall short of expectations, which are quite high.

It is expected that the GS3 replacement surpass the achievements collected by Samsung last year, among them global sales that so far breached the 40 million mark. Unfortunately, it hard to imagine that the4 GS4 will even replicate such feat, the reviews said.

For Wall Street Journal tech guru Walt Mossberg, the quad-core GS4 (in some markets it would be 8-core on Exynos CPU) is hardly a game changer. He reached that assessment after four days of toying with the Android device.

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"While I admire some of its features, overall, it isn't a game-changer ... It's a good phone, just not a great one," said Mr Mossberg.

He added that some of the new functions were rather confusing than amusing.

The Verge concurs, bemoaning that for all the mouth-watering spec bump ups afforded to the new Galaxy premium phone it is both noisy and complicated.

The GS4 could even pass up as a minor update of the GS3, David Pogue of the New York Times observed.

"The Galaxy is still a beautiful, high-horsepower Android phone. But basically, it's an updated Galaxy S3," his review offered.

While the Samsung handset will not disappoint Android fans, something else would easily deliver the goods with a bonus - sturdier body-build. Jessica Dolcourt of CNET pointed to the HTC One, which takes its pride on casing that is composed of an aluminium unibody chassis plus a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for a reliable screen protection.

HTC's premium the One is the far more impressive phone physically, and has a much fresher interface design to boot," Ms Dolcourt said on her review.

David Pierce of The Verge affirmed that HTC One is the better buy because it "is refined, quiet, comfortable, beautiful, and above all simply pleasant,"

Mr Mossberg argued too that gadget buyers will get more from the One while paying for almost the same price. "The HTC has a handsome, sturdier, aluminium body, dual stereo speakers, an excellent camera, better screen resolution ... and twice the base memory for the same price," he explained.

Source : au.ibtimes.com
Tags : samsumg, technology, smartphone, s4, samsung s4,

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Integrated Energy Centre for South Africa

South Africa's Energy Department and state oil company PetroSA have launched an Integrated Energy Centre (IeC) in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape province, PetroSA announced in a statement on Monday.

Power lines

The centre is a one-stop shop offering services of energy goods.

It will house an information centre, a convenience store, car wash, an energy shop, ablution facilities and a fuels forecourt. Petrol, diesel, paraffin and LPG gas will also be sold at the centre.

"For years Mbizana residents have had to travel minimum distances of 15 kilometres to nearby towns to purchase everyday commodities like electricity, petrol and other energy necessities," PetroSA said.

The centre, which cost R10.8-million to construct, will be owned by a registered co-operative made up of members of the local community and will plough back part of the profit from the centre towards growing the business and job creation.

Once fully operational, 15 people will be employed.

"IeCs are not just about the integration of energy services. Rather they are primarily about integration and co-operation among the three tiers and structures of government, for improved delivery of energy services to the poorest of the poor," said Energy Minister Dipuo Peters.

The opening of the IeC was a significant milestone for PetroSA.

"The centre is a showcase of our commitment to corporate social responsibility. I am sure that there are important lessons that PetroSA will take from this experience that will stand us in good stead for similar ventures," PetroSA group chief executive officer Nosizwe Nokwe-Macamo said.

The community is committed to ensuring that the venture is a success, said chairperson of the Mbizana IeC Co-operative, Zwelihle Moya.

Source: SANews.info
Tags : energy, deparment of energy, green energy, integrated energy, south africa energy

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Microsoft surface mini 7 inch pad

Microsoft might be getting more ambitious when it comes to hardware. A published report said the company is planning to release a 7-inch tablet under its Surface brand, a device that could go head-to-head with the iPad mini in a growing segment that lies between smartphones and full-sized tablets.

Surface mini

According to The Verge, the tablet is being produced at Microsoft facilities in California. It's said to carry a customized version of Windows and is powered by an ARM SoC (system-on-a-chip) processor. It might also carry Microsoft's Xbox brand, making it a hub for personal gaming, social networking and entertainment.


Microsoft did not comment on the report.
[ Microsoft's CEO is optimistic about the market for Windows Phone 8 devices. Read Ballmer Says Windows Phone Sales To Surge. ]

Such a move would be consistent with other recent moves by Microsoft. Last month it introduced Surface RT, its first entry into the PC hardware business. Surface RT runs a version of Windows 8, Windows RT that is restricted to running Metro-style apps available only from the company's online Windows Store. The device starts at $499, the same entry point for Apple's new iPad.

In the coming weeks, Microsoft plans to ship Surface Pro. It will run Windows 8 Professional on x86 chips and will be compatible with the full suite of Windows legacy applications.

Microsoft is also said to be working on its own version of a Windows Phone 8 smartphone that would compete with products sold by its existing partners, such as Nokia and Samsung.

Citing unidentified sources, The Wall Street Journal said the company is testing prototypes with Asian component suppliers. The newspaper's sources said the device would feature a screen measuring between 4 and 5 inches diagonally. That would put it somewhere between Apple's new iPhone 5 and the larger Samsung Galaxy S III.

The report contradicts statements that a Microsoft executive made to InformationWeek earlier this year. Asked if the company planned to make its own phones, Greg Sullivan, senior marketing manager for Windows Phone, said, "No, we do not." Hardware makers building Windows Phone 8 devices include HTC, Nokia and Samsung.

"We have a strong ecosystem of partners that we are very satisfied with," Sullivan said in an interview, in July.

Microsoft's hardware ambitions aren't sitting well with all of its PC- and phone-building partners. Lingxian Lang, China operations manager for Acer, reportedly said that Redmond's plan to compete with partners would ultimately see it eating "hard rice."

But with the growing abundance of free software that competes with Microsoft's paid offerings, from Google's Android operating system to IBM's Lotus Symphony suite of productivity apps, the company may have little choice but to enter the hardware business in a bigger way.

Upgrading isn't the easy decision that Win 7 was. We take a close look at Server 2012, changes to mobility and security, and more in the new Here Comes Windows 8 issue of InformationWeek. Also in this issue: Why you should have the difficult conversations about the value of OS and PC upgrades before discussing Windows 8. (Free registration required.)

Source : informationweek.com
Tags : technology, tablets, Windows 8, surface pad, surface mini, 7 inch pad

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Galaxy Note II Review

It’s fair to say that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is one of the best Android smartphone / tablets on the market right now, if not the best. Samsung seems to have really won over fans with their larger smartphone products, and it’s no surprise to see plenty of other manufacturers who want a piece of the pie as well.

Galaxy Note II

The Galaxy Note 2 is now available to buy in numerous countries, with Samsung now having some breathing space as they look to prepare Android 4.2 for an official software update during Q1 of 2013 – as rumors claim anyway.

CES 2013 is bound to bring a whole plethora of Note 2 rivals and two new contenders that you may not have heard about, could actually give Samsung a run for their money. It’s been well documented that Verizon customers are not happy over the lack of communication regarding an official Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update.

While Big Red hasn’t hinted of any imminent release, they may be getting sidetracked with the upcoming and next Droid smartphone, which is due to be unveiled on November 13. It is going to be called the Droid DNA and at a rumored 5-inches, HTC definitely sees potential to eat away at the Note 2 market space.

The Droid DNA is being rumored to a point where it is semi-official already and considering the frustrations with Samsung over software update delays, consumers may want to give HTC an opportunity to strut their stuff, with the DNA looking like a really capable device – see here for more specification details.

A new Droid handset is going to be an interesting situation for Verizon customers, especially for current Galaxy S3 owners if the Droid DNA ships with Jelly Bean out of the box, which it surely will.

Meanwhile, another Galaxy Note 2 rival has emerged, a surprise package from none other than Sony, who will seemingly confirm the existence of their 5-inch Sony Yuga, which also touts a 1080p display like the Droid DNA. It is looking like the next lineup in the Xperia range and with Jelly Bean and a potential 12MP camera on board, it really could emerge as a great alternative to the Note 2.

[Sony's answer to the Note 2?]

Then again, consumers may not be willing to jump aboard the Xperia bandwagon, again possibly due to future software update concerns. Sony still has a loyal fan base though and if you have owned Xperia devices in the past with no problems, you’ll want to read over this German report, which contains the first images of the alleged Yuga in action.

It’s no surprise to see so many Note 2 rivals emerging, but do you think the Note 2 will still overpower them with ease, thanks to growing popularity and Samsung’s strengths as a global brand? CES 2013 is going to be very interesting indeed next year and time will tell whether Samsung has built the Note 2 in a way where it can still fend off all challenges before any talk of a future Galaxy Note 3 device appears.

Source : product-reviews.net
Tags : technology, mobile technology, new smartphones, smartphone technology, galaxy note ii,

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Windows 8 vs MS revenue

Operating income down 26 per cent as revenues slide

Microsoft is reporting a $16.03bn revenue haul in what was a decidedly down financial quarter for the company.

Overall, the Redmond giant saw its revenues drop by eight per cent over the same period last quarter, while operating income sank by 26 per cent over the same period in 2011.

The report comes just days before what Microsoft hopes will be its biggest product launch in years. Later this month the company is slated to announce the general availability of its Windows 8 operating system.

"The launch of Windows 8 is the beginning of a new era at Microsoft," said chief executive Steve Ballmer.

"Investments we've made over a number of years are now coming together to create a future of exceptional devices and services, with tremendous opportunity for our customers, developers, and partners."

The company hopes that the launch will more than make up for what was a poor quarter for its Windows and Windows Live division. The unit saw revenues weigh in at $3.24bn, down by some 33 per cent from last year.

There were, however, some bright spots for Microsoft. The company's Server and Tools business hauled in $4.65bn in revenues, up eight per cent from the previous year. That figure could improve as the company continues with its rollout of the Windows

Server 2012 platform.
Online services also performed well for Microsoft, bringing in $697m in revenues and a nine per cent growth over 2011's quarter.

The company reported that its advertising operation had managed to grow revenues by 15 per cent on the year.

Source: V3.co.uk
Tags: Microsoft , Windows 8 , Windows server
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